With just two owners overseeing its entire 50-year history, Cannonvale Marine is celebrating not only an impressive personal milestone but also the outstanding achievement of being one of the most stable and longest-running businesses in the Whitsundays.
Established in 1973 by retired engineer Ron Dorman, Cannonvale Marine was the first stand-alone marine dealership in the region.
Ron’s two sons operated the business and after six years a young Darrell Hinschen started his marine engine apprenticeship with the team.
Darrell soon became an integral part of the business and, 14 years later, he was offered the opportunity to purchase Cannonvale Marine with his wife Leanne.
The couple partnered with another Cannonvale Marine apprentice, Matthew Telford, who was a partner in the business for 15 years.
Darrell and Leanne have now operated the business successfully for the last 30 years.
Both Whitsunday locals, Darrell and Leanne are originally from well-known cane-farming families.
“I grew up fishing because our farm was on the O’Connell River,” said Darrell.
“My oldest, happiest memories are fishing – going down the river with Dad – or we’d go to one of the creeks and fish, so it was only natural for me to get into this.”
Over the years Darrell and Leanne have witnessed many changes within the industry.
Technology has been one of the most significant - from the introduction of GPS and electric trolling motors to the reduction in the use of two-stroke motors which have now been replaced with modern, technically advanced, cleaner engines.
“Another big change is that up to 10-15 years ago we were selling boats, primarily for people to go fishing. We are now selling boats for people to go boating and enjoy the Whitsundays,” explains Darrell.
“We’ve still got those people that want to fish, but we’ve now also got others that probably wouldn’t even carry a rod on the boat! ”
The Whitsundays now has the highest number of boat registrations per capita in Australia – but while the nature and the scale of their boating business have definitely changed, it is the good old-fashioned service at Cannonvale Marine that has remained the same.
“Our focus has always been on doing the best job possible,” said Darrell.
“When we first started there wasn’t a big population so if you didn’t get repeat business you wouldn’t last – the fact that we’ve been here for 50 years means that we must be doing something right!”
1973
Cannonvale Marine was opened by Ron Dorman and his Sons
1979
Darrell Hinschen started his marine engine apprenticeship
1993
Darrell and Leanne Hinschen, Matthew Telford purchase Cannonvale Marine
1997
Cannonvale Marine becomes the exclusive Quintrex dealer
2008
The business diversifies to include Honda power equipment
2009
Darrell and Leanne become sole owners of Business
2023
Cannonvale Marine celebrate 50 years in business
Cannonvale Marine is just as busy servicing the needs of boaters as they are in selling its impressive range of Quintrex aluminium boats and trailers.
Whether you are bringing your boat in for its 12-monthly service or you need a troublesome engine fixed, their service team offer expert workmanship, and is both fast and efficient in getting your boat back on the water.
Their chandlery also offers a range of gadgets, spare parts and accessories.
For the last 15 years, Cannonvale Marine has also supplied power equipment to the community as a Honda supplier, offering everything from mowers and brush cutters to generators.
This side of the business operated quietly for a long time but it was when Tropical Cyclone Debbie hit the Whitsundays in 2017 that it became an essential part of the immediate recovery.
“During that time, we were open 12 hours a day just fixing generators and we didn’t charge anyone,” said Leanne.
“Everyone was in shock; everyone was just trying to cope – we rang our supplier and of course, every business has a credit limit – but they told us we could have whatever we wanted!
“I nearly cried! We were able to provide the community with the generators they needed.”
A 25 horsepower engine – was $785 – now $5,900
A 3.7 metre boat trailer - was $180 - now $2,300
A 115 horsepower outboard - was $2,055, now over $21,000
Owners of Cannonvale Marine, Leanne and Darrell Hinschen. Photo credit: Declan Durrant
A young Matt Telford and Darrel Hinschen in 1985. Photo supplied
25 years as a Johnson/OMC Dealer (1998). L-R: Leanne and Darrell Hinschen, Matt Telford and Paul Hamer (OMC Rep). Photo supplied
Darrel, Jack and Geoff Hinschen. Photo supplied
Airlie Beach Rotary Boat Show in 2010. Photo supplied
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