| There is a lot to be said about getting out | | | | one word "lifestyle". If you seek freedom and |
| on the water for some well deserved | | | | relaxation there is nothing like a day on the |
| recreation. The interesting thing about | | | | water that comes close. It means leaving a |
| boating is there is some ancient gene that we | | | | lot of the daily stress that we all |
| all carry that dates back to a time when | | | | experience behind at the dock. In a 2003 |
| folks thought the earth was flat. And just | | | | Impulse Research study, nearly 2/3rds of boat |
| like Columbus exploring the boundaries of the | | | | owners made their boat purchase and found it |
| known world people today are still drawn to | | | | brought their family closer together. Another |
| the water by some magical unexplained pull. | | | | portion claimed it allowed them to lead a |
| And why not - in this fast paced world of | | | | more romantic personal life. That has to be |
| office towers and pavement there is certainly | | | | reason enough to want to own a boat right? |
| something soothing about stepping on to a | | | | There are almost, 3 million watercraft in |
| gently rocking boat at the dock and firing it | | | | Canada and one in six households owns at |
| up to venture out on the open waters. The | | | | least one boat. Boating contributes over $7 |
| other great thing about boating is that this | | | | billion into the Canadian economy every year. |
| form of recreation offers so much | | | | You might expect this in Canada. After all - |
| versatility. Think about it. You can fish, | | | | we are surrounded by oceans and Great Lakes |
| water ski, tube, tour around, swim off the | | | | and most of our provinces are dotted with |
| boat, sunbath, entertain friends, visit | | | | lakes and rivers throughout the interior. |
| friends on the lake - not mention that boats | | | | Robert and Colleen Vassos own a waterfront |
| can be utilized for work type activities as | | | | marina called Wedgewood Marine & |
| well, and they are a valid form of general | | | | Recreation ( ) in the Haliburton Highlands |
| waterway transportation for many. The other | | | | of Ontario about two hours north of Toronto. |
| interesting thing is that boating isn't as | | | | They sell a wide variety of boats including |
| expensive as you might think. As a first step | | | | the full line up of Starcraft boats |
| you might consider renting before you | | | | (bowriders, pontoons, deck boats and fishing |
| purchase and many marinas offer reasonably | | | | boats), Svfara performance ski boats, Legend, |
| priced boat rental packages right from their | | | | Thundercraft and Doral boats as well as |
| docks. Recently a recreation cost comparison | | | | Yamaha PWC's. They also rent Yamaha |
| was done by and you might be surprised at | | | | Waverunners and various other boats ranging |
| how inexpensive boating can be in when you | | | | from runabouts and ski boats to pontoons and |
| compare costs against theme parks, hockey | | | | fishing boats right from their waterfront |
| games, live concerts, golf or even an evening | | | | facility on Twelve Mile Lake. "We are seeing |
| at the theatre. The bottom line is there is a | | | | a big move to deck boats" says Colleen |
| boat for every family budget and a selection | | | | Vassos. "Families are looking for the |
| of boat types and models that is even more | | | | versatility so they have both the |
| far ranging than cars. Generally speaking, | | | | entertainment space of a pontoon boat and the |
| the bigger the boat, the larger the | | | | ability of a sport boat to plane so that |
| horsepower and the more options that you | | | | water skiing, fishing or just hanging out can |
| choose will determine the overall cost and | | | | be accomplished in one watercraft" adds |
| the best value match for the individual or | | | | Colleen. "We often rent boats to customers |
| family. Some boats are built for versatility | | | | before they buy" says Robert Vassos. If you |
| and some boats are built primarily for one | | | | are new to boating, renting is a wise option. |
| use e.g. fishing or wake boarding. The point | | | | It gives the newbee boater an opportunity to |
| is, if you look around you can find the right | | | | ensure that they get the right fit and the |
| boat at the right price to suit your needs. | | | | right product to suit their individual or |
| Many boat manufacturers offer financing terms | | | | family needs. Seems like an ideal lifestyle |
| that are attractive and financial | | | | to be selling and renting boats from a |
| institutions are certainly willing to spread | | | | waterfront facility but those visions were |
| payments over 5 years with the longer terms | | | | shattered when Colleen & Robert mentioned |
| translating to lower monthly payments. But | | | | that they are so busy putting clients in |
| some would say there are more important | | | | boats that they rarely have time to do what |
| considerations than the cost aspect of owning | | | | they would really like to be doing - going |
| and operating at boat. It can be summed up in | | | | out for a boat ride! |