Thursday, December 11, 2008

Boat Gift Ideas

Hard to believe, but you can still get a personalized welcome mat, bath robe, towel or other gift for the boaters on your list delivered in time for the holidays.

Where? At Boat Name Gear - offering high quality items embroidered with boat names.

Sweatshirts, hats - you name it, you can get it - with a boat name on it, at BoatNameGear.

But you better hurry if you want these guys to personalize your gift and get it to you in time for the holidays! Check out BoatNameGear now!

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

See you in St Pete



If your wallet isn't affected by the current economic conditions, and you want an excuse to get out of the cold, you are in luck. There's a medium-sized boat show in Florida this coming weekend.

Can you think of a better time to go to a boat show? The economy is in the head, boat sales are down, fuel prices are probably going back up. Yet, I'm saying "YES, go to the boat show."

Why?

With the economy this bad, your chances of getting a great deal on a new boat are better than ever.

According to a news release on the show's website, "the St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail Features Great Deals and Incentives on 250+ Power and Sail Boats. The Gulf Coast’s new super show running from Dec. 4-7..." The article goes on to explain that visitors to the boat show will find "best-value deals and incentives offered on a large selection of both power and sailboats for the ultimate Holiday gift."

If you can afford a boat, you might as well shop now while the dealers are struggling to move inventory. If you cannot afford a boat right now, it doesn't hurt to go have a look and dream about the day when you can!

To help you save, the show's website is offering a $2 admission coupon here, but the link wasn't working at the time of this post.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Cyber Monday Starts Early for Boaters

Black Friday has come and gone, but there are still plenty of deals available on gifts for boat owners at Boat Name Gear - offering boaters high quality shirts, caps and more, personalized with their boat names.

For example, check out their brand new personalized robes.

This luxurious robe will help you relax - on or off the boat.

Get any boat name custom embroidered on the left chest of this comfortable robe, making it a great personalized gift for every member of your crew.

Order this robe today for FREE SHIPPING and Guaranteed Delivery By 12/24

Check out this robe now

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Feeling Social Part 2

Where do you socialize online when you're not boating?

Last post, after witnessing the launch of Fishington.com, we started reviewing the existing social networking sites for boaters. This post looks at the rest.

Just as SailMonster is a favorite site for the sailboat community, DockWalk.com is probably the best community site for crew members and yachting professionals. The site's 5500 members include deckhands, chefs, yacht owners and more. It's the perfect place to hang if you work on a boat... or if you want to someday.

Bluemapia.com is a "mobile" social network for boaters, and if you're not sure what they mean by "mobile", visit the site and check out their embedded Google Map. Though this site is still in what they call "Beta" phase, when it fully launches it will allow you to visually share where you've cruised and where you're cruising to, and post videos, pics and reviews related to your voyage. Looking forward to the official launch!

Of the current active boating networks out there, TheBoaters.com is far and away the biggest, touting nearly 60,000 members. Its mass appeal could be a testament to the site's clean layout and ease of navigation, or perhaps to its inviting photos of boaters and their boats. But the success of any social network is its ability to easily allow members to connect to other members, and this is where TheBoaters.com really excels. Encouraging visitors to add their "Nautical Resume" and find boaters in the network with similar interests, near and far. In addition, TheBoaters.com is plugged into FaceBook, allowing you to "share your boats with your non-boater friends." You can even get updates from TheBoaters on Twitter, so you'll never miss a beat.

In summary, if you're looking to connect with other boaters on the web, you no longer have to fish (pun intended) through generic social networks like MySpace. There are several communities out there created just for boaters, and surely one of them is right for you. If we missed your favorite boating-related social network here or on our previous post, please let us know by way of comments below.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Feeling Social

When you can't be on a boat, do you like to connect with other boaters?

Or maybe you are like me - always online, talking to other boaters, even while you are on your boat.

With the launch last week of Fishington - a social media site for boating and fishing enthusiasts run by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) - I wondered where else boaters "socialize" online.

We already know you can join boating groups on MySpace, FaceBook and LinkedIn, or even follow boaters on Twitter.

But, did you know there were social networking sites entirely dedicated to boaters?

Next time we'll look at some of the best. Today we'll look at the rest. They all have pros and cons, so your best bet is to check them all out and see which feels right for you. Here are the first few:

Activeboating.com - Small, but worth checking out. It looks to have only about 200 members, and it is not very intuitive to browse for new friends in the network, but the pages seem to load quickly and it has potential.

SailMonster is run by a friendly couple who sincerely welcomed me when I first joined - this site has potential and is worth checking out. Especially if you prefer your boats powered by the wind, this is the place for you.

Zooors.com - Launched this past February, this social networking site seems to be aimed at higher end yacht owners. Watch out for pitches from charter yacht companies on this site and enjoy the eye candy - the site has tons of great photos.

BoatingPassions.com - A niche dating site for boat owners and people who want to date boat owners. Seriously.

Next post will look at a few more social boating sites. If you're passionate about a social network site for boaters, add yours here.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Hybrid Boat Insurance Deal

Connecticut insurance company Travelers (the guys at the golf tournaments with the red umbrellas) just announced the first hybrid boat and yacht insurance discount. Under the new and first of its kind probram, Travelers will offer up to a 10 percent discount on insurance for hybrid vessels.

One of the issues is that there are not many hybrid boats on the market, and those that are available are not as well known as their automobile counterparts like the Prius. In the boating world, the Hinckley Company offers a hybrid power option for customers interested in its DS42 model, Scout Boats launched a hybrid model in late 2007, Frauscher Bootswerft introduced its hybrid to the United States in May 2008 and the Island Pilot DSe Hybrid made its debut at the 2008 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show this past week. Steyr Motors, which powers the Frauscher vessels, markets its hybrid engine as the "world’s first serial hybrid propulsion system for pleasure boats."

Travelers defines a hybrid boat as "one that utilizes an integrated propulsion system that incorporates both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor in its original design. In this system, forward propulsion can be accomplished with the use of the electric motor with or without the use of the internal combustion engine."

Of course there is fine print on the offer: "A discount of up to 10% applies only to certain coverages. The discount may not be available in all states and is subject to individual eligibility."

Also, watch out for the phrase "up to". That could mean that you'll only get a 1% discount on your boat insurance. My advice would be to contact your insurance agent before you purchase your hybrid boat and get a firm quote on what your insurance costs will be to see if there is any additional savings.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Happy Columbus Day

christopher columbusAre you enjoying a long weekend thanks to Columbus Day?

The folks at BoatNameGear decided that a great way to celebrate a nautical holiday like Columbus Day would be to offer 20% savings to their nautical-minded customers. Not a bad idea given our current economic environment.

Use coupon code UMBUS between now and October 15th to save 20% off any order at BoatNameGear.com.

