Towing & Trailering
Trailering can add new dimensions to the sense of freedom that comes with boating, and that's one of the reasons it's so popular. With a trailerable boat, you're free to boat on just about any lake, river, bay or inlet. Trailering is great way to explore different waterways in your state or region it's also the most affordable way to store your boat. The tips below can help you learn all about towing and boat trailer maintenance.
Look for Certified Trailers NMMA Trailer Logo. Highly trained third-party inspectors visit the manufacturer each year and physically inspect boat trailer models, ensuring compliance to all certification requirements.
Trailering your boat can add new dimensions to the freedom that comes with boating. If you've never trailered a boat, there are several things you need to consider. First, determine the towing capacity of your car, truck or SUV. You can find this information in the owner's manual of your vehicle. Usually compact family sedans are not suitable for towing more than a small, aluminum fishing boat or PWC with a properly mounted hitch and lighting plug . Most standard pick-up trucks and SUVs can trailer boats up to 25 feet, but always consult your vehicle owner's manual for limitations.
The owner's manual of your boat will list the "dry” weight of the boat, less fuel and gear. When you're assessing your vehicle's towing capacity, be sure to add several hundred pounds to the dry weight to account for gear, gas and accessories.
As the weight, length and beam (width) of a given boat increase, so does the muscle power needed to launch and retrieve it. A small boat may be easy for one person to handle at the ramp, but larger boats (generally those more than 25 feet) may require additional hands. Don't be afraid to ask for help at the ramp if you need it, trailer boaters are always happy to help.
STOP Invasive Species
By following these guidelines:
Never release live or dead bait or bait packaging into a water body, or release aquatic animals from one water body into another.
Share live bait with other anglers or empty your bait bucket in the trash before leaving the area.
Don't drive the boat through aquatic plants; avoid chopping vegetation with outboard motor propeller
Once on dry land, drain water out of every conceivable place that can hold water: Follow factory guidelines for eliminating water from engines. All engines hold water, but jet drives on personal watercraft and other boats can hold extra water.
Remove the stern drain plug and put boat on an incline so that all the water drains out.
Drain livewells, bilge and transom wells.
Empty water out of kayaks, canoes, rafts, etc.
Remove any visible plant, fish, and animal or fragment as well as mud, which can house them. Check trailer, in and around the boat itself, the anchor, props or steering nozzle (PWCs and jet boats), lines, fenders, paddles
Rinse your boat, trailer, and equipment. Clean and dry anything that came in contact with the water. It is best to use high-pressure, hot (104°F) water or a solution of one percent table salt and water. A garden hose will work if no other option is available.
Air-dry your boat and equipment for as long as possible—at least five days is optimal.
Specials Closeouts Remanufactured Rebates
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It's Boat Show time at CLR Marine
Save Big on the Extend Your Step and the Extend Your Step Three
Sternperch Sailboat Seats are on Sale add two more Seats to your Sailboats Cockpit
Do you have a problem with your water pump Airlocking, No more, Get a Primetime Pump today, use Coupon Code NoMoreAirlocks
The Best Anchors in the world are from Mantus Marine and all Mantus Marine Equipment is on Sale, enter Coupon Code BuyMantus
Don't forget to check out all of our Specials at CLR Marine
$ave even more Money buy checking out our Rebate Corner
This Sale will end on Oct. 31 2019
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The new year is in full swing meaning the boat show season began the week of January 9th. The big three across the USA are the Annapolis, Chicago, and Miami boat shows, all touting the latest and greatest in gadgets, trends, and equipment. The shows draw water sports enthusiasts from fishing, kiteboarding, diving, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, surfing, wakeboarding, and more. Engines and engine technology, water safety, and equipment seminars are great learning experiences for any boater.
During the third week of January, Dusseldorf, Germany, hosts the world's largest boat and water sports show, with more than 250,000 visitors attending from 70 countries. The nine-day event showcases equipment and seminars from 2,000 exhibitors.
The International Boat Builders' Exhibition and Conference, IBEX, held in Tampa each October, is the largest marine equipment trade show in North America. This conference is not open to the public.
More knowledge about boating is the universal focus of all conferences and exhibitions, and safety and security are the front row focus now more than ever. Two of the hottest trends for boating, smart lighting and remote monitoring are at the core foundation of peace of mind when it comes to safety and security.
Smart Lighting
Most boaters already know about trendy lighting such as mood lighting, (because you are always in a mood). Underwater lighting (old school); and lit up drink holders, so you can always find your drink, have some new gadgetry as well.
For 2020, Smart Lighting is operated from a multi-function display, or better yet, your Smart Phone. You can choose the right color hue from a color pallet that creates hundreds of color combinations. You can program the on/off displays, so your boat is fully lit as you walk down the dock. Keep a toggle light switch on board in the event that remote systems have a problem. Battery powered lanterns and flashlights should always be on board.
