Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-05-10, Page 7Times -Advocate, May 10, 1989 Page 7 Catamarans.new force in Bend boating By Adrian Harte • GRAND BEND - Two business- men have joined forces to bring what they hope will be a new recre- ational direction to this lakeside re- sort. Sandy Kennedy and Herman Wulterkens have formed Lake Hu- ron Catamaran to introduce Hobie CaOm twin -hull sailboats to the re- gion. Kennedy says the lightweight ca- tamaran is a popular feature at any resort in North America "except Grand Bend". He feels the scarcity of the sporty sailboat is linked di- rectly to the difficulty of finding a local dealer. Those who have the boats already sing their praises. Kennedy's own enthusiasm for the boats is evident. "There's a dozen or so of us who have them," he said. - "But the problem in Grand Bend is that you can't get parts." -. Granae Tbe formation of Lake Huron wash, interest in the boats should boom. • Lake Huron Catamaran will oper- ate from Wulterken's.Country-Mar- ket on Highway 21: The partners say they have a good arrangement because the market is open seven days a week and maintains the hours sailing enthusiasts will need. - Kennedy said he was surprised none of the local power boat deal- ers were interested in selling the sailboat. The boats range from 14 to 21 feet in length and span an even greater price range; but Kennedy says he expects the favorite with the Grand Bend crowd to be the 16 - foot boat because. of its speed and Catamaranmakes it the only Onta- rio Hobie Cat dealer west of Toron- to. Kennedy is betting heavily on a latent demand for small sailboats in Grand Bend and thinks the 20 -year- old Hobie Cat design is the best boat for the job. He also believes it might repre- sent a stepping stone for someone graduating from several years of • windsurfing. "I think we'll do really well the first year," he said, adding that if a planned race goes ahead at Ipper- ability. to comfortably accommo- date two. . "We're here just to test the wa- ter,. he said. • Another product to be handled by the partnership is a -unique twin - hulled windsurfer.. Kennedy says it can support two people and is much easier to learn how to use than .typi- cal surfboard -style designs. "It'll be interesting," he said. Grand Bend, says Kennedy, boasts a large number of power boat own- ers, . but since those people arc forced to shy away from rough wa- ter, he thinks they . might enjoy. owning another craft that thrives or. windy. conditions. - "There's nothing in wind or water that this boat won't take," he said...." r'think if we do well, peo- ple's attitude of what's a bad day up here will change." • Kennedy also points to falling lake levels as favoring the small sailboats. Not only are the har- bours getting shallower, but quick- ly warming water. makes "wet" boating easier. Larger beaches also simplify bringing catamarans ashore,. Even, though the first boats have just come in, Wulterkens says peo- ple are already starting to take no- tice. - . "We're getting phone calls daily," he said. "So there's interest there." Kennedy also speculated the Ho- bie Cats could make an enterprising student summer business for some- one willing to buy and rent a boat or two on a daily basis. Combirtt;d with low operating costs, low maintenance and a high resale val- ue, Kennedy says the oponunity is there for someone ready to make the investment. "Banks love it," he said, referring to current.trends in boat financing. But Kennedy thinks more than just financial institutions will find a place in their hearts for thc sail- boats. "I think cottagers would appre- ciate the beauty of thc sails going by rather than the' noisc of power boats." Built for two - If two hulls are better than one, this XS catamaran windrurfer could be the hottest thing on Lake Huron this summer. The new spring line - Herman Wulterkens (left) and. Sandy Kennedy stand by Lake Huron Catama- ran's product - a selection Hobie CatTM sailboats. At far right is a twin -hulled windsurfer new to the market this year. Letters to the Editor Back in time 10 years ago •The Exeter Legion were battling to keep the town cenotaph at its location between the Town Hall and the library. It had been suggested thc monument be moved to the rear of the buildings as part of a downtown beautification project. •While the Petrolia Squires were winning the Allen Cup champion- ship, thc T -A pointed out it was with the help of Bill Fairbairn, an Exeter native. - •Top issues at an all -candidates meeting for the federal election included energy conservation, abortion, gun control and captial punish- ment. • 20 years ago -The Crediton United Church was completely destroyed in a blaze initially described as "mysterious". The 47 -year old building was gutted in a Sunday morningfirc, but investigators had ruled out a faulty furnace as its cause. Longstanding Crediton citizens recalled a similar New Year's morning fire destroyed the previous building in 1922. •Exeter residents were told they would likely have access to natural gas service by September 1. SO