Blog November 2014

GIVING THANKS

 As we now are in the crazy, turkey-eating, football-watching, family-hosting holiday week of Thanksgiving and the rest of the winter holidays, we think it’s an appropriate time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.

I am thankful for my family, my friends, my clients, and my good fortune. I am lucky enough to perform at a job that I truly enjoy.

We hope you were able to get out on the water as much as possible this boating season. The weather most weekends was glorious and beckoned us to get out and go fishing, sailing, cruising, tubing, racing, dock bar hopping, sight-seeing, and doing all else that floats our boats

Luckily, this year, we could count the warnings that stalled weekend plans on one hand. It doesn’t get better than that! Heck, boating, fishing, even a little alone time.(Shhhhh….!!!)

As the holiday season embraces us and we tend to spend more time on land than on the water, we wish you and yours the best of off-seasons.

Raise a toast to an early spring and give thanks for what you have!!

Have a Safe and Thankful Holiday!!               

Roy and all of the Team at Scott Marine

Equip Yourself: Gear for Cold Weather Boating

So with the temperatures really dipping this week, time to reinforce what we all should know, but all to often ignore.

Source: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs

Cold weather boaters need protection from hypothermia, both on deck and in the event of falling overboard. Cold water shortens in-water survival time, making a quick rescue essential. Fortunately, you have options whether you hunt, fish, or cruise on cold water. Choose the right gear to increase your chances of surviving a cold-weather mishap.

1. Flotation Coat
Flotation coats provide warmth and double as a life jacket should the wearer fall in the water. Float coats are recommended for boaters who boat year-round in locales with moderate air temperatures and cold water. If you boat in extremely cold temperatures, a flotation coat will not protect you from hypothermia if you fall into the water.

2. Immersion or Survival Suit
Winter boating calls for hardy gear. Survival suits protect you from the elements, and provide flotation and hypothermia protection if you enter the water. Wearing a survival suit can increase survival time in cold water.

3. Dry Suit
Dry suits can be instantly drawn tight to prevent water from entering, Appropriate thermal layers worn beneath the dry suit provide insulation and they are not buoyant. Dry suits are suitable for intentional entry into the water, but provide no passive protection if you fall in.

4. Personal Position Locator Beacon
Otherwise known as a PLB, a personal position locator beacon is a scaled down version of the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). When immersed in water or manually activated both EPIRBs and PLBs transmit a signal that allows rescuers to pinpoint your location.

5. Personal Emergency Locator Light
An emergency light worn and activated if a person is in the water can attract the attention of rescuers, providing a much more visible target than your head in the water. The bright, flashing light increases the chances of being spotted by rescuers or a passing boater.

6. Flares
Store hand held and/or parachute flares in immersion suit pockets, secured with a lanyard. Study their instructions before you need them.

7. Whistle
Attracting attention will increase your chances of surviving in the water. Whistles are a cheap and simple way to make noise without exhausting yourself. Rescuers are trained to turn off the boat engines and listen for a period of time while they are on search and rescue missions, or a nearby boater may hear the signal. Conventional whistles don’t work if the “pea” inside is wet, so choose a waterproof model.

Common sense can also increase your chances of survival in cold weather. Dress in layers to provide maximum protection and warmth. Technical fibers provide thermal protection and won’t absorb water. Include a hat to protect your head from heat loss. Wear gloves.

Don't be tempted to skip proper cold weather clothing and gear. Be sure to wear a life jacket and hypothermia protection when boating in the cold.

INEXPENSIVE IDEAS FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR YOUR BOATER

Well, its November 13, 2014 and time is flying by. I get asked about ideas for useful, low cost gifts for stocking stuffers or holiday gifts for the boaters.

Luckily, there is a huge selection available.

Here are some of my favorites from the past and they continue to prove their worth.

Brass Bulkhead Bottle Opener

A polished brass bottle opener is handy for use on the boat (if you have a good place to mount it) or at home for use at a nautical themed bar. 

Seateak Quick Grip Handle
This suction handle is definitely “handy” on a boat with many uses… its great for steadying yourself to clean a boat hull while anchored out, and it also works great for an extra boarding handle that you can easily attach anywhere on a fiberglass boat for extra support boarding. For only $15 at West Marine it is a very useful gift for any boater!

LifeProof Case for iPhone
If you have an iPhone 4, 4s and use it on a boat, then its a smart thing to have a waterproof case for your smart phone. The LifeProof Case is available on Amazon and protects your phone against shock, dust and water – you can even go swimming with it! (I’ve seen several boaters accidentially jump in the water with their iPhone still in their pocket!) It also comes in 8 cool colors. If you upgraded to an iPhone 5, they also make a Lifeproof Case for iPhone 5 for $80 in a variety of colors too.

Speedtech Instruments Skymate Wind Meter
A great little gadget for boaters, paddlers, hang gliders or other outdoor sport enthusiasts, you can get wind speed and temperature readings on the LED display of this wind meter that includes a lanyard and lithium battery.

Lewmar's Delta Anchor
A mini version of the popular Lewmar’s Delta Anchor in a stainless steel bottle opener. An inexpensive and fun gift for a boater available at West Marine

Davis Instruments Key Buoy
This key buoy is WAY cooler than the ugly foam floaties they give away at the local beer store. If your keys fall in the water it inflates a 14″ bright orange marker tube that extends out of the water for easy pick-up. You may want to pick up a few if you have 2 engine keys on-board. .

Hides H2O Floating Eyewear Retainer and Case

H2O eyewear retainers are more than just sunglass straps… they are made of high buoyancy neoprene tubing and fit securely in place on your sunglass frame. Best of all if you drop them in the water they float! Available in several different colors

Commemorating the 239th anniversary of the Marine Corps

This Veterans’ day I came across this article commemorating  the Anniversary of the establishment of the US MARINES. The article appeared on AOL and was written by Kelly Driscoll.

On this Veterans Day, Remember our Vets and value what we have because of their efforts.

On November 10, 1775, Philadelphia native Captain Samuel Nicholas formed the the first two battalions of the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War after realizing the need for a group able to battle both on water and on land. That institution has transformed and evolved into the few, the proud: the modern day United States Marine Corps.

Monday marked 239 years since the creation of the Marine Corps, and it has grown from Captain Nicholas' initial two battalions to roughly 194,000 active members and 40,000 reserve Marines, though it remains the smallest branch of the United States Armed Forces within the Department of Defense.

The official title of United States Marine Corps was incorporated in 1798. The Continental Marines, as well as the Continental Navy, were temporarily disbanded at the completion of the American Revolution. The Marines in particular were reinstated in preparation for the Quasi-War, which was fought against Spain and the French Republic, and mostly at sea.

Since its creation, the Marine Corps has earned recognition by serving in the majority of American wars. Their well-known motto, "Semper Fidelis," often shortened to "Semper Fi," appropriately translates to "Always Faithful." Marines are capable of fighting via land, air and sea, and every member of the Marines receives additional training as a rifleman. The Marine Corps works closely with the United States Navy, as these two services make up the United States Department of the Navy.