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NEWS From BoatU.S. BoatUS Foundation's Top Picks For On-the-Water Weather Services A Look at Cell Phone, Smart Phone, Chartplotter, and ANNAPOLIS, Md., August 12, 2010 - On the afternoon of July 25th, a fast moving storm packing 70 mph winds, rain and lighting swept across the Chesapeake Bay. Over the next two hours, US Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, MD, received 37 calls from mariners in distress. Unfortunately many boaters and anglers, unaware of the supercell's fury, were caught unprepared. But it didn't have to be this way. Today there are dozens of hi-tech ways to receive up-to-the-minute weather information aboard your boat. The BoatUS Foundation recently reviewed 28 products and services to see which provided mariners with the best information and has issued its recommendations for its top "picks." "Sometimes bad weather can approach with few visual signs," said Program Manager David Carter. "Having these resources available can complement your VHF radio's weather broadcast." The review, which covered satellite and phone-based weather services for the coastal inshore and inland boater, included free cellular phone text messaging services to fee-based subscription services that display weather information on a chartplotter. Each weather service includes hardware, such as a standard flip phone, smart phone, computer or chartplotter, as well as the software designed to present the information. Foundation staff limited their focus to the actual content and depth of weather information provided. This included the ability to deliver local, land-based weather information (current conditions such as temperature, wind or barometric readings), hazardous weather warnings, radar imagery, land and marine forecasts, and NOAA buoy reports. The BoatUS Foundation's weather service "picks" are: Best Free Flip Phone Option: NOAA's mobile.weather.gov To view the full report and details on each pick's features, Foundation Findings #49 - Weather to Go, go to BoatUS.com/foundation/Findings/49. BoatUS and Mariners Learning System Team Up Increasing Educational Opportunities for Boaters ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 13, 2010 - Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has teamed up with Mariners Learning System to offer BoatUS members a way to enhance their boating knowledge or start a career in the marine industry. The new partnership offers a suite of six US Coast Guard-approved online captain's licensing courses, from "six pack" to master 25/50/100 ton licenses, that can be taken online in the comfort of home or on the road and at your own pace. The Mariner's Learning System incorporates broadcast quality, on-demand audio lectures, professionally produced training videos and online computer-based training. Included is access to online instructors, each a Coast Guard-licensed master who has gone through a rigorous Coast Guard approval process to become an instructor. In addition, toll-free telephone support and access to staff instructors is provided. Upon completion of a course, taking a proctored exam, and meeting other requirements such as documenting sea time and passing an physical examination, BoatUS members simply submit, within one year, the application package to the nearest Coast Guard Regional Exam Center and upon review and approval, they will issue the license. To date the system has trained more than 15,000 students with a 98.7% exam pass rate. "These courses are also available on MP4 players, Blackberries, iPhones, and other smart phones, so you can learn anywhere, anytime," said David Mann, BoatUS membership programs manager. For more information, go to www.BoatUS.com/membership/mls.asp . Two Myths About Boat Insurance That May Surprise You Bring up the topic of boat insurance and most boaters will tell you it's a sleeper. However, Boat Owners Association of The United States ( BoatUS ) says that many boaters and anglers might be surprised to know the important details about their own boat's insurance policy. BoatUS would like to debunk two common myths about boat insurance to help boaters choose the right coverage, and become more informed consumers. Myth #1: If you understand home or auto insurance, you'll understand boat insurance. Most consumers are familiar with standard home or auto insurance policy language, so it's easy to shop for price as long as each insurance company has about the same service. Then when you have to file a claim, each company will treat the loss in the same manner, right? Not true with boat insurance, because each company can include or exclude whatever coverages it desires. That means that one company's policy could cover damage if your boat sinks, for example, while another could exclude the same loss attributing it to simple "wear and tear." Generally, a marine specialty insurer will offer better coverage when compared to adding your boat to your homeowner's insurance policy. For example, true "boat specialty" policies will have 24/7 emergency response operations to not only take the first report of a claim, but are able to dispatch resources needed to immediately recover and repair the boat, which can also reduce the boater's exposure to fines and penalties if their boat is sinking and leaking fuel. In another example, after a hurricane some homeowner's insurance companies' primary focus is to process claims for home damage, leaving boat insurance