Remote Monitoring
Whether out at sea or sitting in your easy chair at home, boaters want to be connected. New cloud-based remote monitoring systems let you keep a watchful eye on your boat from a monitor at home or an app on your phone. How fantastic is it to check your boat battery levels from the comfort of your home, or see if the bilge pump is doing its job?
Setting up a boat security system in the form of a geofence and camera system would alert you if an unwanted visitor decides to take your boat for a ride. For skippers with added luxuries and amenities such as air-conditioning (my dad is rolling over in his grave on this one) or refrigeration, you can turn on both as you are driving to the harbor.
Soft Decking
The flooring with soft decking is a hot item this year for the added comfort of our feet, knees, and almost all body parts. Consider that while comfortable boating shoes should be the norm, lots of visitors to your boat will be barefoot, wearing flip-flops, sandals, or shoes never meant for a slippery deck. In my sailing experience, I had one woman show up in spiked high heels, and another brought her daughter along who was sporting an ankle plaster cast. Both were not invited back on board.
Good quality soft decking can add to the life of your boat, and help prevent added injury when there is a fall. Soft-touch foam is a more comfortable alternative to carpeting or nonskid material. It is softer on bare feet and still provides nonskid. The foam also stays cool and dries more quickly. Foammaker Non-Slip Boat Flooring Decking Pad and 6mm Thickness EVA Foam Faux Teak Marine Mat are just a few of the decking items causing a lot of buzz at the boat shows.
Whether you are setting sail for the first time, or you are an old salt who could circumnavigate while blindfolded, visit one of the many boat shows happening during the first quarter of 2020. Think about the added knowledge you'll gain for fun on the water, fair winds, and smooth sailing.
To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/
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Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com
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That is right it's boat show time Chicago Boat & RV Show runs from January 16-20 2008 at McCormick Place north.
The Milwaukee Boat Show runs from January 18-27 2008.
The Western NY Boat Show in Niagara Falls, NY runs from January 30 to February 3 2008.
Strictly Sail Chicago runs from January 31 to February 3 2008 at Navy Pier; see the Extend Your Step at the Zarcor booth.
Strictly Sail Miami and the Miami International Boat Show runs from February 14-18, 2008 and you can see the Extend Your Step again at the Zarcor booth.
CLR Marine not only lowered the price of the Extend Your Step last week. We are offering FREE SHIPPING to the lower 48 states in order to save you from carrying the Extend Your Step around at the boat shows. This offer ends on March 31, 2008.
Back by popular demand is our FREE CLASSIFIEDS section. List your boat For Sale, or wanted items. Any item that is boat related can be posted. All items will be approved before going live.
This is a short list of some of the major boat shows coming up. To help you save some money CLR Marine has cut a deal with DHL on shipping. From now until March 31, 2008 all DHL ground shipments will cost $6.95 and your overnight shipments $19.95. There are no weight restrictions our only restriction is to the lower 48 states.
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Choose Enviro-Friendly Products
Flexdel's Aquagard products are considered "Environmentally Preferable" because they release low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and heavy metals compared to other competing products.
Flitz Products Are Safe For The Environment
You can feel good knowing Flitz products are formulated to be safe for you and the environment. For over 30 years, Flitz has been a world leader in the manufacturing of Premium Polishing Products. During that time, the Flitz brand has become known as "The Good Stuff." Ask any user why they buy Flitz products and they will tell you, "Flitz just works the best".
Best Boat Cleaning Products
Welcome to Shurhold's "One Handle Does It All!" system. This system quickly and easily allows you to snap over 40 different accessories to the same fixed length or telescoping handles. Shurhold understands that space is limited on your boat and storage is a premium. That is why these boat detailing products are designed to save you time, money and space. One handle on your boat can quickly snap to several different boat cleaning brushes, deck mops, or great boating attachments like a boat hook or paddle.
A More Efficient Way To Clean
Swobbit is a more efficient way to clean. Swobbit offers a variety of products including washing brushes and tools, drying mops and cloths, water blades, scrub pads and plates, microfiber products and maintenance k its. The Swobbit System is everything you need to keep your boat looking as clean and new as the day you bought it.
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Winterizing Your Boat
When the boating season is winding down, 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 and money come spring. You should remember that your insurance policy may not cover damage done by lack of maintenance or neglect.
The best place for your boat to be during the winter is out of the water, under cover, in a climate-controlled boat storage area. This, however, can be expensive. If don't have this option perhaps you should consider shrink-wrapping your boat. This, too, is a little expensive but provides a very protective cover. Short of these two items, make sure that your boat is well covered with a tarp or some other sturdy cover.
