What Not to Store in YOUR Garage

Yes to Skis. Bikes. Sports balls of all sorts. A lawnmower. Old toys.

Lincoln's Birthday celebrates the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, one of the most popular presidents in United States history. It is a state holiday in some states on or around February 12. It's also known as Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, Abraham Lincoln Day or Lincoln Day.

Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, on February 12 in 1809. He lived for a time in Indiana before moving to Illinois. He worked on a farm, split rails for fences, worked in a store, was a captain in the Black Hawk War, and worked as a lawyer. He married Mary Todd and together they had four boys, only one of whom lived to maturity.

Lincoln began his political career at the age of 23 in 1832 when he ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Illinois General Assembly, as a Whig Party member. He joined the newly formed Republican Party in 1854 and was nationally recognized during the 1858 debates with Stephen Douglas despite Douglas’ win in the race for US Senator. Lincoln won the presidency in 1860 and, despite being a Republican, rallied most of the northern Democrats to the Union case during the Civil War (1861-65).

Lincoln was known as the Great Emancipator, the Rail Splitter and Honest Abe. He was the president throughout the American Civil War and is known for his struggle to preserve the Union and the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. John Wilkes Booth assassinated Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC on Good Friday, April 14, 1865. The assassination occurred less than two weeks after the Confederacy surrendered at Appomattox Court House in 1865.

It has been recorded that Lincoln’s Birthday was first celebrated as a holiday in 1866, one year after his death. Many states have a joint holiday to honor both Lincoln and George Washington, sometimes calling it Presidents’ Day.

Schools, and banks are open on Lincoln's Day. Lincoln's Birthday, Feb. 12, was once a major holiday, but now, along with Washington's Birthday, it is celebrated as part of Presidents' Day on the third Monday in February.

How Radar Works

Before we delve into using radar, let's make sure you have a solid understanding of the basics. In a nutshell, radar sends out a transmission in the form of a high-frequency radio wave and "listens" for it to be bounced back by a solid object. Most traditional radar units send out this transmission in a burst of power, then calculate the time delay of any returned signals to calculate distance to the target. As a general rule, this type of radar provides the best long-range abilities. Unfortunately, that big burst of power creates something called a "main bang" 360 degrees around your boat. This is a visionless dead-zone that can cover 100 feet or more. So while long-range performance is excellent, very short ranges are hampered.

Instead of using strong bursts of power, some newer solid-state radar units instead calculate the difference between transmitted and received frequencies. The advantage is better target discrimination at short range; there's no big burst, so there's no main bang. Their range, however, is often more limited than that of traditional radar.

The latest and greatest units may combine these two technologies, and some also apply Doppler enhancements. Remember learning about the Doppler effect in high school? As an ambulance gets closer and closer, the frequency of its siren sounds higher and higher, and as it gets farther away, the frequency sounds lower and lower. Many of the latest marine radar use this same principle to help determine the speed and hazard-level of moving targets.

Boating makes you healthier.

Informative article from US Boat on the "Blue Mind"

We interview a renowned marine biologist who has proof of what most of us only suspected.

You've likely heard of green space — areas in cities or residences that are full of plants that bring us a little closer to nature. Author and marine biologist Dr. Wallace Nichols uses a new phrase — blue space — that those of us familiar with water will all understand.

Lakes, rivers, oceans, bays, even creeks and swimming pools are all blue space. Dr. Nichols, author of Blue Mind, a New York Times national best-seller, has been researching how blue spaces affect us. He calls it "the blue mind."

The blue mind, he says, separates us from the pressures and distractions of life, which he refers to as "red mind." Having a blue mind lessens the stresses of the day and gives us a break from our overstimulated lives. Nichols says that the relationship of a boat to our emotional health has been largely overlooked, until recently.

BoatUS: We know boating is fun and we take away a lot of good things after a day on the water. What does science say?

Nichols: We know from studies that water positively affects us auditorily, visually, and somatically. Neuroscientists can now pinpoint in your brain where your emotions manifest — it's called the amygdala. They've found that even just looking at water can trigger feelings of wellness, compassion, empathy, and happiness. We experience slower breathing, reduced heart rate, and lowered skin temperature.

Blue mind takes us from our prefrontal cortex, responsible for things like planning and decision-making, to our default mode network, when we're thinking about others or ourselves and not specific tasks. Studies from University of Exeter Medical School in the United Kingdom show that being on or near the water, or even just hearing it, adds wellness and emotional benefits. People say they feel better and their measurable vital signs agree — breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and so

BoatUS: What happens within our body and mind when we're on a boat?

