Boat Dreams Florida

Boaters Make the Best Renters Marinas Give Em What They Need

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:05:00 +0000

Boaters make the best renters

If you had a $55,000 vehicle, wouldn't you be willing to pay to make sure
that it stayed safe and secure? Boat owners have already spent a lot of money on
their hobby, and they'll pay well and on time to store their boat somewhere
good. If you can offer them peace of mind, then chances are they'll be with you
for a long, long time.

Give them what they need and what they want

Security and protection are two big issues with storing high-dollar vehicles
like boats. If they keep their boat in front of their house or in their
driveway, it'll be subject to wind, rain, hail and sun damage. But with a steel
or metal self-storage building, their boat investment will be well-protected
from Mother Nature.

Look in to getting a number of security measures like keypads, cameras and
maybe even a security guard or two. Let your customers know that you take the
safety of their property just as seriously as they do.

Even better, offer them other amenities they can't get at home or at the
docks. Cleaning services and easy hook-up will mean that your clients can spend
less time on boat maintenance and more time having fun in the sun. Emphasize the
fact that there will be little convenience lost by using a boat storage
facility.

Look for partners

If you've got a boat storage facility, what better way to get clients than to
turn to boat dealers? Partner up with a local dealership, and you can offer
their customers discounts on storage at your facility. It could land you a whole
slew of new clients. Just make sure you pair up with a reputable dealer that
treats its clients right.

Boost your business with boat storage

There are already millions of boats in the United States, and thus millions
of people looking for boat storage. With boat storage, you can expand your
business and help to ease the storage problems of boat owners in your area in
one fell swoop.

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Diesel Engine Maintenance Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:02:00 +0000

Marine Diesel Basics

In a conventional marine diesel engine the power is produced by hot compressed air igniting fuel sprayed under very high pressure into the cylinder head. A marine diesel engine does not use a carburetor to mix fuel and air or spark plugs to ignite the mixture. Instead it employs the pistons to compress the air to 3000 kPa which causes it to become extremely hot and the fuel is ignited as soon as it is injected into the cylinder.

Some marine diesel engines are fitted with a heater plug in the inlet manifold or a glow plug in the pre-combustion chamber of each cylinder to provide additional heat to the combustion air during starting.

Diesel engines are heavier and slower revving than petrol engines but they are also more reliable because they do not rely on external carburetion or an electrical spark for ignition.

Newer engines use an electronic fuel injection system whereby fuel and air are mixed more thoroughly in the pre-combustion chamber before entering the cylinder. This system maximizes power and fuel economy and is also less polluting.

Every boater should have an understanding of how their engine works so let's start by explaining the mechanical cycles.

Most reciprocating piston internal combustion engines work on one of two mechanical cycles-either the four-stroke cycle or the two-stroke cycle. These cycles designate, in correct sequence, the mechanical actions by which the fuel and air gain access to the engine cylinder, the gas pressure - due to combustion - is converted to power and, finally, the burnt gas is expelled from the engine cylinder.

The Basic Four-Stroke Diesel Engine

From its name, it is obvious there are four strokes in one complete engine cycle. A stroke is the movement of the piston through the full length of the cylinder and - since one such movement causes the crankshaft to rotate half a turn - it follows that there are two crankshaft revolutions in one complete engine cycle.

The four strokes in the order they occur are:

1. Inlet stroke. With the inlet valve open and the exhaust valve closed, the piston moves from top dead center (TDC) to bottom dead center (BDC), creating a low-pressure area in the cylinder. Clean, filtered air rushes through the open inlet valve to relieve this low-pressure area, and the cylinder fills with air.

2. Compression stroke. With both valves closed, the piston moves from BDC to TDC, compressing the air. During this stroke the air becomes heated to a temperature sufficiently high to ignite the fuel.

3. Power stroke. At approximately TDC, the fuel is injected, or sprayed, into the hot, compressed air, where it ignites, burns and expands. Both valves remain closed, and the pressure acts on the piston crown, forcing it down the cylinder from TDC to BDC.

4. Exhaust stroke. At approximately BDC the exhaust valve opens and the piston starts to move from BDC to TDC, driving the burnt gas out of the cylinder through the open exhaust valve.

The Two-Stroke Diesel Engine

The two-stroke engine uses two piston strokes to complete one power stroke and, therefore, fire twice as often as a four-stroke engine. A two-stroke engine is smaller and simpler with fewer moving parts. A two-stroke engine has the potential to produce twice as much power as a four-stroke engine of the same size, however, because of the extra fitting required in a two-stroke diesel engine, for example blowers and governors, they become more expensive to produce. There has been a shift towards four stroke diesel engines which have become more efficient and smaller.

Protect Your Marine Diesel Engine

Protect your engine by avoiding long periods (more than 10 minutes) of idling in a "no-load" situation. This is often done to charge batteries or cool refrigeration but if done repeatedly it will glaze the bores of the engine and cause premature engine failure. If the vessel is in a berth the engine can be put in gear to create load at idle.

All boat owners should have an understanding of basic marine diesel engine maintenance to keep themselves and their families safe on the water.

Chris Miley is an online author and a keen boater. You can find out more about maintaining your marine diesel engine at his website Marine Diesel Secrets and the Pontoon Boat Site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Miley

boat, boating, yacht, sail

Fun Sailing Videos on YouTube

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:09:00 +0000

Fun Sailing Videos on YouTube - Are you in one of these?