BoatNameGear offers shirts, hats, welcome mats, towels and more - personally embroidered with your boat name. Unlike other sites that sell that type of stuff, BoatNameGear only focuses on stuff for boaters, and doesn't have any lofty minimum order amounts. And, your stuff is custom made and shipped within a few days - not weeks!

Hurry, this coupon expires October 15, 2008:

coupon code: UMBUS
Website: www.BoatNameGear.com

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Cannons 2.0

In a display of wealth that spits in the face of the current economic crisis, Russian ka-chillionaire Roman Abramovich is having a 350 million dollar, 550 foot yacht built (according to CrunchGear). I think he could have picked up an ailing financial firm on Wall St for only a few bucks more. Oh yeah, he's already in that business - better to diversify.

The ship will boost its own economic system on board considering it will require a crew of 70 to steer the vessel, manage the disco, pools and helipads, keep the submarine and jet skis tuned up, and, oh yeah, work the missle defense system built into the boat!

We sure have come a long way since old school pirates had cannons poking out of wooden hatches along the side of a ship.

Of course, this isn't too much of a stretch given that Mr. Abramovich already has an anti-missile system on his Boeing 767.

All I have to say is, cool toys! Spend it if you've got it.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Boat Shows from Coast to Coast

Now that the v.p. debate is over, what are your plans for the weekend?

If you like boat shows, there's plenty of them across the US, and likely close enough to attend on a whim. The fall boat show season has begun.

In my neck of the woods, there's the 10th Annual Boston International In-Water Boat Show, where the weather will be crisp at the Seaport World Trade Center. Save $2 when you buy tickets online. The show runs through October 5th - hours and more information can be found here. (Don't worry - if you miss this show, there's another boat show in Boston in January - here.)

Other boat shows around the country include:

40th Annual International Sail and Power Boat Show in Long Beach, through October 5th at Long Beach Convention Center and Shoreline Village Marina. Show website.

22nd Annual Indianapolis Fall Boat & RV Show through October 5th at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Save $2 with this printable coupon. Visit the show website for more info - here.

If you're in Florida, where every day is a boat show, you can visit the 22nd Daytona Beach Boat Show from October 3 - 5 at the NEW Ocean Center, located at 101 North Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach, FL.

The South West International Boat Show, which was supposed to be at the Kemah Boardwalk Marina in Houston, has been CANCELLED due to damage from Hurricane Ike.

Lastly, if you're in the Pacific Northwest, visit the Anacortes Fall Boat Show, Oct 3 - 5 at Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, Washington.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Big Boats Abound

Does it seem like there is an unreasonable amount of news about big boats lately?

really big cruise shipCelebrity launched its largest cruise ship ever, the Celebrity Solstice, at just over 1,033 (yes, one thousand) feet long, and with a beam of 121 feet. My ideal boat would be about half as long as the Solstice is wide, but let's get back to the Solstice. A half acre field of live grass on the top deck is a big deal, but I'm surprised it hasn't been done before. Same with the solar panels - nice touch, but it seems sort of obvious. If you're into cruises, here's a review from a cruise critic who already spent some time on the Solstice.

In other my-boat-is-bigger-than-your-boat-news, The Maltese Falcon, Tom Perkin's floating ego boost, made its American debut over the weekend, sailing into San Francisco at dead-low tide so as to fit under the Golden Gate Bridge. We pointed out two years ago that the MF has three masts that are nearly 200 feet high... each! Again, a third of that size would be a very comfortable boat length for yours truly.

Here's video from the day in the bay



Lastly, one of the biggest boats in NYC returns home this week after two years of repair and updating in New Jersey. You can see the USS Intrepid on the move here.

And if that's not enough, here's a list of the 50 largest motor yachts in the world, and the Sheikhs, Sultans, Princes and tech tycoons that own them.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Not His Yacht

This past week The Edge announced to the world that Bono's new yacht - CYAN - doesn't exactly belong to Bono. Turns out the yacht actually belongs to David Howell Evans, more commonly known to the world as "The Edge".

According to the Belfast Telegraph, The Edge stated, "It's not Bono's yacht at all, it's mine. Bono doesn't know a thing about boats."

I wonder if Cyan is still available for charter, as it's listed here as available for a mere 140,000 to 175,000 Euro per week.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Boating into Fall

Summer is officially over, but are you still boating?

Here in New England, many folks are starting to think about pulling their boats out of the water for the winter, cutting their losses on what was their most expensive boating season ever. Even in warmer parts of the country where people boat year round, it's harder to get out on the water for many families with school all week and soccer and football games all weekend.

Don't despair, justification is here. Here are my top five reasons why this is one of the best times to boat:

1) Fall Foliage. The sight of changing leaves draws people from all over the world to the northeastern states, as well as to states as far (from me!) as Colorado and New Mexico. Instead of spending your time in a car, take your fall foliage tour on a boat this year for an experience you'll want to do annually.

2) Fall Fish. The folks in the forums of BassReport.com are reminding us that it's just the beginning of the fall fishing season, so don't be too hasty in pulling out your boat.

3) Get your money's worth. You may spend a few grand on your seasonal boat slip whether you pull your boat out on Labor Day or Thanksgiving. Why not stretch out your investment and enjoy your boat a few more times instead of letting it sit idle in winter storage?


4) Less Crowds. Lake and river boaters can really appreciate the extra space they will have on cool autumn days when many boaters have already packed it in. Instead of playing bumper boats, fighting for fish, and endangering your water skiers, you will "own" the lake.


5) An excuse to get away. Is it getting to cold to boat where you live? Then why not boat where you don't live? Head south, west or anywhere that caters to boating year-round and you'll have a destination-vacation you won't soon forget. Plan your trip around a Washington Huskies football game and do some boat tailgating, or visit the Florida Keys or the coast of Texas.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Your Inner Buccaneer

Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Each year, September 19th is the only day that it's okay to end your sentences with "Arrrgh!", greet people with "Ahoy, Matey", and of course, my favorite, say "AYE" instead of "Yes".

Watch the wonderful wench Julie Perry (author of Work on a Yacht) as she describes the history of International Talk Like a Pirate Day here:



For more about the origins of this holiday, visit talklikeapirate.com

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Cancel your Turkey flight

The 2008 Istanbul International Boat Show has been cancelled, according to IBI News.

The event managers site delays in construction of the show's location.

It was scheduled to run from October 22nd to the 27th at Marinturk City Port in Istanbul, Turkey.

Just a few weeks ago, we told you a major New York area boat show was also cancelled. The NY show was cancelled due to the economy.

I hope this doesn't become a trend, as I like going to boat shows.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Southampton Boat Show

If you thought the only boat shows going on this weekend were in Cannes and in Newport, you were wrong. There's also a fairly large show in the UK, the PSP Southampton Boat Show.

The show opened on Friday September 12th and runs through Sunday September 21st 2008.

Watch the wacky opening celebration on DailyBoater.com.

Warning: This video is about 2 minutes long, and you can't have them back.


Mr. Ike

Stumbled upon an intense "live" image of Mr. Ike at Accuweather courtesy of a blogger in the storm's path.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Ike to be another Isaac?

