Destinations

Do's and Dont's When Hiring a Charter Company

Chris — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:42:57 GMT

Using a Nautical Chart

Chris — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:39:39 GMT

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt;"Times New Roman","serif";} In these days of built-in, onboard GPS systems it’s easy to lull ourselves into a false sense of security that we’ll always seemto know where we are on the water. Even our phones have mapping features on them. But ask anyone who has had their 12-volt power fail, and they’ll tell you that even on a body of water you know like the back of your hand, your best friend can be a good, up-to-date nautical chart. While day trippers may choose to stay close to home or frequent the same cove or sandbar, you never know when you’ll need to make a fuel run or follow another boater to a new restaurant, only to find you’re turned around and nothing looks familiar on the way home. So it’s a good idea to buy a paper (or, even better, laminated) chart and store it someplace easy to find. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your nautical chart: Do a little homework. Study up to get your bearings before you ever leave the house. Once you leave that boat ramp or dock, you’ll be surprised how quickly false coves and trap channels can get you turned around. That’s particularly true if the water levels have been changing since last season. Know your terms and scale. Reading a chart is like reading a map, but it’s not exactly like reading a map. Terms like soundings (depth readings), channel boundaries (main boating traffic route), sea marks (just like landmarks), and tidal races (strong currents associated with tide changes). Since, like land maps, nautical charts come in many different scales, make sure you have a good understanding of what ratio is used. Determine major landmarks. You can get out of many jams by simply knowing your major landmarks like bridges, dams, marinas and inlets. You’ll be tired and distracted after a full day of sun and fun, so check your instincts against these key land features. If you remember that Rusty’s Bait & Tackle should be on your left returning to the dock, you’ll have one less thing to worry about. Check for hazards. This is one of the great reasons to buy a new chart every season. Note new submerged hazards, channel marker locations, bridge clearances, power lines and anything else that you may be cruising past on the way to your destination. Dredging and other maintenance-related obstructions should also be noted. Share the knowledge. Get your crew, especially children, involved with helping you plot your course and orienting themselves with the surroundings. This will help build their confidence on the water and teach them valuable boating skills. Plus, they’ll be ready and able to assist in case of an emergency. Keep it current. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) now provides updated nautical charts you can print from your home computer. While these won’t be as user-friendly as your typical dock-store laminated chart, it will be a good source for anything that’s changed since that chart was printed. This is particularly important if you’re venturing into a new area. Just go to nauticalcharts.noaa.gov for more information.

Top secrets to finding the best fishing spots on vacation

Chris — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:56:26 GMT

Sure, you know your home fishing hole like the back of your hand. You know what bait to use and when to use it. You know exactly where everyone dumps old Christmas trees in the lake to build up a perfect fish structure. You know where the hardcore, on-the-water-at-4 a.m. guys go before the rest of us even think about getting up and heading to the boat ramp. You know all that. What you may not know is where to find those honey-holes while you’re on vacation. Here are some secrets to help you tap into that “local knowledge” and get you on the fish quickly. Plan Ahead Whether you’re hitting the Gulf Coast, Flaming Gorge or Lake Texoma, you’ll do yourself a favor by doing a little legwork before you hit the road. Spend some time on the Internet, and you’ll be amazed at what you find. Many times the Chamber of Commerce or the local fishing guide association will have posted some great information to influence anglers like you to spend some time (and money) in their community. You may not find too many specifics, but you’ll likely track down what’s biting when and get a good idea about the proper bait and gear you’ll need. Also, check out www.takemefishing.org. You won’t believe how much good information they have, plus you can download a free smartphone app that uses your location to find launch ramps, bait shops and just about anything else you’d need for a fishing trip. Go Local Once you’ve done your computer research, it’s time to go old school and start “talking” to people. You know that bait shop you found? It’s in their best interest to put you on some fish. You’ll be back. And you’ll buy fuel, snacks, ice, and, of course, more bait. And anything else you forgot. Just make sure you’re listening to the guy behind the counter, and not the silver-tongued angler who’s just hanging around the shop. He may have a vested interested in steering you the wrong way. Another great source for information is local guides. In fact, you can take some of the pressure off and get to the fish faster if you hire a guide for your first day. For a reasonable fee, they can get you to the secret fishing holes quickly, and you can spend more time hauling in your catch. Finally…Be Respectful If you’re on vacation, chances are other anglers might have the same idea. As you spend time with the locals, show them the appropriate respect. You’re a visitor. Be a good one. That means paying up for current fishing licenses for you and your family (as required) and knowing the keeper species and catch limits. Practicing a catch and release policy for any fish you don’t plan on consuming during your trip is the responsible thing to do. And it provides a good lesson for the young anglers on your crew. And make sure that you pack out a little more than you packed in. Nothing can ruin a great fishing hole like out-of-towners who leave a body of water more polluted than they found it. Go beyond “No Littering” and pick up extra trash you see.

Overnighting On Your Boat

Chris — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:37:27 GMT

One of the great pleasures a boater can enjoy is sleeping on board. The calming sound of waves gently lapping against the hull can lull even the most wound-up insomniac into a peaceful night’s slumber. But there are some tricks and tips you should know before you go out for your first evening on the water. Use the boat selector tool to find out which types of boats you can sleep "On Board" by checking the appropriate boxes. Location, location, location. Choose a small, protected cove. Identify shelter in case of inclement weather. Get an anchor that’s at least one size larger than recommended for your boat. Calculate about one pound of anchor for every two feet of boat. For overnighting, that boat would be safer with a 15-pound anchor. Practice your setup in the daylight. Attach one end of a 3/16-inch galvanized coil chain (at least as long as your boat) to the anchor. Attach the other end of the chain to 7/16 braided nylon rope that’s about 10 times longer than the depth of the water at high-tide. Head to the spot you’ve chosen to spend the evening and stop the boat. Drop the anchor quickly (or “smartly” if you want to brush up on your sailor lingo). When the anchor makes contact with the bottom, slowly back up while paying out the rope (“line”), ensuring you don’t have any knots and that you’re well clear of the propeller. Tie off the line to a deck cleat and reduce speed by half. The anchor shouldn’t drag, and you should feel it dig into the bottom and set itself. Note: The full range your boat will spin if the wind changes direction. Having a single pivot point should protect you from drifting, particularly in a small cove. You can also tie off to a fixed object on land such as a tree. Display a white anchor light all night long. Smaller boats are not required to display a white anchor light if it’s anchored well away from where boats would operate. Check with your local state boating law administrator to make sure. There are several aftermarket low-voltage lights that you can plug into your boat’s 12-volt outlet that won’t leave you powerless. Overnighting is a wonderful way to spend an evening, particularly after a day full of fun and sun. With a little practice and preparation, you can take the worry out of sleeping aboard and learn to love spending a night “on the hook.” For more tips on how to anchor, check out the video below: