June 2017 column
How about a matching boat for the high-end sports car
Many times a classy sports car is targeted for a matching boat design.
Usually the boat has a similar design scheme and will borrow the car’s name. One of the first ones I remember was when Ferrari collaborated with Riva, the noted Italian luxury yacht builder. As I remember that was in the ’60s.
Corvette had a boat designed and named after it. The boat used the aftermarket Callaway engine and was built in the 1970s. Also Aston Martin/Quintessence Yachts and Mercedes Benz/Silver Arrows Marine had partnerships.
is one reason it was contracted to build the 42. The new vessel has seating for eight with a top speed of 43 knots. The boat is the result of working with diesel center Erabetti Design of Italy and Toyota Marine engineers. The world of luxury automakers has again shined its bright light on boat building for the time being. Who knows what we will see next. For more information go to: www.marquisyachts.com.
The Bugatti Chiron is a near perfect car that there is, so Bugatti and its new “lifestyle partner” Palmer Johnson collaborated on “Niniette 66,” a trimaran hull shaped with Bugatti’s splashy styling elements. It’s offered with a two tone color scheme like the car. Only 66 of will be made with the company’s online configurator where I could imagine what my Chiron-inspired yacht would look like with an onboard hot-tub and champagne bar. To design your own Niniette 66 go to: www.bugattininette66.org.
I’ll bet you will have a lot of fun telling people it’s going to be your next boat. What’s next? My guess is a Tesla electric powered luxury runabout. I think that could happen in the near future.
Here’s something I haven’t heard of, but it’s bound to follow the cars: an autonomous boat, that’s right one that drives itself. Maybe Google will collaborate with a boat company to build them. If is happens in automobiles, boats are soon to follow. Stay tuned! You’ll hear about it in Lakeside.
Robots building boats
Fiberglass boat building has come a long way from the old bucket of resin and a brush. Grand Banks is a notable builder of trawlers and Palm Beach yachts. They are built in Malaysia. The manufacturing facility is clean, cool and dust free. They use an eight-axis milling machine from German robotic pioneer KuKa, known for its involvement with America’s Cup vessels, BMW cars and Boeing 707 jets. It allows them to make super accurate tooling. The operator sits in a computer room watching his charge as it performs precise movements to assemble which part of the vessel he is assigned to. I’m sure in the near future we’ll see many boat manufacturers going to robotics for online assembly, much like auto manufacturers. Assembly will be faster and more accurate. Boats will be built more precise and will last longer, which means re-sale will be better.
Bird b’ gone
If you have just finished cleaning and waxing your boat for the upcoming season, you probably found where the critters set up house. Now for the boating season a lot of you will have to put up with birds, especially if you have a swim platform. Birds love them. If bird repellents don’t work, find a brightly colored 40-inch rubber snake and put it on your swim platform. A lot of skippers swear that it works. Replace the snake when the color fades about every two years. Maybe some of the restaurants on Lake Lanier should put some artificial snakes along their paths where the geese make such a mess.
Edible alternative
Unfortunately we have all found six-pack rings in the water or harming sea animals, birds, fish, turtles and more. Throwing them overboard is deadly to animals. They get stressed when a ring gets attached to them. Examples of water-borne waste abound. In 2010 eight million tons of plastic ended up in the ocean. Plastic litter has turned up everywhere, including the deep sea and buried deep in arctic ice. Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach, Fla., has created edible six-pack rings that feed, rather than kill marine life. They are safe for humans and wildlife to consume, but they only recommend drinking the beer at this time. The company also advises to properly dispose of beer cans and other items to reduce pollution of our waters. Do your part and properly dispose of your onboard garbage. If you see cans or garbage left by some boater who doesn’t give a damn, just pick it up and dispose of it properly. Our oceans and waters are being polluted by boaters and beach visitors. If we do our part plus a little more, we’ve done our part to keep our waterfront clean.
Cash cow
Here is something that’s hard to believe and I never thought would be of value. If you have ever wandered on Florida’s beaches, I’m sure you have come across a horseshoe crab. I hope you didn’t step on one buried in the sand and step on its sharp tail. For years I’ve always thought of them as useless, all they do is clutter up the beach. I noticed in ads under live bait in “The National Fisherman” there were a lot of listings for live horseshoe crabs. I don’t know what kind of fish you would catch, but I recently read in Popular Mechanics where they are valuable. As they said “This is the strangest cash cow I’ve ever hear of. Horseshoe crab blood.” Its used widely in the biomedical industry, where it can be worth up to $15,000 per quart. For more, check out: www,popularmechanics.com/horseshoecrab.
Practice safe boating, wear a PFD and I’ll see you on the water.
May 2017 column
Boating season kicks off early this year
The boating season will start early this year. We really didn’t have much winter weather to speak of so it’s time to de-winterize!
