Friday, March 05, 2010
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Each year, the membership of BWI conducts a writing contest recognizing top marine journalists around the world. Discover Boating is a BWI Supporting Member and sponsors the writing contest awards within the Boating Adventures category. This year the 17th Annual BWI Writing Contest was held, and Discover Boating was pleased to announce their 1st Place Winner, “One Mom, Two Teens, No Exit” written by Tania Aebi, youngest woman to sail around the world alone at 21 and author of an international best-seller. Tania was recognized for her inspirational, family bonding story that first attracted readers in the March 2009 issue of Boat U.S. Magazine. This moving story was created from first-hand experience when she set sail to the South Pacific with her two teens in hopes of giving them a world view and different sense of responsibility, all while spending time together.
Prepare to be inspired!
Monday, March 01, 2010
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Hey There!
Have you ever wondered what would happen if something went terribly wrong while out on the water? If no one knows where you are going, how many stops you are making along the way, and what time you are expecting to be back by, how will they know when/if they need to call authorities?
A common rule before leaving the house is to say where you're going and when you'll be back. The same, simple rule goes for boaters too, except there's a name for it. Before taking a trip out on the water, you should always be sure to let someone on shore know your float plan, a detailed agenda of where you expect to be and how long you expect to be gone.
A float plan can include any or all of the following information: name, address, and phone number of trip leader; name and number of all passengers, emergency contacts and any special medical conditions; boat type and registration information; trip itinerary; a list of communication and signal equipment onboard.
Here’s how to execute a float plan:
- Designate two responsible friends and family members as your float plan guardians.
- Provide your float plan guardians with guidelines as to how long they should wait before contacting authorities when you do not check in as expected per your float plan. Use as many notes as possible to record this information.
- If possible, provide your float plan guardians with contact information for the emergency personnel (US Coast Guard, marine patrol, etc.) where you will be boating.
- As you fill in your destinations and estimated arrival dates (ETAs), take into consideration the predicted weather, realistic boat speed and your ability to contact your float plan guardians to update your float plan as you reach (or change) your planned destinations.
- Don’t neglect to fill in the crew and passenger information. Their ages, descriptions, medical information and emergency contacts are vital to search and rescue personnel.
- If your destinations and plans change as you travel, update your float plan so your guardians can easily monitor your progress, avoiding needless worry and unnecessary calls to emergency personnel.
- Remember to close out your float plan by checking in at your final waypoint.
Be safe, don’t be careless!
Friday, January 15, 2010
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Hey There! Captain Chris Here!
With the great weather that we have been having in the Great lakes, my neighbor across the street came over and asked me a great question that I wanted to share with you.
His questions dealt with winterization.
He wanted to know if he used his boat over the weekend would he have to re-winterize the engine and all of the boat’s systems. My answer…ABSOLUTELY! If the boat is placed in the water and the engine is started and water enters the boat or the engines, then it needs to be re-winterized, not matter how long it was used or how long it was in the water for.
Newer boats are equipped with systems on their engines that assist with draining the engines installed in the boats. If you are not familiar with these systems, then an upcoming boat show is a great place to check out these systems. Stop by your local marine certified dealership display at the boat show and see what options are available. For a list of marine certified dealerships, please check out the list on our website. The link is http://www.discoverboating.com/buying/certified/dealers.aspx
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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Hey There!!! Captain Chris Here!
With the Boat Show Season fast approaching, I wanted to remind everyone that there is no better time to purchase your new boat, or upgrade your current one as we enter the boat show season.
Finance rates are still at an all time low and new boats are selling at prices that we have not seen in years.
In addition to purchasing your new boat, this is a great time to properly equip your boat as there are some great new items on the market. Whether you are looking to install electronics on your new boat or upgrade your existing system, there is no better place to do your research than at a boat show.
I look forward to seeing each and every one of you at the shows this year. What shows will you be visiting? Why will you be visiting the shows? Are you looking for a new boat? Is it a family tradition? I look forward to hearing from each of you.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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Hey There! Captain Chris Here!
While at the marina last night I had a fellow boater ask me whether or not they should perform yearly maintenance such as oil changes, water pumps, fuel filters, etc. on their engines in the fall or in the spring. After speaking with several industry
professionals, I have concluded that the fall is the best time for all your boat’s maintenance needs.
A couple of the many reasons that I was given are as follows:
· The boat will be all set for the spring with only minor chores to do on the boat
· While performing the routine maintenance, if you do identify an issue, you have all winter to address the issue.
· If you have water in the oil, lower unit gear lube or other various parts on your boat, you have a better chance of finding it and make sure that you do not have any freezing issues over the winter
When do you like to perform your yearly maintenance and why?
Hey there! Captain Chris here! I was walking the docks this past weekend listening to all the football games on the radio and talking to all the boaters as they were enjoying the sunny fall day and getting their boat ready for winter.
One of the conversations that came up was whether a fellow boater should store his boat inside with heated storage or outside under shrink wrap. Several people weighed in for both sides, but now I would like to hear from you. Which do you think is better, inside or out?