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

boat, boating, yacht, sail

The lowly trailer - a not commonly thought of or appreciated necessity of boating.

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:34:00 +0000

Boat Trailers - Necessity or Luxury?

Getting your boat from one great boating location to another requires the use of a very seldomly thought of utilitarian device called a boat trailer. Selecting one that suits both your needs and your boat is sometimes a difficult decision - not all trailers created equal.

In simple terms a boat trailer is a frame with wheels that is designed to transport your boat across land behind a vehicle. But in actuality there are many more factors to consider when looking for the right trailer for your boat and boating habits.

Different Types of Boat Trailers

It is always a good idea to find out a little about the different types of boat trailers and then to undertake some research on the one that you think will best suit your needs. Just like boats, trailers come in many different shapes and sizes, from super deluxe race boat trailers with chrome mag wheels and all of the options - to very simplistic utilitarian models with no bells or whistles. Most boaters shoot for something in between.

There are two main types of powerboat trailers - bunk style slide-ons and roller trailers. Sailboats require special trailers because it has a deep keel and a high winch stand. These trailers are usually custom made for each sailboat. Powerboat trailers can be adjusted to fit your boat when the right model is purchased.

Have a budget in mind and an idea of what works and what doesn't work for your boat, before you actually go out ready to buy. One of the first things to consider when you are choosing your trailer is the size of your boat. Before making your first call, know the dry and loaded weight of the boat, the beam and the length. Then read the trailer manufacturer's label, usually found on the toungue of any trailer to see what the maximum weight and size the trailer can accomodate is before you buy.

Boat trailer purchases decisions involve making sure you select adequate features.

Decide early which type of construction your require, aluminum or galvanized steel. Aluminum will last much longer, especially in a salt water environment, but may be overkill for a fresh water boating area.

Types of lighting (LED or Incandescent) are a factor to consider and are required by law. The lights, bearings and axle need to be water tight as they will be submerged when the boat is launched. Some trailers will have a frame-mounted spare tire. Spring type, torsion or leaf will also be a consideration, along with a fresh water flushing system for the brakes.

Mechanical boat trailers require the use of a manual or electric winch to get the boat from the water on to the trailer. Slide on trailers make it very simple to just drive the boat up upon the trailer, this feature makes loading and unloading much easier.

Some trailers will have electronic brakes and others have surge brakes others have no brakes at all. For larger boats, or if you plan on a lot of travel with your boat, good quality brakes are a very good investment. In a salt water environment, stainless steel disc brakes are the best choice.

The best advise we can give the trailer shopper is to ask questions at the local boat ramps. Observe what manufacturers trailers are most commonly used by the local guides and avid fishermen. These people use their boats and trailers more than the average boater and the best quality trailer is a necessity for them.

In our area of Florida, the most commonly found trailers are not even a national brand name. But these Aluminum Slide-On trailers are the easiest to use and best trailers most local boaters have ever used. This may be true in your area of the country. Just look around, you will see them being pulled out of the water at boat ramps every day.

The lowly trailer - a not commonly thought of or appreciated necessity of boating.

boat, boating, yacht, sail

13 Easy Tips For Selling Your Boat

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:10:00 +0000

How To Sell Your Boat?

1. Reach out and touch someone - No one expects you to take out an ad on the Super Bowl to sell your boat, but you do need to spend money if you intend to sell your boat. Determine what you can afford to spend to market your boat and commit to an effective marketing program. Use a combination of the Internet, local shoppers and boat classifieds listings in local papers.

2. Mr. Clean - A clean boat is much closer to sold than a dirty one. It's amazing how much money some boaters will spend to market their boat then they don't even clean it up properly. If your not willing to do it right, pay a professional detailer a few hundred to clean it up right.

3. Whisper Sweet Nothings - Many boaters over look those little things that make a used boat appealing to a used boat buyer. Remember that most new boats don't come with all the frills. These little things can go far in securing a sale for your used boat. Keep in mind that mentioning that you include a radar, fish finder, downriggers etc. often spur a new boat buyer to think twice about the new vs. used market.

4. One Ringy Dingy, Two Ringy Dingy - Have you ever called a seller and found that they weren't home or they had an answering machine. If you are serious about selling your boat, answer the phone. If you're not going to be home, then forward your calls to a cell phone. Don't have a cell phone ... get one! If you don't answer the phone when the prospect is ready to buy, you just wasted a whole lot of money for nothing...

5. the Price is Right - More boaters make mistakes in pricing their boat too high for the market. Do a search on the internet for similar boats and be sure yours has some advantage over the others. It may be price, or it may be features. If it isn't one or the other then you're keeping your boat for another year!

6. Fun, Fun, Fun - When the customer comes out to see the boat, make the experience fun. Have a poster on board with photos of your fun experiences on the boat. People buy based on emotion, so give it to them. If you are selling a fishing boat, don't take all the equipment off the boat, have the rods in the rod holders, have photos of all the trophy fish you caught out for them to see and discuss. Share your experiences with your customer.

7. Say Cheese - If you don't show photos on the internet of your boat, don't bother. Very few people will buy a boat without seeing photos first. Would you look for a boat with just text? Take four photos and have them included in your listing. Photos should be exterior side view, rear shot, helm and interior.

