gary-j-blog

Boat lift repair

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:59:32 +0100

I have been receiving many call this spring on boat lift repair, dock repair as well as how to adjust a standing a lift in very high water. I will try and address a few of the common questions that i get.
1. My lift is hard to crank up?
-Inspect clean or replac ethe brake pads, I have a great video on my website to show you how to do this.
-Check all pulleys to make sure they are working properly. Another video on my site is available.
-Make sure the weight capacity of the lift is adequate for your boat. Check the weight of your boat and know the capacity of your lift.
2. What capacity is my boat lift?
-Look for a decal that may show you the capacity or model number. if you cannot find a decal, send me a photo or give me a call and I may be able to help.
3. is there a "fudge factor" in the weight capacity?
-NO the capacity is the safe capacity. Manufacturers do not build in a "fudge factor" into the lifts. If the capacity of a lift is stated to be 3000 pounds than that is the maximum weight the lift can safely handle. Please besure to know the wet weight of your watercraft as it may be different than posted weight from manufacturer. consider fuel, batteries, acc., water tanks etc...
4. My lake level high this year, how do I know if my dock or lift is out of the water enough?
-This is a difficult question to answer as every location is different. The key is to keep your water craft and/or the frame of the dock above all wave activity. In many cases this requires the boat or frame of dock to be above the water at least 12-18 inches however on larger lakes this distance will require more space. SO please consider a major wind and the wave action of your location before deciding on the safest height of your waterfront equipment.
5. A large wind blew my panels off of my dock, how can I keep this from happening?
-Most likely it was not the wind that the blew the panels off the dock but it was from the waves hitting the underside of the panels causing them to lift off and end up in the water. This can be avoided by raising the dock high enough out of the water so the waves do not hit the dock in the first place. ShoreMaster offers a turn clip to lock down the panels to the frame that may help in these situations, however if the waves are large enough, locked clips or permenent decking on a dock, can actually cause the dock to be moved or tipped over in strong wave activity.this may actually cause more serious dammge and expense. The best way to avoid the problem is to make sure the dock is high enough out of the water so it will avoid the wave activity from the start.

Really cool boat lift

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:39:37 +0100

I have seen a lot of boat lifts and hoists over the years but I think the new Rhinohoist tops them all. This lift is designed to last and built super tough. It is quick and attractive. The floating boat lift market has not changed for a few years but this new lift from ShoreMaster is sweet! Check out the video and further information at www.rhinohoist.com
April 11, 2011 For Immediate Release

ShoreMaster Unveils New Floating Boat Lifts at ShoreMaster University

ShoreMaster, Inc. recently announced the addition of two Floating Boat Lift models at the annual Sales
Training Meeting in Charlotte, NC. The two new boat lifts are officially titled RhinoHoist by ShoreMaster
and are available in two styles, a front mount floating lift, and an L-Arm version of the floating lift. The
RhinoHoist by ShoreMaster will replace the previous version of ShoreMaster Floating Boat Lifts and both
feature revised galvanized steel frames and completely re-engineered tanks. The revised frames mean
that customers are getting an improved floating boat lift frame that is superior to any other floating boat lift
frame on the market. The re-engineered tanks allow for increased individual tank capacity, and fewer hose
connections, while a repositioned hose connection location reduces the chance for a leak in the
RhinoHoist hose and tank system. Both lifts were on display at River Hills Marina on Lake Wylie, SC. Both
new versions of RhinoHoist floating boat lifts were on display and installed within a ShoreMaster Kit Dock
floating dock system. Casey Nichols and crew from Waterjack Boat Lift Pros handled the assembly and
installation of the ShoreMaster Kit Dock and RhinoHoists, and are this month’s “Featured Dealer” at
www.rhinohoist.com .

The ShoreMaster University was attended by ShoreMaster Dealers from all over the United States
Canada, and featured tips on how to use all types of social media, electronic media, and the internet to
help them expand their business. Attendance at the meeting was at an all time high, in part due to the
high level of social media and internet marketing training that dealers received at previous ShoreMaster
University sessions. The high rate of attendance was also spurred along by the release of the two new
floating boat lifts. ShoreMaster President, Don Hurley, was extremely pleased with the attendance and
overall success of the meeting and RhinoHoist product launch. When asked about the official RhinoHoist
launch, Don stated that “We are a customer focused company, and the RhinoHoist exemplifies our drive to
continue to offer improved products to our dealers and their customers and to be the easiest, friendliest
waterfront equipment manufacturer to do business with”.

