Some Quick Tips To Make Your Boat Launching Experience More Enjoyable For Everyone

Some of the best summer entertainment you'll ever encounter can be found on a Saturday morning at your local boat launch. This is where you'll see the experienced and inexperi-enced, the timid and bold, the best and the worst of everything trailerable boating has to offer. If you're new to trailerable boating, do yourself a favor and practice boat launching and retrieving ahead of time. Take your wife or your fishing buddy down to the local launch ramp one weeknight evening when no one's around and practice the entire procedure until you're confident that you have it right. Watch others and make mental notes of their mistakes, and don't be afraid to ask advice when you think you need it. Most of all, however, arrive at the ramp ready to launch without the kind of mindless delays that drive the other guy nuts.

There's usually a waiting line at the launch ramp on a sunny weekend morning, and everyone is eager to get out on the water. The ability to get your boat launched quickly and effi-ciently is the mark of an experienced boater. Pre-Launch checks Good launch etiquette requires doing pre-launch duties in an area where you won't block other boats from being launched or retrieved. When you arrive at the pre-launch area, go through a quick checklist that includes making sure the battery is charged, the trailer wiring is disconnected, and the tie-down straps are removed. If you have an inboard gas engine, run the engine compartment blower for a few minutes to clear the bilge of poten-tially explosive gas fumes. Have dock lines and fenders ready and the drain plug in place. Make certain you have all your per-sonal gear—life jackets, food, cooler, etc.—loaded, stowed, and ready to go. Loosen, but don't remove, the bow strap giving it a foot or so of slack. And don't for-get to take the dog for a walk and remind kids to make any necessary potty stops.

At the ramp For many boaters, backing the trailer down the launch ramp is the most stressful part of the day. Before getting out to see how you're doing, apply the emergency brake and put the vehicle in park. (Setting the emergency brake first is easier on the transmission.) Back the boat far enough into the water to start the engine, but not so far that it floats off the trailer. Lower the motor or out-drive and allow the engine to warm up. Finally, discon-nect the winch hook from the bow eye and back the trailer far enough into the water to float the boat and drive it off the trailer. Launch and leave Once you're launched and in the water, move the boat off to another dock or loading area away from the launch site. You will make no friends by leisurely hang-ing around the courtesy dock while others are trying to launch their boats around you. Retrieving your boat When it's time to come in, don't pull right up to the ramp's loading dock oblivious to other craft idling near-by awaiting their turn.

When it's your turn to come in, drop someone off to get the trailer and promptly maneuver the boat into position when the trailer is ready to retrieve it. Nudge the boat's bow into the center of the trailer before winching or powering it onto the trailer. Clear the ramp area as soon as the bow is resting on the bow stop, the winch hook is secured, and the engine or outdrive is raised. Don't forget to secure the boat before you pull away from the ramp! Do not linger on the ramp talking with others, unloading coolers, taking pictures, or securing your rig for the road. Clear the ramp quick-ly and your courtesy will be appreciated by the next guy. Hitting the Road Before leaving the launch area, check to ensure that the trailer wiring is connected and the brake lights and turn signals are working. Lower your VHF antenna, and be sure the trailer jack is raised and locked and the drain plug is removed. Check once more to be sure the hull is snug with the bow stop and secured with the tie-downs.

On-the-water breakdowns, running aground or other mishaps can ruin a day of boating or fishing fun. But when the towboat arrives on the scene, do you know if the service is a "tow" or a "salvage" job? If you're ever in doubt, the safest bet is to ask the towboat crew. That's because there could be a big difference in the cost of each service, and it also determines who pays the bill, says Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.). While there is sometimes a fine line between the towing and salvage, there are a few clear indicators that point to each. "Salvage requires the existence of 'peril' to the distressed vessel or persons aboard, or peril to the rescue boat and its crew, or the marine environment," said Vice President of BoatU.S. Towing Services Jerry Cardarelli. Historically and legally, salvage is any voluntary and successful rescue of a boat, its cargo, and/or passengers from peril at sea.

Today that definition includes the successful avoidance of damage to a legally protected marine environment. Vessels hard aground, on rocks, taking on water or sunk are salvage, as are collisions, fires, breakaways or other types of immediate danger. Salvage also comes into play when specialized equipment such as pumps, air bags, or divers are called for - even if the boat is at the dock. All TowBoatU.S. and Vessel Assist companies are committed to informing the owner of a boat - before beginning any work - if the procedure will be declared salvage. If the owner is not on board or the conditions are so perilous and the rescue of the boat requires immediate action, they'll be notified as soon as possible after saving the boat. "On the other hand, when there is very little or no peril or damage to the vessel - you have a towing situation," said Cardarelli. "A typical example is when you run out of gas or have a dead battery, and have subsequently dropped anchor to await for assistance. Waters are calm, you're no threat to navigation, your crew and boat are fine and there's no peril to those on the response boat." Of all of the thousands of requests for assistance made each year by boaters to BoatU.S. 24-hour Dispatch Centers, 98% are for routine towing services.

