Larry Eckert, owner of FIX Marine, Truck, and Auto, takes a break from installing a new heater core in a Dodge Ram at his new business in Wiscasset. (Charlotte Boynton photo)
The FIX Marine, Truck, and Auto repair shop opened at 313 Bath Road in Wiscasset on Nov. 18.
Larry Eckert, of Wiscasset, owns the new business. Eckert has been working on engines since he was a young boy, starting with lawnmowers in his father’s garage on Long Island, N.Y.
Eckert moved to Bath about 25 years ago, got married 18 years ago, and moved to Wiscasset about 10 years ago. He and his wife, Sheri, have two children, Matthew, 15, and Addy, 8.
Over the years, Eckert has worked for Lee’s Marine Engine & Gear LLC, of Wiscasset, New England Detroit Diesel-Allison Inc., of Portland, and for himself, on large lobster boats and trucks with diesel engines.
In addition to all kinds of repairs on cars, trucks, and boats, his new shop repairs and welds snow plows.
FIX Marine, Truck, and Auto is now open at 313 Bath Road in Wiscasset. (Charlotte Boynton photo)
Eckert makes house calls and road calls for repairs on large vehicles, a unique feature of the new business.
Eckert said he has always wanted to go into business for himself. When the opportunity to rent the former Reliance Auto Repair shop presented itself, he jumped at the chance. Bruce Benner, owner of the adjacent Pro Body Works, owns the building.
Since the shop opened in November, business has been pretty good, Eckert said. However, he expects to get really busy with diesel engine repairs beginning in February. Diesel engines are his specialty – big and small, for all kinds of vehicles.
The new shop will also become a state inspection station in a couple of months. Eckert has applied for the necessary license.
Eckert’s grandfather and father ran a trucking business on Long Island, Ecknor Trucking, for many years. He said he and his brother, Mike, grew up taking engines apart and putting them back together. Mike was at the shop this week helping out.
Eckert said he will hire another mechanic to help with automotive work when business picks up, which will allow him to work strictly on diesel engines.
FIX Marine, Truck, and Auto is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, or later if necessary.
For more information, call 350-0979.
