Fall Newsletter - November 2011
Fall is finally here. Our last few months have been very active; check out the Owners Cruise story below. Sales and deliveries have been very good; lots of interesting boats and options.
November Issue Pacific Yachting
Be sure to check out this month's issue of Pacific Yachting, Aspen C90 is the cover feature, Greg Gillette and his wife enjoying the waterfall in Toba Inlet. With a fantastic Boat Test article inside by Roger McAfee, be sure to pick the November issue for your reading pleasure.
Fall Sales
This September, we once again exhibited the C90 in the Seattle Boats Afloat show in South Lake Union; and for the first time in Mosquito Creek, North Vancouver BC. both shows had excellent attendance and weather. shoppers have been plentiful and c90 sales have been moving swiftly. Currently, we're filling our monthly production slots for early spring; so be sure to plan ahead if you are wanting a new boat for the next season. Remember, a $10,000-100% refundable deposit will reserve your next boat. Payment plans and financing available, contact us for your custom built quote. Rates are the lowest we've seen in 20+ years.
New Boat Delivery's
Jack and Julie Miller, from Stuart FL< live on the water and have owned several boats, the aspen is their first Power Cat and they plan to cruise with it to the Bahamas and trailer to many areas in the US> Delivering Nov. 15th. Our first C90 maximized for HOT weather cooling.
Ray and Mow Hunt, from Newport Beach, CA. The Hunt's have owned lots of boats mostly sailboats, mostly recently, a 34' sailing cat. But, they are after simpler handier fun now. Delivering in late December.
Nelson Schulman, also from Southern California, plans to keep his C90 in Marina del Rey. Nelson is an adventurer, he's planning to run the Pacific coast from Seattle and water deliver to Marina del Rey. Nelson's got an exceptional plan for lots of electronics.
Glen and Deb Bruels, from Friday Harbor, WA. Delivered October 2011.
Owner Feedback
Glen Gruels - Chapter Two - Chapter Two
To who it may concern,
I am writing to express my wife Deb's and my gratitude and total satisfaction with the purchase and delivery of our Aspen C-90.
As new boaters, we were naturally intimidated about having to learn all the ins-and- outs of our new purchase - not to mention all the complexities of boating in general. The specter of having the keys tossed at us by a salesman as he beat a hasty retreat and then being left to fend for ourselves became a big issue for us in our purchase decision.
Then we met Larry and Nick Graf. From our first meeting, we felt totally comfortable and relaxed with them. It was clear that they were both passionate about boating - and wanted to share that passion with others. That passion was reflected in the design and construction of the C-90, with the goal to provide the best boating experience for the dollar spent. In the boat demos we did with Larry, the comfort, efficiency, and safety of the boat all came through. but more importantly, the pride of a "father" in his creation came through. This wasn't just selling a boat, it was finding a good home for one of his children.
This same attitude came through in the delivery and turnover of the C-90. I should note that we live on San Juan Island, WA. Shy of driving the boat over on the ferry, that meant "getting operational" and piloting the boat to the island. We met Larry in Anacortes and he spent the next two days with us, giving us the full immersion in the C-90 and boating in general. Larry is a very friendly and easy-going guy and that made the entire experience a lot of fun. Yes, we went through every system on the boat in gory detail, but learning why he chose a particular system over another (and its associated benefits) made what could have been a boring subject quite interesting. He also tailored the practical learning of the operation of the boat to meet our individual needs - all with the emphasis on having fun, exploring options, and enjoying the experience. Spending two nights in our home, Larry also took the time to show us some of the great cruising opportunities we have in our area and regaled us with stories of his experiences.
It was great getting to know Larry. By adding his personal touch to boat deliveries and organizing periodic owner cruises, it's clear that he wants to grow a network of friends - not just sell boats. we are proud to have joined that network. Please let us know if we can answer any questions.
Glen and Deb Bruels
Winterizing your Aspen C90
For those of us in the North, the weather is certainly getting cold and winter is just around the corner. It's really important to protect your investment through the freeze months, by winterizing the potable water system and draining the engine muffler.
1. Drain water tanks, the lines will be near full turn on pump power and open faucets.
2. Drain hot water tank, accessed through removable panels in quarter berth.
3. Put 2 gallons of RV/Marine Antifreeze in each water tank and run each pump until pink fluid comes out at all faucets. You will need a goose neck hose and funnel to pour the RV antifreeze into each tank.
4. Pump head out then splash with RV antifreeze, touch pump motor. Head saltwater feed line will drain when the boat comes out of the water. Open the valve on the raw water pump so it can also drain out freezing water in any of the pumps will damage them.
5. Put in some type of heat, I like West Marines 1500W heater with multiple wattage settings and a thermostat (aprox $69). Set thermostat so it keeps the boat about 50 degrees. This will keep the boat dry and not smelling Old. Open all doors and compartments for air flow.