When it comes to soft ungroundings, BoatU.S. members enjoy a special agreement with the TowBoatU.S. and Vessel Assist on-the-water towing fleets which ensures that if there is little peril and no damage to the BoatU.S. member's disabled boat, and only one towboat is needed to remove the softly grounded vessel from a shoal, it's a simple towing job. Other commercial towing companies may or may not honor this agreement. The Costs Nationwide, towing and soft ungrounding costs average about $600 and $800 respectively. These are either paid by an annual towing service plan or out-of-pocket by the boater. Salvage cases are usually covered by insurance - or out-of-pocket if self-insured - and are much more expensive than a tow.

Everyone knows that boating is fun, but some people who are interested in taking it up, hold back because of myths that they’ve heard about boating. In fact, boating is easy, flexible and affordable, so I’m going to discuss a few of those myths and separate fact from fiction.

MYTH: Boating is expensive. It’s not. In fact, it probably costs less to buy and operate a boat than you think. Following are a few examples: o$10,000 to $18,000 is the average price for a 17 to 19-foot outboard-powered family runabout o$6,000 to $9,500 for the average aluminum fishing boat with outboard motor or cottage sailboat Most boats with a selling price above $5,000 can be financed. Many banks, financial institutions and credit unions provide financing for boats. Local boat retailers also provide customized boat loan programs through arrangements with boat manufacturers or local banks. Finally, check boating magazines for financiers’ advertisements. Interest rates have continued to be affordable.

MYTH: Boating takes up time I can’t afford. It’s true like never before - everyone is so... busy. But boating is totally flexible - your family can use a boat as much or as little as you wish. Your boat is ready to go whenever you are. That means you can mesh your boating fun with your busy schedule. Try that with a ball game, soccer league or tee-off time at a golf club. Spending time with your family on a boat really is quality time. Activities on the water can include fishing, water-skiing, tubing, and much more. Sharing the fun with friends makes it even better!

MYTH: There’s too much involved in maintaining a boat. If you have a modern boat, there is very little maintenance required. All it takes is filling it up with gas - just as you do with a car - and some preventative maintenance your dealer will do at a minimal cost. Before a boat is stored for the winter it requires an oil change and cleaning - that’s it! Boating is a great activity, particularly for the family.

MYTH: Kids think boating is boring. Boating is anything but boring. With boating you can take part in a whole list of exciting activities, including water-skiing, fishing, island hopping, lakeside picnicking, swimming, and tubing. Exploring Canada’s beautiful waterways and geography is perfect by boat. Besides, it’s a great way to spend quality time with the members of your family. Take your family and friends out for an adventure they’ll remember.

MYTH: Towing and hauling a boat is a hassle. If you have a trailer for your boat, you simply have to back the trailer into the water and let the boat float right in! It’s as easy as that. If you don’t have one, your dealer will fit a proper boat trailer to your boat. You can pull most boats and trailers with an ordinary family vehicle.

MYTH: Boat rentals are expensive. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Rentals are very reasonable. On top of this, many launch ramps run by local municipalities are free, and there are certainly many to choose from. And once you’re out on the water, the sun, fresh air and smiles are free.

MYTH: Driving a boat is complicated. If you know how to drive a car, driving a boat is just as simple. You steer a boat in the direction you wish to go, with an automotive-style wheel. Rather than a gas pedal to determine the speed at which you ride, a boat’s speed is controlled by a easy-to-operate lever control. Just like driving on the road, safe boat operation requires you to be alert, careful and responsible, and to learn certain rules (see the Safety section of DiscoverBoating.com)

Q: What should I do before I bring my pet on board? A: Get a checkup, make sure vaccinations are up to date, carry a signed vaccination certificate and or health certificate, get a stool test to check for worms, check for heartworm and make sure the dog is on preventative medication. Make sure nails are trimmed and pads are in good shape.

