Twin Anchors Houseboat Russia Bound
A new houseboat designed specifically for small channel use in Eastern Europe is now on its way to St. Petersburg, Russia.
The new boat is smaller, sleeker, far more robust and with more modern finishings than any other model yet produced for the area. This boat is expected to launch houseboating as a new concept in Eastern Europe.
We have lost one of the great ones
We are all very saddened at the recent loss of Ken Thomson this past Sunday after a short battle with cancer. Ken and his wife Joan would have celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary this summer, and will be sadly missed by his lovely and devoted wife Joan as well as his four children, 13 grandchildren, extended family countless friends and extended work-family at Twin Anchors. Ken was the head of our electrical department for over 14 years and was instrumental in the design and development of the electrical systems installed on all of our CruiseCraft houseboats. Ken was an amazing mentor to our more junior staff and as one of our more senior men, oftentimes played the role of a father figure being sought after for his wisdom. Ken was extremely particular and unwavering about the way the electrical systems were both designed and installed - Ken truly kept our customers interests first and foremost in all of his work.
Ken retired last spring however continued to keep in close touch with his extended work-family, stopping in for coffee and to check up on projects underway at the plant. Ken continued to consult on more complicated or challenging systems design and his depth of knowledge and insight into systems design was always appreciated and admired.
Ken and Joan were able to take a long awaited and life-long dream to visit Scotland last fall, spending three fun-filled weeks touring the countryside. Ken remained busy with the Lions Club, as a Councillor with the District of Sicamous and was just starting to enjoy his retirement until falling ill in April. Ken will be sorely missed - we have lost truly one of the great ones!
I have attached a copy of the obituary as appeared in this weeks newspaper. We will be holding a celebration of Ken's life a the plant on Saturday the 26th.
Sincerely,
Greg
New Swim Grid Demo
Click the image at the left to watch our new swim grid video
Houseboating, it’s a “Shore Thing”
Ken Zeal recently visited Sicamous from Reno, Nevada to view the progress of his new 15’X 60’ custom Twin Anchors houseboat. He will be spending much anticipated family time on his new houseboat once it is delivered to Bullard’s Bar Lake an hour north of Reno, Nevada. The houseboat is being called “Shore Thing” after retiring his faithful older houseboat, which Ken, his wife Cheryl and daughters Shaylia & Ashley enjoyed for the past seven years. He fondly talks about how the boat looked like a floating doll house but now wanted a larger houseboat with all the comforts of home.
Ken and family plan on spending as much time as possible on the reverse-floor-plan houseboat. They will enjoy entertaining family and friends from the amazing covered bridge-deck with a jacuzzi hot tub, large bar, entertainment centre, BBQ and comfortable seating area that will seat up to ten. The reverse floor plan, with galley and spacious salon area at the stern of the boat will allow the Zeal family to overlook the lake view from the back of the houseboat. Bullard Bar’s shoreline is mostly steep and tree lined, the lake also offers the best Kokanee fishing in all of Nevada.
Ken talked to Nigel Lamb who happened to be making his scheduled sales trip in Nevada and stopped by the Marina at Bullard’s Barge. “Nigel was a big part of why I decided to come to Sicamous and check out Twin Anchors Marine Manufacturing.” Ken added “I came to do business and expected everything to be very businesslike and now I am leaving feeling like family.”
The Zeals had looked at purchasing a cottage or condo and just couldn’t find anything that would compare to the flexibility and the affordability of a custom houseboat, not to mention the ability to experience a new and beautiful waterfront view ever day if they wanted. “We have maximized every square foot, thanks to Nigel and Greg Kyllo’s extensive knowledge and Karen Eastland who is sharp and creative with Interior Design.”
Ken and Cheryl look forward to taking delivery of their boat in May and will enjoy their new home away from home three weekends out of the four each month. “Twin Anchors has helped fulfill our dreams.” Ken said simply.
Twin Anchor Employees Raise $1000 for Local Food Bank
Twin Anchor Marine and TA Structures raised $1000.00 dollars for the local food bank at our Annual Christmas Party. Even though this years party was only 65 people where as last year we had 180 people at the party.
The employees raised $460.00 by donating funds from their staff Comittee, donations of money at party and also Mike Wolf shaved his beard off at the party to raise money. Always a great sport and very entertaining! If you recall at our last event his wife auctioned him off!
Many food items were also brought in to be dropped of at the Sicamous Resource Centre. Twin Anchors Mfg met each donation and thought we should just make it an even $1000.00. The event was very relaxing and everyone had a great time in at The Anchor Pub which was decorated beautifully for Christmas and the food was absolutely amazing!
