Used Pontoon Boats - Brightwell's Boathouse Inc.

Sponsored by Pontoon & Deck Boat, Special 2008 Issue
Hi gang, Rick Ostler again from Used Pontoon Boats bringing you news and views from the boating industry. Feature profile on Brightwell's Boathouse Inc. in Urbandale, Iowa.

Brightwell's Boathouse Inc.

John Brightwell's new business had expanded even before the longtime boat seller opened the doors of Brightwell's Boathouse Inc. in Urbandale earlier this year.

He originally planned to operate only the Urbandale boat dealership, but when the owners of the Saylorville Marina near Polk City offered him the boat sales and service business there, it was an offer too good to refuse.

"It wasn't in our original business plan at all," said Brightwell, who owns the boat dealerships with his wife, Leslie. "But the Saylorville business gives us another service facility with a built-in customer base. So far, it's worked out well."

Best time to get into boat business is when it's down

Brightwell said he gave serious consideration to not opening a boat business at all because of the economy. Two other boat sellers had gone out of business last year. "The best time to get into business is when it's down," Brightwell said.

Sales are fairly steady at his new store now, he said. "The farmers are doing well and buying boats," he said.

Boating - is a $37 billion industry

Boating is about a $37 billion industry, said James Petru, director of market statistics at the National Marine Manufacturers Association in Chicago. Boat sales were flat in 2007 and manufacturers were carefully controlling production and inventories, Petru said.

Not everyone who walks into Brightwell's showroom will take a boat home - many will bring in their boat for service, he said. "Service is important because if they have a good experience they will come to us for their next boat," Brightwell said.

Brightwell's Boathouse Inc. - Brightwell's grew up in boating business.

Brightwell, 57, knows the boat business. His father was the first Mercury boat dealer in Des Moines.

"I grew up in the business," he said. Brightwell, his brother and father went into business together in the late 1970s. They sold the company a few years later after Brightwell's father died. Brightwell went to work at the Saylorville Marina selling boats. He also spent several years selling watercraft at another local dealership.

In November of 2006, he decided to take a break from boat sales. "Every night, I'd talk about the boat business," he said. "I finally said 'Let's pursue our own business,' " Brightwell said.

Boating Business - finding the right location

He spent hours creating the business plan, figuring out revenue projections and contacting boat manufacturers. His biggest obstacle was finding the right location.

"For our business to succeed, we need to be in a high-traffic, high-visibility location," he said. They leased space in the old Moehl Millwork building behind the Ramsey auto dealership at 100th Street and Hickman Avenue.

The couple used their savings and a bank loan to finance the store, including $1 million in inventory, Brightwell said.

They sell Crest and Sunset Bay Pontoon Boats

The cavernous showroom includes ski, fishing and pontoon boats and accessories. The service center sits adjacent to the showroom in a space almost as large. Brightwell has nine employees along with himself and Leslie, who also works as a real estate appraiser.

"We are working owners and we are here everyday," he said. "People like to buy from people they know. You have to build trust with a customer and I think that's why we'll be successful." Thanks to PATT JOHNSON, www.desmoinesregister.com for this. pjohnson@dmreg.com Brightwell's Boathouse Inc


Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
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Used Pontoon Boats - Repo Men Busy

Sponsored by Seized Boat Auctions
Hi gang, Rick Ostler here again from Used Pontoon Boats bring you news and views from the boating industry. An interesting article about boat repossession recently in the New York Times.

Boat Repo Men Busy

Repossession men are busier than ever, and they might be coming after your boat soon. It used to be just rich guys with stupid pants who bought expensive boats and yachts. However, during those glorious pre-recession days almost anyone was able to take out a loan and buy a boat. Borrowers are defaulting on those loans now and it means lots of business for the world’s repo men.

Harrison Marine - Repo's a boat a day on Great Lakes

A recent New York Times article, profiles the world of Jeff Henderson, the owner of Harrison Marine, who is hired by the banks to repossess boats from delinquent borrowers. According to the article:

Henderson is repossessing nearly a boat a day, most from the Great Lakes area but a few farther afield. He is looking for a man from the Bronx named Rocko, who told the bank his 34-foot cruiser was at a marina that does not exist. He is trying to get a Michigan woman to tell him where to find her husband’s pontoon boat.

Boat Loans - the borrower’s property

Surprisingly, the terms of a typical boat loan allow the bank to employ someone to enter a borrower’s property and extract the indebted boat without fear of trespassing charges.
Henderson doesn’t like doing it, but on a few occasions he has crept around someone’s backyard to remove a boat. Most of the time the boats to be repossessed are kept at a local marina where they are delinquent in dock fees. After Henderson pays those fees, the dock owners are more than happy to send him on his way with the boat.

Boat Repo's can be scary

He recalls a few time having a gun pulled on him. Once an old woman came out to defend her boat with an old hunting rifle aimed right at Henderson. On another occasion a police officer confronted Henderson with his pistol and asked why he was stealing his boat.

That is some scary stuff. Not a line of business most people would want to be involved in, I’m guessing. Henderson has a heart of stone now and after a lifetime of being forced to listen to weepy sob stories about late payments, he doesn’t give the owners a chance to reason with him.

This article was interesting because it also offered some good insight into the plight of the consumer and some of the reasons behind the recession and credit crunch.

Boat Owners - Spent beyond their means

One of the former boat owners that Henderson is repossessing explains that he simply spent beyond his means. He’ll soon declare bankruptcy and also had his apartment foreclosed on. After taking out a $125,000 loan to pay for his boat, he spent 7 years barely making the interest payments. The loan is currently worth twice as much as the boat.

At some point you’ve gotta ask yourself, was this all worth it? Being able to say you have some boat in a marina that you never use, while you waste away in bankruptcy proceedings?

New York Times: Times Are Tough, Except In The Repo Business, May 20, 2008

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Used Pontoon Boats - Alabama Scenic River Trail

Sponsored by Anchors Away - CD-ROM Print Program for Boaters

Hi gang, Rick Ostler from Used Pontoon Boats bringing you news and views from the boating industry. Here is an interesting article by Anne Shumaker on the opening of the Alabama Scenic River Trail. CEDAR BLUFF - "Angels were watching over us" was a comment heard from several participants in Sunday's opening of the Alabama Scenic River Trail.

