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So it seems...

www.metanwalkonwater.com

There are a lot of shows on TV about old junk right now. American Pickers, Pawn Stars, Auction Kings, Storage Wars, American Restoration, ad nauseam. At least now we might get one with old Boston Whalers in it.

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The same reason I dislike most of the reality shows, will be why I don't watch this. It is just another jerk being mean to his employees on TV. I love Whalers and quality, but does it always require name calling and behavior like on this video to make a show marketable?

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Can they get through a sentence without the F word?

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These comments are not fair. I had my 1967 Whaler restored by Metan Marine and I found that the owner (Mike) and the customer rep (Vince) are terrific people who treated me fairly and did a great job fixing up my boat.

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So the video is just an act? Threatening someone on the phone is the act of a terrific businessman? Cussing at employees should be supported because?

He may do a great job, but I can guarantee I wouldn't walk across the street to meet him after that video.

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Not fair? Did you watch the video? They might be great folks that do outstanding work but the marketing for the show is definitely aimed at the brain rot crowd.

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If ever I want to spend my hard earned money on someone who berates and belittles their employess this is the man I'll call.
Zap

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and another thing. Boston Whalers have always (IMO) been about class. The person I saw on the video is the anti-class.
Zap

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Anybody can paint a boat and make it look good, for a while at least. Original gelcoat, or re-gelcoat work, is what gives a Whaler lasting classic value.

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Yeah that made his company look ridiculous.

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When I saw the link I was hoping it was a show about boat repair, about taking old boats and all the work that goes into them to bring them back to life. The video convinced me that it's really about another dysfunctional family that just happens to be in the marine industry. I have seen the restored boats on their website and they seem to do good work but dropping the F bomb every two seconds makes them sound ridiculous and it's really not worth my time to watch.

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Good video with real behind the scenes scripting. For public viewing, I do not like all the F-bombs either and I hope they clean up their act once this show airs on TV. The owner is a classic cocky northeast attitude loudmouth whose only saving grace is the quality of his work. I'm sure that in person, the owner isn't nearly the A-hole that he appears to be portrayed in this trailer.

I'm looking forward to this show airing.....like what Kamie mentions above, I hope it's not like the many other shows out there that are more focused on the dysfunction of the team rather than the product they offer.

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The same as gusgus, I dislike most reality shows because they seem to go out of their way to focus on someone being mean to their employees. Maybe someone from the show will see threads like this and they'll tone it down before the show actually airs.

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They say there is no such thing as bad publicity...but sometimes I wonder.

I agree that Mike Borrelli's on camera behavior is deplorable.

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You have to wonder of the strategy of airing a preview like this one.
Reminds me very much of the format for Dog The Bounty Hunter TV show.
"This is going to hurt me more than you Brother"
Have a cigarette,The wagon is on it's way.
As far as boat refit, his capable employees; who have to earn a living while being bullied;could share a lot of savy I am sure.

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I feel supporting a business as advertised in this video or show is akin to supporting sweatshops. My money is very much a vote for the business's I like and the places which provide a good product and seem to be a positive work environment for it's employees.
This guy is not someone I would ever want to meet. cocky, conceited and overbearing.

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i worked at a boat/jetski rental business in Ft. Lauderdale back in the 90s. New owner, from NYC...essentially the same dude. He was outwardly mean and cursed at us alot. But, he didn't mean it the way you guys seem to be taking it. That roughness was just his NY personality. I think he liked us, and we liked him...we just got cursed at alot. We got used to it...I'd still consider him a friend today if I came across him again.

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HAHA! I just noticed that there was a banner for Metan Marine on the Visit Our Sponsors block on the Whaler Central home page.

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So he cusses don't we all. I'll watch the program....

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I showed the video to my crew at the fire station. We're a marine unit and all of us are avid boaters. Most of us would have a lot of interest in watching a show about boat restoration and repair. The video turned everyone in the station off to the idea of watching the show if/when it airs.

I guess I gotta give my crew credit for having a lot more class that I previously thought.

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My copy of "Soundings-Trade Only" arrived this morning, and the front page article was on Metan Marine. It tells the history of the whole operation.

What I found interesting was that a restored 13' white/blue Whaler goes for $20,000. A 23' restored Sea Craft goes for $125,000.

I'd hate to see what one of those Nausets cost, or even worse, the ribside 21 Outrage. 100K?

He brags about having well heeled customers. I guess so!

