George's Marine and Sports #1 Regal Boat Dealer in Canada

It was announced this week that George's Marine and Sports is the Number 1 Regal Dealer in Canada.

Since becoming part of the Regal family in 2009 we knew that we were involved with a class act organization.

Together, with all three George's locations and our staff from sales, finance, parts and accessories, and service departments, we have been able to represent a product that is one of the finest in the industry.

Regal Marine Industries was founded by Paul and Carol Kuck in 1969. Their philosophy of faith and stewardship guides this business to this day.

In 1995 the FasTrac Hull was launched.  This design of the Regal Boat Hull is a patented innovation that has garnered acclaim and awards from the industry and Regal boat owners.

Today, with the Kuck's three children, Duane, Tim and Pam, the company has stayed true to their philosophy.

2014 Cain's Quest

We have the privilege to work with two guys that are participating in the 2014 Cain's Quest.  Jimmy Noble Jr. and Jason Aliqatuqtuq, from Iqaluit, purchased their Bombardier Summit 800 snowmobiles at George's Marine & Sports in Ottawa.  They will be racing through Labrador in a snowmobile endurance race which stretches 3,300 km.  The machines were retrofitted to make them more adaptable to Labrador's environment.

The following is a good online article about the two guys and the race.
We are looking forward to watching them on their journey.  Since I am more of a couch potato it is enjoyable when you know the people you are going to live a life experience through.

Win a Sea Doo Spark and a trip to Miami to hear DEADMAU5

Go to sparksomefun.com to enter.

Bonnechere Cup Races 2014

It is amazing the Bonnechere Races have been going for 40 years. Speaking quickly to George Wilcox, he was saying that they use to race on the river and then at the Legion Field before the track was built where it is today. 

I think it is safe to say that the sponsorship of Toromont, Benson and Miwel was critical in keeping the races going. After taking the afternoon to go through "Reflections of a Century" printed by the Eganville Leader I found an article about the re-opening of the Sno-Drifters Club after a suspicious fire destroyed much of the club . I found this article below, notice Merv Boldt is in this picture. You will find him still involved in the races today.

Since the Ottawa Boat Show is on the same weekend of the Bonnechere Cup Races, you will not see us there working like we use too.  We still contribute with support vehicles i.e. two 4 wheelers and 1 side by side (of course Can-Am).  Along with Ski-Doo we help with the printing of the parking passes.  
It is definitely hard work putting on the races but very satisfying come Saturday at 6 pm.  

Boating Ontario Survey

Boating Ontario has just launched a boating survey of which Parks Canada has participated in its development.   This is a very exciting project to understand more about boating trends across Ontario and but also specifically about boating along the canals which has a dedicated section in the survey.

This is an easy, but important way, for the boaters of Ontario to have their voice heard.  As a minor footnote Boating Ontario will be offering a pair of hockey tickets in a draw to people who fill out the survey.

Personally, as a boater, I don't need an incentive to get my voice out to Parks Canada but it's a thank you for your 20 minutes.

Find the time, go to http://www.boatingontario.ca/2014boatersurvey

Mercury Marine 75th Anniversary

 The following was received from our Mercury Marine Rep:

Mercury Marine celebrated its 75th anniversary on Wednesday, Jan. 22, from its humble beginnings in Wisconsin to its growth into the world’s leading provider of marine engines. Mercury, a division of Brunswick Corporation, designs, manufactures and sells the broadest range of marine propulsion products for applications ranging from inflatable tenders and fishing boats to cruisers and yachts.“Mercury will celebrate its 75th anniversary throughout 2014 in ways that will reflect our strong heritage of innovation and leadership in the marine industry,” said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury Marine. “We will conduct events in locations around the world that will engage our customers, suppliers, employees and communities and will recognize the roles those people and entities have played in establishing the foundation of our business and our future."We're excited about sharing this celebration with those who have helped us grow and succeed."Mercury was founded by E. Carl Kiekhaefer in 1939 when he purchased a bankrupt engine manufacturing plant in Cedarburg, Wis., not far from the Kiekhaefer family farm. The plant assets included 300 outboard engines that had been rejected by a large mail-order retailer due to defects and operating problems. Hoping to transform the engines into working capital to fund the future business he envisioned – magnetic separators for the dairy-farm industry – Mr. Kiekhaefer redesigned, rebuilt and sold the engines to the retailer that had initially rejected them. The engines sold immediately and Kiekhaefer suddenly found himself in the marine engine business.Mercury made its initial mark in the marine industry by providing reliable, innovative products. But it didn’t take long before its engines were highly regarded for performance and speed. Mercury has long been recognized for producing engines that not only get you where you want to go, but also get you there first. Mercury directs the activities of more 5,400 employees in dozens of countries from its global headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wis., and works hand in hand with more than 4,200 dealers and distributors around the world. Mercury’s year-long 2014 celebration plans include events in various locations throughout the world.