If any of the folks in the Galveston area read Isaac's Storm and heard the national weather service's "certain death" warning about Hurricane Ike, they'll be sure to heed any and all evacuation warnings.

As for boating, I suspect and hope that the entire Gulf of Mexico is empty of boaters over the next 24 hours.

Click here for the AP story from just before midnight on 9/11 2008.

Click here for an up-to-date Google News search.

National Hurricane Center

Can't make it to Cannes?

How about Newport? One of the four largest in-water boat shows in the country is going on right now, right here in New England.

The 38th Annual Newport International Boat Show, September 11-14, 2008, will feature new sailboats and powerboats, and thousands of products and services from both domestic and international exhibitors.

On the web: newportboatshow.com

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Countdown to Cannes

If you had your choice of boat shows this weekend, where would you rather be, Newport or Cannes?

The Cannes International Boat & Yacht Show is just a few hours away. If you're going to this, let me know, as I totally want to talk myself into going next year.

On the web (in French): salonnautiquecannes.com

Abandoned Boats

The Agitator, a blog by a writer who calls himself a "small-l" libertarian, has a photo-log of the most amazing shots of abandoned and run-down boats in Alaska.

If you appreciate old boats, bright colors and beautiful landscapes, then check out Alaska’s Ghost Boats

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Ike is looking for his Keys

Hurricane Ike is raging across the Carribbean as a cat 4, and Geraldo (on Fox News) just told me Ike is already forcing an evacuation of the Florida Keys.

After a quick google search, the AP clarified for me that the evacuation order is currently only in effect for non-residents of the Keys.

Either way, if you are in the keys and own a boat, it's probably an understatement to suggest you tie up an extra line or two. And maybe head to terra firma.

Tampa Boat Show THIS Weekend

In case you missed this, the 43rd annual Tampa Boat Show, the Bay Area’s largest and longest running boat show, has been going on all this weekend.

You can still catch it on the last day - Sunday, September 7th.

How to get there and all that jazz from the Orlando Sentinel here.

Here Comes Hanna

Channel 8-WTNH TV's website from New Haven has a great headline this afternoon about the tropical storm presently spinning up the east coast:

Batten down the hatches for Hanna

It's a nice little story that shows some of the prep boat owners and marinas are doing on the Connecticut shoreline, from adding a couple of extra lines on their boats to hauling the boats completely out of the water.

If reading's not you're thing, you can watch the latest news about Hanna from the AP here.

Friday, September 05, 2008

AC is happening now


I didn't realize that the Atlantic City boat show was the second largest in the US behind Ft. Lauderdale. I thought for sure that either Miami, San Diego or New York were larger.

But the Press of Atlantic City tells me otherwise, so it must be true.

In any event, the event is happening NOW through Sunday, September 7th 2008, at Farley State Marina in Atlantic City, NJ.

Who knows, maybe the Boss and Bon Jovi will show up for a little end of summer show.

For more info on the show, including hours and directions, visit acinwaterboatshow.com

If you want to look cool at the next boat show you go to, order a polo shirt with your boat name and hailing port embroidered on it from BoatNameGear.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Skipping Liberty because of the Economy

The organization who runs the Liberty Boat Show, originally scheduled for later this month (September 25 - 28, 2008) has cancelled the event.

The NMMA says they are postponing the 2008 Liberty Boat Show until October of 2009, choosing to "wait to host the event in a more suitable economic environment".

The show will still be held near NYC at Liberty State Park’s Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, NJ.

More info here:
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=42031

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Labor Day Weekend Show

Since the moment I remembered it was Labor Day weekend yesterday, I haven't been able to get this song out of my head.

Somehow, I don't mind. Do you?

T-Shirt Give Away for Best Boat Name Story

BoatNameBlog - the site that helps people name boats - is giving away a Free T-Shirt for the best boat name story submitted to their site.

Seems like all you need is a boat with a name.

Oh, and a camera. And an email adress.

Sign me up!

Follow this link: http://www.boatnameblog.com/2008/08/win-boatnameblog-t-shirt.html

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Pirates on board

Unfortunately, unlike vampires, pirates do not have to be invited into your home before they can enter. Actually, does that rule even apply to vampires when you're talking about large boats? Would some vampire expert please comment here and help us out!

Anyway, various news sources have reported that on Sunday night, armed pirates boarded a very large luxury yacht in the Mediterranean and robbed the chartering passengers and the crew.

The yacht, named Tiara, was anchored several miles off southern Corsica at the time.

Read about it here and here and here.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Why Boats Sink

I saw this article and had to laugh because it seems so obvious...

Boat sink if they take on water, right?

Well, it turns out there are a lot more reasons behind what could make your boat sink, and some interesting statistics on whether more boats sink while at the dock or while underway.

Most importantly, there are some tips on preventing your boat from sinking.

Check the full article in the Ithaca Journal.

Oh, and here's a video of a boat sinking just to bring it all home.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Baby Whale and Yacht Mamma

The associated press is reporting today that a lost one or two month-old baby whale thinks a yacht is its mom. This is happening right now off north Sydney.

See the actual video

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Storm Brewing

If you are in the Keys, get out. If you are thinking about choosing to stay with your boat or your home, don't.

If you're worried about traffic, leave now instead of waiting until later.

Take a jug of water. Get in the car. And go.

I've been to those keys, and there isn't much room for shelter.

Don't listen to me, check out this video:




Hurricane Fay News Video Post

AP News Article about Hurricane Fay

Abandoned Boats

If you've got a boat moored, grounded or sunk in Folly River or Folly Creek in South Carolina, you better make sure your boat looks like it's in tip top shape.

The mayor of the town of Folly Beach is cleaning up his waterways, and lists 16 boats as abandoned that he plans to have removed.

I think his plan makes sense, especially for the boats at the bottom of the river, or sitting sideways in the marsh. However, after viewing the news video below, it appears as if some of the boats just look too messy for the mayor.

There apparently is a list of targeted boats in the local Folly Beach paper. If your boat is in the area, and you haven't checked on it in a while, you better check the list!

[By the way, I just noticed this video plays a crappy commercial before the aforementioned news piece... please stand by!]

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Rent a Boat Instead of Trailering

Out of town without your boat? Got a fishing fix to fill, but also want to do the driving?

If you are in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, you'll find a marina that will rent you a 20 or 22 ft Boston Whaler for anywhere from 2 hours to a full day of fun. Prices start at only $140, so it won't break your bank. (Until you fill the gas tank!)

They even have 20 ft bow riders available if you want a boat with a little shelter from the sun.

I imagine there are places like this all over, but I thought this was intriguing as I've never noticed this service before, but have been traveling to the Cape for more than 30 years.

I really like the concept. I mean, why pay somebody else to take you fishing when you can be your own captain, without having to trailer your boat and worry about leaving it in the parking lot of a hotel in a strange town?

