Paddlers – Please Use a Vessel ID Sticker
Every year we hear of a search and rescue operation that’s initiated by the discovery of a kayak, rowboat or canoe found drifting with no boater in sight. Maybe someone is in the water, maybe they are stranded somewhere, or maybe the boat slipped off of the beach and went... Continue reading
Is It Time to Replace Your Boat’s Carbon Monoxide Detector(s)?
This is a good time to remind you about how important it is to have and maintain a Carbon Monoxide Detector on board in any marine environment. Wherever fossil-fueled equipment (engine, generator, gasoline engine, diesel, etc.) is in use, it will produce Carbon Monoxide as a natural byproduct. Carbon Monoxide... Continue reading
Tips to Sound Like a Pro on Your VHF Radio
"Calling any vessel ... calling any vessel on Channel 16 for a radio check. Can anyone out there hear me?” “Hey, Charlie, this is Harry; is that you?” “Sure is, Harry.” Blah, blah, blah. Then both parties proceed to blah, blah, blah at length about how the blah, blah, blah... Continue reading
Recollections of a Disaster. 63 Years Ago, Hurricane Carol. August 31, 1954.
Former Kingman Marina owner Thomas “Todd” Kingman recently recounted his memories of living through the epic hurricane Carol as a young man. His chilling recollections are excerpted below. “Hurricane Carol hit Cape Cod with 155 mph+ winds. Our anemometer blew away when a gust stuck the needle at 176. Looking... Continue reading
The Right Way to Pass Another Boat (Coastal & Offshore Waters)
If you’re just passing another boat in open water, it’s probably not a big deal. Cross his stern as early as possible, leave plenty of room, and be mindful of your own wake. But if you're both headed the same direction along any type of defined channel where there is limited... Continue reading
Springtime Boating: Always Wear Your PFD!
An old salt once told us about the "Rule of 50." It says that "The average 50 year-old adult stands a 50 per cent chance of surviving a 50-yard swim in 50-degree water." Warmer weather is on the way, and it will lure many of us back onto the water... Continue reading
Autumn Boating: Why Your VHF Radio is Essential Equipment
The air is still warm, the seas are calmer, and you’ve got the Bay to yourself. This is a great time to be out on the water! Just remember to bring your VHF radio along for the ride. The same peace and quiet that makes this boating time so enjoyable... Continue reading
Tips on Preparing Your Boat to Weather a Storm
The North Atlantic hurricane season is in full swing and things are getting interesting in the tropics. Now would be a good time to refresh our memories about storm preparation. In our experience, a boat’s success in weathering a storm is dependent 50% upon luck, and 50% upon the skipper’s... Continue reading
Tips on Surviving a Thunderstorm on Your Boat
Our friends at Boating magazine recently wrote an excellent article on “Surviving Lightning Strikes While Boating.” We thought much of it was worth sharing, so we’ve excerpted the article here. Powerful, dangerous, highly unpredictable — all are common descriptions of lightning. A direct strike that results only in ringing ears... Continue reading