| DEALERSHIP NEWS |
 Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
On behalf of all at Honda Marine Knysna and at Honda Marine Somerset West, as well as on behalf of all our customers, partners and suppliers of Honda Marine in the Cape, we should like to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to all those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in north-eastern Japan. Many lives were lost, whilst many others have lost loved ones, their homes, just about everything. All our thoughts and prayers are with all the people of Japan at this very sad and difficult time. |
 Relief Assistance from Honda
To date Honda has donated ¥300 million yen to the Red Cross for use in the relief and recovery efforts. To further assist, Honda is currently working with authorities in Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Yamagata and Ibaraki Prefectures to supply 1,000 generators and 5,000 gas canisters for butane-powered ENEPO EU9iGB generator units. Also Honda operations around the world are currently helping raise funds for use in the relief and recovery efforts, as well as engaging in all manner of volunteer assistance. Honda SA donated 5 x EU 20i generators to the Rescue SA team in support of their recent rescue mission in Japan. These generators were used to support radio and computer communications.
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 NSRI Trials progressing well
The NSRI trials with the twin Honda BF115HP outboards continue to go really well, to the extent that the NSRI has just ordered twin mount Hondas for two other stations.
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 Rhoodie joins the Team
Rhoodie Barnard joined the Honda Marine Knysna Team at the beginning of March. A well known Knysnarian, local sporting legend and boating personality, Rhoodie cut his marine teeth with Knysna Yamaha where he spent 2 years in the workshop and the last five years in sales. Looking for a new opportunity and challenge, he’s now crossed the road to Honda where he’ll head up the Sales Team. There is no doubt that Rhoodie’s professionalism, work experience, and overall marine knowledge will greatly add to the dynamic which already exists here at the shop. With Barnard Junior due in 6 months, we wish Rhoodie’s wife, Candice, a healthy pregnancy, whilst efforts are made at work to slowly induct Rhoodie into the joys and demands of fatherhood….
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 Smoke-Free Zone
One major benefit of Rhoodie’s arrival is that the whole shop has now been officially declared a ‘Smoke-Free Zone.’ We had some long faces for a day or two but common sense has prevailed and Mr Min’s soft lavender fragrance now finds itself in the ascendancy.
So please pay us a visit, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy a cup of coffee on our newly imported machine where a range of expresso hits (varying in strength) are guaranteed to keep you going for a period ranging from 6 hours to 2 days!.
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| PRODUCT NEWS |
 Honda Aquatrax doing the Job
As Jeremy Barnes, the Dealer Principal at Honda Marine Somerset West says, “You don’t necessarily have to spend millions on a big boat to look cool hanging out off Clifton Beach!” |
 Odyssey 650 Sundeck - Sterndrive Inboard
This Odyssey 650 Sundeck left the shop at the end of March with a very happy new owner. Powered by a 350HP 5.7l MerCruiser Magnum DTS, this Odyssey 650 is extremely powerful and certainly one of the most aesthetically pleasing and beautifully designed boats to come out of the Angler factory.
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| APRIL PRODUCT SPECIALS |
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Tug 02 – Plett Flattie
This 2007 ‘Plett Flattie’ is powered by a Yamaha 4-stroke 40HP outboard with only 34hours of running and is in good condition. She has a cathedral hull, making her both stable and giving her a very shallow draught. She comes with a Sun Canopy, Rod Holders, Boat Cover, Safety Equipment, as well as a galvanized Trailer, making this Plett Flattie ideal for inshore fishing, offering a perfect solution to someone who is looking for an affordable low maintenance, reliable boat.
Price : R80 000 (incl.VAT)
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 | Infanta 3.6m SRi
This Infanta 3.6m powered by a Honda 4-stroke BF20HP outboard engine is only a year old and offers a great value for money option to get on the water. She comes with a good level of specifications and is ready to go, so whether it’s for fishing or cruising this 3.6m semi-rigid will not disappoint.
