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Here’s the pics of our new sleds.

We were sledding the NCDN last Wednesday when my scratcher broke while we were heading towards Hearst. I called up P&L in Hearst to arrange to get a new one installed. When we arrived they drove our party to local restaurant and picked us up so we could eat a late lunch while they repaired my sled. Hats off to them for customer service.

I have my Cutlass convertible in a seacan with the solar panel magnetized on the outside of the door. In a couple of weeks I'll see if the car starts...

So, speaking of accolades, a big shout out is in order to Gaston's Sports in Kap. Last week we unloaded our cousin's Vector at the Advantage only to discover an oil puddle in his trailer, and another one growing slowly in the snow under the sled. A quick look indicated it was not a cracked oil tank, but seeping out from the belly. Not something we were going to address in a frozen parking lot. Rather than load up and head home we called Gaston's and they said "Bring it right over." Dropped it off at 10 am and they called us back at noon. Turns out it was not a big issue, and the bill was very fair. Great people who saved the rest of our trip.

The good, the bad? How about the ugly. lol. Its great when dealer(s) deliver on goods but when they don't (it happens) and how that gets taken care of is the true distinguishing measure. crap happens don't make your customers your scapegoat. Also something that gets missed often is the value add in customer service.

I was at Apex Cycle in Cambridge yesterday getting an oil change kit for the sled. Talking with the parts guy and he was saying that parts availability from all of the manufacturers they represent has been a real problem over the last year. I've been very happy with the their parts department.

Well the thread does state good and bad. Good is the positive and it was first! From a dealer perspective that I have dealt with that were good was Team, Dryland and All Terrain Cycle. Team is still around and never had any issues Dryland is closed (working out of house), I always had good dealings but I know many did not ATC is also closed, they were close to home and guys there were really good to deal with ORPS has been a great local parts shop to deal with vs. Royal Latest purchase was Quinn's, so far the process of getting a price and ordering has been good, we will see how the delivery & PDI, as well the accessories I buy and possible warranty if the need arises or service that I may need to use them for.

Amazon

I think Gaston is now retired. Same great service for me in 2010, after blowing the 2nd piston in a 600SDI just outside of the Canyon Base Camp. The next day. we walked into Gaston's at 9AM, bought an Apex LTX. They had it put together, plated, OFSC decal ready to go at lunch time. We rode to Hearst to stay on schedule. (In the picture of the sleds in the Companion garage that night, looks like only our sleds there (16 Feb 2010). Same thing at the Yamaha dealer in Hearst years later. A Vector had a track change before the trip. Chaincase oil leaked out of the damaged seal. Dropped of the sled just as he was closing. Mech worked after hours, then finished the next morning, to replace the chain case side bearing and seal. Dealer had the sled ready to go by noon time.

Awesome. Next season cannot come fast enough..

Big call out to Fenelon Falls Marine and Orillia Power Sports; although no longer sell sleds. DeWildt Marine in Innisfil, not a fan.

Glenn(aka) Slippery, and the boys at Performance Recreation are good to deal with. In my Polaris days, that's who I used.

I have a garage and a garden garage that is 12 by 20. I have three sleds two motorcycles and a riding mower and still want room to actually do work in the garage as well as all my saws and tools are taking up space. I can fit all this stuff in my spaces, but then have no room to do anything. Storing the sleds in the trailer helps with space for sure. I have a large property and will be storing the trailer in the back in shade.

I do the same. Got this unit from West Marine years ago Plus it is reversible (suck or blow)

KW Honda X2. Bought a line trimmer and snowblower from them last year. Great service, always answered our questions professionally, and just good bunch of guys to deal with, is what I have experienced.

You asked for a little positivity then proceed to tramp on a dealer and a supplier .

Mafia method helps keep insurance premiums low.

Mad cow disease.

One trailer I store has a solar powered vent with a fan.I believe it is from a marine application.

You need an Ontario Conditions hat.

We have found most of the NCDN dealers are good to deal with.

Very nice set up! Really like the seating arrangement for cruising. Did you get the 250 Pro XS??

