Queen of Clean

THE QUEEN OF CLEAN

Celebrating 16 Years

By Ellen Auten, Marketing Coordinator

Many who frequent the docks of Walstrom Marine, Harbor Springs in the summer months will be familiar with the friendly face of Margaret Groenevelt, our lead detailer. Margaret has worked for Walstrom Marine for over 16 years and counting! To celebrate her 16 years, Margaret shared her journey at Walstrom Marine, what she loves most about her job as lead detailer, and some advice for upkeep on your boat.

Before Walstrom Marine, Margaret grew up in the Grand Haven area and was always near the water. Her parents, four brothers, and Margaret moved north to Harbor Springs in 1977 – her sophomore year of high school. She became friends with Steve Murchie, a now Walstrom Marine veteran of 32 years. While in search of a new career after many years as the lead cook at a local community program, Margaret heard of an opening with Walstrom Marine through her friend, Steve, who had at the time been with Walstrom for about 16 years. After a “threeday trial period” to make sure it was the right fit, Margaret decided Walstrom Marine was her new home away from home.

In the beginning, Margaret’s days with Walstrom were spent alongside Steve on the yard crew. With this position they tackled boat launches, haul-outs, bottom washes, exterior detailing in the off-season and more. During her time with the yard crew, she remembers fondly all of the practical jokes they would play on each other. “They would scare the living daylights out of you,” as they would jump out from behind boats in the storage buildings. The jokes didn’t stop there and between that and the genuine comradery among the crew, it kept her coming in each day. After the early years with the yard crew, Margaret’s role eventually evolved to where help was needed – detailing.

Starting out on the detailing crew she worked under then lead detailer, Sandy (also known as “The Sarge” to the crew), who taught her the ins and outs of detailing boats large and small. Eventually, she took on the title of lead yacht detailer with Walstrom Marine, Harbor Springs. This meant running her own crew in the busy summer months. “When you have a good team, it really helps the days go by and makes things a lot more fun.” Where there are boats, they will need to be cleaned. Which is why in the winter months, there is no shortage of work.

Margaret comes by her tireless work ethic honestly, which she learned from her parents. Her father held a chef position at Boyne Highlands for nearly 20 years and her mother didn’t retire until she was 73. “It’s in my blood,” Margaret said with a smile. With no plans to retire on the horizon, Margaret is looking forward to how her role will transform even more with Walstrom Marine.

After maintaining boats for so many years, Margaret Groenevelt has a bit of advice. “Don’t let it go too long. It doesn’t hurt to spray it out once a week. Just keep up on it so that when you want to pay for a cleaning your eyeballs don’t fall out.” The best way to keep your boat looking like the day you brought it home, is to take care of it. We’re always here to help maintain. Walstrom Marine provides detailing services at all of our service locations: Harbor Springs, Cheboygan and Traverse City.