Blog
Columbus 3 Ships
on October 10, 2022
Columbus had three ships on his first voyage, the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. The flagship Santa Maria had the nickname La Gallega. It was a nao, which simply means “ship” in old Spanish; today, we might call such a ship a carrack. She was fat and slow, designed for hauling cargo, not for exploration. Some sources say that the Santa Maria was about 100 tons, meaning that it could carry 100 toneladas, […]
DOCK LINES
on September 25, 2022
What dock line is best for you? When it comes to dock lines the proper materials and size can make all the difference. But how to determine what’s right for your boat? Dock lines are essential to keep your boat safe and secure, but for many boaters the decision probably comes down to price…or color. Educate yourself about the best materials and sizes to choose the right dock line for your boat and docking scenario. […]
Cleaning Boat Seats
on September 19, 2022
Cleaning boat seats is not easy. Nothing is worse than dirty seats. Those black dots and blobs look unsightly, cause the crew to stand instead of sit, and cause your boat to diminish in value. Unfortunately, making mildew-stained vinyl look like new proves nearly impossible — and in many ways, it’s a unwinnable battle. Mildew is a fungus You can clean it off the vinyl’s surface and kill the spores with a disinfectant, but unless […]
Post-Hurricane Tips
on September 11, 2022
With a few storms hovering around, it is always good to review some post hurricane tips. Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended. Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates. American Red Cross If you have become separated from your family, use your family communication plan. If you don’t have one, now is a good time to […]
NEVER FORGET
on September 5, 2022
Never forget 9/11 9/11” is short for four coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda, an Islamist extremist group, that occurred on the morning of September 11, 2001. Nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes, deliberately crashing two of the planes into the upper floors of the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center complex. A third plane was flown into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The Twin Towers ultimately collapsed because of the damage sustained […]
Types of Boat Insurance
on August 28, 2022
There are two basic types of boat insurance—“agreed value” and “actual cash value.” An “agreed value” policy covers the boat based on its value when the policy was written. While it can cost more up front, there is no depreciation for a total loss of the boat (some partial losses may be depreciated). “Actual cash value” policies cost less up front, but factor in depreciation. In other words, the policy will only pay up to […]
LEARNING WHILE ABOARD
on August 21, 2022
Helping your your kids learning while onboard your boat can be beneficial. We know ongoing learning is not only good, but also enjoyable. Here are some ways to bring learning onboard your boat this summer, without your kids grumbling over the lesson plan. Knot Tying The minute your kids can tie their shoes, they can learn to tie a bowline. Graduate them on to a clove hitch, a square knot, a figure-eight knot, and more. […]
Washing a Boat
on August 15, 2022
Nothing will pay better dividends than washing your boat the right way. Wash Most boat soaps suggest several ounces of soap per gallon of water for washing a boat. That gets a good suds going and, when applied with a sponge or soft brush, does a good job of lifting dirt. It also does a good job of wasting soap. A utility spray bottle from a discount or hardware store costs a couple of bucks […]
STARTING AN OLD MOTOR
on August 8, 2022
Old outboard motors require just the right touch to start. In the past, you had to learn how to start an outboard motor. Carbureted two-strokes can be fussy, especially when cold. Now, there’s still plenty of carbureted two-strokes in service. And how to start a 2-stroke outboard motor is as important as ever. Maybe you own one, or you’re considering a used boat that’s fitted with one. Here’s a basic 5-step starting procedure you can […]
WEIGHTED BLANKETS
on August 1, 2022
Weighted blankets capture the cozy feeling of waking up under a heavy comforter on a winter’s day. And there’s some scientific theory behind the idea: applying pressure to your skin stimulates neurotransmitters like serotonin and melatonin that calm your brain. They’re blankets stuffed with pellets—usually made of glass or a plastic like polyethylene—and can weigh as much as 25 pounds. Who Uses Weighted Blankets Occupational therapists frequently use weighted blankets for something called sensory integration […]