BMO Fall 2020 Newsletter

[Updated: 11/18/2020] Price for the "HydroStar Sea Star Deluxe Deck Light" has been corrected.

Wow; this has certainly been a year to remember! Worrying about how to keep our business going when we were shut down then how to keep up once we reopened. Trying to recognize people behind their masks (not to mention understanding them, and them, us!), striving to keep both our staff and customers safe, and dealing with extremely long resupply times for inventory. Whew!

That said, after a summer of mostly bare shelves we’re building inventory again. If you haven’t been to see us in a while stop in - we finally have something to show you! Be sure to also check out our boat inventory page every once in a while!

BMO Showroom…with Boats!

What’s New for 2021 Bookmark this location of the page.

Although our industry is still reeling from an unusual year we do have several new boat models coming out soon:

Dagger is debuting their new River Runner/Creek boat the Code in 2021, replacing their long-standing Mamba series. Featuring a wide-planing hull for stability, rails that carry through the stern for better speed, accentuated bow rocker for a dry ride, and Dagger’s signature Contour Ergo Creek outfitting system in three sizes; ‘cause one size doesn’t fit all. (And yes, it comes in Red…of course!)

Native Watercraft is rounding out their Slayer Propel series with a 10’ Slayer MAX for 2021; all the attributes of the already popular Slayer Propel 12.5 Max in a pick-up-bed-friendly size. Coming Spring, 2021 to BMO.

Slayer Propel 10 Max

Also coming this spring, Native’s Falcon 11, a feature-rich fishing kayak with Hi-Lo Frame Seating, console w/ battery & transducer scupper access, stand up pads, groove tracks for accessory mounting, flush mount rod holders, and tag along wheel; all at an affordable $849.

Falcon 11

Northstar Canoes is going to extremes in 2021, adding a 10’ 18 lb. version to their already popular 12’ Adirondack packboat, and on the other end of the spectrum, the B 19, a 19’ tripping canoe big enough to (in their words) handle a “moose with a passable J-stroke.” (We don’t know any of them personally, but DO know this boat will swallow just about anything you can put in it!)

Perception is building on the success of this year’s Outlaw with a Pedal Driven model, the Showdown. All the perks of the Outlaw with the ability to paddle or pedal. (And if you’re not into either the stern is motor mount ready as well!) See you at the O.K. Corral!

Originally scheduled for release in 2020 (before Covid-19) Wilderness Systems is coming out with their new fishing kayak, the Recon 120, along with a pedal drive version, the Recon 120 HD in Spring of 2021. Feature-rich from bow to stern, the only question is: to pedal or not to pedal?

Recon 120 HD

Used Rental Boats Bookmark this location of the page.

If conditions this year have left you unable to swing a new boat (as it has for many of us!) or you’re just looking to add another boat to your quiver, we will be selling several of our rental kayaks this fall. Watch our website for updated information!

Boat Inventory Page

BMO Staff Update Bookmark this location of the page.

Joining us this year is BMO’s newest employee, Jeff Fisher. Jeff brings a wealth of experience to us including raft guiding, climbing, back-country adventure, and (maybe our favorite!) bar manager at a lodge. Stop in sometime and meet him if you haven’t already!

Jeff, in his Element!

Jeff & Tim, cruisin’ the Susquehanna

Blame it on quarantining at home or just plain getting old but Doug and I found ourselves becoming Bird Nerds this summer. I even started collecting milkweed “fluff” for hummingbirds to use to build their nests (held together with spider webs…and we have PLENTY of those!)

But one hummingbird had other ideas; landing on Doug’s head and trying to pull out a piece of his hair instead. Doug will be wearing a hat on the deck from now on!

And speaking of Doug’s hair, it got REALLY long (along with his beard) during the Covid shutdown. Luckily we have a friend (thanks, Gail!) who agreed to cut it for him during our annual Assalot Staff Retreat!

Fall Sales! Bookmark this location of the page.

Wondered whether we would even have a Black Friday / Small Business Saturday sale this year because we didn’t know if we’d have anything to sell, but we have decided to go ahead and stay with tradition now that stock is building up. (And if we don’t have what you’re looking for we’ll be happy to order it for you!)

This year more than ever it’s important to “Shop Small” and support your local businesses, and we hope to see you here as well as at other local establishments!

Get ‘Em While you Can! Bookmark this location of the page.

While working on our Seattle Sports orders for 2021 I noticed that one of their key products, the HydroStar Sea Star Deluxe Deck Light (wow; what a mouthful!), was missing. Come to find out it was discontinued. A frantic call to our rep (thanks, Russ!) showed they had 30 left and that someone from Denmark wanted them all. BUT, they didn’t place the order, so we did!

$39.95, while they last!

Pat’s Stratus Kayak Transformation Bookmark this location of the page.

When our good friend Pat Reilly passed away (we miss you, Pat!) he left behind a (once) beautiful Current Designs Stratus kayak that had been “Reilly-fied” and needed a LOT of work. His sister Sharon asked us to resurrect it for her, and it’s now back on the water in memory of Pat. Thank you, Tim, for a great job, and Sharon for caring to have it restored!

Stratus, Before and Stratus, After

Purple Lizard Map Update Bookmark this location of the page.

Our friends at Purple Lizard Maps have added a new one I think you’ll be anxious to check out; Loyalsock/World’s End.

$17.00, available now at BMO

Dressing for Cold Weather Bookmark this location of the page.

Jeff suggested that because we’ve had many customers shopping recently for Fall and Winter paddling apparel it might be a good time to review clothing options.

Wetsuit versus Drysuit? Think of the terminology: Wetsuits (whether full, partial, or separate pieces) add warmth and protect your core organs but don’t keep you dry. On average a paddling style wetsuit will add APPROXIMATELY 10-15 minutes of working time to a paddler submerged in cold water. (Of course this is subjective; some of us have more insulation than others or more tolerance to cold.)

A Drysuit on the other hand keeps you dry (surprise!). Sealed at the neck, wrists, and ankles (or feet, if it includes waterproof socks) it keeps all water out. Warmth, however, has to be provided by layers worn beneath the suit, and it is extremely important that those layers be non-cotton. (This goes for all cold weather paddling; there’s a reason outfitters refer to paddlers wearing cotton as “Cotton Cadavers”.) Appropriately layered a Drysuit provides not only more protection from cold water but also more comfort.

Don’t forget hands, feet, and head. Your body’s response to cold water is to draw heat from the extremities to protect core organs, so you’ll want gloves (or pogies), footwear, and headwear to keep you warm. Again, avoid cotton at all costs!

BMO Gallery of Fine Art Bookmark this location of the page.

This month’s photo comes from Ed Atts, taken from his Northstar Solo canoe. Thanks, Ed!

Ducklings on the water. Photograph taken by Ed Atts.

Dougism Bookmark this location of the page.

Finally we leave you with the latest Dougism, “I don’t like being smighted” (Smitten but slighted? Not really sure!)

Stay safe, stay sane, and get outdoors!

- The BMO Gang
( Doug, Mary, Tim, Jeff & Greg )