Outriggers Enhance Bait Performance

There are effective methods of separating multiple lures and trolled baits in a pattern — both vertically and horizontally. Not only does this system result in a wider spread, but it also offers the ability to enhance a lure or bait presentation by using outriggers to enhance their action.

The concept of outriggers shouldn’t be over-complicated. They are merely a tool that enables both vertical and horizontal separation of lure or bait presentations using release mechanisms that are are variable and often adjustable.

The advantages of outriggers are:

• They get lures / baits outside the boat’s wash into clear water, increasing the spread of lures / baits, allowing more lures / baits to be trolled and cover more area of water.

• They allow one to target depths where the fish are holding (thermocline)

•  They allow baits to look alive even though they’re not. Trust us, it’s a difference.

Outriggers should not just be seen as a way of separating lures in width but also in height. There are many set-ups where an outrigger is mounted on the cabin or bridge where a line (called the shot-gun or whiskey line) is run high and back behind the rest of the lure pattern. Many set-ups use multiple tag lines of the same riggers to add height to corner lures or baits and or run teaser lines.

There are a huge variety of bases, holders, and boat configurations. Though small boats can be equipped with outriggers, they may create problems, since there is more crew work required when a strike occurs. There often isn’t enough room to move comfortably or safely (or a big enough crew) for this purpose.

Also,  outriggers are great for flying those little red flags flags on the way home from a fishing trip.

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Please visit us at BuyMarine.com and find the outriggers and accessories that will make your big fish story a reality. If you’re looking to acquire or sell marine-related equipment, drop on in to BuyMarine, where you can shop for equipment or post an ad to relieve yourself of those extra items that are taking up space. Thank you.

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3 Basic Types of Deep Sea Fishing

1. Anchoring and chumming is a type of deep sea fishing that relies heavily on the use of a chum bucket. The bait, or chum, is often made up of crushed crabs or netted fish. The fisher anchors in one spot, releases the chum into the current, and lets the chum naturally filter into the water using the current as the driving force behind its dispersal.
2. Bottom trolling uses a cannon ball as its tactic. The cannon ball is drug around the bottom where it stirs up mud and causes noise. This stirs up the fish, provoking them to bite the bait.
3. Trawling is used to catch many fish at once. It involves a net with weights and wheels attached to it. This net rolls along the bottom and scoops up fish. In some areas, this is controversial because of how it digs up all kinds of sea life, not just what the fisher aims for.

Deep sea fishing takes skill and some preparation. Fishing at the bottom comes with its own problems. Fishers do not want to keep pulling up their line to check bait or move to a different location. Planning the type of deep sea fishing is also important, so you are prepared with the correct equipment. A little planning and patience will make for a good deep sea fishing experience. It might be a good idea to hire a skipper to take you out the first time, as they will know where to find fish and will be able to help clean the catch!

Your source for Fishing 101. Buy Marine.

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• Powerful four-cylinder 4-strokes
• State-of-the-art, big-block inline power head with a class-leading 174.9 cu. in. of displacement

Suzuki Outboard DF150 and DF175

Suzuki Outboard DF150 and DF175 may be compact and lightweight, but they pack a heavy punch. All these cubes, together with advanced features ensure plenty of smooth power on tap:

• dual overhead cams
• enhanced air intake system with multi-stage induction
• variable valve timing (DF175)
• sequential multi-point electronic fuel injection . Superior torque and powerful gearing with a 2.5:1 final drive ratio help even heavy boats jump out of the hole and quickly accelerate to eye-watering top speeds.

This 175HP Suzuki outboard provides an exceptionally smooth ride, thanks to Suzuki’s specially designed counter balancer and a new thrust mount system that helps to absorb vibrations and improve boat performance. Bass fishing, bay fishing or blue water, Suzuki’s DF150 and DF175 are powerful matches for any boat in fresh or salt water.

They’re reasonably priced and a stalwart of the marine industry. Buymarine.com.

—Follow this link to view our propulsion systems. You might call them engines.

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Most gas dock operations are seasonal, meaning that the cost of maintaining the fueling facilities, the tanks, pumps and whatnot, have to be paid for during the boating season. In addition, many gas docks don’t sell enough gas to qualify for volume discount. In many cases, the marina may pay just about as much for their gas as you do. The long and the short of it is that it looks like we are going to have to deal with higher gas prices for the foreseeable future. That means that we must do everything we can to get the most mileage out of that expensive gas. Here are some useful tips to do just that.

1.   Keep a clean bottom.

2.   Apply new bottom paint.

3.   Keep the engine in tune.

4.   Find the most economical cruising speed.

5.   Unload the boat.

6.   Make sure you have the right prop.

7.   Check the tide tables.

8.   Get the best deal on fuel.

9.   If you fish, consider a trolling motor.

10.  Go out on someone else’s boat. This is the ultimate means of saving fuel, at least while you still have friends.

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Boating is a great adventure on any type of boat, but it comes with responsibility if it’s to be done safely for everyone on board. It is generally not mandatory to do a boating course at this time, but there are good reasons to get informed about the “rules of the road.”

It’s more than just about safety. A boating course can help you save money by staying away from big fines.

Boating Course Topics

1) Safety equipment. A boating course may not be required, but certain boating equipment is mandatory. A boating course may be a good place to learn about what you need on board and, more importantly, how to use everything. Boating safety is nothing to be taken lightly, because it can make all the difference in case of an accident or unexpected weather situation. And if you ever get boarded by the sheriff or other authority doing spot checks, it may cost you a hefty fine for not having the proper equipment on board.