8. That's my line, and I'm stickin to it - If your boat has had repairs, list them. Every used boat has seen it's share of dings and dents. Ignoring these will only create suspicion amongst your potential buyers. By listing your repairs, you avoid potential blunders later when a survey brings the problem to surface.

9. Cool hand Luke - If you don't have the stomach for people climbing all over your boat, only to criticize the condition or worse yet say nothing, then you need a Boat Broker. Brokers don't have emotional attachments, and they have more available time to meet with potential clients than you do. So if you don't have the stomach for it, hand it off to a cooler hand.

10. Don't be an Average Joe - Every other seller of used boat all say the same thing. My boat has a heater, fish finder, radar, etc. Use words to describe why these things are important. Remember many used boat buyers are inexperienced boaters and many are first time buyers who don't understand what these features do. Use words like "Eagle II fish finders identifies the depth of each fish and comes with temperature gauge and speed control allowing you to control your lure depth and speed" or "Heater provides three minute warm up of interior cabin for early morning or late fall cruising."

11. A Three Hour Tour - If your boat is in the water at the time you are selling, offer to take the potential buyer for a ride. State this in your ad and entice them to come out for a ride. Nothing works better to get the customer emotionally involved with your boat than a free ride.

12. And the Survey Says... - If you've owned your boat for more than 5 years, it is strongly suggested that you have a survey done on the boat before you list it. A survey can point out potential road blocks in the sale of your boat. This is especially true for Yacht and High Performance boats. Lets say you spend $500-$1000 to market your boat only to find out that a potential buy could not get financing because your boat have a problem due to their survey. Not only have you lost your advertising investment, but now you need to make the repairs. Doing a survey first can bring potential problems to the surface.

13. As The World Turns - Every boater who places an ad thinks that it will sell quickly. The reality is that boats take about 3 months to find a partner. That is provided the right person sees the boat. Be patient and most of all, be sure that when you get that opportunity to show your boat you haven't misplaced all the other tips we shared with you.

boat, boating, yacht, sail
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Tessmer

To go Boating or Not to go Boating...

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:33:00 +0000

This is the question, one with an easy and quite buoyant answer. When one is asked if he or she would like to go boating most would quickly reply with an excited "Yes, please!" And, really, who could say no toward a boating excursion? The majority, whom responded positively, did so because of the many factors that culminate to the joy that boating brings. Just sit back, close your eyes and think about it; the leisureliness and relaxation, the recreational sport, yet also, the adventurous and immensely fun characteristics of boating. All these perks make owning a boat an absolute and sheer treat.

But, if these tidbits of appealing boating information aren't enticing enough, there must be some reason why. Perhaps, one is skeptical about boating? One could very well be curious about just who can boat, and if there are any limitations. Or, they might wonder where, location wise, one can boat. Budget concerns, too, might also come into play when one considers if boating is an option to pursue. Yet, these concerns can be thrown overboard, as they are extra and unnecessary weight to carry. The facts are straightforward, boating is universally simple and accessible, not to mention also being quite economical.

Anyone Can Boat

Truth of the matter is, anyone can boat. Boating is not a recreational activity with limitations as to who can partake. Any individual, of any age and physical condition can be a part of the boating hobby. This is not saying children can or should boat by themselves. But, kids can boat with older family members or friends, and can teach them the ways of safe and true boating.

With this allowance of universal accessibility to boating, many people find themselves coming together to enjoy boating as one unified recreational bunch, which is, considerably quite special. As such, many a fond memory can be made and later be reflected on throughout life, all thanks to boating as a family or with a gathering of friends.

Boating Locations Anywhere

Another added bonus to the already enjoyable experience boating offers is the boundless locations readily available for boaters. When the seasons are warmer and the weather is accommodating, boating options are plentiful. Open waters everywhere are for the taking, ranging from boating options on lakes, ponds, rivers, oceans and even gulf waters. The only actual limitation to boating locations is the location one lives. Yet, this too isn't all that much of a deterrent for boaters not living with water in their backyard; waters are everywhere, some just need extra seeking and/or traveling for boating to happen. But again, most areas where people live, even if not by ocean waters, are inland near lakes, ponds and rivers, all of which are fine spots for boating enjoyment.

Boating On A Budget

The word "boating" initially screams 'spending lots of money' for most people. Yet, boating isn't all too pricey of a hobby. Realistically, if one was to pay for a boat upfront, then yes, it's an expensive hobby and quite the initial investment. But, if one buys a boat and signs up for monthly payments to be paid gradually over a few years, owning a boat is certainly within anyone's financial means.

And in terms of overall price concerning a boat and the boating hobby, how can one put a price on an item and a recreational activity bringing family and friends together for unforgettable moments? Boating is a priceless adventure, truly, one that shouldn't have a heavy mental price tag attached.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E.S._Cromwell
boat, boating, yacht, sail

Binoculars - Select the best type for your boat

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:54:00 +0000

Black Binoculars
Originally uploaded by mattmakris

Lets take a look at the basic information any captain will require before purchasing a pair of Boating Binoculars.

New models are always being introduced by manufacturers such as Steiner, Nikon, Navy One, Bushnell, Tasco and dozens of others...

Binoculars in general are designed for many uses, in marine applications our focus will be on the best features to select for navigation. Binoculars on small vessels primary task is to help us as navigators to see objects such as navigation markers and buoys, sandbars and rocks, other approaching vessels and landmarks.

