Inside Pursuit Boats with Pier 33

Pier 33 General Manager Tighe Curran recently returned from Pursuit's Offshore University at Pursuit headquarters in Fort Pierce, Florida. Learn about the Pursuit Factory Tour and plan your own visit someday soon!

Each year, the Pier 33 staff has an opportunity to visit Pursuit for Offshore University, an

assemblage of Pursuit dealer professionals from throughout the U.S. and beyond. The highlight of this week, for me, is always the factory tour. As many times as I have been through boat manufacturing plants, I am continued to be impressed with the cohesiveness, attention to detail and craftsmanship I encounter on every visit to Pursuit in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Pursuit is known for its Michigan heritage and premium, yacht-level quality. Pursuit is one division of S2 Yachts - Tiara is the other - founded and headquartered in Holland, MI by Leon Slikkers and still guided by his vision & values as the family carries on his boatbuilding legacy.

The level of commitment to producing an absolutely outstanding boat is evident at every stop

Each Mold Receives Meticulous Care

along the way. As we go through the plant, it is plainly evident why Pursuit is so highly regarded for the durability, reliability, consistent running comfort and timeless styling built into each model. These superior characteristics result in long-term value for the Pursuit owner. If you are ever considering a new boat in this category, please let us know when you can visit Pursuit in Fort Pierce. Feel welcome and encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to see how your boat comes together.

Each station throughout the plant carries a detailed Controlled Work Instruction for that step in the process, ensuring consistency in each boat on the line. All molds – hulls, decks small parts – are meticulously maintained for a

By The Book - Always - For Consistency

superbly finished product … with each boat hand-laid, using climate controlled high performance resins and knitted biaxial fiberglass to assure superior strength. As the hulls and decks are in process, aluminum backing plates are bonded into place to provide exceptional reinforcement for the heavy-duty deck hardware used on every Pursuit model.

The construction of Pursuit’s integral fiberglass stringer systems is truly state of the art, with stringer grids vacuum-bagged and resin infused. This process reduces weight, while also providing exceptional strength, durability, reliability and a consistent fit. This grid is then precision-bonded to the hull and foam-filled.

If you ever have an opportunity to visit, spend some extra time in the wiring rooms. This amazing process is a great demonstration of how Pursuit builds reliability into every boat. So many manufacturers splice, butt-together and hodgepodge the crucial wiring runs that deliver power to on board accessories. At

State of The Art Resin Infused Stringer Grid

Pursuit, wiring harness are loomed in-house, with continuous strands (no in-line connections or splices!) then protected by loom chafing. Accessories are all plug and play, with watertight Deutsch electrical connectors. The entire bundle for each individual boat is then carted to the production line, eliminating the errors or wiring damage that can occur when an “ordinary” boat is being wired out on the factory floor. You may never see these wiring looms when you’re on board your Pursuit … but you can rest assured that they have been engineered and assembled to give you a trouble-free ownership experience.

This is Why Your Gear Works

During a factory tour, you will also get to visit Pursuit’s wood shop, where the very-highly crafted cabin soles and cabinetry that distinguish Pursuit are cut, varnished and assembled. All canvas and upholstery is also done on-site, for perfect fit and finish on each boat.

The hull and deck are assembled separately, but production is coordinated to bring them together at just the right time. Here is a video from one of our recent visits, showing the “Decking” of a new Pursuit.

There is so much more to tell. Stop by to visit Pier 33 during the boat show season for an on- board tour of a completed Pursuit. See us at the Progressive Insurance Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show, January 16 thru 20 and the Grand Rapids Boat Show, February 19 thru 23. For boat show details, visit www.pier33.com.

We're Now A Dealer For Robalo Boats!

In case you missed the big news, Pier 33 is now a Robalo Boats dealer. We will provide Robalo sales and service throughout West Michigan and Northern Indiana.