Alabama Scenic River Trail

Barely two hours before the Chamber of Commerce boats were to begin their trip from Riverside Campground to the Georgia border, high winds prevailed and dark, threatening clouds roamed the skies. Elected officials, Chamber representatives, boat pilots and trail supporters scanned the skies and tuned to weather radar and radio broadcasts. Just minutes before the scheduled departure time, winds shifted the clouds eastward and blue skies appeared. Event sponsors were pleased to be able to call for a "go."

The 45-minute ride took the "welcoming party" along scenic sections of Weiss Lake - as well as some sights the county is trying to have cleaned. The trip provided time for several discussions among county leaders to gather ideas for possible solutions to pollution problems.

Alabama Scenic River Trail - nation's longest one-state river trail

As the Chamber's three pontoon boats approached the Alabama/Georgia line, passengers could see in the distance kayaks and canoes moving at a fast paddle. A bright red starting-line ribbon was quickly stretched between two of the Chamber's pontoon boats. Applause erupted as the canoes and kayaks slipped across the state line to open the Alabama Scenic River Trail. The 631-mile trail is the nation's longest one-state river trail.

In one of the canoes was Fred Couch, the "father" of the River Trail project. An expert canoeist, kayaker and instructor, Couch promoted his idea for a trail in 2006. He convinced officials with the Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel that such a trail would bring tourists and money to the state. He even had a printer friend develop a sample brochure/map about the trail.
Couch showed the proposed publication to the Tourism Department and within a few days received a call saying that the state would publish the brochure.

Kayaking on the Coosa River Channel of Weiss Lake

In one of the kayaks was Richard Grove, a paddling enthusiast who made the Rome, Ga., to Mobile trip in 2006. Other paddlers launching from the lock and dam in Rome and skimming the waters into Alabama hailed from Atlanta, Childersburg, Hoover and Anniston. All waved and shouted "Thanks for being part of our welcoming party" as they continued their trip down the Coosa River Channel of Weiss Lake.

The Alabama Scenic River Trail travels seven rivers, including the Coosa, Alabama and Mobile, several creeks and the delta. Well-marked trails around five dams on the Coosa assist trail paddlers in portaging their boats. Farther south, trail users may take advantage of locks to pass additional dams. Numerous historic sites dot the trail, with many of the locations not visible from major highways.

Alabama Scenic River Grand opening June 6

The grand opening of the Alabama Scenic River Trail will be at the Riverwalk in Montgomery on June 6, beginning at 11 a.m. There will be no admission charge for spectators or trail paddlers. The public is invited to attend. Musical entertainment and refreshments will be available.
Economists estimate the trail will generate more than $50 million to the state each year as paddling enthusiasts take advantage of the ASRT.

Shortly after the welcoming party returned to the campground pier, clouds began to re-form and winds greatly increased. Slightly more than an hour later, torrential rains caused a flash flood and electrical power surges. One of the event promoters said, in relief, "We must have been just supposed to have this kickoff today. The weather lifted just long enough for us to complete the ceremony."

Additional information about the ASRT may be obtained from the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce (927-8455 or www.cccoc@tds.net) or from the PaddleAlabama Web site.
Thanks to Anne Shumaker, Times Correspondent, www.gadsdentimes.com

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Used Pontoon Boats - Channel Watch Marine Rescue

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from Used Pontoon Boats bringing you news and views from the boating industry. The winds were howling at 35 knots when the call came over the radio from a sailor off the Santa Barbara coast whose engines had died and sails were torn. He needed help — now.

Channel Watch Marine - Pontoon Rescue Boat

The folks from Channel Watch Marine were dispatched from Ventura Harbor to assist the disabled boat and tow it to shore. But this time, there was an extra passenger aboard the small but powerful pontoon rescue boat.

Mike Crawford was on board recording every minute of the boat cutting through the pounding waves, capturing the scene of tying up the disabled boat, documenting the long tow home and, finally, filming the sailor talking about the ordeal and how he was ready for a beer.

OceanRescue.TV

A few days and many hours of editing later, the entire rescue was online, complete with hard-driving guitar riffs, quick edits and the name of a new production company beneath every shot: OceanRescue.TV.

Crawford, along with a friend and the owners of Channel Watch Marine, started shooting many of the ocean rescues the company does nearly every day and has launched a Web site capturing the drama.

Channel Watch Marine Ocean Rescue

"Watching the news, you see lots of attention when some kind of ocean rescue occurs," said Paul Amaral, who owns Channel Watch Marine with his wife, Beverly. "We can provide the footage from the rescue itself."

The idea for http://www.oceanrescue.tv was born in the Ventura boatyard when Crawford and friend Brent Thompson were fixing up a sailboat. The two had circumnavigated the globe together, selling footage from their adventures. Beverly Amaral struck up a conversation with the two and began talking about the work Channel Watch Marine does and the drama of towing dead whales or boats in the high seas.

Channel Watch Marine - documenting the rescues

They soon came up with the idea of documenting the rescues. Crawford and Thompson, who lived in San Diego, sailed their boat to Ventura and now live aboard it so they can be nearby when the next rescue call goes out.

Jason Davis, one of the company's captains, built the Web site where the "episodes" are posted. They hope to not only draw attention to their Web site, but also maybe get picked up by a network looking for the next great reality TV show.

Filming ocean rescues is challenging

Filming the rescue work proved to be challenging. The small rescue boats cut through seas at speeds of up to 50 mph, making for long, bumpy rides. The boat is equipped with a captain's seat that has a hydraulic spring to cushion the bumps, but Crawford or Thompson have to cram themselves into a corner with a stadium cushion as their only comfort. And then there is the issue of protecting the expensive cameras from the punishing salt water. "My biggest fear is if I go in the water, what happens to my camera?" said Crawford.
A few of the small cameras haven't survived the journeys.

So far, seven episodes have been posted on the Web, and more are on the way. There is one about a man whose engine died, another about towing a dead blue whale off a Ventura beach and another about a boat that washed ashore and had to be towed off.

They are hoping to expand how they film the rescues, putting more cameras on the boats, having the captain wear one, and even putting one on his head as he swims out to boats or whales to hook them up for tows.

