Proper Boat Winterization Protects Your Investment

Along with the glorious spring, summer and fall boating seasons in Maine comes the reality of winter and winterizing your boat for the season. Winterizing your boat is an important investment that is part of being a responsible boat owner. Ironically, because proper winterization is so imperative most cold weather states like Maine and Michigan report among the lowest number of winter-related boat damage.

Your engine and lower unit need special care during the winterization process.

Proper winterization means much more than applying shrink wrap or covering your boat. There are five key steps that are required to ensure the electrical, mechanical and structural systems of your boat are in proper working order when it comes time to launch your boat next spring. Remember, your insurance policy may not cover damage done by lack of maintenance or neglect.

Key Steps to Winterize your Boat

1)      Clean your boat

2)      Prepare the engine and lower unit

3)      Winterize your freshwater and waste systems

4)      Ready the cabin and interior

5)      Apply proper covering and review final checklist

Destination Spotlight: Great Diamond Island

If you’re seeking a boat-friendly destination with rich history and breathtaking beauty you should consider a trip to Great Diamond Island. Part of a century-old fort and former military stronghold, Great Diamond Island, former known as Fort McKinley, served in defense of Portland from the Spanish-American War to World War II.

Sunset in Diamond Cove. Photo: diamondcove.com

Today, the former officer quarters and barracks have been converted to lovely year-round residences, many of which are available to rent on a weekly and monthly basis. Miles of walking trails through old-growth forests, a first-class restaurant, general store, picnic area and beach, biking trails, historic interpretive areas await you on the island.

Diamond's Edge Restaurant and General Store, Photo: diamondcove.com

The only traffic you’ll see once you arrive on the island is golf carts and all if the islands amenities are within walking distance. There is dock space for boating visitors and the Casco Bay Lines ferry provides year-round service to the island.

Fort McKinley circa 1932. Photo: diamondcove.com

 Source: greatdiamondrentals.com, diamondcove.com

Yarmouth Boat Yard 2012 Calendar of Events

With five major boat shows, our very own “Demo Days,” and several Open House events with special guests, the 2012 events calendar at Yarmouth Boat Yard offers plenty of opportunities to increase your boat knowledge and have fun.



The Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors show take place in August at Rockland Harbor.



New England Boat Show

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

February 11-19, 2012

The Portland Boat Show

Portland Sports Complex

March 1-4, 2012

Maine Boatbuilder's Show

Portland Company Complex

March 16-18, 2012

The 40th Annual Maine Boat Show
Cumberland County Civic Center

March 18-20, 2012

YBY Demo Days & Open House
Yarmouth Boat Yard

May, 2012

Open House & BBQ

Yarmouth Boat Yard

June, 2012

Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show

Rockland Harbor

August 10-12

Customer Appreciation Evening

Yarmouth Boat Yard

November, 2012

For  more information or to RSVP call Yarmouth Boat Yard at 207-846-9050 or visit www.yarmouthboatyard.com.

YBY Staff Profile: Stacey Durrell, Office Manager

Stacey Durell has served as the Office Manager at Yarmouth Boat Yard for the last seven years. A native and current resident of Brunswick, Stacey’s background includes owning a small business and serving as office administrator for several businesses in Georgia and Maine.



Stacey Durrell is Office Manager at Yarmouth Boat Yard



“Stacey keeps us all on-track and makes sure things are running smoothly at the boat yard,” said Steve Arnold, owner of Yarmouth Boat Yard. “Her accounting and bookkeeping skills and her rapport with the customers are a great asset to our team.”

Designing and maintaining office procedures, performing new staff orientation and maintaining records, payroll and invoices are her key job functions. Stacey is currently pursuing her second degree from University of Maine with plans to go on to secure her CPA license.

“It has been a great experience to be part of the team at Yarmouth Boat Yard over the last seven years,” said Stacey.  “We’ve made big strides forward in our efficiency and customer service and the improvements we are implementing now will take us to the next level.”

In her spare time Stacey enjoys camping, spending time with family and listening to 1980’s rock music, among other genres. Her travel adventures include time in Costa Rica and Europe. “I think the Panama Canal is the most interesting place I’ve visited.  The history and also the engineering of the canal are amazing,” said Stacey.

Yarmouth Boat Yard Assists StepUP! Family Resources Program

Warm winter hats, gloves, boots and toys were on the shopping list for Yarmouth Boat Yard as part of their effort to give back to the community by contributing gifts to deserving children.  Working with StepUP! Family Resources staff, Yarmouth Boat Yard owner Steve Arnold and his staff have taken on the opportunity to contribute by developing gift boxes with both essential and fun gifts for ten children ages one to eight.

Yarmouth Boat Yard's Steve Arnold is partnering with Meghan O'Brien of MAPS to support the StepUP! Family Resources program.

  

The StepUP! program provides temporary family shelter, transitional housing and targeted case management support and services to help families move from homelessness or the risk of homelessness to stability and self sufficiency.

 “We’ve been aware of the good work that StepUP! provides to families and we’re thrilled to be helping make sure the kids have a happy holiday,” said Steve Arnold, owner of Yarmouth Boat Yard.

One of the key missions of the StepUP! Family Resources program is to keep parents and children together and build stronger, more secure families. The program currently assists approximately 60 children and families in Maine ages one to 13.

“We were really excited to get the call from Steve with the idea about gifts for the children,” said Meghan O’Brien,” Manager of Advancement and External Relations for MAPS. “It will make a big difference in the lives of these families.”

StepUP! Family Resources is a program of MAPS, a non-profit child and family services agency accredited through the Council on Accreditation. For more information call 207-775-4101 or visit http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=1033333549&msgid=1997852&act=7JB5&c=411381&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps-worldwide.org%2F.