Tuesday, November 12, 2013

2013 ISAF Rolex World Sailors Of The Year

ISAF and Rolex announced the winners of the 2013 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards today... 

ISAF Rolex World Sailors of the Year
Winners: Jo Aleh, Polly Powrie (NZL), Mathew Belcher (AUS). Photo By: Rolex / Kurt Arrigo

In a press release today, ISAF and Rolex announced the winners of the 2013 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards.


This years winners, pictured above, are:

Male: Mathew Belcher (AUS)
Female: Jo Aleh & Polly Powrie (NZL)

Congratulations go out from the Daily Boater to all the nominees, including this year's winners...

Monday, November 11, 2013

Broken Wings

Coast Guard and Navy team up to save crew of sailboats off the coast of North Carolina... 

USCG rescues sailboat with broken rudder
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Harper.

The Coast Guard and the crew of the Navy destroyer USS Cole rescued three people Sunday from the disabled 38-foot sailboat Wings approximately 210 miles offshore of North Carolina; the USCG also assisted the 42 foot Jammin (pictured) about 20 miles away from the Wings, when the same weather pattern left both sailboats with damaged rudders. We've got the full story, plus video, direct from the Fifth Coast Guard District, which serve's America’s Mid-Atlantic Region.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

So Big It's Scary

If it's Halloween weekend, it must be the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show... 


Ft Lauderdale Boat Show on Halloween 2013

This weekend, while many families are packing up their ghosts and goblins until next year, and setting the back their clocks, hundreds of thousands of boating enthusiasts from around the world will be gathering in one of the major yachting capitals of the world for the 54th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Top Ten Boat Insurance Claims

I take care of my boat. What's the worst thing that can happen? What can possibly go wrong? 

Photo by Liz Roll/FEMA, Nov 2012. Location: Atlantic Highlands, NJ

We're not selling boat insurance here, but when you read this list, you'll probably have an urge to get on the phone with your agent and make sure your boat is covered. BoatU.S., which does sell boat insurance, analyzed five years of claims from 2008 through 2012, and ranked loss categories by the total dollar value of claims paid out over that time period.

Following are the top ten costliest claims from the analysis, along with a brief tip or two for each to keep your boat safe from these extreme events. 

Friday, October 18, 2013

All Is Lost Tonight

The Robert Redford movie opens in theaters today. The one that's like Castaway, but on a boat instead of on an island.

That may be your first impression, but it looks like this lost-at-sea adventure is much, much more than that.

The reviews are in, and it appears they are overwhelmingly positive. They mostly describe the movie as riveting, even as they point out that there is virtually no dialogue. While we don't typically review movies, we felt compelled to share this one after the film's publicists emailed us yesterday with the link to the short behind-the-scenes video below...

All Is Lost
All Is Lost starring Robert Redford trying to survive the elements. Photo: Richard Foreman.

Read on for the movie synopsis and featurette film...

Monday, October 07, 2013

Boaters Protest in Vegas

Las Vegas boaters protest

Boaters in Las Vegas protested on Sunday because they can't boat on Lake Mead, which, as a national park, is closed due to the Government shutdown.

According to news reports, boat owners say they took their boats to the Las Vegas Strip because they had nowhere else to go.

Video is courtesy of FOX5 Vegas - KVVU 

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Why We Love San Francisco

A busy week on the bay as America's Cup wraps up and the Rolex Big Boat Series begins... 

America's Cup 2013 Winners Oracle Team USA
Oracle Team USA staged a massive comeback to win the 34th America’s Cup in a winner-take-all 19th race, defeating challenger Emirates Team New Zealand by 44 seconds in Wednesday’s clincher. Led by 35-year-old skipper Jimmy Spithill, ORACLE TEAM USA won by the score of 9-8.

But even though the America’s Cup has concluded in dramatic fashion, San Francisco Bay will continue to host high-intensity sailing this week with the four-day Rolex Big Boat Series scheduled to start today (Thursday, Sept. 26). The annual regatta is in its 49th running.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

America's Cup Decided Today

ORACLE TEAM USA, Emirates Team New Zealand in winner-take-all race for the 34th America’s Cup...

