New 2011 Stingray 208LR A Great Muskoka Bowrider

First impressions for this new Stingray 208LR bowrider is that perhaps this boat is one of the finest best designed 20' bow riders for Muskoka, Haliburton or the Kawarthas.  Stingray already recogized for best in class performance with their patented Z Plane hull technology.  Added to that now is style and comfort for up to 8 adults with big water preformance with the benefit of  reduced fuel consumption.  Stingay Boats have up until now had a style that incorporates a fuel efficient more pointed bow area.  The somewhat narrower bow seating area than say a Four Winns or Monterey Boat was designed to reduce the bow wave created during the hull pushing through the water under load.

The new 208LR advances Stingray's exclusive Z Plane hull technology to a new level and now provides that larger bow seating area may families enjoy.  As an additional benefit Stingay has improved the now starboard rear entry allowing for easy walk through transom boarding comfort.  Stingray continues to utilize 36 oz. Prefix coated vinyls which represents a level of quality similar to Cobalt.  Stingray Boats unlike many boat manufacturers designs and builds all of their upholstery with the stitching detail surpassing many of its competitors.  Also new for 2011 Stingay Boats will factory install a high quality tailored wake board package.  The large moulded extended swim platform has cup holders a nice touch with the included wet storage area for ropes.  The extended swim platform makes a great watersports jump off area.

Now lets talk performance!  Our test boat 208LR Stingray bowrider was equipped with 4.3L V6 220 HP Mercruiser engine package with an Alpha drive and a three blade aluminum propeller.  Stingray has for many years achieved superior performance with less horsepower saving you considerable fuel and operating costs.  The new Stingray 208LR continues this trend with impressive speeds to 55 MPH with just 220 HP.  Normally with a full 20' bow rider competitive brands to achieve this level of performance require a 5.0L MPI 260 HP engine package.  The 208LR has quick on plane acceleration in just 3.2 seconds.

The Stingray 208LR bow rider is available now for spring delivery ready for Muskoka or many family adventures throughout Ontario fine waterways.   Suggested pricing of just under $37,000 is a steal!

Pontoon Boats Alternative Family Boating with Lots of Upside

The pontoon boat choices in  Muskoka and the market in general have been limited.  The stodgy old two log pontoon with a small four stroke engine was considered a old fogies boat.  New pontoon design technological advances have definitely changed the game!   You can still cruise the shorelines at 10 to 20 kilometers or race the wind with your hair on fire!  Your family can tube, wakeboard, cruise, fish and party on some really slick high performance pontoons market ready right now .  Available colours, graphic packages and interior layouts can really offer eye popping appeal.

The thinking was the old pontoon boat was for quiet waters and slow quiet boating down the shorelines.  The old pontoon boat was ideal for the older folks to board as pontoons floors are generally at the same height as most docks and pontoons are extremely stable.   No having to climb over the upholstery or step down awkwardly into the interior. 

Boaters in Muskoka have been buying the available family bow riders from Stingray Boats, Four Winns Boats and Monterey Boats along with some other recognized brands for a couple of decades. The bow rider does many family activities well but bow riders do have some drawbacks.  One of the biggest issues are seating in that passengers are placed in fixed seating positions with the changing of seating positions not being necessarily the easiest chore when underway and fishing.  The ever popular sundeck package on a bow rider which is the number on seating choice does also cause some restrictive access to the swim platform.  The major boat companies have tried to address this issue through rear entry configurations.  The bow rider interior does not work well for fishing as the seating positioning is all wrong.  Lack of floor space in the cockpit and bow areas also is a problem as well as all that nice upholstery.

What was needed was a re think of the pontoon log.  First came the three log system which did decrease problems with bow diving but the three log system still could not get a pontoon onto plane and therefore not great performance qualities. Next came attempts to get the pontoon boat up and out the water using traditional lifting strakes and modified running surfaces.  Better but still not there and did not handle well. Back to the drawing boards.

The problems of lift and handling have been solved and in a major way.  Manitou Pontoons has perhaps the best pontoon performance system a patented design called SHP (sport handling package).  A unique center pontoon construction utilizing a special larger center pontoon with pontoon lifting technology and nose cone designs.  The results have been spectacular!    Unbelievable hole shots, speeds that have not been previously available and these pontoons handle and turn.  Another benefit is that now we have a pontoon that is rough water capable opening up new water bodies to pontooning.   Add to that available swim platforms, wakeboard towers, sound systems, ski pylons and that open space...wow!  I had the opportunity just a short time ago to try a Manitou 22 Xplode with a 250 Mercury Optimax.  Top end speed was a blistering 57 MPH and this boat turned so hard it would throw you out of your seat!  Instantaneous on plane performance.

I will be doing some additional testing this fall and let you know more about this exciting technological pontoon design  breakthrough.

More Boat Storage...Facts and Fiction Continued

Shrink wrap boat storage in Huntsville Muskoka.  This is the third article on boat storage facts and fiction.  The first two articles have discussed in detail some of the concerns of shrink wrap type storage and processes. This article we will complete our discussion on winter wrap storage.  The assumption now is that the boat to be shrink wrapped stored is an 18' bow rider very common in Muskoka and Lake of Bays areas.  Just what is the right procedures?  Just what is the right procedure here in Muskoka?  Engine winterizing will be covered in a separate article later and we are assuming that a certified marine mechanic has winterized the engine before wrapping.  What should happen now and what should I check has been done?

