Archive for January, 2008

Used Pontoon Boats - Porter County Boat Show

Monday, January 28th, 2008

Hi gang, Rick here again from Used Pontoon Boats with an update from the Porter County Boat Show in WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. Sunshine yellow, glittery fire engine red, glossy black and sparkly turquoise blue were just some of the colors of the big toys on display at the Porter County Boat Show at the Expo Center over the weekend.

Jack and Roxane Anderson, of Lowell, were in the market for a pontoon boat.
“We’re interested,” said Jack Anderson, who was shopping with friends Sonny and Linda Klemm, of Valparaiso, who own a pontoon.
“They’re contagious,” said Roxane Anderson, pointing to her friends. “It would have to be a pontoon boat so the grandkids could get on it.”

Besides pontoon boats, shoppers could climb aboard ski boats, runabouts, bass boats and cabin cruisers and admire the smaller personal watercraft and boating accessories.

With warming weather and melting snow outside, boat shoppers — and those who encouraged them — were dreaming about the upcoming boating season.

“We have 12 feet of seawall and a 33-acre sandbar in Lake Wawasee,” Linda Klemm said.

“It’s a family thing,” said Sonny Klemm, admiring a shiny black Mercury 150 engine.
Thanks to BY SUSAN O’LEARY, Times Correspondent for this.

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

If you found this interesting, please tell others by clicking on the bookmark icon in top left corner of page and insert a brief remark to let others know were here.

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

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Used Pontoon Boats - Boater Education Ongoing

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Hi gang Rick here again from Used Pontoon Boats on boater education. An interesting article from the LAKE OF THE OZARKS. The potentially hazardous conditions on the lake prompted Janet Foley of Camden County to take her first Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills and Seamanship class three years ago. It would not be her last.

‘I think everyone, young or mature, needs to know the basic rules. It makes everyone safer,’ Foley said. ‘But you should never expect anyone else out there to know the rules.’

Foley took the course for the first time three years ago. She listened and absorbed the information, but had limited participation. The following year, she signed on for the class a second time, now armed with more information.

I decided I wanted to start asking questions, Foley said. The course is extensive and allows students to specialize in areas of interest. It’s a huge knowledge pool. You can take from it what you want, Foley said.

The art of tying knots was Foley’s main fascination. When she started the class, she did not know how to untie a boat after it had been tied to a dock with a granny knot. Placing figure eights on a cleat with a half hitch or tying the versatile bowline knot is now her forte.

Foley, and her husband Tony Dietz, purchased a 26-foot pontoon boat 14 years ago. We had limited knowledge. We had gone out with friends lots of times, Foley said. Ignorance is bliss and if you don’t have a clue, you are totally off the mark. At least I knew I didn’t have a clue and took the course.

Her husband did not attend the class. I guess he felt he didn’t have to, she said. I spent hours telling him about it. We go out all the time together, so I am his walking book.

Foley has assumed responsibly for ensuring that all safety gear including a life jacket for each passenger is on board. One of the most important guidelines that Foley walked away with after taking the course is it does not matter who is in the right and who is wrong, boaters need to do whatever is necessary to stay safe.

The 2008 Boating Skills and Seamanship classes get underway Feb. 19 and will run for six Tuesdays. Each two-hour session will be held at 7 p.m. at Central Bank in Osage Beach.

Students will invest $30 to cover the cost of the instructional book. Couples or families willing to share a book can purchase a single book and pay $5 for each additional person within their group, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary public education officer Jack Williams said.

The course goes beyond the basics and covers boating rules and regulations, choosing a vessel, handling and trailering, waterway markings and other topics that every boater should be familiar with before heading out onto the water.

The class is conducted as an informal presentation that encourages student interaction. Although the course is not rigidly structured, the material is thoroughly covered, Williams said.

Boating experts within the community teach specific sections of the course. For example, a Missouri National Guard communications officer taught the radio section of the course, Williams said.

The course meets and exceeds the mandatory education requirement set by the Missouri Water Patrol for all boat operators born after Jan, 1, 1984. Once completed, the certificate can be used to satisfy the state requirement and could possibly lower insurance premiums, Williams said.

One advantage of the Coast Guard program is it not only teaches about boating on a lake, but also on rivers and inland waterways and places where boaters will find currents and debris not common on the lake.