Plenty of Adventure and Suspense at Sea

They don't want to go the route of "Cops" and create drama where there isn't any, Amaral said. There is enough adventure and suspense when someone is bobbing at sea with waves crashing aboard, he said. People have been open to being filmed so far, and everyone who appears on camera signs a waiver.

The videos are spreading around the Internet, and the site has received about 5,000 hits since it launched a few months ago. Amaral is hoping he can sell insurance and other advertisements that would be embedded into the videos. On the Net: http://www.oceanrescue.tv
Thanks to Zeke Barlow, venturacountystar.com for this.

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Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

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Used Pontoon Boats - Waterway Clean Up

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. DUNNELLON — Jack Dennis piloted his 18-foot pontoon boat up the Rainbow River on a recent Saturday, watching for rocks, shallow areas and tubers bobbing in the cool water.

Rainbow River Patrol Waterway Clean Up

While folks on the boat were looking for trash on the waterway, it was hard to keep their eyes off the hundreds of fish swimming along the sandy bottom, numerous birds along the shore and a mischievous otter that surfaced to peek at the boat before darting back into the rippling current.

Trash in and along the river is a big problem, even if you don't immediately see it, said Jerry Rogers, coordinator of Rainbow River Conservation's annual Rainbow River clean-up. That is why Rogers would like as many volunteers as possible to meet at Rio Vista Park on May 17 to help with the clean-up.

Kayaks and Canoes for Waterway Clean Up

"You have to take your kayak or canoe and get in close to the shore to find trash," Rogers said. He said water bottles and soda cans tend to get caught in grass along the banks. He pointed out a bikini top draped over a Rio Vista Park sign. He picked it up earlier and put it there, he said, hoping the owner might come back for it.

"I found two pairs of shoes the other day set out right here beside the road," Rogers said. "Now wouldn't you think that people would miss their shoes?" In other years, volunteers have found T-shirts, towels, abandoned floats and inner tubes, lottery tickets and even false teeth, Rogers said.

Waterway Spring Clean-up

"The rules, regulations and enforcement have helped keep trash levels down a tremendous amount over the last years," Rogers said. "But there's still trash that gets blown into the river off of boats, or thrown into the river. We pick up a fair amount of trash each year during our spring clean-up, usually about a trailer full."

Over the years that Rainbow River Conservation has sponsored the event, groups such as area Scouts and high school students have lent a hand. About 140 people came out to help last year, Rogers said. "We will have the Marion County Sheriff's underwater recovery team," Rogers said, which lends the community a hand while practicing skills for their own operations.

Jet Boat owners no wake zone

While pollution from trash is a grave concern on the popular, fragile river, there are other issues. "I'd say the worst problem is getting people to adhere to the no-wake, idle speed," said Dennis, also a member of Rainbow River Conservation. "I hate to say this, but it's the fishermen with the big jet boats. They'll raise their prop up to try to keep from scarring (on the shallow bottom), and it throws a gigantic wake."

In 2006, Dennis endorsed forming the Rainbow River Patrol, a volunteer group supported by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Members get training and must pass a test. With the mix of sometimes thousands of tubers out for a day on the river and people wanting to use boats in the same space, the river patrol is a welcome presence, Rogers said. "We use a sheriff's patrol boat and go out on weekends," Rogers said. "We wear shirts that say who we are, and talk to people in boats who may not be aware of things they can't do."

Kayak Group Cleans Up

The group regularly picks up debris, and people who live along the river are constantly policing it, Rogers said. "We have a kayak group that cleans up on a regular basis. If they go out on the river and see something, I know for a fact they pick it up."

Rainbow Springs is a first-magnitude spring ranked fourth in Florida for volume of discharge. It produces 400 to 600 gallons of water each day that disperses throughout its 5.7-mile length, according to Rainbow River Conservation officials. The 220-member group formed in 1962. They began sponsoring the annual river clean-up in 1980. While picking up somebody else's trash isn't the most pleasant task, organizers make it fun by awarding prizes for most trash, most unusual item, and largest item.

And, there's food. "After the clean-up, my wife and I will do a cookout for everybody who has taken part," Rogers said. "We do this every year. We'll have hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and cold drinks."
Thanks to LORA E. IDE, Ocala.com for this.

Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

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Used Pontoon Boats - Pontoon Boat to be Restored

Sponsored by Pontoon & Deck Boat, Special 2008 Issue

Hi gang, Rick Ostler again from Used Pontoon Boats. A $15,000 pontoon boat heavily damaged in a July 2006 hit-and-run collision on Lake Sinclair that claimed the life of one of its occupants will be restored by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department within the next six weeks.

That’s according to Eatonton resident Sandy Baxter, whose husband, Mark Baxter, lost his life in the July 1 accident.

“When I learned about it, it was just a wonderful feeling to know that he [Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee] will take that boat and do something positive with it,” Sandy Baxter said.

Pontoon Boat accident on Lake Sinclair

On July 1, 2006, Sandy Baxter, her husband Mark Baxter and the couple’s 25-year-old daughter, Laura Johnson of Atlanta, were in the Baxter family’s pontoon boat on Lake Sinclair when it was struck by a boat driven by Mark Howard En-trekin of Ea-tonton.

The collision threw the occupants into the water while Entrekin sped away, leaving Mark Baxter dead and his wife and daughter in the water calling for help.

Entrekin was convicted in 2007 on two counts of homicide by vessel for boating under the influence and reckless operation of the vessel and received the maximum sentence of 16 years in prison allowed under law, but a failure-to-render-aid count of the indictment was dropped due to the wording of a hit-and-run loophole provision on state law books.

Senate Bill 529, which would close that loophole in Georgia's Vehicular and Vessel Homicide Statutes, passed by a by a vote of 158-1 in the State Senate earlier this year.

Baxter Pontoon Boat - emergency search rescue boat

Now Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee is leading the campaign to turn the battered Baxter pontoon into an emergency search-and-rescue vehicle for Baldwin, Hancock and Putnam Counties.

“Over the past year, especially where we had the rescue effort that went for so long, it dawned on me that we have been needing something where we could leave it on the lake regardless of how long a search would last,” Massee said. “Sandy had already offered us her pontoon boat and I have already spoken to an individual who may be able to assist us with its restoration, but if that does not work out we will have other options that we will pursue.”