In a professional situation, the 18' bow rider after winterization will be carefully either trailered or lifted into the shop for assessment before wrap.  The marina should be looking how dry the overall boat is with particular emphasis on storage areas.  A complete visual examination of all the storage areas, bilge, ski lockers, bow storage areas for clothing, towels, food, snacks and garbage.  These should all be removed and bagged for customer pickup at a later date.  We want the boat placed in controlled situation to limit confined moisture in high biological growth areas.  These areas are low ventilation zones, corners, seat cushion seams and undersides and carpets. Where possible the storage compartments should be blocked open during the storage period.  A good quality marine mould preventative agent should be applied as well to all of these restricted area before the wrap is applied.  Huntsville Marine uses a 3M product.  Lysol would not be considered adequate for the task as most other household products.  A very important step is the boat canvas.  If the canvas will be stored within the boat, all boat canvas must be handled correctly including drying if required and treatment with biological guard agents.  The tops should then be folded correctly and placed for storage in the cockpit area not in one of the storage lockers. Make sure all plastic windows are dry as possible and only soft folds with no corner folds on the clear portions.

A discussion must occur with the customer as to where the boat will be stored at the time the work order was detailed out with the boat owner.  We are going to assume that the customer is going to store the boat on his own property which is only a short distance away.  A frame to support the  plastic film must be built in  the interior of the 18' boat with sufficient height to allow for a steep slope.  This slope will allow the soon to appear snow to slide off and not build up on the protective wrap,  Normally two (2) to three (3) six foot poles are utilized with a wide base placed on the end of the pole that is place against the cockpit floor.  Next a top pole must be placed and connected across the support poles to complete the peak support.  Shrink wrap comes in a number of colours and thicknesses.  Huntsville Marine prefers blue as it tends to have superior snow shedding that the common white.  A minimum of 7 mil and 8 is recommended when available for the additional strenght and tear resistance provided.   At Huntsville Marine although it is more expensive we utilize a majority of 8 mil blue wrap.

The step that is often missed or not done to reduce costs is shielding of hull, windshield and wakeboard tower areas that will be indirect contact with the wrap.  A number of specialized material are commercially available for this task.  With out this step marking and chaffing can occur.  Huntsville Marine has a new wakeboard boat in last winter for storage inside this time that had been stored the previous year at a local competitive marina with significant chaffing damage all over the exterior finished surfaces of the tower.  First mistake was having a new boat wrapped and the second was buying wrap services strictly on price coupled with not knowing what to ask for.  The chaffing damage could not be removed. Under warp is extremely important for boats transported over distances.  One of the last important steps is proper venting.  A number of commercial venting options are available to limit moisture buildup under the warp.  More is better!

With the boat properly shrink wrapped the boat is transported under 80 kilometers per hour or less to the chosen storage location.  If possible the bow should face to the west as this aids in reducing snow load.  Stay out of long grass areas, away from nut and pine trees or other such area where the problem creatures live and will come to play on the warmer winter days.   Monitor the boat throughout the winter for snow loads especially if the nasty freezing rain arrives!  For additional information go to www.huntsvillemarine.com and view our section under service on Professional Boat Storage.  You may also email us at huntsmar@vianet.on.ca.

Boat Storage Facts and Fiction

Boat storage facts and fiction.  Boat Storage in Muskoka and Lake of Bays, Ontario..what is the preferred method?  In my last article I send some time discussing boat storage with particular emphasis on shrink wrap storage and some of our customer coversations regarding this subject.  The subject of boat storage in general is quite complex and too large for just one or two articles.  I will be doing a series of article covering most aspects of the boat storage subject including inside storage and shrink wrap storage, proper winterization procedures, engine winterization and fall maintenance, hull washing,  biological problems, storage locations and hull maintenance.

In my last article I mentioned that I am with our experience here at the marina here in Huntsville we are a strong proponent of inside storage for all boats regardless of type and age.  Huntsville Marine has pioneered some of the shrink wrap procedures as we were a test centre for the new shrink warp proceedures back in the early 80's.  Literally we have provided shrink wrap services to 1000's of customers and are contiuing to offer this service today.  Shrink wrap was brought to the market by the plastic film manufacturers to increase their product offerings and generate additional business opportunities for themselves.  Marina's in general initially liked this product as it provided the opportunity for the marina to store a customers boat without incurring the cost of providing the proper building to house the boat over the winter months.  Initially the plastic film was cheap and transporting the waste plastic to landfill while labour intensive was not too expensive.  In those days the green movement was non existent and both the boat owner and marina utilizing shrink wrap products were not concerned with the tons of plastic wrap going to landfill each and every year.

Boat Storage processes changed over time as issues came forward with UV radiation deterioration problems associated with wrap came forward as well as mould issues.  More and more effort and emphasis was placed on ventelation and UV protective agents were added to the films.  The small engine repair shops became involved offering this service as the level of expertise in just appling the covering is limited they felt.  Boat owners looking to save afew dollars started to see their boats stored in fields, farmlands, backyards and beside highways or just about anywhere there was available open ground.  The major marinas knew of the assocated problems with boat wrap and many took steps to try and reduce these problems.  This was  refected in higher per foot charges for the major marina's in the storage business as they were providing a surperior service with more detail to the wrap procedure.  The cheap storage places...well that is another story...as the unhappy just moved up the road to the next place....you get what you pay for. 

