The Far Horizon...

This is one of the key reasons to get a boat.

You can sail to spots like the one above; Fifty Point beach.

Whenever I'm near the water this is what I tend to do, stand at the edge of it, water up to my knees, and I just look out at the horizon and think.

There's something very significant about the water's edge. It's as if our bodies know that beyond the horizon something's waiting for us that might change our lives.

I can't overemphasize the 'healing benefit' that comes from sailing to a far harbor, arriving, then going for a walk to find the waters edge and the horizon. 

Beats meditation any day.

In many ways, a boat, is like an escape vehicle. 

This is another reason why I prefer sailboats. You don't want to have to think twice about the gas bill to get from here to there (it'll cost you next to nothing if you sail) and you want to be able to take your time. Max speed on my boat is about 5.5 knots under comfortable conditions, that's right around ten kilometers per hour so you're forced to take your time.

The benefit of that is, the horizon isn't whizzing by so fast that you miss it.

Taking your time and admiring the horizon. Another reason to buy your first boat this year. If you'd like to start the process, go ahead and gimme' a call. I'll get you started on your journey to...

The Far Horizon.

905.320.2127

See you on the water.

LIFT Marine.

Your gateway to the far horizon...

905.320.2127
liftmarine@gmail.com

Oh Winter...

Not the best day of the year.

But every year it happens; haul out.

The thing that I wanted to share about this is that, even though it's less fun to take a boat out than it is to put it in, I still enjoy the process. And it's a lengthy one.

First, I have to sail the boat home from my 'summer harbor' to the working marina where she gets stored for the winter. That always turns into a blustery fall sail. Watch this site for some video of that soon.

Once at the working marina I spend the better part of a day de-commissioning the boat; taking the sails down, removing all the running rigging, clearing the cabin out, getting the mast ready to be unstepped. What's nice about this day is its 'meditative' aspect. By that I mean that it's nice to spend a day alone on board a boat quietly taking it apart. The first time you do it is nerve wracking and troubling as you make many mistakes and, inevitably, lose a few parts overboard, but once you've learned it, the subsequent times are quite enjoyable. You just putter around, getting tasks done in the crisp Fall air.

Next day you come back to take the mast down and then motor over to await your turn on the big crane. Sounds easy but always ends up taking 5 hours as mystery lines form, crane ops take longer lunches than scheduled, and backups occurs 'cause one or two powerboats stall on their way to the crane or crash into the dock causing a 30min delay.

But, when it's done, there's a strong sense of accomplishment.

You wash her down, dry her off, make sure she's all tucked away then stroll off with thoughts of next season on your mind.

Right now, winter season, is THE time to start shopping for a boat of your own to take out on the water next year. I'd love to help you find her. Maybe gimme' a call if you'd like to start the process.

905.320.2127

See you on the water.

LIFT Marine.

Your gateway to the far horizon...

905.320.2127
liftmarine@gmail.com

Another reason...

Another reason to buy your first sailboat is so that you get to experience moments like the one captured above.

Fall evening, Sun setting, 15 knots of wind steady from the Southwest, boat heeled at 10 degrees, haulin' ass at 6.5 knots, headed home.

The thing about sailboats is that everyone thinks they cost an arm and a leg. Truth is you can 'get' this experience for much less than you ever thought possible.

Depending on the boat you buy and the marina you pick, you can get into this sport for $10,000 and approximately $3,000 a year in fees. Gas? Well, depending on how much you sail and how much you use your engine, I'd expect to spend between $100-500 a season.

Naturally, if you want something nicer, you can pick the C&C 33 I went to see last week or even the C&C 44. Both these boats will rock your world for years to come.

But, of course, you could always start with the boat pictured above. A Mirage 24 which I bought for $3,000 and spent another $2,000 refurbishing. Yup, that's $5,000 spent, for (at this point) three seasons (spring/summer/fall) of solitude, sociability, adventure, travel and new experiences with my friends and family.

What are you waiting for?

Gimme' a call sometime (905.320.2127) and we'll start talking about your boat for next season.

See you on the water!

LIFT Marine.

Your gateway to the far horizon...


905.320.2127
liftmarine@gmail.com

Port Credit in water show...

The Port Credit In Water Boat Show is THIS WEEK!

It's my favorite show in the Greater Toronto Area hands down.

For directions click...

HERE.

The reason I like in-water shows so much is that you get to see the boats in their natural environment. It's one thing to climb aboard a boat on a stand at an indoor show, another altogether to spend some time aboard a yacht that's been sailed to the show, likely has an owner on-board, and actually has some 'life' to it.