Many optical dealers and other stores specializing or including binoculars in their inventory specialize in binoculars used for many tasks such as birding, hunting and astronomy. These types of binoculars are too powerful for the marine environment.

Marine binoculars are usually designed to take into account the fact that small boats are not stable. When you are tossing about at sea or even tipping a bit on a lake, a high powered set of binoculars (over 10x) intended for astronomy or birding would be overkill and trying to focus on any object with these types of binoculars would be nearly impossible.

7 x 50 is the Standard power of marine binoculars. The number 7 indicated the magnification - 7 times what the human eye can see. The number 50 is the diameter of the objective lens (the larger lenses at the opposite end to the eyepiece) measured in millimeters. This determines how much light it can gather for effective viewing. The larger the lens (higher number) allows a greater amount of light to pass through giving a brighter image. Larger objective lenses will give you the greater amounts of light but result in heavier and larger Binoculars.

These standard specifications are generally accepted as the best combination for small boat binoculars. Large vessels sometimes use 10x power binoculars to see at greater distances but for our purposes 7 x 50 is the best choice.

How do Binoculars Work?

Binoculars work like two telescopes mounted side by side. At the front of each telescope is an objective or a field lens. This gathers light from the object you are looking at. The larger the field lens, the more light gathering capability the binoculars will have. This is important for night navigation. Be sure to select binoculars which work well at night because that is when you will appreciate them the most.

After the light passes through the objective lens it light travels down the tube, and through a lens in the eyepieces, magnifying the image even further. If the binoculars are of a high quality there may be more lenses within the tube called elements. These additional lenses will work to your advantage in refining the image and gathering the most light possible. More elements equals better binoculars at a higher cost to you...Weigh your options but binoculars are not generally something you want to be too frugal about when considering a purchase.

Binoculars are built around a frame that houses the two telescopes and are generally hinged to allow for adjustment for each person.

Some binoculars are permafocus and never need adjustment. While others have a focusing wheel in the center to allow for manual focusing and a greater degree of fine tuning for sharper images. These are the types of binoculars most boaters are more accustomed to using.

The best binoculars have separate focusing capability for each eyepiece (known as Diopter Control) which allows for fine tuning the focus for each eye. When you have the diopters adjusted for your eyes no further focus adjustment is required. This is the best type of binoculars for use by serious captains. Let the crew use a set of center focus binoculars and you keep your diopters set for your eyes for when you need them the most.

Zoom?
Some captains choose zoom binoculars as the primary set for their vessel. This type can be adjusted to give you varying ranges of magnification. For example, a binocular that is listed as 7-21x40mm means the zoom portion is capable of viewing at 7x power minimum and can be adjusted up to 21x power and the 40mm would be the objective lens size. Remember that magnifications over 10x - 12 x are very difficult to hand-hold. In which case, a sturdy tripod is highly recommended.

Zoom binoculars are better left in the hunting camp or bird watching bag. Whenever a fine piece of optics is designed to do all things for all situations, compromises are always made. In general, zoom binoculars are more cheaply made, have a higher chance of becoming fogged up in bad weather and are more of a marketing gimmick than a useful tool on a boat.

Prism Types

Prisms are used to condense the viewed image for maximum magnification in a short space. Prisms recreate an image of the original that is much purer than any image you would get from multiple lenses.

There are two kinds of prisms used in binoculars: roof prisms and Porro prisms. You can tell which type of prism is used from the shape of the binoculars.

Porro prisms Binoculars are distinguishable by the narrower eye piece than the objective lens. The resulting jog in the light path being deflected through 180 degrees twice by the two prisms in the housing.

Roof prisms are indicated by the two straight tubes making them more compact and easier to hold. The Porro prism rendered better contrast and was still favored by purists for a long time after the advent of the roof prism but new technology of roof prisms has improved greatly, which makes newer models a better value.

The BAK-4 prism is made of a high quality glass and produces sharp images and good edge to edge sharpness. Generally, higher quality binoculars will use BAK-4 prisms in the construction process. Phase coated prisms take it one step further, the coating process enhances the resolution and contrast of images coming through the binocular and are generally applied only on more expensive binoculars.

Points to consider when buying Binoculars

Fit; Try them on and make sue they fit your grip and fit your face comfortably. Try them out in daylight and at night if relevant.

Coatings, if you look at the water surface, you will notice the glare of the sun shining on it. Lens coatings remove glare and allow more light to enter the optics. The more coatings a pair of Binoculars have the more expensive they are. Cheaper Binoculars do not have the coatings as better models and this can account for the wild variation in prices.

Focusing; which type of focusing is best for you? Center Focus with a wheel. The center wheel focuses at the same time for your eye, or can they compensate for unequal vision. This is by means of a dioptric correction through the adjustment of one eyepiece, usually the right-hand eyepiece.

Size and weight; do you want a pair that can fit in a pocket? Then the Roof Prism choice is more likely to work.

Do you need a compass? Binoculars are more expensive with a bearing compass but there are benefits such as easy position fixes. Try compass position relative to your grip.

Are they waterproof, do they have Flotation straps, which are very handy if they are dropped overboard?

