This is where we'll announce the most recent
additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed,
take a look here first.
Double Click on pictures to make them larger.
5/24/2003 What spring? The ice left
us on April 25, eleven days after the official start date of spring launch
which should have been April 14th. Needless to say we did not start launch on time - it was delayed
one week. We started launching boats on April 21st. In the twenty
five days it took us to get everyone back in the water for Memorial Day weekend
it rained thirteen of those days - of which on one of them it also snowed.
Sounds easy doesn't it - put the boat in the water and bring it
to the dock. First you have to get them uncovered and the canvas tops put
up. Getting them in the water isn't so bad - its getting
everything back together that is time consuming. From the initial
pre-check at the ramp (is the drain plug in, the drive oil ok, the props are on
it - nothing missing in the running gear, I could have sworn there were more
than two dock lines on this boat in the fall, are there fenders aka bumpers on
it), to the splash (we aren't taking on water are we?), next its put all the
engine plugs back in and the hoses on (tap, tap, tap - mechanics know what I
mean), hook up the water system (why are the hot water tank drain plugs always
facing the back side of the tank?), hook up the air conditioning pump (they
always seem to need to be primed), get the generator commissioned, check
and make sure that any wash down system is hooked back up (none of these ever
seem to be the same), now check the fluids in the motor and genset (does
anti-freeze evaporate and why do we have to have so many types?), clean up the
battery terminals and check the fluid level in the batteries and hook them up
(another case of evaporation), finally we are ready for the start up (providing
we don't need some serious battery charging - as each motor starts check and
make sure there aren't any leaks, is it pumping water correctly? How are
the gauges reading?), now we are ready to leave the commissioning area (before
we untie - does the boat shift gears properly?), ahh another boat ride (short as
it may be), finally we are at the designated dock (time to tie up the boat -
always a bit forward the 1st time, time to unravel those mating shore
power cords and get the ac power on - is the dock outlet on? Check the
breakers in the boat to make sure that only certain items are on and the
converter is on, now we get to close everything up - snap up lots of
canvas and mop our way off the boat), done. It's been how
long? Now repeat these steps a few hundred times.
As you might have noticed in the left hand border we have a MerCruiser
emblem. It is official - Mercury Marine signed us a a service only
dealership over the winter. A service only dealership means that we don't
sell any boat lines but can provide you with our same great service as well as
being able to provide you with warranty repairs. We have always used genuine MerCruiser replacement parts and were
among the first service departments in the area to have the up to date scan
tools and computerized equipment to service MerCruiser products. Our
technicians have been busy updating their certifications - along with all the
other product lines they are certified in. So as we have always said and
will continue to say "We don't care where you bought your boat - we just
want to help maintain it and keep you on the water."
I know - you were expecting some pictures with todays update - believe me I have
tons of them but as I sit here on Saturday night after hours on Memorial Day
Weekend updating this news site I am still deciding which ones are a go.
Here are a couple of teasers - a 36 Jersey Yacht (some assembly required) that
just arrived yesterday 
and
some new blue stripes on a Bayliner 
and here is one of the Chris Craft engine getting a test run on the shop floor 
. I hope we salvage at least one nice day this holiday weekend.
Maybe we could re-direct all this wet weather to someplace that really needs
some rain.
3/07/2003 Spring is how many days
away? It has been a brutally cold winter here. There are 30+ inches
of ice on the lake and the snow pack is solid ice. Michael Jr. and Greg
attended Kohler Generator school and received their certification. We also
have four new Super Tech's - Michael Jr., Jesse, Greg and Tony. All four
of them attended service school and passed the certification test for Sea Land
Vacuflush systems. Like the song "The Beat Goes On" boats move
into the shop, along with engines and generators and then move out of the
shop. Here are some shop pictures:
Some new paint, along with sterndrive repairs and more...
A new windless
A brand new Kohler 5E genset with sound shield...
Here's a picture of a new Vacuflush pump and 40 gallon
tank that was part of an entire system installation......
This tired old Chriscraft engine is in for some new
heads 
This Donzi is going to get a scratch fixed, the trim
fixed, a new tank level monitor for a new holding tank system we will install
and more.... 
We can fix it.... we're certified...
And naturally they did!
Garwood team work...
Checking the docks or the ice? 
1/20/2003 We have it all this winter
- sixty inches of snow so far, the lake is frozen over and we have had sub
zero temperatures for over a week in a row now. Nothing like that -26
(that's the actual temp - not wind chill) to
get you going in the morning. Work at the shop is humming
along. We have already cycled some projects through and a couple
more boats are almost ready to head out into the cold (which means a
couple lucky boats get to head inside). The most recent boat out just got
an air conditioning system installed. The guys are busy installing a new
Kohler Generator in another boat as well as a Sea Land Vacuflush system.
We have been working on several projects all at the same time.
Last week Michael Jr. and Greg were away at Kohler Generator school for
re-certification. Mike, Bill and Jesse stripped the hardware off of the
1935 Gar Wood project and got it all labeled.
It has been so cold I haven't been toting my camera every where I
go.
For news from the previous years click on the following years: 2002 2001 2000
We also have some just for fun pictures.