New boat repair business opens in Libby

Dennis Watson and Amy Luther have moved to Libby from Sandpoint, Idaho, and opened a new business: The Other Boat Shop. The business, Watson said, is a full-service boat repair shop specializing in tough-to-repair older engines and boats.

“We work on old Outboard Motor Company engines, Johnsons, Evinrudes,” he said. “We do wood and fiberglass work. We’re full service, we’ll work on anything.”

Watson has always loved boats. He grew up on the lakes of northern Minnesota and then spent four years as a boat mechanic in the United States Navy before starting a 35-year career as a general contractor. When the economy fell apart he closed the contracting business and started over, opening The Other Boat Shop in Sandpoint, Idaho. 

Following a divorce, his ex-wife and daughter moved to Libby, creating a long commute for Watson to visit his child. So he put his affairs in order in Idaho, picked up his shop and moved to Libby in order to be closer to her. Watson, along with Luther and two boys, picked up a house and shop for less than he was paying for just his shop in Idaho, he said.

The shop is located at 36592 U.S. Highway 2, just across the highway from Pioneer Auto Wrecking and is now open for business. Watson said he understands not many people are thinking about their boats this time of year, but he encourages people with boats in need of repair to act early.

“Come March every boat shop in the northern region is going to be ordering parts,” he said. “Your boat is going to be way down on the list, so now is a great time to jump on it. Bring it to me. I’ll take payments and work with people, just don’t swamp me in April.”