Your first step in winterizing should be to make a checklist of all items that need to be accomplished. Check the owner's manual of both your boat and motor for manufacturer's recommendations on winterization. If you are a new boat owner, perhaps you should employ the assistance of a friend with experience in winterizing or hire a professional to do the job.
CLR Marine sells the winterizing products you will need for winter storage and regular maintence of your boat.
Specials Closeouts Remanufactured Rebates
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The Marine Retailers Association of America urges all its members and there customers to contact their U.S. Senators, asking them to co-sponsor S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008.
Introduced earlier this month by Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., S. 2766 is similar to the Recreational Boating Act of 2007, which is pending in the House and Senate.
The bill would permanently restore a longstanding exemption for recreational boaters from federal and state permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act.
The issue stems from a September 2006 U.S. District Court ruling that ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate ballast water discharges and mandated a deadline of September 2008 to put it in place.
“Congress has only six months to correct a terrible wrong imposed on recreational boating by a Federal District judge that would require every boat owner to obtain a yearly federal or state permit to operate every boat owned in every state the boat operates in,” MRAA said in its Dealer Alert. “The cost could go to $2,000 per boat, per state.”
These permits would apply to deck runoff, bilge water, engine cooling water and any other water-based operational discharge from a recreational boat. The fines based on citizen suits range up to $32,000 per day, according to the MRAA. The EPA is already writing the required new federal rule, which is set to go operational on Oct. 1.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association is also urging industry stakeholders to contact their senators to support the legislation.
“This issue has been a cloud hanging over our industry,” Scott Gudes, vice president of government relations for the NMMA, said in a statement. “Without legislative relief soon, everyday boaters would be required by federal law to apply for the same expensive permits as ocean-going commercial vessels and land-based industrial facilities.”
Visit www.boatblue.org. Once there, type in your zip code and click Send.
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Sailboat Boarding Ladder Extensions On SALE!!!
Get your coupon here for 10% OFF our Sailboat Boarding ladders. They are the best and safest way to re-board your boat after going out for a nice dip in the ocean!
They are made from a highly durable high-density UV-stabilized polyethylene. And made right here in the USA!!! ??
Don't forget our rewards program. For every $100 you spend you get $5 towards future purchases!!!
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Social Distancing. An extensive need for Vitamin D (best source is the sun). Everywhere we turn we are bombard with news on how to stay healthy, stay safe and take precautions. We are counting on hope. A time will come in the future when it will be safe to get back to business, our social activities and boating.
What if you are isolating yourself on your boat at this very moment? We are taking this opportunity to share updated information on what First Aid and medical supplies need to be a permanent part of your arsenal against disease and injury while on the water.
When boating, your serious injuries and illnesses may be further compromised because it will take longer to get professional medical help. You are away from shore, and if it is a dire, life threatening situation, being airlifted from your boat could take hours, even days, depending on your location.
Being prepared for the worst of emergencies will make any situation a little easier. An emergency at sea can fall into several different categories, and you should be ready for all. These include: Airway blockage, bleeding, burn, hydration, medication miscalculation, seasickness, sprain and fracture, and topical injuries for sun and bites. Have eye wash and a designated area for an eye wash station in the event of a spill or object entering the eye.
You may also be called upon to suture or sew stitches for a severe cut, or inject a syringe. For basic and advanced first aid, a course covering both, as well as CPR before you head to the water, would be a good foundation.
There are many comprehensive First Aid kits on the market that will have everything you'll need. One that is recommended often is My Medic $250.
Retired paramedic/firefighter, Captain Chuck Reed lived aboard his Catalina 36', with his wife Linda, in the Caribbean for three years. For purposes of this article Captain Chuck compiled an extensive list of First Aid and medical supplies to have on board. Click the link here for the list of supplies. (Medical Supplies List).
Don't be unnerved by the last item on the list: a body bag. Having a body bag on board can be likened to having fire insurance. It is smart to have onboard with the hope that you will never have to use it.
Knowing what to do in a medical emergency on the high seas could be the difference between life and death. Take a course, practice and get comfortable with sutures, splints and syringes. Know how to call for help. Make the boating experience the most pleasurable and safest experience possible.
Fair winds and smooth sailing.
To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/.
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Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com
©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com
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Almost any Bob Marley music is the very best for boating. Especially "JAMMIN'." It's probably one of his very best. UB40 offers some relaxing favorites too. When boating, keep it relaxed, yet upbeat. Of course, I agree with Capt. Chuck that just about any Jimmy Buffett qualifies for "the perfect" boat music too.
