Capt. Matthew Barrette Joins NSYS
Mike Burns, president of North South Nautical Group is pleased to announce that Captain Matthew Barrette will be joining Ontario’s premier yacht brokerage. As a youngster, Matt spent many a weekend fishing in Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie with his Dad who was an avid fisherman. That’s where his passion for boating started. After graduating from high school, Matt joined the super yacht industry as an engineer and today holds his MCA Master 3000GT Captain’s licence. He has traveled the globe covering the Caribbean; North America; South Africa; and several European countries. Matt decided to return and settle in Canada in 2023, making his home in Belle River, ON. With his years of engineering knowledge combined with his captain
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National #GoSailing Days June 16-18
Canadian sailors and boating enthusiasts are invited to celebrate sailing during this weekend for the National #GoSailing Days | June 16-18. The entire weekend activities are in support of the Canadian SailGP Team, who will start their new season in Chicago, as well as the 28 Canadian sailors who will be in Germany for the Kiel Week event, June 22-26. To cheer them on, Canadian sailors are invited invited to register online and log their sailing hours during Canada’s #GoSailing Days. The objective is to collectively reach a total of 780 hours on the water to match the approximately 7,300 km distance that separates Chicago from Kiel while sailing at an average speed of 5 knots. Sailors can record their
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PATRICK KWASNIEWSKI JOINS NSYS
Mike Burns, president of North South Nautical Group is pleased to announce that Patrick Kwasniewski has joined the brokerage team serving the South-Western Ontario area. Patrick began his career as a yacht broker as a boat-buyer. In 2019, he and his father decided to jointly purchase their first boat. After 13 viewings, as Patrick shares, ‘we found the worst possible boat and decided to rebuild her from the stringers-up’. Now launched, they continue to modify and tinker with her as they get new ideas! And that’s all it took for Patrick to fall in love with boating and the boating community. Operating out of the Port Dover area on Lake Erie, Patrick wants to share his passion of boating with
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Seeking A Yacht Broker To Join Our Team
Join Our Team Our brokerage firm is seeking an experienced Yacht Broker or seasoned sales professional from a related industry with expertise and understanding of the Yacht industry and boats in general. This is 100% commission independent contractor position, with the potential to earn a six-figure salary. We are looking for someone who is an energetic self-starter, eager to grow with our business and be a key member of our team in one of our open territories. Though we expect a Yacht Broker to cold call and generate leads, North South Nautical Groups invests heavily in online marketing and will provide the tools and resources to help generate sales. COMPANY DESCRIPTION: North South Yacht Sales is one of the largest
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George Haykin Joins North South Yacht Sales
Mike Burns, president of North South Nautical Group is pleased to announce that George Haykin has joined the brokerage team serving the Hamilton area. George has a wealth of experience in retail sales and logistics. With over 25 years experience in driving sales and building store teams, George’s strength is delivering a truly client-focused experience. George has been boating his entire life across a number of different waters from the Great Lakes to Georgian Bay. One of George’s favourite boating destinations is the Finger Lakes in Upper New York State. From there, George has also traversed the Erie Canal and Hudson River. Busy sharing his love of boating with his family, you will find George on his boat most weekends,
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65th Toronto Boat Show Returns In-Person January 20
After two-years of online shows, the Toronto Boat Show returns to an in-person event, January 20-29 at the Enercare Centre, Toronto, ON. Celebrating 65 years, it is still the best place to see boats and the best place to buy them. What can you expect? The World’s Largest Indoor Lake returns. A favourite amongst show goers it’s the place to test canoes, kayaks and pedal boats and take in the Wakeboard Water Show and the Most Amazing Water Ski Show. Other show features include the Great Canadian Fish Tank, New Product Showcase, Antique and Vintage Boats and the Kids Classics Boatshops Museum . There will be hourly seminars with topics and speakers designed to motivate, inspire and educate boaters of
