Stright-MacKay Ltd.
209 Terra Cotta Drive B2H 6A8 New Glasgow, NS, Canada

Our secret project is truly a meeting of the minds... Find out what we've been working on later this week!

Enter every week to increase your odds of finding the perfect present beneath the tree this year.

Stright-MacKay will be closed in recognition of Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11. Our office will return to regular hours on November 12. We'd like to thank all our veterans for their dedication, courage, and sacrifices. ... "To you from failing hands we throw / The torch; be yours to hold it high" (McCrae, "In Flanders Fields").

Bring on the Boat Shows! The producers of the Halifax International Boat Show just announced that the unofficial kickoff to summer will return to the Halifax Exhibition Centre in February 2021... including some new and enhanced safety measures. Welcome back!

Our secret project is fast and friendly... It's focused on the future, but forged from the past...

#OnThisDay in 1906, 27 countries signed the first International Radiotelegraph Convention. This Convention adopted SOS as a standard international distress signal. Even today, SOS is a sign of distress that can be used with any signaling method. ... #DidYouKnow, SOS isn't actually an abbreviation for anything? It's simply a distinctive pattern in Morse code.

You could be celebrating Christmas with a bang this year! If you recognize the location of this week's Scenery Sunday from Blandford Marine, send them a private message with your best guess. You might end up winning $200 worth of marine equipment, just on time for the holidays!

Scary for all the wrong reasons! A home in Eastern Passage used 45kg of of garbage found along the shoreline to create a terrifying Halloween display that's sure to give you nightmares. It's an awfully creative way of raising awareness... we like the Keith's can creature!

October 28 is National First Responders Day! Thank you for your life saving courage and dedication. We appreciate your sacrifices and thank you for your service! #NationalFirstRespondersDay

Starting in January, the Canadian Hydrographic Service will no longer be printing the Canadian Tide and Current Tables or Chart 1 (Symbols, Abbreviations & Terms). Both publications are available online in various formats at tides.gc.ca and www.charts.gc.ca.

We're putting the finishing touches on a top secret project that's been 72 years in the making. Keep an eye on our page over the next little while to find out more...

We're hosting our annual dealer show in association with our friends at Mermaid Marine Products this year. Our booking event gives dealers the opportunity to start stocking up for spring. This program is possible thanks to several of our amazing suppliers who are sponsoring the event. Today, we're recognizing one of our major show sponsors, Reliance Anodes. You can visit them online at relianceanodes.com or find their products in the Hull Equipment section of our 2020 marine equipment catalogue.

17 years ago today! All of a sudden, the wind and rain from #HurricaneTeddy last weekend doesn't seem so bad.

Can you spot a fake? Some of our customers have received e-mail messages requesting payment updates or details about outstanding invoices. These messages are part of a scam intended to steal your information. Please disregard all such messages and do not reply to the sender.... If you have any questions about your account, please contact us directly at (902) 928-1900.

Blandford Marine shared another Scenery Sunday mystery photo yesterday. If this serene scene looks familiar, your Christmas morning could end up being $200 merrier! Visit Blandford Marine for more details.

You can tell we're a bunch of turkeys because, when Thanksgiving comes, we'll be getting stuffed! As a result, Stright-MacKay will be closed for the holiday on Monday, October 12. We'll be back in the officeand ready to work it all offon Tuesday.

Do you recognize this regal setting in (rural?) Nova Scotia? Send your best guess in a private message to Blandford Marine for a chance to win!

When it rains, it pours! #HurricaneTeddy is already causing disturbances throughout the region. As a result, our couriers will be making their final pickups for the day at 3:00 pm.

Have a little heart! Actually, this heart-shaped vessel track is nearly a mile long and took the crew an hour to complete. What a great way for Bluenose II to end the season! #NovaScotiaStrong

Our 2020/21 Booking event wraps up this afternoon. We'd like to thank all our dealers who took advantage of this exclusive opportunity to stock up and save for spring. We'd also like to thank Vertex Marine Inc. for supporting our show as a major sponsor. Get connected with Vertex products in the Electrical section of our 2020 marine equipment catalogue!