24/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match - Racing Day 14.
If you haven't been following the America's Cup action in San Francisco all that closely, you may find it hard to believe that the contest has come down to a winner-take-all race today after Team USA was losing so badly early on. Oracle Team USA has staged an improbable comeback from 7 points behind after sweeping both races on Tuesday in the 34th America’s Cup. Oracle has had no margin for error as Emirates Team New Zealand has been a point away from winning the whole thing for several days running. 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Norwalk Boat Show 2013 Is Here

Norwalk In-Water Boat Show starts today in Southeastern Connecticut...

Norwalk Boat Show

There may be a lot of boat shows this weekend, but lucky for us one of the largest in the United States is going on right in our own back yard in Southeastern Connecticut... It's the Norwalk Boat Show.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Oracle Team USA Catches A Break

Day 5 recap: Near disaster for challenger aids defender at 34th America’s Cup...

America's Cup recap day 5 2013 San Francisco

ORACLE TEAM USA won Race 8 in San Francisco on Saturday after trailing off the start line and at the first two mark roundings, thanks to a near capsize by Emirates Team New Zealand on the 3-nautical-mile upwind leg.

Racing continues at 1:15 pm PT on Sunday and will be aired on NBC Sports Network. Read on for the full recap of day 5 including text and video... 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Oracle Takes a Time Out

America's Cup Action - Postponement card? What's a postponement card?...

After losing another race, Oracle Team USA, which began defending the America's Cup "in the hole" with a two race penalty, requested extra time to regroup yesterday.

Emirates Team New Zealand now leads the America's Cup four races to zero in the best of 17 series.

Americas Cup Oracle New Zealand San Francisco


Friday, September 06, 2013

Boat Show News: Tampa, Norwalk and More

Tampa kicks off the fall boat show season this weekend, and it's not even fall yet! Other boat show news includes New York, Newport, Annapolis and a preview of this year's Norwalk Show...

Norwalk Boat Show
Make plans now. The Norwalk Boat Show is less than 2 weeks away! boatshownorwalk.com
Don't worry, the big flurry of shows is right around the corner - a corner that's going to be even more crowded next year when New York steps into the game with a new fall boat show.

Or perhaps it will be less crowded as the fate of the annual Annapolis sail and power boat shows is undetermined due to a change of ownership earlier this week.

But let's focus on here and now. This weekend, it's Tampa. A pretty big show, but not necessarily even one of the top five in the state of Florida. This weekend, however, it's the biggest boat show in the world. The other contender is the CNY Fall Boat Show in Syracuse, NY. So, this weekend is about Tampa (but we'll also preview the Norwalk Boat Show as it's so close to home!)

Read on...

Thursday, September 05, 2013

DC Police Boat Crash Caught On Video

Washington D.C. police boat crashes into docked boats while responding to a call...

Video of DC police boat crash
Screen shot taken from YouTube video by Ajay Jaafar.
Couldn't stop watching this video when we came across it. This is a good lesson for new boaters about how boats turn at high speeds. It can be like driving a car on sand or an icy road - a sharp right turn of the wheel may point the front of your vehicle in the expected direction, but the rear or entire vehicle may still continue to slide to the left. Of course, substitute starboard, bow, stern, and port, respectively, when specifically referring to boats.

The person who caught the video on his phone stated that he was walking by the Potomac River and noticed two police boats. When the first one took off with sirens blaring, he started filming the second boat just in time to catch it crashing. 


Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Labor Day Weekend Boating Tragedies


Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard.

When you do a search for the word "boating" on Google News on the day after Labor Day, and 7 out of the first 10 results are for stories about different boating accidents that involved casualties, you know it wasn't a banner weekend for boating safety.

One of the saddest things about the deaths that occurred on the water this past weekend is that so many of them were preventable. If a life jacket had been worn in (at least) one case, and if a boat wasn't speeding late at night in another. If that boat had a working carbon monoxide detector on board, and if those boat operators had been paying just a little more attention...


Friday, August 30, 2013

Labor Day Boating Safety Reminder

Getting the message about boating safety is more important than ever on Labor Day weekend... 


