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Spring Hours |
Store,
Parts, and
Service Dept.
Mon-Fri 8 - 4:30
Closed Weekends
Gas Dock
Closes 4pm Weekdays
Sales Anytime! Emailor call David at
207-363-3602 x13 |
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Upcoming Events
Mother's Day Brunch
Dockside Restaurant
June 12
National Marina Day
Free USCG Safety Checks, Food, and More!
June 24-27
Striper Tournament
Proceeds to benefit York and Kittery food banks
July 4th
Independence Day Celebration | |
Looking to the 2010 Boating Season
Visit the YHMS weather page for buoy data, local radar, and more!
 | WHAT A WINTER! We have been assaulted by 5 storms with wind speeds over 40mph. These storms and the 5" or more of rain that came with each provided us with some real headaches. (Pictures of the February storm damage are on our Facebook page.) I can't remember looking forward to spring more! During these storms, one of my favorite activities was to check the weather observations at various lighthouses and weather buoys in the gulf of Maine; 30' Waves and 90mph winds aren't quite as scary from my cozy living room.
The yard crew and an army of contractors have been out straight repairing storm damage in addition to performing planned improvements; getting everything shipshape. With the spring weather finally upon us, the focus will be to get everyone's boat unwrapped, commissioned, and in the water, so everyone can get on with boating. We fully recognize the substantial commitment boat owners make in terms of money and time when it comes to boating. We will continue to do our best to provide you with a great boating experience as well as value. All of us here at YHMS are truly looking forward to the upcoming season and to seeing you around the docks soon.
-- Eric Lusty, General Manager |
Getting Your Boat Ready for Spring
It may not seem like it most days but Spring is here and it's time to get your boat ready for the season. Spring commissioning is important to ensure your engine runs safely and efficiently. Our outboard commissioning service includes:
- top off gear oil, engine oil & trim fluid
- start up and run to operating temperature
- check for overheating
- check for tell-tale stream, clean out if needed
- inspect fuel hoses & fittings
- check for fuel and water leaks on engine
- change spark plugs, inspect spark plug leads
- inspect anodes and replace as needed
- grease all fittings on engine
- test charge system
- inspect control cables
This is also a great time to install a fuel/water separator. Build up from moisture can cause your engine to work at less than full capacity. We offer a great product from Racor that can help improve the efficiency of your engine. Ask us about it when you schedule your spring commissioning service.
Did You Know?
YHMS has a 24 hour engine diagnostic promise. Does your engine sound funny, run badly, or has it just stopped running altogether? If you have a mystery issue with your engine, let us help you solve it. We will look at your engine and have an estimate for any needed repairs within 24 hours. | |
One of 17 new pilings being placed on the YHMS docks this spring.
 | What's Been Goin' On While You've Been Gone?
On the Docks
YHMS started off 2010 with a dock improvement plan. Mother Nature expanded the scope of that plan as the winter progressed into spring.The floats under the docks have been replaced in several areas including the rack boat area on the main dock. Improvements and repairs also included replacing 17 pilings throughout the marina's two docks. We also added on to our rack space by creating 5 more spaces for larger boats and those with "T" tops on a new outside dry rack deck.
Inside
When you stop into the store you will notice a few changes. YHMS welcomed a new crew member over the winter. When you come or call in, you will be greeted by our new Office Coordinator, Stacy Hatt. Stacy lives locally and is a 1992 graduate of York High School. She will be assisting you in our store and with all your account management needs. The store has gotten a minor facelift inside as we strive to improve every nook and cranny we can in our 50 year old building. We've added a video display to show pictures of past and present happenings in the harbor. We would love it if you would share some images of your own experiences on the water or down on the docks with us. Email them to office@yorkharbormarine.com or you can post them directly on our facebook page. If you don't have digital images, send or bring in your prints and we would be happy to scan them for you.
Rack and Dock Openings
We still have openings for dockage and rack space so please pass on the word to friends, family, and co-workers to give us a call. The more friends you have out on the water the more fun the boating experience.
--John Lusty, Marina Operations Manager 207-363-3602 x10 |
The strong winter winds brought down trees throughout York County.
 | Every NE Boat Owner needs Year Round BOAT Insurance
If the last couple of months taught us anything, its that all boat owners in New England should have boat insurance and that insurance should be in effect throughout the year - not just for those months when your boat is in the water. Progressive Insurance reports that nearly 20% of claims in northern states are made during the period from labor day to memorial day - the boating off season.