There's only 1 day left for dealers to place their orders for our 2020/21 Booking Event! Even though we're disappointed we can't reconnect with everyone in-person this year, we're excited to give away some amazing prizes thanks to sponsors like SPX FLOW (manufacturer of Johnson Pumps). spxflow.com/johnson-pump-marine

King Kookerout of Jefferson, Louisianahas been supplying Stright-MacKay with their lobster cookers for the last decade. Based on our sales this year, people have been absolutely satisfied with the quality of these products. Derek had his eye on this fryer for quite some time and he finally pulled the trigger. After perfecting his technique over the weekend, he brought in his King Kooker on Friday and cooked up a storm for all of us. Thanks for the wonderful pepperoni, fries, and onion rings!

Stright-MacKay Ltd. is your exclusive Canadian distributor for Plastimo products. View our 2020 marine equipment catalogue online at stright-mackay.com!

Who would have imagined that the lowly hagfish gets its very own day? These 'slime-eels' are the only existing animals known to possess a skull... but no spine. Follow the link for more fun facts about the creature lovingly referred to as the 'most disgusting animal in the ocean'. #hagfish #hagfish-day

"You're gonna need a bigger boat!" Workers splice a 20" hemp rope in this #WaybackWednesday from 1941. Via R.j. Perry.

If you think you know Nova Scotia, enter Blandford Marine's Scenery Sunday Contest for a chance to win a great Christmas gift for your favourite boat!

Thank you to Pettit Marine Paint! Pettit is a proud sponsor of our 2020/21 Booking Event. Unepoxy HRT seasonal anti-fouling uses the latest technology available to create a hybrid paint strong enough to handle the tough marine environment without building up over time. Available from your local Stright-MacKay dealer.

Unfortunately, it sounds like anyone who was hoping things would be back to 'normal' by 2021 could be in for a bit of disappointment. The Toronto Boat Show is the largest indoor boat show in North America.

Happy Birthday to our friends across the harbour! August 15th marks the 247th anniversary of the arrival of the Ship Hector in Pictou, Nova Scotia. The full-rigged Fluyt carried 189 settlers to their new home in 1773, signalling the start of a significant wave of Scottish immigration.

From dumps to docks... We've been seeing more and more creative ways of recycling old rope and fishing supplies lately! One company based in Stewiacke is transforming litter into lumber... and it looks great! Learn more at www.goodwoodplastic.ca.

Sail the seas from your own PC! If your boating season is over for the year and you're eager to sail the sunny shores of Nova Scotia, check out Fishing: Barents Sea & North Atlantic. The game features a 200 x 300 km map of the provincial coast, including 6 local ports. If you look close, you'll even find a boat by A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd. The game is available today via Steam.

The August/September edition of Boating Industry magazine is now available! 34% of all boats purchased so far in 2020 are owned by first-time boat buyers! Find out what this means for you... and your business. Read the digital edition at boatingindustry.com.

Thank you for your support, Plastimo! Plastimo will keep you on the right course with quality compasses, each backed by a 5-year warranty. Chart a course for the Cabin Equipment section of our 2020 marine equipment catalogue online at stright-mackay.com.

... Speaking of sand sculptures, take a look at this masterpiece created by Abe Waterman from Prince Edward Island! Abe won 2nd place at the 20th Annual Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic in New Hampshire with this work of art called 'Yesterday's Serenade'.

If you've never seen a pod of gigantic lobsters attacking a tranquil fishing village, you could be in for a surprise! Paul Dawkins builds castles in the sand. He's a world-champion sculptor in the medium, and he's engineered his creations in around 100 different countries. Paul's current mission is to build the tallest sand sculpture in Nova Scotia. He recently settled down along the South Shore, remarking that the area has "the best beaches in Canada."

Sail into September... and beyond! Don't give up on 2020 just yetthe Canadian Safe Boating Council - CSBC has tons of tips to keep you boating until the flurries start to fall.

Winterize your engine quickly and efficiently with Camco RV's Boat Winterizing Kit! Save time and money season after season with this easy-to-use kit that flushes, prepares, and protects your inboard or outboard engine for winter storage... just supply your own antifreeze and motor flusher. ... (902) 928-1900 [email protected]

Get the gang together (but not too close together!) for a Labour Day barbecue this weekend! We'll be shutting up shop for the holiday on Monday, September 7. Our office will return to regular hours on September 8, but our showroom will remain closed.

Get your 1-year subscription to the digital version of Canadian Yachting Magazine courtesy of Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons / Escadrilles canadiennes de plaisance. Canadian Yachting is a great resource for recreational boaters of all stripes.

