Navigating Fort Lauderdale's Waterways with John Deere Power
Fort Lauderdale, known as the "Venice of America," is home to a vast network of canals and waterways that wind through the city. At the heart of this aquatic transportation system is Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi, a fleet of vessels that provide both sightseeing tours and commuter services to locals and tourists alike.
Powering a Growing Fleet
Robert Campbell, director of engineering at Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi, oversees a fleet of 15 boats, with two more under construction. These vessels operate tirelessly, seven days a week, covering the New River and part of the Intracoastal Waterway from Hollywood up to Oakland Park.
To keep this fleet running smoothly, Campbell relies on the power and reliability of John Deere marine engines. The Water Taxi fleet currently boasts many John Deere engines, including 6068 models in their larger boats and 4045 models powering the smaller vessels.
Ease of Service: A Key Advantage
For Campbell and his team, the choice of John Deere engines was driven by their exceptional serviceability. "We love the John Deere engines because of the ease of service," Campbell explains. "Everything is mounted right to the front of the engine, which makes servicing quick and easy."
Campbell particularly appreciates the thoughtful design features that cater to the marine industry's unique needs. "On the larger engines, they make provisions for narrow areas where you can switch the oil fill and oil drain to the opposite side of the engine," he notes. "They've thought of a lot of things that make it really conducive to the marine industry."
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Reliable Performance in Demanding Conditions
The water taxi fleet operates on a demanding schedule, with each boat running up to 14 hours daily. Despite this intense usage, Campbell reports minimal issues with the John Deere engines and fast access to parts when he needs them. "For the most part, we can get everything by the next day," he says.
This reliability is crucial for maintaining Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi's busy schedule and ensuring passenger satisfaction. The engines' dependability allows the company to offer consistent service across its 16 stops.
They've thought of a lot of things that make [the engines] really conducive to the marine industry.
Strong Support Network
The success of Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi's operations is not just due to the quality of John Deere engines, but to the robust support network behind them. Sun Power Diesel, a local John Deere engine dealer, provides expert service and support to keep the fleet running smoothly. Its technicians are well-versed in marine applications and understand the unique challenges of maintaining engines in a saltwater environment.
Backing up Sun Power Diesel is Flint Equipment, the regional John Deere engine distributor for the southeast United States — including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas — as well as the Caribbean. Flint's extensive inventory and logistics network ensure that parts are readily available when needed, maximizing uptime for the water taxi fleet.
"When we're looking for a solution for a marine customer, we're always looking for a really dependable engine. And one that has parts available quickly," says Jay Davis, president and owner of Sun Power Diesel. "And John Deere shines in both those accounts."
Davis explains that in addition to dependability, fuel efficiency is paramount to customers like Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi. "This is especially true of commercial operations like the Water Taxi that is operating a fleet of vessels and racking up a lot of hours on the water."
Looking to the Future
As the city of Fort Lauderdale continues to grow and evolve, the water taxi service is poised to expand along with it. With two new vessels under construction, Campbell and his team are confident in their choice of John Deere engines to power their fleet into the future.
The combination of reliable performance, ease of maintenance, and strong dealer support makes John Deere engines the ideal choice for Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi's unique operational needs. As they continue to navigate the city's waterways, Sun Power Diesel, Flint Equipment, and John Deere power will be there to keep the fleet on an even keel.
