The new owners of Bay Marine want to bring a “new energy” to the establishment, a fixture of the Miller Bay waterfront since 1976.

“There’s been some type of boat service here since the early 1900s,” said new owner Chris Cluett. “Our mission is to provide continuity, but we’ve got a lot of plans for the future” The firm had developed a less than savory reputation in the past according to some local boaters. Cluett has plans to change that.

Those plans include continued remodeling and expansion of the retail parts and accessories area of the business.

“We want to blend all that works and put in some more wrinkles. This place just needs some new energy.”

Cluett has had control of Bay Marine since the beginning of the year, though he officially took control of the helm, Jan. 15.

Cluett says the boating business almost comes as second nature to him.

“I live in Indianola and we’ve been interested getting into a local business,” Cluett said. “I come from a boating family. Sailing, power boating — you name it, we’ve done it.

“I’ve been in and around the boat business all my life. This was a great opportunity.”

Bay Marine, 20 minutes north of Bremerton, offers boat detail work, canvases and winterizing.

“It doesn’t make sense for a boat owner to go to once place to winterize a boat,” Cluett said, “and then another to buy the covers, before coming here to moor. We want to be the place that is there for everyone.”

The same staff and boat workers are there, along with two new hires, Cluett said.

Bay Marine has 6,500 square feet shop, showroom and retail space. There are 120 slips. It is also one of the few facilities with complete haul-out capabilities. Other nearby ones include Gig Harbor Marina, the old Skansie Shipyard, where next door is a gentle-grade boat ramp, as well as Kitsap Marina and Dockside, both in Port Orchard.

Bay Marine is located at 20622 Miller Bay Rd NE in Poulsbo and can be reached at (360) 598-4900.