George's Marine & Sports has been a proud Mercury Marine Dealer since 1973.   Mercury Marine is a leader in the industry and we wish them continued success!

Jeff & David St. Laurent at the Toronto Boat Show 2014. 

Kingston Boat Show

Kingston Here We Are!

We were surprised at the Toronto Boat Show with the fact that people didn't know we had a store in Kingston.  At the Eastern Ontario Boat, Powersports & RV Show you will definitely be introduced to our Kingston store located at 4000 Bath Road.
We will be bringing to the show Bayliner, Centurion, Crestliner,Harris Flotebote along with Regal and Tracker Boats.  It is a perfect opportunity to view the boats and take advantage of some promotions going on for boat shows only.
Our Kingston staff will have details on our 2014 Dockage Rates and what is new at the Marina this coming year.
So, yes Kingston, we are here and we are looking forward to meeting you at the show.
Feb 7 - 9, Kingston Expo Centre

BoatDealers Blogging Update

Well at George's Marine & Sports the blogging may have taken a back seat but the past year has flown by.  There were a few good months along with some very slow months.  Last year's boat show went well but the spring was colder then desired.  In some parts of the Ottawa area people were on the lake in early April while in the Ottawa Valley it would be quite a while before people ventured to the cottage.
We had continued suggest at the Top 100 Boat Dealers in North America and tried our hand at the Toronto Boat Show, setting up in the Regal Boat  booth and Harris Flote Boats booth.  That show is an expensive  for us since we are four hours from the city but it is amazing the number of people from our area that check out Toronto before the Ottawa shore.
This weekend we are busy with a Fishing Boat Show which will be an excellent lead into the Ottawa Boat Show.  With the new convention centre showcasing the boats our 42' Regal will be a major WOW factor.
Hopefully the year to come will see consistent blogging with information that you will like to read!

Google +

First I got a headache trying to figure out Facebook.  How do I create more friends???

Then it was blogging.  As you can see by past blogging post that didn't last to long.  As for Linkedin  I seem to lack in networking skills.

Now I  Twitter.  Everyday I try to post something and read what is going on in my "Twitter world".

If that isn't enough I have to learn google+.  The jury is still out on it but we have to be on the cutting edge so hey I have an account.  No one else that I know, nor the companies that I deal with, do.  But we do!  I must say it is pretty lonely there.

Doing a review of our SEO status with the boss I hear heavy sighs.  Knowing that my feelings are hurt easily with criticism he has to come up with a way to say that things suck in our social media department.

Besides having sensitive feelings I hate giving up a task I was told to do (stop laughing kids and be quiet)so  I ask for another few months to see if I can do better.  

Hence this post.  It doesn't include any information about the product we sell, or an update of store activities, but it allowed me to vent and start thinking of a game plan.  

Boat Show in Gananoque

For what I believe will be our last boat show this spring George's we will be attending the 1000 Islands Boat Show in Gananoque.  We are looking forward to meeting with past, present and future boat owners from around this area.  Our favourite family boating is in the 1000 Islands and the on the Rideau System.
Our family of four kids and two adults has changed to 6 adults.  Needless to say the size of boat equals the level of enjoyment for all involved.  Remember if you want a boat for delivery by May or June it should be purchased now.  Drop by our booth #B5 and say hello to our staff.