Manufactured in Nashville, Georgia, Robalo is a premium quality line of outboard powered center console and walk-around cabin style sport fishing boats. Robalo currently builds thirteen models ranging in size from 18 to 30 feet, including six models featuring "No-Haggle Reel Deal" nationally advertised pricing.

Want to know more about the company behind the Robalo Boats brand?

Think about it: your boat builder partnership is key.

Let's face it; the rules for selling boats have changed. Dramatically. In years gone by styling, fishability, performance, features and price got the job done. The name on the hull side is important, but now more than ever, the company behind the name is what it's all about. Robalo has become a leader in the marine industry because of our history, diverse product line, profit-minded business practices and solid management. Cutting edge technology and a time tested history create excitement and a sense of confidence. Value-oriented pricing sells.

Simply stated, you can't find a better boat building partner than Robalo. Fishing boats are our only business. That's all we do. Just fishing boats. Our numbers tell a convincing story. Robalo, and it's sister company Chaparral, have one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry. At a time when most boat companies are forced to slash budgets, Robalo continues to invest in new product development, offering aggressive factory rebates to move dealer inventory and bolster our already high customer service scores. Robalo's financial strength makes it all possible and strategically positions us for the future. At Robalo, we've always said, "The boats are the stars." That still holds true today, but it's equally important that boat buyers and dealers alike want to know the strength of the company and the people behind the name.

"Robalo has proven itself to be a brand highly respected for quality, design and performance and the models most recently introduced are real winners," according to Pier 33 General Manager Tighe Curran. "Plus, Robalo has had great success offering boaters outstanding values thru Reel Deal pricing. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity and we’re looking forward to our first boats arriving in time for the New Year."

Which Robalo Boats model interests you?

Pier 33 Yacht Brokerage and Pre-Owned Sale

The 2013 Pier 33 Yacht Brokerage & Pre-Owned Boat Show continues, featuring our very best selection of the year. We have powerboats of all sizes, styles and price ranges. Take advantage of this outstanding late-season opportunity to choose your boat for 2014 and beyond. We have boats are on display on-shore, in our showroom and in-water.

Boat Show Hours:

Friday: 10am to 5pm

Saturday: 10am to 5pm

Sunday: Noon to 5pm

View our complete list of boats by clicking here.

Shopping for an extra affordable bargain? See our Under-$20k page (with some under $10k!) for some very affordable values by clicking here.

Be sure to join us for the show!

Fishing is Fun - For the Whole Family

Fishing has been a favorite sport for many generations. You could say that fishing has been one of the very first activities that a father and his child have enjoyed together – and what better bonding time than in the outdoors fishing? Fishing can be fun and beneficial for both children and adults, and has created a lifetime of traditions and memories. Not to mention all of the other benefits it holds!

There are many different types of fishing, but fishing in general is good for your health. While you may look like a bump on a log at certain points throughout your fishing day, you’re gaining a great amount of Vitamin D from the sun, which is a major vitamin deficiency in most people’s daily nutritional intake since our main source of Vitamin D only comes from UV rays. Be sure to wear sun block though. Vitamin D isn’t necessarily a good thing when your skin is burnt!  Another health benefit is the simple active nature of fishing. It takes a lot of muscle groups in your body to reel a fish in. From your forearms to your thighs, you may be working more muscles than you realized. While fishing may not help you lose a noticeable amount of weight, it can help you tone your muscles. This is also a good way to get your family active while having fun!

I often remember my grandfather coming home in the evenings from doing a little fishing. When he’d get home, well after dark, we were always intrigued to hear about ‘the one that got away’ or the ones that didn’t. But quite differently, as children, we misunderstood his still happy face when coming home after catching absolutely nothing. What’s the point of fishing if you don’t catch anything? As an adult, I can now fully understand. Fishing isn’t always about catching fish. Being on a boat with a line in the water is one of the most rewarding activities. It’s unexplainable, but fishing is relaxing. Maybe it’s the silence. Maybe it’s feeling the water swaying back and forth under your feet with the expectation that at any moment, that pole might bend. Maybe it’s being one with nature, or maybe it’s because, in most cases, fishing requires little thinking and allows your mind to wander. Either way, it’s worth the relaxation, even if you don’t catch the ‘big one’.

