Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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After washing a boat, it's important to dry it before unsightly water spots develop. Old towels and chamois cloths are a traditional method, but they're slow, require exhaustive wringing and tend to smear the finish. The fast and easy solution is the Flexible Water Blade from Shurhold. It quickly removes droplets before they harden into stubborn mineral deposits and reduces drying time by a third or more. Made of durable silicone, the 12" Flexible Water Blade molds to flat and curved surfaces.... Full story
When Schmitt & Ongaro Marine Products debuted the Torcello by Stella, the polyurethane marine steering wheel reset the bar for quality, customization and pure good looks. Now, along with NMMA certification, the popular component is CE marked (Conformitè Europëenne) to conform with EU safety, health and environmental requirements, making it even more attractive to European OEMs and distributors. The three-spoke 14" Torcello series is all about trim enhancements. By offering a wide range of c... Full story
This is worth celebrating: The Arizona Game & Fish Department's Outdoor Expo is back! After a two-year hiatus, the popular family friendly event returns. I am taking this as a sign that our past couple of years of restricted activities are finally coming to an end. I hope I am right and that we will be able to cheer on "normal", be it the new or otherwise. The Expo, in a sense, kicks off the spring season in the Southwest, and as you will note in this issue, the focus is on such great outdoor... Full story
Here are some suggestions for kayak and canoe safety and equipment. AZGFD Paddlesports Training Course Is First The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) was recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for offering the nation's first paddle-sports class that meets the national standard for "On-Water Recreational Boating Skills – Human Propelled." AZGFD's "Paddlesports Arizona" course teaches fundamental paddlecraft skills that entry-level recreational boaters should be able... Full story
First, we offer a big thank-you to Margie Anderson for guiding us on a very interesting trip to/through the Belmont Mountains and for this intriguing photo. Her and John's road trip story starts on page 14 of this issue. As I write this monthly column, I realize how fortunate we are to have things to celebrate such as awards, raffles, fairs, sailing, and travel - and have the freedom to do so. Yes, there are many activities to enjoy in this state, but as I look forward to all of them, my joy is... Full story
As Scorpion Bay Marina continues to expand and diversify offerings, marina concessionaire Desert Troon Companies is pleased to announce it has enhanced its leadership team with the hire of Lynn Lovelady as Scorpion Bay's marina operations manager. Primary Point Of Contact Lovelady is an experienced marina manager who focuses on storage, regular rental boat projects, member services and other operational and human resources-related responsibilities at Scorpion Bay. She is the members' primary... Full story
Twelve-year expiration for disposables and different carriage requirements for older, newer model year vessels announced. A rite of passage for every boater is the annual spring commissioning. Newly added to the boat owners to-do list this spring will be to check all disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher dates of manufacture, as well as the label for their U.S. Coast Guard classification. That's because a new U.S. Coast Guard regulation beginning April 20 for disposable fire... Full story
Here Are Some Lifesaving Acts By TowBoatUS Captains Captains from Calif., Fla., N.C., N.J., Mich., S.C. are honored at annual gathering. For the red boats of TowBoatUS, the on-water towing and assistance fleet for recreational boaters, a routine day typically includes towing disabled boats back to the launch ramp, providing battery jumps, dropping off fuel, or offering a gentle tug out of the shallows. For each of these 12 towboat captains and crews, however, one workday was far from routine.... Full story
The Belmont Mountains are full of history. The Belmont Mine is now abandoned, but back in the 1920s up until the' 30s, it was a busy copper mine that also produced gold and silver. Now the big adit and mine opening have metal grates over them – the main one is over 500 feet deep, and a couple of people fell to their deaths in the abandoned mine, which led to the grates being installed. There is lots to see around the Belmont Mountains, especially at the site of the old mine. You can drive up t... Full story
In A Word: Huzzah! Once again (and after a covid interruption in 2021) the Arizona Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace is back. It features a 16-stage theater, an outdoor whimsical village, a 50-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, jousting tournaments, and a feast, all rolled into one nonstop, daylong adventure. This is the rowdy, raucus event that is well encapsulated in its motto: Huzzah! On a much quieter note, shhh: the eagles are breeding. These magnificent birds ask for your... Full story
And Cats Chances are he or she should wear a life jacket. The last thing we want is for Fido to fall overboard, creating panic onboard, and a potential safety nightmare. Fitting him or her for a life jacket is easy - really! - if you follow a few simple tips. "Some of the most important safety items on any boat are the life jackets - for you, your passengers, and of course your "best friend." Since our last report on this topic years ago, the canine life jacket market has taken off by leaps and... Full story
Early in February it can seem like the fish are on strike," says local resident and ournament angler Debbie Blanchard, "but before long the big smallmouth start to move in and you can catch a lot of really big fish." The smallmouth begin to spawn when the water reaches about 58 degrees, and they spawn deeper than largemouth do. Easy To Spot Debbie looks for beds in at least ten feet of water. They're easy to spot, she says, because smallmouth nests are as much as three times as big as... Full story