Price & Summary

Price is not the over-riding factor when choosing good binoculars. While you do not need to buy the most expensive brands you should purchase binoculars based upon the necessity they represent. When you are navigating your vessel, at night, with the lives of your family and / or guests at stake, do you really want to place your trust and make split second decisions based upon information you gain via cheap optics? Comfort, light transfer, clear optics and reliability are the primary factors you should use to judge your binocular buying decisions, not name brand, fancy features like zoom capabilities, compasses or internal lighting.

Choose the most reliable, brightest and best protected binoculars you can find. You will not be disappointed.

By: Scott Pooler
Portions of this article Sourced: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Hobson

Buying a repossessed or foreclosed boat in your budget?

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:16:00 +0000

Old boat in a warehouse
Originally uploaded by Garison C. Garison

Buying a repossessed or foreclosed boat a good move for your budget?

Perhaps you, like so many people out there, have a real yen to get out on the open water in a boat that you yourself own. You may be a little bit dismayed, however by the amount of money it takes to buy a boat in the first place.

Maintenance and docking fees do add up, but for most people, the main stumbling block in buying a boat is getting the capital in the first place. One thing that many people are unaware of, however, is the fact that boats can be acquired and acquired quite cheaply if you take a look at places that will sell these boats.

The first thing that you need to be aware of is that getting a boat does not mean that it has been refurbished or in some other way redone. The only thing that "repossessed" means is that at some point in time, the boat was taken by authorities. Why it was taken can cover a wide variety of reasons. The boat might have been put up for collateral as a loan that was then collected by the bank, or it might be repossessed by financing agency when the dues were not paid in a timely fashion. More rarely, a boat might have been abandoned.

One of the advantages to purchasing a boat in this fashion is that the seller is not necessarily interested in making the money that the boat is worth, the way that a normal owner would be. Essentially, the financier or the bank is looking to get back the money that they themselves lost and they might not be interested in making much more than that. If the original owner had already put down 20% of the money before the boat was repossessed, the lending organization will primarily be interested in recouping the remaining 80%. Seeing as the bank is often interested in getting rid of property as soon as possible, you might be able to get a great boat for 80% of the money that it's worth, and usually even less!

There are many different avenues whereby you can acquire a boat. Banks and financiers will often hold auctions and these might be your best bet. Less frequently, police auctions will also have boats available. Check your online listings to see what is available, but if you travel far afield, remember to think about how to factor in transportation. As with any other large purchase, be cautious.

Don't purchase anything sight unseen and be sure that you look for things like oil spills and other tell-tale signs of expensive damage. Most boats are sold "as is" so always be alert. Remember that the condition of the engine is of great importance because this will be one of the most pricey things to fix.

If you are in a position where you want a boat, but are unsure about the initial lay out of money, take a look and see what you can find when it comes to repossessed boats!

See more great photos, articles, recommendations, links and more about repossessed boats by visiting: http://www.repossessed-boats-for-sale-information.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Blake_Allen

boat, boating, yacht, sail

Sunset Sailing? Not Sailing At All!

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 00:32:00 +0000

neck and neck
Originally uploaded by ifido

This is what sailing is about... A beautiful sunset, sparkling water and the diesel running full speed...

Does anyone use the sails anymore?

I have sailed since I was a very small young fellow. My dad gave me the opportunity to learn to sail with a 9 ft Boston Whaler Pram. It was a learning experience as I was given the whaler and the sail and little instruction. Just go get wet!

No Motor, No icemaker... Just a boat and the wind...

I learned lessons with that experience which stood the test of time. The lessons that very cute little boat provided helped me through out my lifetime at sea.

Now I wonder if anyone actually uses the sails anymore?

I see so many sailboats motoring their way through life and I wonder why the owners bought a sailing vessel in the first place? Is it a dream, and ideal, or just politically correct?

To me, owning a sailing vessel means you should learn to actually sail it. Not just sail it when the conditions are just right, but sail it when conditions are not perfect. A true sailor know his limitations but he also know what he can do.

Without practice, how will you know?

Next time you go down to the sea in your little ship...

Try sailing it
out of the marina and into the wild sea...

Then sail it back to your
slip...

What a proud day that would be!
S.Pooler

Christmas Boat Parade - New Port Richie, Florida

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:12:00 +0000

New Port Richie, Florida - Gulf Harbors, Yacht Club - Christmas Boat Parade

boat, boating, yacht, sail

Christmas Boat Parade - Treasure Island, Florida 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:09:00 +0000

Christmas Boat Parade - Treasure Island, Florida 2007

boat, boating, yacht, sail

Happy Holidays From Boat Dreams Florida

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:38:00 +0000

Happy Holidays from Boat Dreams!

We should take a moment to reflect and appreciate the place in which we live. The photo in this post was shot on December 12, 2007 in South Pasadena Florida (near St. Petersburg Beach).

When you can go on a Christmas decoration photo assignment in shorts and a T-Shirt... And find a marina with boats decorated for the season with marine air-conditioners purring along keeping the live aboard inhabitants cool in the midday heat of over 85 degrees, you are living and working in a wonderful place. Sure... Snow and Ice would be a more traditional setting for the holidays... And we do hear from transplants from the North about the beauty of the change of seasons...

But does anyone really believe that shovelling snow is a better way to spend the day?

Lets hope Santa finds your gangway in good cheer!

Happy Holidays!
Capt. Scott

boat, boating, yacht, sail

I know this is not a surfer blog - but is the same guy?