Baxter Pontoon Boat - 24 hour 7 days a week

The boat would be utilized on a 24 hour, 7-day-a-week basis, and will be used in a variety of methods, according to Massee.

“What we want to do is have it available to Baldwin, Putnam and Hancock Counties in case there’s any type of boating accident. We want to have it so that it will have supplies available and possibly even allow us to cook and feed rescue workers that are assisting in a search,” Massee said.

Campaign to restore the Baxter Pontoon Boat

Currently the campaign to restore the Baxter pontoon and place it back into active use through the Sheriff’s Department has the boat becoming available for public viewing at a free lake safety education event on Saturday, June 7th at Milledgeville’s Little River Park from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The three-hour event will have officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on hand to conduct free boat safety checks as part of the day’s activities.

Pontoon Boat Restoration - plenty of interest

Groups that have already shown an interest in the boat’s restoration and re-use have included the Milledgeville Rotary Club, Hands on Milledgeville and the Oconee Valley American Red Cross Service Center (of which Baxter is a former director), according to Baxter.

“I know that Mark would be thrilled with this,” Baxter said as her voice wavered slightly. “I think we’ll have a few more people who will be helping us as time progresses. I have yet to hear from everybody but I’ve had others show some interest.” Thanks to Alexander Cain, The Union-Recorder for this.

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Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

Also we value your comments, if you can add more info in regards to this article please do so. Thanks............Rick

Used Pontoon Boats - Former Godfrey Marine COO Has Passes Away

Sponsored by PRACTICAL BOATER: PONTOON & DECK BOATS

Hello, Rick here from Used Pontoon Boats. William (Bill) J. Deputy, former Godfrey Marine COO has passes away. Bill worked in and around the boating industry for 40 years. He joined his brothers in 1990 at Godfrey and helped grow the company into one of the largest in the marine industry in terms of unit sales. In 2005 the company had sales of over $200 million and was about 15th in the country in total unit sales. This was a terrific accomplishment by any measure.

Over the years the company expanded from pontoon boats to aluminum fishing boats, fiberglass center console boats under the Polar brand, and is generally considered to have originated the deck boat concept. Bill was deeply involved in the development of the Hurricane deck boat brand which gained huge sales and started a trend that is now imitated by a dozen other builders.

The Deputy family sold Godfrey in 2005 to a Chicago venture capital company, CHS, which had purchased nearby Rinker a few months earlier. He served as COO of Godfrey Marine until the sale of the company in November 2005. Bill worked as a liaison in the acquisition.

Subsequently, he served on the board of directors of Nautic Global Group, the name of the holding company that owns Godfrey and Rinker.

“Bill built lifelong relationships with dealers, suppliers and employees. Like an extended family, Bill surrounded himself with others that envisioned an expansion of Godfrey into the mission that we live by today: ‘A Boat for Every Passion’,” said Bob Moran, CEO of Nautic Global Group.

Deputy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue University in 1967 and his Master of Business Administration in 1970 from the University of Chicago.

He was a member of New Buffalo Yacht Club, New Buffalo Harbor Commission, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Elcona Country Club, Sunset Ridge Country Club, Admiral's Club "Air Transportation," Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers, Who's Who in Finance and Industry and John Purdue Club.

Deputy is survived by five brothers: Robert J. (Mary Pat) Deputy of Elkhart, Peter J. (Lisa) Deputy of Granger, Lawrence P. (Sherrod) Deputy of Bristol, Thomas M. (Peggy) Deputy of Dumfries, Va., and Richard A. Deputy of Sarasota, FL.

Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

Used Pontoon Boats - Boats Sales Holding Up in Worcester

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from Used Pontoon Boats. The hypnotic lure of a sparkling open body of water in springtime is hard to ignore for boat lovers and fishermen even in a near recession economy.

Boat and Marine Equipment Sales

Although boat and marine equipment sales are not setting records, area marina owners said they are holding their own this spring, bucking a national trend that has some big-name power boat manufacturers and high-end yacht sellers struggling financially and laying off employees.

“People are thinking that buying a boat is a long-term investment,” said Robyn Ellis of Ellis Marine in Leominster. “They say, ‘I can make small payments over the longer term versus paying $4,000 for a vacation."

Ellis said she has sold seven new boats in the past five weeks. Tackle sales at the Route 12 marina are equally strong, according to Ellis.

Despite gasoline costs that are expected to hit $4 per gallon this season, nearly 60 percent of about 2,000 anglers surveyed across the country said they are planning a fishing trip outside their home state, according to Southwick Associates, a firm that regularly tracks industry trends.

Tracker Marine Center and Bass Pro Shops

Area boat sellers — and I’m including the Tracker Marine Center at the new Bass Pro Shops in Foxboro — seem to have the key ingredient that boating industry analysts have fingered as a good hedge against recessions — stem-to-stern service for their customers.

For example, you not only can buy a boat at Ellis Marine, they will register it for you; keep you advised about the best way to avoid problems with ethanol-laced gasoline; service your warranties; and sell you the tubes and wakeboards or tackle you want to enjoy it. Although on a much larger scale, Bass Pro Shops’ Tracker Center will do the same — you can walk in there, buy a boat and have the service team prepare it for launching by the end of the day. If you break down while in the area, the Foxboro retailer will free up a technician to fix the problem.

When I caught up with Doug Shogren of Hank’s Marine in Leicester, he had just returned from delivering a pontoon boat to a customer. Pontoon boats are selling well this spring, Shogren said, because, “It’s the kind of boat you can put in the middle of the lake and sit there on it; you can fish or swim or just enjoy the day.”

Shogren noted that although it takes about $80 to fill a tank of gas for that boat, “the customer said it will probably last all summer.”

Leicester Marina

Sales at the Leicester marina are about as good as last year, according to Shogren. Although pontoon boats — $11,000 and up — are selling well, this year’s market is softer for some of the flashier boats such as the Sea-Doo line, which ranges from $15,200 to $50,000.

“We are able to keep our pricing low,” Shogren said of his 29-year old business. “We invest our own money, we have no mortgages.”

Shogren said the marina is as busy as any other spring and people are not delaying taking their boats out of storage.