Fresh clean fish are tasty, that’s a given. Fishing is often used to put food on family’s tables, especially during the spring and summer months. Providing fish for your family is a great benefit to fishing. While most anglers enjoy catching and releasing fish, many people still enjoy what the sport was originally created for …food! You’ll of course need to check with your state to see if there are any special requirements on length and types of fish that you can keep. You’ll need to make sure your fishing license is up to date as well, whether you plan on keeping a fish or not.

Whether walking in the river, standing on the shoreline, or sitting in a boat, fishing is fun for the entire family – even mom! Introducing your children to nature at an early age not only improves sensory skills and lures them away from the television, but it also offers a fun learning experience about water, safety, and teaching them patience and independence. Growing a strong bond with your family is also another benefit. Families that enjoy the simple activities in life together, including fishing, are more relaxed, bonded, and overall, happier. Take this time of doing something you already love doing to bond with your family and enjoy teaching them about leadership skills, nature, fishing, and life. Involve every member of your family. Every family member, old or young, will learn more when they sense the feeling of being involved and having their family involved. You are showing true leadership skills when you take the time to first apply these skills to your family, patiently. Fishing is an amazing leadership and independence builder. These simple skills will help your child feel more confident and able in everyday life at school or with their friends.  Your family will feel comfortable in having conversations with one another, especially when there is a common bond. When you and your family can completely enjoy something together, a lifetime bond begins to form.

There’s nothing like watching the face of your child when they catch their first fish – or their second, or their eighth! Make sure you have all of the necessary “kid friendly” fishing tools before you set off on your fishing adventure. Things such as bobbers, a small child size fishing pole, and live bait can enhance the experience for everyone. A word of advice, keep your camera handy. You’re guaranteed to catch more than just fun slimy fish during the day! Laughing – just one more key benefit to fishing with your family.

So now that we know that fishing is relaxing, good for your health, and a great bonding experience – you may be wondering “where does the ‘fun’ for the kids come in?” There are so many great tools on the web for you to enhance your child’s fishing experience, but nothing is better than actually getting out there and getting their little beginner angler hands dirty. Before you go fishing, let your child pick out a fishing pole that’s just their size. Whether it’s a Disney fishing pole or simply satin black, it’s always fun when you have something of your own that you got to pick out all by yourself. Next – the bait. Live bait is always fun when fishing with your family. But if it’s not accessible, that’s fine too. Have your children search for worms and critters under rocks and in the yard or along the river bank.  Give them mason jars or other types of clear containers so that they can see what they’ve collected. If you have more than one child, turn it into a game! See who can collect the most bait.

When you’re fishing with the entire family, make a day of it! Don’t just narrow your day to fishing. Take a cooler full of food and drinks, maybe even a blanket to sit on when you’re on shore. Go exploring on shore or on a beach, play some games, go swimming. There are so many things you can do to make the most of your time with the ones you love.

The most important part to making fishing fun for your family is to sit back, relax, and don’t force it. If you find that your family is getting bored (especially if the fish aren’t biting), let them take a break. Let them go swimming or set the poles down and let them enjoy a snack, read a book, or play a game while waiting. The fish will always be there, but quality time with their parent(s) won’t be. Take this time to talk to them about their week, toys, school, events, or for the older kids….what they want to do with their lives. You see, fishing is more than just throwing a hook and line into the water; it’s about involving and showing your family that you’re taking the time to be with them. It’s about showing them that you care, and that no matter what, you’re always there. It’s about generations of families following traditions and making new memories. And if you catch fish, that’s pretty cool too.