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Mike Burns, CPYB - Port Credit Office - President |
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 Some of Mike Burns’ earliest memories were that of boating on Lake Ontario aboard his family’s 1949 Chris Craft Sedan Cruiser. Most of his summers were spent cruising the north shore of Lake Ontario from the Toronto Islands, down to the 1000 Islands.
As Mike grew up, the "boating bug" stayed with him and most of his summers during his teen years were spent touring the Great Lakes aboard Sail Training Vessels. This allowed him to develop skills in such areas as ship handling, navigation and marlinspike seamanship. He later signed on a 150’ British Sail Training Schooner during which time he had the opportunity to visit many ports in various European countries bordering the North Sea. The experience Mike gained aboard Training Ships, along with a two-year course in Marine Technology, gave him the opportunity to earn certification in Coastal Navigation, Celestial Navigation, and D.O.T. Marine Emergency Duties.
After a brief stint managing a Charter Boat operation on Manitoulin Island, Mike took up an offer to deliver a 1947 48’ Elco Motor Yacht from Toronto to Florida via Chicago, and the Tombigbee and Mississippi river system. What was supposed to be a one-month delivery, turned out to be a three-year adventure up and down the eastern seaboard and in the Bahamas. During this time, Mike acquired his USCG 100-Ton Masters license.
Mike is the former General Manager of Clift’s Marine Sales, which was Canada’s Largest Yacht Brokerage. Mike is also very well recognized in the marine industry by both business associates and to the general public alike. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Yacht Brokers Association of America, Burns is a contributing writer for several national boating publications and also produces and hosts a segment on Power Boat Television that features the demonstration and reviews of pre-owned yachts.
During the 'off season', Mike prefers to head south to escape the cold whenever he can and has been enoying bare boat chartering in the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, and more recently Belize. As a certified PADI diver, Mike enjoys time on and below the surface....just as long as it's warm!
Contact Mike |
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Don Allin, CPYB - Port Credit Office |
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 Don first acquired a love of the water and boats by growing up in the Bay of Quinte. He was a member of the Belleville Sea Cadets and then spent many years on his family's Chris Craft Cruiser with several trips to the Thousand Islands. He then went onto University and graduated in Physics and Mathematics at Western and then received his Education Degree at Queen's. Subsequently he became a High School teacher in the Peel Region including Port Credit where he discovered sailing at the Port Credit Yacht Club. He bought his first sailboat, an Ontario 32 named "Salut", with the intention of sailing offshore to the Caribbean. From very humble beginnings, as Don says, "not knowing the pointy end from the flat end"; he has managed to sail "Salut" over 35,000 nautical miles including all the Great Lakes (except Superior), the Caribbean including the Windward/Leeward Islands, the Bahamas, and the Northeast coast of the USA with stops that included the Chesapeake, Long Island Sound, Nantucket, Martha's Vinyard and Cape Cod. Don has given many presentations throughout the province on his sailing adventures on behalf of the Ontario Sailing Association.
In the year 2000, after retiring from 32 enjoyable years of teaching, Don's longtime friend David de Eyre encouraged him to become a Yacht Broker at Clift's Marine Sales and the rest is history, as they say. Don's honesty and natural enthusiasm for boating and meeting new people has helped him make many of his clients dreams come true. He is dedicated to matching the right people with the right boat at the right price. Many of his clients have become good friends and he has combined his lust for travel and adventure by cruising with them. He has been fortunate to have sailed throughout the Mediterranean, the Greek Islands and trans Atlantic as well as several offshore deliveries to the Caribbean. Don has earned the distinction of being designated as a "Certified Professional Yacht Broker" (CPYP), by the National Yacht Broker Certification Program. Presently, Don is very happy to be part of North South Nautical Group and enjoys being reunited with his former colleagues at Clift's . He keeps "Salut" at the Midland Bay Sailing Club and enjoys boating on one the best cruising waters in the world, Georgian Bay. Contact Don |
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Grant Bodnar, CPYB - Port Credit Office |
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 Some of Grant's earliest and fondest memories of boating were on his family vacations near Parry Sound. There was just something special about sticking your hand in the very blue Georgian Bay waters while the boat moved slowly along. Born and raised in Georgetown Ontario, Grant has been in retail sales since the early eighties. Originally in the new automotive industry with Toyota, Grant decided to aspire to the boating industry in 1992. As Assistant Harbour Master with the Lakefront Promenade Marina in Mississauga, Grant quickly got the itch and bought himself his first thirty foot Sea Ray Express Cruiser.
Grant is formerly with Clift's Marine Sales, with whom he joined in 1998 and has been selling Pre Owned Yachts ever since. The adjustment from selling new cars to pre owned boats didn't take long. Grant's laid back and low pressure sales approach keeps his many customers at ease when making a major buying decision. Grant has recently earned the regonition as a Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB). This distinction puts him in a special group of professionals holding the highest standard of professionalism and ethics. Grant enjoys dealing with the many great lines of Power Cruisers but has a bit of a soft spot for the Sea Ray boats. His only other weakness is Shania Twain, so if you see her tell her Grant was asking for her. Contact Grant |
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Rocco Barca, CPYB - Orillia Office |
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 Being involved in boating for over 25 years Rocco has logged thousands of ocean miles as both charter captain and live-aboard cruiser. He delivered his first boat single-handed from South America to the U.S. and spent five years cruising the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean with his wife and two children.
Rocco graduated with honours in Sales & Marketing from Niagara College and is also a Business graduate from the University of Western. He spent most of his early career in Finance & Banking and then for 10 years as owner/operator of a successful manufacturing firm with over 40 employees. After the sale of his Company Rocco knew he would eventually get involved in some facet of the boating business……with ‘Barca’ as his surname (means ‘boat’ in Italian) it was destiny calling. Rocco’s background brings forth a professional & diversfied skill set that enables him to effectively serve his clients in every aspect of their boat purchase or sale.
