Used Pontoon Boats - north-american-waterway.com

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Mercury University, which provides comprehensive technical and non-technical training to more than 5,000 dealers and partners, will soon offer online training, the company reported in a release.

Mercury Marine University

Beginning in late summer 2008, Mercury Marine dealers and partners in the United States and Canada can complete training courses and register for classroom courses online. The new online learning system will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mercury says the online training will not only make learning more accessible, but also make testing more convenient. When students complete an online course, they will have the option to take an online test. The results of the test are immediately available to the user and are recorded in the individual’s learning history, which is viewable by that person and his or her supervisor.

“Our dealers are critical to our success,” said Brad Weber, director of Field Service Development and Operations. “When they voiced a need for an online learning system, we listened and made the required investment. The ability to complete online courses and tests will be of great benefit to the dealer.

Mercury Marine Dealers to be more informed

No longer are they limited to the business hours of Mercury University. Management at the dealerships can be much more informed and reactive to the learning needs of their employees.”
Mercury said it has selected Plateau Systems, a provider of talent management software, content and services, to deliver and host its learning-management system after an extensive search.

Mercury University will utilize Plateau’s iContent solution to manage, deliver and track all its training content across its partners and dealer ecosystem. Through this content-as-a-service offering, dealers and partners will have access to Mercury University’s training content anytime, anywhere in a secure, hosted environment.

“We understand that dealers and partners are critical to a company’s business,” said Paul
Sparta, chairman and CEO of Plateau, “and by giving Mercury University the tools and technology to train and test their business partners, regardless of location, time or online status, they can be confident their company’s reputation and products continue to be the best in the industry.”

Be sure to check out Mercury Marine Video Update Here……

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

Another great video website for viewing Bayliner Boat Videos Here:

Share

Technorati Tags: Bayliner Boats, mercruiser, mercury inboards, mercury marine, mercury marine dealers, mercury marine university, mercury outboards

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from Used Pontoon Boats along with providing you news and views from the boating industry. An interesting article from Long Lake in Lacey, Washington.

Washington Fishing…….on Long Lake

LONG LAKE - This big lake in Lacey is all but deserted throughout April - until the last Saturday of the month. That’s when several hundred boats - and lots of shore anglers - arrive for the opening day of the lowland lake fishing season.

You can just about hopscotch across the lake from boat to boat, and shore anglers fire volleys of casts all day long. It’s a crazy scene - but just about everyone catches trout.

Opening Day is still one of the biggest fishing days in Washington - despite the fact that some lakes now remain open all year long. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife expects about 300,000 anglers on the water Saturday morning.

“We hope that everybody is successful,” said Larry Phillips, state Department of Fish and Wildlife fish biologist for South Sound. “Hatchery fish are there for people to catch and put on the dinner table.”

Trout and Sockeye Salmon Fishing…..in Washington

Fish and Wildlife will stock 3.4 million pan-sized - 7-to-10-inch trout - in Washington’s lowland lakes this year - plus another 76,000 larger trout. That’s on top of the 21 million trout and kokanee - landlocked sockeye salmon - 2- to 3-inch-long fry planted during the spring and fall of 2007.

The once-tiny survivors of those plants are now keeper-sized fish. Yes, the whole idea of opening day is to catch some hatchery trout and eat them for lunch or dinner.

Danny Warren, who lives in Seattle but shops at the Lacey Cabela’s store, fishes lowland lakes 10 or 15 times every spring.

“I’ve got a pontoon boats, and you can find lots of little lakes that have lots of trout - the state stocks them like crazy this time of year,” Warren said as he browsed lures. “I can go out after work and fish for an hour - and maybe even catch a big triploid trout of 4 to 5 pounds.”

Triploids are sterile trout that grow very fast.

Opening Day for Trout Fishing

Opening day is often the only real day of trout fishing for a lot of people, but it’s also a day where new anglers - of all ages - catch the fishing bug and become lifelong anglers, Phillips said.

Phillips said most South Sound lakes are getting generous plants of trout for the opener. Long Lake which usually pumps out a lot of fish on opening day - is a very popular spot, as is Summit Lake especially for kokanee, Phillips said.

Clear Lake, which is outside of Yelm, is a sleeper for the opener, as are Munn and Ward lakes, Phillips said. Even some year-round lakes, such as Black and Offut, are very good bets for the opener.

But opening day isn’t just about catching trout for dinner.

For many anglers, it’s a chance to reconnect with fishing friends - or take a kid fishing for the first time. Bill Hiblar, who belongs to the Olympia chapter of Trout Unlimited, said he won’t fish on opening day without a friend. “It’s hard to find somebody who will go out early enough,” Hiblar said with a laugh. Hiblar said McIntosh Lake near Tenino is a favorite spot.

