The Ships Logg

So here we are again, sitting at home looking out the window as the wind blows the leaves around the yard.   Maybe even some of us are looking at snow.   We are wondering how another boating season has gone by so quickly.   For those of you who live in places like Miami or Phoenix this does not apply to you, so I guess you can skip this paragraph and move to the next one.   For the rest of us, we are once again wondering how to pass the winter months as landlubbers.   Here is a suggestion:   Learn how to tie some knots. Here are six of the most useful knots for boaters, what you should use them for, and how to tie them. Bowline This is definitely one of the most versatile knots you can have in your arsenal.   I have heard a lot of boaters claim that if you only learn one knot it should be the bowline.   Some call it the life saver because it is taught to sailors as the knot to use to tie themselves to a lifeline should they fall ove...

Written by guest writer Brian Kearin You’re a hundred miles offshore and your boat is rapidly taking on water. You reach for your boat’s VHF and broadcast a desperate mayday call with your position. As you don your lifejacket and crawl into your boat’s life raft you think of that last mayday call you made, did anyone hear it? Did your radio have the range to reach the Coast Guard station on shore? Are there any other boats around who may have heard it? It’s a scenario we all hope to never find ourselves in. However far too many boaters are almost entirely reliant on their boat’s VHF radio or worse - their cell phone - for emergency communications. While your boat’s radio is a vital piece of equipment, both for regular use and in emergencies, it has its limitations. In the scenario above, range is limited and dependent on there being someone in range who happens to be monitoring the channel you’re broadcasting on. Additionally, each broadcast is done manually meaning you hav...

The unofficial kickoff of summer is just around the corner and if you haven’t already started your boating fun, you are surely thinking about it.   Soon, the lakes, rivers and coastline will be full of those who worship the sun, the sand and fun.   Before the mayhem starts, don’t forget to take a moment to remember the fact that Safe Boating Week is May 18 – 24, 2019.   No doubt that having fun while boating is elemental but let’s make a plan to do it safely.   Here are a few promises to make to yourself about boating safely this summer: Avoid boating while under the influence .   Far too many people are injured or killed each year due to boaters that are intoxicated.   You don’t have to drink to have fun but if you do, don’t get behind the wheel.   Let someone else drive or choose to stay put.           Pay attention .   There are lots of things to look out for when on the water.   Other boats,...

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It is that time of year again.   As boaters, we are excitedly looking towards what this boating season is going to bring.   I am fortunate enough to be able to use my boat year round but there are still some things that I do in the spring to prep things for a great boating season.   One of them is to renew my membership with TowBoatUS.   I have been lucky enough where I have only needed them twice in my boating career and one of those times was when I had an issue with my tow vehicle while on the road. Regardless of what type of boating you enjoy, I highly recommend a membership with TowBoatUS or Sea Tow because you never know when you may need it.   That being said, you still want to avoid having to make that call if you can.   Here are some of the most common reasons that boaters have to call for a tow and ways you can avoid the same issues. Engine Overheating I actually had someone ask me how a boat engine could possibly overheat when there i...

It is springtime and boaters are excited!   If you are a member of any boating groups on Facebook as I am, you know that everyone is talking about getting their boats ready to be put back in the water.   Discussions of spring engine maintenance, prelaunch inspections and countdowns to launch dates are on everyone’s minds.   As you are getting your boat ready and making sure that it is smooth operating condition, don’t forget to ensure that you have the necessary safety items on board.   Here are 12 safety items that you should make sure you have on your boat. 1.          Life Preservers – Yeah, I know that this is pretty obvious but it is amazing how many people do not get this right.   Not only do you need to have life jackets aboard but they must be appropriate for the passengers aboard and there must be one for each person aboard.   If you decide to take your neighbor and his 8 year old son out on the lake fo...