SAVE - My.Boat.US
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SAVE - My.Boat.US
BoatUS.com VOLUME XI NOVEMBER 2006 -!'!:).% #BKB#FDLPOT 8JOUFS&TDBQFT 5BSHFU1SBDUJDF 5FO4BGFUZ4UFQT 1BUDIJOH)BUDIFT RETAIL PRICE $859. ON YOUR WRIST $189. IN YOUR POCKET $670. The Couture Sports Two Tone Watch - 4 interest free payments of $47.25* plus S&H or one payment of $189* plus S&H The Klaus Kobec Couture Sports Two Tone has polished golden numerals inlaid on a fine white textured dial. Rich and extravagant 18k gold plated accents to the crown, pushers and bracelet attachments coupled with brushed gold plated center links of the stainless steel bracelet, together create an intriguing mixture of opulence and rugged reliability. A high fashion timepiece designed for the cosmopolitan man or woman and sports enthusiast alike, is now available direct from the manufacturer at the astonishingly low price of $189* plus s&h, – a saving of $670 on the retail price of $859. Or, for your convenience, we are offering a special option of four monthly payments, interest free, of just $47.25* plus s&h. So how can we make an offer like this? The answer is beautifully simple. We have no middleman to pay. No retail overheads to pay. And not the usual mark-up to make, which on luxury items (including watches) can be enormous. Buying direct from the manufacturer means incredible savings. We just make beautiful watches, beautifully simple to buy. For full details call our sales hotline now 1-800-550-TIME (1-800-550-8463). Hurry, this offer is available for a limited period only. 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE 5-YEAR UNLIMITED MOVEMENT WARRANTY * Shipping/Handling $14.95. FL Res add 6% Sales Tax COUTURE SPORTS IN TWO TONE. LADIES RETAIL PRICE $829 DIRECT PRICE $185* PLUS S&H OR 4 INTEREST FREE PAYMENTS OF $46.25* PLUS S&H. GENTS RETAIL PRICE $859 DIRECT PRICE $189 OR 4 INTEREST FREE PAYMENTS OF $47.25. FEATURES INCLUDE: STAINLESS STEEL CASE, STAINLESS STEEL AND GOLD PLATED BRACELET. STAINLESS STEEL BUTTERFLY CLASP TO THE BRACELET. CHRONOGRAPH FEATURING HOURS, MINUTES AND SECONDS DIALS. CALENDAR. WATER RESISTANT TO 3ATMS. SUPPLIED TO YOU IN A MAGNIFICENT PRESENTATION CASE. STOPWATCH MOVEMENT NOT AVAILABLE ON LADIES MODEL. CREDIT CARD HOTLINE 1-800-550-TIME (1-800-550-8463) 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. PLEASE QUOTE CODE PBU/6NTT. www.timepiecesusa.com TIMEPIECES INTERNATIONAL, 3580 NORTH WEST 56TH STREET, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33309. FAX: 1 888 675 3045 Planning a Trip? Use our Interactive Mapping Feature to preview your destination port and marina before you arrive and view inlets, bridges and locks you will be negotiating on your route. Many locations include important information, local knowledge and helpful links and tips. Log On to MARINAS.com and See What You Can See! Just Use the Zoom Tool... Zoom in to our high resolution images with a click of the zoom tool. Beautiful image clarity and detail at all levels of zoom. Log on to THE NEW MARINAS.COM and Visit Your Favorite Marine Locations Visit our Frame Shop to have your favorites professionally framed and matted in your choice of style and color and shipped anywhere in the world. Visit our Download Shop for Computer Wallpaper of your favorite images or collect several and create your own DIY Screensavers. Become a Member (It’s FREE) and: • Get 10% off on all Frame Shop purchases* • Upload your own images for framing in our Frame Shop • Send E-Postcards for FREE* • Be registered to win a FREE Caribbean Vacation* • Use our FREE Reservation Service* • Go to the review pages of marinas and locations to share your local knowledge and experiences with fellow boaters and read what others have said. Image: Hope Town Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas * Visit www.marinas.com for details Attention Marina Owners Maximize your presence on today’s most exciting marine website. Register your marina and sign up for one of our targeted Marketing Packages. Dream. Plan. Explore. Hope Town Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas VOL. XI, NO. 6 November 2006 features 18 Going Pro 18 Does sportfishing for a living sound too good to be true? You can do it, but it’s not going to happen overnight. Photo by Jason Sealock, FLW Outdoors 20 20 Too Wired for the Water? Today’s kids spend more time plugged into electronic toys than they do playing in the woods and on the water. But, missing out on Mother Nature early in life could undermine the future of outdoor activities like boating and fishing. 24 Fired Up on the Great Lakes Dozens of proposed Coast Guard security zones involving live ammunition firing practice are stirring unrest. 26 Restocking the Book Locker Missing your fix of waterborne adventures during the winter? Reading about them may be the next best thing and recent titles offer an eclectic mix. Photo by Laura Engleby, Florida Keys NMS 30 30 Winter Cruising Grounds We know you love to travel. Here’s an update on some new boats available for charter and ways to save money on cruises this winter. 32 Waterfront Living: Baja Homesteading Travel Editor Tony Gibbs visits coastal Baja California and decides to drop anchor. 38 DIY: Hatching a Plan to Patch Leaks Leaking deck hatch making your v-berth soggy? The editors of DIY show you how to find and fix that leak. Photo courtesy of Ursa Major Charters departments On The Cover: A diver plunges into the vibrant waters of the Sea of Cortez from a traditional panga hoping to spot a seasonal visitor such as a Manta Ray or Leatherback sea turtle. Photo courtesy of Baja Life Online 4 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 6 Behind The Buoy 8 BoatU.S. Reports 16 Member Forum 29 Techno Talk 35 Waterfront Market Place 36 Boat Smart 43 Tangled Line 47 Hot Tips 48 Foundation Findings 51 Good Foundations 52 2nd Time Around 54 Seaworthy 55 At Your Service 56 BoatU.S. Exchange 64 Behind the Boat 64 Where Our Flags Fly EDITORIAL OFFICES 880 S. Pickett St Alexandria, VA 22304 PHONE: 703-461-2864 FAX: 703-461-2845 e-mail: magazine@boatus.com address change: 800-395-2628 PUBLISHER EMERITUS Richard Schwartz EDITOR & PUBLISHER Michael G. Sciulla MANAGING EDITOR Elaine Dickinson ASSOCIATE EDITORS Ryck Lydecker Michael Vatalaro ASSISTANT EDITOR Scott Croft CONSUMER EDITOR Caroline Ajootian TRAVEL EDITOR Tony Gibbs ART DIRECTOR Carla Shamblen GRAPHIC DESIGN Rick Kelvington Marcus Floro DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL IMAGERY Michel Istaphanous ADVERTISING SALES William J. McVey, Jr. PHONE: 212-316-0383 800-447-4766 FAX: 212-666-1980 billm@mcveymichaels.com Susan L.B. Clifford PHONE: 410-820-0290 FAX: 801-981-6154 boatusmagazine@hughes.net Waterfront & Vacation Properties Jane Richardson PHONE: 703-243-9046 FAX: 703-243-9066 JRichardson@admarketinggroup.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Lauren James CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING PHONE: 888-282-2628 FAX: 703-461-4664 ©BoatU.S. MAGAZINE (ISSN 1090-1272) Published bimonthly by Boat Owners Association of The United States, 880 South Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304 (six issues). Periodicals Postage Paid at Alexandria, VA. and at additional mailing offices. Subscription is $6.00 annually to BoatU.S. members. Contact BoatU.S. for permission to reprint articles, (703) 461-2864. POSTMASTER: Send Change of Address to BoatU.S. Magazine, 880 South Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304 (2006). The Formula 310 Sun Sport introduces a whole new era of good times on the water. With all the popular hallmark features of the Formula SS series, plus a 9’ 6” beam, the 310 offers even more cockpit comfort and versatility. The U-shaped lounge and table arrangement along with the expansive, featureloaded wetbar invite relaxed onboard entertaining. The aft facing transom lounge easily converts to a full-length sunpad—a great way to stretch out in the sun. With the deep-V hull and twin engine power, the ride is smooth, fast and fun. The stylish cabin presents top-grade furnishings in a choice of three upscale décor palettes. Lounge seating is luxurious Ultraleather™, and counters are genuine Corian®. The sink and refrigerator are stainless steel, and the cabinetry is a handsome, high-gloss deep cherry woodgrain finish. There’s also a private head compartment with Vacuflush® unit, stainless steel sink and retractable shower head for all-day boating. 310 technology updates include an iPod™/MP3 port at the helm, eight marine-grade speakers and remote control cockpit/swim platform lighting. More of today’s most-wanted electronic components for navigation and entertainment are also available as options. A variety of exterior colors and striking graphics are offered in a number of choices to satisfy your individual style. Now is the Time — See the New 310 Sun Sport Thunderbird Products • 2200 West Monroe St. • P.O. Box 1003 • Decatur, IN 46733-5003 • PH: 260-724-9111 behindthebuoy Richard Schwartz Founder & Chairman 6 Michael G. Sciulla Editor BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 Nobody likes to get bad news and even fewer, we suspect, enjoy being the bearer of bad news. Nonetheless, your editors firmly believe that helpful information can be gleaned from news that isn’t entirely rosy. As they say, forewarned is forearmed. With this in mind we share with you some of the more recent developments in recreational boating that have come to our attention. First, this issue of BoatUS. Magazine contains a chilling article, “Study Provokes Stern Warning” on pages 36-37 by Consumer Affairs Editor Caroline Ajootian. Based on a recent government study, this feature highlights the dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide that could build up at the stern, near the swim platform or even in the cockpit and cabin of gas-powered express cruisers. While the report is certainly disturbing, what troubles us perhaps even more is that while a number of studies have been conducted, precious little has apparently been done by government and the marine industry to actually solve the problem other than that involving houseboats. Carbon monoxide poisoning on boats is not new. It’s been around for some time. It’s taken the lives of at least 113 recreational boaters over the years. It’s time something much more comprehensive is done. Lest you think these are the ravings of an editor with nothing better to do than tilt at windmills, please take a moment to look at two letters to the editor on pages 16-17: One from Dr. Robert Baron who has been ringing the alarm bell for years and another from a member, Edward Spitz, who nearly lost his life to carbon monoxide poisoning last July 4th weekend. Meanwhile, another potential threat to boating is looming on the Great Lakes where the U.S. Coast Guard has announced plans to conduct live ammunition firing practice in 34 proposed permanent “security zones,” some of which are perilously close to areas teeming with boaters and anglers (see “Going Ballistic on the Great Lakes” by Elaine Dickinson, pages 24-25). Initially, the Coast Guard had placed a 30-day notice of their plan in the Federal Register, a document not normally considered a part of the daily reading habits of most of those who boat on the Great Lakes. Fortunately, a number of U.S. Congressmen and state officials raised concerns and the comment period was extended to November 13. BoatU.S. has raised this issue with the Coast Guard and we encourage everyone who frequents these waters to share their concerns with the Coast Guard as well as their federal, state and local officials. On the good news, bad news front, the latest recreational boating statistics reveal that the number of boating fatalities rose in 2005 to 697 from a low of 676 in 2004. This is the first time the number of fatalities has risen since 2002. While this is an unfortunate turn of events, the increase probably has more to do with better weather attracting more people to the water or bad weather causing more accidents than it does with the fact that recreational boating has never been a safer pastime than it is today. Finally, a challenge to recreational boating of a different sort is presented on pages 20-21 in Ryck Lydecker’s article, “The Last Child in the Boat?” “Will you be the last of the boaters in your family?”, asks the author as he asseses a recent book written by columnist Richard Louv who observes that today’s computerencased kids are growing up without much exposure to the outdoors. Louv argues that our children and grandchildren are becoming more and more detached from the natural world around them and that this could lead to, of all things, “nature deficit disorder.” While it is certainly easy to poke fun and compare this to all of the supposed “disorders” for which there are special cures on late night TV, we suspect that Louv has a point worth noting. Recreational boat sales peaked in 1989. The Baby Boomers who were supposed to rescue the marine industry and raise it to new heights never materialized or were diverted elsewhere. From where will the next generation of recreational boaters come if they haven’t been exposed to the wonders of the waterways while still in their teens? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. The answer is blowing in the wind. 4VCNFSTJCMFBJSBTTJTUFEEFDL 5IFGJOFTUCPBUMJGUFWFSGSPNUIF /BUJPOhT%SJWF0O%PDLJOH $PNQBOZ.PEVMBSBOEQPSUBCMF 1SPUFDUZPVSJOWFTUNFOU $PNQMFUFMZESZEPDLFE 5IFVMUJNBUFJODPOWFOJFODF 4UFSOESJWFCPBUTVQUPGFFU (VBSBOUFFEGPSBMJGFUJNF V18$T V+FU#PBUT V0VUCPBSET V4UFSO%SJWFT V*OCPBSE4LJ#PBUT V$BUBNBSBOT V&UD&UD&UD +&5%0$, 1SPUFDUFECZ641BUFOUT BOEBOEPUIFSQFOEJOH64BOEJOUFSOBUJPOBM1BUFOUT 4FF-JGFUJNF-JNJUFE8BSSBOUZ BoatU.S.reports Boating Fatalities Increase Slightly in 2005 The good-new/bad-news statistics on boating accidents continued for 2005 as the latest official count from the U.S. Coast Guard indicates boating fatalities went up last year — disappointing news following 2004 in which boating fatalities hit an alltime record low. Not since 2002 have boating fatalities increased. Boating fatalities totaled 697 in 2005, up by 21 from 676 in 2004, the lowest number since records started being kept in the early 1970s. Fluctuations are common however, and can be simply the result of better reporting by police, or a year in which good weather generated more boating activity. In addition, the number of registered boats on the water in 2005 grew by over 160,000 to a total of 12,942,414. In 2004 boat registrations had remained flat. Not varying much from previous years, the majority of the 697 fatalities were the result of drowning (491) 70%, and of those some 87% were not wearing a life jacket. Also of note, the number of fatalities among children went up to 21, from 14 the previous year. There were also six deaths from carbon monoxide on boats in 2005 but none involved a houseboat. Three of those were on cabin motorboats, one was on an open motorboat and in two cases the type of vessel was not reported. Public campaigns against drinking and boating must be working as the number of fatalities involving alcohol dropped to 25%, compared to 30% in 2004. The states that had the highest number of fatalities (which are usually the states with the most registered boats) are: Florida (78); California (58); Louisiana (35); Texas (32) and Michigan (28). Remarkably, some jurisdictions reported zero fatalities last year: *CG on Cell Phones Cancelled call, as the broadcast may be heard by a nearby vessel, not just police or Coast Guard stations. If no radio is on board, and a cell phone is available, boaters should simply dial 911 in an emergency. In many parts of the U.S., wireless phone companies have offered boaters an emergency service to reach the Coast Guard in which cell phone dialers could press *CG. But due to inconsistencies in services and problems relaying calls, the Coast Guard has discontinued the service nationwide, except in Alaska. The *CG service was never available nationwide but only in select areas; it was up to each local phone company if they wanted to offer and set up a system with the nearest Coast Guard station. The Coast Guard found that in some instances it actually delayed their response to emergencies because some calls ended up being misdirected. The proliferation in cell phone providers also confused boaters who did not necessarily know which phone service had a *CG feature. In Alaska, *CG will continue to be active due to the single Coast Guard point of contact there and the limited number of cellular service providers, said Richard Schaefer of the Coast Guard SAR office. A VHF marine radio tuned to Channel 16 is the preferred method for a distress 8 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 the District of Columbia, Rhode Island, North Dakota, Vermont, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. The figures released in August by the Coast Guard are compiled from reports from each state and U.S. territory. To read the full report or download it (48 pages) go to uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_stats.htm. Also showing an upturn in 2005 was the overall number of reported accidents at 4,969, up from 4,904 the previous year; injuries totaled 3,451, up from 3,363. The Coast Guard estimates that only a very small percentage of non-fatal accidents are reported. Recreational Boating Fatalities: 1985-2005 1150 950 750 550 1985 ‘86 ‘87 ‘88 ‘89 ‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 Bluegill Are On Patrol The U.S. Army has recruited a battalion of bluegill to help detect terrorist assaults on our nation’s water supply. Like the proverbial canary in a coal mine, these small fish are sensitive to changes in water quality and the presence of toxins in particular. With the help of a contractor, the Army developed an automated enclosure that monitors the “breathing” rate of eight separately penned bluegill. When distressed, the fish respire more often, a signal that something is amiss in the water supply. If six of the eight fish show signs of distress, the monitoring system signals a pager that lets authorities know that testing is needed. The devices are currently at work in New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC, protecting water supplies for over 12 million people. The bluegill each serve a two- to three-week “tour of duty” before being released. El Niño Makes a Comeback More promising news from meteorologists following a much milder 2006 hurricane season: a new El Niño has officially been declared in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. As of press time in September, a weak El Niño existed which, according to scientists at the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has likely contributed to the less active hurricane season so far. El Niños typically suppress hurricanes by increasing vertical wind shear in the Caribbean Sea region. “Currently, weak El Niño conditions exist but there is potential for this event to strengthen into a moderate event by winter,” said Vernon Kousky of the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Periodic warming of sea surface temperatures across the central and eastcentral equatorial Pacific is a large-scale phenomenon and it impacts weather in the Americas, both temperatures and rainfall. (The name translates into “the child” since the anomaly once came around Christmas time.) Mandatory Life Jackets in U.S. Virgin Islands Just as you were dreaming about your winter get-away, the U.S. Virgin Islands has passed a new law affecting all boaters in their waters starting in September 2006. In an unexpected move, the USVI legislature passed a bill requiring everyone on board a vessel to wear a life jacket, not just carry them on board. According to the bill text, “A vessel operator shall require everyone on his vessel to wear a PFD whenever on the water.” There is no distinction made in this section between recreational, charter, and commercial vessels. Also, children under 17 must now wear a Type I or Type II life jacket when on a recreational boat being operated. Most parents opt for the more comfortable and stylish Type III vest-style jackets. These now do not meet the new USVI law. Recreational vessels (including dinghies) are required to have one Type IV PFD (throwable) in addition to the total life jackets normally required. The new law, known as the “Mandatory Motorboat Education and Safety Act,” also mandates boating education for youth 18 years and younger to operate a motorboat. Instead of taking the USVI course, vacationing kids or grandkids, as nonresidents, can take their home state’s course and bring along their card proving completion of that course. As of press time, enforcement of the education part of the law will be delayed, because the U.S. Virgin Islands does not yet have a program in place to teach youth boating safety. After they start education classes, it will take at least six months before that segment of the law is enforced. In terms of the mandatory life jacket wear for adults and children, BoatU.S. was told the law may be amended this fall to clarify exactly when adults are required to wear life jackets on boats, as the current law has no provisions for docked or anchored boats. BoatU.S. has contacted USVI authorities expressing the association’s opposition to blanket mandatory life jacket wear for adults. There may also be clarification as to whether these adult lif jacket provisions apply to bareboat or contained charter boats. For an update on the latest developments, log on to www.boatus.com/gov/ alert.htm. Striped Bass Moratorium Continues Striped bass in offshore waters will continue to be off-limits to sport and commercial fisherman following a Sept. 8 ruling of the National Marine Fisheries Service. The decision continues a 1990 moratorium on striped bass fishing that covers federal waters from three miles out to the 200-mile limit of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The closure, in support of a stock-rebuilding plan adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission in 1981, is credited with restoring the species, then severely overfished. The management approach is now widely recognized as one of the most successful stock rebuilding efforts in the world. The rebound increased pressure to allow commercial harvest in the EEZ, and for a time it appeared the service would reopen federal waters. However, sportfishing organizations strongly opposed any such measure and a review by the service found that the stock currently wasn’t being over-harvested but that “any increased fishing pressure would likely result in overfishing.” Inside federal waters, fishing for the popular food and gamefish, which ranges from Maine to North Carolina, is regulated by the individual states. iDzFTMJQQFSZBDUJPOPG UIJTIVMMXIFOVOEFS XBZFRVBUFTUPBCPBU DBQBCMFPGFDPOPNJDBMMZ DPWFSJOHNBOZNJMFT PGUFSSJCMFDPOEJUJPOT JOSFMBUJWFDPNGPSU 8JUIOPIPMFTIPUBOE IPMFUPGBMMCBDLPąUIJT IBTUPPCFBCMVFXBUFS HBNFmTIFSTESFBN (# 8 )&/:06/&&%"/&''*$*&/5#0"550%040.&4 &3*064' *4)*/( DPNFUSVFw 3JDL)VDLTUFQQ #MVF8BUFS#PBUT 4QPSUmTIJOH"VTUSBMJB ooo.PEFMTXXXHMBDJFSCBZDBUTDPN "QSJM.BZ BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 9 Trashed EPIRB Triggers False Alarm When the U.S. Coast Guard in Seattle, WA, picked up a mayday signal from an Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon, or EPIRB, registered to a boat home-ported in Missoula, MT, this summer, the only problem was that no boat was in distress nor were any boaters in trouble. Apparently, this emergency beacon was thrown in the trash. However, the Coast Guard didn’t know that when they first received the signal, but it wasn’t long before they discovered the call was a false alarm. The owner of the EPIRB had failed to unregister the device when he sold his boat, a 42-foot motoryacht, to a man in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. After a series of phone calls between the Coast Guard District Office in Florida and the broker who sold the boat, it was learned the EPIRB had been thrown out some time in late June. EPIRBs are devices intended to save lives by transmitting a signal to rescuers with the position of troubled boaters. When they are improperly disposed of they can waste the Coast Guard’s valuable time and resources. The International Maritime Organization and the Coast Guard recommend that unwanted EPIRBs be disposed of by either removing the battery and shipping the unit back to its manufacturer or rendering the unit inoperable by demolishing it. In any case, the EPIRB should also be unregistered with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration when the unit has been disposed of or transferred to a new owner. The Coast Guard routinely refers cases involving the non-distress activation of an EPIRB (either as a hoax, through gross negligence, carelessness or improper storage and handling) to the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC can prosecute cases and issue warning letters or notices of apparent liability or fines up to $10,000. For more information on EPIRBs and how to properly dispose of them, please contact NOAA at 1-888-212-7283 or go to www.sarsat.noaa.gov. All EPIRBs should be registered with NOAA, the agency that manages the search and rescue satellites. EPIRBs are also available for rent from the BoatU.S. Foundation for $55 per week. Go to BoatUS.com/foundation/EPIRB for more information. Clean Water Grants Now Available for ’07 The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is looking to fund creative and innovative projects that teach boaters cleaner habits on the water through its 2007 Clean Water Grant Program. Up to $4,000 per group is available to small, local nonprofit organizations conducting educational programs. Past projects have covered topics like pumpout education, pollution prevention, monofilament fishing line recycling, and preventing the spread of invasive aquatic nuisance species. Projects must involve educating boaters. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2007. To read the grant guidelines or download an application, please visit BoatUS.com/cleanwater/grants. Aweigh With Words “Which Side Are You On?”— location, location, location. ACROSS 1. Ripken of diamond fame 4. Being shipwrecked, e.g. 10.Plays in “The Pirates of Penzance” 14.Nat. where you’ll find the port of Cork 15.Muss up someone’s hair 16.Bangkok boater 17.Ring official, for short 18.Boom support 20.Twin-hulled boat, familiarly 21.Birds circling overhead, it was once thought 22.Gives permission 23.With one’s head hung low 25.Redding of soul 26.At a distance 27.Eight, to U-boat commanders 28.Some do it on the water 31.Chef’s garment 33.Merriment 34.Next 35.Gray wolf 36.Reaction to a bad pun 37.Sty comment 38.Jogger’s warmup 39.Unimaginably long time 40.Not a good way for your gas gauge to read 41.“__ the land of the free...” 42.Treble or bass 43.Whole bunch 44.11th president 45.Showed on TV again 48.Take for granted 10 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 51.German ___(dog breed, casually) 52.Chemical suffix 53.What dories have 55.Part of a pirate’s loot 56.Kon-Tiki, for one 57.Compass pointer 58.Org. for doctors 59.Follow the captain’s orders 60.Goes off-course 61.Cobb of baseball and Law of football DOWN 1. About, datewise 2. Expanses 3. Departed, like a liner 4. Empire that once controlled the Bosporous Strait 5. He may claim squatter’s rights 6. Put one over on 7. Cable staple 8. Will Smith portrayed him 9. Extend 10.Book you might find on a boat sailing around the world 11.Boxer’s target, often 12.Only president to also serve as chief justice of the Supreme Court 13. Takes a breather 19.Stubborn courage 24.Underway 25.Indian, e.g. 27.Hard to connect with 28.Boat builder 29.English county where Dover is 30.Like a cartoonist’s hands 31.Sax variety 32.Skin feature 33.Like residents of the Cyclades By Rowan Millson 47.Band’s tapes 34.Oscar-winner Marisa 48.1970s hairdo 36.Spanish treasure ships 49.Thick piece of concrete 40.Goes by 50.Like any port in a storm 42.Search the beach for treasure 51.Suffix with mob 43.Appropriate, as behavior 54.____ Offensive (Vietnam War 44.Woodwork filler 45.1970s sitcom battle) 46.The Spanish to the English, in 1588 For answers, go to BoatUS.com/crossword/boat36.htm BoatU.S. Sponsors Collegiate Bass Tournament BoatU.S. sponsored the firstever National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship October 19-21 on Lake Lewisville, TX, just outside Dallas. Over 40 teams competed in the event, including schools from the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC. The tournament will be televised on the Fox College Sports network beginning January 2007. A 30-minute show will air each week through June 2007. The tournament format has teams fishing for almost 30 hours over three days. The full field fishes during the first two days of the competition, and the five teams with the most weight accumulated on days one and two advance to the finals on day three. All teams begin anew in the finals. Five schools in the finals share $25,000 in prize money, presented to each university’s fishing club. TV fishing personality Wade Middleton is the on-air host for the event with Bass Master Classic and FLW Tour champion Luke Clausen, Bass Elite and FLWO tour angler Kelly Jordan, and Bass Elite tour angler Jeff Kriet providing analysis. The Perfect Vacation For Boaters BOAT US READERS 10% NOW SAVE Call for details New 47 S.U.V. Custom Powercat Just Announced visit us on-line for details! You are the captain to discover coral reefs, pristine beaches and island getaways. Our 32- to 47-foot yachts offer private staterooms, fully equipped galleys, spacious cockpits and more. We can make your travel arrangements, do your provisioning and help chart your perfect custom itinerary. Plus, NauticBlue is part of The Moorings which boasts over 37 years of yacht charter experience. VIRGIN ISLANDS • BAHAMAS Get onboard today by visiting us on-line at www.NauticBlue.com or calling 1.800.416.0820 for your free brochure • MEDITERRANEAN Stabil BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 11 Marinas Sinking Under Weight of Taxes Death and taxes, as the adage goes, are life’s two certainties. And if current real estate tax assessments on marinas in one Florida county are upheld, access to Florida’s waters may be further diminished, leaving boaters high and dry, according to a coalition of marine businesses organized to fight skyrocketing taxes. “We’re being put out of business,” says Ray Graziotto, co-owner of four marinas in Palm Beach County, which levied its triple-digit tax increases on marinas without warning in late August. “None of us is expecting a free ride but how can a business endure these kinds of tax increases?” Nearly all the county’s three dozen wet slip and dry storage facilities are reeling from the tax hike, which The Palm Beach Post reported ranged from 130% to over 350%, from 2005 to 2006. In response, Graziotto and marina owner John Sprague, government affairs chairman for the county’s marine trade association, formed Save the Working Waterfront of Palm Beach County to fight the tax hike. Sprague said the coalition started out with eight marinas that contributed $10,000 each Boat U.S. 25 #926858 9/5/06 to hire real estate appraisers and tax attorneys in order to appeal the county appraisals, but that the ultimate “fix” would have to occur at the state level. The problem, he said, is that under Florida law tax assessments must be based on highest-and-best-use and consequently the assessor’s office bases values on the land’s potential for waterfront residential condominium development or rental slip conversion to private “dockominiums,” not as commercial businesses. The waterfront real estate boom of the last few years has driven prices up dramatically and the county’s appraiser defended basing the tax bills on current market valuations as required by state law. The appraiser, Gary Nikolits, told a Sept. 12 meeting of the county commission that the increases affect all commercial properties, not just marinas. The Post reported that one marina sold for condo conversion in January of this year fetched $25 million, although its appraised value last year was just $1.76 million. That doesn’t help the marina operators 4:09 PM Page 1 My Introductory Offer to New Cigar Customers Get your Classic Combo 25 now! 25 top-notch handmade cigars, cedar-lined humidor and windproof lighter for ONLY $29.95 + $4.95 shipping (#926858). Not available for personalization. (All shipments to AK, HI, Guam, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico must go priority mail add an additional $10.00. Florida residents add 6% sales tax + appropriate county tax.) Cannot ship tobacco products to Maine. Outside the state of Florida, the purchaser is responsible for remitting any additional taxes to the appropriate taxing authority. In the event we are out of a Thompson Premium brand, Thompson reserves the right to substitute another premium brand cigar, of equal or greater value, in it's place. 