Anglers also enjoy traditional opening day events, such as the trout derbies at Offut Lake and Fort Borst Pond in Centralia.

Kid’s Trout Fishing Derby

The Lions Club Kid’s Fishing Derby at Fort Borst Park is a tradition that goes back at least 50 years.
More than 300 kids will arrive at the park, register and fish from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids don’t have to keep fish to win prizes, as each registered angler gets a free raffle ticket. The kids even get free food and drinks. The Fort Borst pond is for kids age 14 and younger. At Offut Lake, resort guests, boat renters and people on the fishing dock can buy a derby ticket for $1.

The biggest trout of the day wins one lucky angler a new electric trolling motor, but other anglers win prizes as well. “Offut Lake doesn’t get the opening day crowds it used to get before it became a year-round lake,” said Becky Pogue of Offut Lake Resort. “But the fishing will be good, and that’s not a bad thing at all.” Thanks to Chester Allen for this. Chester can be reached at 360-754-4226 or callen@theolympian.com.

Be sure to check out these videos on fishing in Washington here.

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

Share

Technorati Tags: fishing, kid's fishing derby, pontoon boats, pontoon boats for sale, pontoon stuff, sockey salmom fishing, trout fishing, washington fishing

Photo courtesy of KENNETH MORRIS -

Homer angler Kenneth Morris caught a 54-pound king salmon while fishing from his dad’s 28-foot Bayliner “Dock Holiday.”

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Here is a great article on alaska fishing adventures from Anchorage, Alaska. SURPRISE: Fishing was slow, but Homer angler kept at it and caught himself a whopper.

Six chilly hours had passed trolling Kachemak Bay off Seldovia without a single thrill, and Homer angler Kenneth Morris, 26, was considering heading home. He well knew that fishing for winter or early spring king salmon can be spotty at best.

Then it happened.

“He hit like a ton of bricks,” Morris said. “My rod was bent over hard.”

alaska fishing adventures

- Homer Winter King Salmon Derby

Morris regularly trolls for winter kings in the bay and has frequently fished the Homer Winter King Salmon Derby, which attracted 793 anglers on 236 boats this year. Four years ago, he caught a hefty 25-pound king in the derby, but this one felt different. Bigger. Much bigger.

“He kept diving back down to the bottom,” Morris said. “When he wanted to run to the bottom, he did. No problem.”

Morris, who was fishing aboard his dad’s 28-foot Bayliner “Dock Holiday,” started to worry when the king ripped off three-quarters of his line. Would the fish strip it all or perhaps even snap his rod?

“The first two times he saw the boat, he spooked pretty good and went for a long run. But by the third time he was beat and swam right into the net.”

Morris weighed the fish on a scale at the Coal Point Seafood Company in Homer, and Fish and Game biologist Carol Kerkvliet confirmed the 54-pound weight.

That’s not big for a summer king — the world record is Les Anderson’s 97-pounder caught in the Kenai River 23 years ago this month, and 75-pounders are an annual event.

But a 30-pound winter king is a big fish. After all, a 34-pounder was big enough to win angler John Forster $16,653 at Homer’s Winter King Salmon Tournament in March.

“He hit considerably harder than any other winter king I’ve caught,” Morris said, “and was much bigger too.”

The big king is being mounted and Morris was back on the water within days, hoping to land a fish for the freezer. “I caught one just a couple of days ago,” he said.

Unfortunately, Morris doesn’t have much company. Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports Southcentral fishing ranges from slow to pitiful, dampened by the late snowfall and cool spring temperatures.

Still there’s no denying the fishing itch once mid-May rolls around. If you’ve got to scratch, these may be your best prospects.

alaska fishing adventures……. begin in the Anchor River

• King salmon fishing begins in the Anchor River on Saturday, and because Fish and Game recently discovered it has long undercounted the return there, Wednesdays were added to the days anglers can fish. The Anchor will be open for five weekends and the following Wednesday through June 18.

• Salt water king salmon trollers working the south side of Kachemak Bay and Bluff Point should see action gradually build as water temperatures warm. Herring, hootchies, tube flies and spoons all work. Dodgers or flashers add a little mustard to the setup.

• Seward halibut anglers are starting to bring in flatfish in the 15-to-30-pound range as well as rockfish. The new rockfish bag limit in Resurrection Bay is four per day, and only one can be a nonpelagic rockfish.

