It’s the time of year boaters gear up for a new season on the water, but with ice still in our lakes boating is mostly about wishful thinking so far.
At Crate's Marina in Keswick, there aren’t many boats in the water and Peter Wilson says they're not selling many boats yet.
“For 2014 sales are off to a bit of slow start, a lot of that is a reflection of the weather,” he says. “Everybody is off to a slow start when it comes to boating recreation because here we are at the end of April and the lake still has ice on it.”
There is reason for optimism, however. Last year sales were up five per cent. Traditionally sales of new smaller boats are the first to pick up, but right now sales of used boats are hot.
“Used boats from about $150,000 to $200,000,” says Wilson, “we've sold quite a few and we're running out of stock already.”
Seymore Charrin is buying one: a previously-owned 38-foot Carver Santego. He says there are deals, but you have to shop around.
“This time of year everybody asks the high price, so there's negotiating you have to do,” he says.
Of course there's no negotiating when it comes to buying fuel for your boat. Gas is costly right now and boat owners can always expect to pay more on the water. Jesse Davis of Legend Boats in Innisfil says investing in a new four-stroke engine can save you money at the pumps.
“A conventional two-stroke engine versus a modern, fuel-injected four-stroke engine you'll get 50 per cent to 60 per cent better fuel economy,” he says.
And even though the temperature is slowly rising, the ice in what would normally be a very busy Midland Harbour isn’t melting as quickly as some would like. They're not sure when it will be safe to put boats in the water.
Meanwhile at the City of Barrie marina they usually put the boats in the water during the first week of May. That might still be possible, though there is still plenty of ice there too.