According to the Insurance Information Institute most [but not all] companies provide limited coverage for property damage for small boats such as canoes and small sail boats or small power boats with less than 25 HP under a homeowners or renters insurance policy. Coverage is usually limited and generally includes the boat, motor and trailer combined. Liability coverage is typically not included-but it can be added. Larger and faster boats require a separate boat insurance policy.
As with most boatyards and marinas, YHMS has a long-standing policy that states "Insurance coverage is the responsibility of the boat owner. YHMS assumes no responsibility for loss, theft or damage." This applies to boats on the docks, in storage, or here for repairs. While we have not requested copies of insurance declaration pages in the past, many marinas do so. Going forward, slip, rack, and storage customers will be asked for proof of insurance.
If you would like more information about boat insurance call your insurance agent, or visit these links to get started:
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 Outboard Spring Special Blowout
Honda BF5 HP Engines
In Stock and Ready to Go!
15" (Short) Shaft $1,299
20" (Long) Shaft $1,329
Current Models with 5 Year Factory Warranty
Huge savings on these and
all Honda and Evinrude outboards
in-stock -- While they last!
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 Bridge and Road Closures!
This is how many year round residents felt in February getting around York.
 | The Yankee phrase "You can't get there from here" became pretty close to reality in February. Between the ongoing Route 103 bridge construction, downed power lines and trees, and lots and lots of water, access to Harris Island was almost impossible for a few days.
With the coming of April we are getting squared away and hope those of you who had to ride out the waves of the February and March storms have now made it through with minimal damage. As for travel obstacles to getting to the town docks, Dockside, and YHMS during the upcoming months, we will do our best to keep you posted on bridge replacement progess and river/road obstructions as they come along through our website, DOCKTALK, and our Facebook page. One recent improvement you will find when coming to the marina this spring, is that the turn from Route 103 onto Harris Island Road has been widened as part of the project. This should make bringing boats in for service easier. |
We were not able to get photos of the two dogs in the story but we are sure they felt like this when the rescue was complete!
 | A Winter Rescue
Submitted by Stu and Ellen Dawson
YHMS slip holders and York Harbor residents
On Tuesday December 8, Alaska, an Alaskan Husky and Sugar, a yellow lab, spent the morning exploring York Harbor and the tidal marshes upriver. In the afternoon, Alaska, the younger of the two, led Sugar astray, leaving them stranded on a tidal marsh island. Stu and I were having lunch in our house when we looked out on the marsh and saw the two dogs out there. After watching a few minutes, we saw that they were searching for a way back to the mainland, but the rising tide had cut them off. They were looking more and more frantic as they paced back and forth looking for a way across. That's when we realized they weren't going to swim, and called the police, who put us in touch with a woman who had been looking for them all morning. I went down to the marsh edge to see if I could call them across; they were glad to see me, barked and wagged their tails, but would not jump in and swim. When their owner arrived, she called to both of them. Alaska jumped in and swam to her, but Sugar was either too tired or too afraid to swim. The tide was rising higher and higher, and it was one of those "moon tides" that was going to cover the marsh completely. That's when we put in the call for help to the marina. Frantic, exhausted, and surrounded by a rapidly rising tide, Sugar was rescued at the very last minute by Kathy Foster and John Lusty in the marina workboat. To her credit, Alaska would not leave the marsh edge until she saw her old friend Sugar was in the boat. All's well that ends well. A good thing too, because the tide did cover the marshes, and that night the big storm blew in. Sugar will always be grateful to Kathy and John, and Alaska is glad to be with his best friend once again. |
| Are You On Facebook? We are too! |
Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks. We have recently created a York Harbor Marine Service page on Facebook. Facebook is a great way to keep in touch and share what is going on at the marina. We have already added info on upcoming events, pictures of the winter storm damage, links to items of interest to boaters like classes and instructional videos. We've also opened a couple of discussion topics. Share some of your best boating spots with others (notice we didn't say fishing spots because we know those are secrets!). If you are a Whaler owner, share some thoughts about organizing a Whaler Rendezvous in the Harbor.
We look forward to sharing these and other things to help you enjoy your boating experience. We welcome your comments and contributions to our page. Please visit our site and become a YHMS "fan". Joining facebook is free. |
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