Around the world in less than 122 days! Chris Stanmore-Major is almost ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime. He's planning to sail around the world... non-stop... by himself... heading west. It's a journey otherwise known as 'the impossible voyage'. Chris is taking the idea of social distancing to the extreme as he strives to draw international attention to the province of Nova Scotia.

As of September 4, 2020, the Royal Canadian Navy will begin referring to its junior members as 'sailors'. For the past 110 years, junior ranks and officers have been referred to as 'seamen'. The french term'matelot'is already gender inclusive.

Lynne Wolfe knows a thing or two about the rigours and rewards of life in a lighthouse. In 1961, Lynne and her husband, Ingram, accepted a 2-week contract to keep the lighthouse on West Ironbound Island. The job turned into a 5-year odyssey and a career spanning almost 30 years. Lynne's poignant recollections to Saltscapes Magazine are well worth the read.

Sinbad wasn't your typical chief petty officer, but he was one of the most well-known. The mixed-breed canine was one of only two animals to serve as a non-commissioned officer in the United States military. He received 6 service medals during his 11 years aboard the USCG Campbell. ... Like all good sailors, Sinbad could be a bit of a handful. According to folklore, the spirited seafarer was banned from Greenland after causing a 'diplomatic incident'. Learn more about K9C Sinbad at bit.ly/ChiefDogSinbad. #NationalDogDay

Catch of the day! George Wareham, a fisherman from Newfoundland, recently caught a colossal cod that weighed in at a whopping 100 pounds! The average cod tips the scales at around 1126 pounds.

The Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant Program for people who work in the fishing industry is now accepting applications! The $500 million government program is intended to help mitigate some of the unique difficulties that seafood harvesters have faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are being accepted until September 21.

A boat that once belonged to Evel Knievelworld-renowned daredevil and stuntmanhas a new home in Halifax! If you think this fascinating piece of history is one in a million, you might be surprised by its bargain-basement price tag (relatively speaking). According to legend, Knievel lost the boat in a high-stakes poker game.

August 20 is International Day of Medical Transporters! This special day started during World War I when ambulances came into widespread use. Whether it's a Canadian Coast Guard pilot, a fast rescue boat crew, or your community paramedics, show your local medical transporters some extra gratitude today... just don't distract themit takes focus and dedication to pull off a 14-hour night shift! #DayofMedicalTransporters

... If you're in the business of servicing all sorts of ships (or you'd like to be!), then the American Boat & Yacht Council - ABYC Online Learning Centre might float your boat! The ABYC is now offering many of their certification courses in a completely online formatfrom study materials, to seminars, and even supervised exams (webcam required). Visit their site to sign up today!

If you're in the business of building boats, you'll definitely want to take a look at the American Boat & Yacht Council - ABYC's recently revised Boat Building and Repair Standards. This year's update features a in-depth report on lithium ion batteries.

Mustang Survival works hard to continuously come up with better ways of keeping us safe at sea. This blog post about 'keeping kids afloat' explores some fascinating details about designing PFDs for children and ensuring that everyone has access to these lifesaving essentials.

Chester Race Week may be on hold for 2020, but if you're looking to sharpen your skills with some friendly sailboat competition, sign up for Lunenburg Yacht Club's Welcome Back Regatta! The event runs from August 2023. #summer #sailing #regatta #stayhealthy #staysafe

Welcome to the world of tomorrow! A new lithium-ion-powered passenger vessel just launched in Halifax's Northwest Arm. The eye-catching boat will be offering deep-sea fishing tours with a greatly reduced carbon footprint. 'Alutasi' is the first hybrid vessel in Canada approved to carry more than 12 passengers.

Canadian Yachting and Boating Industry Canada Newsweek featured Blue Guard Innovations' smart bilge pump switches in their latest Boating Equipment News Digest. The BG-One stops pumping when it detects fuel or oil contamination in the bilge! It's smart enough to know better! ... Stright-MacKay is the exclusive Canadian distributor for Blue Guard Innovations. Find a dealer near you at stright-mackay.com!

Don't miss out on a historic opportunity to visit a unique historic site! Parks Canada and its partners will offer weekend boat tours of Georges Island in Halifax Harbour from August 8September 6. Visitors can explore Fort Charlotte, learn about the Island's role in history, and participate in a short tour through a 'spooky underground tunnel complex'.

