BOAT/U.S. Magazine articles from September 2007

BOAT/U.S. Magazine archives from September 2007

Behind the buoy.
September 1, 2007... A wise old Washington hand once said that you aren't "anybody" in Washington, D.C. until you don't have to be here in August. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of living in a city founded on a swamp, suffice it to say that air...

Support sought for bill to ban EPA permits.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... As the federal Environmental Protection Agency begins drafting permits which would, for the first time, individually regulate "runoff" from your boat--grey water, bilge water, engine cooling water and use of copper bottom paints--a bill in...

Member moves to block E-20 gasoline.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... BoatU.S. member Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ) has sponsored an amendment to the energy bill making its way through Congress that should help prevent boaters from unknowingly damaging their marine engines and fuel tanks with gas blended with...

Great Lakes boating justifies dredging.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... A new study of boating economics on the Great Lakes appears to make a clear case for federal spending on dredging to keep shallow-draft recreational harbors open and navigable. The study, released by the Great Lakes Commission in July,...

TSA will let inflatables fly.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... After months of revising regulations for security and carry-on items for commercial airlines, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has decided to allow passengers to board planes with personal inflatable life jackets, plus two spare...

Calling all captains for online Locator Service.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... When members need their boats moved and can't do it themselves, BoatU.S. is often asked to refer them to licensed, qualified captains. For professional captains, it's equally difficult to find that next delivery job without expensive...

Fishing slips in popularity.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... A new survey of hunting, fishing and wildlife watching indicates that sport fishing participation declined about 12% in the five years between 2001 and 2006, while spending on tackle, trips and equipment has remained flat. [ILLUSTRATION...

'Last Child' Sparks action.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... A best-selling book dealing with the consequences of children's increasing detachment from the natural world hit a national nerve two years ago. And now the spill-over from Richard Louv's Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature...

Import of flying carp banned.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... That rude slap in the face by an airborne fish could become a thing of the past. Effective Aug. 9, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has banned the importation and interstate transport of live silver carp, the infamous acrobatic fish that...

Owen W. Siler, 1922-2007.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... Admiral Owen W. Siler, the 15th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and a longtime member of the BoatU.S. National Advisory Council, passed away in mid-July of heart failure. He was 85. "The face of the Coast Guard was forever changed as a...

ICW dredging prospects brighten.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... Things are finally looking up for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway now that Congress appears willing to support more dredging along "the boaters' Route 66," from Norfolk, VA, to Miami, FL. Both U.S. House of Representatives and Senate...

Two more Rescue 21 sectors to go live.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... Two major waterways that carry substantial recreational, as well as commercial, boating traffic will soon benefit from the U.S. Coast Guard's Rescue 21 technology. Two new sectors--Delaware Bay and Long Island Sound--were to begin testing in...

Potential shift in manatee designation.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the completion of their five-year status review of the West Indian manatee and made a staff recommendation to reclassify the West Indian manatee from the top-level "endangered" to a slightly lower...

New prop system takes off.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... When Volvo Penta introduced their Inboard Propulsion System (IPS) in October 2004, they claimed that the IPS would run smoother, deliver a 15% improvement in acceleration, 20% higher top speed, a 30% decrease in fuel consumption with no exhaust...

13 rescued from burning boat.(BoatU.S.reports)
September 1, 2007... Capt. Carlos Galindo of TowboatU.S. South Dade, FL, knew something was seriously wrong while out on July 1 when he saw smoke coming from a nearby 48-foot cruiser, so he motored over to take a look. The vessel's owner, however, thought it was...

Freedom or security?(memberforum)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... BoatU.S. Magazine just keeps getting better and better. Too bad the July issue was marred by yet another jeremiad against the U.S. Coast Guard's nascent efforts to protect Americans against future threats "from the sea." By denigrating the...

No help.(memberforum)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... I agree with the article in the July 2007 issue which said the Coast Guard is on the wrong track. Years ago the Coast Guard was not only in enforcement, but also in aid of boaters, which I feel they have forgotten, even though our tax...

All rivers lead to the sea.(memberforum)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... In regards to article on discharge permits, this seems to be another attack on boaters to get us off the water. The little bit of antifreeze and contaminated bilge water from boats (which most boaters prevent from going overboard) is minor...

Headline heartache.(memberforum)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... I was deeply disappointed by the tabloid-style headline announcing an "Ebola-like Virus Attacks the Great Lakes," in the July issue. To equate a disease that attacks only fish (and indeed poses no threat to human health, as acknowledged in the...

No need to detour.(memberforum)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... In response to Mr. Liggett's letter "Recurring Diversions," I too, travel back and forth to the Bahamas to fish, returning to Miami, but I have taken advantage of the "new" check-in system which allows me to bypass all of the unnecessary travel...