Price : R52 000 (incl.VAT)
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 | EP2500CX Generator
Features:
Rated AC output, 2.0kVA
Fuel tank capacity, 15.0 litres
Dry weight, 45kg
Price : R5 228 (incl.VAT)
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| PRESS RELEASES |
 American Honda, HPD develop new interlock system
American Honda and its Honda Performance Development (HPD), have developed a refueling safety interlock system, which is designed to reduce the potential for pit fires and injuries resulting from drivers leaving their pit boxes with refueling equipment still attached.
HPD has developed a new, inter-connected system that includes a fuel-probe sensor and corresponding electronics in the engine control unit (ECU) and gearbox control unit (GCU).
The system prevents first gear from being engaged in the paddle shift system while the refueling hose is still attached to the car in the pit lane.
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| BOATING TIP OF THE MONTH |
 | Keeping Station by Charles Low
"Keeping station" refers to holding a position in the water - not moving relative to the land - and here we're talking about staying still without being secured to a dock or anchored to the bottom. We hold the boat in place by piloting it at (not "to") a certain spot without making any "way", and unless there is absolutely no wind or current, station keeping requires very active and positive control of your vessel.
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It's a little bit like balancing a pencil on its tip, or like hovering a helicopter - much more difficult than just moving the thing somewhere! As such, it ranks right up there in the advanced category of close quarters manoeuvring skills, and makes a very good exercise for familiarizing yourself with your boat's slow speed handling characteristics.
Why it presents such a challenge will become apparent as we go along. But first, consider why to bother with station keeping in the first place. Any number of scenarios can present themselves. Commonly, you need to wait for someone else to clear a slip, or just for other boats to get out of your way, before you proceed along the next leg through the marina to or from your dock. You may need to stop and talk to someone on shore. You may be involved in search and rescue, in which case there are many times when the helmsman's job is just to hold still (and often, under these circumstances, it's in a storm, at night, nearby to rocks and other vessels, and with rescuees, rescuers and debris in the water).
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| NAUTICAL INFO |
 | Against the Tide: Currents Keep Dolphins Apart; Study Finds Invisible Oceanographic Factors That Keep Populations Separate
ScienceDaily (Mar. 25, 2011) — Conservationists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History, and other conservation and research groups have discovered that groups of dolphins in the western Indian Ocean do not mix freely with one another. In fact, dolphin populations are kept separate by currents and other unseen factors.
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| EVENTS & SPONSORSHIPS |
 | Stoner gets off to a great start
Casey Stoner of Repsol Honda won his first race as a member of the Honda family at the opening round of the Moto GP World Championship held at Qatar on Sunday 20th March 2011.This was Honda’s first MotoGP opening round victory since 2003. As Casey Stoner said, “I’m very proud to be racing for Repsol Honda and to take my first victory in the first race. It is a great way to start the season! I’m really happy with how everything has gone and the way the team has all worked together. A big thanks to Honda and my best wishes to Japan in this difficult time.”
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| Forthcoming April EVENTS in the GARDEN ROUTE |
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- OUDTSHOORN
- 02-09 April ABSA KKNK Festival (Arts and Crafts)
- 22-27 April Oudtshoorn Bike Fest
- LADISMITH
- 29 Apr-01 May Ladismith Eco Festival
- STILL BAY
- 02 April Pampoen Festival
- KNYSNA
- 14-17 April Knysna Literary Festival
- 22-27 April Sedge Slow Festival (Sedgefield)
- 27 Apr-02 May Pink Loerie Mardi Gras
For more information on these events, contact Knysna Tourism on Tel.:044 382 6960
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| BOAT TEST |
 | For this month we’re bringing you a review of the Aquatrax F12X by 'Leisure Boating', SA's premier monthly boating magazine.
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| CUSTOMER FEEDBACK |
We warmly welcome the following new boat owners to our Honda Marine Knysna family:
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| Gary, Chantelle and Kaylee Pearman-White |
The Teuchert family |
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| Frank and Marga Muller |
Arnold Fourie with his daughter Tanika |
NB. We sincerely hope that you are enjoying our regular monthly Newsletter. With this in mind should you have a friend or 10 whom you would like to introduce to the world of Honda Marine Knysna then please send us their email addresses… Thank YOU!
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