Blog
CHANCES
on June 14, 2025
What Chances Are Fathers’ Day, What Chances Are… As we get set to celebrate a day that really should be recognized more significantly than it is, I took a little time to write this little poem, maybe its even a lyric. Give a little attention, and see if it gets you thinking some, and remembering that man you called Father. Chances are he welcomed you when you first came in Chances are he had you […]
Dangerous Gases
on June 7, 2025
Whether you are new to boating or are an experienced salty, if you are on a boat, you are exposed to potential dangerous gases. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide, one of the deadliest dangerous gases, enters the bloodstream though the lungs by breathing in this dangerous gas. Exposure in a well ventilated environment is generally not a problem. Brief exposure in a more confined environment can cause sickness and prolonged exposure to higher concentrations can kill […]
North
on May 31, 2025
When North Is Not North In a perfect world, a compass would always point to true north, but there are factors that make this not so. Two errors have to be accounted for: variation and deviation. Magnetic north is not the same as true north, and this difference is written on the compass rose on the chart of the area you’re cruising. This difference, in degrees, between true and magnetic, is known as variation, which […]
Memorial Day
on May 24, 2025
Memorial Day in the U.S. has its roots in the aftermath of the Civil War. It was originally called Decoration Day. First Memorial Day Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans’ organization, encouraged people to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. The date was chosen because spring flowers would be in bloom across the country. Over the years, the holiday expanded […]
Beach Baby
on May 17, 2025
Beach Baby is a popular summer song, and in many parts of the country, boaters gather on beaches and sandbars to swim and socialize. Beaching your boat to take part seems simple enough to do, but in order to make sure your boat is A) still there when you’re ready to go, and B) still able to float at that time, it’s important to take a few precautions. Know Your Bottom While most of the […]
Mother’s Day
on May 10, 2025
Mother’s Day has deep historical roots, evolving from ancient traditions to the modern celebration we recognize today. To appreciate the holiday today, we need to examine where it came from. Ancient Origins The concept of honoring motherhood dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. Back then, festivals celebrated mother goddesses like Rhea and Cybele. In medieval England, “Mothering Sunday” was observed, a Christian tradition where people returned to their “mother church” and honored their mothers. […]
Birds
on May 3, 2025
Turns out an there are many members of the bird family that are more than happy to take a perch, or hover over your boat as though it had a flashing neon restroom sign on it. When it comes to outwitting them, the birdbrain tends to belong to the humans. The results, like the birds, are large and varied. Unfortunately what seems to work great for one boater has little effect for another. Birds can […]
Dinghy Basics
on April 26, 2025
The Dinghy Basics are important to everyone. While the legal requirements will vary based on the type and size of your dinghy, typical safety equipment includes a life jacket of the correct size for each person, a sound-producing device (air horn, whistle), bailer, and, if operating after dark, proper navigational lighting. A throw able flotation device, such as a buoyant seat cushion, is also good to have. Dinghy Grab Bag The key to ensuring your […]
Running Inlets
on April 19, 2025
Running inlets involves on-the-spot decisions, based on what you see and feel, combined with your skills and your knowledge of your boat: Tide Flow Schedules Get tide-flow schedules for inside the inlet. A raging inlet may calm a short time later when the tide slackens and starts flooding. Watch the Waves Watch the waves ahead and astern at all times. Have a helper watching for aids to navigation. A sail can help with steadying and […]
