Month: October 2017
Profile: Port St. Joe Marina
Touted as one of Florida’s friendliest marina, Port St. Joe Marina was built by the city of Port St. Joe in 1999 and later purchased by the St. Joe Company as an amenity for the city’s development plans. But what makes it so friendly, exactly? According to Marina Manager Daniel Fussell, it’s the warm and […] Read More
The Complete Listing of Marinas and Locks on the Inland and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways
How to Avoid Problems at the Repair Shop
For over 25 years, the BoatUS Consumer Protection department has helped Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) members resolve disputes with repair facilities. The vast majority of shops do the job right, but sometimes they — or boat owners — make mistakes. To see what went wrong and to possibly learn from others, […] Read More
Smart Trolling Motors
Every once in a blue moon, there comes along an innovation that truly fulfills the mission of recreational boating: “To make boating safer, easier and more convenient.” Such notable inventions include the outboard motor, GPS, electronic chart plotters, joystick maneuvering systems — and now smart trolling motors. To get a taste of the amazing advances […] Read More
Top Gulf Coast Anchorages
Updated 11/19/2020 In over 25 years of cruising, we found the waters along the Gulf Coast from Galveston to Carrabelle to be some of the more scenic and tranquil in which we have traveled. The people are friendly, and the waters forgiving — if you pay attention to weather and navigation. It is a pleasant […] Read More
The Year in Preview: New Boats for 2018
Bayliner F21 Based on the E21 deckboat that debuted this year, the new F21 center console utilizes the same M-hull design and clean, open layout. Substantial sponsons provide stability for anglers, plus a slightly deeper V entry than smaller fishing boats for improved handling. The helm has plenty of space for optional electronics, and the […] Read More
Choosing a Charter Vacation
About this time each year, with my own boat soon to go under wraps for the winter, I start dreaming about a change in latitude to help me weather the cold. Since I love boats and boating, when I’m fortunate enough to have the time and the funds to do so, I usually hook up […] Read More
Skippering a Charter Boat
The professional delivery skipper and the charter client have a lot in common. They’re both about to board and get underway on an unfamiliar vessel. They both hope to enjoy the trip, and the last thing they want is a problematic voyage. The charter client has an advantage in that most charter companies are responsible […] Read More
The Complete Listing of Marinas and Locks on the Inland and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways
Geneva Lake, Wis.: Newport of the West
Throughout the Midwest, gemlike inland lakes and their distinctive waterfront communities beckon to trailer boaters and vacationers seeking a respite from the hectic pace of life in metropolises such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit and the Twin Cities. Perhaps the most remarkable of these jewels is Wisconsin’s Geneva Lake, a 7.5- by 2-mile body of water […] Read More