Tracker Marine Center at Bass Pro Shops

Drawing from a broader consumer pool, the Tracker Marine Center at Bass Pro Shops is moving at full speed with boat sales, parts and service, according to Jeff Lloyd, general manger of the center. The Charlton resident gave up a longtime association with Action Marine at Webster Lake to join Bass Pro Shops when it opened in November.

The Foxboro marine center sells everything from small aluminum fishing boats and high-end bass boats to fiberglass family run-abouts and larger offshore Mako fishing boats.

“Tracker is a brand that everyone is familiar with and pricing is aggressive. It’s become known as the best bang for the buck, your everyday guy’s boat,” Lloyd said.

Boat sales started the year well and pushed ahead during the heavy foot traffic generated by Bass Pro Shops March fishing classic — an event that includes sales and free clinics by popular fishing and hunting stars. Lloyd noted that 13 boats were sold during the first weekend of the event.

“Demand has been so high in some product areas we have actually struggled to keep some models in stock,” Lloyd said. “That speaks volumes considering the economic climate. I’m very optimistic about this season.”

Doug Russell Marine in Worcester

Although the 2008 sales started slow at Doug Russell Marine in Worcester, the warmer weather of the past weeks has generated more activity, according to sales manager Raul Gonzalez.

Fishing Trophy catches

Two young anglers have weighed in trophy fish in recent days and earned brass pins for their efforts from the state Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program.

Joshua Watts of Sturbridge caught a 13-7/8-inch yellow perch at Little Alum Pond in his hometown that tipped the scales at 1-1/4 pounds at D&G Bait & Tackle in Leicester. The minimum weight in the youth category for a bronze pin is 1 pound.

Meanwhile, Zachary Lamontagne of Douglas hauled in a 5-pound largemouth bass to earn his bronze pin. The fish was caught Sunday at Meadow Pond in Whitinsville and weighed at Jerry’s Bait & Tackle in Milford. The fish measured 21 inches and had a girth of 15 inches.

It was Zachary’s second big bass from Meadow Pond. He caught one through the ice about the same size last year. Both bass took shiners while the young angler was fishing with his grandfather, Paul Lamontagne.

“His goal is to become the next Charlie Moore,” said Zachary’s dad, Dave Lamontagne.
Thanks to Worcester Telegram & Gazette for this.

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Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

Also we value your comments, if you can add more info in regards to this article please do so. Thanks............Rick

Used Pontoon Boats - Floating Cabins Success on Patoka Lake

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here again from Used Pontoon Boats bringing you news and views from the boating industry. PATOKA LAKE, Ind. – Harvey Edwards and his partners declared the sea trial of their first floating cabin a surprising success.

A success because it stayed afloat, taking on no water. A surprise because it floated away from the dock and headed out toward the lake.

Seems no one had thought to tie it up.

Patoka Lake Marina - The first to rent floating cabins

In 2004, Edwards’ Patoka Lake Marina became the first in the state to rent floating cabins. On the water but docked at the marina, the cabins offer an alternative to houseboats for those who want to be on the water but don’t want the hassle of a houseboat. The concept is popular enough that the marina has increased its fleet of floating cabins every year and, this year, the cabins are for sale, too.

“A floating cabin is the next best thing to being able to build a home on the water, and it’s a great alternative to a houseboat,” said Edwards. “You get all the advantages of being right on the water, but you don’t have the responsibility of driving a houseboat.”

Floating Cabin Rentals - increases each year

The idea has grown in popularity, with marinas increasing their numbers of floating cabin rentals each year. But during the peak season, the demand is greater than the number, and vacationers go wanting. Some folks have taken to reserving a floating cabin a year in advance.

Thus the sales.

Rustic cabins these are not. These homes away from home offer the comforts of a most comfortable abode – full kitchens, dining areas, sitting areas, baths, two or three bedrooms. They’re snuggled up against a series of docks, which make for just-about-instant fishing. Guests can tie their vessels up to the docks and go immediately from bed to breakfast to boat. Rental boats are available for those who appear without. Or there’s fishing from the docks.

What the floating cabins don’t have is the rocking motion that might be expected of them because they’re on the water.

“And the floating cabins provide independence,” said Edwards. “People think, ‘I have a place to stay, and my boat’s right here.’”

Patoka Lake - Man made lake

Patoka Lake was created in the late 1970s as a flood control reservoir. The state’s second-largest reservoir, covering more than 8,800 acres, it is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. As such, it is destined to remain undeveloped, with no housing along its shores. The reservoir serves as the water supply for nine counties. The water is considered among the cleanest in three states, in part because the engineers constructed a sewerage system that encircles the reservoir.

“It is going to stay a clean, pristine lake,” said Edwards.

With no lodging permitted within 300 yards of the shoreline, no cabins or resorts will appear. The mandate makes the floating cabins, which fall under houseboat regulations even though they never leave the dock, especially appealing.

Floating cabins are available for rent at Hoosier Hills Marina, too.

And from both marinas, houseboats, pontoon boats, fishing boats and jet skis.

The Patoka Lake Reservoir Recreation Area has one of the largest campgrounds in the state with 10 launching ramps and facilities similar to those found at state parks – playgrounds, a beach, 10 miles of paved roads for hiking and biking. There are 455 electric, 45 primitive and seven backcountry camping sites.

Patoka Lake - Excellent Fishing

Fishermen here typically go after bass – striped, largemouth, smallmouth, white – but there are also crappie and bluegill.

And, said Edwards, there’s fantastic fall color from late September through the second week of October.

“Brown County has nothing on us. We could write the book for Brown County. Here you have God’s picture that he paints every year.”

Patoka Lake - close to new Indiana's casino

The entire area is experiencing tourism growth because Patoka Lake is close to French Lick and West Baden Springs, the site of Indiana’s newest casino.

“People are looking for getaways closer to home, and that’s helping boost tourism in southern Indiana,” Edwards said. “By offering the cabins for sale, people now have a chance to get away whenever they want and know that their little piece of paradise awaits them on Patoka Lake.”

Thanks to Elizabeth Granger http://www.county29.net/c for this.

Links:
http://www.exploresouthernindiana.com/
http://www.patokalakeindiana.com/
http://www.patokalakemarina.com/
http://www.hoosierhillsmarina.com/

Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

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Used Pontoon Boats - Big Bear Lake Dodges a Mussels Bullet

Sponsored by Anchors Away - CD-ROM Print Program for Boaters

Hi gang, Rick Ostler from Used Pontoon boats bring you news and views from the boating industry. Big Bear Lake dodged a bullet April 17. A pontoon boat from Arizona was ready to launch from Captain John’s Fawn Harbor Marina with quagga mussels attached to the hull.