After your first run, remember to check your water separator. When you tank up remember to add “Stabil” and continue to do it during the boating season. Make sure you get your maintenance log out and do the recommended maintenance before launching. Keep your maintenance log up to date so you won’t miss anything that could cause you a breakdown during the summer cruising season.
Re-check all your safety equipment to see that they are in working order. Check your PFDs to make sure they are in good condition and not mildewed or deteriorated. Check your dock lines and anchor and rode. Replace where needed. Inspect fenders so they will protect your hull properly. Check your electronics so they will perform properly. If they are old you might want to update your boat’s electronics. Watch for the West Marine sales and you will save money and you will get electronics that will be technically superior to what you now have.
If you are a fisherman you might want to note on your charts the excellent places to fish when Lanier gets an extra 10 feet of water and the lake level will be at 1071. The places you mark on your charts before the lake depth increases will become your future “honey hole” for large bass and stripers, as well as crappie. Those “honey holes” will provide a lot of great fish dinners as well as some large fish for mounting on the wall and great fish stories. If the water doesn’t come up to have reasonable launching and cruising depths and you have a trailerable boat, Georgia has a lot of lakes that are not as drought stricken as Lanier.
Another option is the inland waterways in North Florida or on the Georgia coast. If you are a fisherman you have a choice of trout, flounder, reds, kingfish, or tarpon If you ever catch a large tarpon you won’t believe how they fight. You will have a great fish story and probably a great trophy to mount on your wall. If you really want to catch a tarpon, go to Boca Grande, Fla. Tarpon season starts on the full moon in May. Boca Grande is a great place to visit. While there you could visit Ussepa Island and Cabbage Key.
Buying a used boat
We have all seen the two to four year old boat parked in the driveway for sale. A lot of buyers think it might be a great deal. You might even take a sea trial on it and think it’s great. That’s a mistake a lot of novice boat buyers make. To protect yourself you should always have a marine survey done on any used boat you are considering. The results of the sea trial and marine survey will give you enough information to let you know if you are making a good purchase that won’t give you any surprises. Also the bank and insurance companies usually request a survey so you will have to have one anyway. Just make sure you keep a good maintenance log and do the service at the proper time. This will get you good service from your boat and when you sell it the maintenance log will help you get a better price for your boat.
Boating safety
The U.S. Coast Guard says that in 84 percent of boat related drownings, victims were not wearing a PFD. So far this year we’ve had too many drownings and the victims were not wearing a PFD. In some cases they were boating at the wrong time, like at night. A lot of boaters have not taken a safe boating course which would enlighten them to the important factors of safe boating. Also, a satisfactory completion of the safe boating course will give you a 10 percent discount on boat insurance. Make sure that when you shove off on a boating trip your crew is wearing a PFD. That way your boat and crew won’t be in the headlines in a boating tragedy. Get your crew, children and adults in the habit of safe boating wearing a PFD. The less boating accident headlines the better.
My first fiberglass experience
My first experience with fiberglass back in the early 1950s was with wooden boats in northern Wisconsin when they were replaced by aluminum boats which didn’t need to be painted every year. The old wooden boats that were traded in could be bought for $20 to $40. My mother would let me get three or four of them and I would remove the paint off the outside of the hull with a sander and paint remover. Then I would fiberglass the hull. When I finished a hull I would sell them usually at a profit. The boats were 12 and 14 footers, usually strip built “Antigo Lake Craft” and “Rhinelander Boats.” The Antigo was one of the most well balanced small boats I ever handled. I tried to keep it for myself, but one of my mother’s friends paid extra for it. The last I heard the boat was still going strong 20 years after I fiberglassed it. I’m glad I had learned about fiberglassing when I was a cabin boy on the schooner Rambler. Now they have started using Kevlar and other materials to make glass boats lighter and stronger.
Neglected boating equipment
The boat trailer is probably the most neglected piece of boating equipment. If you have a flat tire or a wheel bearing go bad it can ruin a day even before you get to the water, so make sure you include your boat trailer on your maintenance log. That way you shouldn’t have any failures. Also Boat U.S. has insurance if you break down on the road the will send someone to repair the trailer on site. Just remember keep that trailer in good condition and you won’t have any break downs.
Don’t leave bilge pump running
I used to repossess boats when I first started working with boats in Atlanta. I had to pick up a 24’ cruiser in Decatur. The bilge pump float was in the activated position and it had just rained. I got to I-285 and a Cadillac convertible was running next to the boat. I had to hit the brakes when the water in the bilge moved forward and activated the bilge pump float and sent a stream of water into that Cadillac. Needless to say the driver was a little upset. I stopped and switched the pump off and all was OK, but it was funny when it happened.
We lost Roy Crittenden last month, he was without a doubt the most dedicated and knowledgeable member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary that I have ever met. They should create a safe boating trophy or award in his name on Lake Lanier. Rest in peace Roy.