A few of the benefits that were brought up are:
Inside
· Accessibility to your boat for repairs throughout the winter
· Extra protection from the elements (Example: If you live in higher altitudes or in an area that is ice prone, inside is best)
· The boat is completely protected from the elements with could potentially cause less damage to your boat in the long run
Outside
· Less expensive than inside storage
· Access in the spring for self maintenance
Whether you choose inside or outside storage, make sure that you consider all of your options. Look at what the facility and what it has to offer, such 24 hour security or a paved lot. You need to find a facility that you are comfortable and that meets your needs. Good luck!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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Hey There! Captain Chris Here!
With another school year starting, who says just because you go away to school that you can’t go boating. Better yet, why not get an education in something that you love doing, like boating. Whether it's naval engineering at the University of Michigan or archeology at the University of West Florida, boating can be a part of any education.
Just imagine getting up every day and spending the day on the water. Better yet, sending your kid to college to do something that they love is worth every penny. I can remember going to school and visiting my friends at Michigan State. We would get up in the morning and join the water ski club for a couple of runs. What can be better than waking up knowing that you are getting college credit to water ski?
BoatUS recently published a great article on the “Boatiest Schools in America”. If you have not checked it out, you should.
What boating activities did you do when you were in school? Does your career involve boating now? Do you have any words of advice for kids entering college and trying to figure out what they want to do when they grow up?
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
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Hey There! Capt. Chris here!
There's nothing better than spending Labor Day weekend on the water with friends and family. Lucky for us, the weather was amazing and we took advantage of every minute. On Friday night when I got home from work, my wife had the boat packed and ready to go. We went for an evening cruise and stopped for dinner on the water. Saturday morning the kids were up bright and early asking when we're leaving. We did just that and headed out to the sand bar for the afternoon. After a great day on the water, we had a special treat for the kids and headed to a local marina where we stayed the night. The marina is also a state park, so we were able to make a bon-fire, cook hot dogs and make my daughters new favorite dessert, S’mores.
We couldn't have asked for a better weekend, as it doesn't get any better than spending quality family time on a boat and watching my little ones experience something new. Below is a picture of the two of them on the bridge as we rolled with the waves.
Well enough about how much fun we had on the water, what about you? What great things did you do with your family over the weekend? Where did you go? What did you see? Did you experience or try anything new?
Thursday, September 03, 2009
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Hey There! Captain Chris here!
We're working on a Top 10 List why people go boating and we have the following reasons. Do you have anything to add to this? Would love to hear from you!
- Boating Improves Quality of Life.
- Boating is an Affordable Recreation Alternative
- Water Access is Closer than you Think
- Boating Fun Helps you Bond with Friends and Family
- Boating Helps Reduce Stress
- Boating is Convenient
- Boating is an Engaging and Rewarding Activity
- Boating is Good Exercise
- Recreational Boating is Easy to Learn
- Boating is FUN
Post your top ten list in this blog and I will make sure to give you a shout out in my next blog. I can’t wait to read all of the top 10 lists!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
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Hey There! Capt Chris here!
As boaters, we have a responsibility and it is up to us to help protect the environment. Protecting the environment takes a conscious effort by all of us and starts with how we boat, where we boat, and the products we use on our boats. The little things are what count. A couple of things that come to mind and that are listed on Boat US’s website are:
- Stow your trash until you get on land: Never throw anything into the water that didn’t come out of it. Keep trash, even food waste, onboard and bring it back to recycle or throw away on shore. This also includes cigarette butts.
- Respect the marine environment: Don’t feed or harass dolphins and other mammals. Reduce speed and give a wide berth to whales and manatees. If it is planted there, leave it there. Watch out for coral reefs and other vegetation where you boat.
- Slow down and watch your wake: Large wakes accelerate shoreline erosion. Throttle back in narrow waterways. Use moorings rather than anchoring in environmentally delicate areas such as coral reef. When snorkeling or diving, never touch any live coral.
- Follow sanitation laws and regulations: "No dumping" means no dumping! Install a coast Guard- approved marine sanitation device on your boat and use it. Consult up-to-date cruising guides for the locations of pump- out facilities.
- Tune up your engine: An engine that is tuned up and running properly improves fuel economy and burns fuel more efficiently, causing fewer emissions into the air and water.
- Refuel with care: Take precautions to keep fuel and oil out of the water. Do not top off your fuel tanks, as it can lead to gas spilling into the water. Use a "bilge pillow" to soak up leaks in your bilge, instead of using your bilge pump to pump it out.
- Is your marina a clean marina? I support all the local marinas that participate and have been labeled a “clean marina”.
- Shrink Wrap: Purchase a reusable winter cover to help reduce the amount of waste. If you do use shrink wrap, make sure to recycle. I use shrink wrap, but I make sure to personally put it in the recycling bin at the marina.
- Solar Panels: Have you ever thought about installing solar panels on your boat to help charge your batteries or run your electronics while you are on a sand bar, instead of your generator?
- Be on the look out. If you see oil or chemical spills or other pollutions, call the United States Coast Guard’s National response Center hotline (800-424-8802).
What are you doing to help protect the environment while you are boating? What tips do you have for me and other boaters?