Q: What should I carry in my pet's First Aid Kit? A: • Ears: Panalog Ointment • For Minor Scrapes: Panalog Ointment • Eyes: Eye washes or artificial tears. Triple antibiotic ointment without cortisone • Shampoo: Quality conditioning shampoo and crème rinse. When you can't give your dog a real bath use waterless shampoo or grooming. Or sprinkle on some baking soda and brush. • Hotspots: Panalog ointment • Nails: Bring a nail trimmer

Q: What should I do if my dog gets seasick? A: Once a dog gets sick it is too late to give pills. Start pills a day or two ahead. Begin with 1/4 of the adult dose of human remedies (Dramamine) and work upwards for individual pets. Pills may cause drowsiness and like with all human medications, double check with a veterinarian. Q: How do I check for heatstroke and what should I do? A: Rectal temperature is normally 101 to 101.5; temperatures of 105 to 106 can cause irreversible brain and nerve tissue damage. If this happens immediately immerse the pet in cold water and call your vet.

Q: What else should I do to prepare for boating with my pet? A: While on the boat: • Make sure the pet is always wearing a floatation device, preferably one with a handle so you can lift their head above water or help lift them out of the water. • Make sure dog had identification or has been micro-chipped • Put the pet's bed or bedding in a quiet area. • Carry a fresh water supply and keep water available at all times and avoid allowing your pet to drink the local water. • Carry enough food to cover the trip plus a couple extra days. Limit the dog's intake prior to the cruise. After 4-5 hours give your pet more food. • Medications: Make sure to carry a supply of any medications that your pet may be on. • Keep a long handled crab or fish net within grabbing distance on deck to retrieve small pets that fall overboard. • For cats hang a strip of carpet overboard in case they go overboard. They may be able to grab onto it and climb back up. • Exercise: Make sure your dog is exercised either by swimming or running around the deck. Bring floatable toys for the dog to play with and also chews. • When on land never allow your pet to roam off leash, never allow your pet to go visit with a strange dog. Clean up and properly dispose of any feces.

White Sands Marina of Sarasota is proud to announce their newest boat line. After months of searching, Marc Luft and Betty Hon have chosen the widely respected and J.D. Power top-rated Triton Boats. From 19' to 35' Triton offers the top-of-the-line bay boats to the awesome power of the 351 Express and 351 Center Console. The all new 281 CC is in stock and ready for the World Premier. This state-of-the-art “Baby 351” boast a 9'8" beam in a 28CC! Powered by twin 300hp 4-Stroke Suzuki’s featuring “Fly by Wire” shift, this speed demon is a must see and must drive. Also White Sands has the all new more affordable 22L TS series bay boats, with some scaled back options this Triton is priced so low you won't believe how affordable it truly is. Marc and Betty are awaiting the arrival of the all new 301 Express Triton. This express cruiser/fishing machine is what the west coast of Florida truly needs. A 30' boat with 10'10" beam deep Vee running with shallow draft. Aft cabin, luxury and as in all Triton’s, almost every option is standard. Speaking of standards, inspect each Triton below deck to see what quality looks like. From Corian counter tops to china heads to top-of-the-line sound systems, before you consider what you thought was a top brand, see the Tritons for yourself. As far as new models go, White Sands also carries World Cat and currently has the all new 290DC in stock. This first new boat from World Cat in five years is a huge cruise fishing machine. Also White Sands has the all new Azure line of deck boats by Bennington with Yamaha 4-Stroke power.

If you haven’t been out for a while, it’s worth the time to go to White Sands and see what Hi-Def in boating looks like. White Sands Marine is located at 5611 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, just north of Clark Rd on US 41. The boat business is booming at White Sands Marine, as Betty Hon says, “We have the right boats that people are searching out, with the best ride at the best price.” Marc and Betty invite you in to see why they are so excited. Stop in or give them a call at 941-922-8700.

From Alaska to the Florida Keys, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, from four inches of water to a hundred fathoms, Carolina Skiff boats are at home anywhere. Recently, Carolina Skiff found a new home in Southwest Florida by naming Manatee Mobile Marine as the latest Carolina Skiff dealer in Palmetto. Now, you to team with Manatee Mobile Marine and Carolina Skiff to customize your new boat to suit your individual lifestyle. Whether you need a pleasure boat, a fishing boat or a commercial work boat, you’ll find the boat that carries more weight farther, faster, with less horsepower and less fuel consumption. Carolina Skiff boats are built tough with the highest quality materials available and designed for style and performance. Choose from five distinctive hull designs ranging in size from 13 to 27 feet. It’s no wonder that Carolina Skiff is among the industry’s top boat builders and Manatee Mobile Marine the the top boat dealer in Southwest Florida.