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YACHT PURCHASE & DELIVERY: MAKE IT SEAMLESS
Hiring an experienced and professional yacht brokerage will make THE difference in the purchase and delivery of your boat! If you are looking to purchase a boat this year, don’t feel restricted by the location of the vessel, whether it’s in the Caribbean, the US or on the other side of Canada. If it’s the right boat for you, the North South Nautical Group brokers are fully equipped and prepared to act as your ‘Buyers Agent’. But, negotiating with the vendor’s broker is just ONE of the services we manage for every buyer. When you purchase a boat with NSNG you can expect a full-service experience including negotiating the deal, interpreting the survey, secure handling of the funds and the
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NSNG EXPANDS INTO WESTERN CANADA
Mike Burns, president of North South Nautical Group is pleased to announce the expansion of their yacht brokerage operations into Western Canada beginning with an office in Sooke, BC. Jacqueline (Jacquie) Iverson and Kevin Gamble, experienced boaters and Sooke residents will spearhead the operation. Born in Hamilton, but raised in the Toronto Beaches neighbourhood, Jacquie discovered boating at Balmy Beach Club competing in the K1 & K2. She also sailed with the Toronto Brigantine (the Pathfinder, STV and Playfair STV) working her way up to petty officer, cook and second mate. When not boating, Jacqueline is a freelance graphic artist with a roster of ‘A’ list clients. Jacquie has owned many sail and power boats, and simply loves being on
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Iryna Granich joins NSNG at new Port Credit location
Mike Burns is pleased to announce that Iryna Granich has joined North South Nautical Group and will be working from the NEW Port Credit location. Iryna was born in the USSR and lived in Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Russia and Poland before immigrating to Canada in 2001. She has a Mechanical Engineering Degree from the National Technical University of Ukraine (93) and a Chartered Professional Accountant designation through the CMA (12). Iryna enjoys an active lifestyle including biking, swimming, yoga and curling. Her real passion is hiking and has many great hikes in Eastern Canada under her belt. She has also hiked the Grand Canyon and walked the Camino de Santiago from Portugal to Spain. Always looking for new adventures, Iryna recently
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JAMES NEOPHYTOU JOINS NORTH SOUTH NAUTICAL GROUP
PRESS RELEASE: North South Nautical Group welcomes James Neophytou to the yacht brokerage team. James was first introduced into boating in 1980, in the town of Port Severn. Almost immediately he developed a passion for boating and purchased his first boat, a 15’ Kodiak with a 50hp Johnson. It wasn’t long before James got the ‘itch’ to move to a bigger boat. He and his family spent several years cruising the beautiful waters of Georgian Bay in their 23 Reinell. Unfortunately, a busy work schedule forced James to take a break from boat ownership. He knew though, that one day he’d return. After selling his own business, James moved into the auto sales industry where he climbed the corporate ladder
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Canada’s First-Ever Virtual Boat Show
This past year as the global pandemic shifted workplace and social behaviours, one thing remains steadfast – Canadians love to boat. In fact, boating emerged among the top recreational activities in 2020 as seasoned and first-time boaters went out on local waterways in record droves. The 63rd annual Toronto International Boat Show (TIBS), Canada’s premier boating event, is set to launch its first-ever virtual show in response to the unprecedented demand for boats and growing interest in the boating lifestyle. The 2021 Virtual Toronto International Boat Show officially goes live on Monday, January 18 – Sunday, January 24, to offer a whole new way to get ready for the boating season. The virtual show packs the depth of products, seminars,
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Fraser Campbell Retires From NSYS
After 10 years with North South Yacht Sales, Fraser Campbell has decided to put away his yacht broker pencil and start a new chapter in his life! This is Fraser’s second attempt at retiring, but this time it may be for keeps! Fraser began his second career as a yacht broker in partnership with his wife Annie. They had been the type of boaters who were simply born to cruise. At one point, they made the Ottawa River their home and came to know the Rideau boating basin like pros. Before Annie passed away in 2019, she and Fraser cruised the waters from Sorel, P.Q. down through the St. Lawrence locks to the Ottawa River and made several complete passages through
