PICTURED ABOVE: Phil and Cindy Watson, owners of Panorama Marine, stand in the boat showroom. A raised walkway made of VW dock materials runs along the east and south sides of the showroom to give customers easy access to the boats on display.
The new building includes six service bays on the north end.
By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
The Panorama Marine sales and service building is stocked with boat supplies and water sports accessories.
The new Panorama Marine building is now open on Highway 4 north of Panora. Phil Watson Jr. and his wife, Cindy, purchased the business from Lyn Coulter in the fall of 2023. Shortly after the purchase, the Lake Panorama Association (LPA) board of directors approved a 2024-2028 lease between LPA and the Watsons for operation of the LPA-owned marina.
“As soon as we were done winterizing boats for customers last fall, we started moving shop equipment and existing inventory into the new building,” Phil Watson says. “We took the month of December off, then came in Jan. 7 to start getting organized. We still have some things to do, but we’re open for business and ready to serve our customers.”
The L-shaped building is about 17,000 square feet and includes both sales and service. The climate-controlled showroom has 23 new boats on trailers ready for customers to explore.
A raised walkway made of VW dock material runs along the east and south sides of the showroom. Customers can walk up a few steps to the dock then directly into boats lined up throughout the room.
The climate-controlled Panorama Marine showroom has 23 new boats on trailers ready for customers to explore.
Watson says the boats currently in the showroom are the first of their 2025 inventory; additional boats will be brought in as sales get underway.
“Having this heated indoor showroom is a big improvement. This allows us to have the covers off, and customers can explore what we have to offer no matter what the weather’s like,” he says.
Boat lines carried by Panorama Marine include Mastercraft and Four Winns, plus Godfrey and Barletta pontoons. Also in the showroom are Kawasaki jet skis, with one of each of the five models that comply with LPA regulations. The business also offers VW brand docks and Shore Station lifts.
The new building includes six service bays on the north end.
“This is a big improvement over the previous building near the marina. There we had four bays, but only two of those had tall doors,” Watson says. “Now we have more bays for service work, and we’ll be able to bring new boats inside to prep for the showroom. We will be able to do more boat winterizations in the fall.”
The spacious service area offers overhead oil and a jib crane to pull engines out of boats. Boats are brought into the service area through tall doors on the west side. A fenced area on that side of the building keeps customers’ boats secure before and after servicing.
Three boat storage buildings are complete at Panorama Marine on Highway 4 north of Panora.
Sandwiched between the boat showroom to the south and the shop to the north is a smaller showroom where boating accessories and supplies are available. The parts department also is located in this area, plus offices for Phil, Cindy and Scott Kemble, Panorama Marine’s sales manager.
Steps lead to a partial second floor, where parts are organized for easy retrieval. There also is a small kitchen and area for employees to use when on break.
To the north are three boat storage buildings.
“We bought two storage buildings from Lyn and needed more. The LPA also has six storage buildings. It’s like putting together a jigsaw puzzle as we get boats winterized and into storage each fall,” Watson says.
Construction will begin soon on a fourth storage building. For now, this building will house used boats that are for sale.
A service road on Watson’s property leads to the marina. This makes it possible to move boats between the lake and the service and storage buildings without using Highway 4.
All employees who worked for Coulter joined Watson’s organization.
Scott Kemble, Panorama Marine sales manager, started selling boats for Lyn Coulter in 1985. His first sale was a Mastercraft, which went for $18,900. Kemble says a similar boat today costs $110,000. Kemble is shown in his office in the new Panorama Marine building.
The Panorama Marine gas dock will be staffed seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day with the same hours as past years. Watson is exploring options for “pay at the pump” so boaters can get gas during off hours or early spring and late fall.
The gas dock also will have some merchandise, food, drinks and boating needs.
“For instance, we will have batteries at the dock that are fully charged and ready to go,” Watson says.
Hours at the new Panorama Marine sales and service building are Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The business is closed Sunday and Monday.
The phone number for Panorama Marine is 641-755-2920. A website includes photos and information on new and pre-owned boats, pontoons and personal watercraft, plus details on services offered. The website is www.panoramamarine.com.
Plans are underway for an open house this spring.
The new Panorama Marine building includes six service bays.