Repair Shop Gets Motor Running for New Clients

By Dan Gunderman

Call it necessity. Call it destiny. Either way, you can call on it for all small motor needs.

Paul and Laura Oostdyk have opened a repair shop, PBK Outdoors Marine and Powersports, at 175 Sparta Stanhope Road in Hopatcong.

They pride themselves in professional maintenance of boats and power sports machines, and have an able-bodied repairman certified and on-call to meet customers' specialized needs.

They are proud to say that they will be providing this maintenance to boats, quads, dirt bikes, etc. and it will take place at their new building near J&J Automotive. There will also be a mobile repair option, where clients will have the luxury of requesting on-site troubleshooting tips from Paul himself.

So if you’re stuck out on Lake Hopatcong, or anywhere within a half-hour radius, Paul can take strides to get you back on the water or swiftly moving again. They intend to offer more full-service options for on-site repairs as the business progresses from its startup mode.

Though they’ve just begun, the skills necessary to run such an operation have been harbored within Paul since the early 70s. “I grew up at a marina,” he said. “I’ve been factory trained since 1976 (in all the major brands).”

He is also the son of marina owners, and when his father died in 1998, he helped organize the business, but the overhead was just too overbearing. So, he took to the open road for a bit, taking a truck driving job and later returned to get back in the marina business.

But with a fledgling economy, the lifelong repairman could not obtain a job that corresponded to his experience. So, “out of a bit of necessity,” according to the Oostdyks, a new business plan was formulated, and one that had Paul at the helm.

The idea for the business became reality not too long ago, as they contemplated sales projections and looked for a marketed clientele. But with that, the doors have finally opened. “We’ve had our challenges,” he said. “But they all seem to have been overcome.”

With a new shop they purchased for a respectable price (which includes a customer waiting area, a private bathroom and necessary workspace), Paul's poised to break out the toolbox.

PBK’s co-owner, Laura Oostdyk, is also a full-time legal secretary and military veteran. She was stationed in Germany for four years between 1985-1990 and was a part of the first and third armored divisions. With military experience in mind, PBK is now also proud to announce a discount for fellow veterans.

Instead of the $85 per hour standard rate that PBK will charge, it will only be $68 for veterans (with proof of service through discharge papers).  

“Laura is part of the American Legion, so we’re hoping we can get our name on the veterans’ lists,” saidO Oostdyk. Being on this list, he hopes that the discount will be widely known for all past servicemen and women in the area.

The shop’s located at 175 Sparta Stanhope Road in Hopatcong (with an Andover mailing address) and the hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with after hours available by appointment.