Morton is of multi-ethnicity being a mixture of Labrador Retriever and Vizsla. He doesn’t come with a lot of kayak experience being only about seven months old at this time. However, he impressed Pat and me with his energy and his occasional willingness to learn. He has gone rowing with us but he seemed to be more interested in trying to get a drink of water from the lake than learning how to move about carefully in a small boat. But he has until Springtime to improve on his skills. However, he has begun to learn how to greet returning kayakers to the dock, as evidenced by the photo.

As dock master and part owner of Billington Sea Kayak, Morton will have large paws to fill. Bean, our first dock master, was an extraordinary example of a personality that could soften the most demanding of our customers. He was in all respects the best dog anyone could ever be fortunate enough to have. His one weakness in dealing with folks visiting our shop was the fact that he was always influenced by his desire to share their lunches. Hopefully Morton will be happy to possibly receive only a small dog treat for his efforts in customer satisfaction.

We wish Morton a long life and a successful career here at our shop and his new home.

Morton

Greeting Kayakers

The thefts seem to be getting more brazen in nature and more frequent in time.

The main emphasis of these thefts appears to involve the more recreational oriented models from 9’ to 14’ in length, both sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks that are popular and easy to sell quickly. Because kayaks are harder to hide because of their size, it means that either they have to be sold quickly or they have to be stored somewhere. When they are sold, it usually would be for ridiculously low prices. Usually there is a “hardship” tale that goes with it trying to explain the low price. The old adage that if a deal sounds too good to be true, then it usually is too good to be true.

There are things you can do and look for when purchasing a questionable used or new kayak. Look for a serial number stamped or scribed near the stern on the right-hand side (if you were sitting in the kayak). This number will usually be where the deck meets the hull about 4” to 6” from the stern. It will be a combination of letters and numbers usually totaling 12 characters. Ask the person selling the kayak if they have paperwork of their purchase of the boat. Do they know what year the kayak was built and when and where they purchased it? If it looks like the serial number has been filed or ground off, beware!

Whether or not you decide on making the purchase, get the sellers name, address, phone number, vehicle make, model and plate number. If the deal is legitimate, it is good information for you to have if you purchase the boat. If the deal is not legitimate, then this info is good for the local police to have.

There are some safeguards that boat owners can take to reduce the chance of their boats being stolen.

• When not in use, use a cable lock to secure the boat to a fixed object such as a tree, boat rack, fence post, etc. or roof rack when on your vehicle.

• When storing boat at your house, do not store it in view of people or vehicles passing by. Out of sight, out of mind.

• Write your name and phone numbers in two places in the boat. Do not include your address! The first place should be in the cockpit where anyone could see it. That’s in case the boat washes ashore with no one in it. Authorities can quickly check to find out if the person is missing or the boat just drifted off. The second place to have your name and phone number written is somewhere only you know its location. That’s in case it is stolen and could aid in the chance of its being recovered and returned to you.

This posting is a rather sad commentary about a reality of the world we live in and about the fact that most of us are willing to work for what we have or want, while a few are content with just taking advantage of others. Fortunately, good conscience, morals and ethics are the strengths prevalent in the vast majority of folks, especially those enjoying paddle sports.

Unfortunately, having knowledgeable staff and demo boats to try in several models from several manufacturers costs money, but you as the consumer will benefit greatly through being able to make better decisions because of our staff’s expertise and our large selection of kayaks. Most folks wouldn’t buy a pair of shoes or an automobile without trying them first. Why would you purchase a kayak or canoe without trying them first? Time and effort in making your decision pays off every time when you finally head out on the water.

Our goal is for you to have fun and your family to be safe.

KAYAK FISHING WORKSHOP
“Tips from Experience”

Two local kayak fishermen, Charlie Fortier and Wayne Perry will be here at the Billington Sea Kayak shop located on Billington Sea in Plymouth, presenting “Tips from Experience” on fishing from a kayak. Both have years of fishing experience and for the last 3 years have been fishing from kayaks. They will be happy to share their kayak fishing experience and will be covering topics including gear, setting up your kayak, kayak fishing techniques, and safety.

So, along with Charlie and Wayne’s experience and Billington Sea Kayak’s 24 years of kayak and canoe knowledge, participants can gain 1st hand information on kayak fishing. There will be opportunity to ask questions as well as paddle some of the kayaks that are designed for kayak fishing.

This is a FREE workshop but there are only a limited number of spaces available so pre-registration is suggested. Please call Billington Sea Kayak at 508-746-5644 to register.

!!!! New Location !!!!

South Shore Expo Center, Jungleplex
8 Natalie Way, Plymouth, MA
(just off Rt 3 at Exit 5)

Saturday, March26 10am-5pm
Sunday, March 27 9am-4pm

We will have several fishing kayaks and accessories on display

For more details please visit
www.massachusettsstripedbass.com

And at the

Ninth Annual
North and South Rivers Watershed Association’s
2011 Watershed Expo
A Celebration of Our Local Resource

Saturday, April 2 10am-4pm
Norwell Middle School
328 Main Street, Route 123, Norwell, MA

Get ready for the upcoming season.
Come meet vendors and enjoy several interactive activities and displays

• Kayaking & Canoeing

• Hiking & Geocaching

• Birding

• Green Gardening

• Backyard Biology

• Attend lectures, demonstrations, slide & video presentations of various fun filled activity adventures.

• Take a chance in a raffle for a new kayak.

For further info contact the NSRWA at 781-659-8168
Or visit
www.watershedexpo.org

When we haven’t been plowing, sanding or shoveling our roads, time has been spent updating material for the web site. The new information on kayak and canoe models, including photos, specifications and MSRP pricing, should be appearing on our web site shortly.

The past couple of years have been tough times for most and we are no exception to those hard times. I know that we are all hoping that things start to even out again although it most likely will not at the same level as a few years ago. So let us all be thankful for what we have in our families, friends, health, and environment. We can, and should, strive to make each of those stronger. Fortunately, kayaking and canoeing can be a relatively inexpensive way to enjoy and improve on each of those valuable assets.

Spring is just around the corner and we are still here doing what we enjoy… helping folks as they are just getting into the sport of kayaking or canoeing, as well as still servicing past customers who have shopped here over the past 25 years. Okay, now let’s hit the water!!

Join us on SATURDAY, MAY 15, 10:30-12:30 for a FREE KAYAK FISHING WORKSHOP.
Two local kayak fishermen, Charlie Fortier and Wayne Perry will be here at the Billington Sea Kayak shop located on Billington Sea in Plymouth, presenting “Tips from Experience” on fishing from a kayak. Both have years of fishing experience and for the last 3 years have been fishing from kayaks. They will be happy to share their kayak fishing experience and will be covering topics including gear, setting up your kayak, kayak fishing techniques, and safety.

So, along with Charlie and Wayne’s experience and Billington Sea Kayak’s 24 years of kayak and canoe knowledge, participants can gain 1st hand information on kayak fishing. There will be opportunity to ask questions as well as paddle some of the kayaks that are designed for kayak fishing.

This is a FREE workshop but there are only a limited number of spaces available so pre-registration is required. Please call Billington Sea Kayak at 508-746-5644 to register.

2 for 1 single Kayak Rentals
SAVE $25

Get a taste for summer. Paddle the 5 miles of shoreline. Bring a lunch and explore the wildlife on Billington Sea in Plymouth.

All school age children must be accompanied by an adult. Cash or checks only. Please call 508-746-5644