Back To Work

We returned back from a two week work/vacation trip spent in Hawaii.  Long distance trips always kill us and it is hard to get back into the groove.  With this trip I booked our return on a Friday.  We landed on Saturday morning and most of us (ok the people over 40) went immediately to bed for a sleep and a rest only to get up for dinner.  I heard from some of the kids that travelled with us that they went out (or was that just one child?).  Everyone had Sunday to do laundry and rest some more.  It is Monday morning and I know 3 of the 6 were able to go to work at the usual time - I usually don't check on the students because some questions I just don't want answered.

What every business needs... Peer Support

As a business we commit to a group called 20 Group. Every 4 months 20 marine dealers get together to discuss challenges and successes as a marine dealer. This group is facilitated by a group called Spader Business Group. I am not an advertisement blog but I believe this is an important commitment that some of us as marine dealers make to our business and to the customer.
"Several times a year we network with non-competing peers from across Canada and the US under the guidance of a Spader Business Management group consultant". One interesting part of this group is the peer review done on the business whose location we are visiting that trip. A group of like minded owners give an honest and helpful critique of the business being visited. This allows you, as the business being reviewed, to take the critique and make changes that will allow your business to stay or to get on top of your game. A successful business means you are offering and delivering to the customer product and services that they want and in a way that they want.

Economy update

The Ottawa Boat Show was considered to be very successful by George's Marine & Sports.  By the response at the show it appears that consumers want to take advantage of the manufacturer deals (only available for a short period of time).   This allowed many to purchase the boats and pwc's of their dreams.  At our booth we were lucky to have the Regal Boat rep Peter Hanna and the Bayliner rep Bryan Downs.  When making a boat purchase it is nice to be able to ask the manufacturer's representative questions about their boat line.  Unfortunately, the Sea-Doo reps were in San Diego at their yearly Ski-Doo sales meeting.  I think though all working the Sea-Doo booth were able to hold their own when answering questions about the product.
Staff had to work into the evening to tear down the display and we got an early start this morning moving boats in this crazy weather.  It is much easier when we know that all of the efforts put into the show were worth it.

Getting Ready For The Boat Show

The Ottawa Boat Show is, for us at Georges, a strong indicator of how the boat season is going to unfold.  With manufacturers no longer playing the supply and demand game but instead the demand & supply one, consumers come to the show because they want to be guaranteed their boat's arrival for the long weekend of May or early June.  Because of the importance of this show much consideration is given to the size of booth and the display that will showcase the boats brought to the show.
This year we decided to leave the main building so we could have an area that would let us showcase Regal Boats properly.  So we are in the Coliseum building which caused sleepless nights worrying if this was the right move or not.  The following is a pictorial on how the move to the show works.

This gives you an idea of how many boats are involved and the number of trips we make from our Ottawa location to the show location.  Before this shot is even taken there are trips done prior weeks to get all the boats at one location.  Every trip from Eganville to Ottawa meant 

travelling with a boat behind you.

Shrinkwrapping the boats mean that cleaning a boat at the show involves less time. Walking onto the showroom floor is sometimes intimidating for the first time staff member.  Without our seasoned pros the move into the show and the building of the display could not go as well as it does.

The following pictures shows that measuring off by steps is still an accurate way of working.  Really?

Unlike children the boats stay in one spot until the are positioned into the display area.

We bring in extra people to work the booth from Thursday to Sunday.  Some sale some control the flow of people on the cruisers.  All show up from Monday to Thursday to help build, clean and organize George's Marine & Sports display.  (Yes a shout out to Western University and St. FX students.)

Thursday was the regular type of day for a boat show.  I am awaiting Fridays update.  Not hearing is usually a good sign.  Today it is cold and sunny outside and a nice day to for people to get out and go to the show.  I will post tomorrow on how the boat show is going.

Eganville Race Weekend

Nothing is more enjoyable than watching the snowmobile drivers with their trucks and trailers (and sleds) come into Eganville, Ontario for race weekend. 

We might not have the snow but we have one super track and cold weather so it should prove to be one of the best race weekends on the circuit this year.