If you’ve explored club membership in the past, but the down payment made you stay away, we have a solution. We just launched a new Play-Away Program that allows you to join the club today by simply beginning your monthly payments of $249—no initiation fee!

You will have immediate limited access to the DreamLife Fleet as soon as you make your first payment and for the first 6 months. Beginning on your 7th month, you will have complete access as a full member with no Play-Away restrictions.

Once you complete the Play-Away program, you will be a full Bronze Member with 235 annual points to use as you please. If you prefer a more active plan, you may join the Play-Away program at $299/mo, which enters you into the Silver Plan at 350 annual points.

DO THE MATH!
We invite you to visit our online calculator to compare the costs of club membership with renting or purchasing similar vehicles.

Sign up now and enjoy snowmobiles this Christmas as you look forward to wakeboarding all summer!

Restrictions
After your first payment is received 20 points will be released to you each month for the first 6 months. At the end of 6 months, the remaining points will be made available to you and you will become a full member with standard access.

LIMITED TO THE FIRST 20 NEW MEMBERS—DON’T WAIT!!

It has been brought to our attention by a fellow club member that the Oregon State Marine Board has proposed some restrictions on boats pulling recreational devices (wakeboards, skis, tubes, etc.) in certain areas of the Willamette River. As club members, these new rules may play a large role in the way you spend your summers. The Marine Board involves boaters, local officials, the public and law enforcement in determining whether rules are necessary, so we all have a say in this decision. OSMB invites you to comment by sending an e-mail to osmb.rulemaking@state.or.us, or by attending the appropriate public meeting, which will be held at 7pm on September 9th at the Clackamas County Community College.

This proposal would:
- Prohibit 180 degree turns at speed
- Require boats to stay 200 feet behind skiers and other towed devices
- Prohibit the use of wake enhancing devices, or uneven loading of persons or gear to artificially
operate bow high
- Require boaters to operate at slow-no-wake speed within 200 feet of all private docks or
moorages

You can read more about the proposed restrictions here:
http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/BoatLaws/ProposedRules.shtml.

Please take a moment to read over what may have a strong impact on your summer recreation. We have been given the opportunity to make our voices heard in the rulemaking process that affects our lives, so do consider commenting so we can continue to enjoy our public waterways to the fullest. Thanks.

If you’ve read the news at all in the past few months, you’ve probably heard the term “staycation.” This seems to have come about because people are trying to find ways to save money, but still enjoy some summer fun. Maybe it’s not a great idea to fly to some exotic island location with airfares on the rise, but you can still taste the tropics while lounging on an amazing boat in the summer sun right here in the Northwest. A Club DreamLife membership can get you the boat on a budget, and we just let nature take care of the rest. Yay for summer in the Northwest!

We are very pleased to be featured in the East County Gazette this month, where you can read all about the life of luxury the Club offers without the heavy price tag. A “staycation” has never been more tempting…

DreamLife—“Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream”
by Dan Bosserman

Have gasoline prices got you down? Have you put your summer vacation plans on hold for a while? Are you considering a “staycation” instead of a vacation? Or had you been considering a recreational vehicle, but can’t see how you can afford it, much less store it or maintain it?

Jason Russo and Matt Maher, owners of DreamLife MotorSports, located near Portland International Airport, have an affordable alternative to spending tens of thousands of dollars on recreational vehicles you may only use a few times each year. read more…

A Member’s Recent DreamLife Experience:

We were lucky enough to have 2 DreamLife weekends in a row - the hottest weekend of summer and the 4th of July. Both times we cruised to the warehouse early on the designated morning and were greeted by clean, fueled, ready to rock boats at the door and were on our way in no time flat. For 4th of July we added a Waverunner to entertain even more people and Matt was nice enough to provide the extra truck to launch it and get us on our way for maximum playing time.

For our first weekend we headed down to Boone’s Landing on the upper Willamette and by the time we hit the water at 10 am it was almost 90 degrees! Soon enough we had 10 people and enough food and drinks to last us the whole weekend. Most of the good riding came before noon and after 6 - in between we surfed, swam, rocked out and had an amazing time (and drank lots of water). The X1’s auto ballast system and plenty of friends provided an absolutely sick surf wave both regular and goofy - both tall and strong but also very long. We introduced 4 new people to the sport (all to rave reviews) and now it’s pretty easy to fill the boat with friends when we say we’re going surfing.

