Thanksgiving in Orlando

What a great week on the water with friends. Thanksgiving is not a tradition in the UK, but after spending a few with family and friends over the past few years, I think we should introduce this as a holiday everywhere. We have had our friends from New Mexico, Ireland, Holland, Michigan and the UK with us this week and for some it's an annual trip now.

All together having a great thanksgiving dinner for 24 friends!


The Hohnson's & The Pachelli's


Sam Finn & Alix stuffing the Turkey!

Birthday Celebrations

I met Steve Nugent and his wife Muriel at the World Cup Championships in Enniskillen Northern Ireland 3 years ago, after they watched that event they told me they were going to start water skiing and that they would one day soon make it out to our Skool in Orlando Florida for some lessons. He also told me that when they were ready, it would be a trip of a lifetime as they had not traveled far from Ireland in the past.

I got a call from Steve at the beginning of this season, saying that they would be coming out this November and Steve had chosen this particular time because it would be their trip of a lifetime to celebrate Steve's 50th Birthday. We all had a great day celebrating Steve's Birthday.

Steve and Muriel Nugent, Ireland


Steve getting ready to cut the Butter!


Happy 50th Birthday Steve

MasterCraft Factory Tour

How many guy's does it take to roll out the fiberglass in a MasterCraft boat in layup construction?
MasterCraft have least 8 trained personnel roll out the first layup of chopped glass that goes straight onto the back of the Gel coat. The only chop strand coat used in MasterCraft construction process, it is done that way to ensure all gelcoat is covered completely and no air pockets are left.




Each layer of pre-cut Fiberglas mate laid into the mold is also rolled out by at least 8 personnel. An Expensive process but worth the results, as MasterCraft build the best finished product in the business.

MasterCraft Factory Tour

'Norm' talking about the superior pumps and components that MasterCraft use in their boats compared to their competitors


Norm talking about how MasterCraft use a steel yoke in the construction of their walk-through open bow boats and backing plates on everything that is bolted on the boat, nothing is screwed, it's all bolted.

MasterCraft Factory Tour

MasterCraft Assembly lines, where the best built tow boats in the world are made!
MasterCraft are totally open to their customers, dealers and competitors on their factory tours. Nothing to hide and everything to show off, this is the sign of a company who is proud of what they build and believe it is the best built product in the market.


MasterCraft molds only build 20-30 pieces before they are taken out of the production line and renovated, unlike their competitors that only renovate their molds after 50-70 pieces.



MasterCraft carry more tooling than their competitors so they are able to pull the tooling from production after making less pieces, this ensures the highest quality in their finish.

MasterCraft Factory Tour

Just arrived back at the Knoxville Airport in Tennessee, for my return flight back to Orlando after two fantastic days with the entire Management Board, participating in future product development and production meetings. It's been an amazing experience to have the opportunity to go through engineering, research & development, production and the assembly lines on all the new products. It has been a few years since I have been to the factory and I could not believe how the production processes and assembly lines had changed, MasterCraft have introduced so many different and state of the art processes it was like relearning and understanding a whole new way to build boats. MasterCraft have always been cutting edge and the innovators in the inboard industry, but this is taking boat manufacturing to a whole new level and separating them even further from the competition.

The Management Board Production met to discuss future development and production models coming to market within the next 12-24 months! Headed up by CEO John Dorton, VP of Sales and Marketing Scott Crutchfield and the entire Management Team from Design, Research & Development, Engineering, Production and Assembly line integration, Financial controller and costing analyst to mention a few.



This was an amazing process to be involved in from an Athletes point of view and with a few very key and exclusive MasterCraft signature models up for a total redesign and face lift, it was an extremely exciting opportunity and privilege to be involved in the process of what MasterCraft will eventually bring to market to cement their position once again as the industries leading innovator in inboard tow boats, pleasure boats and sport cruisers.

MasterCraft's revolusionary new 300 Sports Cruiser, a 30' boat equipped with all and much more of what you would expect to find on a considerably more expensive 50-60' Sport Cruiser.

2009 World Cup Malaysia

With crowds in excess 20,000 in the World Cup's 2nd year at Puntrajaya in Malaysia, the purpose built water sports stadium along the banks of Lake Puntrajaya hosted a excited crowd. The water skiing was broadcast to over 100'000.000 viewers across Asia and then shortly it will go to 300'000.000 veiwers worldwide.