North Bay News for March 24

Spring is not coming as quickly as we had hoped this year…we have the aerators in to break up the basin, but a little help from the weather would be nice! At this point, our tentative plan is to start launching by the 2nd week of April. The dock guys are currently very busy finishing up some marine repair work before then. So, even without the weather cooperating it’s been a busy time for my department.

Every few days, Sarah has been updating Facebook with our progress in opening the marina.  Make sure to check it out to see where we’re at!

Please remember to give Eric some advanced notice as to when you may want to go in, or what work should be done on your boat before we put it in. Your advance notice helps us set our schedule to be as efficient as possible. Also a friendly reminder – if your account is past due, please settle it up before launch as we will not be able to put your boat in until that is taken care of.

Huck’s will be opening this Friday & Saturday (28th-29th) and next Friday & Saturday (4th-5th) with a limited dinner menu.  If you’re interested, they’re holding a Slipholder Appreciation Party with appetizers and cocktails on April 3rd (Thurs) from 5-8PM.  We hope to see everyone there!

Thank you for your understanding and keep your fingers crossed for warmer weather! -Steve

We’ll call this one “HOPE”

Choosing Between a Sport Cruiser or Sport Bridge

“Do I need a Sport Cruiser or a Sport Bridge?”

Over the past 30 years in boat sales, I been asked this question many times, and the answer is definitely different for everyone.  The best boat for you really depends on several determining factors.  So, to start, you’ll need to answer a few questions for yourself:

1. How do I plan to use the boat: day cruising and an occasional evening, or extended cruising in my “floating condo”?
2. What is more important: comfort or speed?
3. How much do I want to invest in a new or used boat?

How do I plan to use the boat?  In many cases, how far you live from your boat will make a difference in which style you choose.

Living close to your marina may mean a spur-of-the-moment boat ride downriver in the evening, or a longer boat trip to a nearby river town to spend a night.  In this case, a sport cruiser may be your best option since you will not be sleeping on the boat as much.

But, the opposite would hold true also – if you live a few hours away from your marina, you’ll probably spend a couple of nights in the marina and take boat rides during the day.   Or, regardless of how near or far you live from your boat, you may want to head out for a week-long trip to explore waterfront locations.  A sport bridge boat will give you more comfortable living space.

Which is more important, comfort or speed?  For day cruising, speed is typically the more crucial factor, and as a result, most people lean towards a sport cruiser.  Sport cruisers perform better, and will get you from point A to point B in a shorter amount of time, leaving more time to enjoy the sun and the water.

However, what a sport cruiser gains in speed, normally they will lack in comfort.  They will have a smaller cabin, smaller beds and sometimes fewer creature comforts such as air conditioning and heat.  While sport bridge boats take a little longer to get where you are going, I think this is where the phrase “Getting there is half the fun” came from.  Sport bridge boats will feature a larger cabin space and bed, along with the comforts of home.

How much do I want to invest in a new boat?  I often get asked, “How much do I have to invest in a new boat?”  My answer is always that it’s better to get what you want even if you have to spend a little more now, rather than sticking to a set amount and getting a boat that isn’t quite what you wanted.

What I mean is, if you invest in a boat and it doesn’t go fast enough, isn’t big enough, isn’t reliable, or just plain not what you wanted, it is going to cost you more to trade it in and get what you want than it would have cost you to get the boat you wanted to begin with.   You want your time on the water to be relaxing, and not a constant source of frustration.

Boat financing is a lot more flexible than other types of financing, and financing a boat is NOT a problem.  For most of the boats we finance, the banks are flexible and not asking an exorbitant down payment, but that’s a different post altogether.

When purchasing a new boat, the dealer you choose can make a lot of difference in how much you enjoy the boat you choose.  If you find a boat dealer you are comfortable with, that has a good reputation and has been in the marine business for many years, you’ll most likely find sales people who are interested in building a relationship with you.  As a result, they will work with you to find your perfect boat, instead of just selling you a boat.

Think spring, and we’ll see you on the water!