The RhinoHoist by ShoreMaster is designed to compete in the southern floating boat lift market and
utilizes a “capacity range” for each model, rather than a maximum capacity. This means that customers
should have an easier time choosing the right RhinoHoist model, and will find that in many cases, a newer,
larger boat purchase won’t necessarily mean having to purchase a new lift to fit the additional weight of
the new boat. If, and when, it becomes time for the customer to sell their RhinoHoist, they will find that
they should have a broadened market with which to offer it, because of the capacity range and pricing
strategy employed.

Kurt Welch, ShoreMaster Marketing Director, says that “every customer who purchases a RhinoHoist from
an authorized ShoreMaster retailer will receive a RhinoHoist Customer Experience Kit that includes some
pretty cool RhinoHoist branded items like beach towels, coolers, water bottles, and visors...some simple
things that either make boating fun or, more enjoyable for our customers, because that’s what RhinoHoist
is really all about. We’ve also made it easy for customers to warranty register their RhinoHoist online to
take advantage of our warranty, which is one of the best in the industry. In fact, after RhinoHoist
customers have completed the online warranty registration, they’ll be given instructions on how to receive
a free RhinoHoist t-shirt”.

RhinoHoist floating boat lifts by ShoreMaster will begin appearing in dealer showrooms, residential dock
systems and commercial marinas as early as this week. Customers who are considering the purchase of a
Floating Boat Lift should give serious consideration to ShoreMaster’s “Better Boat Lift”, The RhinoHoist
Floating Boat Lift.

Contact:

Kurt Welch, Marketing Director, ShoreMaster, Inc.

Summer Play list

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:21:22 +0100

As the snow is starting to melt up here in the Northland and our thoughts turn towards those warm sunny days a discussion broke out about the best summer songs. A controversy raged between the generations involved. Ideas of the best songs ranged between rap, blues, rock and country but I think mine were the best so I decided to post--

My top 15 summertime songs (not in any particular order)

1. Schools Out by Alice Cooper- The end of ice frozen lakes.

2. Crazy by Seal- Dude, its Seal.

3. California Girls by The Beach Boys- Classy still fun.

4. Hot Fun in the Summer time by Sly and the Family Stone- Hot, Summer and Fun what more do you want.

5. Rock the Boat by the Hues Corp.- Not if it's on a lift.

6. Maggie May by Rod Stewart- Just warm and fuzzy.

7. My Sharona by the Knack- The beat reminds me of my old Evinrude outboard.

8. Groovin by the Rascals- Its just groovy.

9. Live and Let Die by Paul MaCartney- Gotta love the old Glastrons.

10. Take it Easy by the Eagles- ahah 7 women on my mind during summer not a bad place to be.

11. Brandy by the Looking Glass- Waiting for the boat to come to shore.

12. Whiter shade of Pale by Procol Harum- May need a tan but still cool

13. Sunny Afternoon by the Kinks- It just feels good.

14. Jump by Van Halen- I am just thinking about the wakeboarders

15. Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson- I needed one country song and he does waterski.

Ok I I know I am old but these are what came to mind.

Have a great Summer!