Labor Day boating accidents
See below / full story for full graphic

We have seen several emails and notifications from the Coast Guard and other organizations about boating safely over the summer, and they have really ramped up as we have approached this holiday weekend.

Most of the text-based press releases were loaded with startling statistics and bullet points, but truthfully a lot of them went in one ear and out the other. However, one particular message which we received from a law firm in Texas really grabbed our attention.  Following is just the boating-related portion of the info-graphic we received, which was titled, "4 Elements of a Safe Labor Day Celebration"


Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Boating with Babies

Thinking of cruising with kids? Read this first... 

Boating with kids
Life jacket, shade, and snacks are must-haves for boating with kids. © NauticalSites.com
We've shared tips for having pets on board, as well as boating in bad weather, but what about boating with babies? (or better yet, boating with babies in bad weather?)

Monday, August 05, 2013

AC TV

America's Cup returns to major US television network for the first time in over 20 years... 

America's Cup on TV
Photo © ACEA / ACTV
This weekend marks the first time the America's Cup is returning to network television in the United States in more than 20 years with NBC. Coverage begins with Semifinal races 3 and 4 of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America's Cup Challenger Series, starting on Friday, August 9th on the NBC Sports Network.

Friday, August 02, 2013

Boating on the Radio

Bob's No Wake Zone Radio Show discusses boating from the heart of the country... 

Bob's No Wake Zone Radio Show
Bob of Bob's No Wake Zone Radio Show. Photo: bobsnowakezone.com
If you ever scanned the radio dial listening to people talk about celebrity gossip, sports, news and politics, and wished you could listen to folks talk about boating, we found a radio show that's perfect for you.

Bob's "No Wake Zone" Radio Show covers just about everything about boating, or as the show's website puts it, "kayaks to cruise ships - ropes and knots and megayachts." The show broadcasts locally throughout the Lake of the Ozarks area in Missouri, and, like most popular radio shows these days, streams live on the internet all over the world so you can listen from ANYWHERE. This is a good weekend to tune in, as our friends from Dogs Ahoy will be included on this weekend's edition of the show.

The show airs on Saturdays, from 7 - 8 a.m. Central Time (that's starting at 8 am here in New England). You can listen to the live show or check out archives online at www.BobsNoWakeZone.com.


Boats on the Beach

Sealegs announces the North American release of its new luxury boats with wheels...

Sealegs boat on the beach
That's no trailer... Those wheels are part of the boat!

Any boater that has ever wished they could drive their boat right out of the water and across the beach like James Bond will appreciate this announcement from Sealegs, the world’s leading manufacturer of boats that travel on both land and water.

Today, Sealegs announced the launch of two new boats that can easily be launched from beaches, lakefronts, riverbanks and other land areas with direct access to water. Read on after the next photo for more details and a video...

Sealegs on the water
The new Sealegs Cabin Boat cruises at up to 45 mph on the water.


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Tragedy on the Hudson

By now you've surely heard of the horrific accident on the Hudson River that injured four people and left one of the injured boater's bride-to-be and best man dead, just two weeks before the wedding.

All along, it has been reported that both alcohol and hard-to-see construction barges may have been factors in the collision. The boat's operator was arrested, and according to several news reports, investigators say he was under the influence of alcohol during the crash. Questions remain about whether the construction barges were lit clearly enough to avoid such a catastrophe. 

But one thing was clear from an article published today on ynn.com. Autopsies of both crash victims reveal that the cause of both of their deaths was drowning. Neither of them (in fact, none of the boat's passengers) were wearing life jackets.

Is it possible that if the boaters were wearing life jackets that this story could have had a less tragic ending?

In another incident, related only because of a similar, potentially avoidable, outcome, a 70 year old man fell out of his boat and drowned in a canal in Whiteville, North Carolina. This just happened yesterday. Apparently, he was fishing and capsized the small boat when he stood up to get a look at some birds. (Full story from wcnc.com.) Would a life jacket have changed the outcome?

Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard.


Monday, July 22, 2013

Lifeboat Safety

Everything You Need to Know About Lifeboat Safety... 