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Cross-Border Boat Purchases When Borders Are Closed
COVID-19 hasn’t completely eliminated cross-border boat purchases, but it certainly presented us with some challenges. This spring North South Yacht Sales was able to facilitate several cross border purchases and deliveries by leveraging the alliances we have developed over the years with local delivery Captains. While searching for and locating vessels didn’t change from previous spring seasons, or the hiring of a surveyor to act as boots on the ground and report on the condition of the boat; where we had to get creative was on personal boat showings and vessel delivery. With the US/Canadian border closed, boat buyers have traded personal viewing for a live-tour via a mobile app. We’ve had some excellent boat showings via FaceTime. With a
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Dan Peel Joins NSYS Yacht Brokerage Team
PRESS RELEASE: North South Nautical Group Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Peel as a yacht broker with the North South Yacht Sales division. Working out of the Toronto region, Dan is the ninth yacht broker on the team. Dan’s boating experience started in Georgian Bay where he spent his summers fishing, sailing along with re-building and repairing boats. At a young age, Dan would travel in his 10hp boat to the local Marina to work as a dock attendant, renting boats, and maintaining the yard. Dan has owned and maintained many different vessels of all sizes both sail and power. He purchased his first keel boat on Lake Ontario in his 20’s, a C&C 29, and
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Great Lakes Scuttlebutt Interviews NSYS Prez Mike Burns
On May 12, 2020, Erik Kyle, Publisher of Great Lake Scuttlebutt interviewed Mike Burns, President of North South Nautical Group. The discussion centred around the changes to the Canadian marine industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights: 1:04 • Mike discusses general lack of access to boating 1:40 • North South Nautical Group has several locations in Canada and one in St. Maarten (Caribbean) 1:55 • What directives are Canadians in Ontario currently operating under? 3:10 • Can a member of the public view and buy a boat right now in Canada? 4:07 • When is Canada talking about opening back up? 5:49 • What is NSYS doing to help interested Canadians gain access to boating?
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New Safe Boating Message On Social Distancing
2020 Safe Boating Awareness Week ends tomorrow May 22nd. Historically the kick-off to the boating season, it’s the first opportunity the boating industry has to remind recreational boaters to embrace responsible boating practices as second nature on the water. At the core of the 2020 campaign are 5 key messages the Canadian Safe Boating Council has been consistently delivering to the boating community since 1995: Wear a PFD or Lifejacket Boat Sober Take a Boating Course Be Prepared, Both You and Your Vessel Be Wary of the Dangers of Cold Water Immersion This year, however, things have taken a couple of new turns. How Do We Implement Social Distancing While Boating? With the recent ease of COVID-19 restrictions in
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TRIPPING The Rideau Canal with TVO
A tvo (Television Ontario) original documentary, TRIPPING The Rideau Canal is a remarkable four-hour journey along Ontario’s magnificent Rideau Canal, one of Ontario’s most pristine boating areas. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rideau is also North America’s oldest continuously operating canal system. The Rideau story is told in six episodes (see below) where viewers are able to explore the Rideau Canal from every angle. 8 Step Ottawa Locks: Take a trip through the 8 locks at the end of the canal system. Taming Hogs Back: From the air, learn about this spectacular waterfall. Watson’s Mill: See how a 19th century grist mill operates. The Rideau Canal: The World’s Largest Skateway: Skate the canal during Winterlude. The Ever Adapting Rideau:
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Mustang Survival Turns Attention To COVID-19 FrontLines
Western Canada’s Mustang Survival, a leader in boating safety and well known for it’s innovative solutions in PFDs and survival equipment has turned its attention to the frontlines – this time, on land. In a recent Facebook Post, Mustang reported: Responding to the global pandemic—and seeking a way we could leverage 50+ years of engineering experience and technical fabric insight—our team has spent the past two weeks working closely with the local healthcare sector to rapid prototype and test a safety-certified isolation gown for frontline healthcare workers. Our facility in Burnaby, BC [is now conducting] the first pilot run of the production of the first 200 Level 3 Isolation Gowns. “Our 50-year history, of developing innovative solutions for both Military