The next day the clouds rolled in, but it stayed warm so we went down to Ross Island and surfed circles around the gravel pit for hours and ran across lots of friends out on the water doing the same thing. Thunder storms rolling in finally sent us off the water but not before everyone was sore from tons of playing and an incredible weekend. The easy up bimini totally saved the day Sunday, too, as we beat the thunder and lightning but not the rain! For the 4th we had both the X1 and one of the Yamaha Waverunners, and a long weekend with the boat. Friday was family day and with siblings, aunts, uncles nieces and nephews. I don’t think we turned off either boat the entire day (despite Oregon 4th of July weather) and we easily entertained the 40 or so people celebrating Independence Day. After playing entertainer on Friday, we reserved Saturday for some private ripping. We grabbed just a couple friends and the wakeboards and headed up toward Camas to get off the main river and found some great water. We rode in there for hours just ripping back and forth and trying to get better (aka taking massive diggers). That Sunday we went back downtown to check out the Blues Festival and had a big picnic lunch right out at the waterfront before, of course, heading back to Ross Island to finish up the weekend with some great surfing sessions.

It was an amazing couple of weekends with friends and family and it was made that much better to have the boat of my dreams to make it all happen with. I have been fielding emails from friends all weekend asking when they can “live the DreamLife” again, and I’m currently counting down to the next trip: a long summer weekend camping trip in Central Oregon!

-Brandon, Club Member since 2007

Surf Session

Last Wednesday, our office staff decided it was time to test out the “Gone Fishing” sign and post it in the front window at DreamLife. We were invited on a guided trout fishing excursion with Bear from “Fishing with Bear” on the North Fork reservoir. As with any great fishing trip, the earlier the departure, the better the luck you have on your trip. Our party of four, Amelia, Jack, Jason and I got an early start and headed south 40 minutes to our launch site at PGE’s Promontory Lake. This beautiful lake sits upstream from the Clackamas River just outside of Estacada, Oregon. We arrived at 7:30 to meet our guide who was ready to help us learn to catch trout.

“Bear”, also know as Ken Bear Cole, resembles a bear to me for sure. The gentle nature man with a good sense of humor and years of knowledge of catching fish was ready to give us some secrets only a bear knows. The boat was a roomy pontoon boat with all the right gear to enjoy a few hours away from any office. We were provided both trolling rigs and casting rods as options. Within minutes we were launched and on the serene lake only shared by a few other fishermen. The weather conditions were cool and did not look too promising, but with the old adage, “A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work,” who cared? Bear decided he would take us right to the hot spots of the lake. He battened down the hatches and sped to the west end of the lake. There, we were instructed to clean our hands with soap and water and then a special lotion to minimize our scent. Bear gave us instructions on how to use the provided gear and told us to spread out around the boat. We began our day with a slow troll as we baited our hooks with night crawlers. Each line was dropped in the water with care and dropped to the designated depths.

The lake which is fed by the North Fork River was running around a chilly 44 degrees. This time of year the lake is usually around 50+, but with all the extra snow this winter, the run off would prove to be a bit cooler. This didn’t make for the best lake conditions but we would give it a try. Jason, apparently a gambling man, suggested we compete for a few fishing titles by simply suggesting first, biggest and most. I knew that this meant he was already hedging his bets because he earlier declared “fish like me.” After a few passes of a rock wall near the edge of the lake, Jason let us know that he had a fish on his line with the classic call, “fish on”. He reeled in the first trout which measured in around ten inches. I had my money on lady luck or the seasoned sailor who has steamed by more lighthouses than I have driven past telephone poles. Nope, the guy who is liked by fish apparently was bringing his A game. Kiss a fish for luck? I’m not sure about this one but a few took part in a ritual I hope never to have to.

After a few more passes over the multiple schools of fish below on the fish finder, and no takers, Bear decided we would check out a few other areas. We went to the south side of the lake and trolled some more. The fish that Jason caught, which he aptly named, Sparkles, was the lone fish on board. We were having some quiet time on the lake all the while taking in the beautiful surroundings and wildlife. Eagles, osprey and even a seagull or two were spotted overhead. The fishing was also a bit quiet. No activity in the last half hour. No worries, it was great to be out on the lake with friends enjoying one of the many splendors Oregon provides.

With all great fishermen, come great fish stories. We each shared a few of our past experiences while attempting to trump the others on board. Jason’s belly tickling fish catch took the cake but Bear was not to be outdone. Like a bear who knows where the local dump was, the secret to survival and any great catch is to know how to get the easy fish. Bear let us in on a secret that we will surely need to keep to preserve both his integrity and the longevity of fish life in this particular lake. He said if you listen closely you will hear when the fish start their mad dash for your hooks. There was a sound that I never related to fishing before. We honed in on the valley noise and waited eagerly for the massive catch. Bear positioned us in a spot that only the elusive trout would escape. Casting poles in hand, and artificial lures sharpened. The fish were jumping everywhere, Jason caught one, then another, and yet another before I caught my first. Soon, everyone was getting in on the action. The shallow water allowed us to corner the fish so few would escape. Jason was pulling them in as if he were fishing from a barrel. Bear caught one and offered it to Amelia who politely refused and patiently fished on. More and more fish were being added to the live well where Sparkly or Sparkles or Sparky was now accompanied by new friends. The fishing derby was on. At this rate we would be limiting out quickly. Amelia, who had not yet caught her first fish of the day, was quietly fishing her corner with her back to all the easy pickings. Being somewhat of a purist, her patience paid off. “I got one” she said and reeled in a keeper.

