Morning on the Rideau
PRIDE MARINE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - for breaking news, join our live feeds:  Find us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter
Pic of the month: R. Vanderwal's "Cadencia", cruising the Rideau Canal Waterway.  
THE SEPTEMBER BLOW-BY-BLOW

Swan Dive!Greetings!

Thanks for reading our September newsletter.

We have now switched to our winter hours:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Closed on Sundays.

Kingston sailors, don't forget to register for the annual Amherst Island Pursuit Race on September 17th; it's raising funds for Able Sail Kingston - a fun race with a great cause!

Have you visited our Specials page lately? We've added folding bikes, chartplotters and more.
September's Hot New Products 

Lots of new stuff this month! Check out our New Products page to learn about..
  
  • Lots of new LED bulbs
  • 12V Doctor's Project Book
  • Shrinkwrapping material
  • VHF radios
  • Davis "Air-Dryr"
  • Boarding Ladders
  • Forespar outboard motor davit
  • Gul booties & rash guards
  • Polyform fenders
  • Raymarine SR6 Sirius Satellite Weather System
  • much, much more! 
Pop Quiz Results!

Last month we tested your knowledge about portholes - namely, why they are traditionally round in shape. It turns out the correct reason is that round portholes are less susceptible to cracking due to the awkward pressures exerted on them from all angles. Congratulations to the 50% of you who already knew that; we're impressed! For the complete results and more info, visit our Hatches & Opening Ports page. 
Don't Deep Six The Dogs!
 
Over the season, BBQ rail mounts tend to loosen up, especially if they're old and tired. We've heard (and seen) what can happen; just a little nudge and.. you're feeding your steak to the fishes. Don't forget to check on that mount! You might even consider fashioning a little lanyard.

While we're on the topic of loosing things overboard, did you drop anything overboard this season? Keys? Sunglasses? Favourite hat? Cooler? If you've got a story to share, we'd like to hear from you; post it on our Facebook page, or send an e-mail to web@pridemarine.com.
Free GoPro HD video cameras from Laser Performance   
 
GoPro HDIf you've been thinking about purchasing a new sailing dinghy this fall.. here's what you've been waiting for! If you purchase selected Laser Performance models (Laser, Bahia, Vago, etc) between September 1 and December 31, you'll receive a free GoPro camera - with mounting accessories! You can mount this tiny, high-definition camera on your mast, boom, helmet, deck.. plus on your bicycle, surfboard, skiis.. you name it! Check out our Sailing Dinghies page for all the details. 
Hot Tip: LED Bulb Conversion 

The prices of LED conversion bulbs are continuing to creep down, so one of these days you might consider replacing your halogen/incandescent bulbs with a new, low-draw LED version. For those looking to shave weight off your ultra-light racer, the electricity savings might be enough to allow you to buy a much smaller battery.

In the meantime, one small warning - while you can buy a regular "white" halogen bulb and put it behind a red or green lens to change its colour, this doesn't work for LED bulbs. When looking for LED bulbs for your navigation lights, be sure to purchase specified red or green bulbs!

Also, for interior lights (and romantic candlelit dinners in the saloon), we do sell "warm white" LEDs which will give you the comfy feel of traditional incandescent bulbs. 
Crimp vs. SwageWhat's Swaging? Some sort of Pirate Walk?    

We are often asked what a "swaging" is, and yes, it's different from "swaggering".

A swage (pronunciation tip: it rhymes with "age") connects rigging hardware (toggles, studs) to lifeline or rigging wire. It requires a sophisticated swaging machine which employs dies to force hardware onto the wire.

On the other hand, crimping (brandname Nicopress) uses sleeves which are crushed into wire. Incidentally, we perform both types of labour, and the autumn is when you should check your rigging to make sure it will be ready for spring!

Need new rigging or lifelines? Check out our Rigging page, or call us for an estimate. Don't wait until next April!! 
Deal of the Month: Upgrade Your Helm 

 

The Raymarine "Upgrade Your Helm" Cash Back Event is on! Receive a cash rebate on the following products 
  • $150-$400 on A-series (base model) Chartplotter/Depth/Fish Finder combo units
  • $200-$800 on C-Series (intermediate) Chartplotter/Multi-Function Display units
  • $400-$800 on E-Series (advanced, touchscreen) Chartplotter/MFD units

This event is running until November 30.


In other news, you might already be aware that Tacktick was purchased by Raymarine during the summer. This means we will soon be able to acquire Tacktick products much quicker; possibly overnight in some cases. In the future, Tacktick's features (such as wireless/solar powered instruments) may be incorporated into Raymarine products; we'll keep you posted!  

September's Tip: Smoothing Resin and Sealant by Hand 
 
Here's a helpful tip to anyone who has trouble getting nice smooth results when applying epoxy or polyester resin, fillers, or polyurethane sealant in tight places. For tiny corners, it's often difficult to use sandpaper after your adhesive has hardened - and it's often tempting to just use your finger to smooth out bumps or create rounded corners.. but the adhesive will usually stick to your finger or glove and often end up looking worse.

When using resin or sealant, keep some liquid dish soap handy! A tiny drop on the end of you finger can allow you to smooth out the results and clean up the edges. For rounded inside corners (around the cockpit floor for example), consider using the edge of a disposable spoon.

For more tips on applying fibreglass resin/sealant, visit our Repair Materials page. 
We hate to remind everyone, but it's almost time to winterize the boats! We're stocking up on antifreeze and other winterizing paraphernalia, so drop by the store or check out our Winterization products and Oil Change Pumps on the web site.

Do you have a winter project for your boat? Don't be shy; give us a ring toll-free at 1-888-732-8883!

Fair Winds!

David & Janice Wilby and the crew: Clive, Chris and Fiona.  
(The Lean, Mean, Pride Marine Team)

"If one does not care to which port one is sailing, then any wind is favourable."

- Ed Luce responds to Seneca