Nichols: Our heart rates and breathing slow, and people say they feel better and their stress decreases. The sound of water increases blood flow to the brain, inducing relaxation, something we've probably all felt. Even the mere sight of water can induce a flood of neurochemicals that promote wellness. On or around water, our stress hormones dip. We really do feel better when we're on the water.

BoatUS: A 2017 study conducted by Wakefield Research found 4 in 5 Americans say being around water relaxes them, and 72 percent say they feel healthier after spending time on the water. Why do we feel good when we're on the water?

Nichols: When stress overload and attention fatigue are sustained over long periods of time, the "always-on" lifestyle can eventually result in memory problems, poor judgment, anxiety attacks, nervous habits, and even depression. Chronic stress damages the cardiovascular, immune, digestive, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems. It lowers levels of dopamine and serotonin, causing us to feel exhausted and depressed.

Ever wonder what the impact of the Super Bowl is on businesses?

I did.

Here's an interesting article by Nancy Wagner on the subject.

The lure of an economic windfall often convinces larger cities to host the Super Bowl, but the picture might not be as rosy as some would suggest for area businesses. The National Football League says the Super Bowl impacts a host city’s economy by $300-$400 million, but in reality, the economic impact of the big event is more likely less than 25 percent of the NFL’s estimate, according to a study by Williams College. Even so, small businesses able to sell their products and services during the event are likely to see an increase in sales.

Did you go the boat show this past weekend?

This time of year many people begin to feel the itch.

In the Winter, selection can be high.

Prices are a bit lower.

Here’s some advice if you want to buy a boat.

GET A SURVEY!!!!

Consider a discontinued model as it may not be all that different than a just-built current model. It costs a lot to redesign boats and build new molds, so the “upgrades” offered on newer boats may only amount to different color schemes, upholstery, or slight changes in the power train. Check with the builder and engine manufacturer to make sure their warranties are in effect. You’ll need a hull ID number and engine serial number. Have the boat surveyed. Leftover models are sometimes cannibalized for parts. Be sure to sea-trial the boat and test operating systems.

Leftover  Models

Boat   dealers   use loans to purchase new product from manufacturers (called floor planning).  Ideally, each new boat sold helps the dealer keep up  with  his  loan  obligation.  The system works well until sales of new boats taper off or dry up, as they have this year. Consider the following when buying a  new  leftover model:  Expect  significant  markdowns  on leftover models and be prepared to negotiate to have extras,  such  as  electronic  gear or trailers, added in to sweeten  the  deal. Dealers who have long given up on making a profit on a sale may be happy to improve their cash flow with a bargain price.

Can't afford a new one, but saw a bargain online?

Salvage Vessels

Rehabilitating a boat that’s been totaled in an accident or hurricane may seem like a good way to get something newer and bigger or to make some money in a flip. But bear in mind: All used boats and their engines should be surveyed before purchase. This goes double for boats sold as salvage. Structural damage can add thousands to repair costs. Few states require dealers to reveal that boats have been totaled in an accident or are salvaged vessels. Used boats are sold in “as is” condition, which means that you’ll have no recourse against the seller if something goes wrong.

Boat electronics represent a big investment, so it pays to take care of them.

Many multifunction displays (MFDs) have a touch-screen interface, but all those pinches, swipes, and taps can leave the screen with a plethora of fingerprints and dirt that needs to be periodically cleaned off.

While it may be tempting to reach for the Windex or other glass cleaner, these can do more harm than good.

Glass cleaners contain ammonia, and while this may remove fingerprints, it can, over time, damage the underlying screen layer, leading to a cloudy or milky-white screen that can be difficult to see, making those expensive electronics all but useless.

Nearly every manufacturer says the best thing for screen cleaning is a little water and a clean microfiber cloth — no fancy chemicals or additives required.

Distilled water is best as it's free of impurities. For a clean spot-free shine, just spritz the screen with a little water and wipe carefully with a clean microfiber cloth.

I keep a small spraybottle in a drawer close to the nav station specifically for this purpose — 2 or 3 ounces of water lasts a whole season.

For best results turn off the display and allow it to cool for several minutes prior to cleaning, this is especially important if you have had backlighting turned up to full brightness.