For more information, call Williams at 365-2779. Thanks to Brian Fleagle, lakesunleader.com for this.

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

If you found this interesting, please tell others by clicking on the bookmark icon in top left corner of page and insert a brief remark to let others know were here.

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

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Used Pontoon Boats - Seaside Boat Show

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Hi gang, Rick here from Used Pontoon Boats with another boat show update. This time from Ocean City, Maryland.

OCEAN CITY — The 25th annual Seaside Boat Show, sponsored by the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club, returns to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 15, through Sunday, Feb. 17.

This event raises money for youth programs through Worcester County and lower Delaware.

The show will feature more than 150 exhibitors with more than 40 boat dealers and an estimated 400 boats on display, both inside and outside of the facility.

This year’s show also welcomes wood carvers, model boat builders, jewelers, hot tubs, artists, pottery and clothing.

Show hours are Friday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission costs $8 a day or $15 for a weekend pass.

North Bay Marina is donating a Sweetwater pontoon boat which will be given away as the grand door prize at the conclusion of the show on Sunday.
Thanks to dailytimesonline.com for this.

For more information on the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.
http://www.ocean-city.com/convention/main.html

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

If you found this interesting, please tell others by clicking on the bookmark icon in top left corner of page and insert a brief remark to let others know were here.

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

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Used Pontoon Boats - Wichita Boat Show

Saturday, January 26th, 2008

Hi gang, Rick here with Used Pontoon Boats with yet another boat show update. Annual boat show is this weekend at Century II If you’re in the market for a boat, this is the weekend to shop.

Vendors at the annual Wichita Boat Show are in the height of “boat show season,” and the manufacturers are giving them incentives to move the merchandise.

Deals will abound.

“People can shop and compare between two or three boats from different dealers, and they can do it right here at one place,” said Gary Krahn, the Colorado-based promoter who organizes the show.

The event, which continues today through Sunday at Century II Expo Hall, will feature more than 300 bass boats, ski boats, pontoons, cabin cruisers and more.

Every dealer in Wichita will be represented at the show, Krahn’s 13th in Wichita.

Browsers are welcome, too.

In addition to watercraft, the show will again include one of its most famous attractions — a 50-foot tub filled with water and live bass.

A professional fisherman will be stationed at the tub, demonstrating bass-catching techniques every two hours. The tub is always popular with kids, Krahn said.

The Wichita Boat Show runs from noon to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for children ages 7 to 15; and free for children 6 and under.

For more information, call 970-218-5645. Thanks Denise Neil at Kansas.com for this.

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

If you found this interesting, please tell others by clicking on the bookmark icon in top left corner of page and insert a brief remark to let others know were here.

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

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bayliner Boats - Trent-Severn Waterway Recognition

Saturday, January 26th, 2008


Parks Canada communications manager Sara Atkins with a copy of “Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips” published by National Geographic next to the Peterborough Lift Lock Thursday. The Trent-Severn Waterway is mentioned as one of the great journeys across water in the book.

Hi gang, Rick here from Bayliner Boats. Here is a great article that was posted in our local paper on the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Staff at the Trent-Severn Waterway had always thought its rapids were quite a journey. According to a recently released National Geographic book, the Trent-Severn is a journey of a lifetime.

The Trent-Severn Waterway is mentioned as one of the great journeys across water in “Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips” published by National Geographic in October.

Though the high-gloss article pleased staff, they were especially thrilled to beat the Rideau Canal for a spot in the book.

“For once,” laughed Parks Canada communications manager Sara Atkins.

Though winning the battle of the canals was great news, being named one of the top 500 journeys was a better compliment.

“I think the waterway’s one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever been and I’ve been all over the world,” Atkins said. “National Geographic is respected as an authority on world and travel.”

Other highlighted water journeys include airboating in Florida’s Everglades and the Orinoco River Cruise in Venezuela.

The short article highlights the variety of scenery witnessed by those travelling down the 386-kilometre waterway, which runs between Trenton on Lake Ontario to Port Severn on Georgian Bay.

“Charming villages with a European flavor, farmlands, rocky gorges and sapphire-clear, forest-lined lakes are just a few of the constantly changing tableaus that have made this a popular water tour,” the book said.

The journeys were selected by a panel of 50 National Geographic travel writers.

