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Friday, December 17, 2010

The Night Before Shutdown...

Twas the night before shutdown, and all through the yard
The only thing moving was a cutter from the coast guard.
The docks were stacked out in the field so neat,
In the hopes that winter would soon retreat.
The boats were stacked all snug on their stands,
With their bows held high stuck on dry land.
And Reno in his parka, and Sass in his overalls,
Jammed the bays with work clear to the walls.
When way down river I heard booming thunder,
I sprang from my desk…what spell was I under?
Away to the riverbank I made my weary trudge,
Reminding myself that I was sober as a judge!
It was a full moon and all was a glow,
It was like day with the fresh fallen snow.
And I know what I saw and I saw what I know,
A whole fleet of boats with a something in tow!
A Mastercraft, a Hurricane, and a red Stingray
Buzzed by the no wake zone in a mountain of spray!
At first I was angry but decided I didn’t much care
When ten elves on wakeboards launched in the air!

Ho, Ho, Ho!  Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 13, 2010

WOULD'T IT BE AWESOME IF SANTA SHOWED UP IN A MASTERCRAFT SKI BOAT?!

IT’S GOING TO BE A MERRY, MERRY MASTERCRAFT CHRISTMAS.

CAN’T FIGURE OUT WHAT TO GET THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.  WHAT ABOUT A MASTERCRAFT SKI BOAT?  YES THEY ARE HERE...THE LONG AWAITED SUMMER CAMP TRADE-IN MASTERCRAFT SKI BOATS HAVE ARRIVED.  ALWAYS THOUGHT ABOUT BUYING ONE OF THOSE AMAZING STATE OF THE ART MASTERCRAFT BOATS?  NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY ONE. 

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON’T KNOW ABOUT THE CAMP PROGRAMS WE PARTICIPATE IN, THIS IS HOW IT WORKS.  WE SELL MASTERCRAFT BOATS TO AREA BOYS AND GIRLS SUMMER CAMPS.  EVERY THREE YEARS THEY TRADE THEM IN FOR NEW ONES, LEAVING THEIR USED ONES FOR CONSUMERS TO BUY AT A REDUCED PRICE.  THESE BOATS ARE EXTREMELY WELL KEPT.  THEY ARE SERVICED AND STORED RIGHT HERE AT HAMLIN’S MARINE.  THAT MEANS THAT BEFORE WE STORE THE BOAT FOR THE WINTER, IT IS COMPLETELY WINTERIZED CLEANED AND STORED INDOORS FOR THE WINTER.  IN THE SUMMER THEY ARE TAKEN OUT FOR THREE MONTHS OF USE AT THE CAMP AND IF THERE IS EVER A PROBLEM WITH THE BOAT DURING THAT TIME A HIGHLY-TRAINED TECHNICIAN WORKS ON THE BOAT.  IN SHORT, IT IS A GREAT DEAL ON A BOAT THAT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE Five 2007 PROSTAR 197s Left IN STOCK.  ALL OF THEM HAVE BETWEEN 350-400 HOURS ON THEM.  These boats are in a variety of color combinations and all feature Mastercraft's Wakeboard Tower.  WE ALSO HAVE three 2011 MASTERCRAFTs in stock...one of them has over 400 HP!  All of these boats freature EVERYTHING YOU COULD IMAGINE FOR YOUR WATERSKING OR WAKEBOARDING NEEDS.  

SO, COME ON DOWN TO HAMLIN’S FOR ALL YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING NEEDS.  ALONG WITH MASTERCRAFT BOATS WE ALSO HAVE MANY OTHER GIFT OPTIONS SUCH AS MARINE RADIOS, LIFE VESTS, FISH FINDERS, AND MUCH MORE.  FOR THE WATERSPORTS FANATIC, WE NOW HAVE IN OUR 2011 HO SKIS AND HYPERLITE WAKEBOARDS. 

MERRY MARINE CHRISTMAS!!!!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Polar kraft Outlander...Built in Indiana, Bred Here in Maine!

Captain Arnie Clay is not your typical fair weather boater.  For the past 15 years, Arnie’s outfit, Thornehead Guide & Travel, Inc., has offered seaduck hunting trips during the months of November through January .  His clients are waterfowlers from all over the United States who come to enjoy world class duck hunting in Casco Bay. 