Gary j

Duluth Boat and Sport Show Stunk

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:58:34 +0100

We just finished another great boat show in Duluth MN. The DECC was packed with people that seem to be excited about the booths and goods on display including the boat lifts and docks by ShoreMaster dealer, Arrowhead Docks and Lifts.
But this show felt different--It was busy, no I mean really busy! The halls were buzzing with people laughing, grinning and talking. These crowds of 8 to 80 year old "kids" filled the isles infront of tired vendors who attempted to explain how their widget or gizmo was just what customer needed. The halls became jammed with guests, reaching into their purses and back pockets attempting to retrieve a few benjamins for this or that. These attendees also enjoyed a performance by the "Belledivas" (a multi talented singing group of 3 girls). Yes, the Shamrock people put on another fantastic show!
Simply put, people were happy to be there. I thnk the word I am looking for is.. FUN - People were actually enjoying themselves. That was very easy to see---
What you could not see, was something I smelt . I smelt it bad, bad enough to call it a stench, yea it just reeked. I finally realized what it really was, it was a stench of a calm confidence.... What I could smell, see and feel was the stench of a death. The slow death of the "recession"! Oh yes that ugly thing!
I have never actually seen a recession nor have I picked one up and carried it around to show my freinds yet we were all told it existed (maybe it still does)? But that smell was getting old and I am ready for the funeral, so lets bury that ugly thing called "recession". It appeared that the folks that attended the Duluth show decided it was was dead and gone.
If you are thinking about shopping for a ShoreMaster boat lift or a ShoreMaster dock, stop and see a ShoreMaster dealer at shows in Fargo Moorhead, Minneapolis, Duluth, Grand Rapids, Bemidji, Eau Claire, Brainerd and many other areas around Minnesota this spring.
I hope they all "stink" as good as the Duluth Boat and Sport Show

My least favorite Scorpion snowmobilles

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:53:29 +0100

I have been asked many times to right up my thoughts again about the old Scorpion snowmobiles and wth the annual Scorpion homecoming just around the corner I figured it was about time.
About a year ago I wrote about my favorite top ten Scorpion snowmobles. Please look at my blog in Dec. 2009 for my view of the best Scorps.
Those selections had many comments and suggestions. One suggestion was that I should have a top ten I did not like. I do not like doing that because I like them all but here is my list of least favorite Scorpion snowmobiles.
1. 1971 Stinger- metal flake was cool but that was it...
2. 1974 Super Stinger- enough said
3. 1975 Whip-cool design but clutch and track work weekly just is not right
4. 1977 Sting with Para slide-cleats and slides are just not cool
5. 1979 Sting-Mikunis in a Walbro world
6. 1980 Sting-Fast but to much kitty in it
7. 1980/81 Sidewinder-for us purests, it just wasn't Scorpion its "The Tiger"
Since I like all the old Scorps, I can only come up with 7 and that is being very picky!
I take comments but I think you will agree.
See ya at the Homecoming. Learn more at http://www.trailasled.com/hc2011.htm

Deer Hunting success photos

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:09:37 +0100

As we wrap up another year of MN whitetail hunting I have decided to share some photos of the nice deer (some huge bucks) that our customers and freinds have harvested. Pease enjoy and remember- what Henry David Thoreau said
"We cannot but pity the boy who has never fired a gun; he is no more humane, while his education has been sadly neglected."

Congratulations to all!
If you have a photo you would like to share please feel free to email me.

Ice out

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:27:37 +0100

Well, the ice has been out for a week and the crews are working hard at getting the products in the water. The early ice out is a welcomed advantage for the dealers/installers and the warm weather is a bonus. I just want to take minute to remind everybody to be safe. This is a busy time of year and it is easy to forget the life jackets and basic safety practices but it needs to remain the priority. Please do not forget proper hand and foot wear, as well as safety glasses.
I want to wish everyone working on the area lakes, a safe and successful install season.
For those of you "do it yourselfers". Please remember, the same safety procedures are you. Help your neighbors or ask your neighbors for help. Who knows, it may be come an annual event and putting the docks and lifts may start being fun.This event may even open doors for a closer neighborhood.
BE SAFE!

Working out

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:51:58 +0100

I was running on the treadmill tonight and thinking about the internet marketing challanges we all seem to face. Yes, sometimes we struggle getting online, yes we struggle to remember the usernames and passwords, yes we struggle with what to say when we tweet, blog or whatever. I realized it is a lot like running on the treadmill. It is hard to get started. We have all kinds of excuses to not do both , such as "I have no time' ,"I am not good at it", "I am afraid of how I will look", on an on.. The excuses are the same wether we are on a treadmill or trying to learn this online marketing stuff!
But for those of us that work out once in a while, we realize that once we start, it is not so bad in fact it can be kinda fun. When we are done we feel like we accomplished something. Same goes with viral marketing. It may be time to stop the excuses and just start. After a short time of just doing a little, it will get easier and it will soon get to be a part of your everyday. You will find the time, the fear will go away and you won't care so much how you look. You will get better and you will become fit. Sure you may never be a pro athelete running on a treadmill but you can still be in shape and in the long run you will be better off for your efforts. We all seem to have something we are physical training for, for me it is hunting the big mountains and good health. My internet workouts are training me for helping the Shoremaster dealers in my group grow there business and inturn grow mine. What are you working out for? This is an opportunity for everyone to get off the couch and start doing both because there is a good chance your competitors are not.
Now get to the gym and then to your laptop!

