Thanks to everyone who managed to drop by our booth at the Toronto International Boat Show. For the first time in several years, there was a noticeable increase in attendance, and the overall 'vibe' of the show was refreshingly very positive!

This year, we had a record number of new listings just prior to, and during the show. In fact, we've recently listed close to one million dollars worth of new inventory! This is not including a 106" Lazzara, which has an asking price of just over three million dollars on it's own (and yes, this is a good asking price!).

Our next event is the Ottawa Boat Show, February 23-26. If you're in the area, we'd love to see you. We are hoping that the general positive upswing continues on there, and on into the 2012 boating season.    -- Mike

Operating under the North South Nautical Group banner, North South Yacht Sales specializes in the sale of pre-owned power and sailing yachts. With its head office based in Port Credit Harbour Marina, North South Yacht Sales is one of the largest yacht brokerage in Ontario with several locations throughout the Province. In addition, the NSNG team has strategic alliances with brokerage firms in the United States and the Caribbean.

Heading up North South Nautical Group Inc. is Mike Burns, President. Burns has an extensive knowledge of the marine industry, and brokerage sales in particular. In addition to being a Certified Professional Yacht Broker, Burns was the General Manager of the largest yacht brokerage in Canada, Clift’s Marine Sales, for more than 6 years. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Yacht Brokers Association of America, and serves on the Certification Advisory Committee for the Certified Professional Yacht Broker program. Working closely with these esteemed organizations, and adapting the high level of standard and practices that these organizations demand has enabled North South Nautical Group Inc. to immediately attain recognition of an "Endorsed Brokerage" by the CPYB program. North South Nautical Group Inc. is the first yacht brokerage in Canada to attain this rating.

Joining Burns at North South Yacht Sales, Don Allin and Grant Bodnar (Port Credit), Rocco Barca (Orillia) and Greg Stratychuk (St. Catharines) all long time brokers at the former Clift's Marine Sales.  Fraser and Annie Campbell (Eastern Ontario) joined the team in the spring of 2009.

According to Burns,

"The North South Nautical Group marketing strategy is to emphasize the fact that our company is a ‘Pre-Owned Yacht Specialist’. Our goal is to become the preferred brokerage of choice for customers who are either looking to buy or sell previously owned yachts. New boat dealers that also sell pre-owned inventory may tend to focus on selling new boats and trade-ins. Arguably, boats on consignment do not receive the same level of service. With NSNG, our entire focus is pre-owned —there is no potential conflict of interest."

Read about North South Nautical Group in the Yachtworld.com Magazine.