Here we are in 2010 and still utilizing wrap processes.   While proceedures from the standpont of avaialble knowledge has improved...we still have problems associated with shrink wrap use if people are being honest.  One of the other major concerns with wrap film is the enviromental cost.  Shrink warp is made from oil based/natural gas base stocks.  The raw materials in themselves are transported over great distances to the manufacturer of the resins, then to the film maker, then to the distributor and then to the user.  Wraps are applied using propane torches.  this process creates a large substantial footprint!  The waste film and the utilized film are then recycled hopefully after use which involves more transportation and processing.  At the end of the day far too much of it ends up in landfill.  Lets be clear...shrink wrap is not environmental friendly or sound! 

If you spend a few minutes of your time and visit our website http://www.huntsvillemarine.com/  look under the service heading you will be able to access storage information not coverd here under Huntsville Marine Professional Boat Storage.  Huntsville Marine continues to offer shrink wrap service and will for the next couple of years.  It is our stated goal to be essentially out of this service by 2014.  We are highly recomending proper professional inside storage for all boats.  At least if you decide you want shrink wrap we will do best practices only!  If you choose to use the discounters and small engine repair shops...good luck!

Lets Talk About Boat Storage...Fact and Fiction

Boat storage facts and fiction! Just what should I do or have to do to properly protect my marine investment?  I see all these signs for boat storage...just what is the difference or what questions should I ask?
I have been away from the blog for a short period as I finally had my left shoulder surgery completed in Collingwood.  Great hospital...unbelievably busy with some very friendly staff.  I have been back to work for a few days and have involved in a number of detailed conversations with both prospects and existing boat storage customers.  With the middle of September here and the leaves starting to display fall colours it is time to talk about boat storage for the family marine investment. 
Here is the question.  My family has invested 30,000 in a recreational boat...how can I or how should I store this investment over the winter months?  My boat is located in the Huntsville Lake of Bays area in Muskoka.  Add to this that human nature is to seek the lowest cost to achieve winter storage.
The very first question I get asked is how much per foot or just how much.  This assumes and it is a huge assumption that all boat storage is the same.  Inside is inside and shrink wrap is shrink wrap is the assumption.  This is somewhat expected as most boat owners do not know what should be done, what is required and perhaps the real question what is the right process for the area the boat will be stored in?  Take note of the last statement...what is right for the type of boat and the geographic area it will be stored in. 
A person can drive from Toronto north to Huntsville and see a number of road signs all for shrink wrap storage on display particularly around Orillia.  One says $15.99 per foot. one says $15.00 per foot another says Best Price Wrap, sings for storage at every marina you pass....sign....sign...everywhere a sign...breaking my mind....I think that was a song by The Electric Light Orchestra!  So confusing and so little real information...price...price...price...no meat...no information...get me in the door...it is all the same...right!  You would have to pay me to store my marine investment 50' max off Highway 11 in plastic warp with a million tons of salt and brine about to be blasted onto the Highway 11 over the next 6 months.  It is a fact that salt and aluminum or steel is a no go and canvas forget it, vinyl well maybe for a short period ...lets just say it is not an ideal situation!  Huntsville Marine is on Highway 60 which utilizes brine these days to clear the roads.  At Huntsville Marine all boats are pulled a minimum of 250' of the highway and aluminum products are a miminimum of 400' or taken to our storage location which is 1500 feet from the highway.  In Huntsville one of our local major marinas shrink wraps essentially 90 percent of his storage boats.  One of their storage locations is on very busy main street, the other place utilized is a grassy field right beside Highway 11 and the third is a back country field.  Are you asking what is being done for your hard earned money?
A typical boat storage situation is to pull out the Yellow Pages and start calling all and everyone in the area and ask how much?  A new boat owner called this week and asked about shrink wrap.  He had talked with at least 6 other storage places and everyone had quoted shrink wrap storage with no explanation of what and why this was being offered.  My first question to him was how old was the boat?  "He said brand new!"  I asked why are you considering putting your new $30K plus investment in a plastic cocoon?  "This is what everyone has offerred me with the follow up question...why are they doing that?"  Very simple I said!  The boat storage facilities required for proper and preferred inside boat storage in Muskoka are expensive and these gentlemen did not want to make the investment or do not have the required capital to make this investment or the land to build these facilities.  Any back yard mechanic or small motor repair shop can tell the inquiring boater I am in the boat storage business with shrink warp.  I will take your money and just stick your boat in a field and both of us hope for the best in the spring!  Then he says "I have seen shrink wrap boats all over the place in grassy fields.  Any problem with grass?"   Nothing serious along as you like mice and you are comfortable with essentially no one to monitor the boat over the winter months!  "What should I do?"  Place the boat in inside storage with someone who is qualified to do the right service in a properly designed building monitored throughout the winter months.  "This will cost more!"  Absolutely and it should...but you get what you pay for short and long term!  Did you buy the cheapest boat you could find or did you investigate value for your money?
This conversation continued for a while.  I stated that Huntsville Marine does offer shrink wrap storage and service.  In fact Huntsville Marine was one of the original test centers for this product back in the early 80's.  We have more experience that any other facility in Muskoka with this product and perhaps in Ontario as a whole.  Still....Huntsville Marines stated goal is to be essentially out of the shrink wrap storage option in the next 5 years or less.  Why 5 years?  We now have 50,000 square feet of inside storage space and we need to double this...this takes time.  That will be expensive he adds.  Yes but the fact remains that there are two main reasons why shrink wrap is not where you want to be.

