Danny Miller Jr., better known just as JR, is the owner of Miller Boat Restoration. He says he has the best of both worlds, as he gets to enjoy running a business and is fortunate enough to do it all out of the comfort of his own home.
The company has been in operation for approximately five years. As the business continued to thrive, JR knew he wanted to do it full time. That is exactly what he decided to do a little over a year ago. 
Miller has extensive knowledge when it comes to the boating industry. This allows him to serve his clientele with the greatest quality and satisfaction. As far as the type of boats they focus on, they are primarily pontoons. He can take any pontoon, no matter the make, model or year, and restore it back to its glory. Some of their most popular restorations include boat covers, seats, flooring, railings and Bimini tops.
Miller says a customer can bring in a boat that is damaged, and they can source the products to repair it. For example, if a customer has a tear in one of their seats, Miller is able to repair it without having to replace the entire seat. He is very talented and experienced when it comes to reupholstering pontoon seats. However, if you are looking to upgrade or refresh your seating section, Miller can swap it out for newer seats of your choice.
Additionally, Miller can clean your boat seats if they have too much mold on them, which pontoons often acquire throughout the boating season and over the years. After he cleans your seats, they will look fresh and brand new. The seating aspect of the business is important to him, as this is where family and friends gather when they are out on the water.
Over the lifetime of a pontoon, the carpet may become old and out of style. Miller says his company focuses on using a unique waterproof flooring method when swapping out an owner’s carpet. He prefers this method as it is marine-grade flooring, and lasts longer than carpet. However, if you prefer to keep your carpet, he will gladly swap it out for new carpet. Similar to cleaning boat seats, he is able to do the same for your carpet using a high-quality deep cleaner. Whatever the customer chooses to go with, he will be happy to accommodate.
Apart from the aesthetic services, Miller is able to provide electrical services as well. This includes fixing or replacing batteries, boat lights, gauges and switches. All of these are critical to keeping a pontoon running optimally, and he makes sure the job gets done right.
Bimini tops are crucial to a pontoon, especially on hot summer days. A Bimini top can best be described as an open-front top that goes over the boat, generally covering the seating area. They are usually made of canvas and are supported by a metal frame. They provide comfort by creating a shaded space for boaters to relax and enjoy their time on the water.
The variety of services Miller is able to offer is almost endless. He is even able to replace railings, panels and decals. Whether you are looking to update the appearance of your pontoon, or if it needs actual repairs, Miller is likely able to handle the job. The only service he does not offer is on engines and motors.
Miller works primarily on his own, which he says he does not mind. However, occasionally his kids will get involved and offer him an extra set of hands. It is a great perk to working from home, and also teaches his children skills they can use in the future. He is up early every day and starts working around 5:30 am. He says he will typically work until 2:30 p.m. every day. However, if a customer contacts him, he will gladly adjust his hours to meet their needs.
Customers come from near and far. For example, he has customers from Syracuse Lake, Lake Wawasee, the Michigan, St. Joseph River, and even as far north as Detroit. Miller says he will accept customers from anywhere and will provide the same quality service to everyone.
One of the greatest joys for Miller is meeting new people and their families. His job allows him to interact with a variety of people. Everyone has a different story of how they plan to use their pontoon, and returning customers tell him stories about how his work helped them create lifelong memories.
He says Goshen is an ideal place for him to work. Between the supplies offered in Goshen and Elkhart, he can typically source all of his materials locally. The turnaround time for his projects depends on what the customer wants, but he works as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Miller Boat Restoration is located at 62220 County Road 35 in Goshen. Call 574-501-3113 for more info.
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