Manatee Mobile Marine is the dealer for the Panga Boats and McKee Crafts and is located at 3806 U.S. 41 North in Palmetto. For prices and sea trials, call 941-722-1980 or 866-432-8570 or visit the web site at www.manateemobilemarine.com.

BoatU.S. Angler is a membership program that’s part of the nation’s largest association of recreational boaters whose mission is to protect the interests of boat-owning freshwater anglers. With that in mind, it recommends that anglers should ask these five questions when shopping for insurance for their fishing boats: 1. Do you need an “actual cash value” or “agreed value” policy? If you have a claim, actual cash value policies take depreciation into account when reimbursing for a loss. For example, if your 12-year-old bass boat is totaled, you will be reimbursed for its current market value. Actual cash value policies are generally the less expensive option. On the other hand, agreed value policies are more expensive, but pay for repairs or replacement up to the value stated on the policy—except for a few specified items—regardless of the age or condition of the boat or equipment. 2. Is my fishing gear covered? Any fishing boat insurance policy should automatically include some type of coverage for expensive tackle. If the boat is trailerable and used in freshwater, you may find a policy that includes this coverage without any additional cost. 3. What is the fine print on using towing services? Some fishing boat insurance policies include on-the-water towing or roadside assistance service. The problem is that when you need to call upon these non-emergency services—such as an on-the-water gas delivery, a tow back to the launch ramp or roadside tow vehicle jumpstart—it counts against you as an insurance claim.

Find an insurance company that offers them but does not require you to file an insurance claim in order to use them. You shouldn’t be penalized when taking advantage of these valuable services. 4. Where can I go? Unlike car insurance that is good for every state you drive in, most boat insurance policies have what’s called “cruising areas” limiting where the policy is in force. Trailer your fishing boat outside those areas and you’ll need to call your insurer for an “extension” to ensure coverage remains in effect. Find an insurance policy that doesn’t put limits on where you can trailer your boat. 5. What about tournament coverage? If you fish tournaments, make sure you have the liability coverage required. What if you’ve paid your entry fee but miss the tournament due to a breakdown while trailering? Look for a policy that offers some type of reimbursement for your entry fee if trailering troubles or other covered losses prevent you from competing.

May has arrived and so have the Tarpon. This is the time of the year Tarpon hunters live for. Time to tango with a Tarpon. Tarpon season is in full swing. Anglers from all over the world come to Florida for some of the best Tarpon fishing in the world. Some anglers prefer to sight cast to pods of Tarpon on the beaches while others choose to fish the world-famous Boca Grande Pass for Tarpon. Tarpon can also be caught from other locations such as jetties, docks, passes, and rivers. Tarpon are one of the most sought after gamefish in the world. If you ever hook into one of these silver kings you will remember if for a lifetime. Tarpon put on quite an acrobatic display as they get some real air time when they explode out of the water once they are hooked up. Seeing this up close and personal gets your heart pounding as your rod bends over, so be ready to enjoy the ride of a lifetime A variety of baits are used when targeting Tarpon. The Tarpon crab, also known as a “pass crab,” is one of the baits of choice for many anglers and Captains. Squirrel fish are a popular bait in the Boca Grande Pass. Large threadfins as well as crabs are used as baits when aiming for Tarpon from the beaches. A certain bait may work better at certain times depending on such variables as tide flow, moon phase, location, and time of the day, as well as what the Tarpon seem to be feeding on that particular day.

Tarpon have an air bladder which allows them to absorb oxygen. You can see Tarpon on a regular basis come up to the surface and gulp air. When you see this happening for the first time your knees get weak and your adrenalin level rises. It is a magnificent sight. Tarpon have a mirror-like shine that comes off their diamond-plated bodies. Fishing for Tarpon can be a test of your patience as well as your discipline. There will be times you find Tarpon rolling all around the boat and you cannot get one of them to take your bait. At other times they seem to be in a feeding frenzy and will eat anything you toss in their direction. Usually the fish you see rolling will not be the fish that are feeding. You will need to cast your bait up ahead of the leader of the pod and let your bait sink below, where the bigger fish will not be able to resist such an inviting snack.

For recreational boaters, a simple fall overboard is the number one boating accident “event” that leads to the most fatalities. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that in 2006, 275 persons died in 721 boating accidents that began with or involved a fall overboard. While some of these accidents involved other factors, being able to quickly get back in the boat–without help–isn’t easy as a BoatU.S. Foundation test of 11 portable boarding ladders recently found. “A fall into the water can turn into a life-threatening situation very quickly,” said BoatU.S. Foundation President Ruth Wood, “It doesn’t take long for exhaustion or hypothermia to drain the life out of you. Boaters and anglers need to be prepared, especially if you are alone. It can happen to you.” While many larger boats have built-in boarding ladders, the Foundation tested portable models on a 17-foot Boston Whaler, 14-foot Jon boat, and 12-foot rigid-hull inflatable.