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Winter Boating: Marine Diesel Course
If you want to know about marine diesel engines – both the operation and maintenance, then you can’t go wrong spending a day with Craig Morley in his Lake Erie shop, learning the basics. Every spring, before the marine survey business gets revved up, Morley conducts single day marine diesel engine theory and maintenance courses out of his shop in West Lorne, ON. [between London and Chatham, ON] It’s a full day with both theory and practical demonstrations. In the morning, Morley familiarizes students with everything inside or attached to a marine diesel engine and all associated systems including: fuel, exhaust, cooling transmissions, propeller shafts, engine mounts and alignments. The afternoon is all practical demonstrations where students learn how to:
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Women Stretch Beyond First Mate With TIBS Workshops
Women’s Day returns to the 2020 Toronto Boat Show – Sunday, January 19th. Designed to educate and empower women at the helm, it’s an entire day of seminars, workshops, on-the-water docking lessons and in-vehicle trailering sessions. Last year’s premier event hosted over 100 women. Jacqui, who attended the 2019 inaugural event, stated: “Women’s Day really improved my knowledge in several areas (anchoring, docking, diesel engine basics, knots) and built my confidence to be more than just “first Mate” this summer!” Tammy Wolf will deliver the 2020 keynote “Overcome Your Obstacles & Turn Dreams Into Reality”. Wolf is the first woman to achieve a podium finish in the F1 Champboat event, beating the odds to become a successful powerboat race driver.
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Toronto Boat Show Photo Contest
It’s back! The Toronto Boat Show’s I Love Boating Photo Contest!! The Toronto Boat Show, wants you to ‘show the love’ – boating love that is. Share your favourite boating photos on Instagram and tag it with the hashtag #TIBSPhotoContest. That’s all you need to do to be automatically entered. And there are lots of great prizes including: Grand Prize of a $500 Shopping Spree at the Toronto Boat Show & 4 general show tickets, awarded August 6 Grand Prize of a $500 Shopping Spree at the Toronto Boat Show & 4 general show tickets, awarded September 3 20 pairs of show tickets, awarded September 4 Prize winners will be selected randomly Contest runs until September 2nd. Detailed information can
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Buying Boats Outside of Canada: Used Or New
Canadian Yacht Broker Pat Sturgeon recently published the following in Canadian Yachting Magazine. We are reprinting it for our readers, with permission. There have been a lot of changes over the past two years for importing boats. Canada recently negotiated a free trade agreement with Europe, NAFTA has come under attack and the Prime Minister has implemented a 10% retaliatory Tariff on all vessels coming in from the United States. What does all this mean if you want to purchase a boat out of the country? First lets look at Europe and CETA (Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement) which went into effect September 21, 2017. Since then all boats originating from the EU, used or new, can be imported into Canada without
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61st Toronto Boat Show | Many Great New Features
The 61st Toronto International Boat Show returns to the Enercare Cenre, Exhibition Place from January 18 to 27th. North America’s largest indoor boat show, the 2019 Toronto Show will showcase a selection of 1200 boats ranging from 6 ft. – 60 ft., as well as the latest in marine accessories to hit the marketplace. A broad range of marine services exhibit including yacht brokerages; boat insurance agents; marinas; yacht clubs and more. Once again, our team of yacht brokers will be showcasing power and sailing vessels for sale, in booth 1737, along the North wall. The NSYS ‘wall of dreams’ is well known as a great place to ‘stop and shop’ for a pre-owned vessel. If you are interested in
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Women’s Day: A New Toronto Boat Show Feature for 2019
