Skills
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
The Complete Listing of Marinas and Locks on the Inland and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways
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
Maintaining Your Gelcoat
The gelcoat on your vessel is what gives it its color and shine. Maintaining this very thin layer over the fiberglass will not only help in extending its life but has the added benefits of making regular cleaning easier — and your boat will gleam like it did when it left the dealership. In order […] Read More
Holding Steady
The bridge was slow opening, and this guy was not paying attention. The flybridge convertible with the chatty group gathered around the helm would edge towards the span on the current and at the last moment twist around and work upstream. But he had finally pushed it too far. He drifted down on the bridge’s […] Read More
Preventing Engine Problems
New and older marine engines alike are subject to breakdown, and as a result, can ruin valuable time on the water. However, there are things that can be done to minimize the chances of a breakdown, lost time on the water and costly repairs. After speaking to experts in the field, one fact seemed universal […] Read More
Wake Management 101
I took my first course in wake management as a know-it-all teen. I had rebuilt and just finished breaking in the original engine of my 1948 Chris-Craft runabout and was itching to firewall the throttle, which I did on a narrow stretch of Florida’s Indian River. Now, if you enjoy going fast and are concerned […] Read More
Keeping Electronics Shipshape
Keeping your boat in top running condition not only allows for a sense of pride when on the water but will also provide trouble-free enjoyment of your precious time afloat. Often overlooked are your onboard electronics. Although manufactures have made today’s displays and systems reliable — you just turn them on and enjoy their technological […] Read More
The Complete Listing of Marinas and Locks on the Inland and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways
How to Handle a Grounding
There’s a formation off the northeast end of Connecticut’s Fishers Island Sound called Seal Rocks, because the critters hang out there. Occasionally, a boat joins them. This happens with such frequency that the towboat skippers there know by the level of panic on the radio where the grounding is. The latest incident happened when a […] Read More