I guess that makes all of us just a bunch of cheapskate bottom feeders.

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I saw the the boats in person at the Boston boat show. They looked great but the floors don't look factory at all. Sure they are nonskid but they should have the rough ( bag area is what the call rough area). The 16' ski eyes were not in the right place. They were right where you would mount the kicker motor. If I had the $50000 to buy that boat I would buy that $11000 barn find Katama for sale in Norfolk craigslist instead.

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OK,
Let's take a deep breath...
Through my works this night past I had the topic in mind with the fun of reviewing that Metan Marine scenes.
A question that came to mind was..
Why was this guy emoting so much?
Must be in the script..
Cant be too sedated and boring cause it won't sell.
Speed it up will you?
See the thing is, with these shows
They must be riveting and captivating enough so that the filmmaker will actually "SELL" the series for a very tidy sum.
Reminds me a bit of one of my favorite series "Deadwood" with all the captivating profanities.
By now, from what we saw in this lively preview
Painting your boat will be seen as the "doing it fast" way of renewing your hulls.
I am sure that there would be plenty of info there to keep us captivated.
Well I think that the other 80% of the viewers would be hooked by the hype about boat repairs too.
Quite new don't you think?
Let' cut Metan a bit of slack and see if it will be worth our time watching.
After all we are talking about a sponsor in good standing to the site that paints boats.
And Joe should not be put in a tight spot with a sponsor in regard to the short clip.
On a positive side
I think that we all got to love Pamela's knee high tan laced boots.
There's a good chance that we will see more leather in the scenes to come
"OK You're the boss"
Sure sounds right to me.
Wish that all the gals would take the hint.
Way to go Mike!
Count me in, I'll be watching.

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I emailed him through his website to inform him of the negative publicity on this thread and he never emailed me back to acknowledge. Just wanted to see if he would clarify the all the language or whatever, and he didn't even want to take the time to email back. Kinda speaks for itself if you ask me.

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I have no doubt there is a lot of playing for the camera. As already stated, unfortunately its what seems to make many of the not-so-real reality shows successful. I'm guilty of watching a few of them myself.

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I drove right past Orange County Choppers yesterday and many times over the years since they hit the air, never stopped in. I would probably do the same if Metan was located in my hood. With well over 100 TV stations and shows to watch I might view an episode or two before I am bored to death.

The prices for restorations that I have seen tells me there are many people who have more money than brains. One would have to be madly in love with his classic whaler to drop that kind of cash on a resto. On the flip side, I fully agree with the members here who decide to DIY these projects and have the necessary equipment and abilities to get it done. I doubt there are many here who will sink $20,000 in to a boat that will be worth $10,000 in the real world unless they plan to keep it for ever.

The one thing I see missing in all of these reality shows is bloody noses and lips.

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I recently purchased a classic Whaler. It suffers from typical Whaler crazing of the interior. I have given alot of thought to refurbishing the topside gel coat and contacted Metan due to their advert here. I can tell you that they were fantastic to talk to. Answered all of my questions and replied to e-mails promptly. I'm not sure I can afford their work, but if I could I wouldn't hesitate to do buisness with them. On the other hand I contacted another reputable shop in NH and can't even get a return phone call. Cut them some slack and at least see how the show turns out.

-Bob.

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One thing I would recommend they do is buy a copy of Tom Clark's catalog CD, so that when they are working on a boat, they could refer to it's original configuration. This would include the Boston Whaler logo decals, which would help them get the correct size and in the correct location on the hull.

It seems to me that if one spends a fortune to "bring a Whaler back", keeping original components, in their correct location, adds tremendously to it's classic value and appeal to others.

As an example, I see a smirked 17' hull, with a Nauset mahogany console and a Montauk reversible pilot seat. No such combination of hull/console, or of console/seat ever existed. I don't like the "mix and match" concept.

But then again, maybe I'm just an old out of touch perfectionist, but for that kind of money, that is what I would demand.

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I agree. The trailer from the show is not representative of the fellows I met at Metan when I had the exterior of my boat restored last winter. Mike and Vince are terrific and my conversations with them were always civil. There really is some valuable expertise at Metan and they do get the job done. Period.

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It is a shame. What a great show this would be about restoring great boats. I would be on it like glue (or should I say epoxy ? ).
However...
The conflict and the language even if bleeped out makes it unwatchable for me. I would love to watch something like this with my son but I certainly do not want him seeing that kind of display as an example on how to behave.
These kinds of shows puzzle me... I tune in to learn not for a soap opera...

