Boating Industry Canada October 2015 - (Page 27)

M A D E I N C A N A DA MarsKeel Growth Through Innovation and Experience sailing yachts such a Baltic and Swan. The logistics of shipping large keels overseas are not as daunting as one might think. Indeed Kevin Milne says that it can cost as much to ship a keel across country as to ship one to South Africa, where the company has developed a successful relationship with Southern Wind Shipyard, builders of super yachts in the 80 - 120 foot range. Recently the third keel, designed by Reichel Pugh Yacht Design, was shipped for the SW 94. In North America, a 150,000 lb. keel sent to Hodgdon Yachts in Boothbay Harbor Maine, required a tandem trailer 100 ft. long with a tractor at each end. The bridge over the Niagara River was shut BY GLEN CAIRNS As people study the many different yachts on display at various boat shows, only a few of them give much thought to the one part that accounts for up to half the boat's weight, namely the ballast keel. Indeed the area below the waterline is often covered by a discreet curtain as if it were slightly risqué. For Mars Metal of Burlington Ontario, it's what's on the bottom that counts and the company has established itself as a leader in the manufacture and design of lead ballast keels. Begun some 35 years ago by Kevin Milne as a casting and foundry business, Mars Metal found itself being asked to produce ballast keels for the many Canadian production boat builders, which at that time, were located within a few hours drive. Much has changed since those heady days and the global recession of 2008 was the final blow to many builders. Today Mars Metal through its MarsKeel division has adapted to a changing market with innovation and diversification. According to company president Kevin Milne today's production is split about 50/50 between production and custom work. MarsKeel still works with surviving production builders such a Catalina Yachts who have retained lead keels while some other builders have switched to iron as a cost saving measure. However increasingly the company's business has focused on high-end builders of larger sailing yachts. Having a sales representative based in Amsterdam has expanded the European awareness of MarsKeel and their capabilities. Attending the superyacht show Monaco has allowed them to make contact with the world's pre-eminent builders of large www.boatingindustry.ca 27 http://www.bridgeportmarina.ca http://www.boatingindustry.ca

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Boating Industry Canada October 2015

InsIght
Industry News
GE SpotlIght
PRODUCT FOCUS – IBEX SHOW 2015: IBEX 2015 was a treasure trove of new products and Boating Industry Canada brings you the show coverage plus a number of video interviews. – by Andy Adams
Ad Nauseam
IMPACT - MARK BRUCKMANN: A long overdue profile on Bruckmann Yachts, at the heart of Canadian boatbuilding since the dawn of fiberglass. – by Andy Adams
MADE IN CANADA – MARSKEEL: For Mars Metal of Burlington Ontario, it’s what’s on the bottom that counts and their MarsKeel diviosion has established itself as a global leader in lead ballast keels – by Glen Cairns
MADE IN CANADA – VOYAGER: Voyager Self Steering Inc. was founded by Peter Teitz, a Canadian sailor and retired machinist/patternmaker living in Kitchener, Ontario. – by Glen Cairns

Boating Industry Canada October 2015