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Located at mile marker 83 in Islamorada, FL, the Florida Keys History of Diving Museum explores over 3,000 years of diving history and features one of the world’s most diverse collections of diving helmets. Exhibits include a timeline of the development of diving from breath-hold free diving to deep water diving suits and a full-scale replica of a wooden diving bell, as well as a gallery dedicated to Art Mckee, a Florida Keys treasure hunter. Also featured is a collection of deep-water diving suits that allow divers to work at extreme depths. The centerpiece A diving suit is flanked by stained glass images of diving of the museum is a collection of armor in the Diving Museum lobby. hard-hat diving helmets from 25 nations. Dunleavy and Guy Harvey, who both donatThe museum tour is self-guided and features interactive “Fun Stops” where chil- ed their time and talents to creating a mural along one wall that illustrates endangered dren ages five to 13 can have a hands-on marine life found on Keys reefs. experience with portions of the exhibits. For more information visit The exterior of the museum features www.divingmuseum.com. artwork by two renowned artists, David The fastest way to learn a language. Guaranteed.™ 2:43 Eliminate storage hassles and steep fees! It’s gotta be a Miracle.™ A MIRACLE TRUSS pre-engineered steel building and some help from your friends or family is all you need to construct that garage you’ve been wanting. • No skilled labor/heavy equipment required. • Widths from 24' – 110', 19 colors. • Unique steel web-frame—accommodates standard wood sizes & finishing materials. 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Rosetta Stone is available for learning: Arabic • Chinese • Danish • Dutch • English • Farsi • French • German • Greek • Hebrew • Hindi • Indonesian Italian • Japanese • Korean • Latin • Pashto • Polish • Portuguese • Russian • Spanish • Swahili • Swedish Tagalog • Thai • Turkish • Vietnamese • Welsh BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 13 California Sets Marine Reserves By unanimous vote Aug. 15, California’s Fish and Game Commission designated approximately 200 square miles of state waters off the central coast, or about 18%, as “marine reserves.” Effective early next year, the action bans or severely restricts sport and commercial fishing in a network of protected areas, as called for in the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act. The area is divided into 29 zones, which spread from Half Moon Bay to Santa Barbara. All fishing is to be banned in about half the area and strong limits will be placed on fishing within the rest of these waters. The decision culminates at least two years of debate and deliberation by a “blue-ribbon panel” which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger convened after earlier efforts to create such reserves stalled. The panel’s recommendation would have placed marine reserve status on about 10% of those waters; instead, the commission approved the larger area. The commission hearing in Monterey drew more than 500 people and commissioners deliberated for over seven hours, considering the panel’s recommendation along with various other options before 14 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 reaching its 5-0 decision. Most recreational angler groups voiced disappointment in the final plan as approved and United Anglers of Southern California (UASC) warned the southern coast would be next. “It wasn’t the worst outcome for recreational anglers, since larger reserve packages were on the table,” said Tom Raftican, UASC president. “But it sent a wake-up call to anglers along the southern coast.” The commission reportedly will next consider plans for similar reserves in state waters offshore from Santa Barbara, south to the border with Mexico, possibly as early as next January. Anglers headed offshore in California waters will have to navigate carefully to avoid fishing in one of 29 new “marine reserves.” Save up to 25% with Avis! “Only 20 years and my Bennett Trim Tabs were shot” 1986 Wellcraft Nova 3 “Winner of the Lake Lanier Poker Run” $20 off a weekly rental! “I bought this Wellcraft Nova 3 in 1987. 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Offers valid on the rental of an intermediate (group C) through a full-size four-door (group E) car. Maximum upgrade to premium (group G) car. Dollars off applies to the time and mileage charges only on a minimum five-day rental period. Offer of a free upgrade is valid on daily, weekend, weekly and monthly rates only. $20 off a weekly rental requires an advance reservation. A free upgrade requires a 24-hour advance reservation with request for upgrade. You must provide the coupon number when making your reservation. May not be used in conjunction with any other coupon, promotion or offer, except with your member discount. Free day applies to time and mileage charges only. Taxes, concession recovery fees, vehicle license recovery fees, customer facility charges ($10/contract in CA), and fuel charges are extra. Optional items such as LDW ($22.99/day or less except in Louisiana, $49.99/day) and other surcharges may apply and are extra. Offers valid at participating Avis locations in the contiguous U.S. and Canada. Offers subject to vehicle availability at the time of rental, and may not be available on some rates at some times. For reservations made on avis.com, offer will be applied at time of rental; subject to vehicle availability. Renter must meet Avis age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum age may vary by location. An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old. Rental must begin by 4/30/07. Avis features GM vehicles. © 2006 Avis Rent A Car System, LLC call or visit www.BennettTrimTabs.com/M-tabs 14826 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 15 memberforum LettersToEditor@BoatUS.com Honoring the Honor System Regarding your article “More Customs Inspectors in Florida,” travel to the Bahamas suffered not because "many U.S. boaters were frustrated with clearing-in procedures...". Travel to the Bahamas suffered because it cost $300 dollars to clear Customs in the Bahamas, good for 90 days. In the last five years I have returned from the Bahamas to Miami (Dinner Key Marina) on a 45-foot sailboat about eight times. I have never been approached by any U.S. authority. I tie up at the marina. I call Customs to report that I have docked. I then get into a taxi (along with everyone else on board) and go to the Immigration Office at the Sea Terminal. So much for Homeland Security. Lonnie Baker Tampa, FL Customary Hassles I read with interest your article about more Customs Inspectors in Florida. My experience with Customs on Lake Erie shows the serious gap we recreational boaters are falling into in this post-9/11 era. On the eastern Great Lakes area, the dreaded I-68 form is being supplanted by the new NEXUS border-crossing card. While it works very well for cars transiting the bridges on a regular basis, the NEXUS marine program has inherited many of the same problems that plagued the I-68 program from the start. This year I decided to try to satisfy the requirements of the U.S. I applied for the NEXUS card in the hope that it would make my travels "legal." After a long process of applying for the permit, I was told to report to the NEXUS office at the Ambassador Bridge to Canada. By now I've already spent $71 for the card, $30 for the gasoline to get to the office, and $6 in turnpike tolls. After being issued my card, I'm told that — while I can now just call Customs and report — each passenger on my boat has to have this expensive NEXUS card or they will have to report to an authorized "Port of Entry" to be allowed back into the U.S.! This is just not going to happen in real life! As the owner and "master" of my boat I should be responsible for my passengers. Our elected officials should examine this program from the standpoint of boaters — and make a little bit of effort to provide 16 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 for their needs — or this program will not work any more than the I-68 form worked. Bill Robb Lorain, OH Slow Down and Save The article, “Frugal Fuel Tips,” (September 2006 issue) lays out some useful ways to reduce fuel consumption, but the only way to seriously save fuel is to seriously slow down. Let’s review the basics. A boat gliding through the water at walking speed (2-3 knots) meets very little resistance and requires very little power. As the speed increases, the resistance starts to increase sharply. It becomes almost infinite at a velocity called “hull speed,” which is a function of the length of the hull. It’s about 4/3 of the square root of the waterline length in feet. Take, for example, a boat with a waterline length of 36 feet. The square root of 36 is 6. Multiply that number by 4/3 and you get 8. Thus, the “hull speed” of that vessel is about 8 knots. The way that you exceed that speed is by planing — pouring on enough horsepower to lift the hull over the water’s surface. For maximum economy, then, you want to stay back on the low-resistance part of the curve — about 6 knots, perhaps. Watch your wake — if it’s placid, you’re ok. When it starts to build up, you’re wasting fuel. Robert Gillette Poland, OH Know Thy Radio Regarding the MMSI tutorial available at BoatUS.com/mmsi: The tutorial is an excellent presentation. Is it possible to get this info in print format? It will be a "must read" for all crew. Capt. Eli Ferguson M/V Antithesis Editor’s Note: The BoatU.S. Foundation is working to secure additional funding to put the tutorial on a CD in 2007. A Web-based radio simulator is also in the works. An Alloy For Every Occassion Regarding this article about stainless steel, it is not suitable to imply that any type of stainless steel, e.g. 304, 316, 410, etc., is of lesser "quality" or "inferior" to another type. As the article correctly states, stainless steels, as with other alloys, are constituted with various elements in varying proportions to perform different tasks, be it for strength, corrosion, machining, color, ease of cleaning, etc. One is not "inferior" to another, except as the author suggests, if it is misapplied. The manufacture and distribution of stainless steels as with other alloys, is closely monitored by various regulatory bodies, so as to maintain published quality standards. Reputable hardware manufacturers buy documented materials. However, the main problem is that stainless steel marine hardware on the shelf is rarely identified, as is for instance household cutlery. The only defense is to buy hardware from or made by reputable known firms, and to be wary of comparable-looking hardware that is "dirt cheap.” John S. Sudbury P.E. Picton, Ontario Slow Going On CO I find it quite sad that the number of deaths from CO on boats continues to rise at what appears to be an astronomical rate. At last count there have been 132 known deaths caused by CO associated with recreational boating. A great deal has been learned about CO and where the dangerous areas on boats are and what activities place boaters at most risk. I find it frustrating that this problem raised the ire of your editor five years ago and yet the newly gained knowledge has not been fully implemented to alter boat design and or boater behaviors. I find it equally frustrating that the boating public has not demanded more swift action from regulators, legislators and manufacturers. Since the writing of your 2001 editorial, 117 more mothers have sorrowful stories to tell of the death of their children on boats from CO. I wonder when the combination of boater education and boat design alterations will allow the counting to stop? Robert L. Baron, MD Medical Advisor, Emergency Medical Services, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Phoenix, AZ A Deadly Exposure I must congratulate you on your recent article in the July issue regarding the dan- 2005 Boating Safety Grants Awarded gers of carbon monoxide while boating. I wasn’t aware of the article until my return from an aborted vacation trip around the 4th of July weekend on our Carver 280 Express Cruiser. We had the engine replaced a year ago last spring, but experienced serious difficulties with it this year. Our mechanic did a repair, and without the opportunity to have a shake-down cruise, we set out. In under an hour, the engine failed again. We could only make eight knots, and the engine exhaust was being pulled into the boat as a result of the "station wagon effect." I went below to get my cell phone, when I returned, I told my wife that I “felt faint.” With no warning, I passed out on the cockpit floor. Fortunately, I taught my wife to operate the boat and use of the VHF radio. I came to enough to take the helm and back into the slip. It took awhile, but I began to feel better. I consider us extremely lucky to have survived the ordeal. We could smell the exhaust, but really didn’t consider the CO. Thank you so much for this very important article. Hopefully, it will keep other boaters from falling victim to CO, as did we. Edward Spitz Port Washington, NY Fill 'em Up Just read the disturbing article on ethanol. This is going to pose some unique problems for us on the Great Lakes where our vessels are, of necessity, on the "hard" for six months out of the year. In my case, I have a sailboat and generally consume about 12-14 gallons per season out of a 12 gallon tank. It has been my practice for many years to fill the tank at lay-up time to reduce condensation, add about five gallons in August and then top up again at the end of the season. With a 60-90 day shelf life, I shudder to think what we may have in the tank after a long cold winter. Keith Branton Erie, PA Editor’s Note: Storing gas tanks full using a high-quality fuel stabilizer is still the best practice to avoid water accumulation from condensation over the off-season. The only exceptions are boats equipped with fiberglass gas tanks, which should be stored as empty as possible to avoid prolonged exposure to E10 gas which can damage the fiberglass. askcap’ndrew Hardworking and dedicated. Creative and innovative. Who are we talking about? BoatU.S. Foundation Boating Safety Grant are the ONLY person to write in about this Dear Cap’n Drew: recipients of course! And this spring the error. As such, you are officially THE MOST I've been wondering why it is that Foundation will award $40,000 to 22 nonliterate boater in the U.S. and Canada. people usually wave when passing each profit projects make othergroups on theworking water inonboats. Yet,that when boating safer in other local boating communities. Dear Cap’n Drew: passing each on the freeway in This year, with focus of type increasIt has occurred to me that, because cars, they tend to aoffer thetopic other of inggesture. life jacket usage among all boaters, the of your interest and talent in the field of Foundation received 100Kusler, grant applications — Rex Fremont, CA boating humor, you may be able to lead me to a certain humorous book I had from nonprofit and community groups some time ago until I loaned it to someacross country. Submitted proposals Dearthe Rex: one. Now, I can’t remember the name of focusedI couldn’t on educational classes, help but laugh community when I demonstrations, distribution literature the book or the person to whom I loaned read your letter.the You bring up aofvery astute point. The reasonsigns. for this phenom- it. and the creation of safety It had a title like The Tales of a enon is simple. Cars no inner magic “We're thrilled to hold be working with Boater’s Wife or The for their occupants. these inventive and Confessions of a Boater’s They are simply resourceful groups,” said Wife. It was probably mechanical beasts of Shannon Barrett, program published in the late 50’s burden; replacements administrator. “Their or early 60’s and was a for the horse and mule. hard work and knowledge small book. Any leads Boats, on the other of their communities which you could give me hand, allow people to ensure that more and would be greatly apprecispiritually transcend the more boaters are learning ated. human condition — to be safer while enjoying — Cap’n Stan, Punta elevating us to a higher our sport.” Gorda, FL plane of existence Eachthe year, the to join collective Foundation gives up to is Dear Cap’n Stan: unconscious (boating $4,000 per group While I am not familiar very Jungian). for programs focusing on my ways to with this book, I’ll bet that I consulted educate local communithere is a reader out there team of world-renown who has it sitting on their ties on the importance of psychiatrists who coffee table. Can anyone safe recreational boating. informed that the conout there shed some light Applications for the dition is known as next “Pax Mom!!!!!!! Dad's bringing a on this? grant cycle will be availNauticus” meaning newspaper into the head again!!! “Peace the Water.” able in theonsummer of Things That I Love 2005. Copyright © 2006 Drew Brown About New Boaters Dear Cap’n Drew: Since the program began in 1988, the Copyright©Cap’nDrew 1. New boaters don’t believe that You've no doubt gotten other mesFoundation has awarded over $600,000 in they’ll ever break down. sages safety about grants it, but to thefund correct spelling boating projects thatis 2. New boaters look at you in "flare" not “flair.” Spell check promote responsible boating onalone a localwon't level. shock if you mention that something flag that error. Flair is a magic marker. Funds are derived from the voluntary contrican be fixed with duct tape. great members column, keep up butionsOtherwise, of the 575,000 of BoatU. 3. New boaters plot courses for the good work! S. For more information about how you — Bill, Bethesda, MD trips to the beach — right next to their can make a tax-deductible donation to help marina. keep programs like these afloat, go to www. 4. New boaters don’t get too mad Dear Bill: BoatUS.com/foundation. when their glasses or cell phone go You are referring to my reply to the letter from Matt in the Catskills, NY; where I wrote, “I carry ‘em all — red flag, hand-held flairs, flair gun, bullhorn and a cardboard cutout of the Budweiser girl in a bikini.” Good catch, Bill. Not only did I not spot this error, but neither did my spell check, proofreaders, and evidently, my editors. I will also add that, of some two million readers of Ask Cap’n Drew, you B Y C A P ’ N overboard. 5. New boaters feel that dock spiders are entitled to live there too. 6. New boaters don’t accept gas money from guests. Cap’n Drew Brown is the author of the boating humor book, “What’s A Hoy? A Guide to Modern Boating.” E-mail him at capn@capndrew.com. D R E W B R O W N BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 17 Photo courtesy of FLW Outdoors, Jason Sealock 18 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 While it may seem to many that the men and women who fish professionally on one of the bass fishing circuits have landed a dream job, the public often never sees the work and sacrifice and years of struggle that it takes to reach the top echelons of these tours. When a single bad day can mean the difference between a top 10 finish with a handsome payoff that keeps the angler on the tour for another season, and finishing out of the money and off the tour, it’s easy to understand why the pros work so hard to avoid one. To find out what drives someone to spend weeks on the road each year, to get up at 4 a.m. to head to the lake, to push their boat and themselves to the limit, pounding across the water at an eye-watering, cheek-flapping 60-plus miles per hour in pursuit of the ubiquitous bass, we asked Pro Angler Vic Vatalaro of Team Gain. Vatalaro began his tournament fishing career more than a decade ago, around the same time he and his brother Tom launched a boat dealership in Kent, OH, primarily focused on fishing boats. Vatalaro started as many other aspiring pros do, fishing Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League events, eventually working his way up to the Stren Series in 2001, and finally on to the FLW Tour in 2004. Long before he ever hoisted a tournament trophy, Vatalaro began fishing as a child on a lake where his grandparents had a summer cottage in Canton, OH. “I started catching blue gill at age 4 or 5,” says Vatalaro. “I loved the excitement of catching a fish and getting to reel it in.” As teenagers, he and his brother moved on to bass fishing and would periodically talk their mother into dropping them off at a local lake where they could rent a rowboat. “One night we saw a sign that said ‘Bass fishing tournament, $10 entry fee.’ We came back, entered, won the big bass prize, placed first and collected $165, all in a rented boat with no livewell,” he said. While not exactly a launch to superstardom, the brothers did invest in a boat of their own, a heavily modified 16 footer for which they built a casting platform. It was this homemade boat that Vatalaro would use at least initially in Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournaments. In the beginning his participation was at least partially motivated by a desire to gain credibility with his customers. As the dealership grew, fishing the tournaments became a form of advertising, as he would enter the events only in makes of boats that he sold which cost him thousands of dollars in contingency prize money. The FLW Tour takes its name from Forrest L. Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats. As a primary sponsor, Ranger Boats awards anglers who fish from a Ranger $10,000 for a tour victory on top of the first place prize and an additional prize for reaching the tour championship in a Ranger. Fortunately, Vatalaro recently became a Ranger dealer and can now fish the tour in the sponsor’s boat. The change paid off in July when he captured first place at a Stren Series event on Lake Erie, winning nearly $65,000 in cash and prizes. The victory marked his third win on Lake Erie, a remarkable string of successes, the second of which pushed him into the FLW Tour for a full season. “The FLW makes a pathway to the top,” says Vatalaro. “Any angler can work their way from the bottom to the top without ever winning a tournament. It’s going to take a few years, but it’s possible.” As Vatalaro entered his third full season as an FLW Tour pro, fresh off a tournament championship appearance from the previous year, a sponsor came calling. Now part of the newly formed Gain detergent fishing team, Vatalaro’s participation on the tour has become a little easier. Now with a boat and tow vehicle provided, plus tournament entrance fees and other expenses covered, fishing is no longer such a drain on the wallet, only on his time. For each of the six FLW Tour events, he will spend as much as two weeks on the road, traveling, pre-fishing, and then four days of tournament time, either fishing or representing his sponsor at the Family Fun Zone. The zone is a combination of rides, activities and sponsor displays that surrounds the weigh-in tent and attracts as many as 10,000 bass fishing fans to the weekend weigh-ins. “The biggest difference between the FLW and other bass fishing tours is FLW is family and kid oriented,” says Vatalaro. “Their fun zone for kids lasts two days of each tournament and promotes fishing to kids and families.” The tour events have grown so large that the fun zones, which were in years past set up in a local WalMart parking lot, next season will be held in nearby convention centers. And the tour championship itself has also expanded. FLW recently announced a change in format that will allow more anglers to compete for a one million dollar first prize. Previously, only the top 48 pros and co-anglers from the FLW Tour qualified for the championship. Co-anglers fish from the back of the boat and are randomly paired with the pros and compete for separate prizes. Now, 81 pros and 81 co-anglers will qualify including the top pros from the FLW Series, the Stren Series divisions and even the number one angler from the Bass Fishing League. Fishing his way up to the FLW Tour from the Buckeye Division of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League took Vatalaro nearly 10 years. Along the way he has accumulated over $150,000 in winnings, earned thousands more in prizes, including three boats, won five tournaments and placed in the top 12 times. While the money and prizes and moments of glory on the podium are the reward for hard work and a little luck, they are not his driving force. “It’s all in the competition,” says Vatalaro. “It’s just like playing football or any other sport, it’s all in competing against others to see who’s the best that day.” — By Michael Vatalaro BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 19 The Last Child in the Boat? Will you be the last of the boaters in your family? Strange question, you say? Maybe not. The next time you drop the hook in a quiet cove, whether you’re boating on saltwater or fresh, and Mother Nature delivers one of her special shows just for you — an osprey dive-bombing for dinner, a crab sashaying sideways under the keel, a monster bass going airborne for a bug, an unseen beaver tail whacking the water to warn you away, or a rainbow coming to life on the heels of the squall that just blew through — Richard Louv wants you think about that very question: Will I be the last one in my family to experience the priceless perspective on the natural world that you can only get from being on a boat? Louv, a San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper columnist and the author of seven books, sincerely hopes that will never happen. But what he discovered in researching his latest book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, should make all boaters take a careful look at the coming generations — and ask if this is the future they want. Afloat, and without the remote. Getting kids into unstructured outdoor activities — like just “messing about in boats” — can improve the mental, physical and spiritual health of coming generations, says author Richard Louv. 20 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 The Nature Deficit At the University of Illinois researchers have discovered that children as young as 5 “Today kids are well aware of global showed a significant reduction in the sympthreats to the environment but their physitoms of Attention Deficit Disorder when cal contact, their intimacy with nature on a engaged with nature. A Cornell University day-to-day basis is fading,” says Louv, whose study has shown that nature-play like hiking, book is raising storm flags everywhere, from camping and fishing, relieves stress in chilchild psychology circles to the conservation dren and even contributes to development community to the outdoor recreation indusof an environmental stewardship ethic later try. in life. Louv, an avid angler and boater, has Formal environmental education coursput in perspective what every 21st Century es in schools, while important, can’t replace citizen can see: children now spend far more first-hand experience “getting dirty and gettime looking at television screens or comting wet outdoors,” Louv maintains, and ultiputer monitors than they do experiencing the mately this disconnection from nature could real world just beyond their four walls. produce a generation lacking enough interest As a fifth-grader in his hometown of San in the outdoors to preserve and protect the Diego put it: “I like to play indoors because natural environment in the future. that’s where all the electrical outlets are.” In his book Louv says that as American Changing Course youngsters increasingly plug-in for playtime “My generation is the last to build a — to TV, the Internet, cell phones, video tree house or a float around on a home-made games, etc. — detachment from the natural raft,” says the 55-year-old Louv, who did world around them is leading to behavior both growing up in Kansas. “Much of the problems, attention disorders, childhood current generation of young parents did not obesity and even depression. Louv coined the term “nature deficit disorder” to describe have the kind of experience I did. “Unfortunately, when they finally recogthe problem and independent research sugnize the physical, mental and spiritual bengests he is on to something. efits of outdoor play for their kids and want “Sea Scouting is a coed program for High Adventure Sea Base at Islamorada, the to do something about it, they won’t know teens, age 14 through 20, but for younger focus is on experiencing the underwater wilhow to get started,” he adds. “This is where males Boy Scouting offers 11 water activderness of the Keys. boating and fishing organizations could make ity-related merit badges,” says Holmes who Camps operated by Girl Scouts of the a real difference.” is also a member of the BoatU.S. National USA can also put young females in touch Team sports have their place, Louv says, Advisory Council. with the natural world through aquatic but they can’t replace the kind of outdoors Many BSA camps around the country activities. And while small by comparison to experiences that will be necessary to reverse put kids on the water in sailboats, canoes or conventional land-based Girl Scouting, its the nature deficit trend (“Soccer is not powerboats, Holmes adds, and nature study Mariners program for girls age 11 to 17 is nature,” he says). It’s the unstructured play can be as important as aquatics in the profocused specifically on boating, according to time in a grove of trees or splashing on the grams. For example, at BSA’s Florida National Teri Marzano, a BoatU.S. member who skipshore of a lake that will ultimately secure the pers a Mariners unit in future of outdoor activities like boating and San Francisco. fishing that we value today. “This is a great age “Could just being out on the boat with to introduce girls to the grandpa and grandma provide the connection water,” Marzano says. with nature that so many kids are missing?” “They’re open to new he asks rhetorically. “I think it can but this experiences with their needs some serious consideration by all of girl-peers and they soak us, no matter what kind of boating activity up the adventure like we engage in.” sponges. “I suspect some of us take the boatNo matter what the ing experience a bit for granted and don’t youth program, boaters necessarily connect the importance of those can make a significant ‘Mother Nature moments’ on the water for difference for coming our children and grandchildren,” Louv adds. generations though vol“Maybe we need to be more conscious of unteering, Holmes says. Blue Hour: Parents and grandparents can help focus the next generation on By offering access to the such experiences and perhaps even sort of the wonders of the natural world that surrounds the boating life. ritualize them while out on the water.” water and a “boating But parents, grandparents and private perspective” to existboats aren’t the only way to reach kids. Louv ing programs, whether notes the potential for exposing children to in Scouting, Boys and nature on the water through existing youth Girls Clubs or through education opportunities like community saila youth conservation ing programs “where grounding on a sand organization like the bar that wasn’t there a few hours earlier can Izaak Walton League of teach a whole lot about the tidal cycle.” Or America’s new “Young Sea Scouting where teens who might have Ikes” program, experino other access to a boat can experience the encing the natural world wonders of the water world while also learnfrom a boat can do woning about boating safety and seamanship. ders for kids. And it could help turn the tide of the Pier Pressure looming Nature Deficit “I wasn’t sure about being a Sea Scout Disorder, ensuring that until my friend Suzy invited me on a raft-up,” we will never see the reports 16-year-old Michelle Escobedo. Her weekend on the water last August brought Getting wet and dirty exploring the outdoors is one way to ensure a future “last child in the boat.” four Sea Scout boats and their crews together for conservation and activities that depend on healthy resources, like — By Ryck Lydecker boating and fishing. in a quiet cove on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. “We slept out on the deck that night BLUE HOUR and I’ve never seen so many stars,” the Louv’s message has struck a particularly strong chord with conservation and enviGaithersburg, MD, teen says. “It was so cool. ronmental organizations, and sparked such ideas as reserving time for a daily “green I found the Big Dipper, then this guy Charlie hour” — a specific time in which to let kids appreciate the natural world around them. showed me how to find the North Star from Perhaps boaters and anglers should come up with their own “blue hour,” Louv says, there. I’m a Sea Scout now and I love it.” a conscious effort to observe nature that would become a regular part of your routine That kind of experience with the natural while underway. world can be repeated over and over in myrMaybe you do these things already but just never thought of it as a “blue hour.” iad variations anytime youngsters get out on So if you have a special time or technique for introducing young crewmembers to the the water in a boat, says Charles Holmes who natural world that’s all around them when afloat, we’d like to hear about it. Send your heads Boy Scouts of America’s older youth thoughts and tips to: magazine@BoatUS.com. division that includes Sea Scouting. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 21 Homing In on Hurricanes W hen the National Hurricane Center One of the goals of IFEX is to collect observations of tropical storms at all stages (NHC) first began issuing forecasts for of development, including what might be tropical storms and hurricanes in 1954, the considered their infancy, when they are mere best they could offer mariners and coastal tropical waves coming off of Africa and into residents were weather forecasts 24 hours ahead of any activity. Considering that the first weather satellite did not make it into space until 1960, any forecast at all represented an improvement. Ten years later, the National Hurricane Center storm track forecasts were extended to 72 hours, but with only 24 hours of wind intensity forecasts. Throughout the center’s history, intensity forecasting has lagged well behind storm track forecasting. But now, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researchers from the Hurricane Research Division, together with NASA, are conducting new research in the skies off the West African coast that aims to An enormous Saharan dust storm spreads close the gap between the quality out across the Eastern Atlantic, above. Two of track forecast predictions and of NOAA’s research aircraft, “Gonzo” and intensity forecasting. The goal of “Miss Piggy,” at right. gathering all this information is to generate better intensity predictions, so that coastal communities can properly prepare for the Eastern Atlantic. These tropical waves, landfall armed with the best forecasts. also called Cape Verde The project, know as IFEX, for Intensity Forecasting Experiment, includes using both storms, are the seeds of about 60% of all named relatively recent infrared sensing satellites and advanced instruments onboard Orion P3 storms in the Atlantic, and perhaps more importantly, represent the beginnings of “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft. 85% of major storms (Category Three and “We have improved 1-2% a year on up) that affect the U.S. mainland. But only our hurricane track forecasting,” says Jason Dunion, a principle investigator on the proj- one in 10 will become a named storm. Researchers would love to know why some ect. “We are maybe 15 to 20 years behind tropical waves become storms and others in making those improvements to intensity don’t. forecasting,” he notes. In order to find out, NOAA researchPart of the problem, Dunion explains, is that a storm’s intensity depends at least part- ers will fly through both tropical waves and ly on where it is going. A storm moving over developing storm systems this hurricane season as well as next year, taking advantage land or cold water will lose strength, while of NASA satellite tracking of these weather a storm that heads over warm water and the features to plan the sorties. moist air associated with it will strengthen. Flying two P3s and a Gulfstream IV jet “Intensity forecasting is dependent on track known as Kermit, Miss Piggy and Gonzo forecasting,” he says. 22 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 respectively, researchers will drop miniature, GPS-enabled weather stations known as dropsoundes into the weather feature of interest. The dropsoundes, which resemble a two-foot-long mailing tube, parachute down, reporting back on wind speed, pressure, temperature and moisture within the storm or tropical wave every 15 feet. Sometimes dropped from as high as 45,000 feet, they provide a wealth of information which is transmitted back to the NHC by satellite so it can be incorporated into forecasting models in the case of a tropical storm. A particular area of interest and the focal point of Dunion’s research is a weather feature known as the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), an intensely dry, dusty layer of air that results from dust storms that form in the Sahara Desert. “I am sure Caribbean sailors have seen this dust on their boats,” says Dunion. “It makes for great sunsets, strong easterlies and hazy skies.” The super dry Saharan air prevents convection, the driving force of both ordinary Photos courtesy of NOAA thunderstorms and hurricanes, by smothering a large area over the Atlantic like a heavy blanket. Thunderstorms cannot “pop up” or build due to convection and tropical disturbances tend not to strengthen when one of these air masses is around. In fact, the tropical disturbance that became Hurricane Katrina was slowed in its growth early on by Saharan air. Only after escaping the influence of the dry air mass did the storm develop into a monster. “The Saharan air layer may be yet another piece of the puzzle in advancing our understanding of tropical cyclone genesis and intensity change,” says Dunion. —By Michael Vatalaro Going Ballistic on the Great Lakes The U.S. Coast Guard Ninth District’s motto is “Guarding the Great Lakes,” a phrase that has taken on new meaning since Sept. 11, 2001. But a high-caliber debate has errupted among Great Lakes boaters and anglers as the Coast Guard plans to conduct live ammunition firing practice in 34 proposed permanent security zones throughout the Great Lakes. The Coast Guard’s plan was published in early August in the Federal Register and allowed only 30 days for public comment; as news of the security zones spread, the Coast Guard extended the public comment period another 60 days, through Nov. 13 (see below on where to send comments). While the actual firearms training sessions using deck-mounted machine guns will only take place in each zone about two or three times a year, there will be no set schedule; they’ll occur depending upon the training needs of each Coast Guard station’s personnel, said Ninth District spokesman Chief Petty Officer Robert Lanier. There are 47 Coast Guard stations in the Great Lakes. The zones are within miles of some of the most popular boating harbors in the Great Lakes — Bayfield, Grand Marais, Saginaw, Traverse Bay, Grand Haven, Marquette, Erie, and Kenosha. “We would do our best to inform the public ahead of time when we’re going to be out there so they’re safe, through the media, VHF Channel 16, harbormasters and marinas,” Lanier said. to comment as has Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN). Mayor Herb Bergson of Duluth, MN, held a news conference to express his “outrage” that live firing practice took place eight miles from Duluth in mid-September, with two boaters close enough to witness it, even as the plan was on the drawing boards. Bergson is opposed to any live firing on the lakes near Duluth. Since many boaters and anglers do Michigan’s boating administrator was not leave from marinas and go boating with equally surprised by the plan. “I do have just cell phones and not VHF radios, public concerns and will comment to the Coast notice is a major concern of boating groups Guard,” said Michigan’s Lt. Craig Grey of the in the Great Lakes. Dept. of Natural Resources. In addition to The plan also does not set any limits on concerns for public safety, he said “a major how long or how often the training sessions issue is hearing about it in the media.” can occur. During firing exercises the Coast Grey said state boating offices have Guard will have safety patrols and monitor memorandums of understanding with the any area traffic closely, Lanier said. If a boat Coast Guard in order to receive federal boatcomes near a zone, the firing session will be ing safety funds, agreements which call for shut down and the vessel escorted out of the each agency to notify the other of plans or zone. activities that will impact district waterways. It did not take long for Great Lakes con“We have such a short boating season gressional representatives to take notice and here, it would be good if they could limit many have asked for more information on (the firing exercises) outside of the threehow the zones would impact waterway users to-four months we have for boating and in their districts. “I was surprised to learn of fishing. I’d also recommend aircraft be used the Coast Guard’s plans to create firearms overhead as an additional safety precaution,” training zones on Lake Michigan and am dis- he added. appointed that it did not do more to inform Grey said the Great Lakes also have the public,” Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) told the largest charterboat fleet in the country the Associated Press. with 700 vessels and the impact on certain Both Reps. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and fishing seasons, such as salmon spawning, David Obey (D-WI) also asked the Coast needs to be addressed by the Coast Guard. Guard for more details and more time He added that his DNR officers do not con- Some of the proposed live firing zones are shown outlined in the yellow boxes. Source: U.S. Coast Guard 9th District 24 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 duct firearms training on the water because there are “too many variables that are hard to control.” The 34 zones are in all five of the Great Lakes and all are located at least five miles from shore, many along the U.S.-Canadian border that dissects four of the lakes. Other Coast Guard districts perform the same training but normally just go offshore on the ocean where there is little or no other vessel traffic. The Coast Guard’s Lanier told BoatU.S. that firing exercises have occurred in the district 23 times since last January, with no problems. Both the Great Lakes Cruising Club and the Great Lakes Boating Federation said their groups were going to study the plan to measure the impact on their members. The Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council has sent out an alert to its members “Uncharacteristic of the friendly relationship the angling and boating communities have had with the Coast Guard, none of us was notified that the agency had posted a [notice] in the Federal Register,” said Dan Thomas, president of the council. “The Great Lakes are part of the porous border situation we are faced with. Photo by U.S. Coast Guard Patrol vessels with mounted machine guns like this one will be used for live fire training. So why can’t target practice occur on a firing range on land, BoatU.S. asked the Coast Guard? Because Coast Guard personnel have to learn to shoot the M-240-B automatic guns from the deck of a moving vessel, Lanier said. “We have to be ready for anything that occurs,” he said, adding that a firing range on dry land is an ideal shooting environment with a stationary target and this will not train those who patrol in the agency’s 25-foot RIBs in the marine conditions they’ll face. In a two-to-three-hour firing exercise, about 3,000 rounds would be fired that can travel up to two miles. On Lake Erie where four zones are proposed, at least one is in a popular boating area at the western end of the lake. Ken Alvey of the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association questions why the Coast Guard does not utilize an already established firing zone at Camp Perry Military Reservation, a National Guard training area near Port Clinton, OH. Boaters already know about it and keep clear, he said. Alvey agreed that spring and fall would be best for the exercises and said he wants to see “in writing” some limits on how often they can occur. Unfortunately, the Coast Guard just didn’t go about their [official notice] in a reasonable manner, and didn’t do a good job of even attempting to educate the public,” Thomas told BoatU.S. — By Elaine Dickinson Public comments on the Great Lakes plan must be received on or before Nov. 13. To view the entire Federal Register notice go to BoatUS.com/ gov and click on “Federal Register”; scroll down to Sept. 12. Consumer Alert The U.S. Coast Guard recently published the following defect recall notices. For more information about these campaigns, contact the manufacturers directly or call the Coast Guard’s InfoLine, 800-368-5647. Bayliner Marine, US Marine, 360-435-5571 (Recall 060045T) 2005-06 Bayliner 185BR: Possible interference between steering cable nut and exhaust pipe can cause steering binding. Models are equipped with 4.3L engine. Bombardier Recreational Products, 618439-9444 (Recall 060052T) 2004-07 Evinrude E-TEC 40, 50, 60, 75 & 90 HP outboards: System testing may have damaged a small number of fuel filters creating the potential of fuel filter leaks. Call manufacturer for serial numbers. Carver Boat Corp., 920-822-1600 (Recall 060049S) 1997-2007 Mariner 350 & 360: Isolation bulkhead forward of the engine & fuel tank compartments is not completely sealed. Gasoline vapors may pass into compartments, creates possibility of fire or explosion. CDRR8001G697 through CDRS8194E607. Fountain Powerboats, Inc., 252-975-2000 (Recall 06R1320S) 2006 Executioner 42’ Inboard: Two saddle fuel tanks whose fuel withdrawal fittings are above the engine fuel inlet connection have no means for anti-siphon protection. Maxum Marine, U.S. Marine, 360-435-5571 (Recall 060050T) 2006 Maxum 1800SR: Possible interference between steering cable nut and exhaust pipe can cause steering binding. Boats have 4.3L engines. Mercury Marine, 920-929-5040 (Recall 060014T) 2001-05 Mercruiser 5.0 MPI, 350 MAG MPI, 350 MAG MPI Horizon, MX6.2 MPI & MX6.2 MPI Horizon engines with Alpha & Bravo drive units: Orange alternator wire may be routed incorrectly such that it could be abraded by movement between the dipstick and the alternator. Call manufacturer for serial numbers. Motorguide, Mercury Marine, 920-929-5040 (Recall 040143T) 1998-2004 Motorguide Max Pro II & Max Pro III battery chargers: Battery chargers sold from 1998 to 2004 may overheat, causing a fire. Regal Marine Industries, Inc., 407-851-4360 (Recall 06R1557S) 2007 Regal 2700: Continuously energized and ungrounded terminals on the battery switch and the output conductors to the engine starter motor and distribution panel are not protected from accidental short-circuiting. Lotus Designs, Inc./Patagonia, Inc. 8550 White Fir St., Reno, NV 89523. Mildwater PFD, style number L1085 (also sold as “Fishing PFD” style number 82770 & “Patagonia Fishing Vest” style number L1155): Samples of these PFDs have been found that do not comply with minimum buoyancy requirements. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 25 The Pick of the Page Turners It must be true that fact is stranger than fiction, otherwise we would not have the rich variety of new nautical titles that populated bookstores this past year. True stories of hurricanes, World War II German submarines, naval battles, world cruises and stunning portraits of fish are a good barometer that nonfiction still dominates the marine publishing scene. Here are a few of our editor’s favorites: Fair Wind and Plenty Of It The Coast Mappers If you want to settle in for a dreamy read about an around-the-world cruise in a tall ship filled with jolly sailors, fine food and pretty sunsets, this is not that book. Rather it is a hilarious and sometimes poignant tale of a young man’s year aboard the less-than-stellar Picton Castle, a 179-foot threemasted barque carrying some 30 hired crew and paying passengers. In 1997, while in his early 20s, Crockett had the opportunity of a lifetime to sail aboard as paid crew and his unvarnished account of the cruise combines the best of high seas adventures, a young person’s difficulties facing the realities of adulthood and the inevitable clashes of personalities aboard the boat. Any hope for a glamorous voyage quickly faded as the Picton Castle departed her home port of Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, and the green (literally) crew had to endure a freezing cold nor’easter in a 69-year-old boat not quite ready for prime time (naysayers dubbed it the Fiction Castle); immediately Crockett wonders if the trip is a huge mistake. But eventually port calls in the most exotic places, from the Galapagos, Pitcairn Island, Bora Bora and Fiji to Bali, Zanzibar, and Cape Town, bring plenty of high points — and some low points — as the young crew inevitably gets into trouble. Crockett is singled out for a particularly humiliating punishment — sliding (sorely) down the ship’s ratlines on his backside for a particularly creative “mooning” incident. While there are many laughs in Fair Wind, Crockett also delves deeper into his personal quest to live up to his family’s maritime legacy. With a boatbuilder father and a sailmaker mother, he wants to measure up as a tall ship sailor and this journey is his proving ground. This beautifully illustrated and charming history for teens of a long-forgotten chapter in how the West was won is a treat for the eye with meticulously researched original artwork on every page by the artist-author. Having produced some 10 books for kids, many on nature or historical subjects, Morrison focuses this gem on the efforts of the U.S. Coast Survey to chart the entire Pacific Coast in 1850. The California Gold Rush brought hundreds of ships to the West Coast and with no reliable maps or charts, mariners routinely ran aground or ended up wrecked on the rocky shores. Without benefit of any modern devices such as radios, global positioning or satellites, George Davidson was hired to tackle the enormous job. Morrison interviewed experts at the Smithsonian and at NOAA, the modern-day Coast Survey, pulled out their historical records and charts, Davis’ letters on the expedition’s progress (or lack thereof) and details on the rudimentary instruments used at the time. His crisp clean prose captures the hardships and adventures of Davidson’s monumental work; originally hired for one year, he was out West for five. For young readers, it’s a fun lesson on the science of navigation, from using the stars, chronometers, survey instruments and the horizon to map the Earth and oceans. Like Lewis and Clark before him, Davidson was as much a pioneer in opening the 3,000 miles of Pacific Coast up to sailors, settlers, commerce and explorers, as those who first traced land routes. By Rigel Crockett, Rodale 26 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 By Taylor Morrisson, Houghton Mifflin Fish, 77 Great Fish of North America By Dean Travis Clarke, Greenwich Workshop There are coffee table books and there are cup-of-coffee books. Fish, 77 Great Fish of North America, is both. This lushly illustrated, artfully laid-out book is designed for display but written for reading and for reflection. Its author, Dean Travis Clarke, is a well-known fishing and boating journalist who writes from a lifetime at the butt end of a rod. He has fished in many parts of the world and spent most of his adulthood capturing the sport of angling in words. Watercolorist Flick Ford’s paintings of individual specimens are, well, gorgeous. They combine the clarity of scientific illustration with a true artist’s eye for color and subtle detail. The resulting portraits seem to impart life to each fish, as if they were about to be released, as indeed most were. Thus, the text is not locked into the formula you might expect, such as species description, life history, preferred habitat, best baits, etc., repeated, fish-by-fish. Instead, in lucid prose, Clarke writes what he thinks you might most enjoy knowing about each fish. For each species there also are bait-sized bits of interesting information, for example, the Dickensian name origin of the Dolly Varden trout or the archeological evidence for the use of fishing nets along the California coast over 8,000 years ago that accompanies the white sea bass entry. Clarke’s writing combines the factual information with personal experiences. He’s actually fished for, and caught, 63 of the 77 species in the book. (“Working on this book has given me a new life goal: To catch the other 14,” he told BoatU.S. Magazine.) Ford is a New York-based artist, musician, filmmaker and avid fly fisherman who ties his own flies. Clarke is executive editor of, Sport Fishing, Marlin and Boating Life magazines, and host of the Outdoor Life Network’s “Sport Fishing Magazine” television show. He is also serves on the BoatU.S. National Advisory Council. In the seemingly limitless library of books on fish and fishing, this one is not just a keeper, it’s a trophy catch. BoatU.S. members can purchase copies of Fish, 77 Great Fish of North America, signed by Dean Clarke and Flick Ford, at a special 10% member discount. To order in time for holiday gift giving, call Vincent Grabowski at 800-2434246 (please provide your BoatU.S membership number). The member price is $45 plus $10 for shipping to U.S. addresses. (Ask about shipping arrangements outside the U.S.) Shadow Divers By Robert Kurson, Random House You may need your snorkel and a deep breath to plunge into this pulse-quickening true story of one of the most fascinating finds of modern diving — the discovery of a sunken German U-boat only 60 miles off the coast of New Jersey. Diving enthusiasts will especially relish this detailed account of the surprise discovery of the shipwreck and the enormous technical challenges the divers faced in exploring it. “Life and death” is not just a phrase here, as three divers lost their lives diving the site. Without getting cold and wet, readers can sense what it must be like to go that far beyond the normal 130-foot limit of sport diving, a depth where nitrogen narcosis can trigger hallucinatory episodes or, worse, a panic attack, in total darkness. The mystery U-boat, found in 1991 in 230 feet of frigid Atlantic waters off the New Jersey coast, baffled historians. No war records claimed the boat, which held no identifying marks on it, and indicated that no U-boat could have gone down in that area. But after a second dive, in which china with swastikas and “1942” on them are brought up from the site, the news creates a media frenzy. But that’s just the beginning. Shadow Divers follows the six-year quest of commercial diver John Chatterton and sport diver Richie Kohler and a small team of elite wreck divers to further explore the sub, nicknamed U-Who, and prove its identity, a high-risk venture in a dark world of twisted metal, wires and even the remains of all 56 crew. Chatterton and Kohler, who initially despised each other due to a feud from their Andrea Doria diving exploits, and with no formal training in research, become obsessed with the find and become self-taught experts at combing records, pursuing clues and theories, underwater forensics, even learning German along the way. Their painstaking work added a new chapter to the history of the Second World War. Shipwrecks are to sport divers what the world’s highest peaks are to mountain climbers. Much as Into Thin Air and The Perfect Storm brought readers up close to extreme risk that no normal person would take, Shadow Divers is equally compelling as a modern epic adventure. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 27 The Perfect Holiday Gift For the Boat Owner Who Has Almost Everything Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder Benedict Arnold’s Navy By Richard Louv, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill No off-season reading list would be complete without a stiff dose of naval history. Nelson, an awardwinning historian, serves up a fascinating but often forgotten chapter on the American Revolution — the events of 1776 leading up to the Battle of Lake Champlain and the courage of Benedict Arnold, four years before he betrayed his country. Arnold’s patched-together American fleet was woefully outgunned by the British Navy but held off the enemy long enough to protect the strategic waterways of the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. One of the forgotten battles of the Revolution paved the way for a critical American victory at Saratoga one year later and convinced France to join the fight, thereby turning the tide of history. While not specifically about boating, this book raises important questions concerning the future of outdoor recreation. As young people opt out of outdoor play — from camping and hiking to building a tree house — in favor of electronic entertainment indoors, their physical, mental and spiritual health is suffering, the author contends. This “nature deficit disorder,” as he calls it, threatens the future of conservation and environmentalism as well as outdoor activities like boating that we so often take for granted. (For more on the implications for recreational boating, as well as potential answers, see the story “Last Child in the Boat?” on page 20.) A 12 CD set including all DIY articles on these topics and more published in DIY Boat Owner Magazine since 1995. • Plumbing 101 • Blister Repair • AC Electrical Systems • DC Electrical Systems • Fiberglass Boat Repair • Launch & Haulout • Managing Power on Board • Marine Painting • Sailboat Rigging • DIY Mechanic Regularly $119.95 plus $10.50 S/H BoatU.S. Member Special Free Shipping and Handling To order go to BoatUS.com/diy or call 888-658-BOAT (2628) Enter Priority Code BMGF06B Hemingway’s Hurricane: The Great Florida Keys Storm of 1935 By Phillip Scott, McGraw Hill Storm chasers and hurricane buffs will savor this blowby-blow account of the great Labor Day hurricane — still on record as the strongest U.S. hurricane of the 20th century. Tragically it took the lives of hundreds of laborers hired to build a highway to Key West under President Roosevelt’s Depression Era New Deal jobs program. Not warned or evacuated by the road project managers in time, most perished, with chilling echoes of Hurricane Katrina. Amidst the wreckage, Ernest Hemingway took his own boat out of Key West up the coast to try and aid the men, most of them World War I veterans, but he found few had survived. By James L. Nelson, McGraw Hill Managing The Waterway By Mark and Diana Doyle, Semi-Local Publications BoatU.S. members and guide authors Mark and Diana Doyle have designed both their Intracoastal Waterway and Florida Keys guides with a unique “rolling header” at the top of each page containing customized safety information and a “head’s up” section to manage oncoming delays or safety concerns. The information includes mileage figures, tides, weather contacts, bridge openings, navigation hazards, security zones, towing and Coast Guard contacts, and even the nearest chandleries and landmarks. BoatU.S. members can get a 20% discount on the two guides. Visit managingthewaterway. com and use Discount Code 02BOATUS2026187. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 00 technotalk I want my boat to be wireless! Well, check the wireless remote weather station maybe not quite wireless; I’ll still need the display. 12-volt DC and 120-volt AC power distriThe wireless systems you have used bution system. The wires I want to elimiinclude radio transmitters for your car’s nate are the ones I have to install every doors and the garage door remote control, time I add new electronic devices, the the Bluetooth system built into your cell multi-conductor signal cables, the ones phone, the infrared transmitter in the home that house varying numbers of very small, theater remote control, a wireless home and very difficult to connect wires. telephone, the WiFi system that connects When adding new electronics to a laptop to the Internet, the wireless mouse, boat, installing the signal wiring is invarithe radio link to your headphones and ably the most time-consuming part of the other audio outlets and the transmitter that job. So I want instruments, sensors, radios sends information to your weather display. and the entertainment system and all of its You are living in a largely unwired world. speakers to work without wires. I’ll grudgThese same systems can make your ingly provide power wires to each device boat wireless! The chartplotter/radar can since creating a radio frequency energy be managed using an infrared remote confield around the boat strong enough to trol. Wireless microphones are available provide power wirelessly would for some VHF/DSC radios. There melt the chocolate, heat the are wireless depth sounder, beer, and bring me unwanted speed, wind speed and direcattention from the Federal tion sensors that require only Communications Commission. DC power. Wireless audio I believe the goal of a systems eliminate the need “wireless” boat can now be to run wires to speakers and achieved. The following scecan work with the same wirenario supports this hypothesis. less headphones you use at Opening scene: You just got off home. A WiFi repeater will create an the plane and are in the airport parking on-board wireless network, making it posgarage. As usual you have forgotten exactly sible to use computers anywhere on board where you parked your car. You reach into without installing Ethernet cables. Install a your pocket and click the remote door lock computer below deck and a wireless link button on the car key. Your car announces will allow its screen, keyboard and mouse its presence with a chirp and a friendly to be used anywhere on board. Wireless blink of its lights. As you drive home your controls are available for the autopilot, bow cell phone starts playing the overture from thruster, anchor windlass and dinghy hoist. H.M.S. Pinafore (your favorite “ring tone”, A combination of the technology used in after all you are the captain of your boat). wireless phones, Bluetooth and WiFi (ieee You tap the answer key and carry on a 802.11b) can handle all of the communiconversation using the Bluetooth headset cation requirements. that hangs on your ear. There are some devices, for example After dinner you pick up the 56-key marine GPS receivers and radar, that infrared remote control for your home are not yet available with wireless signal theater system. Before you can start the connectivity. GPS receivers containing movie, the phone rings. You pick up one of Bluetooth transmitters are available for use the cordless phones and inform the caller with computers. So similar units for use they have the wrong number. You start the with chartplotters can’t be far off. Anyone movie. An hour later, tired of watching the who has had to cut and splice the multimovie, you turn on your laptop computer wire cable from the radar scanner to the and using its WiFi link and wireless mouse display will cast a vote in favor of a wireless start surfing the Internet while listening to alternative. The technology needed to cut music on your wireless, noise-canceling the control/data cable between the scanstereo headphones. ner and the display exists, and we think it In the morning you shower while won’t be long before a wireless radar unit listening to one of your Pinafore recordappears on the market. ings, broadcast wirelessly throughout your Chuck Husick is a sailor, pilot, engineer home. Just before leaving for work you and former president of Chris-Craft Boats. B Y C H U C K Advanced Satellite Safety & Security Now Within Your Reach Satellite-based Boat Monitoring • SOS Messaging • High Water/Low Voltage • Boat Tracking • Theft Notification • 24/7 Live Response Center • E-mail to/from the boat • On-line Float Plans • World-class Concierge Service www.myseakey.com 1.866.4SEAKEY Always Connected - Always Protected H U S I C K BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 Draft third pg.indd 1 29 7/11/2006 6:49:20 PM The latest survey of BoatU.S. Magazine readers leaves no doubt about the one activity they have in common. BoatU.S. members love to travel. In the next two years, nearly 300,000 members intend to visit the Caribbean; almost 200,000 will go to Europe; over 100,000 will visit Mexico and about 40,000 say they will see South America. Of course, traveling by boat is at the top of their list. Time to Plan Your Escape So with the winter cruise and charter season upon us, now is the time to start making plans. To help you navigate the cruise and charter maze, we’ve looked for new ships, good deals, and special itineraries bound to be of interest to boaters. CARIBBEAN BoatU.S. members — and especially