Anyway, if you're heading to the Cape and want to try them out for yourself, it's probably best to contact them and make reservations. Their website is: www.ShipShops.com, and while they don't know they're getting this free publicity, please tell them you heard about them from DailyBoater.com.

Related post: Renting a boat just got easier

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Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Repo Man Strikes Again

I can't believe this story resurfaced, more than two months after I covered it (well, actually the Wall Street Journal and a TV station in Cleveland covered it, but I covered them covering it.)

Anyway, here's my local hometown (is that redundant?) paper, infamous in the state for recently ridding itself of all those pesky reporters, spitting up a "feel-bad" story written for another city. And also a story that was already told by the WSJ in the same boating season.

I've got to admit, I like the way this newer version of the repo man tale contrasts the two personality types of the men they profiled - the first man is "soft spoken" and rarely confronted; the second wears a bullet proof vest and is "ready for a fight". Worth a read, even if you're not in Miami.

Monday, August 04, 2008

No Strings Attached

Autotether, a new life-saving device for boaters, was invented about 15 minutes from my house.

But I had to read a reprint of a NY Times story recapped in the online version of Florida's Sun-Sentinal to find out about it.

The device essentially replaces that red tether that you're supposed to use to attache yourself to your boat's dashboard. In the original version, if you go overboard, the device would detach from the boat and stop the boat's engine.

Great idea, but the problem is nobody would ever clip these things to themselves because they're a total pain in the ass. In fact, I did a google search for these things to show you somebody wearing one, and couldn't even find one.

Enter Autotether, of Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

Autotether replaces that red string with a wireless signal, so the part that clips to your shirt (or life jacket!) isn't tying you to the driver's seat. You can get up and take care of business or serve a couple of cocktails without untangling yourself. And, instead of being limited to just the driver, you can connect Autotether to multiple passengers on your boat, giving you further peace of mind.

Additional uses include an added layer of child safety at the beach or at the pool.

On the web: Autotether.com

Sunday, August 03, 2008

The Number One Boating Site

There's a new human-powered search site called LoveToKnow.com. Actually, not sure how new they are, but I just stumbled upon them over the weekend.

The best thing about them is their taste in boating sites.

Their editors ranked FirstBoat.com #1 in their list of the best boating websites.

LoveToKnow reviews over 100 sites in each category before selecting a winner, so just making the top 10 is pretty exciting - being number 1 seems unimaginable.

LoveToKnow says that they "look for sites that have depth and breadth in their area. We also look for diversity - a list of ten websites all selling you the exact same shoes isn't very useful. In the Love To Learn area, we try to cover as many different levels of expertise as possible, so that visitors with differing backgrounds and skill sets can find something they didn't know before.

While we're biased in favor of bigger sites - the more sheer content there is, the more it's likely to benefit someone - sometimes the smaller sites stand out in their unique approach, their special niche or that je ne sais quoi that makes us say 'This is a Top 10 site'."

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Lighthouse Vote

The Maine PR Maven just told me via her blog that there's a contest you can participate in to win new windows and doors for your favorite lighthouse.

I followed her link to the voting page, hosted by Jeld-Wen, one of the largest window and door suppliers in the world. It took me a few seconds to realize that "I" wasn't going to win any windows or doors, but once the fog cleared I was happy to vote for the lighthouse that I thought best deserved new windows and doors as part of this contest.

Personally, I was torn between several of the top contenders. I wanted to vote for Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Maine, since the contest was brought to my attention in the first place by a company in Maine. On the other hand, I was drawn to the Bodie Island Lighthouse, as I remember it fondly from our family trip to the Outer Banks a couple of summers ago.

And they were all so beautiful, does one really deserve free windows and doors more than the others? I guess if one of the finalists was in Connecticut, I would have voted for the home team.

Have you ever found your way to your home port with the help of the beacon and horn of a lighthouse? Maybe your favorite lighthouse has a chance to get free windows and doors. Vote here: www.jeld-wen.com/lighthouse/

And if this post put you in the mood for a little lighthouse music, visit this old sea song post from around the time of my aforementioned trip to Cape Hatteras.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Seafair this Weekend

Like boats and looking for something to do this weekend? If you're in the Pacific Northwest, check out Seattle's Summer Celebration: Seafair 2008

If you want to know the ABC's of what Seafair is all about, check out this article in the Seattle PI. The headline says, "A is for Airplanes, B is for Boats", but the article says that "A" is really for alcohol. Looks like they'll have all of the above, and more, so it should be fun.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Free Boat Fuel

IBI Magazine just reported that Australia’s oldest and second largest boat builder Mustang Marine is going to offer new incentives to help increase their boat sales.

The incentives include free fuel, berthing, servicing, detailing and insurance.

Headquartered on Australia's Gold Coast in Queensland, Mustang's boats are available worldwide; but I'm not sure if the new offers are available outside of their local area. (Comments are welcome if anyone is in the know)

This is a great PR piece on the part of Mustang, as American boat companies may be offering similar incentives but the only thing that typically makes the news are their production and job cuts. I really appreciate Mustang's determination to continue to help boat buyers get into their boats.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Cutting back on boating

USA Today reports today that people are cutting back on their boating lifestyle.

I've said all along that there is a core group of boat lovers who will not give it up no matter what the costs. My guesstimate is that we're probably talking the 80-20 rule here, where 80% of boat owners will keep on boating.

And, depending on your marina and neighbors, staying at the slip is sometimes as much fun as being out on the boat. So, a low-key summer could help you save on gas while still enjoying the boating lifestyle.

Let me know if you plan to cut back because of gas prices, or give up boating altogether this year.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

MySpace for Boaters

As you may already know, DailyBoater is part of a nautical network of boating sites, which includes the popular FirstBoat.com.

As one of the leading networks in the space, we wanted to create a place where boaters could interact with each other - a social interaction site for boaters. But then we thought... why reinvent the wheel? So instead, we are creating our own groups and networks within the already established leading network sites.

FirstBoat's MySpace page recently welcomed its 100th friend, a huge achievement considering that the endeavor was launched just four months ago by a 30-something who had never previously used MySpace.

Add FirstBoat as a friend on MySpace and you'll be joining a contingent of more than 100 like minded boaters and fishermen (and fisherwomen!)

Follow this link to add FirstBoat as a Friend on MySpace:

http://friends.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=invite.addfriend_verify&friendID=75804852

Are You Linked In?

As you may already know, DailyBoater is run by the same folks who bring you FirstBoat.com, which recently set up a networking group for boaters in business at LinkedIn.

You're invited to join the FirstBoat Business Networking Group on LinkedIn. Joining will allow you to find and contact other FirstBoat Business Networking Group members on LinkedIn.

