IBEX 365 News
Brownell’s New Service Stations Spring From Deep-rooted Boatyard Knowledge and Fine-tuned Listening Skills
Product Category: Boatyard and Marina
The Brownell Service Station was developed to solve one of the most common challenges in boat maintenance—safe, efficient and ergonomic maintenance for outboard engines, sterndrives and lower units during service and commissioning.
“Brownell’s deep understanding of yard operations, combined with decades of fabrication experience allowed us to design something truly practical, durable and intuitive,” said Alex Kavanaugh, president, Brownell Boat Stands. “We hope the Service Station will become as ubiquitous as the Brownell boat stands.”
While products similar to the Service Station exist, there wasn’t a product that was as comprehensive with multiple fittings and adjustments to cover a broader range of service and repair. Brownell worked to ensure the product was valuable and ready to use out of the box, Kavanaugh said, without a shop needing to make modifications or enhancements. The Service Station standardizes the maintenance process for outboards, lower units and sterndrives, allowing technicians to complete more work in less time, with improved accuracy.
Brownell is always listening to mechanics and boatbuilders who work on outboards and outboard lower units daily, he said.
“All of our new products are developed based on valuable feedback from the men and women working in the field. We are always looking for new ways to make their jobs easier and safer.”
“We love hearing about the efficiencies gained from the individuals in the field using the products- that feedback is invaluable when designing new products or making modifications to current products,” Kavanaugh said.
“As always, future designs and concepts will be guided by direct input from the professionals who rely on our products.”
What problem is the Brownell Boat Stands Service Station designed to solve? Are there obstacles the service stations will help boaters, technicians and mechanics overcome?
The Brownell Service Station was developed to solve one of the most common challenges in boat maintenance—safe, efficient and ergonomic maintenance for outboard engines, sterndrives and lower units during service and commissioning. Traditionally, technicians have relied on improvised setups, unstable supports, or awkward positioning that slows down work and increases risk. The Service Station eliminates these inefficiencies by providing a stable and versatile platform. The Service Station helps overcome space constraints, awkward work angles, and the lack of standardized service setups in boatyards. It also reduces the risk of strain or injury caused by improper lifting or bending and eliminates downtime. For mechanics, it means less time spent repositioning or improvising supports; for boaters, it hopefully means faster turnaround times on repairs and maintenance.
How have the Service Stations changed the boat maintenance process, and the boatbuilding process?
The Service Station has standardized the maintenance process for outboards, lower units and sterndrives, allowing technicians to complete more work in less time, with improved accuracy. The positive-locking rotation and available tool tray provide unmatched ergonomics and safety for technicians.
Could you describe the innovation and advances found in the Service Stations?
The Brownell Service Station takes outboard and lower unit service and puts it in one bench-mounted or floor-mounted location with positive pin lock rotation for safety and accessibility. The Service Station tray keeps the technician in one place to perform all their work quickly and efficiently.
Who is currently using the Service Station?
The Service Station is being used by leading marinas, repair yards and boatbuilders across North America and internationally. Early adopters include facilities that specialize in outboard service.
What kind of boat, boat engines and boat parts are the Service Stations being used with?
The Service Station is designed for outboard- and sterndrive-powered boats and is compatible with all major engine brands, including Mercury, Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda outboards, and Volvo Penta and Mercruiser sterndrives.
What feedback have you received?
We’ve received incredibly positive feedback from yard managers and service technicians. We love hearing about the efficiencies gained from the individuals in the field using the products- that feedback is invaluable when designing new products or making modifications to current products.
Why do you think no one has designed a successful product like the Brownell Boat Stands Service Station before?
The Service Station was developed by listening to mechanics and boatbuilders who work on outboards and outboard lower units daily. While other products exist in the market, there wasn’t a product that was as comprehensive with multiple fittings and adjustments to cover a broader range of service and repair. We also heard about issues and headaches with existing products, and worked solutions into our design to ensure the product was valuable and ready to use out of the box, without the shop making modifications or enhancements to meet their expectations. Brownell’s deep understanding of yard operations, combined with decades of fabrication experience, allowed us to design something truly practical, durable and intuitive.
What obstacles arose during the R&D process?
We were challenged by the need to incorporate new features and capabilities, while remaining cost-competitive while selling through two-step distribution. Where possible, we utilized common materials and components, and leaned on our existing expertise to maximize efficiencies. We also wanted to make the individual components interchangeable with parts a shop might already have from a different manufacturer, which required sourcing new materials and vendors that could supply and process tubing in ways we have not explored before. Finally, we released this product right before we began moving our entire factory, so our initial production runs took place very much under the gun, as we pushed to move our operation while still delivering product to the customer.
Was there a connection to feedback from working technicians and mechanics that led to, or contributed to, the design?
All of our new products are developed based on valuable feedback from the men and women working in the field. We are always looking for new ways to make those jobs easier and safer. In one yard visit, when asking what else we could supply to make life easier, a technician pointed to an old, worn out, partially homemade device, and stressed the need for an off-the-shelf solution. Through the design and development of the Service Station, we spent a lot of time with one of our local boatyards – seeing what they currently use, hearing what they have done to modify and improve things over the years, and working through prototypes. It was through these discussions that we realized there truly was a need for something better, more comprehensive, and more useful than anything currently on the market.
What impact do you see the Brownell Boat Stands Service Station having on the boating industry?
It introduces a professional, purpose-built tool that improves safety, consistency and productivity. As adoption continues to grow, it will hopefully become a staple in modern service bays and repair yards, much like Brownell’s classic boat stands became an industry standard decades ago. Our focus with our shop equipment is on solving problems with better solutions, and we hope the service station embodies that ideology.
What plans are in place for the future of Brownell Boat Stands? What plans do you have for the future of this design?
Brownell will continue to expand the shop equipment line with new ideas and accessories tailored to solve problems for OEMs, boatyards and marinas. As always, future designs and concepts will be guided by direct input from the professionals who rely on our products.