“We wanted to make sure we had a mix of both well-known trips and lesser-known but equally spectacular journeys,” said Larry Porges, editor of travel publishing for National Geographic. “While the Trent-Severn is not the best-known trip in the book, it certainly deserves wider recognition.”

The diverse nature of the Trent-Severn was a definite appeal for the panel.

“We all loved the thought of renting a houseboat, lazing in the waters of Kawartha Lakes and frying up our fresh-caught fish for dinner,” Porges said.

The only part of the article Atkins disagrees with is its assessment of how strenuous the journey is.

The article says the harsher parts are in the east near Trenton, while it gets more relaxing in the Kawartha Lakes. Atkins believes it’s the reverse.

“It kind of makes you want more,” she said. “It sounds inviting and it captures, to me this is the heartland of Ontario, and it captures that feeling.”

National Geographic also details the different ways someone can travel the waterway and the options for stops along the way.

“The fact that it mentions going in to villages along the way I think is good for the whole area,” Atkins said.

Being mentioned in such a prestigious book will also help boost the waterway’s image.

“It gives us a good international profile, too, which doesn’t only help us it helps the whole region,” she said.

Peterborough is also mentioned as a highlight of the trip.

“It mentions that Peterborough has the world’s highest lift lock which is important,” Atkins said. “And a whole bunch of other communities, which is good.”

Other Canadian trips mentioned in the book include Toronto’s Queen Street streetcar and the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper, Alta.

Thanks to NICOLE RIVA/Peterborough Examiner Staff Writer for this.

Find out more information on Bayliner boat canvas, Do-it-Yourself bayliner cover kits and subscribe to our FREE newsletter.

If you found this interesting, please tell others by clicking on the bookmark icon in top left corner of page and insert a brief remark to let others know were here.

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

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Used Pontoon Boats - Boat Fire

Friday, January 25th, 2008

Hi gang, Rick here from Used Pontoon Boats. State police in LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. are investigating the burning of two boats in Drumore Township early Wednesday morning.

Although state police are involved, the fire had not been labeled “suspicious” as of Thursday evening.

“At this time, the cause of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation,” state police stated in a news release Thursday.

At 1:13 a.m. Wednesday, firefighters from Robert Fulton Fire Company responded to a fire on Ford Lane in Drumore Township.

Upon arrival, crews found a 1988 Hurricane boat, owned by Joseph Dynda of Reading, engulfed in flames under a carport.

Flames from the Hurricane were spreading to a 1990 Procraft pontoon boat, owned by William Keesee of Drumore, police reported.

Robert Fulton fire Chief Ray Glick said firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. The Hurricane was destroyed, he said, but the Procraft was saved. Total damages were estimated at $6,000.

According to Glick, the area where the two boats were parked is a community area where residents who live on Ford Lane keep boats, vehicles and other equipment.
Thanks to P.J. REILLY,Intelligencer Journal for this.

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

If you found this interesting, please tell others by clicking on the bookmark icon in top left corner of page and insert a brief remark to let others know were here.

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

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Used Pontoon Boats -Charleston Boat Show

Friday, January 25th, 2008

Hi gang, Rick here again from Used Pontoon Boats with another boat show update. This event is the Lowcountry’s biggest boat show and sale featuring more than 90 boat lines representing the latest models, many offered at discount prices.

Thirty of the region’s leading dealers will be on-site to showcase a multitude of powerboats including: sport cruisers, motor and express yachts, sport fishing boats, center console fishing boats, bass boats, bow riders, deck and aluminum boats, ski and pontoon boats, runabouts, bay boats, shallow water flat skiffs and family cruisers.

Exhibitors will feature an extensive assortment of the latest in marine and fishing products including: fishing tackle and accessories, marine electronics, boat lifts, dock systems, and marine finance and insurance and nautical artwork.

This year’s Show is sure to please as it presents some exciting new features such as Steve Gryb, Miami’s “Pied Piper of Percussion”. Steve performs all over the country and people of all ages participate in his musical shows. Island Trio will also perform throughout the weekend.

Also new this year is the “Hook the Future” Kids’ Fishing Clinic. This educational experience is taught by marine wildlife experts, and will focus on teaching children fishing ethics as well as how to select the right lures and tackle, tie knots and cast nets. Fishing backpacks will be given away to 35 participants each day. For the adult fishing enthusiasts there will be educational seminars conducted by local fishing captains. These seminars will cover various fishing related topics and are scheduled Saturday and Sunday of the Show.