As the speed fishing action continued to get better, we each took turns reeling in fish that put smiles on all our faces. Jason, no doubt in the lead with the most fish again reminded us that “fish really like him.” Jack also showed us that he too was happy to grab a few so not to be outdone by a couple of rookies. I think the locals knew we tapped into the best hole as one shouted from the shore” Hey, that’s not fair.” We had a laugh at our “luck” and continued to fish. As we finished the cast and catch session, Amelia landed what was quickly recognized as the most beautiful fish (not a category that Jason suggested) but was added after the fact as we all admired this silver beauty that Amelia held up with pride. The purist did us all proud by catching the best and probably the biggest fish of the day.

We decided to call it a day as Jason was now catching and releasing a fish every minute. He secretively added one last category in his head I’m sure. Last fish, which he did catch as the boat was docking at the ramp. Jason will never go hungry for he too is a talented fishing Bear. A Big Teddy Bear.

If you would like to spend a day with Bear from Fishing with Bear, please visit his website and call him to arrange your trip to a lake or river to try your luck at catching your next meal or simply enjoying a day fishing our plentiful waterways.

-Matt 6/4/08
www.fishingwithbear.com

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Hey Everyone.

Last weekend sure was a treat, and I know DreamLife members enjoyed the sun because we saw lots of boats and personal watercraft leave the shop for the first time this season. The first boating excursion of the season is always pretty special, and a great reminder of the summer fun that’s sure to come.

Now that we all have that lingering sunburn to remind us that boating season is just about here, we thought it was important to go over the nitty gritty safety stuff before we are all too excited to spend enough time indoors to actually read through it. We won’t spend too long, but you can be sure that taking the time to familiarize yourself with boating safety and water conditions before you go out will make for a longer, much more fun-filled summer.

First, let’s talk about the Oregon Boater Education Card. I know, I know, we’ve already been through this, but seriously, just get it done and you’ll have the peace of mind that you need to be a true worry-free boat bum. Once again, here is the link to get you started: Oregon Boater Education Card

To answer a few frequently asked questions about the card, yes, even if you live in Washington, you still need to get a boater card. Your Oregon boater card is valid in Washington if you are visiting, and if you are a resident, you can use your Oregon card to obtain your Washington card. (Yes, Washington also has a Mandatory Boater Education program.) Check out the Washington State Parks website for more information about Washington’s rules.

OK, now that we’ve hammered that one home, let’s discuss conditions. If you are a weather.com or NOAA junkie and get a little pang of excitement every time you see the yellow sun next to any day of the week…you’re not alone. However, there is more to consider before you head out to the water than just how much SPF you’ll need. Though it was brief, that little heat wave we just enjoyed last weekend showed unprecedented high temperatures, and really played a part in melting the mountain snow. River levels are higher and debris is everywhere, so be sure that you know the river before you run it. Here’s a simple example: If any of you boat over at Chinook Landing like we do, you know that if you are headed down river toward the floating homes through Big Eddy Marina, you have to pass through the marina pilings. There is one tall post that designates the area that you can pass through, and the rest is sort of like a fence. Well, the lower pilings are now underwater, so if you weren’t familiar with that spot, you might think it was a good idea to just plow right through on the wrong side, cut right over those pilings, and rip your prop to shreds. Luckily, it didn’t happen to anyone we know over the weekend, but we think it’s important to spread the word so we can keep it that way. Know your shallow spots, consider no wake zones, and keep your eyes out for major debris. Nothing ends a great day on the water faster than a massive log in your prop.

This time of year, we like to recommend exploring the beautiful lakes that Oregon and Washington have to offer. Remember, no matter where you are or how hot the air is, the water temperatures are still extremely low, but lakes tend to warm up faster and have less debris, so it might be a better way to spend your time. Try the Cascade High Lakes Access Report for updates on conditions.

Finally, Memorial Weekend is always a great time to get out and play, but just remember that pretty much everyone else agrees with you. Watch out for crowded waterways and full campgrounds. Not sure where to go? Give us a call! We’d love to help you plan an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Alright, good job on getting through all of that! Now that you are a safety expert, get out there and test your skills! And as always, if you’re sad because you don’t have a boat or watercraft of any kind to enjoy this summer…we can help you with that, too.

