Summer 2009

30th Annual Rendezvous

Past, Present and Future Monaro Owner's,

Thank goodness the winter is finally gone! Now let’s all think “sun”! Enough of the doom and gloom. Let’s focus on getting back on the water after last summer’s high fuel costs and marginal weather.

The marine industry has not been left out of the effects of the recession by any means. New boat sales have dropped considerably and subsequently we have increased our maintenance, repairs and upgrades to boats to stay busy. Not only have we been working on more used Monaros but we are now accepting other brands of boats for custom work in our shop. If anyone has any new bright ideas for there boat, please call me. We are always open to suggestions.

Used Monaro sales have been brisk in the 21 to 24 foot range and it is definitely a buyer’s market out there.

Over the winter Monaro has been working on numerous upgrades and modifications. Bob Affleck’s cockpit enclosure sure brought a lot of attention at the shop. What we did was add a fixed stainless steel tube framework off the back end of his 298 hard top. A Sunbrella canvas was laced to the framework with a three piece drop curtain enclosure, attached when needed. After another season, Bob came back for another upgrade. This time he returned for something that caught his eye on another 298. Initially I designed a large fiberglass “tool box” for Fred Koch of Campbell River. Bob wanted a “storage box” on the swim grid for his dinghy outboard plus extra fender storage. Don Matthew, also recently had one installed for outboard storage. This is Monaro number 3 for Bob and 4 for Don and family. Anyone with a 298 interested in one of these storage boxes needs to have the swim step extended, as we did for Bob.

Just completed, is an extensive 24 upgrade for Doctor Turner. The fuel tank has been enlarged, new radar and electronics added plus stainless steel arch added to hard top so he can store his dinghy underneath it. Pictures of these upgrades are on our website.

One of the new boats built late in 2008 was our 255 for a new dealer in Ontario. Pat Sturgeon Yachts displayed this boat in the February Toronto Boat Show. It was certainly a rush to complete this Monaro on time. It arrived in Toronto on December 24. What we are aiming at is a commuter and day boat for the thousands of cottages on the lakes. We felt the 255 to be ideal for this purpose. Sturgeon will be looking after the Eastern Canadian market.

Speaking of Monaro 255s, we recently completed a stretch of Malcolm Hunter’s 24. He really liked his unique interior layout but wanted a longer boat. So after many hours of cutting, grinding and glassing, motor re and re and tank relocation, Malcolm has given us 2 thumbs up for the performance and stability.

Peter Vassilopoulos, cruising author and Monaro 27 owner, has recently released his latest cruising book. Titled Cruising to Desolation Sound. I think it is his best to date. We will be keeping a few signed copies for sale in the office along with many of his other books.

Thetis Island is once again our rendezvous destination. Hopefully this year we will have much better weather than last year. Despite the weather, there always seems to be a good turnout of 27’s and 298’s.

Do you have any new funny or interesting cruising photos of your boat? I’m sure other Monaro owner’s would like to see them. Please email pictures to monaro@telus.net. They will be posted, with captions at the rendezvous.

See you there!

Dan, Elsie & Brad