Wear your PFD, be courteous, practice safe boating and I’ll see you on the water.
April 2017 column
Chartering is fun, but bring your wallet
With Lake Lanier still under drought conditions and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better for the boating season, maybe it’s time to go on a charter vacation. Florida, Bahamas, or the Caribbean are great destinations. There are smaller yachts (50’ to 60’) available that can accommodate up to eight people and crew. Prices vary. Florida and the Bahamas $25,000 to $40,000. Most have a chef and some have a spa with a therapist. The spa with sauna and massages are called “onboard beach clubs.”
MarineMax has some unique catamarans for charter. They also have a charter yacht ownership program where your yacht will pay for itself while under charter when you aren’t using it. Contact yacht ownership program at 866-934-7232 or yacht charter vacations at 888-461-5497. Chartering is expensive but you get to cruise on your own yacht.
Probably one of the most impressive charter yachts is the 279 foot ketch “Aquijo” with masts 295’ high. It’s the world’s largest high performance ketch. She cruises between 15 and 20 knots and has all the toys including a jet pack for thrills in the air above the water. The yacht accommodates 12 guests and has a crew of 19. The weekly base rate is about $442,000. Yes you read that right. Contact www.y.cocharterfleet.com. Yes it is probably the most expensive charter, but we can dream can’t we?
Schooner ‘Rambler’
When I was in my early teens I had a job as a cabin boy on the 48’ “Rambler.” Myself and another Sea Scout cleaned the boat after charter and also sanded and varnished the bright work and kept the teak decks oiled. Robbie Robinson was the captain’s name and he was a character. He was also a very accomplished portrait artist. He would get several thousand dollars for a portrait. He told me it took about 10 sittings to do a portrait to make people think they were getting their money’s worth. I asked if it really took that long. He said the portrait is done in the first sitting, the other nine sittings he touched up the backgrounds. He also had a 30’ Tahitian ketch that he let the Sea Scouts sail in races around Tampa Bay. It was a great experience for the Scouts.
When I got older I used to frequent a pub for lunch by the name of “O’Keefes.” Robinson had painted a respectable portrait of a nude with her head turned so you couldn’t recognize her. They put it over the bar and let people guess who the local lady was. It was hilarious to listen to the patrons try and guess the identity. I don’t think it was ever revealed, but they sure had fun guessing.
High school waterski team
My parents put me in a boarding school in 1956, St. Leo College preparatory School. I guess I was spending too much time around boats and water skiing and not enough time on school and homework. The school was located on a lake. So I convinced my parents to let me have my boat at school. There were five or six guys who knew how to ski. So we did a lot of practicing and also taught others to ski. We were getting pretty good and did some shows on visitor’s day. We decided to call ourselves The St. Leo Prep Ski Team. I contacted the American Water-Ski Association to find out who else had a team. It turns out we were the first and only team. Well, we wanted to go to tournaments to see how good we were. The only tournaments were at Cypress Gardens, so we headed there. Some 80 to 100 skiers competed in the slalom tournament. As I remember none of our team finished in the back of the field and I was in the top 10. Dick Pope of Cypress Gardens thought our team was great. In 1959 when I started St. Petersburg Junior College we started a college water ski team. Somebody built us a regulation jump. We used to have to chase the alligators off the jump before using it.
Cypress Gardens held what they called the World Inter-Collegiate Water Ski Tournament. As many as six teams from Europe came to compete so the tournament could be called a World Tournament. We went against Rollins College and University of Miami who usually won. I was captain of our team of four and we won the tournament. Tops in shalom, jumping and tricks. We couldn’t believe it. After that some of our team did TV commercials. One was a barefoot skiing scene. I kept on with my ski shows in Northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I don’t think I’ve skied in 20 years, but it sure was fun. In 1958 a bunch of skiers got together to set a world record by pulling 23 skiers behind two 6 cylinder Mark 75 Mercurys. That was the record back then. Today’s record was set in Australia behind a specially powered catamaran. They pulled 155 skiers. Sounds impossible, but it’s the record.
More water news
The water wars are still on and continue to cost taxpayer money. The only people who are getting anywhere in the battle is the lawyers, whose bank accounts are getting bigger. As I have said before, there is not enough water to go around, therefore you need to look for another source. It’s as plain as the nose on your face. It’s the Tennessee River. The river wouldn’t be harmed if it was used to enhance Georgia’s water so Florida will get a sufficient supply. Maybe President Trump should be made aware of this situation. I’ll bet we would get some results.
