Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Lesieur.
Hi Dylan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I originally working for Honda powerhouse as a motorcycle mechanic. which funded the purchase on my first boat, a 1989 Mako 23ft and a GoPro. which started my YouTube Channel ” Dylan Be Fishing ” originally started filming offshore fishing trips and then a few months later i purchased another project boat to restore and document for the youtube channel. It was a 1977 Mako 17ft.
I had no prior experience or knowledge of boat building. So i watched endless amount of fiberglass videos from multi sources and read a lot about the process of boat building. I would even act as a customer and would get in contact with other boat restoration shops and ask them a bunch of questions. Once I felt confident in myself I then applied all the knowledge I gathered and started to apply it to rebuilding the 17ft Mako
After 2-3 videos of showing viewers the restoration process of the Mako 17ft I knew I was onto something. My views and subscribers grew at a much faster rate. Then a few friends started to encouraged me to start my. own business doing it and so i started helping my buddies with their boats. After juggling a 9-5 job as a motorcycle mechanic, working early mornings before work, and late nights after for 2-3 years I finally made one of the most uncomfortable decisions of my life. Leaving the comfort of my 9-5 job that i worked at for over 5 years.
A year and half later being fully independent I can finally say I’m here to stay. Being the only boat restoration shops in Florida documenting the full process of each build, The demand is too high to keep up with currently.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. first was the struggle of working a 9-5 job and then any spare time or weekends was dedicated to perfecting my craft.
Investing money and time wasted on learning from failures.
then when i left my 9-5 job i had work but once that work was done i was worried if i was going to be able to get more jobs in. So to help keep the business alive in the being i was still doing motorcycle repairs, boat repairs, and even would go to work with my cousin helping him with his successful business doing low voltage electric
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in building fully customized classic boats.
Removing all the older out dated materials used back in the day, replacing the construction with modern rot free materials.
and let the customer design the boat how they would like.
all production boats are made from a mold, we break the mold, Every boat made from Las Olas BoatWorks is a 1 of 1 build. wont find another one like it.
What matters most to you? Why?
Having a strong hold in the boating industry.
Being know as the best restoration shop
Im not just building boats, I’m building functional art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LasOlasBoatWorks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lasolas_boatworks/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dylanbefishing