Many people can not even imagine getting into a boat in January, but folks like Arnie live for those frigid winter days when the sky is crystal-blue, and the winds are light.  Those are the days that he’s out in the bay with his new Polar kraft 2010 Center Console designed specifically for men like him.  Arnie has modified his boat so that it is perfectly suited for his guide business.  He has added a Lowrance Sonar/ GPS, a VHF radio, dual batteries, a custom leaning post, kayak accessory brackets for the layout boats, and plenty of safety gear, decoys, and firearms.  Arnie calls it a “seaduck hunting machine.” 

Make sure you check out Thornehead Guide & Travel, Inc. at: http://www.thornehead.com/.
The 2010 CC is just one of five new Outlander models offered including a 2010 Side Console, a 2010 Twin Console with full canvas, a 2010 Tiller model, and a 163 Twin Console with full canvas.  These new offerings compliment the 186 SC and 179 TC that have been available for the past few years. 

The Outlander series was developed in cooperation between Hamlin’s Marine, L.L.Bean, and Polar kraft specifically for the harsh waterways and weather conditions of Maine.  Hamlin’s Marine was present at the factory during the engineering of the new Outlander models (check out Youtube for videos of the 2010 design), and we can say with certainty that these boats are the most practical and rugged aluminum boats that have ever touched the water in Maine.  Whether you are hunting, fishing, or just want a safe way to explore Maine, come to Hamlin’s and check out the new Outlander series. 

Friday, December 3, 2010

Boating Memories, 2008...

Fourth of July weekend certainly gave us a reason to go out and celebrate, as the Belgrade Lakes Association turned 100 years old.  There was an antique boat parade at Great Pond, and Hamlin’s Marine was invited to participate with the 20’ Sweetwater Tuscany we donated for the fundraiser.  Great Pond was teeming with boaters, and the weather was incredible. 

The weather wasn’t so incredible for the First Annual Penobscot River Rally at the beginning of August.  The winds were gusting to about 25 knots, and if you weren’t in a 30 footer, it was a bit uncomfortable.  About fifty brave souls attended the rally and reception at the Sea Dog on the Bangor waterfront.  More fun was to be had on land than in the water with Reggae music, appetizers, and frosty beverages. 

Tops on the water this year was my time spent with Keith Hall, of Maine Coast Guide Service.  He picked us up in Diamond Cove in Casco Bay for a day of near shore saltwater fishing.  We had two boats in the water...a 20’ aluminum guide boat and a 22’ Eastern Lobster cabin boat.  In the morning we pushed through the fog to the breakers just south of Portland Head Light.  We had our sights on stripers, but as luck would have it we happened upon droves of blues.  As you may or may not know, blues have wicked sharp


teeth and getting them in the boat is similar to competing in an Ultimate Fighting Competition.  Our crew managed to boat about a dozen of the bad boys, and we brought them back to Diamond Island for a huge fish feed. 

One of my customers was excited to show me how his 2008 Stingray 205LX handles the water.  He picked me up after work the other day, and we shot down the Penobscot River with near perfect conditions.  It was flat calm and the big V8 in that Stingray pushed the boat about 60 MPH down the river.  I couldn’t believe it...I thought we were doing forty, but that throttle definitely threw you back in the seat.  We buzzed around Verona Island and back up river, and it served to remind me why we’ve sold Stingrays for nearly two decades.  Stingrays run smooth, fast, and efficient...not another boat on the market that will satisfy the need for performance while keeping you out of the poor house. 


Monday, November 29, 2010

A little about Hamlin's Marine & family business

I think that we take for granted that Hamlin’s Marine has a great relationship with our customers .  It just occurred to me that we now store over 500 boats, service nearly 1500 boats, and sell nearly 300 boats each season.  To top it off, our new location in Hampden turns five years old this April! 

So, you know how it feels when you haven’t spoken with your folks in awhile, you totally spaced on Christmas cards, or you forgot your kid’s birthday?  Well that’s how I feel right now.  You know what... you probably don’t even have a clue who I am!  My name is Dan Higgins, the Hamlin’s Son-in-Law.

While I am at it, I might as well provide you a full disclosure of Hamlin’s Marine. 

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (Fairfield, ME), Dave and Chris Hamlin opened Hamlin’s Sporting and Marine World, Inc.  Actually, it was the year 1984, and back then, Dave and Chris sold just about anything to keep the lights on and the furnace going.  The Hamlin’s stocked snowblowers, rifles, bait, fishing tackle, snowmobiles, and...you guessed it...boats! 

