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