Harrah's pride and joy.(memberforum)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... I very much enjoy reading BoatU.S. Magazine, and was surprised to see the "Collectors Items" stamps article in the July 2007 issue. The photo of the Thunderbird on Lake Tahoe brought back old memories of seeing it in Emerald Bay. The boat has a...

One bad apple.(memberforum)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... I am a dealer in Port Clinton, OH, and am thanking my lucky stars that the person with the 1997 Sea Sport did not drag it up from Texas for me to sell (see "The Pitfalls of Buying Used Boats," BoatU.S. Magazine, March 2006). It seems to me that...

DSC made easy.(memberforum)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... This is in response to Robert Mills' letter in the July issue "Too Many Numbers." Mr. Mills says hailing a friend using his DSC equipped VHF radio and a MMSI number is too complex. He suggests just hailing his buddy by the vessel name on an...

No humor in discrimination.(memberforum)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2007... I'm very offended by the "Ask Cap'n Drew" section in the July issue, especially in the Ten Signs You Didn't Winterize Your Boat Properly. For example, a family of immigrants has moved in. As an immigrant myself, this comment is offensive...

Ask Cap'n Drew.
September 1, 2007... Dear Cap'n Drew: I recently purchased my first boat, a used 1994 23- foot Rinker. After a day of cruising, I was heading home when one of the water lines sprung a very large leak. I began to overheat, so I called for a tow. After being towed...

Splashy new convertibles cross the pond.
September 1, 2007... For many of us, spontaneity and boating just don't mix. We have to plan and prepare to either trailer our boat to the ramp or take the car to the boat to enjoy time on the water. But now, an inspired inventor from New Zealand is promising to...

Charting service needs a lifeline.
September 1, 2007... If you and your family were planning a road trip to see the U.S. and your automobile was equipped with the latest GPS device, would you expect its electronic files to be based on data from the 1940s? While this may sound ridiculous, that is...

Sunscreen in fashion.
September 1, 2007... For the busy boater, a day on the water often starts with a liberal application of sunscreen. But many of us ignore skin covered by clothing. Just how much protection does a simple cotton shirt provide? Not as much as you might think. An...

Fish dig big rigs.
September 1, 2007... There's a storm brewing off the California coast and it could force environmentalists to pick sides in decisions that would help rebuild threatened fish species but benefit Big Oil, too. And it's blowing right down the Santa Barbara Channel...

Lake sailors take to Blue Water: waking from a deep sleep with a warm breeze blowing softly through the hatch of Annie's Toy a Lagoon 380, I'm rocking gently at anchor. Brilliant stars provide the only light in the pitch-black cabin. Aside from the water softly rippling against the hull, not a sound is heard.
September 1, 2007... It's our first night of a seven-day charter in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and we share our secluded anchorage with just two other boats. My hometown up north in Canada seems a planet away and I fall asleep eagerly wondering what...

Beauty and the beast.
September 1, 2007... Toyota recently made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Would I like to test drive their new 2007 Tundra Double Cab pick-up truck? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With 228,000 miles on my trusty 1995 Nissan pick-up, I said, Sure, I'll give it a...

Boat sharing: dues & don'ts.(CONSUMER PROTECTION BUREAU)
September 1, 2007... Did you know that the typical owner of a 32-foot sport cruiser puts an average of 50 hours on the engine each year? With a boat loan payment of well over $1,000 per month and fixed expenses for slip fees, insurance and routine maintenance...

Lake of the Ozarks eye opener.(Waterfront Living)
September 1, 2007... On first blush, the lake is surrounded by million-dollar waterfront homes, seemingly more Mercedes than Mercurys and more powerboats than pick-up trucks. It has more miles of shoreline than the state of California. Somewhere in Central Florida?...

The monster of dragon lake.(Waterfront Living)
September 1, 2007... Some people leave their work at the office; others take it home with them. Not only does Greg Stoner do both, he even eats his work. After 20 years as the Missouri Conservation Dept. fisheries management biologist for Lake of the Ozarks,...

Juggling jerry cans.(foundationfindings Number 43)
September 1, 2007... Ditch the Diet, CARB is Back in Fashion Filling up your fuel tank with a jerry jug may feel like a torturous workout rather than preparation for a great day out on the water. Balancing a 30-lb. fuel jug to fill your tank can be a grueling...

Storing ethanol-enhanced gasoline.(DAMAGE AVOIDANCE)
September 1, 2007... For better or for worse, a shotgun wedding took place last year between boat owners and ethanol-enhanced gasoline. Everyone wore black. Now that the honeymoon is over, it seems that at least some of the warnings of matrimonial acrimony may have...

Ask chuck.
September 1, 2007... Q: I hear different opinions on whether I should run my boat on Battery 1 or Battery 2 going out and switching to the other selection to return to the dock. Others say to run with the switch set on ALL. What's your feeling? Tom Hayden ...

