Enjoy Savings Like Never Before!

This winter, enjoy savings like never before! Boston Whaler is offering seasonal incentives from now until March 10, 2013 on every Outrage, Conquest*, Dauntless, Montauk and Super Sport model. It's enough to keep you smiling all season long! With their rugged utility, cutting-edge design and superior reliability, every Boston Whaler proudly carries on the Unsinkable Legend. And with an incredible array of amenities and options to choose from, there's a Boston Whaler sure to fit your active boating and fishing lifestyle. If you've ever considered adding a new Boston Whaler to your family, the time is now. This winter, own the view. To receive additional information from  Gordon Bay Marine and to register to win an Apple iPad, click here!       Craig Murray : craigm@gordonbay.com Jim Parent : jimp@gordonbay.com 705.375.2623   *Please note that the 315 Conquest, 230 Vantage and 270 Vantage do not  qualify for the Own       the View Winter Sales Event.

 

New At Gordon Bay Marine

 

HOVERCRAFT-LAND-ICE-WATER

 

What is a hovercraft?

 

 It’s a unique vehicle that can travel over land, ice and water. In fact, it doesn’t actually touch the surface it’s travelling on, instead it rides on a cushion of air. That cushion allows it to move smoothly over even the roughest and most unstable surfaces in any weather.

What really sets it apart is the powerful fan at the back of the craft that pushes air downward, creating that cushion of air.

Who uses them?

On the one hand, this is a really practical vehicle that allows people to get to difficult-to-reach places in even extreme weather. So they’re ideal for search and rescue. As well, people who want to travel to backcountry locations such as hunting grounds, islands in winter or in summer and on ice roads that have not yet frozen completely. Hovercrafts are also very practical for cottagers or homeowners who cannot reach their properties with low or receding water levels. 

But as well, hovercrafts are fun to drive and they can also be a pleasure vehicles.
 

 Who are they?

A new Canadian company based in Toronto and Parry Sound, Ontario.
Although a new company, the hovercraft team has decades of experience running businesses in Canada and is working with a partner with over 40 years’ experience in hovercraft engineering and design.

These hovercrafts were designed in conjunction with HoverWorks Limited http://hoverworks.co.nz/  of Christchurch, New Zealand, who are experts in designing and building hovercrafts. They have integrated their innovative design elements to make Air Rider hovercrafts the safest, most efficient and easy to drive hovercrafts available in the world.

Want to know more?

Check out the rest of the Air Rider web site for more information, images, videos and specifications about these unique vehicles. Stay tuned to this blog for more inside information about hovercraft.

For sales information contact;

Gordon Bay Marine

 705 375 2623

sales@gordonbay.com

 

 

Great News! Did You Hear?

 

 As determined by Boating Industry magazine, the Top 100 is an annual ranking of dealerships that are unsurpassed in overall business operations, customer service, professionalism, and all the characteristics that go along with them.

Managing a dealership to high levels of customer service, high volume sales and, yes, high profits, is no easy task. Simultaneously creating an atmosphere that exceeds high consumer expectations can be even more difficult. For Gordon Bay Marine however, these tasks have not only become second nature, but they are firmly integrated in the business' day-to-day operations. We understand that delivering on the promise of the boating lifestyle, not just a boat is the No. 1 key to success.

10 Reasons To Do Business With  A Top 100 Dealer 1. DEDICATION TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: Boating Industry's Top 100 Dealers have the systems in place to ensure they are satisfying you, their customer.   2. AMBASSADORS FOR THE BOATING LIFESTYLE: Boating Industry's Top 100 Dealers strive to retain you as a customer for life, offering the education, experiences, events, products and services to make the boating lifestyle as pleasurable and rewarding as possible for you, your family and your friends. 3. SERVICE DONE RIGHT: Boating Industry's Top 100 Dealers understand your time on the water is precious, so they design their businesses to get you into the shop and back on the water quickly and efficiently. 4. CONSISTENCY: From the website to the showroom, from sales techniques to service processes, your Top 100 Dealer aims to deliver a quality experience you can count on. 5. EXPERT GUIDANCE: Top 100 Dealers invest in the latest training and education so they can provide expert guidance to assist you in making the best decisions, whether you are buying a boat, selecting parts and accessories or bringing your vessel in for maintenance. 6. COMMUNICATION: Boating Industry's Top 100 Dealers ensure you have access to the information your boating lifestyle demands, from the latest news, events, products and services to regular updates regarding your boat, part or repair order. 7. LONGEVITY: Boating Industry's Top 100 Dealers relentless quest for excellence, agility in adjusting to the changing marketplace, and dedication to short- and long-term planning make them the ideal partner to guide you along your boating journey. 8. EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION: Boating Industry's Top 100 Dealers provide the wages, benefits, training and culture that allow their business to attract and retain the best employees in the marketplace. 9. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Boating Industry's Top 100 Dealers contribute to their local communities as a thank you for all that they get back. 10. COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: Boating Industry's Top 100 Dealers aim to exceed your expectations and those of their team, suppliers and business partners each and every time, no matter how high those standards are. Thank You Boating Industry For Reconizing Gordon Bay Marine As One Of North America's  TOP 100 DEALERS