If you’ve been singing that little childhood ditty in your head for the past week and a half, we know how you feel.

After that glorious taste of warm summer weather we had, it sure is tough to stick it out through these last days of seemingly endless rain. It may seem like summer couldn’t get here fast enough, but it never fails to sneak up on us, leaving us scrambling for last minute deals on swim wear, rushing to the gym to help us feel good in said swim wear, and dreaming of days on the water to show off our new board shorts, bikinis, and bods… Well, we can’t necessarily conjure up the sunshine, but we can offer you some helpful preparation tips for when it finally arrives.

• Get Your Card

Beginning January 1, 2008, boaters 70 and younger must carry a boater education card when operating powerboats (including personal watercraft or any motorized watercraft) greater than 10 hp. This is a Mandatory Education Law and the citation fines are $97, so don’t get caught without it.
The Good News: You can take the test online for FREE, and you don’t pay anything until you pass. Once you successfully pass the test, you simply pay a $10 fee and your card is good for life. Not only is it worth it to avoid the slightly hefty fine, but you may actually learn a little something in the process. Not a bad deal. Get yours here.

• Brush Up On Your Skills

The first wakeboarding session of the summer may not always display your very best moves, so the sooner you get out there, the better. The water is pretty darn cold right now, but you just might get ahead of the game if you brave the arctic temperatures with your dry suit and shake off the winter rust before the waterways get too crowded.
The Good News: DreamLife members receive discounts from local retailers that can set you up with everything from tow ropes to rash guards, so you’ll always be ready to go whenever the sun shows its face. Don’t have a wakeboard? DreamLife members also get access to free accessories, so feel free to try out our wakeboards, skis, and surfboards. Not into wakeboarding? We also have tubes suitable for both towing and sunbathing. No life jacket? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Oh, wait…you need a boat, too?? No problem–if you’re part of the Club.

• Join The Club

If the last bullet point left you feeling empty inside because not only do you not have a boat, or accessories, or life jackets, or discounts to pick out your own cool stuff…hopefully this will help. DreamLife is a club for people who want to enjoy life without all the extra hassles. What we can do for you is provide you with high quality equipment and accessories, store everything for you, maintain everything for you, register everything for you, give you the opportunity to enjoy recreational vehicles every season of the year, offer you free vehicle orientation, invite you to events, and lots more fun things.
The Good News: We can do all of this for you for less than what it would cost you to do all of that yourself in exchange for ownership of a really nice depreciating asset. Again, not a bad deal. AND, since it’s not summer yet, you can probably still get your hands on some nice discounts.

So, there you have it. A few things to think about if you’d like to really get a jump on summer. These are things that we actually really believe in, too, so if you have any questions or comments, we’d be happy to talk with you about it. If all of this sounds good, but you’re not really sure where to start, come on out to our upcoming Open House on April 29th from 3pm-9pm. Click the link to the right for details.

Think sun!

Hello DreamLifers!

From chamber meetings to business luncheons to celebrity photo shoots (okay, maybe not that last one yet), the networking just never stops for entrepreneurs. If you live any part of your life in the business world, you know how important–and how tiring–networking can be.  Well, here is an opportunity for you to show your skills to like-minded business owners and enjoy yourself at the same time. 

We are hosting a “Big” Networking Party to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest on Thursday, April 17th from 6pm-9pm.  If you are interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, or know anyone who is, this is a great way to learn about the program and connect with Bigs from all counties in the Portland Metro and Southwest Washington area. There will be designated tables for business cards and information, so be sure to bring your marketing materials with you. Enjoy food and music while you mingle, and enter the raffle to win great prizes from various fabulous sponsors. Beer will be donated by Full Sail Brewing Company. (Please note, this is a 21+ event.)  The event will be held in the DreamLife warehouse, so this is also a great opportunity for you to come check out the Fleet and learn about the Club, along with all that elbow-rubbing. 

DreamLife members and friends have received advanced invitations.  If you are interested in attending the event, there is still time to RSVP.  Simply email us with your name and the number of guests you will be bringing.  You never know, after this, you could be dodging paparazzi and kissing babies in no time.

We hope you all took advantage of that incredible weekend we just had. The nice weather certainly ended too soon, but it’s a nice reminder that summer is on its way, and we can’t wait to get back out on the water! Stay tuned for information about our first Demo Day of the summer, where you can meet us on the water and try out some of the vehicles from the Fleet! Check out the photos from our members in the gallery to the right if you need a little inspiration.