How 40 Marina Boats Survive Winters with Kasco De-icers
30 Years of Winter Protection: How St. Croix Marina Keeps 40 Boats Safe with Kasco De-Icers
When you've been a harbor master for over three decades, you know what works and what doesn't. Dave Hogan of St. Croix Marina in Hudson, Wisconsin, has been trusting Kasco De-icers for his entire 31-year career, and the results speak for themselves.
The Challenge: Year-Round Boat Storage in Wisconsin Waters
Located in Hudson, Wisconsin, St. Croix Marina faces a unique challenge that many marinas don't: limited land storage during winter. "We don't have room on land for all of our boats, so we keep 40 boats in the water every year," explains Hogan.
In Wisconsin's harsh winter climate, keeping boats in the water year-round means one thing is absolutely critical: reliable ice protection that works even when temperatures plummet below zero for days at a time.
The Kasco Solution: Proven Performance Since Day One
From his very first day on the job, Hogan has relied on Kasco De-icers, and the relationship has only strengthened over the years. "We've been using Kasco De-icers since I started here. They've been great," he says, noting his long relationship with the company.
The marina's ice protection strategy is comprehensive and strategic:
- Rope-mounted de-icers positioned in front of every boat kept in the water
- Pole-mounted units strategically placed at the backs of boats
- 40 boats protected reliably through Wisconsin's brutal winters
Why Kasco Outperforms the Competition
Hogan's experience with other brands has only reinforced his confidence in Kasco. "We've tried others in the past, but they don't last nearly as long," he states matter-of-factly.
When your marina depends on equipment that must perform flawlessly in extreme conditions, longevity isn't just a nice feature, it's essential for business continuity and customer satisfaction.
Extreme Weather Performance You Can Count On
The true test of any de-icer comes when Mother Nature unleashes her worst. Kasco De-icers have proven themselves time and again at St. Croix Marina, working "amazingly well even at 35 degrees below zero."
When temperatures drop that low, inferior equipment fails. Pipes freeze, motors burn out, and marinas face costly emergency repairs and unhappy customers. But with Kasco's proven reliability, St. Croix Marina continues operating smoothly, protecting their customers' investments even in the most extreme conditions.
Three Decades of Trust: A Testament to Quality
There's perhaps no better endorsement than a 31-year relationship built on consistent performance. Dave Hogan's unwavering loyalty to Kasco products demonstrates the kind of long-term value that smart marina operators depend on.
In an industry where equipment failure can mean damaged boats, frustrated customers, and lost revenue, St. Croix Marina has found peace of mind with Kasco De-icers that simply work year after year, winter after winter.
Emergency Ice Rescue: When Disaster Strikes in Northwestern Ontario
Kasco de-icers aren't just for routine winter protection. Sometimes they become the hero in an emergency situation, as one customer in Northwestern Ontario discovered when disaster struck.
The Crisis: A boat lift's supporting cable snapped, sending the entire unit plummeting into 8 feet of lake water. When the customer returned after winter freeze-up, their expensive boat lift was trapped beneath 20 to 24 inches of solid ice.
The Challenge: Traditional methods weren't enough. The customer cleared snow and chipped away ice near the shore, but the thick ice made it impossible to safely retrieve the sunken lift without risking further damage.
The Kasco Solution: On Friday, the customer cut a 30-inch opening in the ice and deployed a Kasco 1/2HP de-icer, positioning it approximately 2 feet from the lake bottom near the trapped boat lift.
The Results: By Tuesday morning, just 96 hours later, the Kasco de-icer had melted enough ice to create a clear path for safe boat lift removal. The unit was successfully retrieved with no significant damage.
As the relieved customer put it: "We never would have rescued this without the de-icer. Thanks again, it's a great product for applications like this."
Get Your Kasco De-Icers Today
Ready to protect your marina like St. Croix Marina has for over three decades? Shop the Kasco De-icer and find the perfect solution for your facility.
If you need help outfitting your marina, give us a call and we'll make sure you get exactly what you need. Contact us at 866-383-7258 or visit our contact page to get started.
Don't let ice damage put your customer's boats and your business at risk. Trust Kasco De-icers to deliver reliable ice protection, no matter what winter throws your way.