There will be a great selection of food from Lowcountry Boils including Frogmore Stew, pulled pork sandwiches, boiled peanuts and more.

Various prizes will be given away all weekend. Sunday afternoon one lucky winner will be chosen for the grand prize, a 7 day cruise to the Western Caribbean!Attendees may also register to win a 9.9 horsepower engine from Mercury Marine or weekend vacation packages from Visit Jacksonville.
Visit www.thecharlestonboatshow.com

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

If you found this interesting, please tell others by clicking on the bookmark icon in top left corner of page and insert a brief remark to let others know were here.

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

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Used Pontoon Boats - Oklahoma City Boat Show

Friday, January 25th, 2008

Hi gang, Rick here again from Used pontoon Boats with yet another boat show update. Oklahoma City Boat Show sets sail Thursday. It happens more than one would imagine, according to Tom Stidham, who owns Norris Marine in Norman.

So why does the Oklahoma City Boat Show do so well?
“Cabin fever,” Stidham said. “Dealers are hungry because it is winter, and we’ve found that the harsher the winter, the more people come out here.”

The 53rd edition of the show opens at the state fairgrounds today from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and will continue from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and end with a Sunday program from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bad weather equals good attendance, Stidham said. Those hoping for deteriorating weather conditions just might get their wish. The National Weather Service calls for highs in the 30s today with a 20-percent chance of light snow or sleet, a 50-percent chance of the same on Friday with temperatures in the 30s, and dry on Saturday and Sunday with highs in the 30s and 40s.

Oklahoma City Boat Show Director Nick Sadler said the show will be in the Travel and Transportation Building, Cox Pavilion and the Centennial Building. He’s expecting 10,000 to 15,000 visitors to the show, which will feature 12 metro boat dealers and up to 300 boats.

“It’s very lucrative for the boating business; we’ll have boats from $8,000 on up to $160,000,” Sadler said. “For people who love boating, it’s tough from October to January and they are excited to be able to see the new line of boats.”
Sadler said the show will include powerboats, pontoons, deck boats, bass boats and runabouts.

“About six dealers will have competition ski boats this year,” Sadler said. “A lot of us used to ski and now it’s all about wakeboards and competition ski boats. It’s a big change in the industry.”

In addition to the dealers, the show will have booths manned by 100 different exhibitors who will sell everything from women’s jewelry to the latest boat accessories, skis, life jackets, purses to cleaning solutions.

This year will mark the first time the show will be presented in one long weekend. It had been spread over six days and two weekends in the past.
“Our attendance was always better the first weekend than the second,” Sadler said. “During the second weekend we were conflicting with boat shows in Tulsa and Dallas, and with the Super Bowl. We’re down to four straight days but will have almost the same amount of hours for the show.”

Stidham said the show is a great opportunity for dealers to get off to a good start for the year. “As high as 25 percent of our business can be related to this show,” said Stidham, who bought Norris Marine in 1971 and has had boats on display at the show since then. “Our numbers (for sales) through the years have ranged from 25 on the low side to 60 on the high side for this show. We expect to be in that range again this year.”

Stidham said he’s looking forward to completing it in the same week.
“It was confusing to people having it two weekends; this is all for the better,” Stidham said. “Another good thing is that boat representatives can come in and make it all in one week. This show offers a lot of additional incentives for people and it also gives up a look at what’s hot this year.”

Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

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

If you found this interesting, please tell others by clicking on the bookmark icon in top left corner of page and insert a brief remark to let others know were here.

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

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Used Pontoon Boats - Nashville Boat Show

Friday, January 25th, 2008

Hi gang, Rick again from Used Pontoon Boats. Another boat show, the fourth of its kind since December, is headed to Nashville. The Nashville Boat Show is Feb. 8-10 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.

Nearly 200 boats — including fishing, sporting yacht, pontoon, and personal watercraft — will be on display along with about 100 exhibits.

The show begins Feb. 8 at noon. Admission is $6 adults, $3 ages 7-14, free for ages 6-under.

Big Buck contest: Winner of the Bass Pro Shops and Tennessee Outdoor News Big Buck Contest will be awarded Saturday at the store in Opry Mills mall.

Scoring begins at 10 a.m.