sailors — may want to consider a tall ship cruise. Unlike the mega cruise ships that only make calls in the largest ports or their own private islands, more intimate ports can be found with Star Clippers cruises. And you can lend a hand hoisting sail or just lay back and let the crew do all the work. Life aboard the 360-foot, four-masted Star Clipper is much like traveling on a private yacht with a décor reminiscent of the grand age of sail with antique prints, paintings of famous sailing ships and gleaming mahogany rails. The vessel was built in 1992 with modern methods by adapting original drawings and specifications from a leading, 19th Century clipper ship naval architect. Launched in 2000, the 439-foot, fivemasted, Royal Clipper was designed after the Preussen, which was the largest and fastest sailing ship in the world when it was originally launched in 1902. While fully modern, the Royal Clipper still lets passengers climb to the crow’s nest like the days of old. 30 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 Star Clippers is offering BoatU.S. members savings of 40% to 50% on select sevennight sailings from December through March aboard the 170-passenger Star Clipper and 227-passenger Royal Clipper, with departures from St. Maarten and Barbados, respectively. With the savings, fares start at $888. Both vessels will sail a Leeward Islands itinerary but the Star Clipper offers a “Treasure Island” itinerary while Royal Clipper also offers a “Grenadine Islands” route. The Moorings has added a new 46foot sailing catamaran this fall in Tortola, Bahamas, St. Lucia, Canouan and Belize that features better performance and an increased focus on outdoor living. With four double cabins, the Moorings 4600 is available bareboat or crewed and has a unique raised helm station borrowed from the Moorings 6200. A huge aft cockpit is protected by a functional hardtop roof. If you thought SUVs only went over the road, think again. A sister company of The Moorings, NauticBlue powerboat charters, Photo courtesy of Peter Deilmann Cruises Escape to the southern hemisphere for winter to destinations such as Rio or the Chilean Fjords. is launching its own four-cabin 474 Sport Utility Vessel (SUV) this winter season with a premiere at the Miami Boat Show. Borrowing concepts from Moorings’ sailing cats to build a “big, robust, and powerful” charter boat, according to the company, the 47-foot family-oriented power cat has lots of living space on three deck levels. NauticBlue 474s will be available out of bases in Tortola and the Abacos. However, the 474 SUV won’t share poor fuel economy with its thirsty, four-wheeled cousins. The company says the miserly 474 with twin 130 hp diesels gets up 75% better economy than similarly sized, traditional power charter boats. SOUTH AMERICA, THE MED and FRANCE The 520-passenger, German-flagged Deutschland from Peter Deilmann Cruises is best known for its atmosphere that’s been compared to that of a grand European hotel in the roaring ’20s. Fine antiques, Tiffany ceilings, original works of art and prodigious use of brass and marble adorn the ship. Deilmann is offering free air on this five-star flagship from New York (with supplements from 40 other cities or $1,000 air allowance) as well as a free shore excursions package on select cruises in South America and Spain this winter. One cruise will have you in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival while other sailings visit the Chilean Fjords with stops in Argentina. Prices start at $5,852 pp/dbl. Three sailings in March include the Canary Islands, Spain or Portugal with free air from 17 cities (or air allowances). Prices start at $3,140 pp/dbl. In April the vessel moves to the Mediterranean and Adriatic with stops in Venice, Capri, Albania and Croatia; another cruise stops in Bordeaux and Portugal. Free air (17 cities or air allowances) and shore excursions are also included. Prices start at $4,000 pp/dbl and $4,646 pp/dbl, respectively. If cruising in the South of France is more to your liking, book a 2007 Rhône and Saône river cruise on Deilmann’s Princesse de Provence before December 31, 2006 and get a $400 per cabin discount. Prices start at $1,375 pp/dbl (without the discount). the region’s largest fleet. The cruises carry a five-star rating from the China National Tourism Administration. This pioneer of Yangtze River cruising is offering a 40% discount on select winter sailings. A four-day/three-night cruise between Chongqing and Yichang (either downstream or upstream) that includes the Three Gorges Dam starts at $450 pp/dbl. An eight-day/seven-night, round trip cruise adds stops in additional river towns — both ancient and relocated cities moved to avoid the dam’s flooding — and starts at $800 pp/dbl. Looking ahead... BRITISH COLUMBIA Now may be the time to look at planning your summer ‘07 charter as well, especially with popular boats with limited capacity and short cruising seasons. Two such vessels are the 85-foot Parry and 79-foot Union Jack, operated by Westwind Tugboat Adventures. Both launched in 1941 can also arrange to have your catch smoked, canned or vacuum packed and shipped home. Hiking, clam digging, ghost town walks, cannery tours, and whale and bear watching are also popular with guests — many of them families. With a repeat business at 70% you’ll have to book early. Prices start at $4,895. ERIE CANAL You can find an authentic canal boat experience next year on the Erie Canal with Mid Lakes Navigation self-chartered and authentic “lockmaster” boats. These slow moving, stable and easy-to-handle vessels with knotty pine interiors are great for families and if you book before January 1, 2007 take $100 off a weekly charter. MEXICO Following up on their success in Alaska, the same group that started the Alaska Charter Yacht Cooperative (which now has eight boats) is starting a Mexican operation with the launch of the new Baja Charter Yachts Cooperative. Ursa Major, a classic 65-foot North Sea Trawler and founding yacht of the group of independently owned and crewed Photo courtesy of Peter Deilmann Cruises charter boats, will be Come spring, luxury cruises stop in Venice, above, as well as Capri, Albania offering trips in the Sea and Croatia. of Cortez. Now a respectable working girl, the vesGREAT LAKES sel has an interesting history as a member If you’re interested in North of the Meyer Lansky America’s inland sea, the Great Lakes Photo courtesy of Ursa Major Charters “family” once owned Cruise Company is offering a $100 Those looking for solitude will enjoy chartering a yacht in Baja. her. discount per person aboard the 400Ursa’s inaugural winter Mexico cruises and entering their 33rd year of charter serpassenger, German-flagged MV Columbus on will take groups of six to eight to beautivice, these classic wooden tugboats combine select 2007 cruises if you book by January 1, ful anchorages along the coast of Baja the spectacular scenery of British Columbia’s 2007. These extensive 11- and 12-day cruises — away from the crowds in Cabo San Lucas Inside Passage with great halibut and salmon have port calls in four or five lakes and — where you can explore small towns and sportfishing. With their working class lines include stops in historic port cities such as experience the wildlife, kayak, snorkel, and and original engines, these boats definitely Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Toronto and panga fish with local experts. Prices vary have a nostalgic appeal. Chicago as well as Mackinac Island and Parry whether you book per cabin or for the whole Manager Wayne Kellet calls the vessels Sound on the Great Georgian Bay. boat. “mobile sport fishing lodges,” and claims —By Scott Croft passengers can fish or crab a new place every For more information on any of the charters or day. With capacities of 12 and eight respecCHINA cruises listed or to find out more about BoatU.S. tively, the boats have fishing guides aboard In 1994 Victoria Cruises was the first to and are equipped with 18-foot aluminum member specials, call BoatU.S. Travel & Yacht offer Yangtze River cruises and currently has skiffs for checking out the best spots. You Charters at 800-477-4427. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 31 Waterfront Living Sanctuary By The Sea Offshore islands offer a measure of natural protection to the harbor and beaches of Loreto Bay. Four years ago, when my wife, Lynne, and I cruised the Sea of Cortez aboard one of the small ships of the Cruise West line, we almost immediately fell in love with the stark beauty of Baja California’s eastern coast, the appeal of its historic shoreside settlements, and, perhaps most of all, the friendliness and warmth of its people. Baja California, as nearly all West Coast Americans know, is the thousandmile-long finger of land extending south from the State of California. Comprising two Mexican states — Baja California and Baja California Sur — it was long a national stepchild, last on the list for government assistance or commercial development. But gradually it was infiltrated by norteamericanos, many of whom came to fish and returned to retire. Prices were often amazingly low, and too many people, both Mexicans and foreigners, were willing to ignore the complex of laws that surrounded land ownership in Mexico. In the oil-rich 1970s, the Baja boom really took off. Developments popped up all over the peninsula, most notably on the Pacific Coast between the U.S. border and the port city of Ensenada and around the sportfishing capital of Cabo San Lucas, at Baja’s tip. Cruises from Southern California to Mexico became 32 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 popular, and West Coast boaters began sailing south in greater numbers. Once a cruising skipper had got as far as Cabo, the warm, mostly calm waters of the Sea of Cortez beckoned. And where the yachties went, the developers followed — to Ensenada and Cabo and then back north in the Sea of Cortez to the new cruising mecca of La Paz. But buying a second home in Mexico was not in our plans. Even if we’d been considering a house in Baja, land purchase south of the border still seemed a dicey proposition for U.S. citizens, and we heard numerous tales of chronic water and electricity shortages, and even of U.S. buyers in Baja having their homes repossessed by the government because of faulty titles. A year or two after our cruise, however, we learned of a environmentally oriented development just outside the small Baja city of Loreto, a couple hundred miles north of Cabo. We decided to check it out to — not, we assured each other, that we were actually going to do anything about it, but how could it hurt to find out more? From a boater’s viewpoint, the Loreto area had a lot to recommend it, and we knew that a number of U.S. citizens had retired there — many of them to enjoy the excellent year-round fishing. Several steep, offshore islands form a bay that not only provides some protection for the town and the beaches to the south of it but also makes a stunning cruising ground. The clear, warm waters are ideal for year‘round diving and sportfishing, and the Mexican government has designated the bay as a national marine park, hopefully preserving it from destructive levels of commercial fishing. Funnel-shaped Loreto Bay comes to something of a point at its southern end, where man and nature have created a set of protected anchorages collectively known as Puerto Escondido (“hidden harbor,” in English). An abandoned French development left behind some massive piers and a grid of paved roads and dredged channels set into the flat shore. There was also one of the best launch ramps I’ve seen, plus a nearly completed facility that was to be the linchpin of the government’s escalera nautica, the chain of Baja marinas that would bring tens of thousands of yachtsmen across the border to explore the delights of Baja California and the Sea of Cortez (See BoatU.S. Magazine, September 2001). Southern California friends of ours had already found their own retirement haven at Tripui, a unique community of amphibious Americans a couple hundred yards up the road from Puerto Escondido. The first two villages would be located Based on a successful RV resort, Tripui sunny, coastal acres ripe for development. also offered long-term space rentals right on the beach, and a tennis center and As so often happens when government and the management’s permission to golf course, constructed as part of an earlier and business share a common goal, a build palapas on them. Palapa, I should development, adjoined them. Both custom way around the problem appeared: the explain, is an all-purpose term that usuand standard homes of various sizes were fideicomiso. ally signifies a more or less temporary available at various prices, and a threeThis administrative device is a beach shelter, often with a thatched roof, bedroom house would run about $400,000 renewable 50-year contract, in which and that was what the first structures in U.S. Shops, a spa, and a beach club were a Mexican bank holds the title to the Tripui had been — shelters to keep the part of the initial plan, but a marina was property and the foreign buyer is the blazing Baja sun off RVs and the trailered only a tentative prospect, and that, I concontract’s beneficiary. Besides being able sportfishing boats that were launched fess, rather put me off — though the presto renew the fideicomiso indefinitely, buyat the nearby ramp in Puerto Escondido ence of a small, funcers also have the (www.Tripui.com). tioning municipal boat right to transfer their basin in Loreto itself, interest. And big A disastrous fire in 2004 had nearly finished off Tripui, but most of the original and the much larger, U.S. companies, palapa owners refused to admit defeat. government-sponsuch as Stewart Many new palapas have already blossored marina nearing Title, are willing somed, and they are now built of essencompletion just five to put their own tially fireproof stuccoed cinderblock with miles away at Puerto money on the line tiled or metal roofs. Many of the strucEscondido sugared and insure the tures actually incorporate their owners’ the pill somewhat. fideicomiso title. trailers and fifth wheels, conThe process is still necting them to permanent cumbersome, but water, sewage, and electricity. it makes buying in The development that Baja possible and had attracted Lynne and me, safe. called the Villages of Loreto, Long story short, was massive in size — 6,000 Lynne and I were simhomes to be constructed on ply bowled over by the 8,000 coastal acres, of which demonstration homes 5,000 would be kept undevelin the Villages of Loreto. oped, as a permanent nature Both of us grew up in preserve (www.loretobay.com). cities, and the tightly The concept behind the develgrouped “neighborhood” opment was ambitious and, it concept seemed entirely seemed to me, laudable — an acceptable. When we environmentally self-sustaining discovered that the community that would supply developers planned its own water and power, while Fishing boats line the pier in Loreto, a former Spanish capitol of the Californias. to include a rental restoring the ecology around program, so owners it. Though not located in the town of Other housing options were also avail- could use their homes part of the year Loreto, the development was only a few able, too — in Loreto town itself, existing and lease them the rest of the time, the miles down the peninsula’s main road, and new homes designed for the norteamprospect looked even better. Irresistible, and even closer to an airport that proericano market are being hawked by several in fact — and we came away as prospecvided convenient service to several U.S. eager real estate firms, while an 1,800-acre tive owners of a three-bedroom, two story cities (San Diego, for instance, is a little shoreside tract between the airport and the home with a walled garden and a landover an hour away). Villages of Loreto is going to be developed scaped atrium. The “villages” of the name were to by the highly regarded Villa Group (www.vilBut we recognized that construction be clusters of individual homes — adjoin- lagroup.com). was going to take time, and we’ve taken ing, two-story adobe structures designed a long-term lease on a space in Tripui, One bogeyman that had worried us to resemble classic Mexican neighborright from the start was the question of where our own modest palapa will allow hoods, with winding streets from which foreign ownership. Non-Mexicans cannot us to park our fifth wheel under shelter, automobiles (but not electric golf carts) actually own property in certain areas of while also providing a semi-indoor dining, would be banned. The houses themMexico, and the Baja coast is just such an entertaining, and cooking area. We’re selves would have sophisticated facilities, area. But the Mexican government wanted between boats, but our space will allow such as built-in electronic systems, that to encourage foreign residence and the us to choose between a trailered sportmet the expectations of the U.S. and income it would produce, while the interna- fisher or a centerboard sailboat. Or we Canadian clientele expected to purchase tional real estate industry was salivating over can hang a kayak from the roof, if that’s them. the prospect of hundreds of thousands of the way we decide to go. — By Tony Gibbs BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 33 Waterfront Living Communities to Watch Seawatch Resting along the shores of North Carolina is a remarkable coastal village like no other. Seawatch at Sunset Harbor offers the historic charm of nearby Southport, NC and the convenience of being in close proximity to Wilmington, NC and exciting Myrtle Beach, SC. This new waterfront community will offer an array of amenities including a planned marina on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway that is proposed to have more than 200 slips, a kayak and canoe club for launching into the tranquil, meandering waters of the Mercer Mill Creek, 26-acre park filled with activities and a fitness center, more than twenty miles of walking and biking trails, and much more; not to mention, captivating views, gorgeous custom-crafted homes and the best lifestyle imaginable. Call 877.732.9282 today for more information about this new coastal community. www.seawatch-nc.com RIVER DUNES—LIFE ON THE WATER River dunes, a new master-planned waterfront community in near Oriental, NC, offers a coastal lifestyle on 14 miles of shoreline, bordering the Pamlico Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway. The 28-acre inland harbor with a 400-slip marina and state-of-the-art floating dock system will serve as the village center, offering a yacht club, indoor-outdoor pool, inn, guest cottages, fitness, spa and retail shops. Nearby, the Nature Center and Adventure Lodge will feature a launch site for kayaks and canoes and will host activities from fly-fishing to watercolor painting. River Dunes offer home sites ranging from $250,000 to $1 million and home-and-lot packages priced from the $800,000’s to $2 million-plus. The community uses a preferredbuilder program, and the Habitat Review Board must approve all house plans. For more information, call 800-97-9565 or visit www.riverdunes.com Tierra Isle Marina REsidences Situated on Florida’s pristine Gulf Coast island of Tierra Verde, just south of St. Petersburg, along 160 feet of waterfront, stands the marina residences of Tierra Isle. An ideal location boasting award winning-beaches and well-planned amenities are bonuses of owning one of the eight unique luxury marina residences at this gated community. Tierra Isle offers timeless Mediterranean architecture and living spaces from 2,750 to 4,400 square feet with spacious balconies displaying stunning Gulf of Mexico views. Onsite amenities include a waterfront swimming pool and hot tubs, boat slips at each back doorstep with high-capacity lifts, and private, secure storage facilities for each residence. To enjoy this upscale, quiet residential neighborhood setting that promises the ultimate in luxury marina living, visit www. tierraisle.com. MEditerra Condominiums Enjoy Gulf front privacy and unparalleled luxury at Mediterra in Florida’s Panhandle. Mediterra is located in Perdido Key minutes from two marinas, shopping, dining, and Perdido Key State Park. Each residence features an incredible 1400 sq. ft. terrace accessible from every room! Luxury interior finishes include twin “private” elevators with direct access to unit, “floor to ceiling” tinted glass windows, 10-foot ceilings throughout, crown molding, and wet bar with icemaker and chilled beverage cooler. Spacious gourmet kitchens feature granite countertops, double ovens, warming drawer, double drawer dishwasher, and top of the line stainless steel appliances. Amenities include 2 pools, fitness center and sauna, Parlor with billiards, and Gulf front meeting room. Prices starting at $1,625,000. Contact La Florida at 866-533-3429 for more information. see it. live it. paradise. >Ê«>ViÊÜ iÀiÊv>ÞÊL>Ì}ÊÃÊÊÞÕÀÊL>VÞ>À`® Luxury townhouses in Carrabelle, FL—each complete with its own Deep Water Boat Slip. 1-850-566-6761 • www.pickettslanding.com 34 PL-BOATUS HALF PAGE 4C AD.indd 1 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 9/28/06 11:08:15 AM Lawnes Point Gaslight Landing Shipyards Rare home sites on the James River— Live on the riverfront. Private 40’ boat Lawnes Point on the James offers large waterfront lots perched on three miles of spectacular riverfront. Dockable parcels offer deep water access, use of private park, and other amenities. Convenient to historic Smithfield and Williamsburg. Creek-front from $199,900. James Riverfront from $399,900. slip. Private elevator. 30 minutes from Washington, DC. Historic small town riverfront living at its best. Upscale luxury town homes on the Occoquan River in historic downtown Occoquan, VA. From the low one millions. A master-planned condominium community Call 1-877-280-5263 www.gaslightlanding.com Sandalwood at Carrabelle Call 703-490-9840 centered around the excitement of downtown, with all the attributes of a planned community lifestyle. With the sports and entertainment district knocking on your door and the St. Johns River in your backyard, the opportunities are limitless. The future of downtown waterfront living begins here. Call 866-941-SHIP (7447) www.shipyards.com Waterfront Living Recreational boating is a lifestyle choice for the readers of BoatU.S. Magazine. Not only are BoatU.S. Magazine readers passionate about their boating, they’re also very likely to live near the water or have plans to do so in the near future. The Waterfront Living section of BoatU.S. Magazine provides an intimate look at some of the most interesting waterfront communities around the country as seen through the eyes of the magazine’s editors who either live on the water or aspire to do so. Our goal is to bring together those who have waterfront property with those who would like to live with like-minded property owners at the water’s edge. Advertisers are invited to feature their waterfront property, development, resort or vacation destination within these pages and reach the nation’s largest audience with a passion for waterfront living. Lots With Docks! 44 Home sites on the Carrabelle River. Each includes deepwater backyard dock! Gated community with pool and clubhouse. Boat to unspoiled Redfish, Cobia, Grouper fishing. Family boating, shelling on barrier island beaches. Rediscover natural, uncrowded Florida! CALL TODAY 866-533-3429 www.lotswithdocks.com To learn how you can be a part of these pages contact: Jane Richardson, 703.243.9046 x102 or jrichardson@admarketinggroup.com Courtenay White, 703.243.9046 x103 or cwhite@admarketinggroup.com The January 2007 issue of BoatU.S. Magazine will feature the area around Florida’s Emerald Coast – located in the northwest Florida panhandle – where the beaches are beautiful and the boating is year-round. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 35 boatsmart CONSUMER PROTECTION BUREAU Study Provokes Stern Warning Express cruisers are at risk for trapping deadly carbon monoxide near the stern and in the cockpit, even when the boat is moving, says a new study. Chances are, if you operate a gasolinepowered express cruiser with the canvas enclosure in place, dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) could build up at the stern, the swim platform and even in the cockpit and cabin. In nine out of 10 express cruisers evaluated during normal operating conditions in an interagency survey by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the U.S. Coast Guard, the “station wagon” effect was found to generate hazardous concentrations of CO in areas where passengers congregate. NIOSH and the Coast Guard have teamed up before to study CO exposure on houseboats, following a number of highly publicized CO deaths in the late 1990s. The latest study, conducted during 2005 and 2006 at locations in Florida, North Carolina and New Jersey, was designed to help the Coast Guard better understand how CO poisonings may occur on express cruisers, identify the most hazardous conditions and to begin the process of identifying ways to mitigate CO exposures. 36 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 Express cruisers generally have a raised bridge deck that houses the helm station, with a windshield and canvas bimini top or hardtop that extends over the bridge and cockpit to provide protection from the elements. They also feature extensive enclosed accommodations below decks. The boats evaluated in the survey were brand new gas-powered cruisers ranging in size from 30 to 42 feet. and built by several different manufacturers. The report does not identify boat makes and models. All boats had standard factory power, with inboard engines made by Volvo Penta, Crusader or Mercury Marine and most had stern drive units. In addition, all boats were equipped with gasoline-powered generators manufactured by Kohler. Neither the engines nor the generators were found to be faulty. Tests show that in three cases CO levels in the aft parts of the boats exceeded 1,100 parts per million (ppm). Six others tested out at over 100 ppm to as high as 658 ppm. According to the study report, only one vessel, which was equipped with a combined exhaust system showed “concentrations at the stern consistently below the NIOSH ceiling limit of 200 ppm with the canvas enclosed.” To put this in perspective, the EPA standard for maximum CO exposure is no more than nine ppm during an eight-hour period and 35 ppm for a one-hour average. Data compiled by the Coast Guard, NIOSH, the Dept of Interior and the National Park Service show that CO has caused 113 deaths and 458 reported poisonings on or near recreational boats in the past 20 years. “The CO levels did not surprise me, I have seen similar (and higher) levels in several of the studies I have participated in and read,” American Boat & Yacht Council Technical Director John Adey told BoatU.S. But, if the CO levels are so high, why aren’t more people being adversely affected? “I believe the issue here is exposure length,” Adey answered. In the tested boats, CO levels varied with changes in boat speed, wind speed and direction and configuration of the canvas cover. So, in real-life conditions, passengers may experience only momentary exposure, which could result in symptoms similar to sea sickness. Adey said ABYC technical committees concerned with CO education and boat design and construction are poised to review the study. For years, the CO problem has been the focus of joint efforts by the Coast Guard and ABYC. However, federal regulations administered by the Coast Guard do not address design and construction issues that involve CO in exterior settings. The NIOSH/Coast Guard tests were conducted at the dock with engines running and while underway at speeds ranging from 5 to 25 miles per hour, with and without the generators running. The boats’ canopies were in various configurations — open, partially open and closed — for every phase of the tests. According to the express cruisers study, “When the canvas is deployed and the boat is underway, CO concentrations exceeded the ‘immediately dangerous to life and health’ level near the swim platform for many of the evaluated boats.” Travel speed, wind direction, presence or lack of forward-facing ventilation, canvas design, hull shape, exhaust system configuration and proximity to structures like docks and other boats are some of the factors that influence CO build-up. CO is produced when fuels such as gasoline, wood and propane are burned. In comparison to gasoline exhaust, the CO component of diesel exhaust is extremely low, so diesel engines and generators are not considered a serious risk. CO is absorbed by the lungs and limits the ability of blood to carry oxygen. Depending on concentrations, exposure time and the health and age of victims, CO can cause unconsciousness, collapse and even death in only a matter of minutes. Low-level exposure can cause symptoms similar to seasickness, so many boaters may not suspect CO is the culprit when a passenger falls ill. Analysis of the NIOSH/Coast Guard test results shows the following: • When the canvas was in place, CO concentrations on the test boats immediately reached levels deemed by NIOSH to be “immediately dangerous to life and health.” Peak CO concentrations “often exceeded 1,100 ppm, while average CO concentrations were well over 100 ppm in the stern.” On at least one boat, however, CO levels remained at about 1,000 with or without the canvas in place. • Canvas configuration significantly affected CO concentrations in the cockpit area. • The combination of travel at low speeds, into the wind with the canvas fully deployed and no forward hatches opened maximized the station wagon effect, pulling significant amounts of CO into the cockpit. • Two test boats equipped with a combined exhaust system exiting at the sides and underwater exhibited about 40% lower CO concentrations than vessels equipped with exhaust systems that were at or above the water line. The system is engineered to release all the exhaust at the surface through the sides of the vessel when the engine is idling or the rpm level is below 1500. At levels over 1500 rpm, a pressure release mechanism on the lower part of the hull is activated that releases most of the exhaust underwater. Researchers found that exhaust gases released underwater take longer to reach the surface and are broken up by prop turbulence, reducing CO concentrations close to the boats. • Contrary to popular wisdom, operating the boat at higher speeds was no guarantee of adequate ventilation when the canvas was in place. Researchers found the CO was still present. “When the canvas is deployed and the boat is underway, CO concentrations exceeded the ‘immediately dangerous to life and health’ level near the swim platform” • The bulkheads between engine compartments and living spaces were adequately sealed on all boats tested. Seepage of exhaust through bulkhead seams was eliminated as a source for CO that migrated into cabins. • Current CO warning labels do not contain adequate information to properly warn about potential hazards and preventive or corrective measures to prevent CO poisonings. • If cabin doors were closed while test boats were underway, the cabins were under negative pressure when air conditioners were running. This can lead to CO intrusion if cabin doors or bulkheads do not seal properly. • In a number of the boats tested, openings in the hull for generator exhaust lines were located adjacent to engine compartment air intake ports, in effect, allowing the intake to “inhale” the generator’s fumes. • The report points out that, unlike automobile engines, which are equipped with catalytic converters that remove many air pollutants and substantially reduce CO emissions, catalytic converters for marine engines are still cutting edge. Indmar Products Co., Inc., recently introduced the first production catalytic converter system, EXT/CAT, which will be standard equipment on 2007 Indmar 5.7L EFI inboards. An Indmar spokesman told BoatU.S. the company is not planning to sell EXT/CAT technology to other engine makers. While the current study provides insight into how CO poisonings may occur on express cruisers, more research is needed to “evaluate different options to reduce onboard CO exposures,” according to NIOSH engineer Alberto Garcia. “We conducted some additional tests to evaluate the effects of blowers and fans to ventilate cockpits and cabins on these vessels,” said Garcia. “However, the data is non-conclusive and we are still looking into other options to reduce or mitigate onboard CO concentrations.” “It is very difficult to draw conclusions from a single test, for one boat, under the evaluated conditions,” Garcia said. Phil Cappel, chief of the Coast Guard’s recreational boating product assurance branch, agreed. “The preliminary results from the follow-on testing showed that the [preventive] measures taken were not 100% effective. The data collected need to be analyzed to determine just how effective they were. Boater awareness is crucial. “Initial symptoms of CO intoxication can be easily confused by what is commonly known as ‘sea sickness,’ Garcia pointed out. There is a lack of education and lack of reporting that makes it hard to identify the extent of the problem. Education, training and symptom recognition are important in identifying and preventing CO intoxications.” Boat owners need to be pro-active in minimizing the CO dangers on board. The first line of defense is to install functional carbon monoxide detectors in all enclosed living spaces. And, know where engine and generator exhaust outlets are located and keep everyone away from these areas. Always maintain adequate forward-facing ventilation when the engine or generator is running and the canvas enclosure is in place. As an added precaution, leave the canvas slightly open to increase air flow. Finally, never let anyone sit, teak surf, or hang on the back deck or swim platform while the engines and generators are running. Teak surfing is NEVER a safe activity. To learn more about the CO threat, visit the Coast Guard Web site, uscgboating. org, or call 800-368-5647 to obtain a copy of the Coast Guard’s brochure, “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: What You Can’t See...” Additional CO information is available at the BoatU.S. Foundation Web site, www.boatus.com/foundation/grants/carbon_ monoxide.htm. — By Caroline Ajootian BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 37 From the Files of DIY Boat Owner Magazine Patching Deck Hatch Leaks The drippy evidence of a leak can be a long way from its source at a leaking hatch. Follow these procedures to find and fix the leak. Repairing a leaking hatch is not always as easy as it sounds. You can’t stop a leak until you find the source and therein is the challenge. Waiting for a day of steady rainfall to help you pursue leak sources may not fit your detection and repair schedule. Leaks can be prodded into action with the “rain” from a garden hose. Standard leak hunting technique using a hose requires teamwork. Up on deck, you begin with the hose irrigating the lowest fittings first. Below, your spotter keeps watch. Water is gradually pointed to higher fittings until the spotter calls out that water is getting inside. Careful inspection usually determines the origin of a hatch leak. Armed with a paper towel and a flashlight, follow the wet trail back from where the drip forms, dabbing it dry as you go, until you see the first sign of seepage out from under or between parts of a hatch. Leaks arriving by Route 4 (as described opposite in “Find the Leak”) are the most difficult to trace. They originate at some other fitting and can travel a long way between the liner and deck or through the deck core before exiting at a vulnerable point in the hatch cutout on deck. Brown water seeping from around the edges of the hatch hardware or the headliner edge trim is a symptom of wet balsa (or plywood) core and is bad news requiring prompt action. Time to bring in a moisture meter or call a surveyor or repair yard you trust. FIND THE LEAK. Leaks commonly appear from four different routes. Route 1 Through the hatch lid. 1. Leaks between the lens and frame first show 2. At hatch dogs or fittings that pass through up here. the hatch lid. Look for drips off the bottom of the handle shaft Route 2 Via deteriorated rubber gasket. 