Exciting News | 2013 Boston Whaler 230 Vantage

Gordon Bay Marine will have a Boston Whaler 230 Vantage at the Toronto International Boat Show in January.

This boat is worth getting excited about!!!

 

Stop by booth #800 to get your personal tour.

 Here is a great article on the 230 & 270 Boston Whaler Vantage:

http://www.marinelink.com/news/vantage-whaler-debuts348460.aspx

 

2013 Toronto International Boat Show Hours

January 12 to 20, 2013:

Show Hours

Saturdays (12th & 19th)

10 am to 7 pm

Sundays (13th & 20th)

10 am to 6 pm

Mon. to Wed. (14th to 16th)

11 am to 8 pm

Thurs. & Fri. (17th & 18th) (New 9 pm closing!)

11 am to 9 pm

Friday, January 11, 2013:
Special Preview Night: 4 to 9 pm

Set Your GPS

The Toronto International Boat Show takes place at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place:

100 Princes' Blvd.
Toronto, ON M6K 3C3

Check out the Show Features...
http://www.torontoboatshow.com/features/show-features/

See you at the Toronto Show!

 

Malibu Boats: Malibu Releases 2013 WAKESETTER 24 MXZ

Gordon Bay Marine, looking forward to the new models!
Check out the 2013 Wakesetter 24 MXZ
Malibu Boats: Malibu Releases 2013 WAKESETTER 24 MXZ

The 2013 Toronto International Boat show in January is going to be a real treat!! Sweet, Sweet Boats on the way.

Pontoon Boats, A Whole New Life!!

Harris FloteBote Pontoons
Taking time away from work and the daily routine is good for us, particularly if we go on vacation.  Well this past week I was able to get away from the Marina, not on vacation but on a journey that took me to Fort Wayne Indiana to the Harris FloteBote Factory for the release of the 2013 models, followed by test runs of the pontoons on the lake.  From the Marina here on Lake Joseph in Muskoka that’s a 1700km round trip. So in a way it was a mini vacation, viewing boats & testing boats.  

If you have never experienced boating, there’s some sort of psychological process that happens when you step aboard a boat and it leaves the dock; you’ll find that you literally leave your worries and stresses behind you. In fact, in a National Marine Manufacturers Association survey, boating is in the top three of all stress-relieving activities.

Now if you have never been on a pontoon boat or still have that image of your grandfather’s pontoon boat with the rail fence and lawn chairs on it, I highly recommend you check out the new models. The Harris FloteBote is the ultimate in luxurious style, an abundance of space and countless amenities. I counted 23, yes 23 cup holders on one boat...These boats are crazy sweet!!!

                                                  

I say consider pontoon boating.  It’s like going on vacation every time you cast off the dock. It brings family and friends together. It just doesn’t get better than that! Pontooning encourages fun such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, tubing, snorkeling and swimming. Yes, all this is possible with a FloteBote.  

Once you get a taste of the pontooning lifestyle, you will be having so much fun you will wonder why you waited so long to get started.

“There’s nothing even close to this on the market.”

SURF GATE

SBCWAKEBOARD.COM

  Press Release: July 17, 2012

Malibu Boats, the global leader in state-of-the-art water sports towboats, has designed a break-through wakesurfing innovation, Surf Gate (patent pending), which promises to revolutionize the sport. Malibu unveiled the new wave-making feature at the Red Bull Wake Open in Tampa, FL this past weekend.

“From now on, every time you drain your sacs for thirty minutes just to switch sides, you’ll wish you had Surf Gate,” said Brian Grubb, Malibu team rider. “It’s so cool to be able to switch waves with the press of a button and transfer from left to right. The wave is perfect and big on both sides. This is the future and it can only be done with Surf Gate.”

