Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Taxes Paid By Boaters Will Fund Boating Programs The explosive growth of paddlesports - including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing - has local, state and federal governments working to ensure there's plenty of paddler access, including paddlecraft-only launches that make it easy to launch a kayak, increasing efforts to ensure paddler safety, and minimizing user conflicts with traditional boaters. The question is, who pays for it? Under a nearly seven-decade-old federal funding mech... Full story
Where do women sailors go to learn? The answer is a place where they can enjoy the camaraderie of other women sailors, learn from top instructors both on the water and in the classroom, and have plenty of fun. For 30 years that place has been the Sailing Convention for Women presented by Gail Hine, to be held next on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, Calif. Something Meaningful For Everyone "The Convention gives women an opportunity to meet other women... Full story
A recent report from the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has re-affirmed that outdoor recreation activities are a significant driver of economic activity in the country, making up 2.2 percent ($247.2 billion) of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). When looking at “conventional” outdoor recreation activities, “boating/fishing” was the largest conventional activity for the nation as a whole at $20.9 billion in current dollar value added, surpassing RVing, motorcycl... Full story
New video outlines the unique precautions required when heading offshore to a marine sanctuary. The NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries include more than 600,000 square miles of marine protected areas, from the rugged Olympic Peninsula of Washington to the "shipwreck alley" of Michigan's Thunder Bay and the turquoise-hued shallows of the Florida Keys. These national treasures present great opportunities for recreational boaters, anglers, and sailors – but only if they're prepared and have the g... Full story
BoatUS App's New 'Connect to Local Towing Captains' feature shortens response time. When boats break down on the water, run aground or run out of fuel, many recreational boaters use the free BoatUS App to summon TowBoatUS for routine on-water assistance. The app's new Connect feature will automatically link app users with the closest local TowBoatUS captain, eliminating the need to call to BoatUS national dispatch and providing better service to boaters by shortening response times from the... Full story
BoatUS urges boaters to be aware of engine weight when repowering a recreational boat. Boaters Aren't the Only Ones Getting Heavier; Outboard Engines Catch Up One year ago the U.S. Coast Guard required new recreational boats to have more floatation to support the increased weight of newer four-stroke outboards if the boat becomes swamped. Now the agency is implementing those changes as reported in the Spring 2019 issue of the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Circular. Boat Owners Association of... Full story
All across America boating season has begun. With some help from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, here are six ways boaters can help keep waters clean and be good environmental stewards all summer long. 1. Cleaning and waxing: When making your boat sparkle, understand that some general cleaning soaps may have harmful chemicals, so consider using alternate cleaning methods. You'd be surprised, for example, of how effective (and affordable) having a spray bottle with the... Full story
Video: How To Prepare Boat Shrink Wrap For Recycling In Six Easy Steps Ohio Clean Marinas Program shows how anyone can recycle their boat's winter shrink wrap. With recreational boats now waking up from their long winter's nap and their protective shrink wrap covers coming off prior to spring launch, a new video from the Ohio Clean Marinas Program shows boaters everywhere how to prepare boat shrink wrap for recycling in six easy steps. Essentially plastic, shrink wrap is an effective winter... Full story
When Earth Day was created in 1970, mainstream America was largely tuned out to the benefits of recycling. Fast forward nearly half a century, however, to Earth Day 2019 (April 22) and it's fairly common to see local paper, glass and plastic recycling programs. But what about boats? A pilot project by recreational marine industry businesses in the state of Rhode Island aims to finally find a solution for recycling boats. The challenge today is that the most common way to dispose of an old boat... Full story
Boatyards, marinas and clubs are waking up after a long winter's nap, and boaters have begun preparing their vessels for the season. While the boat needs to be looked at and readied for a summer of fun, so does your safety. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water says that doing these four free or low-cost things now will help ensure a summer of safe boating. 1. Get a free Vessel Safety Check: Where else can you ask a professional to go over your boat to ensure it's safe and... Full story
With boatyards, backyards, marinas, and clubs now coming to life, spring commissioning time has arrived. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has a Spring Commissioning Checklist to help boaters start the season right: Before You Launch 1. Inspect and replace hose clamps as necessary. Double-clamp fuel lines and exhaust hoses with marine-rated stainless steel hose clamps. Keep seacocks closed when you are away from the boat. 2. Inspect all hoses for stiffness, rot, leaks and... Full story
THANK YOU -- (L to R) Capt. Jeff Dziedzic, TowBoatUS Mystic, Connecticut; Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.); and Capt. Keith Turgeon, TowBoatUS Mystic U.S. Coast Guard Re-authorization Includes Look At Improving 911 System For Boaters TowBoatUS Mystic Connecticut captain thanked from U.S. House floor. A sign of the times, the U.S. Coast Guard reports that it’s common for recreational boaters today to use cellphones to call during a boating emergency. While Boat Owners Association of The United S... Full story