1. Rubber gasket between the hatch lid and base. 2. This locker hatch gasket looks dubious. Route 3 Under the hatch base and/or through the base mounting fasteners. 1. A leak between the hatch base and the deck may show here. 2. A leak can also emerge at one of the hatch frame fasteners. Tame the Leak Repair techniques vary depending on the source of the leak. Leaks through the lid, as found in Route 1, are caused by either the lens or lid fittings. Framed lenses commonly leak at the flexible bedding around the plastic (acrylic) lens. A proper 38 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 Route 4 Out of the deck core or inner liner exiting at the hatch cutout. From the Files of DIY Boat Owner Magazine repair requires complete removal and rebedding of the lens using a high flex glazer’s silicone. A Band-Aid approach won’t work. [Ed: See DIY 2001 #4 issue for complete hatch lens repair details.] Any type of hatch lid can leak where holes have been drilled for fittings. Hinges and latches on frameless hatches take a beating and should be periodically tightened and rebedded with a polyurethane sealant. Many anchor locker and cockpit locker lids are Balsa cored so it’s important to keep the fittings well sealed. Hatch dogs fitted through plastic lenses differ as they usually rely on Orings and rubber washers that keep them sealed while allowing them to rotate. Dismantle the hatch dog assembly and replace all O-rings whether they look worn or not. If possible get the hatch manufacturer’s repair kit. Cut sealing washers from scrap rubber or neoprene. Thoroughly clean (don’t use solvents on plastic/acrylic lenses) the surface where the O-ring rides. Apply a light coating of Teflon grease or sail track lube to the Orings during reassembly to help them seal and to prevent sticking. Rainwater leaks by Route 2, between the hatch lid and base, are usually not a problem with a typical framed hatch because they are designed to shed water. These are left open a crack for ventilation and still things can stay dry, but don’t try this when underway in rough seas. The pressure of green water on deck will blast water violently through the slightest gap. To ensure a hatch stays sealed under these conditions, the neoprene gasket between the lid and the base must be in good condition and the hatch dogs properly adjusted to maintain firm clamping pressure. Over time the neoprene gasket deteriorates and gets crushed flat and the dogs no longer clamp tight. Most hatch dogs are adjustable but eventually you run out of adjustment and then it’s time to replace the gasket. This entails peeling and scraping off the old gasket and glue from the hatch and gluing a new one in place using contact cement or a combination sealant glue, such as Rule’s Sudbury Elastomeric Marine Sealant. If gasket material is not available from the hatch manufacturer, use generic neoprene weather stripping of approximately the same size and shape. You’ll also need to readjust the hatch dogs to suit the new gasket. Where leaks occur via Route 3, exit- Steps to replace a gasket. 1. Loosen gasket on frameless hatch lid. 2. Press gasket back in place ing along the hatch base, the culprits are usually loose hatch base fasteners. Any that turn easily with a screwdriver must be resealed. Remove suspicious fasteners and any sealant residue, clean both surfaces, tape the repair area to reduce clean-up, then rebed using a polyurethane sealant, such as 3M 5200. Don’t skimp on the goo. If in doubt as to exactly where the flange is leaking remove and reseal the entire hatch base flange. This may not be easy. Try tapping a putty knife under the edge to cut the sealant and then gently wedge it up a bit at a time with a broad chisel. Indiscriminant prying will result in a bent hatch flange or worse. Carefully clean off all old sealant from the deck and base flange. Apply sealant to the individual fastener holes and run a continuous bead all around the flange. A well-bedded flange should squeeze sealant around its perimeter as it’s bolted (or screwed) down. (Masking beforehand helps to eliminate clean-up.) If you think you might someday have to remove the hatch or its fasteners use a polysulfide sealant, such as 3M 4200. This class of rubbery sealant doesn’t have the ferocious adhesive strength of polyurethane but on a large bedded surface will seal almost as well. Leaks manifesting from Route 4 are difficult to identify, tricky to trace and are a sign of trouble brewing. If a slow leak continues to appear under the hatch at the lower edge of the deck or headliner opening, even after the hatch base is rebedded, you should suspect other hardware as the culprit. Look for wet spots on deck with a moisture meter or if in doubt rebed all the fittings on deck. This is preventive maintenance that should be done at least every 10 years and could save your deck. —By Nick Bailey 3. Apply Sudbury Elastomeric sealant. RESEALING A HATCH FRAME 1 2 3 1. Break the seal by gently driving a putty knife between the hatch base and deck. 2. After hatch base is removed, scrape off the old sealant. 3. Apply new sealant, being careful to plaster each fastener hole well. This article is reprinted from the 2002 winter issue of DIY Boat Owner, the Marine Maintenance Magazine. To subscribe, see ad on page 41. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 39 From the Files of DIY Boat Owner Magazine Installing an Access Port in 30 Minutes A complete remake of our 1990 22-foot walkaround cuddy included a redesigned deck to remove the livewells and a new seating arrangement, removing of all wood and replacing with StarBoard components, installing a washdown system and docking lights, all new deck hardware, a full canvas top, replumbing cockpit scuppers and much more. This boat had two aft storage compartments accessed by threaded deckplates but these were so small they limited storage to shoe size items. Conventional two-piece access ports (or deckplates) consist of a trim ring and threaded plate. Installation involves drilling screw holes, caulking with sealant and fastening, then the associated cleanup to remove the excess sealant. In my “out with the old, in with the new” approach, I discovered Armstrong deckplates (www.armstrongnautical.com). These one-piece plates hold without any mechanical fasteners. Turning a T-handle tightens the screw clamp against the back of the mounting surface and compresses the heavy-duty watertight seal. Available in large diameters in black, white or ivory, I purchased 8" deckplates to replace the existing 4” ports, which was the maximum diameter that fit the existing space. Installation was a four-step process and took about 30 minutes. —By Jan Mundy Step 1: Transfer the cutting line to the bulkhead. Step 2: Cut out the hole with a jigsaw. Step 3: File the edges smooth. TIP #1: PASS THE SHAVING CREAM When drilling or scraping any material that contains or is coated with hazardous material such as fiberglass or toxic bottom paint, squirt a wee bit of shaving cream on the work surface. This method is used by professionals in large shipyards to keep any airborne dust and particles on the surface and makes cleanup easy. Use whatever brand of cream you like. It’s non-toxic and the white is non-staining. Step 4: Insert the deckplate. TIP #2: SHOCK TREATMENT When working on your boat outdoors and operating any AC-powered tools, especially near wet areas, make sure you’re plugged into a connection with a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. Purchase a portable fitting to carry in your toolbox and use it! Should this device sense a short to ground, it instantly trips the circuit. One-piece Armstrong Deckplate 40 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 Limited Time Offer BoatU.S. Member Special* Save 35% $32 $21 DIY Boat Owner, “The Marine Maintenance Magazine,” provides boat owners with a wealth of hands-on, detailed information about routine maintenance, installations, repairs and upgrades for all types of boats. From beginners to experts, this is the only quarterly magazine published especially for Do-It-Yourselfers! For the Boat Owner Who has Almost Everything • Money saving modifications • Maintenance and repair tips • Reliable product testing • Equipment installations DIY on CD-ROM 1995-2005 All 44 Issues This CD-ROM contains the entire collection of all issues of DIY Boat Owner the Marine Maintenance Magazine – cover to cover – published from 1995 to 2005. Regularly $99.95 plus $10.50 S/H BoatU.S. Member Special Free S/H and upgrades To subscribe, go to or call BoatUS.com/diy 888-658-BOAT (2628) Use Priority Code BMGF06A for magazine subscriptions and BMGFO6AC for CD-ROM. *Discount applies to new subscriptions only. Experience the Beautiful South of France Take a romantic river cruise through world-renowned vineyards, hills of lavender and historic cities aboard the deluxe 4-star MS Princesse de Provence. BoatU.S. Members get $400 off per cabin booked!* Prices start at $1,175 per person/double occupancy after discount. Many departure dates available from March through November. Call for more details. *Cruise Only, double occupancy. Visit the Canary Islands Like Never Before See the article on page 30 for more Cruise Vacations. You’ll travel in 5-star Edwardian elegance aboard the MS Deutschland to savor Spanish architecture, Portugese wine and Moroccan bazaars. This 513-passenger ocean liner will take you on an island hopping vacation that is much more than just beaches. Includes free round trip air from select cities, complimentary shore excursions on all departures listed. Free 2night pre-cruise hotel package included on select departures. Prices start at $3,140 per person/ double occupancy. Available cruise dates: March 5-16, March 16-22, March 22-28, 2007. Deilmann Cruise Offers Valid if Booked Before December 31, 2006! Get a Taste of the Caribbean for Less Star Clippers has introduced special savings of up to 50 % off double occupancy cruise packages on seven night Caribbean sailings. Discounts are available on the December 9 and 16, January 6 and 20, February 3 and 17, and March 17 2006. Sailings aboard Star Clipper with similar savings offered on Royal Clipper sailings of December 10 and 17, January 14 and 28, February 11 and 25, and March 25, 2006. With the savings, cruiseonly fares begin at $888.00 plus taxes per person/double occupancy. Star Clipper Cruise Pricing Valid if Booked Before December 15, 2006! For more information on any of these cruises or to book your next cruise-tour adventure, Call BoatU.S. Today! 800-477-4427 BoatUS.com/Travel tangledline Heavy Metal Sings a New Tune If you’re one of the many boaters on the New Jersey shore who loves Heavy Metal, chances are you may be saddened by its demise. This isn’t about head-banging music, but the beloved red, 30-foot steelhulled towboat from TowBoatU.S. Manasquan Inlet. For the past 15 years she safely towed hundreds of boats home, dropped off thousands of gallons of fuel to boaters at sea, given hundreds Going... of jumpstarts, salvaged boats and even helped to save a few lives. Now she lies on the bottom. The vessel was donated last summer to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Artificial Reef Program and was sunk on July Going... 18 in 80 feet of water about four miles southeast of Townsends Inlet just off Cape May County. Capt. Tom Hurst purchased the former Coast Guard utility boat and municipal trash hauler — of 1958 vintage — from a scrap yard in 1991 when he began his on-theGone. water towing company. “It was one of the first boats in my fleet,” said Hurst. “Because of her size and ability to handle the weather, she always went out in the rough stuff. The boat was more famous than I was.” But with her bottom plating getting too thin to patch any longer and a new 41-foot former Coast Guard utility boat now in his TowBoatU.S. fleet, Hurst knew it was time to let her go. Ironically, Heavy Metal has towed dozens of aged or derelict ships, barges and boats to their final resting places at the bottom under the same reef program. Now she will provide a valuable living reef, fishing ground for anglers, and dive site (She was scrubbed and prepared according to the latest environmental protocols). Unfortunately, Hurst missed the big event. He couldn’t make it because he was assisting a boater with engine troubles. A Hex Of a Job Boaters are known to cuss from time to time, but when Miami writer Michael Caputo says he was skunked out of a recent deal to buy a Pilgrim 40 trawler from a broker he didn’t just cuss, he cursed. The would-be boat buyer enlisted the services an old New Orleans friend, a “renown Voodoo princess,” to put the whammy on the Stuart, FL, broker whom he says double-crossed him. Oh, and that’s not all. He had Mama X jinx the Pilgrim 40, named Finale (remember that, if you’re shop- ping for a trawler) and whoever her new owner is. Caputo makes no bones about his revenge, he even set up a Web site to share the magic. “I thought a little Nawlins mojo would do these sleazeballs some good.” The curse? Mama X has foretold that the brokerage and the broker himself “will suffer financial and personal hardships for five years. And prospective buyers of Finale must know they will face nothing but rough seas on her travels.” While BoatU.S. strives to meet the needs of boaters, don’t expect “Nautical Voodoo Curses” to be added to the association’s Consumer Protection service roster anytime soon. We’ll leave that to the experts. To his credit, the dealership owner fired the broker. As for Finale’s new owner? We recommend going one step beyond hiring a marine surveyor to do an inspection — keeping handy a piece of High John the Conqueror root and tossing a pinch of salt over his shoulder — but we’re not making any promises. BoatU.S. Flag Flies In Afghanistan Longtime BoatU.S. member First Sergeant Raymond Hoffman took his BoatU.S. flag with him when he was called up to active duty in Afghanistan earlier this year. With his 28-foot Cruisers Junior III in storage for the season he has to fly his flag from the back of this armored HUMMV. First Women’s BASS Angler of the Year Having cleaned up on the bass fishing tour in two of the five events of the inaugural season of the pro-am Mercury Marine Women’s Bassmaster Tour, Diana Clark of Bumpus Mills, TN, won the most points overall to be named female Angler of the Year. Clark, 42, rocketed from 32nd place in the first event on Neely Henry Lake in Alabama to win the next tournament on Lewisville Lake in Texas. She took another first place on Lake Norman, NC, and placed in Top winner Diana Clark. the top 10 at two others, which gave her the top points overall. A close second was Tammy Richardson of Amity, AR, who won the first and last tournaments and missed being Angler of the Year by three points. BASS expanded its pro-am tour schedule this year to include a women’s-only event with $600,000 in prize money. Judging from the hundreds of women who traveled from all corners of the U.S. and several foreign countries to compete, it was a keeper (See BoatU.S. Magazine, July 2006, pg 34). On Feb. 22-25, 2007, the top 12 pros and amateurs in point standings from the series just concluded go to a championship “fish-off” on Lake Mitchell, AL. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 43 Big Boats Get Big Savings With a Premier Protection Policy from BoatU.S. A Yacht policy from BoatU.S. provides low cost, agreed value coverage and the services of boating experts. But for your really big boat, you get even more (for less) by choosing the Premier Protection Program* — over $700 worth of policy extras for the same low premium. Save Over $700! • $10,000 extra for Medical Payments • $5,000 extra for Personal Effects • Lower Dinghy Deductible • Lower Electronics Deductible • Ice and Freezing Coverage • Captain's Liability Coverage • Depreciation Waiver (for boats under 10 years of age) Call us for a fast, free quote: 800-283-2883 Or Apply Online at BoatUS.com *Premier Protection Program with Yacht Policy for boats valued at $100,000 and over. Other BoatU.S. policies available for small boats and PWC. All policies subject to limits and exclusions. Off-Season Upgrades Fixing broken gear, installing new equipment, and generally making your boat ship shape for the next season is what most boaters do over the winter. But there is one thing that should always be at the top of your winter punch list — making safety improvements or upgrades. 10 Here are easy steps you can take over the winter to improve your margin of safety next year: 1 CO Detector: Newly manufactured boats with enclosed cabin spaces (and gasoline engines) should come with a CO detector, but many older cruisers lack this life saving device. This should also be on your must list if you have a generator. You can buy them for as little as $75 for a wired, 12V version. If you have a battery powered unit, replace the battery each year. 2 get out safely and give you a better chance to put out a fire. While they cost a little more, “tri-class” (A-B-C rated) fire extinguishers will handle all three types of fires: solid, liquid or electrical ($20-$25 each). Also, adding labels on cabinets or storage lockers that contain fire extinguishers can help everyone aboard found them quickly. 4 VHF Radio: The closest rescuers are often other boaters, and the only way they’ll know you’re in trouble is if they hear your may day call over a VHF radio — not your cell phone. If you have a small boat, a handheld VHF ($100-$120) will save you installation headaches, and if you already have a fixed mount VHF, think about upgrading to DSC capability ($120-$160) as the Coast Guard’s new DSC-capable, “Rescue-21” system is now up and running in two areas of the country, with more regions being added in 2007. Remember, pushing the “mayday” button on a DSC VHF that is connected to your GPS will allow fellow boaters with DSC VHF radios to pinpoint your location. Another great feature is that anyone aboard can press the built-in distress button to summon emergency help. Upgrade your life jackets: Everyone has those cheapie horse collar life jackets stowed somewhere. But it’s a sin to think that they are an adequate investment in your safety or that of your friends or family. Consider replacing those cheapies with a jacket that you think you’ll wear more often, is more comfortable and fits the kind of boating you do you ($20-$80). Equipping a life jacket with signal mirrors, whistles and signal lights are also very low cost upgrades (about $33/vest). 5 6 More fire extinguishers: If you have a fire in your home, you can easily run out of the house. Not so with a boat. Adding extra fire extinguishers and mounting them in different areas, especially near cabin egress locations, could help you 7 3 on top of the minimum safety requirements as well as additional recommended equipment. Make sure your gear is serviceable and check the dates on your flares. 8 Install a bilge alarm: While wet ankles may a good indicator that you’re taking on water in a small boat, it’s not always easy to determine that in a large boat. An audio alarm wired to a float switch positioned three to four inches above your normal bilge water levels can buy you more time ($50). 9 Wood Bungs: Attaching the right sized wooden bung (tapered wooden plug) with a lanyard to each of your thru-hulls can stop a leak quickly and you won’t waste precious time looking for them ($11). 10 Continuing “Ed:” If you have never taken a basic boating course from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron there is no better time than the winter. You can find classes near you by going to the BoatU.S. Foundation’s “Courseline” at BoatUS.com/courseline. More classes are offered in the winter so now Add handholds, non-skid: Nearly every boat could use more is the time to sign up. If you’d rather stay inside by the fire hand holds ($15-$75) and a little more non-skid ($3-11) to help keep everyone with a cup of hot chocolate, you can take the BoatU.S. Foundation’s free online boatsafely aboard. ing safety course (boatus.org/onlinecourse). Don’t worry if your time is limited. You can Add a Fireport: Another inexpensive safety upgrade is to install start, stop, and pickup where you left off at any time. a small round window to allow The Foundation’s free online “Toolbox” you to inspect an engine compartment without inadvertently adding oxygen to a fire. You (boatus.com/foundation/toolbox) also has a can also insert a fire extinguisher nozzle into great, interactive “Rules of the Road” section. the port to put out the blaze ($11). Inventory all safety gear: The “Boaters Toolbox” (boatus.com/ foundation/toolbox) also has a “Required Equipment” section to keep you For a limited time West Marine is offering savings on selected safety items for BoatU.S. Members. For more information go to WestMarine.com/wintersafety. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 45 We’ve made shopping for the boaters on your gift list quick and easy this holiday season. Avoid the hustle and bustle of crowded malls and log on to BoatUS.com where you’ll find great gift ideas that won’t break the bank. BoatU.S. Gift Membership $19 Discount Boating Equipment A Year's Subscription $21 Personalized Gifts Under $15 A Year's Subscription $19 Unlimited Towing Service $120 It's Easy Holiday Shopping in One Convenient Location— BoatUS.com hottips and news you can use Innovation Award Winners Every July hundreds of accessory manufacturers and buyers gather for the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS) in Las Vegas. The business they do at the show largely determines what you’ll see on your chandlery’s shelves. Another result is a first look at the best new products to hit the market, who are honored with Innovation Awards bestowed by a panel of boating writers. Here are this year’s awardees: approach by using “freeze shock action” to freeze, penetrate and loosen rusted and corroded mechanisms. By dropping the temperature of the area in direct contact with the spray, Freeze Off cracks the rusted surface allowing the product to reach deeper threads and work more effectively, according to the company. The product retails for about $6. Go to crcindustries.com/marine for more information. “Inflatable” PFD for Keys: The Key Buoy from Davis Instruments won for its unique self-inflation mechanism that brings your sunk keys back to the surface. The Key Buoy looks like an automobile key “fob.” But when immersed, the small unit opens like a clamshell to “inflate” an internal 14- Trailer Bunk Upgrade: Ocean X Technologies’ Snaptraxx are 18-inch injection molded units that snap together to fit any length trailer bunk. The units completely encase 2x6-inch and 2x4-inch lumber without any fasteners and, unlike carpet, allow for air circulation and water drainage, keeping the boat and pressure treated lumber dry. There are two types of units: “Slip” units for the forward section of your bunks and “Grip” units for the rear. As you back your trailer into the water, the stern of your boat floats off the grip units while the bow slips down the bunks. A kit for an eight-foot bunk retails for about $135 with endcaps. For more information go to snaptraxx.com. Key Buoy saves the day inch air tube activated by sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid that provides buoyancy for about 40 minutes. The unit is smaller than your standard foam key float and can fit in your pocket. The one-time ad only use device will float up to 4.2 ounces and retails for about $7. Go to davisnet.com for more information. Rough Weather Life Jacket: Designed for rough use, the judges liked Mustang Survival’s new Auto Hydrostatic Inflatable life jacket because it won’t automatically inflate unless it’s been submerged four or Cold Busted: Rusted nuts and bolts are the bane of a boater’s existence. CRC’s Freeze-Off penetrant takes a unique B O A T 32,000 B I T S The number of responses to calls for assistance provided by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2005. Source: U.S. Coast Guard Foundation Annual Report 2005 Mustang’s inflatable can take the spray. more inches – rain, spray and humidity have no effect, according to the company. It also has a patented closure system that will keep the device from accidentally opening even during rough activity and no inflator maintenance is required for five years. It retails for about $220; for more information go to mustangsurvival.com. New IPS Engines If you’ve been interested in Volvo’s Inboard Performance System (IPS) but disappointed that it was only offered on midsized cruisers, there is good news for you. Volvo has expanded the range of engines available with IPS now making the twin engine drive system appropriate for vessels in the low 30-foot range to the upper 50-foot range. The new IPS 350 (260 hp) and IPS 600 (435 hp) diesel powerplants with forward facing propellers on azipod-like drive systems complement the current IPS 400 (310 hp) and IPS 500 (370hp) lineup. The IPS 350 uses the twin turbocharged, intercooled four-cylinder D4-260 engines that were first introduced in 2004 while the IPS 600 uses the same turbocharged, intercooled six-cylinder D6-435 engine in current IPS products but with compressor modifications and other tweaks to boost horsepower. The company is expected to have some boat models with new systems exhibiting at the Miami Boat Show. Go to volvopenta.com, for more information. Stocking Stuffers Parents should know about a great little fishing training aid, Backyard Bass, that helps kids learn to cast. Endorsed by the Future Fisherman’s Association, the toy comes with three plastic fish and two casting plugs that you attach to your child’s fishing pole. Spread the fish out over your snowy lawn and try to get the plug in the fishes’ mouth and reel it in ($9.95 retail; ironwoodpacific.com). SeaCards are nautical flashcards that cover a wide spectrum of sailing and boating terms including safety, navigation and rules of the road, navigation aids, weather tips, warnings, knots, action drills, MOB, and more. Approved by the American Sailing Association, SeaCards’ first two sections review material included in basic keelboat and coastal cruising classes; the third is for those studying for a Coast Guard operator’s license ($24.95; doylemarine.com). — By Scott Croft BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 47 foundationfindings Number 42 Keeping Current on Kill-Switches Picture this: an experienced boater is cruising in a powerboat. He takes the wise precaution of wearing his inflatable life jacket and his engine kill-switch lanyard is securely attached to his wrist. Momentarily distracted by a passing boat he is caught off guard by another boat’s wake and is thrown overboard. But because he is wearing his kill-switch lanyard, the engine immediately shuts down and the boat has only drifted 150 feet away from him — a much shorter distance to swim than if the vessel continued on without him, or worse, circled back around toward him in the water. Employing an engine kill-switch device may be one of the simplest things you can do to protect yourself and your crew from the potential hazards of a fall overboard. Traditional kill-switch lanyards can also be a source of frustration for boaters, especially in situations resulting in accidental engine cut-off. The list of potentially embarrassing scenarios is not short, but it shouldn’t be used as an excuse not to wear one. While a kill-switch is a requirement on new personal watercraft, owners of some older and/or larger motorized vessels will have to choose an after-market model to safeguard those on board. So for Foundation Findings #42, we decided to run some “real-world” tests on currently available emergency shut-off switches and crew-overboard devices. We examined these after-market options to see what quirks or kinks might appear in everyday boating situations. A kill-switch is a safety device designed to cut electricity to an engine. Gasoline-powered engines require an electrical current to run, so when a kill-switch cuts the electricity from the battery the engine will immediately shut down. Diesel engines, on the other hand, do not require a constant flow of electricity so traditional kill-switches won’t work. The Contenders We tested four different lanyard killswitches: Sea Dog Universal Kill Switch, Cole Hersee Emergency Cut-Off Switch, Sea Choice Kill Switch and Sierra Emergency Cut-Off Switch; and three wireless crewoverboard devices with optional kill-switch features: Emerald Marine Alert2, Maritech Safety Virtual Lifeline and Mobilarm MOBi48 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 lert 720i. We also included two universal kill-switch key sets from Kwik Tek — one for PWCs and one for boats. We quickly realized that it is impossible to evenly compare the lanyard and the wireless systems. Each has its own ideal circumstances and potential limitations. The variables investigated were ease of installation, the length of the lanyards, the force required to pull the key out from various angles and shut off the engine (lanyards), and the time it took for the crewoverboard