1.  Shrink wrap does not provide the best storage protection package for  your marine investment....period!  Huntsville Marine takes the time when ever possible to dry out the boats before they are cocooned.  Why do we do this?  Because most boats are wet and you are trapping this water inside the plastic for months causing all kinds of unnecessary additional corrosion, mould and biological problems, associated additional wear and tear.  Huntsville Marine places more venting than any other facility I know of.   We also carefully treat the canvas and the interior with mould and biological agents.  No one even asks what happens other than the plastic wrap or what kind of blocking and hull support or interior wrap support is utilized.  I feel that Huntsville marine does perhaps the best shrink wrap procedure in the business and I still tell everyone that proper inside storage is the way to go!   If your boat is 15 years old and you want to save some dough and your boat is over 15 years old...consider shrink warp but put it in inside storage.

Another Sunny Weekend in Muskoka!

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Here we are at the last weekend of August and it is beautiful and hot!  Lots of people out on the lakes enjoying the remaining days of a great and long summer.  this has been perhaps one of the best summers for weather we have had in the last four or five years.

Another busy week here at the marina and we are still making families new boat dreams a reality with some outstanding late summer pricing. Summer does not end here in Huntsville at Labour day!  Over the last five years September weather here has been truly warm and sunny.  sometimes the schedule in September when the kids go back to school gets a little hectic.  Find the time and get back to Muskoka and Huntsville.  It is a little bit less hustle bustle, no lineups and some get boating and fishing weather.  The fishing actual gets better in September when the water temperatures drop a bit as the fish are looking to fatten up for the winter months.

Huntsville Marine is also pleased to announce that we have been awarded the Harris Pontoon Line for Muskoka.  This is another in what has been a year of recognizing for Huntsville Marine for the level of service and commitment to customer satisfaction.  It all started this year with Huntsville Marine being selected as the Best Marina(e) in the Huntsville and Lake of Bays area.  Huntsville Marine was chosen by Stingray Powerboats and then Manitou Pontoons to represent them in this area and beyond.  Now Harris perhaps the most award winning pontoon boat available.  

The Third Weekend of August!

Image by Johan J.Ingles-Le Nobel via Flickr

Well it had to happen sometime!  We have had our first rainy weekend in Muskoka in months.  As I write this it is looking lighter outside and perhaps the drizzle will stop.  Nice picture of an Owl staring at you! I put this in today as my daughter Jaclyn is up from Toronto for the weekend.  Jaclyn says she does not believe Owls exist as she has never seen one in the wild.  I thought I heard one Friday night out past the edge of the backyard but I could not see it.  The bush gets pretty thick quickly and there was not much light to work with.

Interest in new boats continues to be strong especially this week on the Monterey 194FS.  Nice family out of the Lake Simcoe area took delivery of a 2011 194 FS on Friday.  Huntsville Marine has found proud new owners for a large number of these in the last few weeks.  The 194FS is perhaps the best running 19'+ bow rider in big waters available today.  Couples in at the marina on Saturday looking after research  for 194's for Georgian Bay and Lake of Bays.

Interest grows in our new pontoon boat line Manitou. Manitou offers the only rough water capable pontoon on the market today.  Calls coming in form Georgian Bay in the past days for this type of pontoon and asking for Manitou after doing online research.  In the pouring rain a new 20" Oasis by Manitou was delivered down to the Gravenhurst area yesterday.  First of some 500 storage units came in yesterday as well. 

Our late summer maintenance cycle has begun at the marina with the outside getting a much needed new coat of paint and a new look.  Lots on the schedule over the next couple of weeks before boat storage gets serious in mid September.  There will be more on this later.

Pittsburgh Steelers on last night with their second exhibition game against the G men.  We prevailed and Big Ben got to see some action.  Leftwich looked  better than last week and I think Dixon looked the best of the three.  Quarterback controversy coming up on the horizon?  Toronto Blue Jays seem to be getting stronger in August. Lost too many close games earlier in the season to make the playoffs now.  They do seem to have a large problem with Boston.

Eleven days till shoulder surgery if I don't get delayed again!

Image by Alex-Murphy via Flickr

Image by canuckshutterer "Bill" (W.J. Gibson) via Flickr

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Image by elPadawan via Flickr

I included some nice shoots of Muskoka where the sun is shinning.

Steelers Rule...Big Ben Drules

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Steeler football is alive again!  Got to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers first exhibition game against the Lions on Saturday night.  Dennis Dixon the heir apparent to number 7 looked strong.  Leftwich can't move...looks like at statue back there in the pocket and ends up taking a hit or a sack.  Nice shot of number 7 siting on the bench all game...not my turn yet?  Detroit looked better but they are still Detroit and they still are.....losers!  This from an old Lions fan....I lived in Sarnia and watched the Lions for years.  that represented cruel and unusual punishment!

Getting to the real stuff...man we were busy on the weekend and late last week.  The weather is hot and very humid and boating is where you want to be.  Lots of prospects too looking at Monterey and Stingray.

Going through a vacation schedule right now with the service staff with Jeremy off last week, Dave off in sales as well and George off to Lake Huron this week.  We are starting some of our yearly maintenance cycle with building painting starting this week.  New colour scheme coming!  Rentals are hot and we are getting involved in a CBC shoot this week about Huntsville with one of our rental pontoons.