With President Trump's December 31 signing of the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018 (Modern Fish Act), saltwater recreational anglers just got a big leg up when it comes to the federal management of the nation's fish stocks. "The Modern Fish Act is a big step forward in recognizing the value of today's recreational fishing," said Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. "It will help improve public access to... Full story
Ethanol Misfueling Danger Laid Bare: Gas Pump Photos "The ethanol industry doesn't want you to see these photos." The President has officially moved to allow E15 (15 percent ethanol) gasoline sales have now been moved to allow E15 (15 percent ethanol) year-round - a fuel prohibited for use in recreational boats and a decision that recreational boating groups say will needlessly put 142 million American boaters at risk. New Website Protecting Boaters at the Gas Pump is a new website with a... Full story
Engine Cutoff Switch Requirement, Five-Year Vessel Documentation Included in Passage of Coast Guard Authorization Act Each year Congress authorizes the budget and overall spending level for the U.S. Coast Guard, which can have a direct effect on recreational boaters. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) applauds today's passage of The Frank Lobiondo Coast Guard Authorization of Act of 2018, which offers new safety and consumer-friendly benefits for boaters, anglers and sailors.... Full story
Going Up the Mast" is just one workshop at the Sailing Convention for Women. The Sailing Convention for Women, presented by Gail Hine, will be held on Sat., Feb. 2, 2019 at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona del Mar. Sponsored by BoatUS, the daylong event is a series of 33 workshops for ladies-only, and include shore- and-boat-based sessions that offer beginners to experts a welcoming environment to learn more about all things sailing. "This is where women sailors go to learn," said... Full story
The cover photo from the National Safe Boating Congress (NSBC) reminds us that although boating safety is stressed during National Safe-Boating Week, May 19-May 25, it must be a priority all year 'round. All of the organizations that stress safety on the water emphasize the importance of wearing life jackets. Far too many accidents, with injuries and fatalities, have happened to even good swimmers who were not wearing pfds. Although it may be tempting to not wear a life jacket - for reasons that... Full story
Arizona Boating & Watersports - On The Cover, April 2018 Thanks to Bob Brown, Media Direction, for sharing this uplifting reminder that it is boating season again in the Southwest. The lovely boat "captain" pictured welcomes us and suggests we get on board and enjoy all that boating offers - not only to beautiful destinations but also to activities such as fishing, boat camping, various water sports, shows, and/or simply a day away from the stress of city life. Just look at the highlights on... Full story
According to a 2017 BoatUS Foundation report (Foundation Findings #55 – Boat Burn Lessons Learned, http://www.boatus.org/findings/55/), "Electrical faults are the No. 1 cause of boat fires." Faulty shore power equipment can be one of the culprits, as it feeds a boat's entire AC system and transmits the full power load. The revolutionary SmartPlug System is the best defense a boat owner has to protect against the inadequacies of traditional twist-type shore connections. SmartPlug's 30A system o... Full story
Alert: Crime Rings Stealing Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Garmin Electronics - BoatUS offers seven tips to slow down thieves...... Website
The nation's largest recreational boating advocacy, services and safety group, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), has issued its 2017 Top Ten Boat Names list, a tradition dating back a quarter decade. The names come from tallying up requests for boat names to the BoatUS Graphics service, and each reveal much about the personality of the vessel's owner. The BoatUS 2017 Top 10 Boat Names 1. Serenity: The utter calm and quietude boating brings 2. Seas the Day: A nautical... Full story
JANUARY: AYC Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup AZGFD Awards Banquet Great Canadian Picnic LA Boat Show San Diego Sunroad Boat Show FEBRUARY: Arizona Game & Fish Expo Bass Master Cruising Season Groundhog Day Mardi Gras Presidents’ Day Valentine’s Day MARCH: Ash Wednesday Dana Point Festival of Whales Daylight Savings Time Dragon Boat Festival Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat Show - Long Beach - San Diego International Sportsmen’s Expo and Arizona Boat Show Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Saint... Full story
SAN DIEGO, June 12, 2017 -- If you're an angler, the mention of the word "yellowtail" sends a shiver down your spine just thinking of large, fast, sleek, hard-fighting fish at the end of a taught line. With the 2017 Yellowtail Shootout, presented by Costa , coming to San Diego June 23-25, anglers from all over the West Coast will converge at the tournament's base in San Diego to compete to catch this most prized gamefish. More than $50,000 in prizes and cash is at stake, with local on-water... Full story
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) Consumer Protection Department is advising boaters with vessels having a US Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation to be wary of any letter arriving by US mail offering renewal. Members Complain An increasing number of BoatUS members have complained that these letters direct them to Web sites that may be mistaken for the actual US Coast Guard Vessel Documentation Center located in Falling Waters, W. Va., and appear to show a significant... Full story
Across the United States, there are over 550 BoatUS Foundation Life Jacket Loaner sites that collectively loan out children's life jackets more than 140,000 times each year. That makes it one of the largest and most successful boating-safety programs in the country. Becoming a new loaner site is now easier with an application cycle that allows marinas, boat clubs, waterfront restaurants or government agencies to apply at any time, speeding the review process. There is no cost to set up a loaner... Full story