“The boat attendant got a bad feeling,” said Big Bear Lake Municipal Water District General Manager Scott Heule. Heule said the combination of an Arizona registration and a Lake Havasu water sports sticker prompted the attendant to send the boat to the West Boat Launch Ramp. An MWD inspector stationed at the West Ramp found quagga mussels attached to the boat. The mussels were already dead, Heule said.

“We were stunned. We thought we would be lucky to see one infected boat all season and we’ve already seen one and it’s April,” Heule said.

Big Bear Lake - Mussels Threat to Lake in 2007

It was the closest a quagga mussel has come to Big Bear Lake since the MWD identified the mussel as a threat to the lake in 2007, Heule said. In early April a boat headed to Big Bear Lake was inspected at the Interstate 15 agriculture stop in Yermo. Quagga mussels were attached and the boat was quarantined for 14 days, said Mike Giusti, senior environmental scientist for California Department of Fish and Game.

The quagga mussel is an invasive species found in lakes across the United States. The mussel started spreading from the Great Lakes in the late 1980s and migrated west reaching the Colorado River, Lake Havasu, Lake Mojave and several lakes in Southern California, Giusti said. “The quagga mussel cuts out the bottom of the food chain,” he said. The mussel eats phytoplankton, which bait fish feed on. Without bait fish, the game fish start dying. The destruction doesn’t stop there.


The quagga mussel damages boat intakes and dam works. Lakes in Southern California have shut down because of the mussel, Giusti said.

The MWD hopes to avoid the devastation with the public’s help. On April 24 Valley businesses and residents gathered to hear what the MWD plans to do to defend the lake.

In addition to check points at the MWD’s West and East launch ramps, the agency is launching an educational campaign aimed at boaters.

Big Bear Lake - Boaters fill out questionaire

“Clean, drained and dry is our slogan,” said MWD Lake Manager Mike Stephenson. Boats need to be cleaned, bilge tanks and intakes drained and dried before they can enter Big Bear Lake. Boaters fill out a questionnaire before launching into the lake. The boaters must list what lakes their boats have been in during the last month. If none of the lake listed are infected, the boaters will get a yellow slip to enter the lake.

“The yellow slip is like a hall pass,” Stephenson said. If the boat stays out of the inflected lakes, is cleaned, drained and dry before getting into Big Bear Lake, the boat can get into the lake with little delay, he said. The MWD will power wash any boats that have been on contaminated lakes and prohibit the boat from launching for eight days. Other lakes will be notified that the boat is quarantined, he said.

Dick Kun asked how the MWD will get the job done on busy weekends?

“In all likelihood there will be maybe two or three boats that need to be disinfected all season,” Stephenson said. Stephenson said the majority of boaters who could come to Big Bear Lake from infected waters are coming from the Colorado River and lakes east of Big Bear. Those boats will go through the agricultural stops on the highway where inspectors are checking boats.

Big Bear Lake - Discovery Center to use volunteers

Denis Thomas, director of the Big Bear Discovery Center, recommended using volunteers to help on busy weekends. “If you provided the training, we have plenty of volunteers at the Discovery Center willing to help,” he said.

Heule said the MWD will look into training volunteers.

Kun said it appears that the quagga mussel will eventually get into the lake. “Has the MWD looked into chemical eradication,” he asked.

The lone product that kills the mussel without killing fish is a bacteria common in ice cream, Giusti said. However, the bacteria is in the test phase and he can’t imagine many lakes using it. “Do you want to tell your customers that you are putting a bacteria in the lake?” he asked. A molluscicide is years away, he added.

The best thing is to keep the mussels from getting here, Stephenson said.
Thanks to reporter Brian Charles at bigbeargrizzly.net
Contact Brian at 909-866-3456, ext. 134 or by e-mail at briancharles@bigbeargrizzly.net.

Big Bear Lake Cabin Rentals

Here are some of the best Big Bear Lake Cabin Rentals.

A. Big Bear Frontier Hotel Resort - www.big-bear-cabins.com - (909) 866-2232 - 59 reviews
B. Three Pines Lodge & Resort Rentals - www.threepineslodge.com - (909) 866-4103 - 12 reviews
C. Big Bear Cool Cabins - www.bigbearcoolcabins.com - 6 reviews
D. Cal Pine Chalets & Vacation Rentals - www.bigbearcalpine.com - (909) 866-2574 - more
E. Pine Knot Guest Ranch - www.pineknotguestranch.com - (909) 866-6500 - 47 reviews
F. Oak Knoll Lodge - www.big-bear-lake.com - (909) 866-2773 - 1 review
G. Timber Haven Lodge - www.timberhavenlodge.com - (909) 866-7207 - 31 reviews
H. Big Bear Lakewood Cabins - www.bigbearlakewoodcabins.com - (909) 866-7633 - more
I. Big Bear Mountain Resort Rentals Inc. - www.bigbear1.com - (909) 878-2233 - more
J. Black Bear Cottages - www.blackbearcottages.net - (909) 878-3052 - 5 reviews


Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

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Used Pontoon Boats - Dining on Your Pontoon Boat

Sponsored by Latitudes & Attitudes - The Boating Lifestyle

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here again from Used Pontoon Boats. Before you pick up the phone to make reservations for that romantic dinner for two...STOP. Instead of battling traffic, waiting in line for your table and being at the mercy of the other diners sitting at your elbow, why not jump on the pontoon and head out to the water? With a little imagination, foresight, and moonlight, you can create a romantic dinner for two that your date will never forget. The most important part of creating this memorable evening is in the planning. You don't want to be in the middle of dinner and realize that you've forgotten something important like silverware or a corkscrew.

So, let's start at the beginning and work through the details. First of all, check the weather. Nothing will ruin your dinner quicker than a storm or rough water. Secondly, dock your boat prior to picking up your date. Trailering and launching can often be stressful and it's important that you and your date are completely relaxed from the moment you step on the boat, until you step off. Make sure all of your supplies are loaded into the boat prior to arriving with your date. Check for the exact time the sun is setting and plan to arrive at precisely that moment.