 

Malibu has chosen Grubb to drive its new Wakesetter 22 MXZ, the official towboat of the Red Bull Wake Open. The Wakesetter 22 MXZ was the original test boat for Surf Gate and is the most successful new product launch in Malibu history, in terms of units sold.

The fastest growing activity in water sports, wakesurfing has evolved over the past decade from a niche activity to a legitimate competitive sport. In order to wakesurf, it is necessary to have an adequately weighted boat – one weighted to either the left or right side, which produces a larger wake. Prior to Surf Gate, wakesurfing required boaters to empty ballasts on one side of the boat and subsequently refill them displacing passengers and shifting weight accordingly. Surf Gate alleviates this time-consuming process. Extreme leaning of the boat is no longer necessary. Additionally, Surf Gate enables riders to cross the wave and perform previously impossible moves.

“To create a surf wave without leaning the boat is a big advantage, “ said Dan Gasper, director of product design. “We’ve been working on ways to create surf wakes to avoid hull shape changes so as not to create a negative effect to our great wakeboard wakes. Surf Gate is the culmination of our efforts.

Commanding 30 percent of the market share in its category, Malibu is the world’s top-selling towboat manufacturer. Surf Gate will be available on all 2013 Wakesetter models.

“We’re thrilled to offer this proprietary innovation to enhance the sport and build Malibu’s legacy of industry leadership,” said Nick Skally, Malibu’s director of marketing. “There’s nothing even close to this on the market.”

Thanks SBCWAKEBOARD for bringing the news!

Boat registration hinges on motor size — OPP

Great Article Worth Sharing...

Thank you to:

By Mike Verdone

Posted 3 hours ago

Recreational boating is a favourite pastime of Canadians with between seven and nine million people enjoying the waterways each year.

If you're out on the lake in a boat with a 9.9-horsepower motor, there's no need to worry if the men in blue come along and ask to see your vessel registration because you don't need one.

As long as you keep that motor on the boat there is no need to register the vessel and put those three-inch-high registration numbers on both sides of the bow.

But as soon as you bolt on a 10-horsepower, or larger motor, you must register the vessel or face a potential fine if you're stopped by the OPP Marine Unit.

When it comes to regulations for pleasure crafts in Ontario - boats not used for commercial enterprise - all things hinge on engine size, says Const. Dave Ault of the Sault Ste. Marie OPP Marine Unit.

"Everything basically over 10 horsepower or more must be licenced," Ault says.

"We do come upon those (situations) every now and then."

He says it's up to the discretion of the police officer to lay a fine, or not.

Ault says 9.9-hp motors came on line specifically to skirt the registration law.

"It's one of those things where the industry was looking at what the rules and regulations are."

If a boat meets the criteria and must be registered, it is mandatory to have registration documents present on the vessel. Ault says most people photocopy the documents and keep them aboard their vessel.

If the registration is not present, it may also cost you money.

"We don't deal with that too often, but there is a fine for not having it (on hand)," Ault says.

"Again, it's a discretionary call" by the officer of the marine unit, he said.

It's also important for boat owners to keep their registration updated, Ault says. If someone buys a second-hand boat that requires registration, the owner must change the documents over into their own name.

They must also post the new registration numbers on the vessel. If they fail to do so, they could also be fined.

"The officer, yes, he can lay a ticket. Would he lay a ticket, who knows."

Ault was unsure about the size of fines police can levy for violating mandatory requirements.

"It's close to the $100 area."

To register a vessel go to the office of boating safety at www.boatingsafety.gc.ca 

Click on "Vessels" on the left side of the page and follow the link.

We hear don’t drink and drive, or drink and boat & this is why!

 Provincial Police are out in full force and with weather warming up… they’re turning their focus to people on the water.

  37% of boaters in Canada admit to consuming alcohol every time they boat.

  66% report they drink alcohol sometimes when boating.

  Alcohol is a factor in over 40% of recreational boating fatalities.

O-P-P is reminding all boaters that you can be charged with Impaired Operation of a Vessel if you’re blood alcohol level is above point-zero-eight.

Police also say rules for having alcohol in boats vary by province… but in Ontario… you can’t even transport alcohol unless your boat is classed as a home.

Under Ontario Bill 209, drunken boaters will be subject to the same suspension penalties that now apply to vehicle drivers. The Highway Traffic Act applies to “anyone operating or having the care or control of a vessel”. Anyone found operating a boat while impaired can face an on-the-spot vehicle driver’s license suspension, with additional suspension if convicted.