Pretty soon boats and snowmobiles became the focus of the business, and the Hamlins picked up shop and moved to 290 West River Road in Waterville.  Then Dave Hamlin got on his John Deere tractor and built a facility to be proud of. 
  
Today, Hamlin’s Marine has two locations and twenty-five employees.  Among the employees are five family members including Dave, Chris, my wife Katie, and my sister-in-law, Jessica.  

Everyone at Hamlin’s Marine hopes that a trip to our facility is something you look forward to, and not just another stop on your errand list.   The world of retail services has made a dramatic change in the last few decades.  In my experience, it’s like pulling teeth to get answers to my questions at the big box stores, and what is with those self-checkout barcode machines.  They might as well just let us walk out the door with our groceries, and we’ll just tell them what we got at the end of the month.

So, please introduce yourself the next time you stop into Hamlin’s.  If you don’t like something, let us know and we’ll change it.  And for heaven’s sake, let us know if you do like something, because guess what...we care.  Oh, and one other thing...if I ever ask you if you want to purchase a $50 extended warranty on a $200 pair of waterskis, I give you permission to slap me

Friday, November 26, 2010

Step up to a Big Boat!

It was November 27th, 1992.  In an act of faith, my dad tossed me the keys to his Chrysler Lebaron Convertible.  I pulled out of our driveway with a sense of guilty pleasure, knowing I was  licensed by the state of Maine to drive a car.  The temperature was in the thirties, but I dropped the top and cranked the heat.  There I was at the controls of the hottest car that ever was...or so I thought.  I spent most of the day driving around with no place to go,  showing off to my friends, and seeing how different the world felt as the “King of the Road”.  I find it interesting how something as mundane as driving was once sinfully exciting. 

My first experience with Rinker boats made me feel sixteen again.  My wife, Katie, and I boarded a 32’ Rinker Express Cruiser with twin 5.0L V8 sterndrives.  As I advanced the throttles, I felt a burst of adrenaline.  Then as I looked around me, I saw an unfamiliar world...an exciting new realm of endless possibilities.  Maybe you’ve thought about buying a vacation home, a pool, luxury furniture, a flat panel T.V., or even a stainless steel blender.   You may want to consolidate your wish list and check out the Rinker line of Express Cruisers that Hamlin’s offers for sale.  

To give you an idea of what to expect from Rinker, I'll tell you a little about what you'll find on a 32' Rinker that spends the summers at Hamlin's Marina.  In the cockpit, you'll find a huge helm with easy to read gauges and a large Raymarine information center with radar, chart plotter, and GPS.  The cockpit features wraparound seating galore, a refrigerator, and even a flip-up blender!  But step below deck, and you'll struggle not to gasp.  You may even forget you are on a boat!  The cabin features teak floors, corian countertops, stainless fixtures, and supple furnishings.  There is a stove, lounge area, flat-panel TV, and a large bathroom with shower.  Simple climate controls adjust heat and air conditioning.

I know what you must be thinking...

1.  Hmmm...must be really expensive.

Or,

2.  Seems like a lot of boat to handle.

Well, Rinker Express Cruisers are a bit more expensive than a typical 18' runabout or the average pontoon boat, but they aren't nearly as much as most vacation homes (you don't have to pay property tax either!).

And yes, except for the 26' model, Rinker Express Cruisers are too wide to trailer.  But who wants to haul a boat around when it can be at home at one of our slips at the marina!  Docking and maneuvering takes a little bit of practice, but I can guarantee it is no more difficult than trying to parallel park your dad's car for the first time!

check out the boats at:  http://www.rinkerboats.com/


Monday, November 22, 2010

PenBay Explorers Cruising Club

I’ve worked at Hamlin’s for nearly seven years now.  Before that, my professional life was a mosaic of cubicles, cold calls, sales quotas, and traffic jams.  I wore a suit, and I hounded people until they bought something from me.  My customers were nice enough, but I don’t think they really liked me.  That’s probably because I was selling phone service. 

Now I sell boats...but I don’t just sell boats.  I get to meet some really cool and colorful people from all walks of life.  I’ve made quite a few friends, and I don’t even care if they even have a phone.
I’ve noticed a strange phenomenon when it comes to selling boats.  It goes something like this:

1. Customer buys boat. 
2. Customer takes boat to his favorite spot. 
3. Customer’s friends and family pat the boat owner on the back and thank him/her for the good times.

Look...I’m all about sharing, but there’s got to be more to boating than playing party host.  Boat owners are the facilitator of all the fun, and they tend to be masters of their domain.  Boat-owners are calm, cool, and collected, and most of the time they are responsible and well-prepared.

So, I thought it was about time to get the boat owners together for some real fun and adventure.  I realized that  our marina is perfectly suited to be a gathering spot for these extraordinary people. 

I was right!  Two years ago, in the middle of January, we had a meeting for interested boat owners...I thought maybe we’d see a couple of folks trudge through the snow to pay us a visit.  But, no...about a dozen boaters showed up in the middle of winter! 

So we decided to form a club called the PenBay Explorers for boat owners interested in taking day trips together in Penobscot Bay. 

The club’s goal is to explore all the amazing harbors, islands, and towns in and around the Bay.  PenBay Explorers is suited for power boat owners from 20-30 ft.  

We'll be getting everyone together again at some cozy pub over the winter to make plans for next season.  We are alway looking for new boating companions to join us.  Please check our website http://www.hamlinsmarina.com/ for updates on the group.  

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Leather Boating Wear?


Boaters are a rowdy bunch. I know because I get to talk to boaters
all year round. Boaters tell outlandish stories about parties,
gigantic fish, and crazy vacations. One of my customers came
by early in February to pick up gear because he was hauling his
new Polarkraft down to Key West just to go fishing. Most people
might not find that practical, but I think it is pretty cool. A lot
of boaters come into our stores just to hang out, tell jokes, and
harass the staff. In fact, I don.t know if I have ever met a boater
that didn.t like to have a good time.

Growing up, I went to grammar school at St. Joseph.s Catholic
School in Connecticut. I think my parents sent me to this particular
school because they thought it might teach me some discipline.
I was a very loud child known to race go-carts down
busy streets, throw spitballs, and rip the crotch out of my pants
sliding across the grass; I believe that the misadventures of my
youth helped form me into the boater I am today. However, the
nuns at my school evidently didn.t care about my boating future.
In fact they wanted me to be quiet and modest, but most of all
they wanted me to stop ripping my pants. After many lectures
and a few detentions, I realized the nuns weren.t going to let me
have my way. There were a lot of kids like me at that school,
and I bet a lot of them grew up to be boaters. We all liked to
have a great time, but it just seemed as though the nuns didn.t
want us to have fun. Many of us came to believe that fun was
actually bad.

Maybe some boaters feel guilty about how much fun they have.
It might be left over from some non-boating disciplinarian they
knew as a child. Maybe certain people actually believe that fun
is bad.

Well, if fun is bad, then all of us that are avid boaters could be
considered rebellious. And who was the world.s most beloved
rebel? James Dean of course! Do you think James Dean was a
boater? I bet he was! Only I don.t think leather really works on
the water. Certainly wouldn.t have helped his tan any, and it
would be restrictive if he was wakeboarding. Although leather is
probably alright for fishing...I imagine it would be tough to hook
yourself.

I think this line of thought might be considered a tangent. Anyway,
I think we can conclude that fun might be bad, but boaters
don.t care because they are rebels. I think we have determined
that it is questionable as to whether leather is appropriate boating
wear.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A Boating Odyssey (Reprinted from the Hamlin Herald Newsletter Spring 2010)

Hello and welcome to a whole new season of boating!  Can you believe it's 2010?  It's been a full decade since people quit hoarding canned food, hiding in basements, and worrying that computers would cause unimaginable chaos because they couldn't deal with the number "2". 

Of course, alot has happened since then, but one thing has remained the same...People still worry about stuff.

Worrying doesn't accomplish much in the end.  It can lead to heart disease, panic attacks, and even a nasty cold sore.  If something bad is going to happen, why not be oblivious to it?  What better way to be blissfully unaware than to be out on the water with your friends and family!?
...
If you have a boat, here are a few reasons to commit to getting out on the water more in 2010:
...

1. Every year we get older.  As we age, we gain respect and wisdom.  However, we become more responsible and we get roped into things that we really don’t want to do.   People can’t ask for favors when you are five miles offshore on a boat.
...