The Toronto International Boat Show has added a new feature to its boating educational roster – Women’s Day – a whole day educational opportunity for women – no matter what type of boater or at what level. The show team has pulled together a roster of seminars and interactive sessions that will help every woman become e a better boater. Here are two of our favourites. Are you a trailer boater? Happy to drive the boat, or pull it out of the water, but when it comes to backing it down a ramp – you leave that to someone else? Don’t despair, sign up for ‘The Back-Up Plan: Trailering with Ease’. In this interactive session, seasoned boaters and back-up artists
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Yacht Broker Reg Bates Joins The NSNG Brokerage Team
North South Nautical Group Inc. is pleased to announce the expansion of their yacht brokerage service to Downtown Toronto and the Caribbean. Career yacht broker, Reg Bates, will be joining the NSYS team and will be dividing his time seasonally between the Toronto and St. Maarten locations. NSYS BROKERAGE REPRESENTATION NOW EXPANDED TO DOWNTOWN TORONTO AND THE CARIBBEAN (ST. MAARTEN) Operating under the North South Yacht Sales (NSYS) banner, downtown Toronto and St. Maarten will be the newest areas of brokerage representation for NSYS, which currently has locations in Port Credit (Head Office), Hamilton, St. Catharines, Georgian Bay, and the Ottawa and Kingston regions. Reg has long been established in the yacht sales business, successfully representing manufacturers, buyers and sellers,
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8 Tips For Winterizing Your Boat
If you are trying to squeak in a few more days on the water, you probably haven’t given much thought to winterizing your boat. Trust us – winter is coming. Discover Boating Canada has a comprehensive list on How to Winterize Your Boat. We summarized the points here – to make it easier for you. Our only advice about winterizing: the time and effort you invest in winterizing will not only save you time but dollars come spring. 1) Policies & Manuals: This is a good time to review your boat insurance policy to see if there are specific requirements for winterizing. And don’t ignore your owner’s manual for winterizing steps that maybe particular to your boat. 2) Bilges: Make sure they
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LED Lights could be causing VHF Radio or AIS problems
With their low battery draw, cooler operation and sturdy construction, LED lights have become very popular with recreational boaters. However, these same lights may also be causing poor VHF radio and Automatic Identification System (AIS) reception, according to a Marine Safety Alert recently issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. The informational alert outlined reports received from boaters concerning radio frequency interference caused by LED lamps that “were found to create potential safety hazards.” In some cases, the U.S. Coast Guard reports, the interference may cause problems if boaters need to call for help. The interference can affect VHF voice communications and subsequently AIS, as well as Digital Selective Calling (DSC). In particular, masthead LED navigation lights on sailboats may cause problems
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Buying A Boat? You could win $10,000 from Discover Boating
Buying a boat this year? If so, you could win $10,000 towards the purchase of your boat courtesy of Discover Boating Canada. Download the Discover Boating Canada Safety app, to access and submit the contest entry form before September 30, 2018, and your name will be entered into a contest to win $10,000 towards a boat purchase you made between January 12, 2018 – September 30, 2018 and took delivery of before May 2019. Boat purchases include new and pre-owned vessels purchased from authorized vendors such as North South Yacht Sales. Already using the Boating Safety App? No worries, you are still eligible to enter the contest if you have purchased a boat this year. The Boating Safety App is
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NSNG Becomes Sales Agent for CRANCHI CANADA
North South Nautical Group Inc. is pleased to announce that effective immediately, they will be representing Cranchi Yachts for the Canadian Great Lakes region, through a working relationship with Cranchi Yachts Canada. Based out of Montreal, Quebec, Cranchi Yachts Canada is led by Denis Poliseno, who also runs a long-established, family run marina business, Poliseno Marine. After having toured the Cranchi manufacturing facility in Lombardy, Italy, Mr. Poliseno was so impressed with the exceptional and high-quality product that Cranchi Yachts produces, he worked closely with the ownership to expand their product line into Canada by opening several sale offices Also a family-run business, Cranchi Yachts was established in 1870, and today, at two state-of-the-art factories, they are producing an impressive
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