Rocco has earned the distinction of being designated as a "Certified Professional Yacht Broker" (CPYB), by the National Yacht Broker Certification Program.
Rocco was formerly with Clift's Marine Sales. He started in 1998 and was the company's Top Producer for several years. With almost half of his business being repeat customers and referrals you can depend on Rocco’s honest, dedicated approach to help you find a yacht that fits your needs.
Contact Rocco |
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Greg Stratychuk, Certified Marine Sales Professional - St. Catharines Office |
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 Greg has been an active power boater for over 25 years in Southern Ontario. Experienced in powerboats 14 to 40 feet, He has operated vessels on the Great Lakes, Trent System, the Caribbean, and the West Coast. He has been active in the Canadian Power Squadron for over 15 years, serving in many positions including Commander, Training Officer, but, always has enjoyed sharing his knowledge by teaching the boating course and is still active in teaching.
Greg also publishes a newsletter to over 350 local boaters, and is a recognized provider of the Pleasurecraft Operator Card (PCOC). Greg was educated at the University of Western Onatrio, and after a 32 year career in the automotive industry he retired to continue with his passion for boating. Greg was formely with Clift's Marine Sales. He opened a branch office in St. Catharines, and he continues to enjoy serving the Niagara area and beyond, establishing clients, contacts, and many friends in the process. Contact Greg |
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Fraser & Annie Campbell - Eastern Ontario |
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 Having lived on the Ottawa River for many years, Annie and Fraser have gained extensive boating experience from having cruised these waters. In addition, they have cruised the waters from Sorel, P.Q. down through the St. Lawrence locks to the Ottawa and made several complete passages through the Rideau Canal to Lake Ontario. Other trips have taken them through the Trent-Severn Waterway to Georgian Bay. They have also chartered in the exotic British Virgin Islands. More recently, they have spent their extended summers as liveaboards on their 38’ trawler, exploring beautiful Georgian Bay and enjoying the company of the many people they have met in their travels.
Prior to retirement, Annie was a successful Real Estate agent and Fraser spent many years in the High Tech Industry with his primary focus on Customer Service and Sales. They are combining their passion for boating and their extensive sales experience to assist new and long-time boaters to realize their dreams of their perfect boating lifestyle. The primary area they serve extends from Ottawa to Kingston and beyond and generally encompasses Eastern Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, the Ottawa River and the Historic Rideau Canal. Of course, they are not limited to this area and will venture further anytime the occasion arises. Contact Fraser / Contact Annie |
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Jim Bell - Belleville and Quinte Region |
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 If you boat in the Quinte region of Southeastern Ontario it would be hard not to be acquainted with Jim Bell. Known locally as “Mr. Boating”, Jim is involved in all local boating related matters and has provided hundreds of boaters with advice, knowledge and training for over 25 years.
Jim is a lifelong boater having cruised Lake Ontario, The 1000 Islands, Rideau and Trent Canal systems, and Georgian Bay, extensively. But, for Jim the real boating experience goes much deeper. As a volunteer, he continues to be a major contributor to his local Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons, Bay Of Quinte Squadron, as Past Commander and presently, Administration Officer. He has instructed the CPS Boating course for over 13 years and has served on the Quinte District of CPS as Public Relations Officer. “I really enjoy instructing the Boating Course. It gives me the opportunity to mix with all types of boaters. Sailors and Power Boaters, large boats, or small. It is comforting to think that I may have saved a life by something that I said in my class”.
Jim has been involved in the restoration of many boats and is a member of the ACBS Toronto Chapter, Chris Craft Antique Boat Club and Antique Boat Museum in Clayton N.Y. “There is an incredible amount of boat building history here in Ontario. The interest in wooden boats and more recently “Fiberglassics” grows every year. It is one of my greatest passions and an awesome hobby.” Jim is a regular at the various ACBS workshops, tours and, of course, the shows in Gravenhurst, Manotick, and Clayton N.Y. He enjoys his association with his many friends within the antique and classic boat group of enthusiasts
Jim holds the position of Harbour Master for the City of Belleville, and is responsible for all issues regarding waterfront facilities including two Small Craft Harbours, Victoria Park and Meyers’ Pier, which accommodate about 300 Seasonal and Transient boats. He is a member of the Ontario Marina Operators Association, (OMOA). “There is no greater way to enjoy the boating fraternity than by providing a service to boaters. Because of our location on the Bay of Quinte, I meet boaters from all over the world. Many of them “Loopers”, transiting the area to hook up with the Trent/Severn or Rideau Canal systems, Lake Ontario or the St. Lawernce Seaway.”
Jim is well accustom to providing exceptional representation in the sale of “big ticket” items as an award winning Real Estate Broker for over 30 years, in addition to selling many boats as an independent Yacht Broker. Jim has accumulated numerous sales awards in his Real Estate Career having maintained an exceptionally high degree of sales performance. Awards including President’s Gold awards, year after year, and the “Lifetime Award Of Excellence” Given for long term, consistent high sales production. “I find it amazing how similar the two professions are to each other. Simply put, finding what people want and successfully selling what the have is what it’s all about. And I maintain, all that anyone wants in the transaction is to be dealt with honestly, fairly and provided with ALL the details. In doing so, a high degree of professionalism will prevail.
Jim says; “ To be successful in the sale of pre-owned boats, being associated with the Number One Brokerage firm with the most experienced team of knowledgeable Brokers and Management, having the most extensive promotional horsepower within the industry, through print in major boat publications and a solid strategy for today’s leading promotional media, the Internet, it is clear why I became associated with North South Nautical Group”
Contact Jim
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