Blog
ELECTION DAY THOUGHTS
on November 4, 2020
Election Day 2020 – Like the rest of this crazy year, it seems like it is one of the biggest wildcards in memory. With a record number of mail in votes being cast in the Presidential race, who knows if a winner will be announced Election Night . And even if a winner is declared, there may be challenges to the result. But the U.S. does have a history of Presidential elections that took more […]
WHAT ELSE DOES THAT HURRICANE MAP TELL US?
on October 28, 2020
WIND STRENGTH AND BAROMETRIC PRESSURE Good hurricane maps also may give other important information, such as forecasted wind strength. Not only is the wind strength number important for the hurricane’s eye wall, it’s also important in the areas around the eye. For instance, if you’re expected to be in the northeast quadrant of the storm’s direction of travel, you can probably expect greater wind strength than if you were to the west of the storm. […]
SAFETY WHILE BOATING IN THE FALL
on October 17, 2020
Just because its Fall and there are less vessels on the water, doesn’t mean you can throw caution to the wind as far as safety is concerned. Here are several tips for avoiding some of the most serious boating mistakes. Mistake 1: Underestimating What It Takes to Operate a Boat All too often, both experienced and novice boaters can underestimate the level of knowledge, skill and experience required to operate a boat effectively and safely. From […]
MAKING YOUR DECK SAFER
on October 14, 2020
HOW TO INSTALL NONSLIP TAPE WHERE YOU NEED IT Nonslip tape is usually installed over slippery areas such as on hatches, where it provides grip without blocking too much light. You can also install it on the edge of stairs, any sloping surface, and other areas where the danger of slipping is present. Make sure the area to be covered is clean. Use a proprietary cleaner recommended by the manufacturer to clean the clear part […]
NOT ALL VIBES ARE GOOD
on October 7, 2020
Vibrations may be good when listening to music, but vibrations are often indicative of an issue with a component on the boat. This is not a comprehensive guide by any stretch, but it will, hopefully, help you identify the source of any unwanted vibration, starting with the simplest causes. DOES THE ENGINE VIBRATE WHEN IT IS RUNNING WITH TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL? If Yes: Worn engine mounts. Inspect each engine mount in turn. Is one shaking […]
DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT YOUR DITTY BAG
on September 30, 2020
In the 17th century, British sailors kept their personal items in what they used to call a “housewife,” a tubular-shaped fabric sack closed with a drawstring that contained their belongings as well as essentials for repairing clothing and some tools of the trade. These bags, companions to the sailors’ sea bags or sea chests, were hung from a hammock ring or a hook or peg next to their bunks. Eventually, they became known as ditty […]
KEEPING YOUR BOAT CLEAN
on September 23, 2020
Problem: Fishblood Stains On Nonskid While evidence of catches on your deck means you had a great day on the water, it’s just plain yucky to look at. SOLUTION The best method is to wash down any affected surfaces before the blood has a chance to dry. Should you miss a spot, sprinkle some Bar Keepers Friend on clean, wet nonskid, scrub, and rinse. Alternatively, try hydrogen peroxide or OxiClean (or generic equivalent) for really […]
NEED A FASTENER?
on September 16, 2020
BUYING QUALITY FASTENERS For marine applications, the fastener material of choice, excluding aluminum rivets, will nearly always be stainless steel. Bronze is equally good but only for fastening bronze hardware. Avoid entirely typical hardware store offerings of brass and plated steel. Where do you get high-quality marine fasteners? Your local boat-supply store should carry a good selection. Many hardware stores also stock stainless fasteners. However, not all stainless steel is created equal. Try to get […]
GOT THAT BUYING ITCH?
on September 9, 2020
So you have decided to get a boat. Getting an inspection can save you countless problems down the line. Behind most successful used-boat transactions, there’s a Purchase Agreement and Bill of Sale that clearly spell out how the boat was bought or sold. While not perfect, this goes a long way to alleviate any misunderstandings. “A Purchase Agreement is necessary if you intend to buy a boat, but require that certain things must be done […]
SELLING YOUR BOAT
on September 2, 2020
PRESENTATION PAYS Deciding where to invest in fixing up your boat for sale comes down to two questions that every boat owner should ask themselves: What will it cost to make the repair or upgrade? What will it cost if I don’t? Fortunately, there are a few easy and inexpensive things you can do, which will always improve the marketability and speed up a sale. Here’s what the pros had to say: “De clutter by […]