6. If on trailer: Crank up winch stand so bow is up. This keeps everything flowing toward drains or pumps. also pull and check the center transom wave breaker plug drain re-silicone and re-install.
7. Turn batteries off/plug in charger if power available/or be ready to recharge a day or two before use next spring. Your charger is smart one so it should not damage the batteries. Coat battery terminals with BOW Shield if time allows.
8. Pull engine water pump hose off to drain saltwater pump, re-install.
9. Drain muffler: remove plug, drain water, re-install plug with a little silicone.
10. Pump all bilges dry.
11. Leave engine hatch under table open to allow heat in, leave heater running in cabin. Seal engine air intake screen on hull side with plastic or cardboard if you don't most of your engine room heat will leak out there. (Be sure to remove this cover before starting or running the engine.)
12. If in a wet slip, it's also a good idea to use a small can heater from West Marine in engine compartment.
13. Thoroughly clean entire cabin be sure everything is dry, then crack open all compartments/drawers to allow air flow, keep heater inside on thermostat about 15-20 degrees above outside air temp.
Open House Viewing and Demo, Stuart FL
November 10th, 3 pm - 6 pm
Pirate's Cove Resort & Marina, 4307 SE Bayview St., Stuart, FL
We will be at the large public dock, just south of the resort across from the Tiki Bar. Please call Nick's cell, 206.948.5090 to schedule your demo.
Upcoming shows
Seattle Boat Show - January 27 - February 5, 2011
Century Link Field
800 Occidental Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134
Vancouver BC Boat Show - February 8-12, 2011
BC Place
777 Pacific Blvd.
Vancouver, BC Canada
Miami International Boat Show - February 16-20, 2011
1635 North Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL
Owners Rendezvous - Seven Aspen's, Seven Great Days
by Alita and Curt Rethmeyer
August 20-26, 2011
This was the Rethmeyers first Owners Rendezvous Cruise. Hailing from Southern California, we never expected to participate in an owners rendezvous cruise that entailed so many different experiences that required so many different seamanship skills. The Southern Californian owner cruise experience is usually limited to boat brokers taking a group of new boat owners to Catalina Island, where the owners would pick up a mooring for the weekend, and then spend the weekend going back and forth between their boats and shore activities, more often than not taking a shore boat.
The Aspen owners cruise would prove to be a true cruising rendezvous with five different destinations. Depending on the location the owners would have the opportunity to experience a variety of tasks ranging from picking up buoys, anchoring, using floating docks, rafting together and of course, the ease of using a marina slip (port, starboard side, forward and aft in).
Day 1. The trip started out by all of us meeting at Fossil Bay on Sucia Island, one of Washington's many wonderful state parks that comprise of a whole Island. One the first day at Sucia some of the Aspen captains were able to pick up a few of the mooring buoys, enabling later arriving boats to raft up with them. the center boat would be on the buoy, with a boat on each side. with our 28 ft. Aspens, equipped with bow and stern thrusters this was a snap. The first evening we had our cocktail party on four rafted Aspens utilizing our ample cockpits and swim-steps.
Day 2. The dock at fossil Bay cleared and the Aspens all moved in It was such a warm sunny day, we put Larry's sun canopy up on the dock. The canopy also worked well as a gathering place and for evening dinner. During the day Larry Graf did mini inspections of the boats and worked with each owner to see if there were questions or issues with the individual vessels. Many of us hiked and took in the flora and many fossils that can be found around the island.
Day 3. Departure at 10 AM and the Aspen group was headed for Bedwell Harbor (Canada check-in) and then on to Poet's cove. At Poet's Cove, the boats were able to secure marina spaces right next to each other. So many new Aspens side by side their crews were busy making lasting friendships. All of us enjoyed dining in the Resorts Pub and Restaurant.
Day 4. Again at 10 AM the team departed for the famed Butchart Gardens and anchoring in Todd Inlet. Some of the group visited the Gardens by taking their dinghy's to the dock and entering the Gardens from the backside. What was so great was that they could visit the gardens in the day and then go back at night using the same ticket. The gardens are really sensational with night lighting.
Day 5. Off to Roche Harbor which was a nice 32 mile cruise. at Roche Harbor, we cleared customs. some of the owners have NEXUS Trusted Traveler documents and were able to clear customs via cell phone. During the evening we were all on the same marina dock together and had a lovely warm sunset cocktail party and potluck dinner while sitting on top of the docks, just like in the song.
Day 6. After a leisurely breakfast the Aspens were off to Stuart Island's state park at Reid Harbor. There we were met by a SOB "some other brand (of boat)" and good friends, John and Bettie Ann, who having arrived early were able to secure a complete floating dock for the Aspen boats. Again, after setting up or SUN shade, we explored Stuart Island via foot and dinghy. Dinner was a bit smoky with many barbeques a brewing and lots of stories of the day's travels with what became very good friends.
That's all for now,
Larry & Team