claims a distant second priority. And the longer you wait, the greater the chance the boat could incur more damage. Myth #2: Most companies that specialize in boat insurance have similar coverage, so it's best to shop on price. Again, even among marine specialty insurers, all policies are not the same, so the first task is to review the "exclusions" to see what losses are not covered. A fairly standard exclusion usually starts with wording such as, "any loss caused directly or indirectly by wear and tear, gradual deterioration, rot, corrosion, etc." The second task is to then see if the policy has a provision to add back "consequential damage" coverage. Consequential damage coverage appeals to many boat owners because it covers the "consequences" of a loss that was the result wear and tear, deterioration, rot, or corrosion. In plain English: if consequential damage is not covered in your policy, almost every sinking or fire could be excluded. Lastly, some boat policies limit salvage coverage, or combine salvage expenses with other repair expenses in the same "pile" of money to handle the claim. This means if your boat sinks and the combined cost of salvage and repair surpass your policy's limits, you'll be on the hook for the rest. Not good. Most boaters need a policy that treats salvage and repair expenses separately. For example, if you boat is insured for $40,000, you should have up to the full value of the policy ($40,000) for salvage efforts and another $40,000 available for repairs or replacement.
LAKE ANNA, Va., May 13, 2009 -- Capt. Peter Merrick, owner of TowBoatU.S. Ingram Bay in Kilmarnock, Va., has opened a second location, TowBoatU.S. Lake Anna. The on-the-water towing and assistance company gives recreational boaters a reliable way to summon on-the-water assistance day or night. Battery jump starts, fuel drop offs, ungrounding services and tows back to a launch ramp are some common requests. "Boaters and anglers have been asking us for a long time when we would open up on the lake," said Capt. Merrick. "Since we have professional captains and all the right equipment, they know it's a lot easier to call us rather than have to ask a friend to find them and safely get them back to the dock or launch ramp," he added. TowBoatU.S. Lake Anna is located at Anna Point Marina near the Route 208 bridge. It is operational 24-hours a day, seven days a week from May 1 to September 13. Off-season service is also available. The new port joins a nationwide BoatU.S. towing fleet of over 600 towing assistance vessels. Stationed at the port is 16-foot center console response boat loaded with a full complement of towing and salvage equipment including extra fuel, engine fluids, pumps, dive gear and a battery "jump pack" to handle dead batteries. With a shallow draft and fold-down radar arch, the vessel can easily pass under all of the low bridges on the lake to reach stranded boaters in any location. The vessel can be identified by its distinctive red hull, white bow stripes and "TowBoatU.S." lettering along its sides. BoatU.S. offers an "Unlimited" on-the-water towing plans for freshwater boaters for just $53 a year, which includes BoatU.S. membership Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average about $600 per incident. Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatU.S. Lake Anna by calling the company directly at 804-435-7650; by VHF radio on channel 16; or through the BoatU.S. toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869. Visit BoatUS.com/towing for more information. Summer Water Safety Tip: ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 16, 2009 - Summer will soon be here and for many parents, this may be the first time your family goes boating. To make sure everyone is ready, the non-profit BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Waterhas three free online resources at www.BoatUS.com/foundation/LJLP/fit_video to make sure the kids are safe: How to properly fit a kid's lifejacket: Having a child wear an adult or incorrectly sized life jacket could be as dangerous as having no life jacket at all, giving parents a false sense of security. A short online video explains how to fit a right-sized life jacket to your child. How to borrow a kid's life jacket if you don't have one: Boaters don't always have every kid-sized life jacket aboard. However, the BoatU.S. Foundation has over 500 locations across the country - local marinas, fire departments and other waterfront businesses - where parents can borrow a kid's life jacket (in various sizes) for the day or weekend, absolutely free. The Web site allows parents to search for a Kid's Life Jacket Loaner location near them. The program loaned out over 90,000 life jackets last year, and three lives have been saved to date. Know your state's life jacket laws: Confused about who needs a life jacket? The Web site has a state-by-state listing of life jacket regulations. For more information on boating water safety and the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water go to BoatUS.com/foundation . ### About the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water: How to Save Money on Boat Insurance ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 2, 2009 - Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) has these tips to save money on boat insurance: 1. Reality check: Today's competitive boat buying market has likely reduced the value of your boat - which could allow you to reduce your premium. 