AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL 2007 ISSUE

Complete Command Control - a look at tomorrow’s innovative helm solutions, today.

Every so often, a new product or system is unveiled which I am confident will revolutionize the fishing and boating industry. The latest such product is a new navigation solution that is about to unlock a world of possibilities for operators of high-end vessels - a world that puts advanced charting, radar, three-dimensional bottom imaging, video security and entertainment right before their eyes on up to 12 glass monitors, all with complete control no more than a fingertip away. My intention for sharing this information is to provide readers who appreciate such sophisticated equipment, with a sneak peak into the exciting future of fully-integrated PC-based helm solutions.

AS SEEN IN THE JAN/FEB 2007 ISSUE

THE CASE FOR REBUILT OUTBOARD ASSEMBLIES

Knowledge is power.  When your outboard fails, you need to know about this option.

Boaters get sticker shock two times. One tThe first timeime is when they see the bottom line on that fancy new boat-motor-trailer package (and all of its accessories) rigged and ready, plus taxes of course. The second attack of sticker shock is after the warranty expires and the technician tells them what it is going to cost to fix their outboard engine: a lot.

AS SEEN IN THE SEPT/OCT 2006 ISSUE

I mean come on; wouldn't you rather be fishing instead of scraping?

For inboard boaters, marine growth is the bane of boating. Barnacles, tube corals, and now zebra mussels pose a major threat to vital running gear, especially propellers. To address the problem, an innovative solution has recently hit the market, an epoxy based antifouling coating that has undergone years of testing in the warm, nutrient rich waters of South Florida. It is not only EPA compliant, but also purportedly contains no green house gas causing volatile organic compounds. Applied as a powder coat, it cures to a hard, ultra-slick finish that is both self-cleaning and maintenance free. What more can a captain ask for.

AS SEEN IN THE JULY/AUG 2006 ISSUE

Shore-Power for the common boater

If we all lived in a perfect world, our days on the boat would be pleasant, but not too hot. Our nights at dock would be cool and comfortable, with just enough breeze to keep the mosquitoes at bay. All waterfront restaurants would be inexpensive and serve delicious food so we’d never need to cook aboard while visiting distant ports, and our batteries would magically stay charged to full capacity at all times. Somehow, this isn’t the world I live in.

AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2006 ISSUE

If you are not getting the performance you think you should from your boat, it could be you have the wrong propeller(s). One size does not fit all in the world of boat props. There are two critical questions you should ask yourself with a performance shortcoming – what size and type of prop do you have and what type and size do you actually need? The answer to the first question is straightforward, but the second takes a little thought and a bit of head scratching. Let’s start with the first question. What do you have?

AS SEEN IN THE FALL 2003 ISSUE

When it comes to fishing boats, there are many after market products available, which make certain styles of fishing much more convenient. However, there are only handfuls that can be equally beneficial to both inshore and offshore fishermen. One of these products is the electrical receptacle. Installing one or more on your rig will keep your deck free and clear of all wires and most importantly allow you to operate 12 volt appliances easily and safely.

AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2003 ISSUE

When it comes time to rig your boat, whether it be a new factory model or re-rigging a pre-owned boat, proper battery selection and wiring can mean the difference between years of trouble free service or headaches just months down the road.

AS SEEN IN THE SPRING 2003 ISSUE

With the technology of today’s outboards it’s very rare to have a major engine component such as a power head or lower unit fail without some kind of warning. That warning may come weeks, hours, or just minutes before a failure. Learning to recognize some of the symptoms can be the difference in repair costs of a couple hundred dollars or a few thousand. As boat owners we all hate to admit when our engine or engines might not be performing at their best.

AS SEEN IN THE WINTER 2004-05 ISSUE

It's a well-known fishing fact that increased lines in the water increases the chance of catching fish. More lines mean more bait, simulating schools of fish. This is where rod holders and outriggers b e c o m e i m p o r t a n t " w e a p o n s " . While the more rods the better is true, positioning and an unobstructed fishing area are important factors too.

AS SEEN IN THE FALL 2004 ISSUE

AS SEEN IN THE NOV/DEC 2005 ISSUE

easier than tying a knot in a match box.

As a professional fishing guide, my trolling motor goes over the bow of my 2200 Pathfinder thousands of times per year. In the water, out of the water, in the water, out of the water, you get the picture. Your trolling motor probably goes through the same abuse.

AS SEEN IN THE SEPT/OCT 2005 ISSUE

In the event that your rub rail is damaged, the following tips can be implemented as a guide to ensure proper repair.

Although the primary design of a rub rail is to protect protruding portions of your boat’s hull from superficial damage, rub rails also serve as an additional buffer between harsh marine elements and the inner portions of your hull.
 

AS SEEN IN THE JULY/AUGUST 2005 ISSUE

Summer is in full swing and all around the State boat owners and crews are enjoying their pleasure craft, though many are already thinking about preparations for the upcoming fall and winter, seasons of the year when Mother Nature has a habit of showing her true colors.

AS SEEN IN THE NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2007 ISSUE 

Boat owners need to harden the target.

For most of the summer, boat thieves in South Florida have been hard at work. Statewide reports say that close to 500 vessels were reported stolen between April and June alone - a substantial increase over the same period last year.

AS SEEN IN THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 ISSUE

Scrape the bottom a few too many times?
Don’t let skeg damage keep you off the water.

Photos courtesy Blackfin Skeg

Don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed. We’ve all done it. At one time or another, every boater has scraped the bottom or accidentally damaged the motor’s skeg by unintentionally hitting submerged debris. Maybe years of hard use and abuse have taken their toll and simply worn down the skeg to the point where it no longer provides directional stability.

AS SEEN IN THE JULY / AUGUST 2007 ISSUE

Since we're not all professional marine mechanics, in order for us to really evaluate the benefits of fuel stabilizers, we must first understand the characteristics of fuel. 

Fuel is actually an organic material which begins to deteriorate the moment it leaves the refinery. By the time you pump "fresh" fuel into your tank from your local marina or corner gas station, the fuel has already aged considerably. Fuel continues to age and degrade as it sits in your tank, but worse yet; the aging and deterioration process is accelerated during combustion.