Most of the boats at an in-water show are plugged in to shore power, have their systems active and can be tried on for size. One year, while exploring a Catalina 42 my youngest son turned the shower on in the forward head and got a good soaking! Last year I spent almost an hour aboard one yacht talking in detail with the sales rep.

I also find that the sales teams are more relaxed at the in-water shows. This tends to mean you can take a little more time onboard and actually get a 'feel' for the boats without the incessant pressure to move along 'cause more people are waiting on the stands. You'll find this especially true if you go early in the morning on the first day of the show.

The other great thing about the in-water show at Port Credit is that there are always used boats on display. This is totally exceptional compared to the usual deal at boat shows. There are guaranteed to be at least 10-20 great used boats on the docks ready to be seen and purchased. I cannot emphasize enough what a great opportunity it is to compare new yachts with ones 20-30 years old. The Port Credit  show is worth the price of admission for that reason alone.

There are also great exhibitors, a casual atmosphere, and I've found the various brokers housed at the Port Credit Marina to be really friendly and attentive.

So, c'mon out.

LIFT Marine will be at the show FRIDAY Aug 24th so please give us a call (905.320.2127) or email (liftmarine@gmail.com) if you'd like us to do a walk-through with you.

See you on the water!

LIFT Marine.

Your gateway to the far horizon...

905.320.2127
liftmarine@gmail.com

TUFF 16...

Spent the week up north last week on Lake Rosseau, Muskoka, just outside of Port Carling Ontario; Beverly Hills North.

We stayed with family friends who happen to own some great boats.

Their TUFF 16 was my favorite.

A small speed boat (they also make a 21 and a 28) intended for teens and/or as a fun runabout for a grown man like me, the TUFF 16 is actually a proper high performance boat with a great pedigree.

It also turns heads.

As we pulled into Port Carling, I kept getting random thumbs up from passing boats as they took a moment to salute the beautiful craft we were in. And that's the thing about the TUFF 16 that really got me, it's beautifully made.

Everything about it, from the lines, to the fiberglass work, to the gelcoat, to the way in which it handled the chop, spoke to care and love on the part of the builder.

I spent every morning on it, exploring the lake, and every chance I got to take it out, I leapt at it.

All this from a sailor.

I'm now committed to trying out the 21 as soon as possible.

If you're on the market for a classy (Canadian-made) speedboat, give LIFT MARINE a call (905.320.2127) and we'll be happy to walk you through an introduction to the folks at TUFF.

See you on the water.

LIFT Marine.

Your gateway to the far horizon...

905.320.2127
liftmarine@gmail.com

Current favorite...

I'm more excited about this boat than any other monohull I've seen brought to market in the last 15 years.

The Beneteau Sense 50.

If you're anything like me you want a boat that sails well and keeps your wife and kids (if you have em') happy both underway and at anchor or in the marina.

It also wouldn't hurt if it blew your clients (or friends) minds when they came aboard.

What sets the Sense apart is that it's a proper sailing yacht, meaning it'll really sail (satisfying Dad) and it has THE best cockpit and salon ('living room' to those of you new to sailing and its weird terms) of any monohull in history.

Overstating it? Check the images below, then get back to me...

Crazy, right?

There is NO other monohull in this price range that comes close to providing the kind of inviting living space the Sense 50 does. I know you were thinking about a power boat, but its just simply true that those images may have just changed your mind.

Now, its price as listed will be in the high 300's to 400's depending on where you are and the source you're checking, but I know (from one of our local brokers) that a fully outfitted brand new Sense 50 will set you back about $700,000 (CDN) by the time all is said and done.

Realizing that's quite the chunk of change, I don't hesitate in saying that, if you're playing in that price range, this is probably THE boat for you.

Unless you're looking for J160 kind of performance.

Not sure which way to go?

Give LIFT Marine a CALL (905.320.2127) or EMAIL us (liftmarine@gmail.com) and we can start the process of helping you make your choice.

See you on the water.

LIFT Marine.

Your gateway to the far horizon...


Find us on FACEBOOK.

Opena!

This is an awesome new product for your sailboat!


The 'Opena'.


Yes, you can believe your eyes, it's an iPhone case AND beer bottle opener.


Awesome.


I'll make sure to bring one along when we take your new boat out on the water for the first time! I came across it reading Cruising World (my favorite sailing magazine) and couldn't resist letting you know about it. There's nothing like arriving at your anchorage, settling in, and popping a cold one.


Looking forward to getting you out on the water with your 'Opena'!


CALL (905.320.2127) or EMAIL (liftmarine@gmail.com) today to start the process of deciding on your boat for the 2013 season.


LIFT Marine.


Your gateway to the far horizon...




Find us on FACEBOOK.