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It is Hot...Way Too Hot for Me!

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As I sit here at my desk today, the papers are sticking to me, the air is dead and not moving at all and it is just way too hot!  As i mentioned before...I am a 70's kind of guy...I like 70's rock and 70 degree temperatures.   Last night I was even hotter!  I umpire for fastball here in Huntsville an I was behind the plate in full gear for 4 plus hours.

There is not doubt about it. Hot weather is good for the marine business.  Our rental department is a max, sales are very busy with some outstanding deals on remaining inventory ( most definitely a present) as it is marked down to clear.  we sold boats to Callander today down for the bargain and hold on a boat from Kirkland lake.  This is starting out as one of our busiest August on record.  We will see how it goes...;long term forcast is hot and very humid.

The water level here in Fairy lake is good at or near summer normal.  However I am hearing of low water problems in North Bay.  Saw some film on the news including an algae bloom...not good.   

The Dog Days of August

No pictures to start off today!  As we finish up the first week of August just a few thoughts on what is going on.  As many of you know I was scheduled for shoulder surgery on August 5th for a problem I have had for some 10 years.  Living in Huntsville as I have for the last 24 years and getting older...I now can get seniors discounts...you start to feel the wear and tear of a busy life on the body. I spend alot of time coaching and managing rep level baseball here in town in the 90's.  One million ground balls or hit flies not to mention the 2 million batting practice fastballs...I have some shoulder issues.  The Huntsville Hospital is a great place with some great staff.  It is however not equipped with many specialists.  I tried rehab a number of years ago under the direction of one of our customer doctors after having xrays done for him.  Turns out at some point I separated my left shoulder and it did not heal especially well.  Had about 80% success with that for awhile. I managed to further destroy my shoulder at Santa's Village battling cages last August and fell real hard on it this winter.  Anyway through my family doctor I managed to get an ultra sound done which if you ever look at one is inconclusive....surprise!  I managed to a referral to a specialist in Collingwood who is apparently one of the at this.  Examination to follow which is inconclusive.  We could send you for a MRI but the wait time is....one year on a non priority scale!  I was decided to scope the shoulder and see what could be seen.  I also have tennis elbow on the left side really bad so I had the pleasure of a cortisone shot in the joint.  A great time was had by all except me.  Anyway my surgery is non priority and I was bumped now to September 2nd.


Off  the me stuff and on to the business stuff, I am missing the Manitou and Monterey dealer meetings early this week as I could not book in due to the scheduled surgery.  I also missed two other boat lines that have been chasing us to carry their product.  The race continues among the dealer body and the manufacturers to have the best dealers carry or represent their product.  The trick always lies in the manufacturer caring more about how much product you move for them versus how satisfied the customers are after they buy it.  Today's Internet savy consumer has lots of options on where to buy with pricing differentiating on the same product sometimes.  Consumer on the boat side are not asking the right questions.  A low price on the Internet or an ad like the auto dealers due does not mean you can actually buy the boat for that price.  I know a Four Winns dealer who attempts to sell for less who does not do the vessel license for the trailer licence for you but still charges an admin fee.  Does not due service or warranty to speak of and charges extra for all kinds of stuff...but the buyer is getting a deal.  Boat buyers would be wise to consider service as part of the purchase.  To the family who spent $600 locally getting a boat summarized and starter changed which did not run due to plugged fuel filters and fouled fouled spark plugs...oops dry land marinas can't test anything. The fact that they had  service tech forget to install the starter bracket...oops.  The list goes on this one.  We got them fixed up....You get  what you pay for...You get exactly less for less! 

I see that there is a ray of sunshine in the US for the boat builders as Brunswick made a profit in quarter two.  Brunswick is Mercury Marine!  Our sales have been increasing at a slow but steady pace getting back to where things were a couple of years ago.  New normal in this industry is 2012.  2012 was an action packed movie out a year or so.  Were the Mayans right? 

Just out...Spotted a red pontoon going down Fairy Lake at over 50MPH. Nice roaster tail too!  Yes it is the first of the performance Manitou Pontoons that are game changers.  New owner of the boat is on Penn Lake...wave as he passes you!

For those of you who insist on making u turns in front of the marina and at the stop lights on Hwy 60...the Huntsville Hospital is not equipped to handle the crash injuries! I watched a guy this week make a left hand turn cutting a family off in front of Wendy's from the right hand lane, make a right hand turn onto Hwy 60 on a red light without stopping or really even slowing down, speed up the hill on 60 making two lane changes without signaling. Or how about the lady travelling south on Hwy 11 with her feet up on the dash and talking on a cell phone. I was told there was four major accidents on Hwy 60 in the last week.  Yes the OPP are still happy to take your money buzzing by the marina at plus 100 in a 70 zone.  They always get their quota.   We locals are shaking our heads at you!

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The Long Weekend is Hot and Sunny!

Image by Paco CT via Flickr

 Good day and.welcome to the warm of August...one of my favourite months!  I enclosed a great picture of the morning sun shinning through some awesome flowers just to set the mood.  My own garden which is set up to peak in late July and early August is magnificent especially for a two year old garden.  Still some work to do to get is right!  I will try and get some pictures and put in the blog this week.  August here at the marina is still very very busy with boat sales, service and rentals.  With the return of normal Muskoka summer weather for the first time in three years....everyone has rediscovered the Muskoka's.   This is perhaps the busiest I have seen town in a number of years this weekend.