What follows are five important tips that will help ensure a fall overboard doesn’t become tragic. To see a complete report on the tests as well as video of the ladders in action that will help you select the right one for your boat, go to http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation

1. Wear your life jacket. All of the BoatU.S. volunteers participating in the testing program wore a life jacket–before they voluntarily went over the side. All agreed that a fully clothed adult with no buoyancy would have difficulties attempting to get back aboard using any type of ladder.

2. You don’t need to spend lots of money for a functional boarding ladder. Testers found an affordable model fashioned from four-inch wide yellow webbing proved best. Simplicity also ruled the day as the highest-ranked ladders all had fewer than three steps. The ideal ladder length, measured from the water’s surface to the bottom rung, averaged 20 inches.

3. Some ladders work better with certain types of boats. Hard sides or soft? Low or high freeboard? Depending on a boat’s construction or deck layout, most ladders performed well with one particular kind of vessel, and did poorly with others. It’s important to match the ladder to the boat.

4. Before you head out, your boarding ladder needs to be positioned so it can be reached from the water. Also, attaching the ladder to the wrong spot on a narrow, lightweight boat can increase the chance of capsizing, especially if there is wave action.

5. Practice is a must. Many ladders were difficult to use on the first try. Take the time on a warm, sunny day to fine tune any adjustments, get in the water and use the ladder. Some ladders threw testers off-balance when weight was placed on them, causing the device to swing underneath the boat. Only practice solved this problem.

The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit education and research organization primarily funded by the voluntary contributions of the 650,000 members of BoatU.S. The Foundation operates more than a dozen programs including the only accredited, free, online general boating safety course, a low-cost EPIRB rental program, the “Help Stop the Drops” national clean fueling campaign, and a free kid’s Life Jacket Loaner Program. It has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for nonprofit groups for boating safety and environmental projects.

Boating with young children isn’t really all that different from putting them in the car and going out to the playground or swim park. You must have a process for preparing, traveling and enjoying your destination. You must use safety gear and take precautions. And you must be vigilant while still giving them their own space to operate and learn. The most important thing for you to have is a positive attitude. Before your child ever sets foot onboard you need to “childproof” it, just as you would if you were visiting the home of someone who is childless: basically, stow everything that’s breakable or dangerous. Winches, windlasses, ropes, gear boxes, ground tackle and other topside equipment should be out of reach, battened or otherwise secured.

Make sure all safety gear, such as EPIRBS, flares, and flare guns, are up out of a child’s reach—but never locked away—just in case you need them. Areas where ropes and halyards are located should be off limits, since it’s easy to trip or to get a foot or hand wrapped up or caught. Investing in a good lifejacket or life vest with an age-appropriate design is a must. Look for one with a collar that turns the child face up in the water. Look for strong waist and crotch straps, and a handle on the collar. It should have a plastic safety whistle and you should practice your toddler in its use. (Take the child with you when you buy the lifejacket; it will help with sizing and it will get them involved.) That said, have a realistic approach to safety. They’re still the same kids you have at home, so expect the same behavior.

Establish clear, enforceable rules and set boundaries for your kids. They need to be safe, but they also need to have a good time so that they will want to share boating with you in the future. From here on out, making the trip enjoyable is just "Parenting 101." • Bring lots of fluids, particularly water and fruit juices. Remember baby bottles and/or sippy cups, and extras, just in case. • Pack snacks that are not too salty or too sweet. Fruits and granola bars are great. Bring some not-too-salty crackers or, better yet, ginger snap cookies, which can help settle queasy stomachs. Ginger ale is good for this, too. • Your diaper bag (or substitute a daypack) is a must. Pretty much you want to bring one extra of everything you’d normally carry: a full change of clothes, diapers, any lotions or creams, and wipes—bring plenty of those. They’re great onboard for everything, since freshwater is limited. Bring plastic bags to keep wet things away from dry things. Make sure you bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, as well as a jacket in case it turns cool.

ou’ll probably also want to stash a rain poncho aboard. • Remember that your young one may not be riveted by the waterfront mansions or sunset like you are. Bring crayons and drawing paper, and toys that can take the dampness. Bath toys are excellent choices, as are bathtub books, which fare better than paper books.