Using easy to find outdoor light strings, ensconce your pontoon with dangling icicles of light, (Don't forget to plug them in before you arrive with your date.) a few well-positioned flower petals on the deck wouldn't be a bad idea either. There is nothing more romantic than walking your significant other down the pier to a softly glowing pontoon enveloped in the pinks and blues of a setting sun.

When planning your meal, you have several options. Although many boats are equipped with grills, nothing takes the fire out of romance quicker than having to cook before you can sit down. For this reason, it's recommended that you consider cooking your meal at home first or picking it up from your favorite restaurant. Keeping it hot or cold is no problem with a thermoelectric cooler. This is a wonderfulproduct sold by Coleman that can not only keep your food at serving temperature but will hold ice and beverages as well. Food umbrellas are the perfect way to keep pesky insects out of your meal and can be purchased inexpensively.

Setting the table is important and if your boat is docked, this can be done prior to the start of your date. If you're planning on heading out to the middle of the lake, however, you may have to wait until you've chosen your spot to complete this task. There are several picnic sets available that will keep all of your dining items in one place or for a little more class, pack it all up in a beautiful wicker basket. Your date will be pleasantly suprised as you pull your table settings, candles, and champagne from the basket with a little flourish. Don't forget the tablecloth!

When you've finished your meal, simply pack it right back up in the basket. Clean up's a breeze. Follow dinner with an amazing dessert from the local bakery and a delightful cup of fresh brewed coffee and then sit back and enjoy the romantic music you have softly playing in the background. If you follow these easy tips and throw in a few special touches of your own, the next time you suggest dinner, don't be suprised if it has to be on the boat.
Thanks to Thomas Holley, owner of http://www.Pontoon-Boat-Products.com for this.

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Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

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Used Pontoon Boats - U.S. Soldiers go Fishing on Jordan Lake

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from Used Pontoon Boats. While the sun was still sleeping at Jordan Lake, 174 bass boats, each decorated with a yellow ribbon and an American flag and arranged in flights of red, white, and blue, held fast as their occupants eagerly awaited the 7:30 a.m. take-off from the New Hope Landing to begin the third Warriors on the Water event, a bass tournament celebrating the efforts of the men and women who have served our country.

Each boat carried a volunteer boater who was taking a soldier fishing for the day. Some boaters came from as far away as Texas, Indiana, New York and Pennsylvania to participate in the military appreciation event conceived four years ago by three Desert Storm veterans, Hal Abshire, Greg Lahr and Bob Cunningham.

At 6:45 a.m., a JROTC Color Guard marched along the elongated walkway to the dock. An invocation followed and then the singing of the National Anthem by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Charles King.

About 7 a.m., some raucous music and the cry of "Let's get ready to rumble!" thundered over the loudspeakers as three female members of the Golden Knights, a demonstration and competition parachute team of 90 men and women stationed at Fort Bragg, dropped out of the sky from an airplane. Each member slowly descended in a banana-colored parachute and landing safely at the back of a designated bass boat to the amazement of onlookers.

Soon, the first flight of boats took off, followed by subsequent flights. On their way out of the landing, the high-powered machines roared by a pontoon boat where media members scrambled to take photos of the passing boats, some shrink-wrapped in bright colors by fishing sponsors. Several occupants waved their caps at the cameras.

The bass fishing at Jordan may not have been as tough as the soldiers' military training, but it certainly was challenging as the fish were bedding and not biting. The participants tried to entice strikes with jigs, spinnerbaits and plastic baits by pitching and casting them at shallow-water shrubbery.

For some soldiers who hadn't wet a hook since childhood or who had never fished at all, their on-the-water experience resembled a boot camp in bass fishing as they discovered that flipping baits required as much manual dexterity as some military maneuvers.

At 2:30 p.m., the march to the weigh-in stand began with many contestants displaying more smiles than fish.

Sanford's Cory Williams, attired in a red, white and blue shirt, and his military partner, George Frank of Fayetteville, took top honors with 23 pounds, 6 ounces. They each received a trophy with the replica of an eagle mounted upon it. They also won a trip to the FLW Championship where they will be given VIP treatment.

Completing the top five teams were boater Richard Szczerbala of New Hope and Bobby Mathis of Claxton, Ga., second, with 15-09; boater Steve Gardner of Pinehurst and Kacey Peoples, third, with 13-06; boater James Wade of Fayetteville and Robert Drakes, fourth, with 13-00; and boater Kelby Waldrip of Bloomington, Ind., and Abey Torrez, fifth, with 11-08.

The second- through fifth-place teams received merchandise and/or free tickets to car racing events.

Boater Jerry Clay of Asheboro and Roger Adkins of Fort Bragg took the big-fish award of $300 with an 8-pound, 2-ounce bass. Boater Ronald Barker of Carthage and Ralph Sanchez of Fort Bragg claimed the second-biggest fish prize of $200 with a 7-pound, 13-ounce bass.

At the weigh-in, Rodolfo "Rudy" Hernandez, a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his heroics in the Korean War, was recognized.

After the event, many boaters and soldiers were ready to sign up for next year's tournament. Wow!

Steve Sink of Winston-Salem and Jack Pendergrass of Kernersville won Saturday's National Bass Circuit Tour event at High Rock Lake with 20.57 pounds and shared $1,500. They edged out the Salisbury team of Rodney Bell and Tommy Jones who had 20.45 pounds and earned $775.

The Lexington team of Orlando Giles and Tony Waterhouse took the big-fish prize of $70 with a 6.81-pound bass.

Lexington's Terry Wien won the co-angler big-fish award of $420 with a 5-pound, 13-ounce bass at the April 12 Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Piedmont Division tournament at Kerr Lake. Tony Garitta is the fishing columnist for the-dispatch.com

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Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

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Used Pontoon Boats - Minnesota Boat Auction

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from Used Pontoon Boats. Minnesota's love affair with boats is alive and well, and it's coming at a lower price these days thanks to the tepid economy, the weak dollar and the price of gas.

Minnesota Used Boat Auction
Crystal-Pierz Marine held its first-ever used-boat auction a few weeks ago at Minneapolis Auto Auction in Maple Grove. Luke Kujawa, president and chief operating officer of Crystal-Pierz, said he organized the auction in part to scare up some enthusiasm for boating in a soft economy and to loosen up a tight market for used boats.