Under what circumstances is it illegal to transport alcohol?
It is illegal to transport beverage alcohol in a motor vehicle, a motorized snow vehicle or a boat unless the beverage alcohol is in a container that is unopened and the seal unbroken, or unless the beverage alcohol is packaged in baggage that is fastened closed or is not otherwise readily available to anyone in the vehicle. In a boat, the beverage alcohol must be stored in a closed compartment. (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario)

What boats may carry alcohol in Ontario?
A boat with permanent sleeping accommodations and permanent cooking and sanitary facilities, other than a boat used to carry passengers for hire, is considered to be a private place while the boat is at anchor or is secured to the dock or land. (Sec.3/7 Read Ontario Liquor License Act for more.)

For current information about the laws and regulations affecting boaters, visit the Office of Boating Safety and the Province of Ontario. You may also ask the Provincial Police who enforce the laws and regulations.

 Gordon Bay Marine Supports The Water On The Water Saying...Stay Safe & Happy Boating!!

It’s The May 24th Victoria Day Long Weekend

 LET’S GET ON THE WATER – CAREFULLY!

Ah, long weekends. There are only four during the summer so each one is cherished by Canadians but this one coming up carries special significance for boaters and cottagers.  (There are few things we Canadians cherish more than our long weekends. One such long weekend carries special significance for boaters and cottagers.)  It’s the May 24^th Victoria Day long weekend, which is considered by most as the unofficial start of summer!  It’s the weekend where the “Honey Do” List takes a back seat to opening up the cottage, launching the boat and hauling out the water toys. 

Historically, though, this weekend has also been one that generates more than its fair share of boating-related incidents and fatalities.  It’s for this reason that May 19^th-25^th is North American Safe Boating Awareness Week for 2012.  The goal is to remind those who ply our Canadian waterways to boat safely and responsibly, now at the beginning of boating season.

 There are a number of factors that together constitute a dangerous mix when on the water at any time, but especially during long weekends;  when the sheer number of boats on the lake which often out number those of a normal weekend by a factor of 10!  Even on relatively calm days, the converging wakes generated by the increased traffic from sport boats to    large cruisers can easily capsize smaller fishing boats, canoes and kayaks.

Make sure to have sufficient personal floatation devices (PFDs) on board for everyone. Check them for proper fit as well as for broken zippers or buckles, split seams or excessive wear. Should any of these be apparent, the PFD must be replaced.

However the greatest contributor to tragedies on long holiday weekends can be the celebratory consumption of alcohol that accompanies the euphoria of leaving the rat race behind, even for a few days. In fact, alcohol accounts for approximately 40% of all boating-related incidents and fatalities. Many think that having one or two might be ok, but the sun, wind and the gentle rocking of the boat exaggerate alcohol’s effects which means it takes far less alcohol to achieve a level of intoxication. This intoxication is especially dangerous when trying to negotiate through a crowded anchorage littered with hundreds of boats and people milling about in the water not paying attention.

It’s not difficult to have an enjoyable and safe start to your summer. By behaving responsibly on the water, ensuring you have the proper safety equipment aboard and limiting your alcohol consumption to after your arrive back at the dock, you can truly enjoy this upcoming holiday weekend.  

To learn more, visit www.SmartBoater.ca for great tips on how to have a safe season on the water.

Gordon Bay Marine wishes all boaters a happy & safe summer on the water. 

It's beginning to look a lot like summer.

If you have never been to Gordon Bay Marine, here is a little taste of what we have to offer.
Summer stock arriving daily for the retail store.
The yard is filling up with New & Used Boats, Trailers, PWC's, ATV's

Remember ..this is just a little taste of what we have to offer, come summer there is always so much more. 
The Lighthouse Cafe..mmmm..Sweet potato fries! Events, Courses, BBQ's and beautiful Lake Joseph comes alive.


Can't wait to see you this summer. 

IT'S HERE!

THE 2012 MONTEREY 328SS HAS ARRIVED AT GORDON BAY MARINE.
The 328SS is in a class of its own. 
32'2" in length, this twin engine bowrider is a sleek and smooth machine packing a powerful punch. Features include a Monterey exclusive articulating sun island allowing for multiple seating and lounging configurations, a full head compartment with hot and cold water, and a spacious cabin that can accommodate two. Bring your family and friends along, seating areas are plentiful aboard the 328SS. Radar arch, and well appointed wet bar are only a few of the long list of standards available.