We managed to get the new Manitou Pontoons on the water and they definitely did not disappoint!  Solid very solid with no rattles or flex which is very unusual for a pontoon.  These boats are bolted and welded together which costs a bit more but the difference is most definitely there in ride and quality.  Our pontoon prospects have been impressed as well with the high performance 22 Xplode sold with a 250 Mercury Optimax and the 20 Aurora sold as well.  Manitou's patented V Toon technology with the larger deeper center generates the best lift in the pontoon industry, hole shot and high speed handling.  I was looking at a very expensive 24' new Bennigton with a 150 Etec.  The center pontoon is the same size as the outers and watching the Bennington underway in the lake it did not turn nearly as well as a Manitou or have the same lift.  The boat looked good but for that kind of dough the performance is not there! Seems Bennington's only come in one colour a dark burgundy.

Steeler training camp opened this week and Big Ben has managed to stay out of trouble!
   

• mage by Funky64 (.lucarossato.com) via Flickr

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Manitou Pontoons have Landed-Awesome!

Manitou pontoon Boats have arrived in Muskoka!  The pictures above are of 2011 Manitou 22' Xplode powered by a 150 HP Mercury Optimax. In 24 years of boating all kinds and types of boats, performance boats, fishing boats, cruisers and pontoons this boat is the most fun I have had in quite some time.  I am seriously thinking about one for next year.  Got to wait due to surgery unfortunately.  No one and I mean no one has a pontoon boat that hauls like this and turns so hard it with throw you out of you seat.  These boats are game changers and only Huntsville Marine has them!

This boat with Taylor manning the helm hit 44 MPH and we have not dialed it in yet! We are out in the lake passing a lot of fiberglass runabouts and the looks are priceless!  Much more to follow. 

Today's trends...Hot and Windy with Strong Sales!

Hello from sunny Muskoka! A short period of overcast and light rain this morning followed by blue sky, light clouds and lots of warm sunshine. It has been windy very windy over the last two days with some significant chop and waves on Fairy Lake. I enclosed a picture of a 214FS Monterey heading west towards the mouth of the river into town. Waves up to 3' and lots of the famous Fairy cross chop. Not a problem for the Monterey...build to handle salt water! The other scene shot shows our landmark crooked pine tree just out from the entrance to the marina. You can see it gracefully bending over with the wind and soaking up the sunshine.

The marine business to no surprise is based on good hot summers and a strong economy. We sell wants and lots of them in various colours, sizes and styles. The first enclosed pictures are all new boats heading out to their new owners. A Crestliner 2185 Grand Cayman pontoon, a 180H Four Winns, a 16 Legend Genesis pontoon and lastly a Crestliner 1650 Canadian with a 90 Optimax. New boat buyer from Orillia, Camp Lake, Niagara Falls and the Burk's Falls area. The boat business like may others is constantly changing. A very high percentage of our buyers start on our web site. Just today we had a web specialist look at our site and he felt our was one of the best he has looked at this year for a marine operation of this size. Nice to hear we are going in the right direction and this guy is in the states and looks at lots of marine sites. Anyway for those looking we still have a good selection and the pricing is great...save some dough and get out on the water!

Our first shipment of Manitou Pontoons is arriving Friday AM! With the requests for information from particularly out east and throughout Ontario...seems to be a good fit and a great boat! As I write this the sweat is dripping down onto the keyboard!

I will be going in for shoulder surgery on August 5th in Collingwood for an old I believe baseball injury to my left shoulder. I can't get this done in Huntsville and the specialist only gets the meat cleaver out in Collingwood. I have delayed this operation a couple of times this summer as way too busy and if I delay again...not good shall we say! Most likely on limited duty here for a couple of weeks. Problem with all this...I have been sliced and diced three times...know exactly what is coming! Looking forward too it...really!

I Have Returned!

It is true! I have been on on an awaycation from the blog. Quite frankly it has been too hot and we so busy we all feel like the hamster on the exercise wheel! Unfortunately just no time to gather any coherent thoughts.

Starting off today with shots out over Fairy Lake at 10:00 Am. Lots of boat traffic, skiing underway and some early morning customers seeking gas. Nice picture of the Goose family out for a morning cruise in the early light. Notice that mom and day are leading and leaving a bit of space most likely to get just a little clear of the sibling rivalry. This week here at the marina it has been hot and incredibly humid. True it is so hot that the pesky Seagulls have disappeared and were last picked on radar headed for Hudson's Bay. I know they are a protected bird but those dirty birds make a real mess. This hot weather is great for the vacationers and business here in Huntsville. But those who know me have heard me say " I am a 70's kind of guy...I like 70's music and 70 degree temperatures!"

With our G8 Madness Event many of you found your way to the marina and purchased that new boat of your dreams. This event has been so successful that we are going to extend it for another two weeks. If you are looking for a new boat we are looking to empty the yard in July!

Herds of motorcycles passing the marina in the last few days out enjoying some very fine sunshine! Boating is so much better! As we head into the prime vacation period over the next six weeks, here at the marina every year we see the same unfortunate thing. People coming up on vacation with a boat or engine that has not seen any service...and we now have a problem. Boats and motors do need some TLC on a regular basis. Yes this cost some money but you get to go and enjoy your boat or engine when you want or need it. Most of the major marinas in Muskoka will be two to three weeks wait time for repairs during the summer due to volume. Yes we are going to take care of our regular customers first.