The goal of this group is to help members:

  • Reach other members of FirstBoat's Business Networking Group
  • Interact with other readers of the Daily Boater
  • Accelerate business through referrals from FirstBoat Group members
  • Know more than a name - view professional profiles from fellow FirstBoat Group members

    Here's the link to join:

    http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/76775/675B39001206
  • Tuesday, June 24, 2008

    Pirates are not cool

    Disney probably wasn't the first media outlet to glamorize pirates, but if you sail in some parts of the world you need to consider the fact that pirates really exist and they are nothing like the characters you see in popular movies.

    CNN is reporting that pirates have captured a family that was vacationing on their yacht - which ran out of gas - and taken them into the hills of Somalia.

    I hope the family is safe, but I also share this story with you as a warning. If you're going to cruise around countries like Somalia, it's probably a good idea to make sure you take the proper precautions such as having enough gas to get to the next port.

    Sunday, June 08, 2008

    Sail and Dive

    I hope you enjoy this sailboat ride and diving adventure as much as I did.

    Click to watch this sailing video:



    By the way, if you enjoyed this video, you'll probably enjoy the real thing even more. Visit stanella.com to see where it came from.

    Saturday, June 07, 2008

    Lost Divers Found Alive

    This is the most amazing news I've seen in a while.

    Five divers missing since Thursday were found alive on an Indonesian island - in good condition.

    This story could have went a different way entirely - it seems truly amazing that these lucky souls were safe.

    Full story at CNN.

    Wednesday, June 04, 2008

    Boat Gift Ideas for Dad

    Get your dad an apron with his name - or with his BOAT NAME - embroidered across the front. He'll definitely love it!
    Link: Check out our Captain Apron

    Or, how about a polo shirt with both his boat name and the word CAPTAIN embroidered on the left chest.
    Link: Preview our Boat Name Polo Shirt

    Pick up either or both of these gifts at our boat names site, Boat Name Gear, and enjoy 20% off your order with this coupon code:

    Coupon Code: DAILY
    On the web: www.BoatNameGear.com

    Friday, May 23, 2008

    Repo Boats

    I'm not here to jump on the bandwagon of proclaiming the end of boating due to the poor economy and rising gas prices.

    I AM here to point out good deals when I find them.

    With Memorial Day weekend upon us here in the States, and thus the official start of boating season, the latest media trend is reporting about the boating industry being in the dumps.

    First, it was simply about how boat sales are down and those who are keeping their boats are keeping them at the dock because gas prices are so high.

    The new version of that story is even more sensational. The media has latched on to the story of the boat repo man. First, Neal sends me an article from the NY Times about a repo man in Michigan: Economic Tide Is Rising for Repo Man.

    Catchy title.

    Next, I see the same repo guy - in virtually the same story - on a website for NBC affiliate WKYC of Cleveland/Akron. This time, with video.

    What irks me about all this media coverage is that it is a classic case of the news outlets trying to say, "ha ha, look at that rich guy getting his boat reposessed!". Meanwhile, it's usually a young family who thought they could afford that slightly bigger boat. Maybe they would have been fine if the economy were stronger, but they are getting screwed because their take-home pay is getting lost in the wake of not only rising gas prices, but also non-boating expenses that are increasing such as insurance and groceries.

    Anyway, like I stated yesterday, this isn't the end of the boating world as we know it. In fact, there's never been a better time to get into boating. All those repo'd boats are being sold at rock bottom prices, many of them on FirstBoat's boat auction site.

    Should you feel bad? The bank is going to sell the boats to somebody. It might as well be you! Just make sure you re-name your boat as soon as you get it so that the original owner doesn't hunt you down in an angry rage.

    Related links:
  • Rename your boat to hide it from the repo man or to protect yourself from the original owner: Custom Boat Names

  • Shop for boat auctions, including repo'd boats, at FirstBoat.com

  • WSJ: Economic Tide Is Rising for Repo Man

  • WKYC: Repo man snagging boats in Lake Erie

  • Website of the repo man featured in all the news articles: www.harrisonmarine.com
  • Thursday, May 22, 2008

    NPR Says You Are Not Boating

    National Public Radio is the latest media outlet to claim that boaters are boating less due to high gas prices. They say the economy is even forcing some folks to sell their boat, or at least leave them in storage this season.

    I believe this is probably true on the fringe of boating. The folks who bought boats because they thought they could afford them - only to find out that the costs to maintain and enjoy a boat are usually a larger expense than those "low monthly payments".

    Boats cost more than the price of the boat. It's easy to see the price of a boat broken down into low monthly payments, but before you say "I can afford that" you need to think about your entire financial exposure - just like any investment.

    First Boat has been responsibly explaining this issue to new boaters for years, but there is only so much one website could do.

    Don't mean to sound all preachy on you.

    Anyway, here's the NPR story - take a listen and if you're really concerned, buy a sailboat.

    Wednesday, May 14, 2008

    Brunswick Tightens Ship

    If you own or were thinking of buying a Sea Pro, Sea Boss, Palmetto or Laguna brand of boat, you might be interested in this.

    Those brands, along with Bayliner, Maxum and Cabo yachts - to name a few - are all part of the Brunswick family of boats.

    At least, they were.

    As of July 1 2008, Brunswick is closing the factory that makes Sea Pro, Sea Boss, Palmetto and Laguna, which are all part of what they called their Bluewater Marine line of boats.

    My guess is that dealers carrying those lines of boats that are being discontinued are going to be having fire sales, so you can probably get a good deal if you look for one.

    Monday, May 12, 2008

    Drive Thru Bait Shop

    I don't know why, but I've always had a fascination with drive throughs.

    As a kid I remember them in a few banks, then fast food restaurants and, of course, bad coffee shops. Drug stores, CVS, Rite Aid, or whatever, would have them sometimes, and now that I have kids of my own I really appreciate those - especially when picking up medicine for ear infections, strep throats, and various other things that require a stop at the pharmacy on the way home from the doctor with a car full of sick kids.

    I remember the first drive thru (yes, I use the spellings interchangeably - Wikipedia told me it was OK) liquor store I saw in East Haven, Connecticut. 30 years later, I saw several more in North Carolina. I've still never driven through one, but I still think they're cool.

    Even with all that variety in the drive-thru genre, I was still surprised to find out last week that there is a drive through bait and tackle shop in Clearwater, Florida.

    It's true. The news station in Tampa Bay even told me you can even go through their drive-through with your boat in tow.

    The Complete Angler is located at 705 N. Ft. Harrison Avenue in Clearwater. If anybody in the area has a better picture of an actual car towing a trailer driving through this store, please post it as a comment here.

    Florida Boating Rescues

    All nine people who were thrown into Tampa Bay after their boat hit a wave this weekend were rescued. The group included an infant and a child.

    The article on MyFox Tampa Bay states, "No one was wearing life jackets..."

    This last statement is disturbing since the boaters had an infant and a child on board. I don't mean to get preachy here, but it is INSANE to think that these folks were bopping around on Mother's Day without life jackets on their kids!