• In Mat-Su, early kings will soon be available in the Deshka and Little Susitna rivers. Remember that only the first 17 miles of the Deshka are open and that fishing is closed 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

alaska fishing adventures - on the Kenai Peninsula

• Once the ice is off Stormy Lake on the Kenai Peninsula, anglers should be able to target hungry early-season northern pike that are easy to access. And if you like eating pike, you’re in luck — there’s no bag limit or closed season.

• Got a yen for small, oily hooligan? Grab a net. Hooligan should be rolling into Twenty Mile River south of town this week and the netting is typically feast or famine.

But perhaps the most solid prospect is clamming. There will be some slight minus tides on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Fish and Game says “diggers are reporting an abundance of small razor clams and a few large clams from the Clam Gulch access area. For larger clams, head south to the Ninilchik or Whiskey Gulch access locations. Thanks to MIKE CAMPBELL, mcampbell@adn.com The Anchorage Daily News www.adn.com.

Alaska Fishing and Lodging

Alaska Fishing Lodge
Welcome to Alaska Fishing and Lodging. Our Alaska Fishing Lodge is located on the beautiful Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.
http://www.alaskafishingandlodging.com/

Alaska Fishing with Mark Glassmaker
Specific Alaska Fishing Information
http://www.mgfalaska.com/

Guided Fishing and Hiking at Stephan Lake Lodge
Enjoy Alaska wilderness sportfishing the way it’s meant to be.
http://www.stephanlakelodge.net/

Be sure to check out the latest videos on alaska fishing and lodges here……

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

Another great video website for viewing Bayliner Boat Videos Here:

alaska fishing adventures

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.

Share

Technorati Tags: alaska fishing adventures, alaska fishing and lodging, alaska fishing package, alaska fishing resort, alaska fishing resorts, alaska salmon fishing lodge, Bayliner Boats, fishing

Hi gang, Rick Ostler bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views of the boating industry. Boating insurance is a multi billion dollar industry. Here at North American Waterway we want to provide as much information as available to us.

Here are 5 tips on getting a fishing boat insurance estimate.

TIPS ON GETTING A FISHING BOAT INSURANCE ESTIMATE, FROM THE NATION’S LARGEST ASSOCIATION OF RECREATIONAL BOATERS

ALEXANDRIA, VA, April 17, 2008 — BoatU.S. Angler is a membership program that’s part of the nation’s largest association of recreational boaters whose mission is to protect the interests of boat-owning freshwater anglers. With that in mind, it recommends that anglers should ask these five questions when shopping for a boat insurance estimate for their fishing boats:

1. Do you need an “actual cash value” or “agreed value” policy? If you have a claim, actual cash value policies take depreciation into account when reimbursing for a loss. For example, if your 12-year-old bass boat is totaled, you will be reimbursed for its current market value. Actual cash value policies are generally the less expensive option. On the other hand, agreed value policies are more expensive, but pay for repairs or replacement up to the value stated on the policy - except for a few specified items - regardless of the age or condition of the boat or equipment.

2. Is my fishing gear covered? Any fishing boat insurance policy should automatically include some type of coverage for expensive tackle. If the boat is trailerable and used in freshwater, you may find a policy that includes this coverage without any additional cost.

3. What is the fine print on using towing services? Some fishing boat insurance policies include on-the-water towing or roadside assistance service. The problem is that when you need to call upon these non-emergency services - such as an on-the-water gas delivery, a tow back to the launch ramp or roadside tow vehicle jumpstart - it counts against you as an insurance claim. Find an insurance company that offers them but does not require you to file an insurance claim in order to use them. You shouldn’t be penalized when taking advantage of these valuable services.

4. Where can I go? Unlike car insurance that is good for every state you drive in, most boat insurance policies have what’s called “cruising areas” limiting where the policy is in force. Trailer your fishing boat outside those areas and you’ll need to call your insurer for an “extension” to ensure coverage remains in effect. Find an insurance policy that doesn’t put limits on where you can trailer your boat.

5. What about tournament coverage? If you fish tournaments, make sure you have the liability coverage required. What if you’ve paid your entry fee but miss the tournament due to a breakdown while trailering? Look for a policy that offers some type of reimbursement for your entry fee if trailering troubles or other covered losses prevent you from competing.

BoatU.S. Angler offers insurance policies specifically designed to meet the needs of today’s anglers with fishing boats, including coverage for accidents with non-insured boaters, medical coverage for injuries, as well as salvage costs related to the recovery of a sunk or totaled boat. Visit http://www.BoatUSAngler.com or call 866-532-1829 for more information.

Good luck with your fishing boat insurance estimate.

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

Be sure to check out this weeks latest Bayliner Boat Videos 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.