We continue to see some of these side of the road specials and some of you are calling and asking advice. No you cannot get parts or Chysler, Scott, Ted Williams and stuff built in the 50's, 60's or 70's. It is becoming very difficult to get parts for boats and engines in the 80's. None of this was designed for today's fuel. No it cannot be serviced or repaired and in almost 100% of the times you are just flushing your money away. Leave it on the side of the road or push it over the side into the ditch. Also note that insurance companies will not normally insure any boat over 15 years and in some cases 10 without a marine survey. This costs a minimum of $300 and the older boats will not pass.

Our rentals are up and running! The great summer weather is here! Get out on the water and have some fun but be safe!

Back to Business June 28th

As life returns to normal in Huntsville after the G8 madness we include today some pictures of our Team Huntsville Marine in their 202 Tournament Crestliner. Ivan at the helm fishing the tournament series mostly Pickeral. You got to like the Mad Fish wrap on the sides! Ivan had a G III last year powered by a Yamaha. Ivan had the G III suffer a major structural problem which put him on the sidelines for over two months as they tried to sort it out. Want to get a pro fisherman excited...take away his boat for mechanical problems for two months during the tournaments. Ivan needed reliability and durability. Changed horses and is now a Crestliner Mercury Optimax runner. Ivan is very impressed with the fuel mileage he is getting with the 250 Optimax.

Last week Huntsville Marine added another member to our Team Huntsville Marine. The Waldock's will be running a Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk with a 90 Mercury Four Stroke in the local tournaments. Good luck guys!

As we end the month of June and come into July, Huntsville is ready for one of our busiest months of the season. We still have a good selection of new Four Winns, Monterey, Stingray and Crestliner boats in stock. Our new Manitou Pontoons should be arriving very shortly. Huntsville Marine is offering a number of promotions on remaining stock. Rental operations get going big time this week as the vacation cycle begins in Ontario.

The sun has broken out here today and it is a great day in Muskoka. Nice to see some of our regulars back after laying low for a week with the G8 in town. Some of you have read some of my comments on the G8 madness here in Huntsville complete with pictures as it unfolded right in front of my office window. Huntsville was a love in for the security personnel and the town.

As I watched the news from Toronto for the G20...how lucky was Huntsville not to have the G20 here as well. Downtown may have ended up looking like an artillery barrage just happened!

I watched some of the coverage especially late Saturday and I am shaking my head! I just don't get it with the boys and girls in the black outfits. Protesters playing to the media...if the media was not there in mass...does the same destruction and insanity happen? One of my favourite media moments was Ken Shaw reporting. He was hiding out in his camera truck as he was in an unsafe situation surrounded by the protesters he said live. Could not get the mobile camera out the truck! Live the crew put the truck mounted camera extended up out of the top of the truck and...oops there was no protesters within 300' and the ones you saw were just standing around. Spiced that alone up a bit too much!

Tyler would have looked good in a Maple Leaf jersey. Must have been hard for Burk to watch that. Toronto is doing an outstanding job of building the Bruins. In goal Rask...Toronto first round pick. At center Tyler another Toronto first round pick. Coming next on defense one of our best puck moving defense men?

Ouside the Red Zone G8 Awards Banquet

Welcome to the end of the G8 Madness! The Huntsville Event that never was is just about over as the movers and shakers are bugging out to join the big party in Toronto. We had a couple of major motorcades leave just before noon. One was rumoured to be the big man himself The President of US...Obama. Definitely a fast mover with top cover supplier by a green chopper with open doors and most likely bad stuff inside ready and looking for trouble.

The very first picture is our new recreational center also know as The Summit Centre. This was originally going to be the 17 million dollar media center for the G8 till we were pushed aside by the fake lake in Toronto which only cost 2 million.

To celebrate the end or near end of the G8 Huntsville Marine hosted today a lunch presentation. The first ever and last Huntsville G8 awards... The Outside The Red Zone Awards Banquet. Since we spent all that money on The Summit Center we figured we might as well get some use out of it...as it was not busy...in fact empty.

The Outside the Red Zone Awards Banquet

Having the event on short notice and with my son Taylor in the US we needed a master of ceremonies. So Ben Allan got the call was ready willing and eager! We really wanted Ben anyway as the first choice as he is X military and a licenced chopper pilot. Ben managed to fly in under the radar using a cloaking device (top secret stuff) and land just in time at the center. Ben came dressed in his full military uniform so he fit right in...nice helmet by the way! Just saluted acted like a general and walked right into The Summit Center. He wisely left the engines running as we figured the best and brightest would start asking questions at some point and we would very quickly be in deep shit. Anyway here are the awards as presented by Ben...read quickly as this whole thing is going to self destruct in 60 seconds. Huntsville Marine its owners, staff and customers have no knowledge whatsoever about this or anything else about the G8. We deny or make no comment...we were not here...we were actually in Scotland the whole time checking out boats and eating Hagis...really we were!

Best Motorcade

June 26 around noon. Pictures are enclosed. I really liked the guys in the black SUV with the guns hanging out the windows. Rumour has it that it was Obama!