    In other rescue news from the weekend, three men - age 21 to 22 - were rescued after their 22 foot fishing boat capsized off of St. Augustine, Florida. The Coast Guard's swift action led to a rescue within 60 minutes of the time the distress call was made. Not sure if these three guys were wearing life jackets, but they were smart enough to stay with their overturned boat. But they were not smart enough to stay home in the first place... The Coast Guard had a vessel that was already powered up "as a precaution because of heavy seas and winds as high as 28 mph."

    Listen everybody, if you're going to go fishing, check the marine weather forecast first. And if you're going out in a "small craft" it's a good idea to listen for something called "small craft advisories". There's a pretty good chance one was issued if there were heavy seas and winds near 30 mph!

    So, let's re-cap what we learned today:

    1. Wear life jackets

    2. If you've got kids on board, make them wear life jackets

    3. Check the weather

    Friday, May 02, 2008

    Opening Day for Boating Season


    Seattle is celebrating the opening day of boating season this weekend with the Opening Day Parade - a northwest tradition since 1920 according to MyNorthwest.com.

    You can learn more about the festivities, and see a map of the parade route, and best of all - see the full size version of this picutre - at the Seattle Yacht Club website.

    Boat Shows and No Shows This Weekend

    The West Michigan Spring Boat Show is this Friday (today) through Sunday, at the Terrace Point Marina, downtown on Muskegon Lake. Visit the show's website for more info.

    If you are already in neighborhood and you hurry, you can still make the Kuwait Boat Show International 2008. The event's website warns that "KBSI 2008 ends on Saturday 3rd April at 10pm sharp." If you're not in the neighborhood, you can feel like you're there by watching this official boat show video.

    If you are looking for information about the St. Augustine Boat Show, don't waste your time - it was cancelled. The event was postponed due to poor economic conditions.

    Lastly (unless I edit this post later), here's a show that I think is still going on, but the website hurts my head. If you are in or near Palma, then you can check it out for yourself:
    25th Palma International Boat Show 2008

    Thursday, May 01, 2008

    Sydney Harbor Tragedy

    Five young people were killed as two boats collided in Australia early Thursday morning (full article at CNN).

    Tuesday, April 29, 2008

    You are enlisted

    The US Government needs your help thwarting terrorists.

    If you boat near any military bases, power plants, cruise ports, large populations, national monuments, tourist attractions - Ok, if you boat ANYWHERE - then you should read this.

    Friday, April 25, 2008

    Boats for Sale

    News of slumping boat sales made the Wall Street Journal yesterday as Brunswick reported slumping profits for in their quarterly earnings announcement.

    If you are a boat owner, chances are pretty good that the boat you own or one you used to own is now a brand under the Brunswick umbrella. Brunswick is the parent company for Bayliner, Sea Ray, Trophy, Crestliner, Maxum, Mercury, Baja, Cabo, Suncruiser (and that is really just to name a few!).

    So, as Brunswick goes, so goes the industry. In fact, the WSJ article attributed the CEO of Brunswick as saying that Brunswick is not the only boat company having trouble. "Mr. McCoy noted U.S. marine unit sales slumped 17% industrywide."


    All I see here is opportunity. You know how it goes. As dealers get hungry for sales, you'll be able to get some great deals. I wrote more on falling boat prices here, but now I'm actually seeing proof. I saw a 27 ft cabin cruiser listed for $1,200 yesterday at a marina in Connecticut. I asked if it had an engine, and was told that it did and it runs!

    I'm not only thinking about buying a new boat, but possibly also some stock in Brunswick!

    Wednesday, April 23, 2008

    Recycle Your Boat Wrap

    You know that disposable shrink wrap that everyone wraps their boats in all winter?

    What do you do do with yours when it's time to launch your boat in the spring?

    You and boaters at your local marinas may be throwing tons of plastic away each spring.

    Remember a few years ago when most boaters instead used canvas and re-usable plastic tarps, and lots of messy ropes - to accomplish the same protection from the elements in the off-season? This was not as convenient or effective as the plastic used today, but it was a heck of a lot more environmentally friendly.

    I just read a story about a bunch of marinas in Westchester County, NY, that started a recycling program for this newfangled boat wrap. If you keep your boat at the city of New Rochelle marina, the city of Rye boat basin or Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck, you'll get to participate in this pilot program.

    I'd like to think this isn't the only part of the country where boaters and marinas are being environmentally conscious about their winter wraps.

    If you are part of another community that is recycling your plastic boat covers, please post a comment here.

    Monday, April 21, 2008

    Love a good rescue story

    It's always great to hear about would-be tragedies that end with the boaters being rescued.

    This was the case in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend, several miles off the coast of Clearwater Beach, Florida, as reported on Tampa Bay's 10 (see full story).

    The men were traveling at 35 mph when their boat hit a wave and knocked them both out of the boat. If you're a new boater, you may not realize it, but 35 is FAST when you are on the water.

    While I love to see the happy endings like this, I also like to take these opportunities to remind folks about boating safety: If you boat, there's never a bad time to wear a life jacket.

    Monday Came As Promised

    Come Monday is one of Jimmy's best, and watching this video is like going back in time. I've seen plenty of pictures and album covers of this younger Jimmy Buffett, but to see him like this on a crisp YouTube video is something you must see if you're a parrothead.



    Click here to view post and video.

    Friday, April 18, 2008

    See you in Jacksonville?

    The fastest growing boat show on the east coast, the 12th Annual Jacksonville International, is going on now.

    This in-water show runs April 18, 19 and 20 (2008) is at the Metropolitan Park and Marina in Jacksonville, Florida - Located on the St. John's River,
    West of the Stadium.

    Visit www.jaxboatshow.com for more info

    Topless Fishing Charter is Also Slip-less

    The outdoor life blog told me today about a topless fishing charter company in Florida that is making waves at the city marina where their boat is (was) docked.

    Although the boat advertises that its bikini-clad deckhands will drop their tops only while out at sea, the city is concerned about its image and reputation back at the marina.

    I guess they think topless chicks at their marina is not conducive to a family atmosphere.

    If you're interested in trying to book a charter with the topless (and now slipless) charter company, visit their site here.

    Wednesday, April 16, 2008

    Boat Show in Sarasota this Weekend

    In addition to all the regular boat show stuff, this event features live music on a floating cocktail barge (fun for adults) and a free kids fishing clinic (fun for kids) on Saturday and Sunday.

    The show's website claims that at the conclusion of the clinics, each child gets a free Rod and Reel!

    What: 26th Annual Suncoast Boat Show
    When: Thursday, April 17th - Sunday, 20th, 2008
    Where: Ken Thompson Park and City Island in Sarasota, Florida
    Web: http://www.showmanagement.com/sun_coast_2008/event/

    Monday, April 14, 2008

    Supply and demand - boat prices falling

    The Boston Globe today confirmed my theory that it is a GREAT time to buy a boat. Sure, the price of gas is high, but you can probably make up for it in savings on the price of your boat, interest, and possibly even slip fees.

