BOAT/U.S. Magazine articles from March 2002

BOAT/U.S. Magazine archives from March 2002

Behind the Buoy.
March 1, 2002... It is often said that there is an upside to every downside and most every cloud has a silver lining. There's also much to be said for being in the right place at the right time and this time, the U.S. Coast Guard's ship may have finally come...

Stepped up security this season. (BoatU.S. Reports).
March 1, 2002... With stepped up patrols on high alert on all major U.S. waterways this year, recreational boaters are being urged by the U.S. Coast Guard to "get back on the water and enjoy life," but to also keep in mind that some things have changed. ...

Tax time comes again. (In Other News).
March 1, 2002... Good news for procrastinators this year -- April 15 falls on a Monday so the entire weekend of April 13-14 may be devoted to figuring out your income tax returns for 2001. Boat owners also still have the benefit of deducting mortgage...

Morning Dew Award appealed. (BoatU.S. Reports).
March 1, 2002... In a move that has surprised some legal experts, the federal government in late January appealed last year's U.S. District Court ruling in which $19 million was awarded to the widow and sister-in-law of the skipper of the Morning Dew. The...

More BIG grants awarded. (In Other News).
March 1, 2002... On Jan. 14, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) awarded nine more grants to build facilities for transient boaters in eight states. The grants, totaling $4.4 million, comprise the second round of the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG)...

It's National Safe Boating Week. (In Other News).
March 1, 2002... This year's joint U.S.-Canadian North American Safe Boating Campaign kicks off May 18-24 with special events, media coverage and even a Congressional reception to mark National Safe Boating Week. Sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council,...

Technology could aid Manatees. (BoatU.S. Reports).
March 1, 2002... Six research projects are underway in Florida in an effort to find a "silver bullet" that could resolve the state's manatee impasse. In December, the Florida Marine Research Institute awarded $200,000 in grants to explore electronic...

PlayStation smashes sailing records. (In Other News).
March 1, 2002... There have been 24 previous attempts to break the "Holy Grail" of sailing records, the west-to-east transatlantic crossing and in October adventurer Steve Fossett didn't just break it, he obliterated it. Fossett's 125-foot catamaran...

Lionfish preying on Atlantic Coast. (In Other News).
March 1, 2002... How does a nasty, stinging fish native to the Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Pacific end up off the coast of North Carolina? That's what researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would like to know about the exotic...

Member forum.
March 1, 2002... Fun With Refunds I have just received the January edition of your magazine and wanted to thank you for the "Gas Tax Refund Info Online" article. Some months back I contacted the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue inquiring...

Open Channel.
March 1, 2002... This new column is designed to allow our readers to share their thoughts with other boat owners beyond that of a letter-to-the editor. The following is our choice for the best answer to last issue's question, "What makes boating so special?"...

Harbors: Online & Real time.
March 1, 2002... Sometimes it takes a calamity to bring about something positive. Such was clearly the case in 1980 when a commercial freighter slammed into the landmark Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay. The fatal accident, in which the ship went off course...

Techno - Talk.
March 1, 2002... The 2002 boating season is about to start for the many Boat U.S. members who live in the temperate climate areas of the U.S. The rapid changes in the local climate common this time of the year are likely to bring some challenging weather. As a...

The crude truth about fuel costs.
March 1, 2002... With the sting of last year's high fuel prices still painfully fresh in boaters' memories, the dramatic drop in the past few months is welcome news for boat owners who are likely to spend even more time on the water this summer relaxing closer...

Flack over repacks.
March 1, 2002... A spate of problems at several liferaft servicing businesses in the past few years has prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to ask whether extensive new regulations are needed and whether such regulations should be aimed not at the servicing...

Boating Web site spun for women.
March 1, 2002... In the old days, every newspaper had what was then called, the "women's page" or the "women's section." It reflected the times and focused almost entirely on social events, fashion and homemaking, with some helpful advice columns thrown in. ...

Boating in America's outback.
March 1, 2002... Houseboating on Lake Powell, in the middle of the Great American Desert, is a totally different experience so we dutifully followed the dockhand's instructions on anchoring our boat -- "Use a shovel," he said. "Run the bow straight up on...

Foundation Grassroots Grants Awarded for 2002.
March 1, 2002... The key to getting the boating safety message out is to say it in as many ways--and places--as possible. Thirteen years and over $500,000 later, the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has awarded another $45,000 in...

Chris Craft rebuilds its legend.
March 1, 2002... Just mention the name "Chris Craft" to a boat owner of a certain age and fanciful images of a bygone era come to mind. But that lingering image of old is also part of the challenge to the new owners of Chris Craft as they set about creating a...

Jan Juan Sojourn: Charter heaven. (Destination).
March 1, 2002... Most of the world's premier boat-chartering areas cater to sailing craft, but there's one great cruising ground -- Washington State's San Juan Islands -- where powerboats have a distinct edge. North of Seattle and southeast of Canada's...

Owners' patience Erodes as I/Os Corrode: Consumer protection bureau. (Boat Smart).
March 1, 2002... In the three months that have passed since BoatU.S. Magazine first described the experiences of 12 boat owners whose twin-propped MerCruiser Bravo III lower units had disintegrated or sustained significant gear damage due to corrosion, the...

Keep off the grass.
March 1, 2002... Best-selling mystery novelist, the late John D. MacDonald, has some advice for recreational boaters: "Never drive your boat where the birds are walking." That's a quote from one of the thrillers in his Travis McGee detective series, Darker...

