WEATHER FOR BOATERS

on January 30, 2021

What to Watch Out For The U.S. Coast Guard, in its “A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats,” offers these clues to an approaching weather change, which usually brings the most challenging conditions. Signs of bad weather approaching for boaters: Flat clouds getting lower and thicker; Puffy, vertically rising clouds getting higher; Dark, threatening clouds, especially to the west/southwest; A sudden drop in temperature; A halo around the sun or moon; Increasing […]

Thinking of a Key West Getaway? (Try the Lower Keys)

on January 23, 2021

Consider the mecca of many a Florida Keys pilgrimage- Key West, the last stop on the line before you’re headed for Cuba about 90 miles away. The place has long drawn legions of colorful characters ranging from Tennessee Williams to Ernest Hemingway. Several presidents also vacationed here; Franklin D. Roosevelt was a particularly big fan. If heading ashore, many often head to Duval Street. You can even take part in the Duval Crawl, a do-it-yourself […]

How Does an EPIRB Work?

on January 21, 2021

When a locator beacon is activated it transmits an SOS message on the 406 MHz frequency (which is reserved for emergency distress communications) to the Cospas-Sarsat international search and rescue satellite constellation, and other geostationary satellites. The distress signal is then relayed to a network of ground stations and the U. S. Mission Control Center (USMCC) in Suitland, MD. Once alerted, the USMCC alerts the appropriate local or national authorities to initiate a search and […]

LOOKING TO SAVE SOME BUCKS?

on January 13, 2021

Here’s some tips to save from our friends at BoatUS: CONSIDER NON-MARINE PRODUCTS In general, purchase marine products, especially anything electrical. But some items, such as oil filters, air cleaners, cable ties, spray lubricants, quality stainless fasteners, and sandpaper, can be bought at local hardware stores or online at a lower cost than at a marine retailer. Read labels and specs to be sure that a product is not inappropriate for your boat and circumstances. […]

DON’T RELY SOLELY ON CHART PLOTTERS

on January 6, 2021

BASED ON AN ARTICLE IN BOATUS Data, Not Intelligence Chartplotters have made everyday navigation a dream. But, like all technology, they have their limits. The first is the user. As in the case above, if you’re going fast enough it’s possible that the screen might not refresh quickly enough to keep up with your position. That could be because of processor speed, but it could also be a function of the GPS chip, and the […]