devices to receive the signal to shut off the engine (wireless). For details on our test methodology and procedures go to www.boatus.com/foundation. some of these models, especially if connecting the unit to a chart plotter or GPS. Round Two: All Wired Up With the lanyard kill-switches freedom of movement is a concern. On a personal watercraft you don’t normally move around much so the risk of accidentally killing the engine is minimal. On larger boats, movement can be a significant factor. On our 22-foot center console, the lanyards were long enough to provide some room to move about but, one of our participants — John Adey, technical director of the American Boat and Yacht Council — noted that we could have easily pulled the key off with a sudden motion. The instructions included Round One: Putting the with one of the units stated that the lanyard Pieces Together is to be worn around the wrist, but many The lanyard kill-switches were the easi- people attach it to their life jackets where it est to install despite the lack of instructions can be easily forgotten. Freedom of movement is also impactin most. If you have ever changed an electrical outlet in your house, you can probably ed by the amount of force required to pull the lanyard key out. Using a digital fish install one of these. We had difficulties with the Cole Hersee because of the oddly- scale, we measured the weight of the pull from several angles and the results varied shaped hole required to accommodate its widely (see chart opposite). The Sierra lanprofile. But its yard demonstrated the unusual shape most resistance and is what makes it would therefore be the more convenient least likely to cause to use. Designed an accidental cut-off. as a simple upThe universal key and-down switch sets rarely fit as well with a protective as the originals. We cover surrounding would recommend it on three sides, buying a replacement it was the only killlanyard from the origiswitch we tested nal manufacturer, if that allowed the possible. engine to be We also found out restarted withhow important it is to out the lanyard We measured the length of the kill switch have a spare key for attached. lanyards to see how much freedom of move- your kill-switch. One Installing of ours flew into the most of the wire- ment would be possible with each water and sank on our less systems first pull-test. Only two of the six lanyards proved to be more complicated. Though we tested had floats attached — the Sierra detailed instructions were included with and the universal set for personal watereach, there were no comprehensive wiring craft. Having a spare is also essential when schematics and the idiosyncrasies commonly found among engines can make folyour helmsman gets thrown overboard with lowing those instructions exasperating. It’s the lanyard attached. Without a spare you a safe bet that the average boater will need can’t restart the boat to go retrieve the pera professional marine electrician to install son in the water. Round Three: The Age of Wireless We tested three wireless crew-overboard devices and found that each has features suited for different boating conditions. Offering more convenience than lanyards, all three provided multiple sensors that could be worn by each person on board. Lanyards only protect the helmsman and you have to remember to detach and then reattach it every time you step away from the steering console. The wireless units can be attached at the beginning of your voyage and left on for the duration of the trip. Each system also had a “rescue mode” to disengage the kill-switch, providing for engine restart and crew-overboard retrieval. The first wireless system we looked at was the Alert2 which offers features that make it a good choice for coastal/offshore boating. Its water-activated sensors send radio signals back to the base unit when wet. An optional radio direction finder (RDF) enables the user to search for the transmitter’s radio signal when retrieving the crew-overboard. This could be a life-saving feature in rough conditions or low visibility. In our tests, the Alert2 matched the lanyards’ time in cutting the engine. When the transmitter got wet the engine died and the alarm sounded instantly. Next was the Virtual Lifeline, which is best suited for inland boating on protected waterways and has a quick response time similar to the lanyards. Its water-activated sensors immediately sound an alarm and cut the engine when submerged. This unit Lanyard Kill-Switches Units Tested Sea Dog - Universal Kill Switch Cole Hersee - Emergency Cut-Off Switch Sea Choice - Kill Switch Sierra - Emergency Cut-Off Switch Man Overboard Systems Units Tested Emerald Marine - Alert 2 s Maritech Safety - Virtual Lifetime XL Mobilarm - Mobi-lert 720i s could also be used as a precautionary mechanism: When swimmers are in the water they could each wear one of the sensors so the skipper can’t restart "Ally," a man overboard the engine until rescue mannequin on everyone is on loan from USCG Auxiliary board. Division 12, is wearing The third the MOBi-lert transmitter wireless unit we tested, the attached at her waist. MOBi-lert, is primarily a crew-overboard alarm device that works by sensing a disruption in the radio signal between the sensor and the base unit. This occurs when the sensor goes outside the range of the signal or is submerged in water. The kill-switch unit that we tested was a prototype made specifically for us and is not yet commercially available. The manufacturer said that the unit may be released as an optional add-on for retail sale later in the year. According to the manufacturer, there is a built-in delay to prevent a false activation, and a second delay on the engine cut-out unit. We timed 11 seconds between the time the sensor went in the water and the alarm. Ten seconds later the engine cut. This convenient delay between alarm and engine-kill allows the boat operator to Ease of Installation Installation Diagram & Directions 1=Hard 5=Easy Yes/No The Lowdown There is no single device that is perfect for every situation. Each has advantages for specific boating conditions. A lanyard kill-switch is a must for anyone boating solo or operating a PWC, but it only provides protection if you’re wearing it. If the helmsman has to attend to something out of reach it would have be detached to avoid accidentally killing the engine. To prevent loss of power at a critical moment it should not be worn in an emergency situation or while docking. The wireless systems provide a safeguard for the entire crew. Each has features suited for a particular environment and should be used in addition to your life jacket and other safety gear. The systems might also be used in conjunction with a lanyard. If the helmsman is simply thrown from his seat and not into the water, only a lanyard will kill the engine giving the pilot time to recover control of the boat. In sum, it is most important to consider the kind of boating you plan to do before making a purchase. — By Amanda Suttles Detachment Force (pull angle) •High •Mid •Low Time from Engine Kill to "Rest" s Seconds 6.11 6.11 6.11 6.11 turn back and pick up the crew-overboard without having to restart the engine. Since the MOBi-lert’s multiple sensors are always on, you’ll always know when your crew is on board. The MOBi-lert is well-suited for coastal and offshore boating as it can also be connected to a GPS or chart plotter and will automatically trigger a crew-overboard waypoint if someone falls into the water. (back) 4 3 4 4 No No No Yes Ease of Installation Installation Diagram & Directions Time from Engine Kill to "Rest" 1=Hard 5=Easy Yes/No Seconds 3 3 2 Yes Yes Yes 6.11 6.25 11.36,21.23 s (side) Lanyard Length (Stretched) (down) 2lbs 4oz 4lbs 2oz 3lbs 1oz 1lbs 4oz 3lbs 1lbs 1lbs 7oz 4lbs 11oz 3lbs 11oz 5lbs 12oz 6lbs 7oz 6lbs 1oz Price Feet/ Inches 64.5 53.5 64.5 53.5 $12.29 $22.99 $27.59 $19.99 Price Optional Add-on Equipment Prices $979.00 $549.00 $1,208.00 Portable RDF - $799 additional sensors - $158 for 2 kill-switch price unavailable s Measured as time between when sensor is dropped in the water (or lanyard pulled out) and when boat came to "rest" - "rest" being defined as when the boat slows enough for it's wake to slap against the stern s Our kit included a receiver ($499) and 2 transmitters ($239 each) s Time elapsed from sensor dropped in the water - First time is when alarm sounded, second time is engine shutdown s Mobi-lert 720i is not yet available in the U.S. Price quoted is for the 7200T, a similar model, which is available in the U.S. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 49 Being a BoatU.S. Member has never been more rewarding, and saving money, never easier. Just show your BoatU.S. Membership Card when making purchases, and once you’ve spent $300, you’ll automatically receive a West Advantage Plus Reward certificate in the mail. Use it towards your next purchase at BoatU.S. and West Marine Stores from coast to coast, on catalog purchases or even online. The choice is yours! Members Get 5% Back… Automatically. 00 BoatU.S. Magazine SeptemberVisit 2005BoatUS.com to find a Marine Center location near you. For your West Advantage Plus Rewards balance, call 877-937-8238. goodfoundations ideas for safe, smart, and clean boating Don’t Be Fuelish – Help Stop the Drops There you are on a sunny Saturday morning fueling up your boat before the start of a great day on the water with your family. Since other boats are waiting to use the gas dock, you are doing your best to fuel quickly and get underway. But before the nozzle can click off, fuel spurts out of the vent over the side of your boat and into the water, leaving you with an illegal, aggravating, and embarrassing mess. We feel your frustration and, sadly, you are not alone. To get to the heart of the problem, the BoatU.S. Foundation surveyed boaters about their fueling habits and nearly 5,000 boaters responded. We also surveyed fuel dock owners. The responses that poured in confirmed our hunch on what we would find. As much as boaters try to prevent them, small fuel spills are a reality that most have experienced at one time or another. Boats just aren’t designed like cars. Boats have large, irregularly shaped fuel tanks. For safety reasons, boat fuel systems are not pressurized and require the presence of a vent. And marina fuel dock pumps often fuel at a much faster rate than their road side gas station cousins. These three factors make it easy for accidental spills to occur. Of course, no one wants to spill fuel. Whether it is fuel prices, gelcoat damage, or concern for the environmental impacts, spilling fuel can be costly. Boaters surveyed detailed the great lengths they go to in order to prevent spills. Some boaters have made extreme modifications to their fueling systems that were nothing short of engineering marvels; others are gymnasts who perform complex maneuvers to cover both the vent and the deck fill at the same time. Finally, there are those who take a “spiritual” approach and turn to divine guidance for preventing spills. “I go slow and PRAY,” said one boater. It shouldn’t be this difficult! Using your input, the BoatU.S. Foundation is working to help make clean fueling easier for all, not just the engineers, gymnasts and the devout. Where Do You Fill Up? From the survey we learned that 65% of you fill up your boats at on-water fuel docks, 20% at roadside gas stations, and 15% with portable jerry jugs. This information has helped to focus our efforts. The BoatU.S. Foundation partnered with over 600 fuel docks nationwide this summer providing them with signage, pump magnets, decals and a No Spill vent collection device to help spread the word about clean fueling. Ask your fuel dock if they are a part of our “Help Stop the Drops” program. For those of you that fill up at gas stations and with portable jerry jugs, you haven’t been forgotten. Our new Web site, www.helpstopthedrops.com contains a special section dedicated to the particular challenges faced by trailer boaters. Many boaters complained that the new California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved-jerry jugs, which are mandated by law in many areas, are extremely difficult to use without spilling. We are currently testing jerry jugs to determine which designs work best for pouring and reducing the chances of a spill. Stay tuned for more information. What’s the Problem? When we asked where spills occur, most boaters pointed to the vent. Other sources are backsplash from the deck fill and drips from the nozzle. Armed with this knowledge we are looking closer at that troublesome vent. In March 2005 the Foundation tested a variety of products designed to help prevent fuel spills. From the testing we determined that the footballshaped Racor Fuel/Air separator is effective at preventing spills from the vent. One boater in our survey said, “This spring I installed a fuel/air separator in my vent line. This season I have not spilled one drop of fuel out my vent.” A fuel/air separator is a simple device that can be installed directly into your tank’s overboard vent line. Many boaters in the survey sang the praises of vent capture bottles, a less expensive option that attaches with suction cups over the vent and catches any spills that escape before they can reach the water. “One fuel dock I now use started to provide a fuel spill container that gets suction cupped to the fuel vent. I think that was a cheap and effective way to help prevent fuel spills at the dock,” said one. You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers In the Foundation’s fuel survey we asked the questions, but it seems survey respondents posed just as many questions of their own. Why is refueling a car different than refueling a boat? Why doesn’t my fuel gauge work? How am I supposed to dispose of fuel soaked rags? Why doesn’t the nozzle click off in time? What is the law regarding spilling fuels? This tells us that the work to educate boat owners is far from over. To help answer these questions we’ve created a new Web site dedicated to Clean Fueling at www.helpstopthedrops.com. The good news is that many boaters reported dramatically reducing the frequency of accidental spills by following our tips and paying closer attention while fueling. The BoatU.S. Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization primarily supported by donations from individuals and grants. Please visit BoatUS.com/foundation for more information. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 51 timearound Boston Whaler 260 Outrage www.whaler.com For those of us of a certain age, there are perhaps no more iconic boating ads than those of the 1960s that featured two halves of a Boston Whaler floating, with passengers still aboard, after the boat had been sawed completely in half. Since that time, Boston Whaler has built a worldwide reputation for building safe, unsinkable boats with tremendous lateral stability and exceptional load capacities. Unfortunately the same features that lead to these desirable characteristics resulted in a less desirable reputation for a rather punishing ride, particularly in rough water. The Outrage 260 model, actually 27’ 10” in length overall including the bow pulpit, was introduced in 1998 and remained in production through the 2002 model year. Maximum beam was kept to 8’ 6” so that the boat could be transported over the road without special permits, although at more than 5,000 lbs. loaded a large vehicle is needed for the task. The Outrage 260 featured Whaler’s newer “deep-V” hull form and a considerably softer ride in rough water than earlier models. However, innovation in design did not cause Boston Whaler to change their commitment to building strong, unsinkable boats. The Outrage 260 is built with a rather traditional layup of chopped strand, unidirectional and woven fiberglass fabrics with plastic resin. What sets the Outrage 260, and all Boston Whaler’s models for that matter, apart is not what goes into their construction, but how the parts are assembled. Whaler’s “Unibond” construction system joins the two fiberglass halves – the outer shell and liner — with closed cell foam in between while the foam is still in a liquid state so that all are bonded into a single foam core hull that is unsinkable even when sawed in half, with the added benefit of being strong and very rigid. The deck is built in a similar fashion and joined to the hull with epoxy adhesive and mechanical 52 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 fasteners. Hardware is through-bolted where the underside is accessible and tapped into plywood or plastic backing plates molded into the composite where it is not. Although the oldest Outrage 260 has not yet reached 10 years in service, they are holding up well. Plywood reinforced transoms are susceptible to water penetration and eventually deterioration if motor mounts and other hardware are not properly main- to steer while seated so Whaler has had the foresight to design the seat to serve a dual purpose as a leaning post. For safety there are stainless steel handrails around the helm seat, a secure bow rail, and grab handles on each side of the seat bench forward of the helm. Decks have an aggressive molded-in nonskid surface for secure footing and there are forward, aft and midship mooring cleats. Whaler has done a good job of providing a usable, if somewhat cramped, head beneath the center console. The head is accessed via a starboard bi-fold door and includes a small sink and storage locker. Most Outrage 260s are powered by twin 225-hp Mercury OptiMax outboard engines although occasionally other power options will be found. The Outrage 260 will reach an impressive top speed of nearly 50 mph and cruise literally all day long at 30 mph thanks to the tained. And, if the hull is damaged severely 200-gallon fuel tank beneath the cockpit enough so that the foam core is immersed deck. At 30 mph the Outrage 260 has a in water for a prolonged period of time, range of more than 400 nautical miles. water absorption can complicate repair. Another notable feature is the removable The Outrage 260 is a large “center con- hatch which allows full access to the fuel sole” sportfisherman. And, from the locking tank. Now here is a manufacturer who took stainless steel rod racks beneath the gunABYC’s standard for fuel tank accessibility nels to a large live-bait well at the port stern, seriously. few, if any, fishing features are left out. In mid-September 2006, there were There are two fish boxes built into the cock- more than 20 Outrage 260s offered for sale pit sole which are 10 inches wide, one foot at Yachtworld.com with asking prices rangdeep and nearly six feet long. The cockpit is ing from $36,000 to $65,000 and most 27 inches deep with a vinyl upholstered bol- included twin 225-hp outboards and several ster at just the right height for the average included tandem axel trailers. A search of person to brace against when fighting larger the limited access Web site SoldBoats.com fish. There is a foldaway seat forward of the found reports of 18 Outrage 260s sold over outboard motor well that stores out of the the last year with reported selling prices way when not needed. Forward of the center ranging from $34,000 for a 1999 model to console there is a bench seat and there are $64,000 for a 2001 model. two angled bow seats with storage beneath. The Outrage 260 will make an ideal The back of the port bow seat lifts to reveal bay or coastal fishing boat, but with better more rod storage. A foredeck locker has than a 400-mile range, a big boat feel and plenty of storage for the anchor rode and abundant safety features, she is offshore even a cleat for securing the bitter end of capable and easily reaches the deep-water the rode. The anchor is securely stowed into fishing spots along the Eastern seaboard. a centerline slot of the bow pulpit. I must admit to not being the most avid or Whaler has made efficient use of every accomplished fisherman but it seems to available space although, as with most large me the Offshore 260 has all the features center console models, the helm seat is too of a 26-foot fishing boat that anglers would far away from the helm to allow the operator want. 71% of boats sold in the U.S. are bought used. Many of these have an enduring appeal, having withstood the test of time. In each issue, we’ll feature a review of one powerboat and one sailboat by noted naval architect and surveyor Jack Hornor. Hunter 410 www.huntermarine.com Our dockmate for the last two years has been the owner of a Hunter 410. Its style with abundant freeboard, bulbous shape and cockpit arch may be features that sailors may have strong opinions about, for and against, although they seem to agree the comfortable accommodations, the bright, well-ventilated interior and reasonable price are to their liking. I had forgotten how popular this model was during her brief five-year production run until, on a recent overnight at one of our favorite anchorages, three Hunter 410s were anchored nearby accounting for a quarter of the boats in the anchorage. Introduced in 1998, the Hunter 410 was the product of the company’s in-house design team and is aimed at providing the maximum people accommodations that can be packed into her 40’ 8” overall length. Buyers could choose from a two- or three-cabin layout sleeping either six or eight persons. The three-cabin layout was particularly popular with the charter trade. Original purchasers were also able to choose a shoal draft keel configuration drawing just 5’ or a deep draft model drawing 6’5”. The design style is what I would call American contemporary and may not appeal to the more traditional minded but it certainly has a loyal following. Like most modern production boats, the Hunter 410 is constructed with an exterior coat of vinylester resin to hopefully eliminate the osmotic blisters common to many manufacturers in the 1970s and 1980s. Vinylester resins have been used in exterior coatings of most entry level fiberglass boats for nearly 10 years now and in coatings of custom and high-end production boats for even longer. It seems to be doing its intended job as osmotic blisters have been dramatically reduced. The 410’s hull below the waterline is a solid layup of alternating layers of chopped strand fiberglass mat and woven roving fiberglass cloth and polyester resin. Above the waterline, a 3/8” balsa wood core is used between fiberglass laminates for stiffness and lighter weight. Decks are a composite of fiberglass and plywood core except aluminum plates replace the plywood in the way of hardware attachments. The deck and hull are joined with an outturned flange, bolted on six-inch centers, sealed with 3M 5200 and covered with a heavy duty vinyl extrusion. I had a firsthand opportunity several years ago to see how well this construction method stood up to punishment when I inspected the damage to a Hunter that had an unfortunate encounter with a day marker at six knots. Though battered and bruised, the fiberglass layup proved to be very well done, and other than at the point of impact, there was no delamination or separation of the balsa core. The cockpit of the Hunter 410 is very comfortable with deep seats, high seat backs, good storage in the seat lockers and additional storage in lockers on the sugar-scoop transom swim platform. The mainsheet and traveler is attached to the arch over the cockpit and there is no backstay with this rig so these normal cockpit obstructions are removed. There are 24inch-high double lifelines and stainless steel stanchions along the side decks, a welded stainless steel bow rail and an anchor locker and windless on the foredeck. There are no fewer than 11 opening ports and deck hatches which provide excellent cabin ventilation and there are six large fixed port lights allowing light below. All the ports and windows make for cheery, bright interiors on both arrangement plans of the Hunter 410. The main saloon features a starboard galley at the base of the companionway and port head and shower. Moving forward there is a large U-shaped dinette to starboard opposite a settee and navigation table. Forward of the main saloon is a cabin with a Pullman berth to starboard and hanging locker and bench seat to port. This cabin is pushed far enough forward that the Pullman berth is necessarily narrow and not ideal for an adult couple. The second head is all the way forward. Aft and tucked under the cockpit is either a master stateroom with an athwartships queen berth or mirror image quarter berth cabins with fore and aft double berths. Standard equipment includes 145-gallon fresh water supply which certainly comes in handy. On the downside, storage is rather limited for a 41-footer. Auxiliary power is provided by a 50-hp Yanmar diesel engine with excellent 270degree access for service and useful 50-gallon fuel supply. I have not actually had an opportunity to go sailing for any length of time on a Hunter 410, and the reports from those who have range from fantastic to marginal. As is often the case, performance evaluations depend a great deal on the sailor’s expectations. Generally, owners seem well pleased with performance reaching and running in moderate conditions although reports are less glowing in light air and sailing to weather. Hunter reports the sail area/displacement ratio as 18.2 which I suspect includes the mainsail roach area. My own calculations suggest the number is closer to 17. The displacement length ratio is quite light at 165 which may account for reported rough rides when beating into rough weather. This was a popular model for Hunter and there are usually quite a few offered for sale at reasonable prices. This summer, more than 40 were on boatworld.com and hunterowners.com at asking prices ranging from $79,000 to $190,000, while 23 reported sales over the last year have ranged from $95,000 to $175,000. There are still Hunter 410s available for charter which affords interested purchasers a unique opportunity for a very thorough test sail before deciding if it is the right boat for you. Jack Hornor, N.A. is the principal surveyor and senior designer for the Annapolisbased Marine Survey & Design Co. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 53 seaworthy Damage Avoidance Why Outboard-Powered Boats Sink at the Dock Any boat can, theoretically, sink in a heavy rain storm. But a recent Seaworthy study found that this is the most common reason outboard-powered boats sink at the dock, accounting for 47% of sinkings. Here’s why: Most outboard-powered boats typically have low freeboard (distance from the gunwales to the waterline), large cockpits and just a couple of drains aft to carry water overboard. In a heavy rainstorm, water can quickly back up and flood the cockpit, especially when drains are full of gunk. The additional weight then shoves the stern down and water begins to flood back through the drains. What can you do to stop your boat from sinking in a heavy rain, besides moving to Arizona? For one thing, drains should routinely be cleared of debris (use a water hose with a lot of pressure). The best defense, however, if you think your boat is vulnerable, is to keep water from getting into the cockpit in the first place. Keep a cover over the cockpit so that rainwater (or snow) is directed overboard. Another 20% of dock sinkings were caused by failed underwater through-hull fittings, the majority of which were plastic. (The latter do not meet the American Boat & Yacht Council standards and were likely added by dealers or do-it-yourself owners. Only bronze or Marelon fittings meet the standards for use below the waterline.) A recent marine insurance claim involved a plastic fitting on a 23-foot fiberglass fishing boat that, according to the surveyor, became brittle and broke. The boat itself had been well maintained. The through-hull leaked into a small area of the bilge until the weight of the extra water forced the cockpit scuppers under and the boat sank. Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. Plastic through-hulls are easily broken and should be replaced with bronze or Marelon fittings. The latter are much sturdier and the difference in cost is only a few dollars. A significant number of boats also sank at the dock due to problems with live wells, which are a common feature in fishing boats. Live wells are often plumbed to an underwater through-hull fitting to bring water into the box and sometimes have drains that empty into the bilge (a poor arrangement, as anyone with a nose can attest). All it takes is a leaking fitting, loose hose 54 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 clamp, or a cross-threaded seacock for the live well to allow seawater into the bilge. At this point, it’s only a matter of time until the bilge pump quits and the boat sinks. Other potential problems occur with hardware-store PVC valves, through-hulls with no seacocks, and installations that allow back-siphoning into the live well. A couple of sinkings were embarrassing — forgotten drain plugs. Tying your drain plug to your boat’s key is an easy way to avoid being red-faced at the launch ramp. Above-waterline fittings accounted for 10% of dock sinkings. Many owners install new fourstroke engines to replace the two-stroke engines that came with the boat, but four-stroke engines Water from the sky—not from below—is the most common reason outare heavier and will force board boats sink at the dock. A partially clogged drain is all it takes to make a stern down further into a boat’s stern heavy enough to allow water to backflow through scupper the water — maybe far drains. The best defense (aside from hauling out) is a close fitting cover enough that the self-bailthat directs water overboard. ing cockpit scuppers are and stern lines can help. So too can moorat the waterline. Rain or a forgotten cooler ing whips (flexible fiberglass poles that hold could be just enough to force the scuppers under and sink the boat. Other sinkings were a boat away from the dock). There are also devices on lines or pilings that allow lines to attributed to a leaking jack plate, a missing remain taut through rising and falling tides. rigging boot that allowed rain to enter the Chronic docking headaches can almost bilge, and a cracked and leaking scupper. always be remedied by moving the boat to a Also, the white plastic transom fittings used for scuppers become brittle and crack in the larger slip. Finally, boats that were overexposed to sun — and cracks in a fitting have the same waves at the dock accounted for another 9% effect as a small hole in the boat. Bronze or of sinkings. Most were being kept at private Marelon fittings are immune to the weather docks, which are often far more exposed to and are an easy replacement. waves than marina docks. If the boat must Nine percent of all dock sinkings were be kept at an exposed dock, the bow should caused by poor docking arrangements. In be facing open water. An even better alterareas with significant tidal ranges and fixed native, especially if your boat has low freedocks, loosely tied boats can get the gunboard, is a trailer or storage rack. wale or transom stuck under a dock as the — By Chuck Fort tide rises; the boat is pinned down and the cockpit drains backfill into the boat. Lines Subscriptions to the quarterly magazine must be taut to prevent the boat from movSeaworthy are $10 per year. For more informaing under the dock but also loose enough to tion go to BoatUS.com/Seaworthy or call accommodate tide changes. Crossing bow 703-823-9550, ext. 3276. atyourservice MEMBERSHIP BoatU.S. Key Tags Save the Day Through the years, members have requested “key tags” to make it easier to keep their membership number close by. We listened and late last year the Association started sending out key tags to new and renewing members. Little did we know it would also help get lost keys back. So far this year, BoatU.S. member’s keys — with key tags attached — have been found in a U.S. Postal Service bulk mail center, a candy store and not surprisingly, on the ground in a marina. When the keys were found, good Samaritans called the 800-395-2628 membership information line number on the tag to report the find and in turn, we con- tacted the member directly to let them arrange a key pick-up. (note: the key tags only have your name and membership number; we will not give out your contact information unless you authorize us). One BoatU.S. member who had keys returned told us that the money spent on his membership was nothing compared to cost of replacing his automobile and house keys. Another member nearly missed his first day at a new job but got his keys back in the nick of time. We just think helping to get your lost keys returned is another great reason for being a member of BoatU.S. Give the Gift of BoatU.S. Membership Holiday Cards Now Available: Free Imprinting BoatU.S. membership will save your friends money on the things that are important to them. Just fill out the gift membership application card between pages 52 and 53 and receive a free gift for yourself. Picking the right holiday card is easy with a line of nautically themed greetings available from the BoatU.S. Foundation. You’ll find a selection of 40 different boating themed cards with lighthouse, powerboat, sailboat, Santa and nautical scenes. Tower Tip of the Month: From Capt. Robert Estrada of TowBoatU.S. Lake Lanier: “The more people who know when you are supposed to return, the better, so filing a float plan should be done every time you go out. It doesn’t have to be anything more complicated than letting a relative or friend know where your going and what time you expect to be back. And the float plan should include a telephone call to the family member or friend upon your return. That way, if they don’t get the call, they’ll know to contact the authorities. Another good tip is to know where you are at all times. This is especially true if you are on an unfamiliar lake or renting a boat for the afternoon. Before you go out, take the time to make sure you have a chart or map aboard and review it. On Lake Lanier, we routinely get requests for assistance from boaters who try to give us their location by saying, ‘I can see the water tower,” or, ‘I can see the condos on the hill’.’ Unfortunately for them, the water tower can be seen from about half of the lake and the condos can be seen from all over. This is the main reason why delays in assistance occur.” Member Mailbag When looking to buy boat insurance, knowing how an insurer handles a claim is an important indicator of the policy’s true value. Here’s a letter from both a boater and Cooperating Marina owner who sees insurance from two points of view: Dear BoatU.S.: Your insurance buying tips press release was excellent and I will post in our Ship’s Store. We personally have BoatU.S. insurance and were completely satisfied with the way BoatU.S. handled our claim after three hurricanes in 2004. The day after Frances moved out, the BoatU.S. Insurance “Catastrophe” Team moved in. Jack Hornor was the team leader and he did an outstanding job. BoatU.S. took care of all of their insureds before the other companies were even getting started. Some insurance companies took five months to get sunk boats out. Many of our boaters watched the BoatU.S. team in action, while still waiting to hear from their adjustor, and said, “When my insurance is due for renewal, I will switch to BoatU.S.” We promote BoatU.S. insurance at every opportunity because we know you are the best. Ed Carter formerly of Diamond 99 Marina now Windward Harbor Marina Melbourne, FL Come See Us At the Fall Boat Shows — And Win a New Radio! The best part is the non-profit Foundation gets a donation with each purchase to help fund boating safety and clean water programs throughout the year. Free imprinting is available on orders of three boxes or more. To view the cards and order go to: holidaycardcenter.org/boat. For other ways to help support the Foundation go to BoatUS.com/Foundation. BoatU.S. will have a booth at some of the major boat shows this fall and winter so plan to stop by and receive a free lanyard. While there you may also enter to win a new Raymarine Ray101 VHF marine radio, donated by Raymarine (no purchase necessary). You can also save postage by renewing your membership or upgrading your towing while there. San Diego Boat Show Jan. 4 - 7 San Diego, CA Mid-America Sail & Power Boat Show Jan. 12 - 21 Cleveland, OH Seattle Boat Show Jan. 25 - Feb 3 Seattle WA 50th Annual Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show Jan. 29 - Feb 4 Tulsa OK BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 55 BoatU.S.exchange SALE OR TRADE - POWER 10’2’’ LEISURE LIFE Bass Tender 1996. Minn Kota 35a motor, Venture trailer, model vb700. Asking $595. Glen Mills, PA. (302)7983150, call for add’l details 14’ WOLVERINE (by Wagemaker) runabout 1956. 100% restored, ACBS show winner, ideal ‘’tender’’ to large classic yacht, newly varnished inside & out, unused (stored indoors), seats 5, lightweight (bow & stern handles), watertight double mahogany cold-molded epoxy hull, electric horn, bowlight, sternlight, Wolverine burgee & staff, 25hp Johnson & trailer incl. $6,800. NJ(610)277-2121, (610)296-4878 19’ SEA-PRO 1996. 115 Evinrude w/ss prop, GPS, fish finder, trickle charger, dual batteries, custom T-top, custom trailer. 101 original hrs. Garage kept. $13,000/obo. Conroe, TX, Bryan,(281)363-2110, (281)543-2676, bryan@allpawn.com 19’6’’ YAMAHA jet boat & trailer LS2000 1999. New canvas cover, bimini & bow cover. Dealer serviced, twin 135hp Yamaha’s. $9,500. Marco Island, FL(973)418-6869, TVALIANTE@aol.com 20’ PLAYCRAFT deckboat 1995. Force 90hp, four fishing chairs & a l l e q u i p m e n t . A s k i n g $ 6,0 0 0. O c e a n C i t y, M D, lobodevoe@mchsi.com 20’ PRO-LINE center console 1992. Includes trailer & 130 Yamaha 1992. Very good cond. In storage. $5,000. Bradenton, FL(978)8875164, (941)778-7349 after 12/13, rsmales@aol.com 21’ AQUASPORT 215 Explorer 2002. Yamaha 200hp radar arch/jrc color radar/GPS plotter, Raytheon l750 fishfinder, outriggers, Kenwood AM/FM/CD Pioneer speakers, spreader lights, Venture trailer. $28,000. Staten Island, NY(917)447-7845, reesemon55@aol.com 21’ CROWNLINE 210 cuddy 1996. Fresh water only, 5.7 liter Mercruiser I/O, 109 hrs. LoadRite tandem trrailer, boat & trailer like new. $16,300/obo. Hop Bottom, PA(570)289-1070, peamjam60@yahoo.com 21’ MASTERCRAFT Maristar 2003. Bow rider w/wakeboard tower, seats 9 comfortably (11 rated capacity). I/B (V drive) 350hp Vortec MCX 5.7L EFI engine (132 hrs). Bimini top, storage cover, cockpit& tonneau mooring covers, swim platform, digital depth finder, CD player w/4 speakers, cockpit table, Perfect Pass speed control. Mastercraft galvanized single axle bunk trailer w/brakes & spare tire. Used mostly in fresh water & is in excellent cond. $42,000. Located in Vineland, NJ(856)696-0729, bruce.fenton@comcast.net 21’ ROBALO 2120 1999. Bimini top, depth sounder, GPS, bait tank, storage tackle center, fish box, batteries-dual, O/B. Power tilt/trim, propeller/stainless steel, swim step w/fold down ladder. Always keep in dry storage. $17,000. Amelia Island Yacht Basin, FL(904)3212450, oswenson@aol.com 22’ BOSTON WHALER Revenge 1980. Rare 185hp Mercruiser I/O, much wood, 740 hrs, good cond, never painted. Tandem axle trailer, many extras. $15,900. Middlesex, NJ(732)469-2232 22’ FOUR WINNS 210 Horizon 2005. 5.7 Volvo 280hp SS prop 93 hrs, warranty extended option. White w/blue boot. Sirius satellite, water toys. $27,999. MD(410)924-3045, jlsmith@goeaston.net 22’ SEA-PRO 220WA 2004. 225hp Yamaha 4 stroke, GPS, VHF, stereo, full canvas enclosure, tandem axle trailer. $29,900. Hertford, NC(410)889-4863, CRK@KPA-ENGINEERS.COM 23’ 4’’ SEA HUNT 2005. Coupled with a Verado 225, this Sea Hunt craft is an outstanding ride. $39,700. TX(361)485-9834, finncr@msn.com 23’ SPORTCRAFT 232 Fishmaster 1995. Mint: Dad’s boat, hardly used, only 200hrs. Stored indoors. New 2006 trailer, cuddy, sink, stove, windlass, GPS, depth, VHS, stereo. $16,000. Sherborn, MA(978)815-0127, anytime 23’ YAMAHA SX230HO jet boat 2005. Immaculate, less than 20 hrs, many extras. $29,500. St. Petersburg, FL(727)871-4447, dtwilds@msn.com 23’3’’ WELLCRAFT Eclipse 223 1992. Trailer included. $9,500. Columbus, OH(614)571-6553, crazguitar@aol.com 23’5’’ BAYLINER Ciera 1998. Less than 100 hrs. New motor, new trailer w/surge brakes. 5.0 motor. Kitchen never used, stand up bathroom. $18,000. MD(301)855-3054 23’5’’ RINKER Captiva Liberty Edition 2003. 5.0MPI 260hp Merc warranty 2008. Fully loaded, full canvas, cockpit bim, 5yr hull warranty. Showroom cond, must see, in water ready to test. $26,000. NY(516)662-3968 56 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 24’ BAYLINER 2452 1995. New engine & reconditioned I/O make this a like-new boat. Makes a great cruiser/fishing boat w/trailer to go anywhere. $15,000. Shadyside, MD, J-Ernst@peoplepc.com 28’ MARINETTE Express 1970. Repowered 2001, 5.0L Mercruiser, <30hrs, elec head, galley, slps 4. Ready to hit the water. $9,995. Pasadena, MD(301)570-0039, boat@simelectronics.com 24’ CHRIS CRAFT 240 cuddy 1998. Excellent cond, great for watersports or overnights! 310hp Volvo Duoprop, lift-kept, frig, color chartplotter, fishfinder, etc. $23,000/obo. Priced below NADA. MD(301)529-1186 28’ OWENS Baroness flagship 1964. 225hp gas, full delta canvas, 2006 new zippers & bottom paint. Frig, gen, depth/fish finder, BBQ. Comes w/slip. $17,900. Oxbow Marina, CA(775)359-6427 24’ MAXUM 2400 bowrider 1997. 120 hrs fresh water used only, VHF radio, porta-potti, 350 Mercury w/Alpha 1, tandem axle trailer. 16,500/obo. Philadelphia, PA(215)778-5298, joester17@hotmail.com for more info or pictures 24’ RAMPAGE Express 1990. Exc cond. New: trimtabs, isinglas, hardtop, canvas, manifolds, risers. Low hrs, Rupps, a/pilot, frsh/salt wshdowns. Steal @ $17,000/obo. Stuart, FL(772)530-1650 24’ SPLENDOR Platinum Cat bowrider 1998. Merc 5.71 engine, 147 hrs, maintenance records, brochures. Kept on lift. $17,000. Cape Coral, FL, samnpamrok@aol.com 24’ WELLCRAFT hardtop walkaround 2000. 200 hours max, 225hp Ocean Pro, fixed head, electric anchor, etc. Tandem trailer included! $28,500. Tampa, FL, Frank,(813)918-2691 days, (813)877-8781, evenings 24’6’’ CROWNLINE 260EX 2004. Custom tow cover, Rolco trailer, swim platform, bow, stern ladders, head, depth gauge, AM/FM CD, bim, wired remote, flip up arm rests on bow lounges & more. Inland lake use only, under 100 hrs. Kids moved away & too much boat for the 2 of us. Was $66,500 new. Asking $49,000. Carl Junction, MO(417)768-1172, d.ladue@mchsi.com 25’ PRO-LINE walk 2003. Hard top, twin 150 Mercury motors, kept inside, 100 hrs. Deluxe electronics, chart plotter, outriggers, stove, potty. $49,000. Jupiter, FL, boat186@aol.com 25’ REGAL 242 Commodore 1999. $26,900/neg. Hudson, FL (727)819-9717, karenjmusket@msn.com 25’ TIARA 1978. Flybridge cabin cruiser. Fully loaded, only 500 running hrs. Fresh water only. Slps 4. Flawless. Asking $18,000. Bend, OR(541)385-9350 26’ 7’’ BAYLINER Ciera 2655 SD 2002. Wide beam 9’ 6’’ low hrs, loaded! Mag. 350/300hp MPI, Bravo III drive ss props. Slps 4. Full galley, head & shower, engine & trailer perko flush sys, dealer maintained! $44,000. Boat in water at Cape May, NJ(610)269-5133, y2kgooey@aol.com 26’ MAKO 261 1988. 2002 C/R Bombadaire 200s, newer elecs, 2004 tlr, O/Rs, a/pilot, hdtop, great cond. $32,000. Leonardo, NJ(732)708-1351 26’ SEA RAY 260 Sundancer 2001. Bought new July, 2002. Full canvas, SS prop, GPS/fish finder, dry stored. $59,500. Panama City, FL(850)769-3313 26’ SEA RAY SRV268 Sundancer 1987. Very good condition. Camper covers, GE 110v a/c, SS prop, 482 hrs, 454 cu in Mercruiser Alpha One. $9,995. Delran, NJ, glief6@comcast.net 27’ CHAPARRAL SIG 270 2004. Fully loaded, mint cond. 160 hrs Volvo twin 225’s. Must see. $89,999. Lantana, FL(561)641-7877, execproducer5@yahoo.com 27’ CHAPARRAL Signature Series 1991. One owner. Aft cabin. Full galley. No bottom paint. Trailer included. Excellent cond. Like new enclosures. Many extras. Slps six. $32,000. CA(951)688-3491, RJOCELLO@EARTHLINK.NET 27’ GRADY WHITE sailfish 1999. Yamaha 225’s, Raymarine color radar/GPS, Furuno color 1850 GPS, 582 Furuno color fishfinder, a/pilot, 3 axle trailer, low hrs, many extras, off-shore equipped, excellent condition. $69,900. Va Beach, VA(757)486-5454, jzydron@bandzlaw.com 27’ TIARA 2700 open 1988. Twin 270hp Crusader engines, I/B, 1000 hrs, VHF radio, depth sounder, GPS, new cabin headliner, new cockpit seat & bolster vinyl, new canvas. Asking $54,900. Algonac, MI(810)326-4147, jjfitz1@Lycos.com 28’ ALBIN tournament express 1999. 300hp Yanmar diesel, range 182 gal fuel, electrncs, full galley, slps 4, aft cabin, windlass, hardtop, full canvas, bow thruster, white hull, grey non skid. $98,000. NJ, SHEEHANJB@AOL.COM 28’ CHAPARRAL Signature 280 2002. Low hrs, twin V8’s, many extras, kept in covered boat lift, tri-axle trailer, warrranty on engines & generator. $74,800. Brandon, MS, bruce _ ainsworth@bellsouth.net 28’ ELLIS lobster yacht 1988. 230 Yanmar diesel, low hrs, fully equipped for comfortable & extended cruising. Excellent condition. Wonderful boat. $96,500. Kittery, ME(603)433-4445 28’ SEA RAY 280DA Sundancer 2004. New in 2005 twin 4.3 Mercruisers, 40hrs, loaded, heat/ac, camper canvas. Zodiac/6hp Merc mounted on swim platform, slps 5, TV/DVD, blue hull. $80,000. MI(248)446-9822 28’ THUNDERBIRD Formula Sun Sport 1996. New work mech. She’s in great shape! $35,000. Charlestown, MD(610)857-3211, smarchetti@dca.net 28’3’’ FORMULA 27 PC 2003. Like new, only 80 hrs, twin Merc 350 Mags, lift kept. Loaded w/options, transferable 5 year limited warranty. $101,500. Joppa, MD(410)679-4948, fuzy2222@aol.com 29’ PHOENIX convertible 1984. 5.7 MerCruisers, head, shower, stove. Slps 6. Fully enclosed flybridge. $25,000. Danvers, MA, dmyette@yahoo.com 29’ PHOENIX sportfisher 1996. T-350’s, radar, plotter, a/pilot, windlass, genset, tv, stereo, micrwv, flybridge enclosure, new cover. $69,500. A very clean boat located in Galesville, MD, Jim, (304)725-3239, evenings 29’ REGAL 2760 Commodore 1999. No bottom paint, lift kept, twin Volvo 4.3GL I/O. Great shape. Asking $41,000. Boat kept in Tampa, FL, Richard, (813)765-8231 29’ SEA RAY 290 Sundancer 1997. 520hrs, reblt 7.4L Mercr, new Bravo3 w/Duopro, new starter & alternator, full electronics, slps 6, windlass, other extras. $49,000/obo. Hudgins, VA(804)725-9343, gib@gwynnsislandboatel.com 29’ SHAMROCK walkaround 2000. 2-4 cyl Yanmar diesel engines, 300 hrs on engines, many extras. $95,000. Orange Beach, AL(601)271-7358, (601)606-7777, ydcabc@netdoor.com 30’ CARVER Santego 1989. Twin 350 Mercs w/Alpha One outdrives. Runs great. New interior. Roomy open cabin. Slps 5. Fuel efficient & fast. $39,900. Marblehead, OH(740)262-0508 30’ MAINSHIP Pilot 30 II 2004. 240hp Yanmar diesel, bowthruster, heat/ac, inverter, windlass, Garmin 182C chartplotter, depth, VHF, loaded, mint. $104,900. Bayshore, NY(631)587-0196, dsleiman@optonline.net 30’ PROLINE 2950 walkaround 1996. Twin 225 O/B, electronics, full head, fore/aft cabin, many extras. $40,000. Newburyport, MA(603)560-3755 31’ AWESOME catamaran 2002. True tunnel, T496’s, full external hydraulic steering, gaffrig gauges, bezels, controls, graphics by Mitcher T. Manning, 3 axle trailer. $125,000/obo. Peoria, IL(309)692-5218 31’ BERTRAM S.F. 1966. Twin 7.4 Mer I/B, low hrs. GPS, radar, depth finder. 2 radios. $40,000. Freeport, NY(516) 378-6065 31’ CARVER Santego 1996. Asking $59,900. Located in Annapolis, MD(410)269-6650, scurlock1236@earthlink.net 31’ CHRIS CRAFT 1960. Originally owned by the Budweiser family. Great cond, steel hull, mahogany interior, newly restored. Marine V8, gasoline, Chris Craft (GM) 283, 185hp engines. Beam 11’4’’, draft 2’5’’. HIN #ROX-31-179. Loved by my father for 10 years on both Lake Minnetonka & St. Croix. Market value $32,500, replacement cost $100,000. Best offer considered. MN, Katherine (952)217-1176 31’ CHRIS CRAFT Commander 1966. Fiberglass, t/Chevy 327’s, only 900 hrs, will send full list & pictures. $15,000. Wilmington, IL(815)476-6462, lwebase@juno.com 31’ CHRIS CRAFT flybridge commander 1972. All F/G construction. New epoxy barrier & bottom paint, new struts & cutless bearings. Propane stove, frig-freezer, dual controls, bimini, Lectra-San Type I head, VHF-FM radio, 2 D/F plus spare. One of Chris Craft’s prettiest, most rugged & most popular designs. $19,900. Marco Island, FL (239)394-0430 31’ CONTENDER 2002. T225 Yamaha 4 stroke, ext warranty till 2008. Many extras! $91,500. Miami, FL(305)467-8669, agtg@bellsouth.net 31’ FORMULA PC 1998. Excel cond, new a/c & covers, deluxe mattress. Includes all equipment plus most factory options. Retiring from boating. $93,000. Rock Hall, MD(302)999-7321, rmiff@aol.com 31’ TIARA Continental 1983. A well cared for family cruising, fishing machine. Twin Crusader 350hp 454s w/1300 hrs of light service. Make offer. MD, bobhartn@aol.com 32’ ALBIN 2001. This vessel defines ‘’Bristol’’. Yanmar 350hp, gen, a/c, a/pilot. Custom int cabinetry, ‘’top shelf electronics’’, sunpad, St. Croix davits, too many custom additions to list. Priced to sell. $198,000. FL(772)342-1214 32’ LUHRS open sportfish 1994. 1100 hrs, top condition, twin 454’s, all electronics, air/gen, fully equipped. $99,000. Hertford, NC, fbillek@yahoo.com 32’ MARINETTE flybridge sedan 1986. One owner since new: delivered January 1987. Twin 240hp Chrysler 318 cid V-8’s w/approximately 975 hrs, 6.5 kw Onan generator w/approximately 500 hrs. 16,000 BTU reverse cycle a/c, 150 gal fuel, 35 gal water, 12 gal combination electric/engine heated hot water tank, cockpit bimini new August 2005. Bottom paint new July 2005. Three bank, 30A battery charger new July 2005. Two gel cell batteries new July 2004. AM/FM/CD radio new July 2004. Dual VHF radios, halon, depthsounder, fuel flowmeter, trim tabs. Two spare props, one spare shaft. Complete maintenance & operating logbook. $42,000. TN(901)761-3428 home, (901) 647-2052 cell Two Ways Your Next Boat Loan Can Cost You Less... •Low Rates •Discounted 32’ MARINETTE sedan 1986. 318s, 7.5 gen, new interior & sound incl CD changer, micrwv, TV, extras. New bim & seats. Well maintained. $45,750. Louisville, KY(502)239-1715, bob.thomas@insightbb.com 32’ MARINETTE sedan/bridge 1987. This is an extremely well equipped & well-cared for boat. Has always been a freshwater, Great Lakes boat. $48,600. Port Clinton, OH(440)773-9821 32’ SEA RAY 320 Sundancer 2003. 110 hrs on 350MPI FWC I/B. All std equip plus radar/GPS/plotter, generator & much more. This boat is like new! $135,000. Kingston, NY (718)852-8900, pdechar@aol.com 32’ SILVERTON 312 1995. Excellent cond, twin 5 ltr. MerCruiser Alfa-One. Slps 6, a/c, radar, GPS, VHS. Fully equipped, 375 hours, winterized, storage paid. $57,000. IL, stnolan@juno.com 32’ TROJAN sedan bridge 1978. Very good cond, low hrs, recent interior, slps 6, P.W.C lift. Too many options to list. $28,000. Belmont Harbor, Chicago, IL(630)495-8600, (630)247-4140 Documentation If you’re in the market for a new boat, take advantage of this limited time offer—it’s a one, two combination that will leave the competition in its wake. We offer easy financing and down payments as low as 15%, and for a limited time get low rates combined with discounted documentation. For fast, personalized service, call the Finance Department at BoatU.S. or visit BoatUS.com for immediate loan response. Rates as low as 6.99% BoatUS.com 800-365-5636 6.99% available on loans over $100,000 w/ 20 year financing. 7.37% for loans 50,000 - $99,999. 7.75% loans $25,000 - $49,999. Minimum loan amount for boats $25,000. Minimum loan amount for RVs $50,000. 20-year financing available on loans over $100,000. Other restrictions may apply. Rates and terms subject to change. 32’6’’ STAMAS 310 Express 1994. Merc 225’s, Kohler gen, a/c, head, shower, Furuno, a/pilot, windlass, slps 5, excellent cond. Must sell. $49,000/obo. Will sell w/o engines. Miami, FL(786)253-3152 33’ CHRIS CRAFT 332 Commander 1985. 454 engs, great cond, new canvas, GPS, a/pilot, teak swim platform, totally restored. $29,900. MI(317)241-1111 33’ EGG HARBOR flybridge 1972. Fiberglass hull w/ wood/epoxy house. 350 hrs on 351’s SMOH. All new props, shafts, rudders & brgs. $22,750. Salem, MA(978)345-7012, rcotejr@comcast.net for full details 33’ SILVERTON 330 sports bridge 2001. Excellent cond inside & out. Crusader 5.7L engines. $135,900. Warwick, RI(401)5390092, esheldon@ritech.net 33’3’’ MAINSHIP 31 sedan bridge 1994. Fully equipped w/genset, reverse-cycle air, dinghy, etc. $75,000. Waterford, CT. See BoatUS online listing for photos & details, or email dougmcq@snet.net 34’ DONZI 3250 XLC 1998. Excellent family cruising, much more than a weekender. Higher quality & speed than anything in its class. Loaded. Always maintained. $65,000. Manasquan, NJ(201)5230640, arondinone@commvault.com 34’ FORMULA 34PC 2000. Excellent cond, lift kept, T-7.4 310hp Mercs, all canvas, options, TV, heat/ac, Garmin chartplotter, VHF, stereo, new manifolds & risers, only 330 hrs. $123,900. Edgewater, MD(301)873-0071 34’ HATTERAS double cabin 1967. All fiberglass. Leaving boating, everything goes w/boat. Professionally cared for. Rebuilt Chryslers 290hp, 0 hrs. Beautiful boat. $49,000. Wehrlen Bros Marina, Brick, NJ(908)233-9536, (908)419-7833, cell 34’ SEA RAY express cruiser 1989. ONLY 350 HRS! Many options & upgrades. Excellent condition! $49,800. Brochure available. Wild Dunes Yacht Harbor, Isle of Palms, SC(704)846-3752, wfharris@wfharris.com 34’ SEA RAY Sundancer 2001. Fresh water, 110 engine hrs, Raytheon electronics, twin 380 Merc Horizons, generator 10 hrs. $148,000. Ithaca, NY(607)280-4500, Jlarou1916@aol.com 34’ THUNDERBIRD Formula PC 1995. Twin I/O 454 Merc Bravo 3’s, 600hp, 187hrs. Freshwater only, includes trailer. Excellent condition, used twice a year. Stored dry, under cover. Hate to part with. $100,000. Page, AZ, Bud (505)290-7263, lynnw@7cities.net FREE Website Ad! NOW, THREE SURE-FIRE WAYS TO SELL (OR BUY) A BOAT When you're ready to sell, you want to reach as many potential buyers as possible — and fast! Count on BoatU.S. to get the word out for you. Advertise your boat in BoatU.S. Magazine ($35) and you get the added bonus of an Online Ad (with photo) at BoatUS. com plus an ad in the weekly e-mailed Classified Ad Newsletter, free! Get this combination deal by logging on to BoatUS.com/sellboat and place your ad! If you're looking to buy, the BoatU.S. Magazine/Website/Newsletter combination makes your search a breeze! Deadline for January 2007 BoatUS Magazine is November 17, 2006. When you're ready to sell or buy a boat, visit BoatUS.com to take advantage of these services. BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 57 34’ TOLLYCRAFT Sundeck 1988. Aft cabin, T/454 Crusaders, 550 hrs, FWC, heat/ac, 6.5k gen, GPS, bridge enclosure, bridge cover, aft deck bimini, Interprotect bottom, $85,000. MI(734)676-6813, dcreazzi@comcast.net. 35’ CRUISERS YACHTS model 3275 2002. Twin 5.0 MPI engines, trim tabs, VHF, GPS, aluminum radar arch, walk-thru windshield, double wide helm seat, forward stateroom, sofa/sleeper, micrwv, coffee maker, dinette w/cherry table, extended swim platform, heat/ ac, head w/stand up shower, electric stove & sink. $125,000/obo. Woodbridge, VA, dripley@calvertjones.com 35’ CRUISERS, INC 3575 1998. Express, 13’ wide, 7.4L Mercs, heat/ac, gen, 400 hrs, fresh water, excellent. $125,000. Detroit,MI(248)646-0512, dek917@hotmail.com 35’6’’ CARVER 355 aft cabin motor yacht 1995. Twin 454s, 590 hrs, heat/ac, gen. Slps 8, fiberglass steps, teak interior, very clean, $118,000. Sandusky, OH(440)237-3372 36’ AMERICAN MARINE Grand Banks 1969. Twin Lehman 120hp diesel, 5500hr, radar, Loran, VHF,(2)Northern Lights generators, modern salon, two vacuflush heads, Elegant condition. $89,950. Port Ludlow, WA, p101837p@waypt.com 36’ TIARA Sovran 2005. Great price!!! Beautiful boat with all the upgrades. Blue hull, T/480HP Cummins with only 100 hrs, h-top with full enclosure, generator, heat/ac, anchor windlass, teak cabin, TV/DVD. Asking $389,000. Scituate, MA, Mike Deveney, (781)8582124, ldeveney@mac.com 37’ EGG HARBOR flybrige convertible 1970. Wood hull, slps 6, twin 265 Palmers, Onan gen, a/c, full kitchen/head, motivated sellers. MAKE OFFER! Baltimore, MD, Mike,(717)566-0408, sfluke@att.net 37’ NOVA CRUISER 1961. John Deveau designer/builder. Downeast style custom trawler, wood, single 120hp Lehman diesel (1975). 2600hrs, Balmar 7kw genset/Kabota diesel (2001) 78hrs, heat/ ac, windlass. Turnkey liveaboard, seaworthy, economical. Major restoration 1994, replanked, decks/cabintop fiberglassed, system upgrades 2000-2001. Unique vessel, must see to appreciate. Good condition. $39,000. VA(757)787-4720 37’ SEA RAY Sundancer 370 1996. T 7.4 Mercruisers 310hp, 600 hrs, professionally maintained, new 7 kw Westerbeke, dual a/c, new canvas, new frig. $99,500. Stuart, FL(215)264-3797 37’ SILVERTON Convert 1988. T-454 Crusaders 770h, floscan, depthfinder, 2-GPS, synch, arch, plus extras, 7kw Kohler. Excellent cond, ready to go! $69,000. Mays Landing, NJ (609)476-0740 37’5’’ EGG HARBOR sport fish 1988. Absolutely in pristine condition! Completely refurbished in 2001. New paint, interior, complete electronics, live well, 2 staterooms, 14’5’’ beam. $119,000. Bradenton, FL(941)720-0092 37’6’’ SEA RAY 2005. Factory fishing package w/live bait tank. Twin 370hp Mercruisers w/120hrs. Kohler gen, 2 LCD TV’s, Raymarine fishfinder, GPS radar. Full warranty. New cond. Meticulously maintained. $199,000. CA(619)985-7253 38’ BAYLINER 3888 motoryacht 1989. Twin Hino 175’s. Low engine hrs. Gen only 5 years old. Priced below market at $79,500 for quick sale. MS, CAPTAINRON@CABLEONE.NET 38’ CHRIS CRAFT Challenger 1964. Documented, updated infrastructure, restored exterior, new galley, 2006 USCG VSC, survey, hardtop bridge, davits, swim platform, maint records. USPS owner downsizing. $33,900. Gilford, NH, troscoe@worldpath.net 38’ SEA RAY 370 aft cabin 1997. T7.4l/EFI Merc, 210hrs, 9kw gen, 3 staterooms, heat/ac, 2 TV/VCR, 2 vac/hds, Raymarine/electrncs, new canvas, like new. $147,500. Haverstraw, NY(973)772-7170 38’ SEA RAY 380 Sundancer 2001. W/swim platform, 42’. Lake Michigan boat, 2 T-370 php TVD-8.1s gas Mercruiser, under 150 hrs 6/01/06, extended warranties, Sea Ray dealership maintained, ‘’subject to change without notice’’. $229,000. Michigan City, IN, citi@niia.net 39’ 9’’ (LOA) MAINSHIP 350/390 1997. Fully equipped & ready to cruise. Great RIB dinghy. Radar, chartplotter, bow thruster. LCD TV. $166,900. Melbourne, FL, Brian Goode,(727)709-1159, mainship350@msn.com 39’ SEA RAY 390 Express 1988. New Mercruiser 8.1 370hp Horizons, warranties to 2011. 8.5 Westerbeke, dual a/c, huge salon, centerline queen, walk-in shower. Very, very clean. $99,000. FL(561)744-9753, billmill63@adelphia.net 40’ ALBIN 40 trawler 1981. 120 Lehman, diesel gen, galley down, new bottom & canvas, ice maker, less than 50 hrs since overhaul. Lying Essex, MD, Dennis, (410)574-7915 It was a Perfect Day on the Water Until The Engine Died. When it comes to boating, any number of things could bring your picture perfect day on the water to a quick and potentially expensive end—from running out of fuel to an engine that won't turn over. That’s why it pays to have On-the-Water Towing from BoatU.S. Towing Services. Unlimited towing—only $120 a year* Soft ungroundings, on-the-water towing, jump starts & fuel delivery Applies to all recreational boats you own, borrow or charter Don’t Let Your Good Times Go Adrift! *All Towing Services are subject to the limits and conditions of the BoatU.S. On-the-Water Towing Service Agreement. For details, call or visit us online at BoatUS.com/Towing. 58 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 40’ CRUISERS 3750 2003. Fantastic cruising boat for two or the entire family; the master state room even has a bathtub. Comfortable, stable, dry & economical ride. This diesel boat averages 15 gph. Completely outfitted w/a Zodiac 310 RIB dinghy w/a Tohatsu 9.8hp O/B, all carried on a St. Croix cantilevered davit system. This boat is in excellent condition. $250,000. MD(703)2867402, NRH56@YAHOO.COM 40’ EGG HARBOR motoryacht 1984. This yacht must sell. It is in excellent condition. Low hrs. Looks & runs terrific. Baltimore, MD(215)704-1089, JSTEEL1642@AOL.COM 40’ FORMULA 40 PC 2005. New boat w/90 hrs on twin 440 Yanmar diesels, full electronic package, hydraulic swim platform & much more. $329,000. NJ, Ray@NJSurfer.com 40’ MAINSHIP sedan bridge 1996. T/454 marine power engines, Kohler gen, full factory electronics, Caribe inflatable w/15hp eng, Nautical Structures elec davit, excellent condition. $125,000. Hampton, NH(603)883-7191, jakim@adelphia.net 40’ REGAL Commodore 3860 2006. W/60 hrs, hardtop w/custom mast, sat TV, Volvo 400 IPS twin diesels, Raymarine E-120 GPS, a/pilot, bow thrusters & much more! $340,000. Williamsburg, VA(757)258-8723, (757)784-2879, jimlewin@tworivers.us 40’ SILVERTON aft cabin 1990. Many updates, low hrs, great condition. $79,900. Whitehall, MI(616)240-1560 41’ VIKING Sportfish 1985. Low hours, well maintained, two stateroom model! T671 Detroit diesels, ship to shore, generator, Loran, GPS, radar, a/pilot, SSB, two fishfinders, Plus! Recent interior. Easy to show! Reduced to $175,000. Baltimore, MD(410)252-4407 42’ FAIRLINE Phantom 2000. CAT diesels, two staterooms, two heads, a/c, gen, full electronics. Beautifully maintained & ready to cruise. Finest quality European craftsmanship for only $299,000. Virginia Beach, VA(703)929-3333, Riveted74@aol.com 42’ GRAND BANKS Classic 1981. Beam 13’ 7’’, draft 4’2’’. 2 staterooms & 2 heads, 3 ac/heater units, huge galley & salon. Great liveaboard, beautiful blue hull, #738. New fiberglass decks, fresh varnish. Twin 120 Ford Lehman, 9 kw gen, 600 gal diesel tanks, 316 fresh water capacity. Captain maintained, constantly updated. All furnishings stay. $155,000. Sarasota, FL(850)8325396, HowittCRNA@yahoo.com 42’ KROGEN widebody 1992. Huckleberry, a two stateroom single head model, is equipped for cruising. Features include: 135hp Perkins, genset, stabilizers, a/pilot, GPS, radar, a/c. $395,500. Houston, TX, adventuress1@juno.com 42’ OCEAN Sunliner 1981. Twin Detroit diesels 471TI, ss turbos, two strms w/heads, washer/dryer. $95,000. Merritt Island FL(321)6370298, royplatt@earthlink.net, www.mattasai.com/yacht 42’ SABRE hardtop express 2004. 500hp Yanmars, 28 knot cruise, 400 hrs, Northern Lights gen, extensively equipped, beautiful cond. Best price on market. $535,000. Call owner’s captain, Fritz Grell, FL(772)285-9226, longstory@adelphia.net 43’ HATTERAS DC MY 1981. DD671TI, Northern Light genset 8kw, aft stateroom w/centerline queen, a must see for turnkey cruising and/or liveraboard. Numerous custom upgrades, she sparkles. $149,000/obo. Lake Pontchartrain, LA(504)554-5951 44’ DEFEVER 1987. Radar, a/pilot, dual VHF, dual GPS, HF, watermaker, 10kw genset, 3kw Freedom inverter/battery charger, Link 2000, 11’ Novurana RIB/25hp Yamaha, $260,000. Chattanooga, TN(770)967-0850, kenm@bellsouth.net 44’ DEFEVER Sundeck 1984. Bristol cond, state-of-art electronics, twin Perkins 135hp, 8kw Onan genset, 10’ RIB w/15hp elec start Yamaha O/B. $249,500. Palmetto, FL, noclew@msn.com 44’ ENDEAVOUR trawler catamaran 2003. OdySea. Showboat at Newport & Annapolis. Custom joinery. Ex cond. Fully equipped for safe, comfortable liveaboard cruising. $395,000. Darien, GA. Ron Zeppieri, (860)367-7549, ron _ zeppieri@juno.com 44’ REGAL 4160 2001. Merc 8.1 HO, 160 hrs. Bristol cond. Every factory option, plus bowthruster, FloScan, 2005 helmseat. Full Raychart electronics. Asking $249,500. Sandusky, OH(216)9248185, Les@crosscm.com No claim made against your insurance policy 45’ BAYLINER 4588 pilothouse 1990. Twin 220 turbos, 2300 hrs, 12.5 Onan, 3 a/c, freshwater kept, 3 cabins, 2 heads, mechanical 9+, cosmetics 7, 9.5 dinghy & motor. $155,000. NY(518)7981389, brig1mac@aol.com 800-888-4869 45’ SEA RAY Sundancer 1998. Cherry wood interior, washer/dryer, 3126 Cats, gen, icemaker, inverter, Sat TV & phone. RIB 10’8’’ dinghy, 9.8 Tohotsu, davit, spare props, sea map. $250,000. Naples, FL(239)643-1125 BoatUS.com 46’ OCEAN YACHTS Sunliner 1986. Radar, Marquip dingy lift, 3 a/c’s, 2 staterooms, galley down, 2 Detroit’s, 1 & 1/4 mpg at 19kts, genset. $175,000. Garden City, SC(843)651-5492, barrineaut@aol.com Deadline for January Issue is November 17. See box on Page 60. 46’ TROJAN/BERTRAM 1988. 14 meter international sport fish. Twin 8-92’s wet turbos, 750hrs, 900 eng hrs, 1600 12.5 Onan gen hrs. Full specs: www.valbelle.us Health forces sale. $249,500. FL(813)641-8886 47’ BAYLINER 4788 pilothouse motor yacht 1998. Twin 330 Cummins, all electronics, GPS, radar, heated storage, Great Lakes boat. 11’ Avon, 15 Honda. Asking $279,000, includes storage. Dinghy optional. MI(906)484-3105, isl8dj@cedarville.net 50’ SEA RAY Dancer 1999. Cats, 425 hrs, loaded, new electronics, exceptionally clean. $399,000. Fort Lauderdale, FL(954)779-7223 51’ KONG AND HALVORSEN Island Gypsy trawler 1983. Updated, photos & details at www.logicalwebworks.com/islandgypsy. $295,000. FL(954)294-9592, eriecanalcruises@aol.com 55’ HAMPTON 558 pilothouse 2005. Over $100,000 in options. Stabilizers, bow & stern thrusters, watermaker, latest electronics. $250,000 below replacement cost. $772,000. Fort Myers, FL(218)310-2200, TracyCaptain@aol.com This year, give the boaters on your list the gift of Membership. For just $19, you can help your buddies get more out of boating by saving time and money...which will give them more time on the water to spend with friends like you. 55’ OCEAN YACHTS Sportfish 1985/2004 retrofit. 