2.  Boating is a great way to lose weight.  Typically people wear fewer clothes on a boat, and love handles look horrible in rough seas.  Planning boat trips this year is the surest way to shed a few pounds.
...

3.  Practical people don’t own boats.  So, if you own a boat and you think you should cut the grass or go grocery shopping...Don’t Do It.   Boater’s recognize these common chores as mundane.  Boating keeps you focused on the important things in life...like your tan.
...
If you are reading this article and you do not own a boat, do not despair.  Maybe you are ageing, getting thick around the waist, or you just can’t seem to find the time or energy to get things done around the house.  If any of these ailments sound familiar...well, it’s time to buy a boat.
...

If you aren’t already convinced...continue to read:
...

1. Buying a boat now is the best time to buy a boat in the entire history of mankind.  Not only are there great deals, but there have been great enhancements in technology.  Ancient Greeks used to enslave people to row their boats to save on gas and reduce emissions. Today, clean burning fourstroke engines allow quiet and efficient propulsion without violating people’s basic human rights.
...

2. When you buy a Sweetwater pontoon, a Polar kraft aluminum deep-v, or even a Stingray sport boat, you can toss a line and hook a fish.  When you catch a fish (make sure you are within your daily limit), bring it home and filet it.  Then, smoke it for several days over hickory and seal it in a Ziploc bag.   Finally, FedEx the smoked fish to Hamlin’s Marina c/o Dan Higgins.  By doing this, you have performed a good deed.
...

3. When you buy a boat, you will probably buy a trailer.  Hauling your boat on a trailer is a public service.  Imagine how many people will pass you on the highway this summer on your way to the lake. Every one on those people will wish that they were just like you.  And why shouldn’t they want to live by your example?  You are successful, good looking, and enjoy life.  One of those people passing by is sure to have an epiphany and buy a boat so they can be just like you, and thus find happiness.  Buying a boat has taken you one step closer to walking in the path of Ghandi.
...
If you still refuse to do more boating in 2010, you may be destined to grow old, gain weight, and do chores for the rest of your life. 
...
Others may now feel a sudden lust for life.  You are the chosen ones...the ones destined for long hours on the water this year.  Please let Hamlin’s Marine know if we can help you in your quest for greatness in 2010!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

The Penobscot River...Rediscovered

Almost five years ago, my family bought a boat yard on the Penobscot River just south of Bangor.  At one time the place was thriving, but the yard had become a backwater sanctuary for a few hardy do-it-your self types fixing up their boats. 

The sad part was that the yard sat on a beautiful section of river with roots steeped in history.  Right where our marina sits was the site of the worst U.S. Naval defeat on record.  See for yourself at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hampden

This was way back during the War of 1812.  To this day, there are hulks of battleships blanketed by fine silt along the river bottom.  In a way, that naval defeat signaled the decline of boating on the Penobscot River.  After that, the river became a working river whose banks swelled with timber for the sawmills.  In the winter, it was harvested for huge blocks of ice to send all over the country. 

The Industrial Revolution was not kind to our lovely river.  Factories from Bangor to Bucksport dumped byproducts of manufacturing right into the river.  The worst was coal tar which sank to the bottom of the river and slowly bubbled up like a witches brew. 

I am told that by the Oldtimers around here that the mighty Penobscot River was an open sewer back in the 50s and 60s.  Nobody cared to recreate on the river, and folks built their homes far away from the foul smelling waters. 

It's hard for me to image the scene sitting in my office overlooking a particularly scenic bend in the Penobcot.  The river is pristine now.  Atlantic salmon, sturgeon, harbor seals, bald eagles, and even fresh water loons make this place their home.  Even in the few years I've been here, I've seen the river continue to heal itself with the ebb and flow of the tide and the heavy spring runoff.  Groups like the Penobscot River Restoration Trust (http://www.penobscotriver.org/) are helping this beautiful lady back on her feet.

Lot's of folks may feel guilty about the scars we've left on our landscape and our surroundings, but the Penobcot River has actually been preserved by our past abuses.  The stinking waters stunted any of the of the development experienced by other bodies of water.  A trip down the Penobscot delivers a unique experience.  You'll have glimpse of what life was during the War of 1812 without the cannonballs, looting, and blood curdling screams.  Plus, you can always shoot over to the Marshall Wharf in Belfast for a handcrafted brew from Three Tides!

Thursday, October 21, 2010