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:44:00 +0000

boat, boating, yacht, sail

Surfs Up Dude! Real or...?

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:39:00 +0000

boat, boating, yacht, sail

Huge Waves as Ferry Leaves Port - Amazing Footage

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:36:00 +0000

Another wonderful video for those who do not know about the real power of the sea!

And this is a video showing the weakness of man and how several small mistakes can lead up to an amazingly bad situation. If you own a vessel of any size, you should be aware that this can happen to you.

boat, boating, yacht, sail

One reason why you should always wear safety gear on deck at sea!

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:15:00 +0000

Watch this and be patient... Nice day on the boat!
boat, boating, yacht, sail

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:18:00 +0000

This is a prime example of what not to do if you have grounded your vessel.

Never ever accept a towline from a unqualified or dubious source
Never try to get your vessel off the beach - if you have not first checked for serious hull damage!

This vessel could have been saved. It is in fact a complete and total loss because of the poor judgment of the master and or salvage crew. Unfortunately, these types of mistakes are very common. Please keep in mind what you are trying to accomplish before pulling any boat from a hard grounding.
If you want to save the boat, don't do it this way!
boat, boating, yacht, sail

Christmas Boat Parade Holiday Events Dates Times

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:42:00 +0000

This is a list of selected Holiday activities and boat parades which may be of interest to local boaters and residence of Pinellas County, Florida. Any Suggestions for inclusion will be added as requested.

Happy Holidays from Boat Dreams Florida!

John's Pass Christmas Village

When: December 8, 2007 5pm to December 24, 2007 10pm

Where: John's Pass VillageVillage Blvd.Madeira Beach, Fl 33708

With more than 125 unique restaurants and shops to browse in John's Pass Village, your shopping experience will offer an extensive selection of one of a kind and distinctive gifts and certificates. You'll be certain to find something for everyone on your list! Special events include an Art and Craft and Merchants Sidewalk Sale, Photo ops with Santa, Toys for Tots Drive, Christmas lights, and a village stroll. For a complete schedule visit www.johnspassfestivals.com or contact Suzanne King at 727-391-6025

Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade

When: December 9, 2007 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club 400 Treasure Island CausewayTreasure Island, FL 33706

Residents of all Communities are invited to the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club to watch the parade and enjoy an evening of live entertainment, a visit by Santa Claus, complementary clam chowder, hot dogs, Christmas cake, hot apple cider and coffee. A cash bar will also be available. Parade starts at 6:20 p.m. and will pass through the Treasure Island Causeway bridge at 7:00 p.m. It will end at John's Pass at 8:15 p.m. The parade is followed by a "WINNERS CELEBRATION" at Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club. Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce is a contributing sponsor for this event.

Babes In Toyland

12/7/2007 - 12/7/2007 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

The Pier800 2nd Ave. N.E.St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3521 Holiday musical celebration. Free. For more information, call 727-821-6443. Map » Website »

Holiday Tree Lighting

12/7/2007 - 12/7/2007 Downtown Safety Harbor Main StreetSafety Harbor, FL

The City of Safety Harbor's annual tree lighting event. Come join in the holiday spirit. For more information, call 727-724-1572.Map » Website »

19th Annual Lighted Boat Parade Festivities

12/8/2007 - 12/8/20074pm

The Pier800 2nd Ave. N.E.St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3521

Entertainment will begin with a performance by the Dicken's Carolers. These period-attired performers will brighten your holiday season with all of the songs you remember and know. A special performance by Tuba Christmas will take place in the Waterside Courtyard. Al Santana, from WSJT 94.1FM, will emcee the Bruce Watters Lighted Boat Parade from the east side of The Pier.Map » Website »

The Bruce Watters Jewelers 19th Annual Lighted Boat Parade

12/8/2007 - 12/8/20076:30pm

The Pier 800 2nd Ave. N.E.St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3521

Presented by Brighthouse Networks and the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, the Lighted Boat Parade will take place on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront For boater entry, call the Rotary Office at 727.822.3277 or visit www.sprotary.org to download a registration form. The registration fee is a tax-deductible donation to the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg and supports the Children's Dream Fund and other Rotary charities.Map » Website

Poinsettia Tree Photo Opportunity

12/22/2007 - 12/22/200710am - 4:30pm

Sunken Gardens 1825 4th St. N.St. Petersburg, FL 33704-4397

Bring the family amd take a holiday photo in front of the beautiful splendor of the Poinsettia Tree in the Garden. $8 adults, $6 seniors, $4 ages 2 to 11, free under 2. Sunken Gardens is a botanical paradise in the midst of a bustling city. As St. Petersburg's oldest living museum, this 100 year old garden is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region. Explore cascading waterfalls, beautiful demonstration gardens, more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers and a butterfly gardenFor more information, call 727-551-3100.Map » Website »

Dicken's Carolers 12/22/2007 - 12/22/2007 4pm - 6pm

The Pier 800 2nd Ave. N.E. St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3521

The Pier, 800 2nd Ave. N.E. 4 to 6 p.m. Holiday musical celebration. Free. For more information, call 727-821-6443.Map » Website »

Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

12/23/2007 - 12/23/2007 2 pm & 7 pm

Mahaffey Theater at Progress Energy Center 400 1st St. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 The story that has enchanted audiences the world over with its simple message of selfless giving. Ebenezer Scrooge, a most unrepentant, miserly fellow, is made to see the light as he survives a merciless battery of revelations by the ghosts of his own Christmases: Past, Present and Future. Superb sets, genius costume design and extra special effects by renowned magician Franz Harary all help Producers Inc. put an extraordinary twist on this holiday favorite! For more information, call 727-892-5798.Map » Website »

Christmas Eve "Light The Bayou" Display

12/24/2007 - 12/24/2007

Tarpon Springs Library Lane Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Sunset Hills Elementary School is proud to announce the annual Christmas Eve display of lambathes at Spring Bayou. A beautiful sight with the walkways of Craig Park glowing in the holiday spirit. For the sum of $1 a bag can be prepared with the name of your firm and placed around the Bayou. All requests are honored large or small. If the weather is inclement the lighting will be on January 5th the Eve of the Epiphany. For further information contact Sunset Hlls Elementary School 727-943-5523.Map » Website »

"A Jingle Bell Pops" Orchestral Concert

12/29/2007 - 12/29/2007 2pm & 8pm

Mahaffey Theater at Progress Energy Center 400 1st St. S.St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Presented by the Florida Orchestra. Brighten up your holiday season and get in a holly-jolly, jingle bell mood with a sleigh-load of Christmas carols, yuletide tunes, a festive sing-along and more in this joyous concert for the entire family! For more information, call 727-892-5798.Map » Website »

Grand Central Stroll - Salute to New Year & Resolutions

12/29/2007 - 12/29/2007 5pm - 8pm

Grand Central Business District 2429 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33713 Grand Central District is the up and coming neighborhood in St. Petersburg that offers a unique combination of commercial, office and residential activity! If you haven?t been here in a while, you?re in for a surprise. And if you?ve never been here before, you?re in for a real treat. Take in the neighborhood?s historic as well as new architecture. Visit a thriving antique's community. Walk to galleries, restaurants, and unique shops.Businesses are open late for you to enjoy specials, music, movies, shopping, nightspots and more. A Florida Main Street Community. Free. For more information, call 727-328-7086.Map » Website »

3rd Annual Winter Art Walk

12/29/2007 - 12/30/2007

BayWalk146 2nd Ave. N.St. Petersburg, FL 33701Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Show and sale of arts and crafts by local artists. Music, food and greyhound adoption. For more information, call 727-384-6000.Map » Website »

Outback Bowl Beach Day

12/30/2007 - 12/30/200711AM - 4PMClearwater Beach Hilton400 Mandalay Ave.Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 This free event features performances and competitions by team bands and cheerleaders as well as a pre-football meeting of the players and coaches who will be facing each other in the New Year's Day bowl game. This beachside pep rally includes live music, skydivers, a tug-of-war and other contests from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort. For more information, call 727-461-3222.Map »

Outback Bowl's Teco Energy Parade & Ybor Bowl Blast

12/31/2007 - 12/31/20075:30 PMYbor City, Tampa Eclectic Ybor City is the site of this festive celebration featuring the TECO Energy Parade, a pep rally by the marching bands, cheerleaders and a spectacular fireworks show. The parade will feature floats and thirty marching bands. This free family event starts at 5:30 p.m. and runs along 7th Avenue. The fireworks show blasts off at 8:15 p.m. For more information, call 813-874-2695.

2007 St. Petersburg First Night

12/31/2007 - 12/31/2007

City of St. PetersburgDowntown St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Downtown St. Petersburg comes together with more than 20 venues featured in this alcohol-free celebration for adults and children alike. Centered around the Pier and Vinoy basin, First Night features everything from fire sculptures to music, dancing, poetry, puppetry, theater, art, games and fireworks at midnight. Event hours are 2:00 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call 727-823-8906.Map » Website »

New Year's Eve at The Pier

12/31/2007 - 12/31/20071pm - 1amThe Pier Courtyard800 2nd Ave. N.E.St. Petersburg, FL 33701Celebrations and family activities throughout the day. The "Suncoast Band" performs in the Waterside Courtyard. For more information, call 727-821-6443.Map » Website »

boat, boating, yacht, sail

Boat Docking Game @ MadMariner.com

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:49:00 +0000

This is a neat little online game which tests your docking capabilities

Tip 1 - Not too much power!
Tip 2 - Not too much rudder!
Tip 3 - Don't get too close to the dock until your ready.
Tip 4 - Try backing in to your slip for extra satisfaction!

Go forth and practice docking maneuvers - its fun and educational! Click the Image to go to the game website - MadMariner.com

Blogged with Flock

Sailing Opti StPete Sailing Center

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:53:00 +0000

SailingOptiStPete
Originally uploaded by All Business Auctions

Ever taken your kid(s) Sailing?

You Should!

Sailing teaches self reliance, confidence, responsibility, how to get along with nature and so many other vital character building traits needed in any young persons life.

I can say from experience in my life and in that of my oldest boy, that sailing can make a difference. If you would like your kids to take on more responsibilities you must give them the tools to understand how to use the freedom which is acquired with responsibility. Sailing teaches these tools and it does so in a way which allows the children to enjoy the lesson. There is no more fun way of learning life lessons than at the helm of an Opti dinghy!

Our oldest went to the St Petersburg Sailing center program last summer and we know that it made a favorable impression in his life.

For more information read this article and contact the St Pete Sailing Center or a Sailing club near you!