These days, many of the used boats from Minnesota are being sold to Canadians because of the weak dollar, he said. Still, "there's lots of people looking for used boats," he said.

In 2005, Minnesota had the fourth-highest number of pleasure-boat registrations of any state. But after increasing by 10,000 to 20,000 annually since the mid-1990s, the number -- 853,500 in 2005 -- has remained flat in recent years, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

"The market's been soft," Kujawa said. "We track the housing industry pretty closely."

He said he wanted to create an event that would bring some of the old boats floating around Minnesota under the same roof with the people who might want them. Folks could eat a hot dog and unload their old or seldom-used boats for a little cash, and boat dealers could clean out their inventory. Crystal-Pierz earned a 10 percent fee on each boat sold, or $250 for boats that were not sold because they didn't get the minimum bids set by the owners.

All of that was on display Sunday morning as the first of about 150 boats rolled through as an auctioneer either sang their praises or poked fun at their unique charms to a crowd of about 300 people.

"What color are you calling that?" auctioneer Gary Dehler asked about an old yellow fishing boat that had seen better days. "Mustard? Is that what that is?"

The first to go was an old aluminum Crestliner fishing boat. "I have no doubt you can catch crappies out of that," said Dehler. "I'll take anything."

Sold -- for $500.

Bennington pontoon boat sold for $11,250.
A 2005 Bennington pontoon boat had been used as a rental. The market value, Kujawa told the crowd of stone-faced Minnesotans looking for deals, was $18,500.

Sold -- for $11,250.

George Kiffmeyer's old Alumacraft fishing boat with a Johnson engine sold for $2,800.

"That was right on the money," said Kiffmeyer, 45, of Clear Lake. He decided to sell it because the price of gas in Canada, where he goes fishing four times a year, was killing him, he said. Last year Canadian marinas were selling gas for $6 a gallon, and he expects it to be twice that this year. He'll switch to a couple of smaller boats he keeps on his property in Canada.

A brand-new 2001 Fisher with Mercury 175 motor was worth $19,000, Kujawa told the crowd.

"This is a smokin' deal," Dehler said to encourage hands to go up. "Sold for $12,000."

"Whew, my hand is shaking," said the boat's new owner, Scott Miller, 41, as he signed paperwork after the bidding. He bought it to go fishing with his 13-year-old son, Tony, adding: "It's a steal. I saved a lot on it."

Pritesh Ubad, 31, bought his first boat -- a 1994 turquoise-and-white SeaRay inboard runabout worth about $13,000 -- for only $7,500. He had some help. Wes Schreiber, who works as a salesman for Crystal-Pierz, coached him on which boat to buy and on the bidding.

Ubad, who is from Nepal, said he had been looking for a used boat for about three weeks. A huge smile split his face as he walked around his new toy in the cold sunshine. He said he plans to take his wife and daughter boating on Lake Minnetonka.

"She wanted a boat more than I did," he said of his wife.

The auction wrapped up late in the afternoon.

"It went great," Kujawa said. "I would say, 100 boats sold. A little warmer weather would have helped, but everybody was happy."
Thanks to JOSEPHINE MARCOTTY, Star Tribune for this
Josephine Marcotty• 612-673-7394

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Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

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Used Pontoon Boats - Finding the right cottage boat

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from Used Pontoon Boats. Cottage life usually implies shoreline, and shoreline implies boats, and boats are an automatic part of cottaging.

But what kind of boat? There are diverse decisions to make before choosing a new boat. For better or for worse, recreational boats have evolved to be more and more specialized as the years have gone by. It is not out of proportion to visualize a whole fleet of boats, each tailored to a different experience at the cottage. However, if you don’t realize this before you start to look for your first cottage boat, confusion can reign.

If you are fortunate to find a lovingly previously-used cottage, perhaps the deal includes a lovingly previously-used boat. If not, you are inevitably going to be looking with some urgency to fill the hole in the water next to your dock before the summer season arrives.

Approaching cottage boating with a relatively clean slate, choosing from two dozen or more options for the style of boat can be confusing, if not downright intimidating. So take two paces back, take a deep breath, and ask yourself and your family several key questions.

What are we going to use it for? How large must it be? How large would we like it to be? Are issues such as comfort, speed, range, handling in rough waters, instrumentation for navigation and operation, and storage or trailering important to us? Are we going to tow wakeboarders, tubes, or swim from the boat? Are we going fishing with the boat? Are any long trips planned with the boat? Will escorting visitors on tours of your lake rate high on our social agenda? If so, how many people will be on the guest list?

Next consider any special needs. For example, if your cottage is on an island, the boat, or at least one of your boats, must serve for serious heavy hauling some of the time.

All this develops a list of what you want the boat to do for you at the cottage.

If you need something small and fast or wind powered, consider a pedal boat, canoe, kayak, sailing dinghy, rowing skiff, or sailboard, among others. Add engines, and think runabout: water ski and wakeboard tow boat, dedicated fishing boat, pontoon are all among the choices. You may also need to decide between a bowrider and an enclosed bow.

For the engine itself, stern drive or outboard, or full inboard engine for a larger boat. Single or dual drive? Gasoline, diesel or possibly electric?

Look with an open mind, since both outboard and inboard engines are improving steadily to be more efficient and less polluting than even a few years ago.

Boat builders, dealers, and marinas serve markets which cover a wide spectrum of interests, not just cottagers. They might exhibit large long-distance cruisers, trawlers, live-aboard sailboats, and specialty boats such as offshore racers, all of which can distract you from your primary interest in choosing a cottage boat which matches your specific needs.

But with your short list of musts and wants in hand you can narrow down your choices to a few boats of the appropriate shape and size.

Operating any of these craft requires appropriate skill and experience. Remember to keep your training up to a level which matches the capability of your boat. Contact us at Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons for information about our wide selection of boating courses for both beginner and experienced boater.

Finding the ideal first boat or next boat for your cottage fleet is a journey of many steps, spanning everything from your personal insights to the big wide world of the boating market. Enjoy your trip.

Safe boating.
Thanks to Jack McIrvine, past commander of the Bracebridge Power Squadron and muskokan.com

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Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

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