August 5 is National Work Like a Dog Day! With a face like this, we doubt our dog of the day has to work very hard at all. The rest of us, however, may need to stay late! #WorkLikeaDogDay

Beauty in blue! South Shore Marine completely rejuvenated this classic Nonsuch 26 with a fresh coat of Premium Topcoat 501 from Alexseal Yacht Coatings. Looks great! ... #BlueMonday #alexseal #alexsealyachtcoatings #topcoat #yachtpainting

Stright-MacKay is closed for the day on Monday, August 3. Although many Natal Day festivities have been cancelled this year, we won't let that rain on our parade. Less time caught in crowds means more time on the boat!

Dive right into the deep end when you learn to sail on a round-the-world voyage aboard a working tall ship! The Barque Picton Castle is recruiting trainee crew members for all or part of a year-long circumnavigation... no experience necessary. If you're ready to get your sea legs, this sounds like an exciting way of learning the ropes!

Find out which panel from Coosa Composites, LLC is the perfect plywood replacement for your next project. Follow the link for answers to Coosa's most frequently asked questions or give us a call at (902) 928-1900.

Sound the alarm! On this day in 1588, 130 ships of the Spanish Armada were first spotted in the English Channel. The planned invasion of England ultimately failed. This major upsetaided by weather and inexperienced Spanish leadershiphelped establish England's position as a major European naval power. #WaybackWednesday #TheMoreYouKnow #MaritimeHistory101... ... Learn more at bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z2hbtv4.

Stright-MacKay will be closed for Natal Day on Monday, August 3, 2020. Our office will return to regular business hours on August 4. ...... #DYK, the August holiday in Nova Scotia was partially intended to celebrate the completion of a new rail line in 1895. Unfortunately, the train was late... it didn't arrive until the next year!

This #FloridaMan makes it look easy! Jack Vasilaros recently made the catch of a lifetime. He successfully reeled in a beautiful, large tarpon... from the comfort of his rainbow unicorn floaty. Sometimes, landing the perfect catch comes down to great gear, skillful strategies, and poised perseverance. Other times, it all comes down to luck... and a little bit of magic!

Happy 57th Birthday, Bluenose II! On July 24, 1963, a legend was reborn in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Although the ship was originally designed to sell beer, the Oland family donated the schooner to Nova Scotia in 1971. That's when the vessel became the province's official sailing ambassador. The rest, as they say, is history!

If you've ever experienced seasickness, you know how quickly nausea can ruin a perfect outing. Here are some great suggestions for treatingand preventingmotion sickness the next time you're being tossed about on the high seas. Queaz-Away wrist bands from Davis Instruments Weather are another possible solution. They deliver gentle pressure to specific points on each wrist to help ease the feeling that it's 'time-to-head-home'.

Happy #NationalHotDogDay! We don't sell hot dogs. Instead, we're dedicating the dog days of summer to all the canines sweltering in the heat this week. Help Fido cool down with a boat ride or a trip to the beach. Just make sure safety comes first for your pet pooch, too.... Whether your 'good doggie' is a Teacup Chihuahua or a big-boned Bullmastiff, you'll find the perfect-sized pet vest in our online catalogue at stright-mackay.com.

All hands on deck! We're looking for a new recruit to join our growing crew. If you're interested in becoming an integral member of our warehouse team, please send a résumé and cover letter to [email protected]. Follow the link for a full job description and details.

July 1925 is National Drowning Prevention Week! The most important thing you can do to minimize the risk of drowning is to make certain you have a lifejacket or PFD available for everyone on board and #WearIt whenever you're on or around the water. For more lifesaving supplies, check out the Safety section of our 2020 marine equipment catalogue at stright-mackay.com.... #NDPW2020

Theodore Too is still tugging away at our heartstrings after 20 years! While Bluenose II may be Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador, Official Theodore Tugboat is Halifax's official 'welcoming ambassador'. The waterfront just wouldn't be the same without the iconic, smiling face of the beloved CBC superstar.

Here's some encouraging news for everyone involved in the boating industry... not to mention all the proud new boat owners!

Mike Wedge is living proof that one person's trash is another person's treasure! Mike transforms the trash that washes ashore near his home in Pembroke, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, into fine art. It's a creative solution to a problem that troubled him since moving to the area in 2017. Today, he even raises cash for local charities by selling his reclaimed creations online.