Click Here For A Tour Of The 2012 Monterey 328SS

Let us know what you think of this sleek and smooth machine.

Coming Soon..

SAFETY EDUCATION, OPERATION INSTRUCTION, BOATING COURSES , Demo Days & MORE....

So you have a new boat? Thinking of buying a new boat? Before taking to the helm make sure you are safe, that you know how to protect your passengers and other boaters from risk and harm and to respect the environment.

You learned the "Rules of the Road" before you sat behind the wheel of a car-and you should do the same before boarding your boat. 

Gordon Bay Marine wants to help. Through out the summer we will be hosting courses that will guide you along with the Basic Boating Skills you will need. 

Learning the basics of boat operation and boat safety is best done before your first trip to the launch ramp.

A few courses at Gordon Bay this spring & summer include :

The PCOC Course: A 4 hour in class session that will give you 3 hours of practical information to prepare you to write your 1 hour Pleasure craft exam.
Transport Canada regulations require power boat operators to have a Pleasure Craft Operators Card.

You will then be legally able to drive a boat..But will you be comfortable sitting at the helm?

Some Courses that will give you the feeling of comfort:

For the Youth we will host-The Youth On The Water Course:  2 hour in class practical & 2 hour dockside.

For the Women we will host-The Women On The water Course: 2 hour practical & 2 hour dockside.

For Everyone we will host Courtesy Checks-To make sure you have all the proper safety equipment on board.

Demo Days on Malibu's, Bayliners, Boston Whalers & the Harris Flotebote (which is just being introduced to the Muskoka area) will be held on different weekends during the summer months.

Demo Days another great way to get out on the water and gain even more knowledge from our experienced sales personnel. 



Stay tuned to our Facebook Page, Website and Blog for dates,times & cost for the courses that are being offered. 

Dates for Demo days will also be available on these sites.

We will also be attending the In Water Boat Show & Ribfest at the Gravenhurst Wharf, which is always great fun!  

If there is a course you would like us to host or a specific boating question you might have, please leave a comment below and we will be sure to do our best to accommodate or answer your questions.

At Gordon Bay Marine We Sell Fun!! 

Tips For Keeping it FUN!!

• Learn all you can about the operation of your vessel and the waterways in which you will be traveling
• Be constantly aware of changing weather and water conditions and the actions of other boaters
• Demonstrate knowledge and leadership by wearing your lifejacket or PFD and asking all your passengers to do the same
• Don't cruise with booze

   Looking forward to an awesome safe season on the water! 

Who Are We?

Check It Out!

We Sell Fun! Become Part Of The Gordon Bay Marine Family.

Sneak Peak At Spring

Forget winter. It's been looking or feeling much more like spring ... or even summer ...

So, why the 'March Mildness?' Here is what the Weather Network had to say:

"It's been unseasonably warm mainly because of a strong ridge in the jet stream over the middle part of North America," says Brian Owsiak, a meteorologist at The Weather Network. "As long as that ridge stays in place, that will mean above seasonal temperatures for many."

And since that ridge has been holding in place, the warm weather isn't going anywhere fast. 

They are expecting this trend to continue to the end of March, more or less. If that pans out, it could be the longest stretch of that kind of weather on record for this time of year.

No complaints here-maybe an early boating season on the horizon.

So once the fog lifted, early afternoon I took a short walk around the marina.

Click here to come on my walk.

Surviving Cold Water Immersion

Cold Water Immersion

We have now shifted from ice fishing & snowmobiling on the lakes and will soon be thinking about getting the boat out on the water.
But, the water is cold! It will be a little while yet before the water will warm up.
Are you prepared for a sudden or unexpected dip?
Do you know how you will react if you are suddenly immersed in cold water?
Most victims do not enter the water intentionally.
A boater who ends up in the water may die from complications of cold water immersion but can survive for a surprising length of time if they are wearing a PFD and take the proper actions. It is important not to panic and make the proper decisions in order to survive.
If you do end up in the water, it is important to do everything you can to conserve energy and body heat.
Below is a short video that will give you the information you need to prepare yourself, should you find yourself in this situation.

Accidents are inevitable, but with proper supplies, emergency procedures and long term survival skills. It is possible to survive even the most dire circumstance.


Gordon Bay Marine wants you to stay safe on the water and will from time to time post videos on boating safety, rules & regulations for boating in Ontario. 
Please feel free to leave comments here. Let us know if there is a certain topic you would like us to cover.