The St. Petersburg Sailing Center

By TERRY TOMALIN, Times Outdoors Writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 5, 2000

One reason why St. Petersburg has produced more than a dozen college All-Americans, a world champion and an Olympic gold medalist over the past decade is the St. Petersburg Sailing Center.

Started in the mid-1970s under a joint operating agreement between the city and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, the sailing center is open to any resident of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Manatee or Sarasota counties.

The sailing center offers Rhodes 19's and prams on a first-come, first-served basis and fields one of the top youth sailing teams in the country. At last year's Optimist Class Mid-Winter Regatta, the center's team captured three of the top seven spots, including first.

But the center does more than produce champions. Every summer hundreds of local children learn the basics of sailing, and although most will never compete, that doesn't worry the program's backers. The center was started to offer low-cost access to what traditionally has been a rich man's sport.

A family can join the center for $265 a year, which is less than it costs to charter a boat for a day.

For more information on the St. Petersburg Sailing Center, call (727) 822-3113 or check out the yacht club's web site at http://www.spyc.org.

BoatDreams Boat Facebook on the West Coast of Florida

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 23:26:00 +0000

Clayton Antique Boat Museum 06-19-07 044-1
Originally uploaded by SPooler

Do you have a classic yacht like this beautiful Trumpy at the Clayton Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY?

Why not tell the story of your yacht here?

We are seeking interested owners of fine and distinctive yachts, power or sail, who would like to see thier boat and it's story posted in our blog.

We can photograph and write a small article for you about your yacht, its history and your love for your boat.

We are based on the West Coast of Florida, a wonderful place to keep and maintain any yacht but we will include photos and blurbs about any yacht, trawler or sailing vessel anywhere.
Just contact us and we will do the rest!

Thanks for looking!

What would you like to see on Boat Dreams?

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 02:35:00 +0000

Hello Readers,

As you know this is a relatively new publication/blog. And as such we would like to enlist your opinions about what sort of content you would like for us to include here.

We will create a new poll with some standard selections you can vote for. The poll will be located prominently along the left side of this page. But if you have an idea which is not represented in the poll, please do not hesitate to contribute your ideas via our comments sections or email us directly at boatdreams@gmail.com

Thanks for reading, and contributing your opinion!

Navmaster

boat, boating, yacht, sail

Labor Day Weekend Boating - Will You Join the Fray?

noreply@blogger.com (Capt Scott) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 02:53:00 +0000

Labor Day Weekend – Will You join the Thundering Herd of Labor Day Boaters this year?

Boaters are sure to flood Florida's waterways this Labor Day Holiday weekend, bringing the summer boating season to an unofficial end. Given the expected level of holiday boating activity, the Florida Marine Patrol “FWC” in conjunction with your local Sheriffs Office and the U.S. Coast Guard will stress the importance of boating safety this holiday weekend.

In 2006, only California (with 757) outpaced Florida (671) in the number of boating accidents. Yet Florida led the nation in fatalities with 69 -- as compared to only 47 in Texas and 44 in California. That's according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation's 2006 Boating Accident Statistical Report, released last month by the agency's Division of Law Enforcement, Boating and Waterways Section.

Holiday weekends often mean increased use of public waterways - and this invariably means an increased need for safety awareness from all boaters. As always, holiday weekends are when the less experienced boaters find their way out into our waterways.

With the crowded nature of the Labor Weekend on our local Florida waterways, will you be entering the fray with your boat? Leave your comment(s) below with your holiday weekend boating plans or stories from Labor Days gone by. We all can use a reminder from time to time of what not to do, both on and off the water.

As for this old boat captain, I will be spending the weekend at the beach!

Many accidents and fatalities can be avoided by reviewing and following safety tips over the course of the holiday weekend's festivities.

There are no "driving lanes" on the water, so boat operators need to be educated on the "Rules of the Road" and be aware of all other boat traffic in the area.
Wear your life jacket. Nine out of ten drowning victims did not.
Don't drink and operate a boat. Half of all boating fatalities involve alcohol. The boat's movement, vibration, noise, sun, glare and wind often produce "boater's hypnosis," so alcohol can affect people much more rapidly on the water.
Use navigation lights at ALL times on the water at night, whether the boat is moving or anchored. Do not wait until dark to turn your lights on to see if they are functioning properly.
Don't overload your boat with people or equipment. Check the capacity plate on the boat that indicates the maximum weight capacity or the maximum number of people that the boat can safely carry.
Minimum Age Requirements. Know Florida's age requirements for boat and PWC operation, and don't lend your PWC to anyone underage.
Brush up on your boating safety knowledge. Take a boating safety course.
Be aware of other boaters around you and be courteous.
Follow the No-Wake Zone markers. Consider why they are posted and even if you are not in a no wake zone you are responsible for your wake. Slow down if you see a situation which will become dangerous if your wake is added to the mix. Look ahead to see if a group of people are boarding a boat at a dock alongside the waterway. Look for small fishing boats which could be capsized by a fast moving boat wake. Be aware!
Most of all, know your limitations. Please do not operate any boat beyond your own personal capabilities. If you have never taken your boat 25 - 50 miles offshore, or if you have never run your boat in the intercoastal waterway on your own before... please do not choose Labor Day weekend, with your entire family aboard, to take that next step in your experience level.

boat, boating, yacht, sail