    Why are boats getting cheaper? Supply and demand. My favorite quote from the article:

    "It's the first thing to go, right?" said (Morningstar market analyst Marisa) Thompson. "No one needs a boat to survive."

    Not sure why, but it made me think, "tell that to Noah."

    Read the full article here at the Boston Globe's site, Boston.com, but watch for pop-ups.

    You can find deals on boats at FirstBoat's boat auction listings here, or on their boat classified listings here.

    Oh, and if you're one of those folks who needs to unload your boat in a hurry, list it for sale on FirstBoat's classifieds site, and it will also be included on UsedBoats.com and all their other partners' sites. A real deal at $39.95.

    It was not the sharks that got them

    Tragic story off of Kleinbaai, near Cape Town, South Africa, where three lives were lost in a shark encounter adventure.

    But the sharks weren't to blame even though the boat was on a tour like this one.

    All passengers and crew were on the boat when a rogue wave crashed onto the 35 foot vessel. The three who did not survive were apparently sucked under the boat and drowned.

    Read the full story here
    and here

    Friday, April 11, 2008

    Free Ride on the Okole

    Thanks to YouTube, I invite you to take a free 20 second ride aboard the Okole, as it leaves Ushuaia, debatably the world's southernmost city, heading south for Isla Navarino. This boat ride took place in March 2008.



    Click here to view the video

    Monday, April 07, 2008

    Boats in MySpace

    I've been trying to figure out this whole social networking thing.

    I mean I boat... I blog... but Myspace and Facebook have been a little over my head (or under my age!)

    Anyway, I'm testing the waters to see if we can share our boating experiences with more new and experienced boaters in the world.

    Right now, I've got a myspace page for FirstBoat. If you're one of the 50 zillion people on myspace, please be like Jimmy Buffett and add FirstBoat as a friend.

    Here's the page: http://myspace.com/firstboat


    I've also set up a group on Linked In. Be the first to join the FirstBoat Group on Linked In here.

    Thanks!

    Friday, March 28, 2008

    Tacoma Dome Boat Show

    The Tacoma Dome Boat Show (I really like the name of that) is this weekend - In fact, it already started!

    You can see more than 500 boats inside the Tacoma Dome (of course), in Tacoma, Washington.

    The show will be cool, young, and hip. How do I know this? Because they have their own MySpace Page, and it's the nicest MySpace page I've seen.

    Speaking of MySpace pages, we just started one for FirstBoat.com (our mother ship). If you'd care to be-friend FirstBoat (or whatever it is you do to connect with folks on MySpace), then please click away and be one of our first friends.

    Oh, Canada!
    Other boat shows this weekend include previously mentioned Palm Beach Boat Show and the Moncton Boat Show, being held at the Moncton Coliseum from March 28th-30th in New Brunswick, Canada. The show is only in its third year, so go out and support it if you like boat shows and live within a few hours of Moncton. The more you go, the more likely they will be able to have a 4th and 5th year.

    Thursday, March 27, 2008

    Boaters not letting economy dock them

    Business Week took a look at how the economy is affecting the marine industry in an article they ran today. The story, written by Ashley M. Heher, looks at the cold, hard facts that there are a lot less boats selling today than there were a few years ago.

    It's no surprise, as I mentioned here last July, that there are a lot less boats being purchased due to the economy.

    However, the anecdotal quotes from existing boat owners in Ashley M. Heher's article suggest that higher gas prices aren't going to keep boaters from boating. When you have twin 75-gallon gas tanks, does it really matter if gas is $2.25 or $4.25 per gallon? Either way, it's a lot of frigging gas to buy.

    Tuesday, March 25, 2008

    Palm Beach Boat Show This Weekend

    The 23rd Annual Palm Beach Boat Show starts this Thursday, running from March 27th to the 30th across three locations in Palm Beach, Florida.

    Why attend? Here in New England, where there's a chance for snow on this early Spring evening, it's more like why NOT attend. But with more than 1,000 boats, including superyachts like the $25 million dollar Lady Kathryn III (pictured), it's worth the trip from any location.

    Learn more about the Palm Beach Boat Show and the Lady Kathryn III here.

    Friday, March 21, 2008

    Tugster

    Do you heart NY? (That means, "do you love new york?")

    If so, and if you also love boats, and if you also don't mind blogs, you'll love tugster - a waterblog.

    What's Tugster? Here's how Tillerman describes it on his list of the 9 or 10 best sailing blogs:

    The author Will Van Dorp works on greater New York harbor and posts on his blog photos of what he sees on the water. Tugs, sunsets, barges, birds, container ships, rudders, tillers, men at work, fishnets, kayakers... even some sailing craft occasionally. Strangely addictive.
    Check out Tugster for yourself.

    Thursday, March 20, 2008

    Ray leaps and kills woman

    CNN just told me that a woman on a boat died after a spotted eagle ray leaped from the water off the Florida Keys Thursday and struck her while she was sitting on the bow of a boat going 25 mph.

    The spotted-eagle ray weighed about 75 to 80 pounds and had a six-foot wingspan!

    Read the entire disturbing story here.

    Meanwhile, I'm going to search YouTube to see if anybody has video of one of these rays flying through the air, which apparently happens all the time - usually without incident.

    Monday, March 17, 2008

    Half-Million Dollars Worth of Boats Auctioned

    FirstBoat reported today that they drove $492,400 worth of sales of boats and boat products through eBay in 2007.

    FirstBoat, which lists up-to-the-minute boats for auction on its website, has an affiliate relationship with eBay. Sales numbers are tracked and audited by a third party; this third party reported that nearly half of a million dollars worth of used boats and marine products were sold on eBay in 2007 to people who had clicked over to eBay directly from FirstBoat.

    The numbers appear to be quite remarkable. Although eBay does not share how many boats are sold or auctioned through their site, the auction site once reported that they sold $14 Million worth of boats (2002). It is surmised that FirstBoat is clearly one of their largest drivers of boat buyers with nearly a half-million dollars worth of sales in one year.

    This report helps validate to FirstBoat's advertisers that the site's visitors are not just browsing, but are serious about buying boats.

    It also shows that FirstBoat helps prepare buyers for making informed decisions about boat and boating-related purchases. FirstBoat's boat buying guide includes information about how to buy a boat, how to bid on a boat, and the basics of boat loans and marine insurance.

    Thursday, March 13, 2008

    Save My Dog

    I learned two things on the Dog Blog today.

    First, thing I learned is that there is a "dog blog". Come to think of it, there are probably many.

    Second, a capsized fisherman who was about to be saved from chilling waters told his rescuers to save his dog first!

    Read the whole story, and see the dog blog for yourself here.

    Maybe the dog should have had one of these:

    Thursday, March 06, 2008

    Boat Shows Around the World

    If you're looking for a boat show this week, you're in luck - there are several events sprinkled around the globe going on right now.

