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By Tracy Rusch, Editor Not Just a Business
Fish Creek Marine and Supply would be just another boat mechanic and storage business listed in the Yellow Pages if it weren’t for the Zielke Family, who have owned and operated it for the last 27 years. Today it is rare to find a father, mother and son who love their jobs, have a zest for life and are able to run a successful small family business together.
When it first began, Fish Creek Marine and supply stored 23 boats, the largest being 22-feet long. Today, it stores boats twice that size. Boaters rely on Fish Creek Marine and Supply to fix their mechanical problems, to supply everything from cleaners and waxes to U.S Coast Guard required life jackets and flares and to provide the many other services boaters need throughout the course of the season. They do engine winterization, cleaning, glass work, bottom painting, rescues, salvage work, towing and store hundreds of boats in their numerous heated storage facilities.
Leigh has been taking boats apart since he was 10 years old and wasn't even interested in owning a car at age 16, because “Stinky,” his 14-foot, old, cedar plank boat took him wherever he needed to go. After owning a total of 20 boats throughout his life, you can believe he’s been there and done that.
“Leigh’s an excellent mechanic,” said Marsha Wilson, harbor master of Fish Creek’s Alibi Marina. “He knows his stuff—he’s very qualified in what he does.”
His yearly visits back to Moraine Park Technical College in Beaver Dam keep him current on developments in the business. He is a certified marine mechanic for Mercruiser, Mercury Outboards and Outboard Marine Corp—the older models (OMC), so he’s always using his bank of knowledge as he increases it to do the best he can for his customers.
And with his new trailer, complete with hydraulics, air suspension and the first tag axle of its kind, Leigh can pull boats up to 53 feet long around tight corners and compete with the big boys. His large inventory of discontinued Mercury motors and parts for old boats can aid boaters who are still holding on to their beloved older models.
Twenty-seven years into the business and Leigh, 52, will say he’s been there “too long.” But don't let his sarcasm hide his true feelings. “Every day is a different challenge and I guess that’s what I like,” he said. “That’s why I love working on these old boats,” Leigh said, pointing to the mid-to-late 60s Blue Whaler. “Because it’s a challenge.” Glistening beads of sweat roll down the corners of his face as he pauses from working on the boat’s motor. Dark brown sunglasses hide Leigh’s eyes as he pulls out and lights his pipe, billows of Captain Black smoking tobacco swirling out with each puff. Not often will a passerby see Leigh standing idle with 14- to 16-hour days, seven days a week, every spring and 10 plus in the fall—he’s moving constantly. How It All Started
At age 10 when most youngsters are playing tag at the park, Leigh was tearing apart boats and putting them back together, learning everything he could about boats. But before he reached his 11th birthday, his dad gave him an ultimatum, “Either you go out and get a job or you work for me.”
Leigh didn’t think for long, “I was out the door, that was a no-brainer,” he said. He began his first job working in the marine business at Hubs Motel and Pier in Sister Bay. When he turned 18, he went sailing on lake freighters for nine months, hauling iron ore and coal. After an injury, he worked for one of his competitors until he opened his own place. Twenty-seven years ago, Leigh bought the piece of land where his business still stands in Fish Creek at 3859 on Hwy 42.
In 1957, he and his parents and two brothers, moved from Two Rivers to Fish Creek where his parents bought the 18-cottage Lamb’s Resort. In 1965 they built the first section of the motel, which became Helm’s Four Seasons (originally Helm’s Resort).
Working Together
It’s the height of the summer for boaters, and just like everyone else, Fish Creek resident Rick Chomeau wants to get his boat in the water. “I called him and asked him if he could get my boat in. He said ‘Bring it over today,’ and he had it done that day. He’s always been the person I’ve gone to, and everything’s been satisfactory every time I’ve gone to him,” Rick said. Mary, Leigh’s wife and mother of their three children, Leigh Jr., 24, Ross, 21, and Heidi, 19, works in the office selling merchandise, running the showroom, doing bookwork and answering the phone. She also washes and waxes the boats, cleans as the part-time janitor and turns wrenches, too. “I do whatever I can do to help,” Mary said. Mary plays a key part in the daily business frontier with Leigh. “I have no choice, I’m married to him,” she said smiling. “I guess it comes with the territory.” She also added with a glance at Leigh, “There are advantages to sleeping with the boss.” Helping each other is an important part of their business. Whoever’s nearest to the wrench that Leigh needs, grabs it so he doesn’t have to make the trip. If Mary can’t answer the phone, Leigh Jr. will take over. The three of them together create a successful work environment, while building even stronger bonds between each other and their customers. “Leigh [Jr.] and I seem to do really well together,” Leigh said. “He gets mad because he says I do a lot of talking, but I guess I look at it as being part of the business.” The younger Leigh, who might be next in line as business owner, began working part time for his parents when he was a sophomore in high school. He sacrificed being on the football team to help his dad. “Being the oldest son, you kind of got to help your dad out when you can,” he said. Because of his sacrifices growing up, he understands the value of their services. “Because we’re smaller, we can cater more to the customers,” he said. “They can talk to the people in charge rather than other people that aren’t making the decisions [like] in bigger companies.” Leigh Jr.’s previous marine experience at Alibi Dock and Fish Creek Municipal Dock, taught him much of what he knows about boats. But so did his dad. “I think I have an edge on everybody else,” he said. “I was able to see it happening as a kid. My dad took a lot of time to show me everything.” After working with his family, Leigh Jr. has picked up morals and values he doesn’t see in many people. “Honesty, I would say loyalty—definitely a lot more than what I’ve seen from other people,” he said. “I always try to help everybody else. I do what I can for them.” The Zielkes are modest when it comes to talking about their business. Leigh said his service only differs from others in his ability to haul big boats. But what’s drawing people into Fish Creek Marine and Supply? “A lot of people like the family business person because they get to know us,” Leigh said. “We do an honest [job] for an honest price.
On Sunday, you might see them doing a little bit of recreational boating on their Sea Ray, but every other day you can find them spending long hours at Fish Creek Marine and Supply. Why? Because their customers come first. Next time you need help with your boat, stop in at Fish Creek Marine and Supply. You’ll meet Leigh, Mary, Leigh Jr.—oh, and maybe even Capt. Black.
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