Lifeboat safety
A lifeboat on display at the Norwalk Boat Show. Photo © Nautical Sites Media.

Guest post contributed by Tom Rokins

Lifeboats are a remarkably useful bit of gear. They are designed with the express purpose of rescuing you from a spot of trouble and potentially saving your life. However, this does not mean they can’t be involved in accidents themselves.

This is, of course, to be expected – accidents do happen, in all walks of life – but there is a certain amount of irony involved when a lifeboat gets into a scrape.

Fortunately, the majority of accidents which involve lifeboats happen during drills, which means that fatalities are less likely, though they do still occur from time to time. This article is going to discuss the main causes of accidents, and what you can do to avoid them.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

USA Today On Buying A Boat

USA Today article tackles one of our favorite subjects, but it might be missing the boat...

Pontoon boats at the Philly boat show
There were plenty of pontoon boats on display at boat shows this year.
Between the Daily Boater and FirstBoat.com, we offer plenty of tips for new boaters and advice about buying your first boat. Since we are so immersed in the topic, it was refreshing to see a mainstream media publication like USA Today take up the subject matter yesterday.

Thursday, July 04, 2013

Happy 4th of July

Happy Independence Day to boaters across the United States! 


We'd like to wish a safe and happy Independence Day to boaters across the USA!

Please remember that this is one of the busiest weekends on the water all year.

With more people and boats on the water than usual, as well as with all the festivities, it is important to be extra careful while operating your vessel.

Be safe, have fun, and happy 4th of July!

###

Monday, July 01, 2013

Mississippi River High Water Blues

Flood-level waters causing hazards to boaters in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Boaters use caution...

Upper Mississippi
Photo source: fws.gov
Sort of sounds like a song, doesn't it? Well, it's not a tune that boaters want to hear. While droughts have been an issue on many rivers and lakes recently, interrupting pleasure boating as well as commercial activity, now, in some parts of the country, the opposite is causing problems.

The upper Mississippi River is at near flood-stage levels, according to articles in both Wisconsin and Minnesota newspapers. Higher, fast moving water has caused some locks to close and can lead to more hazards for boaters.

Read more at news8000.com: High water on Mississippi poses boating hazards and at startribune.com: High water disrupting Mississippi River traffic

###
 

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Drinking While Boating This Weekend? Bad Idea!

Drinking while boating is a bad idea any time, but especially during Operation Dry Water weekend!

Operation Dry Water
Law enforcement boats are lined up and ready for Operation Dry Water.
We want you to be a safe boater for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that we are on the water, too, and we don't want you running into us. That's why we are alerting you to the fact that this weekend, June 28-30, Operation Dry Water 2013 is in full force.


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Dogs Ahoy

Have fun and keep your dog safe while boating this summer...

A new online store has crossed our radar screens that we're sure you're going to love - especially if you love your dog as much as (or more than) you love your boat. DogsAhoy.com was launched this week with the goal of helping you enjoy your furry friends, on and off the boat.

We checked out DogsAhoy.com and found that it is a fun and easy place to buy must-haves like doggy life jackets and water ski rope inspired leashes. They also have lots of stuff for land lubber dogs, including personalized pup blankets as well as toys that your dog will enjoy while giving his or her friends a good laugh.

According to a recent press announcement about the website, they are planning on adding many more products over the next few months that your dog will be sure to enjoy. If you're like us, and you can't wait, you can check them out now at www.DogsAhoy.com


Friday, June 21, 2013

First Boat Shows of Summer

Welcome to the water on this first weekend of the summer of 2013! Boat shows in San Diego, Houston and more kick off the summer season! 

San Diego Boat Show
San Diego This Weekend! Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/SanDiegoInternationalBoatShow

Today is not only the first day of summer and the longest day of the year, but also a great time to check out the first boat shows of the season in places like California, Texas and Michigan. Read on for details...

Friday, June 14, 2013

Chicago and other Father's Day Boat Shows

Second annual Chicago in-water boat show is happening this Father's Day weekend...