    First, there's the 2008 Everett Boat Show at the Everett Events Center in Everett, Washington. Go for the boats, stay for the racing ducks. The show runs through March 9, 2008. See duck link for more show info.

    Down the coast a bit is the Sacramento Boat Show, which calls itself the largest ‘all boat’ show in the Central Valley. Despite calling itself this, the event's website has an annoying motorcycle riding across the page right over the information you're trying to read about the show. I'll save your eyes the pain mine just experienced and simply give you the event information here:


    When: March 6 - 9, 2008
    Where: Cal Expo in Sacramento, California
    Thu-Fri: Noon-9pm
    Sat: 10am-9pm • Sun: 10am-6pm
    Admission is free for kids under 12, and $10 for the rest of us. Save $2 with this coupon (PDF).


    Additional boat shows this week and weekend

    If you're in or around Europe over the next couple of days, you'll want to check out the HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show 2008 in the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition Centre, as well as the Stockholm International Boat Show. Both shows started a few days ago and run through Sunday, March 9th.

    Additional boat shows going on now through March 9:

    Austrian Boat Show

    10th Auckland International Boat Show at the Viaduct Harbour

    47th Japan International Boat Show in Yokohama (English)

    13th Annual National Capital Boat Show at the Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, VA (starts March 7, 2008)

    Cancelled: The Boat Show in Springfield (Illinois) due to major electrical problems. The show was scheduled for this weekend, but is being pushed back until May.

    Thursday, February 14, 2008

    2008 Boat Ratings by JD Powers

    As I predicted a few weeks ago, the latest JD Power ratings for boats were released this week.

    Check out their site to see how your boat (or the boat you are thinking about buying) is rated!

    On the web: http://www.jdpower.com/boats

    Wednesday, February 13, 2008

    Happy Valentine's Day from Miami

    It's that time of year again. If you love boats, why not spend Valentine's weekend at the Miami Boat Show, which runs from February 14-18, 2008.

    The show spans three locations:

    MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER

    SEA ISLE MARINA & YACHTING CENTER

    MIAMARINA AT BAYSIDE (Strictly Sail Miami - for you sailboaters)

    It looks like Maxum will be signing people up at the show for a contest in which they are giving away a boat in May.

    There are also a couple of contests at the show involving fishing with fishing celebrities in Key West. Check these offers out here.

    All in all, given the ice storm I'm facing in New England right now, I'd rather be in Miami.

    Tuesday, February 12, 2008

    Boat Lovers: Feel free to comment

    the DailyBoater is Open For Comments (for now).

    Up until today, the "comments" section has been turned off on DailyBoater.com, but as this blog is a blog, it should give visitors the ability to make comments.

    Feel free to click the 'comments' link on any post and provide feedback for the world to see

    Monday, February 11, 2008

    Roy Scheider and Bigger Boats

    On Monday, both CBS and NBC evening news showed the famous scene from Jaws where Brody - played by Roy Scheider - gets a glimpse of how enourmous Jaws is, and tells Quint, "You're gonna need a bigger boat."

    A legendary quote, and one that has been abused by boaters now for over 30 years.

    Here's a longer clip with that scene - courtesy of YouTube - in memory of Mr. Scheider.

    Friday, February 08, 2008

    BoatUS Releases Best-Selling Boat Names

    Today's post on the BoatNameBlog shares what BoatUS considers to be the top boat names from 2007. Read on:

    It's that time of year again. BoatUS, which is well known for its marine equipment stores (in cahoots with West Marine), as well as AAA-like memberships and regular boat insurance, just came out with their list of top boat names in the United States for 2007.

    It's interesting to see the influence of a Disney movie rise above old standards like Liberty (which has been especially popular every year since 9/11), Second Wind (popular with sailors and people my age and older), Aquaholic (read: pull me over and give me a breathalizer test), and Carpe Diem.

    Here is the full list of top boat names from 2007:

    Black Pearl
    Liberty
    Second Wind
    Amazing Grace
    Aquaholic
    Knot On-Call
    Second Chance
    Wanderlust
    The Dog House
    Carpe Diem or Seas the Day

    For the previous years boat names, visit FirstBoat's comprehensive boat name site.

    If you want to see what any of these popular boat names would look like on the back of your boat, visit CustomBoatNames.com now to preview any boat name in different fonts and colors.

    Tuesday, February 05, 2008

    East Coast Boat Shows This Weekend

    If you can't wait for (or don't have the time to go) to the Miami Boat Show, there are a plethora of shows that might pique your interest - some starting as early as this Wednesday.

    First, there's the Atlantic City International Power Boat Show, February 6 through February 10 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Web: acboatshow.com

    Go to the AC boat show early, then drive down to Florida for the weekend for a couple of concurrently running shows that are not too far from each other.

    The 21st Daytona Beach Boat Show is Feb 8 - 10 at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach Florida.

    The 61st Annual Jacksonville Boat Show is Feb 8 - 10 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville, Florida. Don't get confused with the Jacksonville "International" Boat Show held in April. Feb show on the web: thejacksonvilleboatshow.com

    Seriously, look at the map - it's not that bad of a drive if you're looking for a roadtrip to round out the week and soak up some warmer weather -


    View Larger Map

    Tuesday, January 29, 2008

    Wild Girls Go Fishing on TV

    The problem with most fishing shows is...

    Do I really need to finish that sentence? We all know that watching fishing is probably ranked somewhere between watching golf and watching grass grow. I'll leave it up to you to decide which of those activities you prefer!

    The problem most people have with fishing shows is that they usually aren't tournaments like golf - there's no contest, nothing at stake. Further, it's usually a couple of guys fishing at the crack of dawn, talking quietly while they unrealistically (through the magic of video editing) reel in fish after fish - all along telling you how easy it is.

    One exception is Charlie Moore, whose onscreen presence and enthusiasm is as sharp as his Boston accent. If you're up early on a cold Saturday morning and can't be out fishing yourself, then you can't beat watching Beat Charlie Moore.

    girls gone fishinA second exception, for entirely different reasons, is a show I just came across today called Girls Gone Fishin'. The show features two women hosts - Sarah and Lea - that are as easy to look at as the scenery in front of which they are fishing. It wasn't porn - just a couple of nice girls having fun with fish. As soon as they update their website, you'll be able to see if Girls Gone Fishin' is playin' on a station in your area.

    Saturday, January 26, 2008

    Hartford Boat Show - Right Now

    If you're in New England this weekend, the place to be is the Hartford Boat and Fishing Show at the Connecticut Convention Center.

    At least it's the place I'm going to be this weekend.

    I'll be browsing through the 100's of boats on display, checking out the booths that embroider shirts with your boat name, looking for vendors that sell vinyl boat lettering, and last but not least, drinking overpriced beer.

    The show started January 24 and runs through Sunday, the 27th, of 2008.

    More about the show.

    Here's a coupon so you can save a couple of bucks if you go:
    http://www.hartfordboatshow.com/pdf/cmta_08_coupon.pdf