While there are some similarities between a car dealership and a boat dealership, you may be surprised at how much they don’t have in common. Sure, they both have showrooms, shiny new vehicles and salespeople. But with few exceptions, a car purchase comes down to function and price. And even if you wind up getting…
All throughout the spring, summer and fall months, most of us are out on the water. If the weather’s nice, we’re boating. Every weekend, for sure, and maybe even a quite a few “personal” days when the opportunity arises. But when the weather gets colder, our thoughts turn from boating to boat shows. Whether you’re…
1. I’ve never owned anything bigger than a dinghy. What am I looking for in a first boat? There’s a lot to consider before taking the plunge, including your budget, where you’ll be boating, where you’ll be keeping the boat and, perhaps most importantly, what kind of lifestyle you envision for you and your family on the…
Getting ready to buy a new boat? Here are five tips you’ve probably never heard before. Are you getting ready to buy a boat? Then you’ve probably heard all about going to boat shows, comparing features and options, and checking into reliability and performance. The “usual” boat buying tips are well known, but there are…
Five of the worst gifts you can buy your boating friends. T-shirt emblazoned with Capt. Crunch. Just don’t do it! If you want to get them a shirt get them something they can use like a Columbia Fishing shirt, or a shirt with their boat brand on it. Black lug-soled boat shoes. Yep they will…
Struggling with what to get your boat enthusiast for Christmas this year? I know, I know, its not even Thanksgiving and I am talking about Christmas. However lets think out of the box, maybe we can make all the holidays a little more special for our boating loved ones. From custom boat covers to protect…
The summer is officially over, kids are back in school, and the winter holidays are quickly approaching. If you are a boater like me, you also think in terms of “it’s only 8 more months until boating season” or “it’s only 4 more months until the boat goes back in the water.” It’s time to…
When the boating season is winding down and you do not boat in a year round boating area, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your valuable recreational asset. The time and effort you spend now will have a definite effect on your boat’s performance, or lack of it, and certainly save you time, effort…
Summer is in the rear view mirror but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy boating this fall. Whether you’re simply taking leisurely trips around the lake, skiing or fishing, autumn is the perfect time to enjoy a longer season on the water. Obviously, with fall comes cooler temperatures and shorter days, which means you need to take…
Learn how emergency aviation maneuvers can be applied to similar boating situations. By Jim Hendricks Flying Lessons: A Pilot Offers Time-Tested Advice That Benefits Boaters Sonny Hendrix is a captain, but not the kind who pilots a boat. He pilots commercial aircraft. I found myself on the same boat with Hendrix during a Florida fishing…