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Florida leads the nation in boating fatalities, with 77 boating-related deaths reported in 2007, according to a report released this week by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The state, it was noted, also leads the country in the number of registered vessels, with more than 1.027 million in 2007. That's 2,668 above 2006 records.
There were 668 reportable boat accidents in 2007. Many of the boating-related deaths were because of victims falling overboard or capsizing their boat and drowning. A large number of the deaths could have been prevented if the victims had worn life jackets, the commission reported.
According to the report, 70 percent of the operators involved in the accidents had no formal boater education.
Monroe County reported the highest number of accidents and injuries with 74 accidents and four fatalities.
The report also found:
90 percent of victims of fatal boating accidents were male.
22 percent of the boating fatalities were caused by alcohol or drugs.
56 percent of the fatal accidents were in vessels less than 17 feet in length.
To view the report, go to www.MyFWC.com.
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Boating with Kids
Boating with Kids Boating is a great way to spend time with your children. There are many tasks that can be assigned to youngsters while out on the water to teach them responsibility and provide them with valuable life lessons. It's important to establish some boating safety rules and procedures that will help reduce the chance of trouble or injury during your excursion.
Also, if youngsters are joining you, there are a few features to consider for your boat: consider a boat that has a cuddy cabin. Runabouts, bow riders and deck boats, even some center console fishing boats, are sometimes equipped with a small cuddy cabin to offer refuge for the kids if they need a nap, are getting too much sun. Buy a good life jacket or life vest with a collar that turns a child face up in the water. It must have strong waist and crotch straps, a handle on the collar, and preferably be a bright yellow or orange color for good visibility.
Attach a plastic safety whistle to the life jacket and practice using it with the child. Teach them it is not a toy and should only be used when in DANGER.
Specials Closeouts Remanufactured Rebates
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Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show Specials
Use Coupon Code: PBSS
Good until April 24, 2009
SAVE $100.00
On Companionway Doors
SAVE $10.00
On Tufted Topper
SAVE $10.00
On Extend Your Step
SAVE $100.00
On Spin-Tec Roller Fuller
Visit our Close Out section where you will find about 150 items reduced and ready to go home to you.
We also have 110 products that are on Special and that is not counting the items above that have coupon codes.
Be sure you get your $$$$ worth by checking our Rebate Corner for even more $avings.
ATTENTION
ALL UNIVERSAL and WESTERBEKE DIESEL ENGINE OWNERS
We have been informed that all Universal and Westerbeke parts will go up in price this Saturday. Get your orders in for all in stock items now before the prices go up.
Effective 04/18/09 all Universal and Westerbeke prices are going up.
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ACR Electronics brings aboard emergency beacons that are designed with one purpose in mind: Saving Lives.
For flotation garments that work as hard as you do, whether you work or play on the water, let First Watch be the Flotation That You Can Live In.
GME revolutionised the emergency beacon world with the introduction of the ACCUSAT MT400, MT401, MT401FF and the MT401/G PLBs
Whether sailing in coastal waters or cruising offshore a Kannad Marine EPIRB could be the most important safety equipment you purchase for your boat.
McMurdo manufactures emergency location beacon products including EPIRBs, PLBs, SARTs, AIS Beacons, NAVTEX and VHF Radios for use by professionals.
Mustang is trusted by the best, and better than the rest with over 45 years of experience applying innovative technologies to practical lifesaving solutions.
By maintaining the highest standards in product quality and customer service -- Revere inflatable PFDs and award-winning liferafts have saved lives since 1936.
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Have Fun On Your Boat This Summer
With CLR Marine
AIRHEAD REVOLUTION
Outrageous 2 Rider Spinning Towable
AIRHEAD REVOLUTION provides unparalleled spinning fun for 2 riders. Lie down or sit up, either way, you're going to spin like there's no tomorrow! The strategically placed inflatable topside divider fin and 2 leg holding fins keep you from getting thrown off by centrifugal force. You're too old to enjoy spinning? Just thread the tow rope through the No Spin Strap and enjoy a mild ride.
FUSION 700 Series
MS-IP700 Marine Stereo for iPod
The 700 Series True Marine Entertainment System is the culmination of FUSION's engineering and design brilliance, resulting in a product with superior sound quality, controls and features never seen before. The MS-IP700 represents the perfect mix of innovation, functionality and ease of use, driven by feedback from the marketplace direct to your vessel.
Magma Marine Grills
Adventurer Series "Cabo" Charcoal Grill
Designed for today's eco friendly boater who doesn't want to substitute quality for cost. The "Cabo" is a charcoal grill made entirely of 18-9 mirror polished marine grade stainless steel. Designed with the same quality you've come to expect from all Magma Products, this grill has a 9" x 18" or 162 sq. in. grilling surface, and features a stay-cool plastic handle, locking grease tray and fold-away legs.
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