Why not just take a wheel off of your trailer when parking for the summer? Mine gets jacked up with the frame resting on blocks, wheels removed, and axle hanging unsupported. If anyone wants it, they will have to show up with two wheels, 10 lug nuts, cable cutters, and tools to smash a couple of locks. I just might over hear them...

if your not at Cochrane or Kap can you really call yourself a snowmobiler...............

Mine too. Living pretty well on simcoe it's all I do if I'm not up north chasing walleye. Beautiful boat.

Definitely sucks when seasons come to an end but the memories this sport makes will last forever.. Thanks to all who made this year possible.. Hope everyone has a great summer..

Great job as usual by everyone that keeps us all on the snow and going. Challenging year to say the least - but like every other year, those of you doing the heavy lifting always seem to just get it done and we are a very lucky group who get to enjoy the fruits of those labors. Stay safe everyone and have a great summer.

I usually do L123 aviods town too and take L155 as well on way to Hearst.

Glad your 1st trip up there was enjoyable! Thanks for the update on the Chain of Lakes. I've know it was there, but have never heard of anyone staying @ it. Good to keep in mind if you happened to be in town during a hockey tournament (I guess that's 1 thing we didn't have to work around this winter). How was the access to it? On the bold, I think folks just stick to TOP A if they're trying to put on miles. I know when I was 1st riding thru there on loops we stuck to TOP A as well. It wasn't until 1 stop @ the Moonbeam clubhouse than an older couple told us about the L123 and guiding us to it. Since then we've spent more time on it than TOP A. The previous 2 winters when we were discussing the route to or from Kap on the Great Big Loops, L123 & L125 was part of the day.

Glad you guys had a good season ending trip. Hornepayne to Hearst or vice versa, can be done relatively quick. Last season Mrs Turbo Doo and Myself left Hearst at 1130am, after a very very late night with @Evil, and rode down to Hornepayne and back, and were back in our rooms at the companion, changed and enjoying bevies at 4pm. Gas at esso and late lunch at Cindy's. It's 160km, one way, or 320kms round trip. As @revrnd says, it all depends on who's leading, right @Evil..

WD-40 I think works better than goo gone. Soak a shop rag with it, place it on the permit or sticker, let it sit a bit, then start removing sticker, rinse and repeat.....

The NCDN thread inspired me for this and I would like to start a seperate thread for dealers who will go above and beyond and those that may not. Maybe a little positivity is what we need at this time for our covid covered winter. I will start I ordered parts 3 times from Wildbill at Rosseau Road for this winter and he has them shipped from Parry sound to Port Sydney. Every time it was the right part and they were always there when i showed up. Great service and unless its a Skidoo (and now Polaris ) only part I will order from Bill. That kind of service and loyalty is incredible versus somewhere like a certain Majestically named big box snowmobile parts place that has stores in Guelph, Barrie, Sudbury etc.....that the parts people have to look up in the catalogue to determine what slider fits a skidoo rail (they are all the same from 1999 on up BTW.) He even has Doo Oil for the same price for those of us who are still rocking 2 strokes Thanks Bill, It made my winter and sledding easier. Oh and to Energy Powersports................you guys can never have my business.

Unfortunately they don't sell snowmobiles, but for anything Honda, KW Honda is fantastic. Its really frustrating these days to attempt make a major purchase. In the past 6 months I have not received any follow up from a truck dealer (purchased new truck at a different dealer), 2 tractor dealers (purchased new tractor at different dealer) and still waiting for the snowmobile dealer to call back (sent e-mail on weekend and v-mail on Monday - not holding my breath). Without going into details, it should have been apparent to all these dealers that I was a serious buyer.

My neighbours 600etec surrendered on the L159. The great team at the Hearst dealer diagnosed the problem but no parts were available. We loaded his sled on the back of my truck and he headed home.

Thanks so much for the report Tricky. Also with his advice we did the Kap trails before heading to moonbeam. Again more great advice from an OC member. And then on the 123 600 etec fuel pump starts to go down. Called dealer in Hearst and they diagnosed it and no parts so done that's when I stuck my head in the shop and introduced myself to Denis. So now we were only 2