‘Nuggie’
The Atlanta Journal newspaper of March 12th had an article in it about the Friendship Force with a picture of President Jimmy Carter and Nugzar Ruhadse who came over from Tbilisi, Georgia when it was part of the Soviet Union. His nickname was Nuggie and he worked at Channel 11. I had the pleasure of meeting him and that led to a ride on a runabout and houseboat on Lake Lanier with his wife who was an opera singer and young daughter. On the houseboat cruise we were on the upper deck with a fellow passenger who was chewing tobacco. Nuggie asked to try it. He put a wad in his mouth and got rid of it quick, with a few comments in Russian. I also took them to the infamous “Lantern Inn” for dinner to see “Elvis.” Nuggie went on the dance floor with his daughter on his shoulders to the delight of the audience. They had a great time and were a fun couple to be with. Not sure but I guess he is back in Tbilisi.
Be courteous, practice safe boating, wear your P.F.D. and I’ll see you on the water.
March 2017 column
Time to get your boat ready for spring
Most of this year’s boat shows were focused on new or improved large center consoles. The boats are usually sporting a new bottom configuration, steps, air slots etc. Also, large center consoles now have heads, showers, galley, staterooms forward and a convertible dinette. Smaller deck boats and bow riders now feature more seating and storage space. Plus their transoms feature swim platforms with ladders and transom doors for easier boarding. These boats feature the new lighter outboards or stern drives.
Volvo-Penta is still using GM blocks for their inboard outboard, and inboard IPS drives. Mercury Marine is now manufacturing its own engines. Outboard engines have basically remained the same with the exception of middle of the line engines of all makes have been reduced in weight. The big thing at the boat shows is the advancement in electronics. What was introduced last year is no longer up to date for fishing, navigating, or anything else electronic on your boat. You can go from your favorite fishing hole and return to the exact same place a month later and stay over that GPS location without anchoring. Navigating is much easier also, as all the electronics are combined in one unit so it is more compact. Electronics are getting more efficient using one screen for more information.
Now that we are having advanced spring weather, it would be a good time to check out your boat for the coming season. Make sure your equipment is up to date. Check fire extinguishers and flares and replace if necessary. Check fenders and lines and replace if they are worn. They might not last the season. Check your batteries and if they are going to exceed their warranty date replace them so you won’t have an embarrassing day during the season. Check navigation lights or horns.
One of the most important, items are PFDs make sure they are in top shape with no mildew or deterioration. Always have U.S. Coast Guard approved PFDs that have collars to hold your face above water if you go overboard and are knocked unconscious. Remember that 84 percent of drowning victims weren’t wearing a PFD.
If you trailer your boat don’t forget to grease the bearings, check the tires, taillights, and wiring, winch and tie down straps. If you haven’t put “bearing buddies” on your axle, do it, because with a simple grease fitting it makes greasing wheel bearings easy. You might also want to check out “Boat U.S.” as they have both road service and on the water towing available. There’s nothing worse than going to the water and having a flat with your crew waiting to go boating.
The special master in the water wars, Ralph Lancaster, who was appointed by the Supreme Court, has ruled in Georgia’s favor. The judge said Florida did not include the Corps of Engineers as party to the lawsuit, which he said they should have been. Most likely Florida will refile the lawsuit to include the Corps. I still think that Alabama, Florida and Georgia should get together and figure out a way to use the Tennessee River for additional water. It would cure drought problems on the lake, and also provide enough water downstream to satisfy everyone. Both Gov. Deal and special master Ralph Lancaster seem to like the plan which was also the subject in Lakeside’s Captains Comment two months ago. It might help if Gov. Deal and special master Ralph Lancaster started receiving letters requesting a solution to the water problem.
As I said earlier, electronics on boats are improving. And that includes more safety features.
The VHF D.S.C. Digital Selective Calling marine radio is one of them. This is a new system being imitated for safety, which will “automatically” broadcast the location of a vessel making a distress call so the caller doesn’t have to accurately determine his location. The distress signal will automatically announce the G.P.S. location. The U.S. Coast Guard is getting more lenient on issuing these radio licenses. Several manufactures now make this unit. Check them out and see which one is the best for you.
The yacht club in Clearwater Fla., where I learned to water-ski, had blowboat fans and powerboat fans and each one thought their type of boating was best. So one day a sailor with a 20’catamaran bragged that his boat was fast enough to pull a water-skier, and the bet was on. They asked me if I would be the skier. I agreed. The catamaran skipper would hand me a ski rope as I pulled alongside behind a ski-boat. Once secure on the sailboat’s ski-rope I dropped the ski-boat’s rope and the catamaran was pulling me somewhere between 18 and 22 m.p.h. We were in open water and had a long reach. I skied for about five miles. Sailboats might not pull a skier out of the water, but once it gets going on a straight course at a speed above 18 mph it will hold a skier up. A lot of power boaters lost money that day. Some folks saw the sailboat pulling a skier and couldn’t believe their eyes. The ski-boat driver circled back and took a photo for proof of what the sailboat did. As I remember the photo went in the local newspaper with a story. That answered a lot of questions, especially to those who couldn’t believe what they saw.
