Boating is an extremely enjoyable activity, whether you fish, tow, surf or just hang out at the sandbar. However, things can and will go awry. A recent incident reminded me that being prepared is more than having a life vest and first aid kit. A Cautionary Tale On a crisp Sunday morning, I got a call from the dockmaster at our marina. Our 23-foot center Read More » Continue reading Sh!t…Things Happen – Be Prepared
When I was living on my boat at the Cape Marina in Cocoa, Saturday evenings meant time for a beer at Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar to enjoy the “Boat Ramp Follies.” The public ramp was located right next door to the restaurant and provided the perfect opportunity to observe the wins and fails of often incompetent or inebriated (sometimes both) boaters. The cheers Read More » Continue reading The Boat Coach: Avoid Being a Part of the “Boat Ramp Follies”
Inland boaters don’t have tides to contend with. However, if you boat on the Intracoastal Waterway, tides can be a big issue. Unlike a river which always flows the same direction, tides cause currents that can flow in totally opposite directions at different times of day. The closer you are to an inlet, the more dramatic the flow-sometimes reaching over five knots. This affects your Read More » Continue reading The Boat Coach: Don’t Get Caught with Your Tide Down
