Skills
Boating in Fog and Low Visbility
We were an hour out of port when the fog settled in. I immediately implemented Stu’s First Rule of Gray-World Boating: Don’t go faster than half the forward visibility needed to bring the vessel to a dead stop. Theoretically, if another vessel is head-on, you should both be able to stop bow-to-bow and thus not […] Read More
The Complete Listing of Marinas and Locks on the Inland and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways
Weathering the Storm
We left Boot Key Harbor in the Florida Keys late on a muggy April afternoon. The plan was to cross the Gulf of Mexico to the Caloosahatchee River for breakfast in Ft. Myers. The passage of 125 miles at a fuel-saving 10 knots would be a delightful overnighter. We were hoping to beat out the […] Read More
Giving Your Boat A Sport Fishing Makeover
Whether you intend to tow the family boat to the coast or rent one when you get there, if your spring or summer plans include saltwater fishing, you’ll want to come prepared with the right accessories to maximize the experience. I actually maintain a “ready bag” with a dozen items I’ve found handy when I […] Read More
Calling for Help
Every boat that ventures out on a large body of water should carry a marine radio, and someone who knows how to operate it. A 25-watt Very High Frequency (VHF) marine radio is your best lifeline if you need help, but it is only as good as the operator. Many boaters install radios but fail […] Read More
Preparing Your Boat for Winter Storage
The boating lifestyle can provide hours of leisure and recreation each summer. But if you don’t protect your boat and store it correctly when the weather cools down, you could end up losing time and money when you’re ready to set sail next year. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to happen. SpareFoot.com has put […] Read More
Stocking Your Boat's First Aid Kit
A first-aid kit is not a Coast Guard requirement, but it is highly recommended and appears on Coast Guard Auxiliary checklist. If it’s well kept, your first-aid kit can be a lifesaver and a great comforter in times of necessity. Too often, first-aid kits, those made up by mariners or sold in […] Read More
What to Look for in a Marina Contract
Even the fairest marina contract will be slanted in favor of the marina as it — or more likely its lawyers — wrote it. This doesn’t mean there’s no option but to sign on the bottom line. Not everything in a contract is written in stone, and many adjustments can be made with both […] Read More
The Complete Listing of Marinas and Locks on the Inland and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways
What to Look for in a Marina
Readers who own a waterfront home with a great dock offering convenient access to awesome fishing, cruising and waterfront dining can stop reading here. Likewise those trailer boaters who live close to their favorite launch ramp and have the necessary space and friendly city/subdivision regulations that allow them to keep their boat at home, […] Read More