Getting high and dry--the right way: everything you ever wanted to know about boat haulout, blocking and storage, and how to work with your boatyard.(From the Files of DIY Boat Owner Magazine)(Reprint)
September 1, 2007... Essential to the process of handling any below-waterline maintenance is getting your boat out of the water. Every year, boat owners and insurance companies learn that wind, ice, floods, mud or other natural disasters, have conspired with...

Rosborough RF-246: www.rosboroughboats.com.(2nd timearound)
September 1, 2007... If the high price of fuel has you thinking about abandoning your cruising plans or if the increasing cost of docking and storing your boat has you considering giving up boating altogether, you may want to take a look at this versatile compact...

Beneteau 44 CC: www.beneteauusa.com.(2nd timearound)
September 1, 2007... Despite the current trend toward sleeker aft cockpit models, there was a time when center cockpit designs dominated the cruising boat market--some smaller than 25 feet. The accommodation, visibility and security benefits of these designs...

Innovation Award winners.(hottips and news you can use)
September 1, 2007... Six marine aftermarket products were honored with Innovation Awards at the National Marine Manufacturers Association 7th Annual Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS) in Las Vegas in July. The awards were judged by members of the...

A big thanks from the two henrys.(tangledline)
September 1, 2007... When the Missouri Water Patrol was holding a fundraiser last year for an on-the-water K-9 unit, Capt. Charles Meyer of TowBoatU.S. Lake of the Ozarks stepped up with a $500 donation. Recently Sgt. Randy Henry, right, stopped by to thank Capt....

Ladies' day on a tall ship.(tangledline)
September 1, 2007... Women looking to hone their navigation skills and enjoy the thrill of taking the wheel of a 110-foot schooner can sign up for the fall cruise of the Mystic Whaler, departing from Baltimore for a weekend navigation class. Time is short as the...

All Paws on deck.(tangledline)
September 1, 2007... Since the BoatU.S. Foundation Life Jacket Loaner program has been such a resounding success, why not a potentially life-saving service for our furry friends? An enterprising dog lover in the Pacific Northwest has started a life jacket...

US Sailing's first female president honored by BoatU.S.(tangledline)
September 1, 2007... In ceremonies at the sixth annual Women's Sailing Conference in June, Janet Baxter, former president of United States Sailing Association, was presented with the Leadership in Women's Sailing Award. The award is co-sponsored by BoatU.S. and the...

Boaters has a friend.(tangledline)
September 1, 2007... Anyone who read Capt. Bill Brogdon's book, Boat Navigation for the Rest of Us, can appreciate the former Coast Guardsman's down-to-earth approach to complicated boating topics. Unfortunately his common-sense advice was silenced May 3 when...

Legislative action needs your attention.(MEMBERSHIP)
September 1, 2007... We recently sent out an e-mail legislative action alert on EPA ballast water regulations that are threatening to make your boating more expensive and create new bureaucratic red tape. This and several other important federal issues...

Free travel newsletter.(MEMBERSHIP)
September 1, 2007... Have you planned your winter vacation yet? Our new, monthly e-mail travel newsletter, Compass, from BoatU.S. Travel and Yacht Charters, can tip you off to special BoatU.S. member discounts, vacation offers and help you make an informed...

Insure your RV or motorcycle.(MEMBERSHIP)
September 1, 2007... For members who love their other recreational vehicles as much as their boats, BoatU.S. now offers RV, ATV, motorcycle and collector car insurance at special members-only prices. For more information, call 800-491-0416 or log on to...

Win a satellite radio at the boat shows.(MEMBERSHIP)
September 1, 2007... We would love to see you at boat shows this fall! When you visit the BoatU.S. booth you can renew your membership, upgrade your towing, receive a free gift and enter to win a Sirius Starmate portable satellite radio donated by Sirius Satellite...

Online Boat Launch Ramp Locator.(MEMBERSHIP)
September 1, 2007... Do you have a trailerable boat but want to explore new waterways? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Trailer boat cruisers, pontooners, water-skiiers, and PWC owners don't have to settle for the same old water thanks to a free, online Boat Launch...

Weather to go boating.(IDEAS FOR SAFE, SMART, AND CLEAN BOATING)
September 1, 2007... A Coast Guard proposal earlier this summer to cease broadcasting high-frequency (HF) weather forecasts, such as the "weatherfax" used by offshore skippers, has put the importance of accurate marine weather back on the radar screen of issues...

Behind the boat.
September 1, 2007... No matter how long it has been since you bought your last boat, many of you are probably dreaming about buying your next one. Fall boat show season is a great time to look. My husband, Laurence, and I are thinking, just how much bigger do...

Where our flags fly.
September 1, 2007... Send us a photo of your boat, preferably flying the BoatU.S. flag, and we'll publish it here, or online at BoatUS.com. Please include the name, make, size and home port, as well as your member number. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...