years ago •"Grand Bend spent an anxious few hours- - bush fire in the Pintry fanned by a high wind from the south-east swept through the dry underbrush towards the village." Firefighting efforts kept the blaze away from true-' ., a •The Ontario Hydro Commission were touring a truck and trailer and the region to show the benefits of cooking with electricity and ses of electrical farm equipment. • 70 years ago 'Germany had just been handed the terms of the Peace Treaty and had -15 days to accept or reject it. •Exeter was holding a public meeting to discuss the construction of "good roads". The term referred to streets made of concrete and asphalt, as opposed to the dirt and gravel residents were living with at the time. Dear Sir: According to the front page of the Times paper, I noticed that after 39 years living on, William street north, our street is being changed to McConnell street. • It also states that the executive committee met with residents on* . these streets and also sent letters ex- plaining the needs for this change. I have never received a letter or had anyone contact mc about this and :cording to at least three other resi- dents have never had any either. To council I ask the following questions: Arc you going to change Main St. North of the bridge to an- other name? There is a number 83 north of the bridge and another 83 just south of the bridge on thc hill. Also in town there arc streets running cast and west. Who is to say that an ambulance driver wouldn't turn the wrong way on these streets. It doesn't take anyone very long to say whether it is north or south. Who is going to pay to have our - deeds on our homes searehcd to change the address on them? I sure am not. I don't think you realize or took into consideration any of the head- aches you are causing a lot of sen- ior citizens as there arc six on this street alone. You don't seetn to be i else. could make a difference in the north Dcar Sir this letter to read Yvonne's editori- Yvonne Reynold's editorial of - al. It i good. April 26 was 'right on the money'! What does it take for us to wake up and see what is happening! Many of us probably really are not • interested and do not care what hap- pens to our culture and our country providing that we arc not adversely affected. Many more think anyone who speaks out is a rebel and should be dismissed as an eccentric, and no one wants to be set aside as a nut. Others may be afraid of being labelled a racist, a chauvanist, a red- neck: 1. What Yvonne said is accurate - it is more than one opinion. We are ` not wrong or even misled in believ- ing that our culture is threatened and our roots arc being cut away. Only an idiot would believe that the past was perfect and all of it should be preserved. There was a lot of ug • - liness; but we are not responsible, no matter how hard the 'bleeding hearts' lay the guilt onus. Our traditions tell us that.every individual iS equal in the eyes of the law, -that racial differences have no place in the work place or society, that every person should be encour- aged to realize the potential within him and most important, every in- dividual is responsible for his own actions. lhae —_ t en�aivagewhn end What that was sent in to you. To me this is prejudice to the folks living on these streets. I understand there was another street that was to be changed, but wasn't. - To me there should be a change in this town and it sure wouldn't he the streets. Sincerely, Mary Ford. • Bruce Shaw. I�`trt qe ,�Ivar� NEED A MORTGAGE? 1st, 2nd, Multi Family -or Com- mercial, flexible terms, fast, confidential service, Call "The Mortgage Mart" London - 433-6666 WE GET RESULTS! We're glad you asked! BOB FLETCHER WHO SIiOULD BE TOLD ABOUT A DEATH? It is easy to forget, when a loved one dies, that there are many other people who should be advised about the death. The most obvious are family members: parents, children; brothers and sisters, and other relatives. They should•be notified soon, by telephone if theylive far away, so they can mike t kttte..rest of mT Friends of the deceased also will want to attend funeral services and should be notllied promptly. These include neighbors as well as friends from religious, professional and recreational groups. Also, business associates of the deceased should be told of the dean' so they can make suitable arrangements of their own. Usually a single phone call to the business is sufficient. mly rr?rtc •�: The tunerai horrre i1 otSfuary to be published n •the ed. f We, asrfnneral directors, can help make this officuft time a little easier for everyone. Please call us or stop by if you have q our services. Stuffing envelopes Send addressed, stamped envelope to: J.B. Enterprises Box 529, Goderich, Ont. N7A 4C7 newspaper. Your funeral director will ask you for: the in ormation need The futteral Home in Exeter who Is o member of rhe Onlona funeral Serowe Atfouohon ,f: rUH,RAL NOME �'�....""" :7,. v;,�irt zas •tri :Al Mother's Day at Country Flowers We carry the freshest, most beautiful flowers available COUNTRY rows 11° We deliver smiles - 235-230