3 SR/3 head, galley up, water cooled turbo 8V92’s, twin generators, tower, extensive upgrades/options. Captain maintained in excellent cond. $295,000. FL(352)303-7909 60’ STABILITY YACHTS 60 2006. 20’ beam swath doesn’t rock or pitch in rough seas. Disabled swim & have full access. $699,000. Cape Coral, FL(239)540-0514, KG1117@netzero.com, WWW.STABILITYYACHTS.COM Give the Gift of Membership, and get a free Gift for yourself! SALE OR TRADE - SAIL 14’ CAPE DORY 1984. Bristol, shed storage, gunter rig, trailer, oars, motor. Also kayaks. $3,500. Beaufort, NC(252)728-4240, susu@ barney.starfishnet.com, Chesapeake book: www.susanschmidt.net 15’ BOSTON WHALER Harpoon 1979. Sailboat with trailer. $2,200. Gulliver, MI(906)283-3282 17’ MONTGOMERY pocket cruiser 1992. Fixed keel 4hp Mariner, 4 sails, trailer, custom full cover, bottomsider cuhsions,bimini, galley, VHF depth finder, stereo. Very stable, great boat. $10,000. Fort Worth, TX(817)781-4238, eeeisen@aol.com 18’ MARSHALL catboat 2004. Freshwater boat w/trailer, 4hp Yamaha O/B, bimini & many teak options. White hull & bone decks. $35,000. SC(828)698-1556 22’ CATALINA 1972. $2,000. Louisville, CO, Craig, (303)888-1064, craigbeatley@yahoo.com 22’ MARSHALL cat boat 1985. Fully equipped, beautifully maintained bottom, hull repainted 5/06. View pictures @ www. towndock.net/ballcreekhouse. Click on ‘’Marshall cat boat for sale’’. $37,000. Merritt, NC (near Oriental) (252)745-5045, anatine@coastalnet.com 24’ J-BOATS J-24 1985. Good condition, includes Triad trailer, newer 150 & spinnaker. Boat is ready to race. $12,000. Boyne Falls, MI(231)535-2861 25’ CAPE DORY Greenwich sloop 1969. New 9.9hp motor & instruments. $6,800. Mantoloking, NJ, Don, (516)424-2396, DREHILL@OPTONLINE.NET 26’ CATALINA Capri 1992. In very good cond, new 130 Genny, VHF, hot water, radio, 237 hrs on engine. $21,000. Michigan City, IN(317)407-5278, jlamber@qserve.net 26’ CHRYSLER C-26 sailboat 1980. 9.9 O/B, tiller, trailer, project boat needs TLC, has everything. OA cond is ‘’good’’. Asking $6,500. Consider reasonable offer. Ft. Wayne, IN, jppape@earthlink.net 26’ MACGREGOR 26X sloop 1997. 50hp Nissan, 3 sails, GPS sonar fishfinder. $21,000. Holiday, FL(574)276-7576 cell, (727)9430071 26’ TAYLOR Contessa 26 1978. 9.9 Johnson, new cushions, new trailer, main, 80 percent, 110 percent, 150 percent, 165 percent drifter depth gage, lines aft, 6 clutches. $14,000. Denver, CO, SHULLETT@AOL.COM 26’5’’ HUNTER 260 1999. Lightly used. Winged keel. 3’ 5’’ draft. Yanmar 9 I/B diesel. Wheel, head. $28,000. West Islip, NY(631)321-8320, aandlcamesas@pol.net 26’7’’ HUNTER 1987. Nissan 9.9hp O/B & controls, 2001 model engine. Bimini, anchor & rode, sail, radio, etc. Sailboat in good condition. $8,900. Based at Wolfeboro Corithian Yacht Club, NH. Bruce Wright, (603)524-6661, (603)527-6165, Irvin Marine, he knows about sailboat Hurry...this is a limited time offer. Call 800-395-2628 Today! Or visit BoatUS.com Introducing Insurance for All Your Toys from BoatU.S. and American Modern® Members now have an insurance option for all their recreational vehicles RV Insurance —for your motor home or travel trailer. Motorcycle Insurance—broad coverage and "user friendly" features for all types of bikes including mopeds, scooters and ATVs. Elite Collector Car Insurance — Antiques, Customs, Classics, Collectibles—from nostalgic to new. All American Modern programs feature: • 24-Hour Roadside Assistance • Discounts for Safety Courses • Fast Claims Service From Experts • Flexible Payment Options Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations or exclusions of the policy. For more information or a quote, please call 800-491-0416 or visit BoatUS.com/rv BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 59 28’ CORSAIR MARINE F28R tri 1997. Rotating carbon mast, lg cockpit, new sails & nets, 8hp, Nexus electronics, a/helm, VHF, trailer (ss disc brakes) + extras. $65,000. NY/NJ(917)533-2244, artiannace@yahoo.com 33’ PEARSON 90-91 WK 1991. Cruiser sloop, Bristol, one owner, slps 7, 9 sails, RF, AH, radar, Loran, plotter, Yanmar diesel, 6 winches, more. $60,000. Long Beach Island, NJ(201) 262-7074 28’ LEAR SIEGLER MARINE CAL 28-2 1987. Westerbeke diesel I/B, new covers, new cabin sole. Sailed this season. Lots more! $29,000. Coltons Pt, MD, cmallory@cox.net 34’ ISLANDER 1969. Beautifully restored, upgraded, 100 percent mahogany interior, 3/4’’ teak hatches & trim, diesel power, fully equipped, mint condition boat. Must be seen. Annapolis, MD(410)823-5293, georgethomas35@verizon.net 28’ MORGAN Out Island 1973. Any reasonable offer. Erie, PA, Gary Thompson, (814)671-1160 cell, (814)432-5450 home, dspadaro@usachoice.net 35’ CORONADO center cockpit sloop 1974. Great SO CAL cruiser, fully equipped incl. Avon & O/B. $26,000. San Diego, CA(858)4597286 28’ SABRE 1976. Very good cond. Many upgrades, bimini, grill, a/pilot. Just bought another boat. $12,500. Newport News, VA(757)881-9579, todrvr@cox.net 29’ CAPITAL YACHTS Gulf 1980. Beam 9’4’’, interior headroom 6’. I/B 11hp Universal diesel, full sails, furling jib, galley, head, slps 5. $31,000. Heber Springs, AR(501)825-8603, haef@aristotle.net 30’ CATALINA MKII 1991. Wing keel, ultimate cruiser, dodger/bimini, genset, a/c, watermaker, icemaker, electric frig, micrwv, inverter, radar, fully integrated Raymarine electronics, stereo/cd, dink/OB. $49,900. Niceville, FL (850)699-2717, BlueDolphinSail@AOL.com 30’ CATALINA sloop 1982. Beautiful cond - needs nothing. New electrics, plumbing & cushions. Asking $20,500. Boat located in central NJ. Email for more info/pics paulier@att.net 30’ GEMINI 3000 1987. Highly liveable catamaran, FG foredeck, Capts. cabin & 2 guest cabins, drifter & 3 sails, loads of extras. $54,950(negotiable). Washington, DC(703)356-3207 30’ HUNTER sloop 1981. Tall new rigging 2000. $25,000/obo. Nyack, NJ(201)529-8171 30’ SEIDELMANN sloop 1981. 2 GM 20 fresh water-cooled, 50 hrs, 110 & 155 w/new head foil. $5,000. Cooper River Marina, Charleston, SC(803)640-7143, cell 31’7’’ PDQ 1995. 2 dbls + Capt’s coffin. Main salon converts. 12V ref w/keel cooler, gas stove/oven, water filter. Depth-sounder, VHF, Garmin chartplotter. 2003 Yamaha 9.9 4-stroke. $95,000. Key West, FL, GILLDL@SAILSHARE.COM 33’ HANS CHRISTIAN cutter 33T 1984. All amenities, many upgrades, old world charm, beautiful features, legendary strength, rich interior, professionally maintained. $99,500. Sarasota, FL(941)302-3604, mike@magacorp.com 35’ NICHOLSON 1983. Classic, well built English world cruiser. Exquisite. Much renewed in 2004. $69,500. Lying TBM in MI(734)279-2331, wkosborn@cass.net 35’6’’ J-BOATS J35 1987. Wheel conversion, shore power, full wood interior, deep draft, new NorthMarathon 3DL 150 percent genoa, Harken furler, 2003 Kappa main w/Strong track. Raymarine wheel pilot, Navman speed, depth, wind, chartplotter. $45,000. DE(203)257-4215, DNARDELLA63@YAHOO.COM 36’ CATALINA cruiser 1989. Tall rig, wing keel, super condition, new electronics, a/c, frig, North sails, Harken furling, windlass, dodger, dinghy davits, much more. $68,000. Green Cove Springs, FL(904)284-4809 36’ CATALINA MKII 1997. Tall rig, wing keel, heat/ac, VHS, GPS, depth, wind, a/p, windlass, wash down. Excellent cond. $95,000. MD(215)435-6277 37’ BENETEAU 1993. VHF, GPS, a/helm 4000, radar, wind, speed, depth, davits, 15hp O/B, dingy, O/B lift crane, mast furling, jib furler. $71,OOO. Ft. Lauderdale, FL(843)768-9395, jkeefe2380@aol.com CLASSIFIED AD RATES (Over 675,000 circ.) BoatU.S. MEMBER RATES: MAGAZINE •Equipment (Max. 2 items) •Sail, Power, Wanted, In Search Of •Flotsam & Jetsam •Flotsam & Jetsam (Commercial) •Waterfront Properties •Waterfront Properties (Commercial) •Yacht Charters •Fishing Charters $35 $35 $35 $250 $150 $250 $250 $150 WEB SITE + + + + + + + + $25 $25 $25 $100 $100 $100 N/A $50 January Issue Deadline: November 17 DIRECTIONS & POLICIES: Please use this format: Length, make, model, year, equipment and other features, price, state where boat is located, phone number and email. Please type or print clearly and include your Member Number and address. Non-members pay a $25 surcharge. A maximum of 30 words per single charge is allowed. All advertising is subject to space and editing. Magazine ads appear in one issue only. Classified Web site ads appear for three months. Members can get a free boat ad on the Web by placing the ad directly on-line themselves at www.boatamerica.com/classifieds. Ads are non-refundable. Payment is required with the ad copy. Check, money order, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit cards are accepted. Mail to: BoatU.S. Classifieds, Fax to: (703) 461-4664 with 880 South Pickett Street credit card numbers only Alexandria, VA 22304. E-mail to: classifiedads@boatus.com Phone number: (888) 282-2628 BoatU.S. accepts no responsibility for any claim or representation published in BoatU.S. Exchange. Rates subject to change 37’ JOHN HANNA CAROL ketch 1988. Double-ended wooden circumnavigator w/3 Atlantic crossings & ready for more. Copper fastenings, bronze fittings, 4 anchors, new chain, 57hp Westerbeke diesel, liferaft. $43,900. RI(401)556-3573, turtledove111@hotmail.com 37’ PROUT Snow Goose Elite 1987. Single-owner custom-built furling sails for single handling, twin diesel engines for maneuverability, 3 private staterooms, 2 heads, large salon, protected cockpit. $119,000. MA(508)785-3105 39’ CAL tri cabin 1980. Two head, completely refit & cruised. Great fast, family cruiser in sail-away condition. $79,900. Fort Pierce, FL(772)631-1495, airagone@excite.com, www.athletesguide.net Mouse pad: $10.99 Mug: $12.59 38’ IRWIN sloop 1970. Raytheon ST4000+ a/pilot, Garmin GPSMAP 225. Sur veyed August, 2006. Bottom paint August, 2006. $28,000/obo. Palm Coast, FL(386)4468024, jmbattenhouse@earthlink.net 40’ ENDEAVOUR 40 center cockpit 1984. Aft stateroom sailboat. Loads of gear, well maintained. Best one on the market. Great liveaboard/cruiser. $69,500. Please see website: wwwgeocities.com/spellboundforsale Can Cooler: $10.99 Coasters set of 4: $12.99 Reward the Crew! This Holiday Season Let your favorite boaters know how much you appreciate them this holiday season. From family members to boating buddies, reward them with personalized gift items such as coffee mugs or mouse pads that include a favorite boating picture BoatUS.com/boatgraphics/personalized or boat name. For a limited time, you can take advantage of these “Holiday Season” specials. 800-937-3300 Create a memory that’ll last all year, even after boating season is long gone! It’s a great idea for holiday gift giving! 40’ HUNTER 40.5 1994. W/50hp diesel Yanmar, 715hrs, dodger, bimini, radar, GPS, wind instruments, electronic battery charger, 4 house batteries, 1 engine battery, slps 7 max in 2 staterooms. Excellent condition. $110,000. Laying Greenport, NY(631)3388392 (leave message), www.svheartbeat.com for full specs & pictures 41’ FORMOSA ketch 1979. Comfortable cruiser in exc cond for coastal & blue water sailing, roomy, slps 7. 6’3’’ headroom, separate stall shower, new fuel tank, new hot water, prettiest boat in harbor. $79,000. MA(978)394-6711 41’ MORGAN Classic CC sloop 1987. Bim & dodger, 44hp Yanmar diesel, 3900 hrs. Never chartered. $75,000. Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola, BVI(973)728-8278, fsdolan@optonline.net 41’8’’ PASSPORT 2000. Offshore performance cruiser, Yanmar 62 (15 hrs), Raytheon color radar, a/pilot, SSB, ac/heat, inverter, Ultrasuede, Corian, SeaFrost, North sails, winter cover. Flawless, unused condition. Trades considered. PA(610)399-8309 42’ MANTA catamaran sailboat 2000. Immaculate, set for self-reliant ocean cruising. SSB+Pactor 3Pro, watermaker, sea anchor, liferaft, EPIRB, genset, a/c, RIB+O/B, more. $318,000. Punta Gorda, FL(941)505-5053 43’ HAMPTON pilothouse cutter 1997. Beautifully maintained. Teak joinery throughout. Classic lines. Two steering stations. Three double berth plus convertible dinnette. Two heads w/showers. Electronics. $237,750. Clear Lake, TX, vkopycinski@houston.rr.com 43’ TASWELL all-seasons raised saloon 1992. One owner yacht. Designed to cruise & liveaboard. $295,000. New Bern, NC. Email owner at haetwen@hotmail.com, photos & details at website: taswellallseasons.com 44’ ISLAND PACKET 44 1995. In excellent cond. $209,000. Lying Hopetown, Bahamas & ready to cruise. (208)347-2569, steve@schrimsher.com, see details at: www.schrimsher.com 60 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 48’ OYSTER 485 1995. Ti Amo, two owner, fully found, cruise ready sloop rig, current sails, complete package ready to cruise now. $495,000. Newport Beach, CA(949)500-7261, Oyster485@aol.com It’s Your Online Crash Course For Buying (or Selling) a Boat 53’ PEARSON ketch 1981. Great cruiser, liveaboard, exc cond, loaded, 3 staterooms, 2 heads, separate showers, walk-in engine room. Easily handled by 2. Beautiful. $219,000. BVI(414)3508505, Chuck@emeraldyachtship.com Log on to Find: FLOTSAM & JETSAM 44’ (accom 48’) x 18’ boat slip in modern, tranquil Jupiter Yacht Club Marina, Jupiter, FL. 1.2 miles to Atlantic w/no fixed bridges. Offered at $375,000. Call owner/agent, (804)754-4513 58’ x 20’ boat slip, floating dock, Skull Creek Marina, gated community, Hilton Head, SC. Available December 1st for 4 months. $500/mo. regardless of boat length. Prepaid. (307)672-0660, (307)752-2246, cell CAPTAIN’S LICENSES, ABLE SEAMAN CERTIFICATION, STCW-95. BASIC SAFETY TRAINING and MUCH MORE! World Wide Marine Training, Inc. has 19 locations on the East Coast, the Great Lakes and in the Midwest (states of IL, IN, MI, MO, NC, NY, OH and WI). Call for a brochure with our schedule and prices, or visit our website. Toll-free: 866-249-2135. Website: www.wegivethetest.com CARVER OWNERS CLUB. Join an international club exclusive to Carver, Californian & Trojan boat owners offering a forum to exchange information. Join at www.carverownersclub.com or call (800)540-2926 CHAPMAN SCHOOL OF SEAMANSHIP. Learn at the Helm Since 1971. Certification programs for Power & Sail. USCG license, Professional Mariner Training, Yacht & Small Craft Survey career courses. www.chapman.org, (800)225-2841 FORT MYERS, FL. Dry stack 10’x11’x30’ at new Sanibel Harbor Yacht Club. Full time harbor master. Unlimited in/out service. Soap washdown & engine flush. Fuel & provisions at wholesale cost. Gourmet deli. 24 hr security, boat, engine service center. Immediate access to Gulf, Caloosahatchee river & inland waterway. Lessees get same amenities as owners. Lease or lease w/option to buy. Available October 16, 2006. (239)267-1383 SILVERTON OWNERS. Join the national club exclusively for the owners of Silverton boats & those who want to own them called Wannabees. All models from 1970’s to 2006. 16 page monthly newsletter, choose from online or printed version. News & information updates emailed out twice weekly. Online bulletin board w/ engine tech assistance from engine pro BoatMike. Club parts store for Crusader & Kohler. Chat room. Sell your boat & unlimited misc. items for free when you join the club for as little as $28/year. Enter the white front door located on our website to browse hundreds of items for sale & our social calendar posted in our classified area that is open to the public. For a membership application, print one out from our classified area or homepage when you visit us on the internet at www.silvertonclub.com. Join now for $28. Get a $20 gift coupon from West Marine & a 1/2 BoatUS Membership renewal for a total savings of $32.50. SUNSET MARINA, KEY WEST, FL. Boat slip for sale to accommodate 35’ boat. Full service marina. (631) 587-8432, dennis55@optonline.net 1. Free Guide to Buying & Selling a Boat 2. Powerboat & Sailboat Reviews by Experts 3. Consumer Protection Database 4. Free Weekly Classifieds Sent to Your Email 5. Free Boat Insurance Quote 6. Affordable Boat Financing 7. Free Boat Value Check If you’re in the market for a new boat, do your homework online with Boat Buyers Services at BoatUS.com. It’s everything you need to know when buying or selling a boat. This one-stop source of information can help make the process go as smoothly as possible. Log on to m o BoatUS.c Get the Hull Truth ONLINE It pays to know your boat, inside and out, whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious. By logging on to the Consumer Protection Database, BoatU.S. Members can easily access over 20 years of information compiled from boat owners, the U.S. Coast Guard, manufacturers, marine surveyors and marine technicians, all online and at the touch of a button. WATERFRONT PROPERTIES 21 acres at the top of the world. Breathtaking views from the top of Ashton Woods just outside of Moorefield, WV. You have to see to fully appreciate the beauty. Build your mountain retreat in this exclusive community & live on your own secluded and private, yet scenic, overlook. Near the South Fork of the Potomac River and George Washington National Forest. All this and conveniently located in Corridor “H”. Very close to the entrance of Ashton Woods. Easy access to the lot during inclement weather. Just 2 1/2 hours outside of Washington, DC. Priced to sell at $99,000. Lot#17. Call Pat Duer at (304)283-7111 for more information ALL OF IT! Call us about the Neuse River & the ICW. Waterfront homes, lots, acreages, interior lots w/boat slips. Free info pkg. Village Realty, PO Box 829, Oriental, NC 28571 or call (800)3263317, www.pamlico-nc.com/village.htm, villagerealty-orientalnc@ cconnect.net BALL CREEK - NEAR ORIENTAL & RIVER DUNES, NC. Spectacular 2-acre deepwater property overlooking Bay River, ICW & Pamlico Sound. Custom everything home, carriage house/shop, 124’ private pier & 377’ rip-rapped shoreline. $639,900/FSBO. View 28 pictures/details at www.towndock.net/ballcreekhouse. (252)745-5045 Your competitive edge when it comes to buying (and selling!) a boat. •Search reports about boats, engines, products, dealers, marinas and other boating related services. BoatUS.com/consumer or call 703-461-2856 •See manufacturer’s responses for each specific report •Search for important recall notices One of a kind, online and only for BoatU.S. Members BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 61 BOATER’S DELIGHT! SUMMERLAND KEY, FL. 120’ on deep water canal. Mins. to Ocean or Gulf. 2 br 2 bth home. Short boat or car ride to Key West! $835,000. (305)745-2679 BOATING CAPITAL OF NORTH CAROLINA. Quaint village on the ICW & Pamlico Sound. Protected anchrgs, wtrfrnt homes, lots, villas, acreage & boat slips w/deepwtr. Free maps & info pkg. Mariner Realty, PO Box 750 Oriental, NC 28571, (800)3478246, www.orientalncwaterfront.com DAWSON CREEK, NORTH CAROLINA. New, exclusive gated waterfront community on pristine Dawson Creek. Private community center w/marinas. Homesites starting at $59,900. Financing avail. Coastal Marketing, New Bern, NC(800)5665263, www.boatingproperty.com DUCK KEY, FL. Rental (MM 61), 3 bedroom/2 bath, waterfront-dockage, pool, fully furnished & equipped. (305)289-7567 FL KEYS VILLA. Pvt, secluded Islamorada house on bay. Lush tropical hammock w/deep water marina. Best sunsets, restaurants, shopping & fishing. Slps 4. $1095/wk 2006. (866)664-4163 toll free, keysvilla.com, villa@sunsetbay82.com FL KEYS, KEY LARGO. Beautiful ocean view condo. 2bd/2ba, slps 8, overlooks Molasses Reef marina, pvt beach, tikis, 2 pools, tennis courts, lake, boat ramp & trlr parking, all amenities. Gated, 24-hr security. Starting $800/wk. (330)219-5313 FLORIDA KEYS Vacation Rental, Islamorada. Waterfront 2 level house, 3bd/2ba on each level, fully furnished & equipped, jacuzzi, 75’ dock on bay w/immediate ocean access. FL(954)584-3749. FLORIDA KEYS. Romantic, cozy 1br/1ba & 2br/2ba conch house. Central a/c, hot tub, tiki hut, swinging hammocks. Waterfront, immed bay & ocean access, 50’ seawall & dock. No children/pets/ smoking. FL(305)666-0615, kensconchkeycottage.com FLORIDA KEYS/BIG PINE. Bay-front home, 3 bdrm, 2 bath, screened porch, central a/c, pool, dock on canal w/immediate bay-ocean access. Gorgeous sunset views. Fully equipped. $4000/month. (716)684-4695 days, (716)681-5622 evenings, www.misterpool.com/florida FLORIDA, CAPE CORAL/FT.MYERS. Waterfront wonderland where boat’s docked behind your home. Quick access to Gulf of Mexico. Call Mary Margaret Embroli, Omega Realty. FL(800)771-3011, www.omegarealty.com FLORIDA, FT. MYERS. Admiralty Yacht Club condo 2/2+den. Intracoastal Waterway. Immaculate. Tennis, clubhouse, fishing pier, carport, lanai. Bring big boat. Lease? Buy $300,000. wwws.boboxnard.com, (239)841-0961 FLORIDA/GOODLAND. Waterfront, direct access to the 10,000 islands, boat lift, deep water, 2/bed 2/bath mobil home, furnished. Walk to restaurants. 5 minutes from beach. $3,000/month. (269)208-4745, jmsadie@aol.com ISLAMORADA/FLORIDA KEYS Bayfront Rental. 2bd/2ba flat, queen beds, protected dockage, free ramp, pvt, secluded, spectacular views, MM 82.3. The Osprey Nest. Owner, (760)9341664, www.theospreynest.com ISLAMORADA/FLORIDA KEYS Bayside rentals, 2br/2ba cottage or 1 br/2 ba 1st floor apt overlooking protected boat basin, native hammock, secluded, magnificent sunsets, back country or blue wtr. $1,295/wk. Holzman’s Keys Kottage & Bayside (800)284-0966, www.keyskottage.com PUNTA GORDA S.W. FLORIDA. We have miles of canals w/unsurpassed sailing, boating & fishing on Charlotte Harbor/Gulf of Mexico. Call for info pkg/video. Listings upon request. (866)406-9151, www.puntagordainfo.com, C/B Morris Realty SUE CREEK, BALTIMORE, MD. 4BR ranch w/panoramic view. Bulkhead, pier, 2 slips, 4’ mean. HW flrs, CAC, FP & No Hurricane Damage! Drastically reduced to $499,999. Tami @ CBRB (410)5918853, (410)931-9000 SW FLORIDA - quaint fishing village. Waterfront one bedroom apt in lush tropical setting. View of Ten Thousand Islands. Superb fishing & birding. Pool, jacuzzi, dock, pooltable. Non-smokers. $695/week. Brochure. (239)642-0787 SW FLORIDA, Boaters Paradise of Charlotte Harbor. To obtain MLS listings of all wtrfrnt homes/condos/properties plus info package, contact Christa Murch, C-21 Aztec Realty, PO Box 510494, Punta Gorda, FL 33951. Free(800)445-7043, ph(941)235-5609, fax(941)624-6859, cm@sunline.net, www.sunnylandhomes.com Vacation Like Royalty On your own private luxury catamaran, with captain and chef. Enjoy fablous meals, yummy hors d’houvres, delightful drinks, and all the toys. Affordably yours, seven night rates from $10,500* for six kingly and queenly guests—all inclusive! Smaller and larger yacht available for parties of any size! 800-477-4427 BoatUS.com/Charter *Airfare, transfers and crew gratuity additional. 62 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 EQUIPMENT Carver bridge canvas & eisenglass (Prestige)+ stainless bars. Will fit 2000 & up 396 & 444 cockpit MY. Used 1 year, had hardtop installed. $2,500. $500, frame. OH(513)520-4463 Garmin GDL-30A Weather Data, XM Satellite Radio Receiver. Brand new, never used, in original box with all cables, installation instructions & user manual. Came with GPSMap 3010C bundled unit. $450. Newport Beach, CA, DAVID.A.ROSSI@SAINT-GOBAIN.COM Marine electrical wire, connectors, fuse blocks, busbars, great selection and the best pricing. Custom battery cable assembly as well. Visit www.genuinedealz.com or call toll free (866)970-3325 Switlik MD 2 offshore liferaft, 6 person, 1999, never deployed, soft valise case, needs repack. $1,500/obo. Matched pair Nibral 4 blade props, 22 x 24 x 1 3/4 & Raytheon R80 radar/chart display. FL(941)380-6692, D _ WAKE2@YAHOO.COM Volvo Duoprops. One brand new set stainless steel duoprops for diesel outdrives. Model number C4-Front-3857461-4D & C4-Rear3857465-4D. $700. CORTEZPUB@AOL.COM Watermaker, PUR PowerSurvivor 40E, brand new cond, used only once to verify operation. Includes preventive maintenance kit w/all filters/chemicals unopened. Guaranteed to work. $1700 + shipping. FL(941)625-3293, SEAKEWER3@EARTHLINK.NET We are manufacturer & exporter of fine quality boat sailing gloves, boat covers, sailing suits. Zealpak Industries, Box 316, Daska Road, Sialkot, Pakistan, info@zealgloves.com, FAX, 0092-52-3250418, www.zealgloves.com WANTED BOY SCOUT SEA SHIP 59. Looking for tax-deductible donations of sail & power boats in Chesapeake Bay area. Donated boats must be structurally sound & in good cond. Fred Broadrup (301)6061878, cell NON-PROFIT CHARITY Needs Sailboat & Powerboat. Tax deductible donation can help change the lives of a special group of kids. TX(281)326-1464, yess@quixnet.net, www.yessonline.org WANTED. Working Loran C and/or coupler. Also looking for downriggers. Call Capt. Bly (305)849-7705 Wanted: vintage 35’ Magnum Express. Hull must be useable. E-mail at theninegs@aol.com, or call cell (561)351-3825, 24/7 IN SEARCH OF Boyscout troop seeks tax-deductible, donated sailboat to repair. Almost any size & condition. Greater Washington DC area. Must be able to be trailered for repairs. Will pick up. sailboat945@hotmail.com YACHT CHARTERS STAR CLIPPERS – save up to 50%! Leeward and Windward itineraries. Many sailing dates from which to choose. Book now to obtain best selection. Call BoatU.S. Travel and Yacht Charters (800)477-4427 or see our Web site at www.boatus.com and click on Yacht Charters. MOST OF THE YACHTS available from BoatU.S. Travel and Charters can be viewed on the Web: www.boatus.com/charter CONFIRM YOUR HOLIDAY CHARTER NOW! Great selection of power yachts in the British Virgin Islands. BoatU.S. Member discount of 5%. Call (800)477-4427 CUSTOMIZED YACHT CHARTERS. Don’t see exactly what you’d like? Call BoatU.S. Travel and Yacht Charters and let our experienced staff create a unique experience for you. Bareboat or crewed. (800)477-4427 ORIENT CRUISE LINE – 15 day ‘Splendors of the Mediterranean’ itinerary aboard the Marco Polo departing April 10, 2007. Book today and receive a 2 cabin category upgrade and attend a complimentary cocktail party for BoatU.S. members. Call BoatU.S. Travel and Yacht Charters (800)477-4427 for more information. NEW SAVE 30 $ Garmin folded STREETPILOT C550 WITH BLUETOOTH® WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY Rated a Best Buy by Practical Sailor Jensen • Preloaded maps of U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, speaks street names, Bluetooth® wireless technology with handsfree calling and more! • Includes integral MP3 player, traffic receiver and a free three-month trial subscription CPM505 MARINE STEREO PACKAGE • Sunlight readable LCD display • Aluminum frame and stainless-steel components are lightweight and corrosion resistant Model 8277352 Model 6881320 Reg. 199.99 Model 6912562 Reg. 299.99 • 160 watt (40W x 4) AM/FM/CD receiver with two 2-way waterproof speakers 169 $ $ SAVE SAVE $10 79999 50 $ 99 ICOM M32LI RADIO WITH LONG-LIFE BATTERY West Marine TAHITI WATERPROOF 7 X 50 CENTER-FOCUS BINOCULARS WITH COMPASS • Center-focus, compass, rangefinder and gas-antifogging • Practical Sailor and Powerboat Reports rated a “Best Buy” • Long-life Lithium-Ion battery lasts up to 14 hours • Weather Alerts, tag scanning and squelch/volume level indicators; backlit 1.38" x .94" LCD screen Model 2677755 Reg. 299.99 Model 6885719 Reg. 179.99 249 $ 99 169 SAVE $60 $ 99 West Marine PORT RUNNER FOLDING BIKE 19999 SAVE $100 $ 50% OFF West Marine STAINLESS STEEL RIGGING KNIFE • Corrosion-resistant 440 stainless steel blade with a Delrin® handle • 3 1/2" sheepsfoot, safety-lock blade with a sharp serrated edge Model 7785512 Reg. 19.99 999 $ SAVE $20 West Marine PREMIUM FISHING ROD RACK Seafit KINGFISH ALUMINUM FOLDING DECK CHAIR • Stability, strength and comfort for fishing or just relaxing • Lightweight and stable with 1" tubing and non-marring leg tips Model 5641592 Reg. 99.99 79 $ 99 SAVE $20 • Showcase and store your favorite rods in this rolling wooden rod rack • Spooled design holds up to 24 items—multiple rod sizes, nets or gaffs Model 6141444 Reg. 159.99 9999 $ Seafit BOATYARD II TOOL SET • 175-piece carbon steel tool set for trailer, rigging and engine repairs • Waterproof and buoyant polyethylene case; 16.5 H" x 14" W x 3" D Model 5248513 Reg. 69.99 4999 $ Now nearly 400 locations to serve your boating needs! You must present this ad to get these special prices. Not combinable with any other offer. Prices good through November 1—30 2006. behind theboat I recently made a new addition to my fleet. I built a radio controlled seaplane that I can fly from my boat. I guess I should first explain that among the staff here at BoatU.S there are two things for which I am infamous. One is adding to my fleet of boats and two, I never pass up a new toy. As a kid I tried my hardest to get into flying model airplanes but only managed one failed attempt with a gas-powered, control-line model. With today’s advances in electric motors and batteries I’ve found you can now fly, quiet, clean, and dependable models. Or at least I should be able to; my first few attempts at flight were less than successful. Even after extensive reading and purchasing flight simulator software for my computer, my real life experiences did not usually end right side up. I was becoming frustrated and about to relegate my new toy to becoming a hanger queen when fate stepped in. I met a fellow at a local sports field who was flying an electric RC plane. After watching him for some time and realizing he was pretty good I got the courage to strike up a conversation. We finally got around to my plight and he invited me to bring my plane to the field the next day, so I did. After sorting out balance issues he offered to get my bird aloft and then turn it over to me. Two weeks and two sessions later I had a new friend, a mentor, and a new hobby. I still crash, although not as much. But this experience got me past the toughest part of learning this new skill. It also got me thinking about how this parallels the experience of many new boaters. They buy the boat, read the books and magazines, even take the boating safety courses, but their first few boating experiences are sometimes less than successful. Some people will need a mentor to make the transition into becoming a boater. I’m going to look for that opportunity to personally give back to this recreation that I enjoy so much. Maybe you would want to do the same. Who knows — maybe you will make a new friend along the way. — By Jim Ellis Jim Ellis is president of BoatU.S. 64 BoatU.S. Magazine November 2006 whereour flagsfly Send us a photo of your boat, preferably flying the BoatU.S. flag, and we’ll publish it here, or online at BoatUS.com. Please include the name, make, size and home port, as well as your member number. Hershine U.S. MAMA DUCK — 41’ d Harbor, CA nnel Islan David & Annie Newton — Cha BANANA WIND — Warren, Susan & Ste 46’ Hunter ven Blanc Marsh Harbour, Abaco hard — ’ Sea Ray DOWN TIME II — 33 Louis, MO St. — lich Greg & Rhonda Mil BARBARA W. — 8’ Custom Tug Donald Edelmann — Boca Gra nde, FL SURPRISE — 47’ Catalina Bob & Carole Barne tt — Pensacola, Fl JD’S TOY — 27’ Cobalt Joe Dee Danon — Bronx, NY SOUTHERN CHARM — 35’ Caliber Jim & Molly McDonough — Deltaville, VA Silverton SUM R OFF — 34’ r — Toledo, OH eye nm cke Bu thy Ka Scott & Tall Ships Designed To Meet Your High Expectations There's no mistaking the appeal of a Star Clippers' cruise to BoatU.S. Members. Our ships combine the pampered luxury of a mega-yacht with the thrill of sailing on an authentic clipper ship. With only 170 or 227 guests, you'll experience no crowds as you dine in one unhurried open seating, enjoy a casual relaxed ambiance and sail to off-thebeaten-path ports. We call our onboard style the Mega- Yacht Sailing Experience. You’ll call it the perfect vacation. BoatU.S. Travel offers excellent discounts on Star Clippers 7, 10, 11 or 14 night sailings in the: • Southern Caribbean • Far East • Western Mediterranean • Greek Isles & Turkey • Tahiti & French Polynesia • Ocean Crossings BoatU.S. Members save up to 50%* on Caribbean Sailings Star Clipper departing St. Maarten 7-night Leeward Islands Nevis, Iles de Saintes, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Antigua, St. Barts 2006: 50% Off - Nov. 11, Nov 25 & Dec. 9 2007: 45% Off - Jan. 6 & Jan. 20 2007: 40% Off – Feb. 3, Feb. 17, Mar. 17 & Mar. 31 Royal Clipper departing Barbados 7-night Grenadine Islands Grenadines, Grenada, Tobago Cays, Bequia, Martinique, St. Lucia 2006: 50% Off - Nov. 19 & Dec. 17 (6-night) 2007: 45% Off - Jan. 14 & Jan. 28 2007: 40% Off – Feb. 11, Feb. 25 & April 8 Reserve early as cabins are limited at these savings. Don’t forget to bring your family & friends. 800-477-4427 www.boatus.com/charterdir For virtual tours visit: www.starclippers.com *Restrictions apply. Ships’ registry: Luxembourg forward thinking. Find out more about Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System now featuring Joystick Technology. Order your free DVD today by visiting volvopenta.com/us ©2006 Volvo Penta of the Americas, Inc. Volvo and Volvo Penta are registered trademarks of AB Volvo.