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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Sizzle...Sizzle

It's hot.  Steamy, sweaty, stinkin' hot.  Summer is here!  

Where do you want to be?  

Do you want to be in a stuffy office?  Would you like to be doing yard work?  How would you like to be sitting in traffic with no air conditioning?

How about going out on a boat? Yeah...that's the ticket! 


Here's a few reasons to drop what you are doing and get out on a boat...

1.)  Phone reception is terrible on a boat, so nobody can bother you on the water.  Even if you have reception...turn up the stereo and you'll have the same effect.

2.)  You can wakeboard into your 80's.  Even if you've earned yourself a big belly and you can barely strap on your bindings, it is so rewarding to surf the wake behind the boat.  Oh, the other fun part is simulated drowning.  They say that Waterboarding is inhumane...try Wakeboarding when you are out of shape.  It's the same thing!

3.)  People don't wear much in the way of clothing.  There is a lot of skin out there on the water.  Maybe you are ripped or curvy in a good way.  Maybe you are a little lumpy.  It just doesn't matter on a boat!

4.)  Beer tastes really, really  good on a boat.

5.)  You don't have to go anywhere.  Just turn the wheel to the left and give her the popcorn!  Spin around and around as fast as you can a dozen times!!!!  Now stop.  Now do it again!  I swear to God that I saw someone do this on Brewer Lake last Sunday.  If it was you, please call me and tell me what you were doing!  

6.)  You can get one nasty sunburn on a boat.  Then you can go in to work the next day and people will ask you why you didn't put on sunblock.  They are really just jealous because you were on a boat, and they were at home sticking to their pleather couch.

7.)  Download a bunch of Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, and Zac Brown Band.  Make sure you play it loud and you tap your fingers on the steering wheel.  This feels really good.

That's enough for now...I am going to go out on a boat.






Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Beating the Bad Weather Blues

The 2013 boating has lacked a little sunshine lately, but everyone at Hamlin's Marina on the Penobscot River seems to be making the most of it.  It seems as though every time the sun peaks out, the docks are mobbed with people.  When the rain pours down, everyone huddles together on the larger cruisers.

This week we are having an in-water boat show.  The Hamlin's staff kicked it off Saturday evening with a wakeboard session on a new 2013 Stingray 208.  I've got to tell you that this boat is awesome!

With nine people on board, we had no problem pulling riders with the Mercruiser 220 HP I/O.   The weather was far from perfect, and it was a bit chilly for those without wetsuits! That didn't stop us from having a blast and coming in Monday morning with some sore body parts.  I think Reid Garrity is our staff pro, as he was the only one who pulled of Big Air on purpose.  Everyone else only pulled off Big Air during our wipeouts.

Josh at the Helm Ready to Hit It
 
 
Katie and Ella looking back at the Marina
 
 
Reid Hanging 10

 
 
 
Monday was a spectacular day...sunny and Mid-70s.  Plenty of folks came out to demo the boats on the docks including a Scout Dorado 210, the Stingray 208 (a crowd favorite), and some of big boy boats like the 262 Abaco and Eastern 248
 
Rain or shine, come down to Hamlin's Marina and try out that boat you've been drooling over!  We all know it's going to be hot and sticky soon, and you don't want to be watching from the shore.




Thursday, June 6, 2013

The Wonder Years at Hamlin's Marina

This year, we are celebrating our seventh year on the water at Hamlin's Marina on the Penobscot River.  When we started, my wife Katie and I were in our twenties with stars in our eyes.  We had all the energy and hope in the world...and zero experience. 
 
When I look back, we didn't have many responsibilities.  We had a destructive (and loveable) Golden Retriever named Max, dreams of grandeur, and a penchant for staying up late.
 
Here's what Hamlin's Marina looked like back then...

 
 
 
Things are different now, and better!  We've grown to a staff of sixteen this summer, with the addition of a showroom on Rt. 1A and Puffin Dinghy manufacturing.
 
This Saturday, Hamlin's Marina is celebrating National Marina Day.  Although the weather forecast calls for rain, I know our community of boaters and staff will come out to show our pride on the river. 
 
We're hosting our biggest sale of the year.  With seven boats in the water, this is an opportunity to drive the boat of your dreams.  Try a pontoon, a deckboat, a lobster boat, sport fish boat, or ski boat!
 
For our dock customers, we'll be hosting a Horseshoe tournament at 10:00 A.M.  I'm sure with all the new faces and veterans out on the docks, there will be stiff competition.  Make sure to check all your boats for a welcome package for the summer!
 
 
By the way, Jeromy Hamel is the dockmaster this year and will be keeping office hours on the waterfront Thursday-Sunday 10-4 for all your needs.  This year we'll have a ship store with charts, accessories, and equipment right on the water for convenience.
 
Here is our list of activities/events for the Marina this Summer:
 
Saturday, June 8th 10-4:                National Marina Day Celebration

Boat Demos and Sale, Horseshoe Tournament For Dock Stars, Welcome Bags, Food Specials & Live Music at McLaughlin’s.    

Sunday, June 16th 10 A.M.:           Dock Stars Badminton Tournament

Sunday, June 23rd 10 A.M.:           Dock Stars Obstacle Course

Sunday, June 30th 10 A.M.:           Dock Stars Scavenger Hunt

Thursday, July 4th 12:00- 2:          Boat Parade

                    Theme “America the Beautiful”
1st Place: $1000 Gift Certificate; 2nd Place: Big Mable Tube; 3rd Place: Pair of Anatomically Correct Mermaid Fenders     

Sunday, July 9th 10 A.M.:             Dock Stars Docking Contest

Fri. July 19th- Sun. July 21st:                    Flotilla

Maine Celtic Festival in Belfast

Sunday, July 20th 10 A.M.:            Dock Stars Bocce Tournament