Best Fly Over

Whoever was flying the F18 before the event doing the low passes over Fairy and Penn Lakes. Man were they loud! That little event must of resulted in a few phone calls as whoever that was never was seen again. Only very high top cover on the 24th.

Best Protest

Hands down the Buddhist Monk! Anyone who walks here from Toronto beating a drum the hole way stands out. I got a headache just form him walking by.

Best Unscripted Event

The British Prime Minister going for a dip in Penn. No word yet if he had trunks. Hope so as there is very big Pike in there as well as a very large snapping turtle.

Best and Most Expensive Photo Ever

The leaders of the G8 standing on the grass (it was AstroTurf) in front of the Deerhurst docking bay. We spent 16.5 million on flowers for the two events and this was the best we could do?

Dumbest Photo

The leaders of the G8 trying to paint on a picture being completed at Deerhurst. Who thinks up this stuff! Apparently we paid a consultant $165,000 to get the art work just right!

Best Boat

The 25' twin 300 Verado inflatable at about $325,000 each and yes there were several. Way over the top for Penn Lake!

This brings to a conclusion the G8 coverage from Huntsville Marine. I see several guys and a lady in uniforms chasing Ben. Thank Ben...Exit stage right!

Where Did All These Choppers Come From?

I live just on the southern border of Deerhurst or about 1 kilometer away. Last night starting at around 7:30 the air lift started. Top cover supplied by an F18 above the clouds, below that some prop driven spotter plane and just below that the green Helios. Just after 8:00 PM and continuing till midnight the choppers just kept on coming mostly in pairs. Could not miss them at they came in and exited right over the house. Very very loud and the dogs did not like them. Wonder which neighbour we borrowed the choppers from?

Yesterday we had the Council of Canadians protest here at the marina. Brenda and I watched the CTV National news at 11:00Pm with Lloyd Roberson anxious to see us on the national news. Huntsville Marine is going to make the national news....this would be a first. Nope did not happen...no way...we were ripped off. We had a puff piece from the Deerhurst balcony about the Huntsville love in to date. That guy had nothing to noteworthy to say just dead air time waste. As I mentioned the media here is like a pack of hungry wolfs circling just waiting to strike their prey. They are absolutely starving for news here to report. Potentially hundreds of thousands spent by the news and not a good story yet to report. The only comment on CTV we got was that a peace full protest by the council of Canadians took place and that left form the Huntsville docks. Nothing like getting the story right!

The motorcades passed us by around noon and the total number was three. Motorcycles screaming at the lead...not much of a highlight event. Chopper overhead of the procession for top cover protection. Lots of media trying to take a picture of a car travelling in excess of 80 kil. difficult to get a good shot...I tried...probably why they move so fast...safer if someone is pointing something at them other than a camera.

Russian diplomats in today for a boat rental to see the sights...obviously not going to the meeting which was in progress at that time. These guys have special cards exempting them from all sales taxes...nice! Couple of customers in today saying not much going on downtown today...protesters apparently our of gas or stayed in Toronto. Huntsville is much happier if they did.

Delivered two new Crestliner fishing boats today! Had to throw some marine talk in here somewhere. Next week I will have to talk more about the actual marine business...I will be just like the media looking for something interesting to say.

I understand my blog is now being read in Australia. Hello to the land down under and by the way George misses you and the baby. If Australia has a boating story send it my way and I will put it on the blog. Pictures are good too!

June 24th Huntsville Marine In the Spotlight

The G8 has arrived at Huntsville Marine. Well a small protest anyway. Today Huntsville Marine was the starting spot for the protest or message to the G8 and G20 by the Council of Canadians. The Council rented our pontoon boats and took some of the media on a tour of Fairy Lake and in particular to the mouth of the canal where boat traffic is blocked. I swear we are under surveillance as within 5 minutes of the Council arriving the OPP was here and questioning intent. Commissioner Fantino the head of the OPP arrived in full dress uniform as was put out to sea in an OPP boat to guide the troops. The Commissioner was there to watch the Council trying to breach I believe the canal security. It is all about spin and who controls it! Someone please explain to me how we got here. Style and spin over substance...the protesters, the politicians, the media and life in general. Two rental boats plus a couple of canoes surrounded by a flotilla of OPP boats....a great photo opportunity. At one point we had some 100 plus camera crew and journalists here at the marina all looking for that elusive 6:00Pm sound bite for us to chew on. It to date has been so quiet here in Huntsville that the national media desperately needs something to happen. The OPP is doing a great job. There is literally an OPP officer at every corner, in cars, walking around or on a bike. If you are a bad OPP officer they put you on a bike in the pouring rain. Now with the headlines at 6:00 and 11:00.....the dreaded dead air syndrome. More puff pieces to fill the hour...anybody got a good dog story. It is just like the Don Henley song about the bubble headed bleach blond who comes on at five! Too bad I could not see what happened on the lake. And yes I was asked to be filmed the answer was still no!

I did get waved at last night by the sniper on Brown's road who was very very wet! The soldiers on brown's road looks like they are being punished. A crappy pup tent on a muddy hill in the middle of 1 million mosquitos. They are unfortunately just out of the no fly zone! Lots of rain here last night and this morning.

I included some pictures of Fantino loading up and yes he was wearing a life jacket with the media horde trying to get just the right picture. You can also see one of the interviews taking place.

Other than that still somewhat quiet on the protest front. Tomorrow big day at the bridge with two scheduled protests. Might be our last chance to make the news at 6:00.