Chicago in-water Boat Show
31st Street Harbor is home to this weekend's boat show in Chicago. Photo: chicagoharbors.info
After a long winter, nothing creates more excitement than warm weather and the chance to enjoy summertime on the water, especially somewhere like Lake Michigan. The Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show is the ideal event to dive into summer with hundreds of boats to browse and buy at 31st Street Harbor, Chicago’s newest state-of-the-art marina.

For more on this and other boating festivals and boat shows this Father's Day weekend, including Southern California and Michigan, read on...

Saturday, June 08, 2013

World Oceans Day 2013

June 8th is World Oceans Day!

World Oceans Day Whale
Happy World Oceans Day! Photo © Nautical Sites Media

According to the World Oceans Day website, on World Oceans Day people around the planet celebrate and honor the body of water which links us all, for what it provides humans and what it represents. This is an especially important day for us boaters. In addition to all the benefits of the oceans that non-boaters take advantage of, we also use the ocean as our playground and our passageway for fun and adventure.

Besides boating, the world’s ocean:
  • Generates most of the oxygen we breathe 
  • Helps feed us 
  • Regulates our climate 
  • Cleans the water we drink 
  • Offers us a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines 
  • Provides limitless inspiration!
Take part in World Oceans Day events and activities this year and help protect our ocean for the future!

Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Boating Gifts for Father's Day

If you're reading this, you probably know a dad who would love a personalized nautical gift for Father's Day...

For those of you on Island Time, Father's Day may seem like a long way off. After all, June 16 is over a week away.

But to get a boating dad cool gifts like these, engraved or embroidered with his boat's name, you have to order early. Like, today.

Even though it is the last minute, you can still get personalized boat name gear delivered in time for Father's Day. Check out these great gift ideas for Father's Day 2013...

Boat name travel mug
Boat Name Travel Mug
Spill-Proof, Unbreakable, Personalized

We think this Boat Name Travel Mug would be perfect for Dad to sip his favorite morning beverage on his way to the boat or to the office. The mug includes his boat name (or any text, such as "World's Greatest Dad") laser etched across the top. More info





Continue reading for more gift ideas for Dad...

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

30 Days of 30 Gifts

Photo Credit: Jeremy Frechette
Sea Tow is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a month of give-aways...

In honor of Sea Tow's 30th Anniversary and to help kick-off boating season, the on-water assistance company is in the midst of promoting a contest they are calling the 30 Days of 30 Gifts Giveaway.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

SailQuest Boat Show

No Fleet Week? No problem! Final pre-season boat show sails into Connecticut this weekend...  

SailQuest Boat Show
Visit SailQuest Boat Show this weekend in Connecticut
Here's your chance to go to one last boat show before boating season formally kicks off on Memorial Day Weekend. See some of the newest boats on the market, get some good deals on accessories, and have some fun in the sun at SailQuest, an in-water boat show on the waters of Long Island Sound in Milford, Connecticut....


Connecticut's final big boat show of the spring, SailQuest, is happening this weekend...

SailQuest Milford Boat Show
This unique and family-oriented show, which returns to Milford for the second year in a row, features new sailboats, trawlers, downeast-style powerboats, catamarans, kayaks, paddle boards and select brokerage yachts for sale, from 12 to over 50 feet. Additionally, a variety of companies will be on-site offering small boats, personalized boating gear and other products and services; exhibitors include our friends from Boat Name Gear.

Admission and parking are FREE.

Additional details...

What: SailQuest Boat Show
Dates: Friday, May 17 - Sunday, May 19 
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm each day
Location: Milford Landing, Helwig St., Milford, CT

For more info on upcoming boat shows, check out our boat show calendar!

###

Boating Deaths Down Last Year

Report from the USCG shows 2012 boating fatalities lowest on record...

Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard.
The U.S. Coast Guard released its 2012 Recreational Boating Statistics earlier this week. This is the sobering annual survey that provides a look at boating accidents, their causes, and the resulting injuries and deaths.

The headline news item out of the report is that boating fatalities in the United States for 2012 totaled 651, the lowest number of boating fatalities on record. But a few other facts jumped out at us from the report, including statistics involving alcohol, life jackets and boating safety courses...


Monday, May 13, 2013

Drinking and Boating in Georgia

This week, a new law goes into effect that boaters in the state of Georgia should pay attention to... Especially those that enjoy a couple of cocktails while out on the water.