Conrad was in the left seat of the vintage Twin Bonanza pointed West on the Deer Valley, Arizona runway. Sitting in the right seat was his date Virginia. In the spacious cabin behind were Jack, Lynn, Jim and his date. Virginia had not been in the airplane before. Jack and Lynn had taken numerous trips with Conrad and Jim. Jim had flown hundreds of hours with Conrad to all sorts of destinations. This trip began the night before when Jack had called Conrad and Jim and suggested they make a trip to... Full story
Magnificent, but shy: These are the sandhill cranes that are in focus on a photography tour at the end of the month. The wildlife viewing and photography tour will be conducted by AZGFD photographer George Andrejko and biologists at Whitewater Draw. And, at press time, there was still space available to join this remarkable experience. So much is in focus as we enter the New Year. The annual Arizona Renaissance Festival is back after a covid absence last year, and the Arizona Yacht Club is... Full story
Affordable Three-Hour Courses Begin January 22, 2022 Arizona boaters might make this a goal in the new year as San Diego is such a popular destination for them. Boating in San Diego is rated among the best in the nation, but if you have no boating experience how do you begin? A new partnership between San Diego based Boater U and the national nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water makes it easy with a series of affordable three-hour courses for beginners as well as... Full story
Here is the Top 10 list of how-to, things-you-need-to-know boating videos. Repairing gelcoat is a common boat owner task, but it requires more than just filling in small spider cracks. "How to Spray Gelcoat on a Boat Using a Preval Sprayer," which shows how to make professional gelcoat repairs over a larger area, was the most-watched new BoatUS video of 2021, from BoatUS Magazine. The second most-watched video on the list, "Bilge Pump Not Working? Here's How To Troubleshoot the Problem" proves... Full story
When the traditional twist-type shore power connection was invented in the 1930s, electricity consumption on a boat was much less than today. To help provide a safer and more reliable power solution aboard contemporary vessels, the 30A 125V SmartPlug Combo Kit enables an upgrade that overcomes the flaws of older connector and inlet designs. Each Combo Kit includes a shore power cord connector and a boat-side inlet. The unique SmartPlug pin and clip design provides over 27 times the... Full story
Stainless Receptacle Covers Suit Multiple Applicationa Keeping electrical terminals protected from the elements is of paramount importance on yachts and commercial vessels, in boat yards and marinas, and on private docks and boathouses. Stainless Steel Flip Covers from Hubbell Marine offer weatherproof protection in a classic design that suits a variety of applications. Crafted from heavy-duty 316 stainless steel for a lifetime of durability and corrosion resistance, these Hubbell covers are... Full story
Dixie Belle, the official "hostess" for Lake Havasu City, would be happy to have you aboard during the holidays. In fact, a ticket to get a tour on the lady would make an excellent Christmas gift, or a party on her decks would be a perfect way to celebrate the holidays. Dixie Belle, originally built in 1983, is a replica of an 1800's paddle wheeler. She has recently undergone a 10-year restoration project and is opening for business late November/ early December 2021. She's a beauty, just... Full story
BoatUS has you covered with 24/7 assistance for breakdowns on the water and on the road. Looking for a holiday gift for the boater in the family? Look no further than an annual BoatUS Unlimited Towing Membership. Like an auto club for recreational boat owners, a BoatUS Unlimited Towing Membership provides professional 24/7 on-water towing service by the TowBoatUS fleet ─ the nation's largest. A Towing Membership takes care of the problems that your boater did not plan for, such as an a... Full story
Customizable greeting cards from the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation give back to boating. Hey, boaters! Got your holiday cards yet? The BoatUS Foundation's nautically themed cards from Salt Harbor Studios offer customizable card designs crafted on high-quality FSC Certified paper from responsibly managed forests. The best part about this season of giving may be that a portion of each card purchase supports the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation's mission of promoting safe and clean boating, including... Full story
Oh, the views: spectacular! Thank you, Margie Anderson, for some fantastic photos of vistas here in Arizona, and on our "Western Wildlife" page, we salute another incredible photographer, George Andrejko, Arizona Game & Fish Department, who has some tips for taking pictures of wildlife. With so many negatives confronting us, usually from the media, there is such good news to celebrate here in the Southwest — We have family outings to enjoy as outdoor fans cut their own Christmas trees. We h... Full story
Boating, Auctions, Yard Sales, And Brunch Are All Just Ahead Now: A Special Offer From Bartlett Lake Marina Enjoy Bartlett Lake with your whole family! The weather is gorgeous, and Bartlett Lake has great ideas for enjoying some time on the water. Until December 15, the marina is offering a pontoon boat or ski boat rental for a full week day (Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays and subject to weather) for special prices. We are offering a 20 foot Pontoon Boat that will hold eight people... 
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John and I have known fishing legend Fred Ward for many years, but we actually met him in Florida. At that time I was writing for a tiny publication (now defunct) called Arizona Fishing News. My day job, The New Times, sent me to Denver for a week, then to Miami for a week, and as a reward, they gave me a guided fishing trip on Lake Okeechobee and even flew John out there to join me. Fred was guiding for the Roland Martin resort, and when he found out I was a writer, he comped our stay! We got... Full story
Free downloadable winterization checklist and guide explains how to properly prepare a boat for winter. Yes, even in the colder areas of the Southwest! Recreational boat owners are preparing their boats for a long winter's nap, but sugarplums aren't dancing in their heads. What may keep them up at night is hoping cold temperatures won't damage their boats. Freshwater expands in volume by about 9 percent when it freezes and can push outward with a force of tens of thousands of pounds per square i... Full story
