DOCK LINKS !Lake Ontario, Trent Severn, Lake Simcoe and Gbay

[Lyndon670]

Hey folks,

Just a shout out - and to clarify, I checked with ADMIN before I sent this!

I recently started (another) new business, this time directly boating related and I think anyone up here in Canada thru the Trent and into Georgian Bay and the North Channel would benefit from it.

I have been boating in Lake Ontario, through the Trent and into Gbay and the North Channel since I was a kid, and I observed the following. Lake Ontario Boaters typically migrate eastbound towards the entrance to the Trent Severn Waterway system and/or the Thousand Islands either for annual vacations - or permanently as they go through the life cycle of boating. Trent Severn boaters typically migrate up to Lake Simcoe for the annual vacations and permanently. Lake Simcoe area boaters typically migrate north to Georgian Bay, and the Georgian Bay boaters typically migrate to the North Channel or West to Tobermory for their annual holiday.

Our new company is called "Dock Links", and is a compilation of ideas from those boating days where I said to myself "wouldn't it be nice if"...Dock Links is a member group that has boating member and partner members in its membership. I have strategically identified transient marinas along this migration route from Lake Ontario thru the Trent, Lake Simcoe, Georgian Bay and the North Channel/Tobermory. We have approached these marinas and have secured 50% off the posted transient rates, free pump outs and up to .05L off either gas or diesel for Dock Links members. At each identified member marina, we have also contracted Taxi services to provide a discounted rate to Dock Links members for trips into town for provisions/repairs/meals etc. Further, we have also made deals with 2 restaurants in close proximity to each member marina that will offer either a free appetizer or a discount off the bill for Dock Links Members. We have just signed a major national automotive parts supplier to offer discounts to Dock Links members. Finally, we have signed a deal with one of the largest Marine Insurance providers in Ontario to offer 10% of any new business - AND 10% OFF FOR ANY CURRENT POLICIES - for Dock Links members.

We have contracted a web design team who are currently working on Dock Links web page. It will show a map of the area you are travelling through and who the Dock Links member marinas are in that geographical area - including their services provided (discounts, Travel Lift Capacity, power avail etc). The map will also identify the additional member services in the area - for food, transportation, repairs etc.

My Facebook page is currently live, and every couple of days we will be announcing the name of a new signed corporate partner. Currently we have more than 10 marinas along the route from Lake Ontario all the way to the North Channel. With each marina comes local support partners as well.

We have just identified Queens Cove as our first Marina Partner, which is where we will be having our kick off on April 22nd. Membership cards will be able to purchase on this date. The membership cards cost $59 which offers everything I have identified here. A PWC card is also available that offers everything but the transient option (for obvious reasons) for $29.

The card basically pays for itself with one weekend at a partner marina paying 50% off the transient rate. Or perhaps a couple of visits to the local pub near a partner marina. Or simply signing with MD Insurance or letting MD Insurance know (if you are already a member) that you have purchased a Dock Links membership. Your annual holiday trip this year will more than amply cover the $59 cost of membership with the first stop at the fuel docks!

Check out our Facebook page and click "Follow" for updates. Feel free to email me if you have any questions - Lyndon@docklinks.ca

[mjk1040]

Sweet! Mike

[RGrew176]

Anything that can make boating more fun and with less hassle is a great thing. I may never get there but I hope this works out for all boaters us visit this beautiful area.

[CYO Admin]

Link to the facebook page?

[feeez]

Sounds like a good one Lyndon.... I will be following this closely as it develops.

Cheers
Fraser

[dsolo]

This is just what we need. My wife and I plan on having a seasonal slip at Hilton Beach, St. Joseph Island next year. We plan on exploring eastern NC and GB.

I wish the best.
Dan

[MakinTime]

Sounds like a great idea!

[Lyndon670]

Thanks for reminding me about the FB link!

https://www.facebook.com/DockLinks/

[Lyndon670]

Hey gang!

Haven't been on the board much, been really busy with the new business.

Here is a recap of how the 1st season on folded. Unfortunately the late start got us off to a terrible June. We did 2 boat shows at the beginning of the season (Orillia and Midland) and had lots of interest.

As of Labour Day, we were well north of 350 members. I hired a sales manager in July as things started to snowball beyond my abilities. We have several Canada wide discounts beyond our "meet and patatoes" marina network. We have partner marinas in the following areas:

Belleville
Bobcaygeon
Chemong Lake
Sturgeon Lake
Pigeon Lake
Lake Simcoe (2)
Orillia
Lake Couchiching
Sparrow Lake
Port Severn
Victoria Harbour
Midland (2)
Penetanguishine
Britt

These marinas offer 50% off transient rates + free pump outs (where they have facilities) to our members, 6 marinas offer fuel discounts and a handful of the listed ones offer service discounts as well.

By the end of October, we should have our network complete through the Rideau and are hoping to have Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and Lake St Clair buttoned down by January 1st.

We have also went into the local communities where these marinas are located and established discounts with the local business. We now have over 100 discount locations from restaurants to spas to supply stores.

We have a couple of major announcements coming up that will be game changers for our program.

Stay tuned!