With COVID seemingly still rampant, attendance at Boat Shows is expected to be at an all time high. Tips For Making The Most Of A Boat Show 1. Dress comfortably. You’ll walk miles, so comfortable slip-on shoes are best for getting on and off a lot of boats. Most dealers ask that you remove shoes before boarding. Wear loose-fitting clothes, avoid dangling jewelry, pack light, and bring water, a hat, and sunscreen — and a […]
Currents can have a wide range of effects on virtually every aspect of boat handling. No matter what situation you may be dealing with, there’s one overriding fact you must always be aware of when you’re in dealing with currents: You have more control heading into it than you do when it’s pushing against your transom. Heading into currents, the water is flowing faster across your rudder or outdrive, so steering maneuvers have a greater […]
For those affected by these wild storms, here are some generator safety tips to help you get by during and after the storm. Use proper care. One of the most important generator safety tips is the use of proper ventilation. Proper ventilation is critical when using a generator. It reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator’s engine exhaust. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a common, serious danger that can cause death if […]
I get questions about the accountability of boaters all the time, and if there are penalties for non compliance. A boater is always accountable for their actions. Florida law requires that anyone convicted of 2 non-criminal boating safety infractions within a 12-month period must enroll in, attend and successfully complete any NASBLA/State of Florida-approved boater education course. (“Attend” means you must attend a classroom course or take the course on-line.) The course needs to be […]
Face it, sooner or later you may be facing running out of fuel. Here are some tips to help you avoid running out of fuel. What Should I Do if I’m Running Out of Gas on My Boat? Stay calm, and take steps to secure the boat and your crew. Make sure everyone on board puts on a life jacket. Drop your anchor to maintain your current position. Call for assistance—that may be to a […]
Powerful, dangerous, highly unpredictable — all are common descriptions of lightning strikes while boating. A direct lightning strike while boating can result in ringing ears and a few roasted electronics; That is considered lucky. Unlucky is experiencing through-hulls blown out, a sunk boat or worse — possibly serious injury or death. Odds While, the odds of a lightning strike while boating are only about one out of 1,000 boats in any year, the dire consequences […]
Eventually you will need to choose a repair yard. When the time has come, and you are choosing a repair yard, start by just looking around at it. A good repair yard is neat and orderly. You won’t find too many pieces of boats in every corner with no obvious organization. The tools being used should be rust free and should look like they are well maintained. Look, If the shop won’t invest in equipment […]
UNDERSTANDING THE TYPE OF MARINE SURVEY YOU NEED If you are considering buying a used boat buyer, you need to know what you are getting into. A Marine Survey does just that. At Scott Marine of Florida, we work to uncover any structural or mechanical aspects of the vessel that may lead to unforeseen costly repairs and safety risks. Pre- Purchase Survey: This is the most comprehensive survey inspection of a vessel. The purpose is […]
Can anyone live on a boat? Yes, if you are of the right mind and as long as everyone else who lives with you really wants to live this lifestyle of living on a boat. A boat can be a viable alternative to any land based residence although the differences can be dramatic. Life aboard is not all glamour. They move. They’re close to neighbors. Boats offer less space than land based residences. Everyone who […]
Clear Communications The need for hand signals for communication really took hold In 1922, when a teenager named Ralph Samuelson strapped a couple of pine boards to his feet and got a boat to drag him through the water. Welcome to the inventor of water skiing. The new sport grew quickly, with roughly a third of U.S. boaters going water skiing, wake boarding, and tubing during the course of a year. If you’re new to […]