Grady-White Owners’ Clubs Are Happening! See pages 4-5
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IN THIS ISSUE: Tournaments and Events | Club News | Letters and Photos | Customer Tips | New Boats!
World’s Largest Gathering of Grady Owners: Grady Fest 2009 The Gulf Coast Grady Fest was held at the new Charlotte Harbor Conference Center in Punta Gorda, FL, on March 28. Over 250 Grady-White owners and enthusiasts from throughout Florida and as far as New York and Indiana attended the daylong symposium. The event lived up to its motto: “The Largest Gathering of Grady Owners in the World.” This first-ever Grady Fest was a project of the Tarpon Coast Grady-White Club, sponsored by Ingman Marine of Port Charlotte, FL, and supported by several of the state’s other Grady owners’ clubs and dealers. The Grady Fest was the brainchild of Tarpon Coast Grady-White Club members Dan and Cher Clark, whose intent was to offer the chance for clubs all around Florida to get together for a day of education, entertainment and socializing. Throughout the day, attendees were treated to presentations from Yamaha, Garmin, SPOT Locator, mystery/suspense author and attorney Terry Griffin discussing liability on the water, an offshore charter captain, several seafood chefs, and a dermatologist offering sun protection advice. In addition there were vendor booths, information displays and an owners’ forum by Grady-White factory representatives. “This was an exciting day with beautiful arrangements in a bay setting,” expressed Benny Parrish, service manager of Cannons Marina, Longboat Key, FL.
GARMIN MARINE ELECTRONICS representatives were on the Captain’s agenda at the Grady Fest.
“It was a great time to mingle with customers and bring Grady owners together.” There were separate forums for the “captains” and “first mates.” Ken
Wright is the current commodore of the Gulfstream Grady Club, sponsored by Mariner Marine, Riviera Beach, FL. He and his wife, Donna, are Express 330
owners who winter in North Palm Beach and live in Shelter Island, NY, during the summer. “I found the Grady Fest to be of particular interest. I liked the Yamaha presentation about filters, ethanol and tank operation. Garmin hit a home run, and opened my eyes to digital communication.” Donna commented, “As a result of the opening remarks by the USCG Auxiliary in the women’s session, I made a special point on a recent trip to learn as much as possible from my husband about how to handle the boat, so that I would be better prepared in case of an emergency. And, the tips on sun safety were good and we benefited from the opportunity to try sample sunscreen products.” Dick and Loretta Corle, Release 283 owners, winter in Fort Myers Beach and summer in Portland, IN. “From a woman’s point of view the Fest was just continued on page 2
GR ADY- WHITE | THE ULTIMATE IN BOATING SATISFACTION | WWW.GR ADYWHITE.COM | SUMMER 2009 | VOLUME 29 NO. 2