Photo courtesy of the USCG

Georgia has passed a tough new boating under the influence (BUI) law, and it goes into effect this Wednesday, May 15, 2013. The new legal blood alcohol level of a boat operator has been lowered to the same level that it is on the road - from .10 to .08.

Additional legislation in the state requires younger boat operators to take a boating education course beginning in July of next year, and effective immediately, all children under 13 are required to wear life vests. 

For more on Georgia's boating laws, visit FirstBoat's local boating page for Georgia.

Ancient Log Boat Found in Ireland

Photo source: Wikipedia.org
Boat found submerged on the banks of the River Boyne in Ireland... 

Researchers say that a log boat discovered on the east coast of Ireland could be anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand years old.

Full story: Independent.ie and TheJournal.ie

Friday, May 10, 2013

No Mother's Day Boat Shows

With Mother's Day happening this weekend, there are no boat shows happening in the US...  

"Hey, why don't we spend Mother's Day walking around a marina or convention center looking at fishing boats and outboard engines," said no wife or mother ever.

Boat show organizers realize this. Hence, there are no boat shows this weekend.

Mother's Day boat show
Photo from a recent boat show in Rhode Island. © Nautical Sites Media

Connecticut's big spring in-water boat show, SailQuest, is happening next weekend...

America’s Cup Tragedy

Artemis Racing sailor Andrew Simpson dies in training accident...

The Daily Boater received the following email from the America’s Cup media team last night. There is not much to add other than our condolences to Andrew "Bart" Simpson's family, friends and teammates.
Sent on behalf of Artemis Racing

It is with immense sadness that Artemis Racing confirms the tragic death of crewmember Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson today in San Francisco.

Andrew, a British double Olympic gold medallist, was one of the 11 man crew aboard Artemis Racing’s AC72 catamaran which capsized during training on San Francisco Bay ahead of this summer’s America’s Cup. All other crew are accounted for.

Simpson however was trapped underneath the boat and despite attempts to revive him, by doctors afloat and subsequently ashore, his life was lost.

“The entire Artemis Racing team is devastated by what happened,” said CEO Paul Cayard. “Our heartfelt condolences are with Andrew’s wife and family.”

Monday, May 06, 2013

When Your Boat Is Your Office

If you've ever considered working from your boat instead of at the office, this article from Knots and Boats is for you... 

Working On The Boat
By Peter Kozodoy, Knots and Boats

Why didn’t I think of this earlier?  We’ve all been so wrapped up in working on the boat, that I only just now realized that I could work on the boat! (continues after the pic...)

Photo ©istockphoto/Magdalena Ascough

Friday, May 03, 2013

May Boat Shows Begin

Now that May has arrived, the boat shows are slowing down as boaters prepare to launch...  

The boat show season may be slowing down, but there are still a few good shows around the country and around the world, including Texas, Rhode Island and Ohio.

More of the week's boating events are detailed after the pic...

Brewer Boat Show Westbrook CT


Thursday, May 02, 2013

Marine Product Review: Zipper Wax

In this week’s Marine Product Review, we tested Bees Knees Zipper Wax...

Canvas top
For the latest installment of the Daily Boater's Marine Product Review, Mark Sutton of MarineProductReviews.com checked out Bees Knees Zipper Wax.

Are you interested in having your product or service featured in a future Marine Product Review on multiple boating websites? Get the details here or contact Nautical Sites Media for more info.

Read on for our review of Bees Knees Zipper Wax...

Monday, April 29, 2013

Spring Cleaning in the Boat Galley

This week's Boat Galley article reminds you that spring is a great time for a thorough galley cleaning...

Tips From The Boat Galley 
By Carolyn Shearlock, author of The Boat Galley, with over 500 FREE articles to get the most out of your boat kitchen with galley tips, insights & equipment recommendations. A few recipes, too - plus an active Facebook community to ask questions and share tips with other readers! The Boat Galley Cookbook, written with Jan Irons, is now available at Amazon and other retailers.


