By Jacob Mathias

A new business has set sail at the location of the former Red’s Marine in Stevens Point.

CenterPoint Marine, owned and operated by Justin Kolbus and Steve Henke of Amherst, Wis., opened its doors at the end of January. The newly remodeled shop offers new and used boat, trailer and accessory sales, full repair and refurbishment services as well as indoor, off-season storage.

“We felt that there was a need in the Stevens Point area,” said Henke. “There as a large void there for it.”

The full service marine shop focuses on offering Wisconsin made products and sells Mirrocraft fishing boats and Montego Bay Pontoons made in Gillett, Wis. Boat trailers by Karavan Trailers are manufactured in Fox Lake, Wis. Canoes by Minnesota-based Meyers Boat Company are also available.

“We’re trying to retain all Wisconsin built jobs,” said Henke.

Henke and Kolbus have a combine 20-plus years marine working experience. Kolbus began his career as an auto mechanic but soon switched to marine products.

“I really liked cars. I got a job in a shop but in the winter time I didn’t like getting dripped on,” said Kolbus who is certified to work on Suzuki, Mercury, Evinrude and Johnson boat engines and will soon be trained on Honda boat engines as well.

Henke was once a larger machinery mechanic and a construction worker but after a workplace accident, scaled down to boat motors, where he’s been ever since.

When not working, Kolbus and Henke are avid sportsmen and spend their free time fishing and duck hunting.

CenterPoint also efforts to be a community oriented business and have donated a dock to the McDill Lake District as well as a donation to the Stevens Point Police Department.

CenterPoint Marine is located at 3625 Patch St. in Stevens Point. They are open for business from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturdays.

For more information, call 715-344-8282 or visit www.centerpointmarine.com.