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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.