The Boat Galley Galley
Photo: TheBoatGalley.com
Whether you’re a “snowbird,” just now putting your boat away for hurricane season, or a summer boater getting the boat ready for the season, spring is a great time for a thorough galley cleaning.

I prefer to tackle the job one locker at a time instead of doing one step at a time and ending up with everything out of every locker at once. Your preference may be to open all the lockers, make one big mess and then have it done with. There’s no one right way!

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Spring In-Water Boat Shows This Weekend

It's springtime, which means most of this weekend's boat shows are in-water, including Brewer's, Annapolis and more...  

The spring in-water boat show season is in full swing across the United States and around the world.

More of the week's boating events are detailed after the pic...

Brewer Boat Show Westbrook CT


Monday, April 22, 2013

Happy Earth Day

It's Earth Day, 2013. Read this if you enjoy having clean, healthy oceans to boat, fish and swim...

Earth Day 2013

Few organizations do more for our planet than the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA.)  Today, and throughout the week, the NOAA is involved in over 100 public events that you can participate in to help save our waterways...

Friday, April 19, 2013

Vin Pica on Boston and Small Vessel Security

Vin Pica responds to Boston mayhem with a reminder of boating security and safety... 

Boston skyline from a boat
Boston is on everybody's mind this week. Photo Copyright © Nautical Sites Media

Guest blog by Vincent Pica
District Commodore, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Small Vessel Security Strategy – and You

As if the actions in Boston on (and since) Monday, 4/15/13, including the murder of 3 civilians, an 8-year old and two young women, needed to remind us of the terroristic threats that are out there, we’ve all seen the slogan, “If you see something, say something!” You may even read about that and the over-arching theme of maritime domain awareness (see “If You See Something, Say Something”; “Back to the Future – With Maritime Domain Awareness”; “Training for the Unspeakable”)  And as we’ve moved through time since 9/11/01, we’ve adapted to what threats have presented themselves to us (“take off your shoes and put them in the bin with your ‘baggie’ of toiletries”) and that extends to the maritime domain. This column is about that...



Thursday, April 18, 2013

Bay Bridge Boat Show

Check out the Bay Bridge Boat Show all this weekend, across the Bay Bridge from Annapolis...  

The Bay Bridge Boat Show is the Mid-Atlantic's largest spring boat show for both new and premium brokerage boats. This year's show, which started on Thursday, 4/18/13, is located at the Bay Bridge Marina at the eastern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Show details after the pic...

Boats at the Bay Bridge Boat Show
The sun sets on Wednesday evening prior to the opening of the Bay Bridge Boat Show.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Boats and Bikes

If you've ever considered bringing a bike on board for getting around when you visit various ports, this article from Knots and Boats is for you... 

Getting Around Town
By Peter Kozodoy, Knots and Boats

The first-mate and I are explorers - not only on the water, but at our destinations as well. I would bet good money that it's just in a true boater's personality to want to investigate the world at every chance!

We have had good luck in the past being able to walk around our destinations with varying degrees of ease. However, we have admittedly chosen our vacation spots based partly on that criteria to begin with. With impending trips to more spread-out locales, it's time to explore some options for getting around town more efficiently than just hoofing it. (continues after the pic...)

Bikes and boats
Photo courtesy of City of Charleston, SC, via USA.gov

Friday, April 12, 2013

April In-Water Boat Shows

This weekend's boat shows include Strictly Sail in Oakland, next week is Bay Bridge in Maryland, and more...  

The spring in-water boat show season is finding its stride, with boat shows across the United States, and around the world, over the next couple of weeks.

More of the week's boating events are detailed after the pic...

Strictly Sail Boat Show
Don't miss this weekend's Strictly Sail Pacific. Photo courtesy of strictlysailpacific.com


Thursday, April 11, 2013

Marine Product Review: Navionics Marine App

Navionics Marine App
In this week’s Marine Product Review, we tested one of the leading marine smartphone apps...

For the latest installment of the Daily Boater's Marine Product Review, Mark Sutton of MarineProductReviews.com checked out the Navionics Marine & Lakes App on both the iPhone and iPad (there is also an Android version available).

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Read on for our review of Navionics Marine Apps...