You would think they would take the lead from the best reality/education show out there in my opinion which is Mythbusters. If there is conflict among the cast you would never know it.

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I will have guessed that a show about patient and long boat refitting without the hype and language would be like watching paint drying.
I will agree to tone it down for family viewing.
Would the network buy it?
Maybe not.
Cant be worse than the Junkyard Dog saying
"I look like this and sound like that because I am a straight dude".
Have you Folks tune in to the "Dog Whisperer" yet?

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The show doesn't have to be about paint drying, and you can still show staff interactions without resorting to a string of 4 letter words. As for Dog Whisperer, yes I do watch it.

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I had (1) 13' Whaler restored by Metan which he featured in the Boston Boat show. I'm having 2 more done by him and his crew. Had a few offers well over the cost of restoring but decided to donate it to an Autism fund Mike, his wife and the whole co. are apart of. Metan will rebuild/restore your boat anyway you ask. Want a 15' mast for a sail in your Sea Craft? Mike will put it in , guarentee it and suggest a sail maker. His guys are top of the line especially Matt. Bouncing ideas off him gets you the best quality, best looking end result. As far as the "f" bombs, you've never seen a show that was comepletely different after 10 episodes from the Pilot. Lets see, 99% guys working on boats and no swearing, whats the name of your planet. Throttle down, ease your rudder cause you know you are gonna give it a chance and watch it.

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No most of the TV I watch is with my kids so this I will not watch this one... It's too bad... Maybe Mythbusters will make a Whaler out of duct tape this season... ; )

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great workmanship and fun personalities makes for great entertainment! It will fun to watch....tough crowd here, need to wait to see and review.

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Seems to me that you guys have alot to say about Metan and their F-Bombs, like Matt said in the trailer, were here to do strictly business. So make judgements about my heritage all you want, but one step in our show room you'll see what our hard work looks like in the end

Joe Borrelli

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Folks, lets keep it civil....

It TV...........
I used to enjoy watching Live Richard Prior.........
You either watch the program or you don't.....

Thanks

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And let us hear more from Mr Borelli and his finished products.
The before and after photos should tell the story.
I never have enough about slick repair jobs.
Specially the ones involving Classic Whalers.

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Metan Marine had Best In Show at the Boston Boat Show for their restored Whalers just last year.

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Employees working as a team either in construction, or boatbuilding/remodeling or whatever can't/won't do good work when working under conflict. Anyone who has ever worked as part of a crew will attest to this. The show is probably scripted to follow the lead of other successful reality shows that basically appeal to idiots. There is no doubt big money to be made producing these shows as they don't use professional actors.
As far as this Borelli charecter that has recently showed up, I don't think anyone has said anything about the quality of the remodeling work at Metan Marine. I hope he doesn't start swearing at us. LOL

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Lol.

No one has bashed the Quality of work at Metan, just the character flaws portrayed in the trailer....it's as if the Discovery channel focused on the negatives instead of the positives of his business.

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Mike,
I think that your business and site did get a "Million Dollars" worth of publicity from this site lately.
I would love to be a working part of the crew for a month and to get to work with all aspects of refits.
Even under the mask some of us will call it quality time.Since we got you here
[Which I might ad, that it took a lot of going to get to hear you]
I would be very keen on hearing of your comments on "Paint"
Awlgrip or Craft as in your prep and undercoats and the quality of work as a finished product.
Since the breeze is showing up might as well give it more sail.

Serge.

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Here are links to three videos featuring Metan Marine from BoatingLocal.com, a New England-centric magazine style boating website. They show the company without the Discovery Channel reality TV production values. They show actual boats being worked on.

Minor glass and gelcoat repair on Sunfish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz5WCf...z5WCfipaNw

Mashup of a 73-82 21' Outrage restore:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opZPkq...pZPkqBW4-E
This is Part 1 of probably 2. It is the only part online.

Voids in the layup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAJ7xr...AJ7xr386LE

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Moderator's Note: Off topic comments and comments containing foul language have been removed and will not be tolerated.

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Guy's please find the link to the clean edited version of the trailer. Try to enjoy!!!!

http://youtu.be/45iCZY9IyFs

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Thank You Metan Marine.
I have enjoyed the condensed clip about the Dumptruck refit.
I will enjoy more of the same.
Thanks to Mike for making it easier for many of us to enjoy some of your work.

Ritz.