Share

Technorati Tags: Bayliner Boats, best boat insurance, boat insurance estimate, boat insurance quotes, Boating Insurance, us boat insurance

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here bringing you Bayliner Boats along with with news and views from the boating Industry. Has been a really busy week here at NAW. Orders are coming in fast for for our Bayliner 175 and Bayliner 185 custom boat tops and cockpit/bow cover sets.

Here is a list of upcoming boat industry events to make note of:

North American Safe Boating Awareness Week (Canada-U.S.A.)
May 17 to 23, 2008

Environmental Day, The Store (Mason’s Chandlery)
June 7, 2008
Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario

Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race - Halifax stop
July 2008,
Leg 7 from Jamaica to Liverpool stops in Halifax.

2008 Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS)
July 16-18, 2008
Las Vegas Convention Centre, Las Vegas, Nevada

Solmar Lake Ontario 300
July 18-19, 2008

Nova Scotia In-Water Boat Show and Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival
July 31 - August 3, 2008
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

Rideau Canal Festival
August 1-4, 2008
Ottawa to Kingston, Ontario

Annual Ottawa International Antique & Classic Boat Show
August 9, 2008
Rideau Waterway, Long Island Lockstation

Port Credit In Water Boat Show
Friday, August 22, 2008,
Port Credit Harbour, Ontario

2008 Toronto In-Water Boat Show
September 11 - 14, 2008
Ontario Place Harbour, Toronto

Symposium 2008 – Canadian Safe Boating Council
September 24 – 26, 2008
Viamede Conference Resort & Spa, Stoney Lake, Ontario

IBEX 2008 International Boatbuilders Exhibition and Conference
October 6–8 , 2008
Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Florida

Kimpex Marine Dealer Trade Show
October 14 to 16, 2008
Harrah’s Resort and Casino, Tunica, Mississippi

Mermaid Marine Products Dealer Show
October 24 - 26, 2008
Crystal Palace, Moncton, N.B.

Canadian Marine Trade Show
November 2 and 3, 2008
International Centre, Hall 5, Mississauga, Ontario

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
October 30 - November 3, 2008

Bahia Mar Yachting Center and Broward County Convention Center
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA) Annual Convention
November 17 - 19, 2008
Rio Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

METS 2008
November 18 – 20, 2008
Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands

OMOA 2008 Conference & Trade Show
November 30 - December 3, 2008
Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville, Ontario

Toronto International Boat Show
January 10 - 18, 2009
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto

boot – Düsseldorf
January 17 – 25, 2009
Düsseldorf, Germany

Ottawa Boat, Sportsmen’s & Cottage Show
February 26, 2009
Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, Ontario
Thanks to boatingindustrycanada.com for this.

Be sure to check out This Weeks Bayliner Video Update Here……

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

Another great video website for viewing Bayliner Boat Videos 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.

Share

Technorati Tags: Bayliner 175, Bayliner 185, bayliner bimini tops, bayliner boat canvas, bayliner boat covers, Bayliner Boat Tops, Bayliner Boats, bayliner canvas, Bayliner covers, boat shows, fishing

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Brunswick Corporation NYSE: BC who manufactures Bayliner Boats reported net earnings from continuing operations of $0.15 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2008, compared with $0.38 per diluted share for the year-ago quarter. Results for the 2008 period include a $0.07 per diluted share loss on the planned divestiture of Baja boats, $0.09 per diluted share of restructuring and other impairment charges, and an investment sale gain of $0.10 per diluted share. Results for the first quarter of 2007 include $0.06 per diluted share of restructuring charges and $0.03 per diluted share of tax-related benefits.

Brunswick Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dustan E. McCoy commented, “Sales for the quarter reflected lower demand for marine products, particularly in the United States where industry retail sales were down about 17 percent in units in the first quarter. This weakness was partially offset by sales growth from our bowling and fitness operations, as well as strong sales outside the United States in all business segments. While benefiting from favorable currency exchange rates, our success in regions outside of the United States is also the result of our strategic focus on better serving the unique needs of our customers in these markets. Operationally, we continue to introduce innovative new products and implement initiatives to improve quality and productivity, as well as manage pipeline inventories and reduce expenses in response to current weak market conditions for our marine products. Financially, our balance sheet remains strong with $267 million of cash and debt-to-total capital at 27.6 percent at the end of the quarter. Though difficult times and more hard work are ahead, we are pleased with our progress to date.”