2. Hold the small stuff: If you don't submit small claims and can handle a bigger deductible, ask your insurance company for a discount. 3. Check for duplication: If you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy it may cover things such as "sports equipment coverage" which is sometimes added to a boat insurance policy. 4. Go back to school: Many insurance companies give a discount for taking an approved safe boating class. 5. Join a boating group: Join the U.S. Power Squadrons or U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and earn an extra discount on your insurance while learning and participating in making our waterways safer. 6. Go liability only: If your boat is paid for and you feel comfortable with absorbing the cost of damage to, or the loss of your boat, consider a "liability only" policy that will still protect you and your other assets from lawsuits if you damage someone else's property or injure a third party. However, all liability policies are not alike - things like medical coverage for family and friends, salvage and wreck removal, fuel spill and uninsured boater coverage should be included. 7. Long lay-up? If your boat is in storage for an extended period consider a "port risk" policy that provides no navigation coverage but does cover your boat in cases of theft, fire or liability should someone get hurt. 8. Have the "right" type of policy: Most boaters have either an "Agreed Value" policy or an "Actual Cash Value" policy. The Agreed Value policy typically costs more but provides more reimbursement in the event of a partial loss by paying the replacement cost of most items, and it will pay the value stated on the policy if the boat is a total loss. However, the Actual Cash Value policy costs less but also depreciates all losses - and will pay you less in almost every claim. Both kinds of policies have benefits but only you can decide which best meet your needs. 9. Understand what you're getting: Boat insurance policies can vary widely. For example, an insurance policy with $800,000 for fuel spill coverage may sound like a lot, while other policies may exclude this coverage completely. In plain English, if your boat starts a marina fire that destroys other vessels, will there be enough money to cover the resulting spill as well as the loss of neighboring vessels? Some other coverages to ask about: · Salvage and wreck removal coverage: If your boat sinks, your insurer will write you a check for the value of the lost boat (hull value). But who pays to remove the sunken boat? Depending on your insurance company it could be your own wallet or a separate "bucket" of salvage money in your policy. · Consequential damage: If your boat sinks because of a failed part, is the resulting water damage covered? Or, does the policy exclude "any loss caused directly or indirectly, or resulting from" the failed part? If it does exclude it, you'll end up paying more for repairs out of pocket. · Contractual liability: Commonly needed by boaters who rent storage space or a marina slip, contractual liability satisfies a rental / slip contract's "hold harmless" provision. However, you may not need this coverage if you store your boat at home. FIVE REASONS TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT YOUR BOAT PROPELLER ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12, 2009 - Selecting the right propeller for your boat's motor is sometimes as much art as it is science. That's because every boater uses their boat in different ways and under different conditions. The January 2009 issue of Seaworthy from BoatU.S. Marine Insurance recently looked at why you may want to take a closer look at your prop this winter and ask yourself these five questions: 1. Is your boat slow to come onto plane? Pitch is the theoretical distance a prop makes though the water in one revolution. If a prop has too much pitch the boat will have a lousy "hole shot" -- meaning its ability to get on plane quickly will suffer, similar to trying to start a car from a stop in third gear. Your tachometer can also indicate potential problems with pitch. Assuming you have a clean, well-maintained boat, your boat's engine should reach within 100-200 revolutions per minute of its rated wide open throttle (WOT). If not, a prop shop may need to adjust pitch. 2. Does your engine over-rev and boat seem slow? If there is too little pitch in the prop, the engine will over-rev and go past its redline at WOT. A prop shop can also add more pitch or recommend a new prop. Both under and over-reving can seriously damage an engine. 3. Did you run over a log, hit a sandbar or stump? You may have forgotten about that little bump that happened last summer, but your prop hasn't and it could affect performance when you launch in the spring. One prop shop proprietor reported to Seaworthy that 80% of the damaged propellers that come in to his repair facility look healthy at first glance -- until they are reviewed with computerized repair equipment. 