It's in the cards. (At Your Service Membership).
March 1, 2002... Starting in the Spring, members who join or renew, will be the first recipients of the newly redesigned BoatU.S. membership card. The new card is easier to read and scan and is slightly thicker and more durable, even when wet. Keep your card...

Tax help brings a bonus. (At Your Service Membership).
March 1, 2002... Just in time for tax season, H&R Block announced that for every BoatU.S. member who becomes a new customer of the tax preparation firm, a contribution will be made to the Association. Since just about everyone has to file income taxes and can...

Membership eLine debuts. (At Your Service Membership).
March 1, 2002... New for 2002, BoatU.S. Membership Services has produced a concise and informative online newsletter -- a bimonthly update on seasonal issues, helpful suggestions, friendly reminders and a preview of the next issue of BoatUS. Magazine. Members...

Project boat on tour. (At Your Service Membership).
March 1, 2002... Boat repair experts are transforming U Can 2!, an ugly ducking fiberglass powerboat into a sleek swan and boaters on Florida's Gulf Coast can learn valuable do-it-yourself lessons from this "work in progress." Hands-on seminars at the BoatU.S....

BoatU.S. Founder Richard Schwartz.
March 1, 2002... Caption: Launching a new era of close cooperation, BoatU.S. Founder Richard Schwartz, at right, signed a sweeping memorandum of understanding with the United States Power Squadrons. Chief Commander Lance J. Jenson, at left, signed for USPS. All...

Sail into history. (Tangled Line).
March 1, 2002... Those with a passion for history and the high seas -- and who have plenty of time -- might want to consider a crew position on the schooner Amistad. The Connecticut-based reproduction of the famous vessel that led to a legal challenge of...

Not usually in a day's work. (Tangled Line).
March 1, 2002... We all have our bad days and so it was for some young men of the Coast Guard on a day when the surf was up on North Carolina's Outer Banks. It was fortunate that Capt. Tim Simpson of TowBoatU.S. Swansboro was nearby to help out in a pinch. ...

It came from the deep. (Tangled Line).
March 1, 2002... The monstrous giant squid that terrorized the Nautilus in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea may not be a fictional creature after all. Researchers from the Office of Ocean Exploration, the newest edition to NOAA, spotted a 21-foot-long "mystery...

Calling all seagoing extras. (Tangled Line).
March 1, 2002... All you need is to look "real," be a boy or man between the ages of 10 and 40, and know a bit about sailing a tall ship. Easy, huh? And for that you get 20 weeks South of the Border with film director Peter Weir and the film crew for the...

WWII memorabilia wanted. (Tangled Line).
March 1, 2002... We know quite a few BoatU.S. members are veterans of the U.S. Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard and some are veterans of World War II. With this "greatest generation" steadily dwindling in numbers, a research project at the...

Hine Wins leadership in Women's Sailing Award. (Tangled Line).
March 1, 2002... The Leadership in Women's Sailing Award was presented this year to Gail Hine, center, a southern California grassroots organizer who founded the Women's Sailing Convention over a decade ago. Gail was also president of Recreational Boaters of...

Deviant readings[C].
March 1, 2002... For those of us who, for whatever reason, cannot be boaters, the next best thing is to be a boater-watcher. Most boaters are aware of the existence of boater-watchers. You will find them lining up along the wharves of America and sometimes...

BoatU.S.
March 1, 2002... Dear BoatU.S. Member, It's our pleasure to present the second annual 2002 Guide to Towing Services and Marina Discounts. Last year's decision to combine our two most popular boating guides was so well received by Members that we've decided...

Dead in the water?: An engine troubleshooting checklist.
March 1, 2002... All too often, a person who calls for a tow not need one. This simple checklist will help you get things in perspective so that you can remedy the problem yourself before calling for help. Overheating (Note: Let the engine cool down...

Everything you ever wanted know about BoatU.S. Towing. (Question and Answer).
March 1, 2002... Q: What is the BoatU.S. Towing Program? It is a promise by the Association to provide assistance and towing services (which entails 24-Hour Dispatch, On-the-Water Towing, battery jumps, fuel deliveries, and soft ungroundings) without charge...

The difference between towing and salvage. (Towing vs Salvage).
March 1, 2002... Knowing the difference between towing and salvage could save you boatloads of money if you need help on the water. Historically and legally, salvage is any voluntary and successful rescue of a boat, its cargo and/or its passengers from a...

Satisfied members speak out!: We get lots of letters about TowBoatU.S. Captains going the extra mile to help our members. Here are just a few.
March 1, 2002... "Captain Dave towed us cleanly and smoothly throught some rough seas to get us home. He even showed me a shortcut to my favorite fishing grounds. I've, learned that I'm not alone on the water with TowBoatU.S." - Ross McGrath, Houston, TX...

Satisfied members speak out!: We get quite a few compliments from happy members who use their BoatU.S. card to get discounts and services at Co-operating Marinas. Here are just a few.
March 1, 2002... "We wanted to express how pleased we are the BoatU.S. Co-operating Marina Program. When we cruise, we try to stop at these marinas, not just because they offer a discount but also because we find them to be friendly, helpful and pleasant places...

How to obtain Marina discounts.
March 1, 2002... For BoatU.S. Members, getting discounts at Cooperating Marinas is as simple as showing your Membership card. It's the easiest way to save on fuel, transient slips, or repairs. MEMBERS-ONLY SAVINGS Fuel Fill 'er up for less....