Fishing with the Governor

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:44:34 +0100

Thursday night I got a call that Governor George Sinner from North Dakota wanted to go out walleye fishing with me on Friday. What could I say but sure, "lets go" Shoremaster outdoors needs a new episode anyway. The weather was bad heavy snow and blowing but sure enough he showed up with his freind Chuck. We loaded him on a snowmobile and we headed out to my secret spot. Sure I had everything ready, houses setup, heat on and rods ready. When I introduced myself to him, I addressed him as "Governor Sinner" he said "forget that monarchy BS just call me Bud". I knew it was going to be an interesting day. The man was very genuine and very real. He told me many stories of how he bacame the man he is today and what got him there. I learned that he lives every day to serve others and I beleive that is what gets him through each and every day before, during and after he was the Governor of North Dakota. Still today he is very involved in many opportunities to serve the community, being involved with helping people that have addictions and working with the youth of the area.
I attempted to do some videos of the day for my website www.garyjohnsonsales.com, but the camera shook to much as I belly laughed almost constantly. This well spoken man had an incredible zest for life and loved to tell stories and how it relates to his growth as a person. The fish did not seem to want to bite very well but we did get a few. He landed a dandy later in the trip and was excited. I feel that when he was a politician he must have had one thing in mind and that was to help all the people of North Dakota help themselves. He often recited lines from the decleration of independance or the bill of rights when ever politics came up and after the statement, he would make his point and no one could argue with him. He told it like it is. I would guess that if he had a motto it would be something like "just get it done and follow the law". He told it like it is with a common sense of view point, yes a real person who does not do what is right for them but does what is right for others. I firmly beleive that this type of politician no longer exists. It was truly an honor to get to know this man and get a new appreciation for what he has done for the state of North Dakota and for our country as a whole. I look forward to going fishing again with Bud, anytime he feels the need for more walleyes.

Social Media Fatherhood

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:19:11 +0100

As the snow flies outside and the entire area is ingulfed in a blizzard warning, my real children did not have school and are running around enjoying a "snow day". All this activity has made me think about how all this "social media viral" marketing stuff is still in its infancy. I am not sure how this new media will grow up but I know that it exists and needs me.
I have four of these viral kids now. The names of these time consuming little infants are facebook, twitter, youtube and www.garyjohnsonsales.com (she is a website). One thing is for sure, you have to treat them like they are babies. You gotta dig deep to find patients when they are crying for attention, you gotta feed them when they are hungary, you gotta teach yourself on how to adapt to each of their needs. Every once in a while, you even need to clean up their crap.
Yes, they will whine, fuss,scream and cry.. but sometimes you will just step back and take a look and say "wow, they are pretty cool" and the rewards just seem to come sometimes when you do not expect it.
As a parent of three real kids, I have watched them grow and I am amazed at how they all have differant personalities, needs and goals. I know that all three of them will benefit society in a unique and differant manner. The same goes for my viral family. If they just have a chance in life and if I give these viral babies the start, the food and attention they deserve, the seeds that are planted today will eventually grow to be "know it all teenagers" and If I am lucky, maybe someday, they will grow to be mature adults in the marketing world.
It is our job to birth and nurse these little rugrats and help them grow. I know that sometimes I just want to send them back and forget the whole idea....Then I realize that these are mine and I owe it to myself to stick it out and help them become the best they can be. Deep down I know It will be great fun to watch and see what happens with these little fellers as they grow up.
If you have not taken the time to learn about these new and exciting opportunities, we will be offering prenatal classes at the upcoming ShoreMaster Universities and I do encourage you to attend.