“Last year we had an unbelievable turnout and the tables were pouring over with antlers that would make hunters in the Midwest proud,’’ said official scorer Tony Smotherman, editor of Tennessee Outdoors News.

Five of the top antlers scored from three categories — archery, muzzleloader and center-fire — will be officially scored the day of the contest. Prizes go to the top three in each category.

Call 514-5200 or visit basspro.com for more information.

No wake meeting: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has scheduled a public meeting for Feb. 5 to discuss a proposal to widen the no wake zone on Percy Priest Lake in the cove near the YMCA camp.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Stones River Hunter Education Building at 2618 Hobson Pike.

“There is an existing no wake zone already there, but we want to widen the zone because we plan to use it as a major part of a boating safety education effort beginning this summer,’’ TWRA boating education coordinator Jeff Winfree said.

“Fishing and other boating recreation will still be allowed. We have plans to educate thousands of youngsters … about boating safety and this cove will play a major role in our classes.”

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

If you found this interesting, please tell others by clicking on the bookmark icon in top left corner of page and insert a brief remark to let others know were here.

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

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bayliner Boats - Brunswick President to Retire

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

Hi gang, Rick here from Bayliner Boats. Patrick C. Mackey is going to Retire From Brunswick’s Mercury Marine Group.

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Brunswick Corporation today announced that Patrick C. Mackey, 61, will retire from the company March 1 after more than seven years of service. Mackey is president of the Mercury Marine Group, chief operating officer of Brunswick’s Marine businesses and a Brunswick executive vice president.

An accomplished business leader with more than 35 years of management experience, Mackey joined Brunswick in October 2000 with a personal commitment at that time to lead the Mercury Marine Group for five years. Mackey quickly developed a strong reputation for building successful relationships within the marine industry, with Mercury dealers, its boat builder partners, and other customers. Under his leadership, Mercury also galvanized its efforts to imbue the industry’s leading marine engine brand with operational excellence and technological advancements.

“Pat has been a visionary for our industry who has championed technology, while setting new standards for customer and dealer relations. I am personally grateful for all that he has done at Mercury, which faced significant challenges when he arrived,” said Dustan E. McCoy, Brunswick chairman and chief executive officer. “As all of us at Brunswick have come to expect of Pat, he gave us far more than he promised, both in terms of time and accomplishments. Through Pat’s leadership, both Mercury, in particular, and Brunswick as a whole have been strengthened, leaving us very well positioned for the future.”

Mercury has been at the forefront of marine-engine manufacturing since the company’s inception in 1939. That tradition carries on today, as Mercury products continue to meet the evolving demands of discriminating and ecology-minded consumers. Under Mackey’s leadership, J.D. Power and Associates has ranked Mercury Marine’s OptiMax engine “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Two-Stroke Outboard Engines,” and Mercury MerCruiser engines “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Sterndrive Engines.”

Mackey is a very experienced general manager and international executive, having spent 30 years in a variety of senior roles with E.I. du Pont de Nemours Corporation in Europe. He also was an executive vice president with Witco Corporation, Greenwich, Conn.

Mark Schwabero, president — Mercury Marine outboard engines, and Kevin S. Grodzki, president — Mercury MerCruiser, will continue to lead their respective businesses, reporting directly to McCoy.

“As Pat moves on to the next phase of his life, knowing that Mark and Kevin will continue to provide leadership and direction to the operations each has guided since 2004 ensures that Mercury Marine will continue to set new standards in product innovation and customer service,” McCoy concluded.

About Brunswick

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill “Genuine Ingenuity”(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Teignbridge propellers; MotoTron electronic controls; Albemarle, Arvor, Baja, Bayliner, Bermuda, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Hatteras, Kayot, Laguna, Lowe, Lund, Maxum, Meridian, Ornvik, Palmetto, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Savage, Sea Boss, Sea Pro, Sea Ray, Sealine, Triton, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land ‘N’ Sea, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine and Benrock parts and accessories distributors; IDS dealer management systems; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength and ParaBody fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables; and Dynamo, Tornado and Valley pool tables, Air Hockey and foosball tables. For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.

Find out more information on Bayliner boat canvas, Do-it-Yourself bayliner cover kits and subscribe to our FREE newsletter.

If you found this interesting, please tell others by clicking on the bookmark icon in top left corner of page and insert a brief remark to let others know were here.

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

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,