4. Do you want to go faster? The first place to look is the prop. Stainless-steel props, with thinner and stronger blades, allow slightly more speed. However, the trade-off is that they are also more costly to purchase and repair, and should you strike a submerged object a stainless prop has the potential to cause greater lower unit damage than an aluminum prop. 5. Using too much fuel? It's a good idea to monitor fuel flow, either with a fuel flow meter or by doing the math. When fuel economy starts to suffer the first thing to check is for propeller damage as a dinged prop can easily rob you up to 10% in fuel costs. The Problem with Ethanol Fuel: Phase Separation ALEXANDRIA, VA, Sept. 9, 2008 -- Ethanol-laden gasoline, dubbed "E-10" for its 10% ethanol content, is now commonplace at marina fuel docks across the country. However, as winter approaches and boaters lay up their vessels for the season, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) has some recommendations to ensure that spring commissioning will go smoothly. That's because E-10 can phase separate, or form two separate solutions in the gas tank - water and fuel - over a long winter storage period. Once this happens, the engine may not run and internal damage can occur. BoatU.S. has these recommendations for storing boats fueled with E-10 this winter: · Top Off: For boats with built-in gas tanks, stop at the fuel dock and top off the tank before you haul out, leaving it nearly full with just a little room for expansion. A tank that is almost full limits the flow of air into and out of the vent, which reduces the chance of fluctuating temperatures adding condensation (water) to the fuel, inviting phase separation. Anglers who fish over the winter should also top off their boat's gasoline tanks between outings to prevent condensation. Draining built-in fuel tanks of E-10 gas, while completely eliminating any chances of phase separation, is not practical and potentially dangerous. · Freshening doesn't work: Midwest marina owners, who have dealt with E-10 for many years, report that phase separation typically occurs when boats are stored with tanks only one-quarter to one-half full, which cannot be remedied by adding fresh gasoline in the spring. Once E-10 phase separates, the water will remain at the bottom of the tank. · Additive issues: With any fuel that sits in a tank for a long time, it's important to add a stabilizer. But stabilizers do not prevent phase separation. Once it occurs, additives and water separators can't help. The only remedy is to have the gas and ethanol/water professionally removed from the tank. · Fiberglass tanks beware: Ethanol is known to chemically react with many fiberglass fuel tanks, which can cause them to deteriorate and potentially fail. Unfortunately, unless your boat's manufacturer can confirm that your fiberglass tank was built to withstand ethanol, your only remedy may be to replace the tank with a non-reactive material such as aluminum. · Let it breathe: While ethanol does attract moisture, never try to plug up a fuel tank vent to prevent moist air from entering a tank. Without room to expand, the additional pressure could rupture fuel system components. · Portable gas tanks: Any un-mixed gas (without 2-cycle oil) remaining in portable tanks may be carefully poured into your automobile gas tank. However, if you do have to store gas over the winter in a portable tank, keep the tank out of the sun and in a well-ventilated area away from ignition sources, keeping in mind that gasoline fumes are heavier than air. Recent BoatU.S. Foundation tests of portable jerry jugs confirmed that over time, gasoline can evaporate through the walls of some plastic containers. · The good news: Next spring when you start the boating season you will already have a tank full of last year's gas, likely saving yourself some money on a fill up. BOATUS OFFERS EASY WAY TO EXPLORE NEW BOATING AND FISHING GROUNDS ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 11, 2008 - Are you bored with your local waterway? Trailer boat owners and anglers don't have to settle for the same old water or fishing holes thanks to a free, online BoatU.S. Launch Ramp Locator at http://www.BoatUS.com/Trailerclub The BoatU.S. Ramp Locator offers thousands of locations to launch a boat including municipal or state boat ramps, marinas, boat clubs, private sites and other locations that offer trailer boat access. "We don't just give you a ramp's address - we've included all of the important information you need to make a decision, whether you're looking for new weekend cruise location, a new fishing locale, or just thinking about venturing a little farther," said BoatU.S. Trailer Club Director Beth McCann. Trailer boaters and anglers can take advantage of the Locator's detailed boat launch site descriptions including parking information, hours of operation, boat size or motor restrictions, water depths, docking facilities, camping information, local services available, and contact information including Web site links and phone numbers. McCann also says if you know of a boat ramp location not listed, you can get free trailer ball hitch cover from the Club by submitting the information online. For anglers, fishing tips and species information as well as information on water depths and stocking programs are also included. The BoatU.S. Trailer Club is part of Boat Owners Association of The United States - the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters with 650,000 members. For $29 a year the Club offers 24 hour a day roadside assistance for boat trailer and tow vehicle breakdowns while towing, launch ramp fee rebates, and a subscription to BoatU.S. Trailering magazine, featuring information on towing techniques, how-to tips, trailer boating destinations from across North America and more. Go to http://www.BoatUS.com/Trailerclub or call 800-245-6923 for more information. If you are a boat-owning angler, you may find additional information at http://www.BoatUSAngler.com or by calling 866-906-0013. MIDSUMMER BOAT MAINTENANCE TIPS FROM BOATU.S. ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 6, 2008 - Seaworthy, the newsletter from BoatU.S. that helps boaters and anglers prevent damage to their vessels, recently looked into some of the more common reasons for on-the-water boat troubles that occur mid-season. "Preventive maintenance will help you avoid the headaches and keep your crew or fishing buddies comfortable and safe," says Seaworthy Editor Bob Adriance. "So going over the boat's systems in the spring is very important. But now after a couple months of use, it's time to look at things again. A midsummer check-up will ensure you make it back to home port without a problem." Here are some midsummer maintenance tips for both power and sailboats: · Through-hulls: Make a thorough check around any below-the-waterline hole or opening. Check all through-hulls for leaks and cycle seacocks to ensure they close properly. If it's hard to move the handle, make a note to service it next time the boat is out of the water. Any hose clamps should be tight and hose ends secure. A bilge pump cycle counter is a simple upgrade and the best early warning system that unwanted water is coming aboard. · Engine belts: For inboard engines, look in areas near the belts checking for evidence of black dust - a sure sign that engine pulleys need to be realigned and the belt replaced. Push on the longest run of the belt - it should not deflect more than one half inch. · Engine hoses: Squeeze coolant and fuel hoses with your hands, looking for softness, cracks or bulges. Replace any that are suspect. Wiggle the ends to ensure they are secure and inspect for any possible chafing issues in the engine compartment. · Sterndrives: Inspect the folds in the bellows and replace if they show signs of cracking. · Sacrificial zincs and anodes: A wasted zinc is a sure sign of trouble, possibly stray current at the dock. Ensure all zincs are no less than half gone - and replace them now if they are. · Control cables: Look for chafe, splits or swelling of the plastic jacket - a sure sign the cable needs replacement. · Outboard engine mounts: Smaller engines can sometimes vibrate loose, so re-tighten clamps and ensure the cut-off switch is operable. · Hydraulic steering system and trim tabs: Ensure reservoirs are full. If you have to add fluid, there is leak that must be fixed immediately. · Batteries and electrical system: Dead batteries are often nothing more than corroded connections - sandpaper can easily clean them up. With conventional batteries check water levels and add if necessary. Inspect cables and wiring for chafe, especially wherever they may pass through a bulkhead. · Shorepower cable: Look for burn marks on the plug ends and the connection to the boat. Replace both the plug and receptacle immediately if you find any. · Head: If your boat has a flushing toilet and its handle is getting hard to operate, you've likely got calcium buildup. Pour a cup of vinegar into bowl pumping only once or twice. Let it sit for one night before flushing with one-fourth cup of mineral oil. · On deck: Old, stiff, or chafed dock lines should be replaced. Also check anchor line and chain shackles and any splices. · Sailboats only: Look for any broken strands on standing rigging. You can find them by running a loose rag up the rigging, which will snag on any broken ends. Cracked swages are an indicator for immediate replacement. Contact a rigger if you suspect a problem. Running rigging also needs to be looked at - especially the roller furling line. · Trailers: Inspect bearings and ensure they are well packed with grease. Hydraulic brake reservoirs should be full. Lastly, check the tires for wear and ensure lugs are tight. BOATU.S. ANGLER NOW OFFERS PROFESSIONAL FISHING GUIDE INSURANCE ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 19, 2008 - BoatU.S. Angler, part of BoatU.S., with more than 650,000 members nationwide, now offers a commercial guide insurance policy for fishing guides to meet their unique boating needs. "We know that a guide's boat and equipment are essential to success," said Michael Pellerin, director of the BoatU.S. Angler program. "That's why we developed a commercial guide's policy that not only meets the unique needs of boating, but includes the best protection for the other aspects of his or her business. It covers both personal and commercial use, including tournaments." Coverage is available for boats under 24 feet operating with up to three guests. Policy features include: · Agreed value coverage for boat, engine and trailer. In addition, 24-hour emergency dispatch for fire, sinking, fuel spill, even roadside accidents and quick claims service is included. BoatU.S. Angler is a new program from the nation's largest association of recreational boaters whose mission is to protect the interests of boat-owning anglers, increase boating safety, provide consumer assistance and ensure fishing remains worry-free. For more information, call (866) 532-1829 or visit online at http://www.BoatUSAngler.com/insurance About Us | Contacting Us | Rates and Reservations | Directions | FAQ | Fishing Report & Tides | Articles & Tips | Skeeter Boats for Sale | Photo Album | Client Comments | Sponsors | Corporate Trips |
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