First Quarter Results

The company said that sales in the first quarter of 2008 totaled $1,346.8 million, down 3 percent from $1,386.1 million for the year-ago quarter. Operating earnings in the first quarter of 2008 totaled $10.3 million, compared with $53.0 million a year ago. Operating earnings in the first quarter of 2008 include an $8.9 million loss on the planned divestiture of Baja and $13.3 million of restructuring and other impairment charges. In the first quarter of 2007, operating earnings include $7.6 million of restructuring charges.

The company reported net earnings from continuing operations of $13.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2008, versus $34.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Results for the first quarter of 2008 include a pretax gain on the dissolution of a bowling joint venture in Japan of $19.7 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, as well as the loss on the planned divestiture equivalent to $0.07 per diluted share and other restructuring and impairment charges equivalent to $0.09 per diluted share. Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2007 include the previously mentioned $0.06 of restructuring charges and $0.03 of tax-related benefits.

The restructuring and other impairment charges in the first quarter of 2008 include severance and plant closure costs, asset write-downs and impairment charges associated with a number of actions undertaken to shrink the company’s manufacturing footprint, exit certain market segments and reduce expenses. During the quarter, the company completed the closure of its Aberdeen, Miss., boat plant and closed its bowling pin manufacturing facility in Antigo, Wis. In addition, the company announced that it will cease boat manufacturing at its facility in Merritt Island, Fla., mothball its Swansboro, N.C., boat plant and close its boat plant in Bucyrus, Ohio, in conjunction with the proposed sale of its Baja boat business.

The effective tax rate of 48.4 percent in the first quarter of 2008 was primarily due to a higher tax rate on the $19.7 million pretax gain on the dissolution of the bowling joint venture. Fully diluted common shares outstanding totaled 88.3 million in the first quarter of 2008, compared with 92.0 million shares in the same period of 2007.

Boat Segment

The Boat segment consists of the Brunswick Boat Group, which produces and distributes fiberglass and aluminum boats and marine parts and accessories, and offers dealer management systems. The Boat segment reported sales for the first quarter of 2008 of $637.8 million, down 9 percent compared with $699.0 million in the first quarter of 2007. Sales in the U.S. were down double digits reflecting the continued weak retail markets. The drop in domestic sales was partially offset by growth in sales outside of the U.S., primarily driven by higher sales in Europe. For the first quarter of 2008, the Boat segment had an operating loss of $14.7 million, down from operating earnings of $19.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The reduction in operating earnings was primarily due to lower fixed-cost absorption on lower sales, as well as $13.8 million of restructuring and impairment charges related to actions described above. The year-ago first quarter includes $4.8 million of comparable charges.

“In response to market conditions, we continued to lower production rates to reduce pipeline inventories held by our dealers,” McCoy said. “At the end of the quarter, there were approximately 2,800 fewer boats in our dealers’ inventories than at the same time last year. Nevertheless, we had 35 weeks of supply on hand at quarter end, up from 34 weeks of supply a year ago, and we will be making further production cuts in the months ahead. Consumers remain cautious in the face of an uncertain economy, a poor housing market and rising food and energy prices that erode their spending power for discretionary purchases such as boats.”

“Against this backdrop, we continued to make progress towards transforming our global manufacturing profile to achieve a smaller, more flexible manufacturing footprint as well as rationalizing our brand portfolio,” McCoy added. “We announced that we will cease making boats at several manufacturing facilities, and we will transfer that production to other plants that will make multiple models and brands to lower our overall cost position and improve capacity utilization. We will also continue to strategically refine our product portfolio, focusing on those brands and product segments where we see the greatest opportunity for profitable growth.”

Marine Engine Segment

The Marine Engine segment, consisting of the Mercury Marine Group, reported sales of $566.0 million in the first quarter of 2008, down 1 percent from $572.6 million in the year-ago first quarter. Operating earnings in the first quarter were $30.9 million versus $34.7 million, and operating margins declined to 5.5 percent compared with 6.1 percent for the same quarter in 2007.

“Sales from areas outside the United States were up double digits, which helped to mitigate the U.S. sales decline. The U.S. sales shortfall was driven by lower engine sales to boat builders, as well as lower parts and accessories sales, which are tied to boat usage and engine sales,” McCoy explained. “The decline in operating earnings was primarily due to lower sales of high-margin sterndrive engines as well as reduced fixed-cost absorption on lower sales.”

Be sure to check out This Weeks Bayliner Video Update Here……

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

Another great video website for viewing Bayliner Boat Videos 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.

Share

Technorati Tags: Bayliner 175, Bayliner 185, bayliner bimini tops, bayliner boat canvas, bayliner boat covers, Bayliner Boat Tops, Bayliner Boats, bayliner canvas, Bayliner covers, boat shows, fishing