2) Difference between driving a car and driving a boat. You are dealing with air and water currents, two elements that definitely do not affect you as dramatically as they do in a car. You know this if you’ve ever tried to dock a boat while the current is pulling you in the opposite direction.

3) Working the lines and tying knots. Learning to tie nautical knots may be a fun pastime for some, but it is part of boating and essential knowledge to boaters. It is amazing how fast a current can sweep away a boat that is not secured properly.

4) Channel markers. Running your boat aground is another quick way to learn what the red and green on channel markers mean. It’s less troublesome, not to mention cheaper, to just learn it as part of a boating course.

5) Speed limits. There are speed limits on certain water ways but unlike the roads, they may or may not be posted. Ignorance is often not enough to get you out of a ticket.

6) Nautical charts. Using charts for coastal navigation can be a life-saver. It’s your road map that helps you stay away from the shallows and shows where all the markers and bridges are. By using measurements, you can calculate the distance and time it will take to get somewhere. It can be valuable tool for navigation. This is one of the more technical, but nonetheless interesting, parts of a boating course.

7) The right of way. You will need to know who has the right of way and why.

Horn signals. Every boat should have a horn. The signals differ between long honks and short toots, and they are generally more complex than the ones you hear on the road.

9) Boating regulations and laws. Some of the seemingly simplest things, like sitting on the bow of the boat with your feet hanging over board, is not allowable on the water. There are many more regulations to learn — and not knowing them can cost you.

10) Anchoring. There is a mathematical technique applied to anchoring that has to do with the size and length of your boat. Knowing how to do this correctly will give you that extra insurance.

Avoid potential situations and get on with the fun of being out there with all that sky, sun, water, family and friends. A boating course can help.

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The Coast Guard requirements meet the essential ingredients for boating safety, but the following items increase your odds of staying safe on the water or may ensure a speedy rescue.

Optional (but important) boating safety equipment includes:

• VHF-FM Marine Radio
• EPIRB or PLB (Emergency Positioning Indicator)
• Nautical Charts
• GPS / Radar
• Throwable Life Ring
• Distress Signal Devices (Flares)
• Day Distress Signals
• Day/Night Combination Signals
• Distress Kit

Treat these items as if you were a pilot in pre-flight. Check off and make sure:

1. That these items are present – some items grow legs and run off. Check each time to be sure you are prepared.
2. That they appear to be in functioning order. You may not be able to test your flares, but ensuring that they appear to be in ready condition is steps ahead.
3. That you show your guests where certain emergency items are kept. You may even want to assign a first mate and teach that person how to work your marine radio.

BuyMarine wants you on the water for many, many years to come. Let’s make sure boating safety becomes a habit.

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• Beam: Maximum width of a vessel
• Gunwale: Upper edge of a vessel’s side
• Hull: Body of a vessel
• Keel: Main centerline of a vessel, or the extension of the hull that increases stability
• Propeller: Rotates and powers vessel forward or backward
• Draft: Depth of water needed to float a vessel
• Freeboard: Distance from water to lowest point of boat where water could come aboard
• Starboard: Right side of a vessel
• All-Round White Light: Indicates rear of a vessel
• Stern: Rear of a vessel
• Cleat: Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
• Port: Left side of a vessel
• Red and Green Sidelights: Directional indicators on front of a vessel
• Bow: Front of a vessel

Best way to test your vocabulary for the parts of the boat? Get a used boat.

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Hypothermia

As always, keep basic safety tips in mind while boating, including these 9 important ones to keep hypothermia at bay.

1. Stay aboard.

The best thing, of course, is to avoid immersion in water. Wear a harness and tether to keep you in the boat, especially during bad weather. If you must abandon your vessel, wait until the last moment — and enter the water slowly.

2. Use the head.

Pee where you’re supposed to. We’re not trying to be funny; the Coast Guard says urinating overboard is a common reason for men to end up in the water. One unexpected wave is all it takes for one to lose balance dangerously.

3. Put on protective clothing.

If you have time, put on watertight clothing, a survival suit, or a wet/dry suit. Lacking those, don layers of clothing and foul-weather gear. A hat, toque, or diving helmet helps minimize heat loss through the head. Once you’re in the water, preserving body temperature is the first step in fighting hypothermia.

4. Wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device)

People fall overboard while moving around the deck, urinating, or standing up in open boats. “We can’t overemphasize the importance of wearing an approved PFD. It saves people during cold shock, allows them to float, remain in the ‘fetal position,’ and extend their time in the water.” If you must abandon ship, ensure your inflatable PFD is fully blown up before entering the water. You may lack the breathing control to do so once in the water. And depending on the temperature of the water, hypothermia may set in quicker than you can imagine.

5. Find other flotation.

Any device keeping your torso and head out of the water will extend your survivability. A life ring, blow-up ring, inner tube, log, an overturned boat—anything to reduce heat loss will help.

6. Carry other gear.

To call for help, we recommend carrying a waterproof VHF radio. This is especially true if you’re single-handing, fishing or rowing/kayaking/paddling alone. Whistles, flares, a personal strobe, fluorescent clothing or tape can make you more audible and visible (remember, a “one-foot chop” will hide your head).

7. Set goals.

Bob Lord endlessly tread water for 300 strokes, then rested. Each time, he’d set the goal again: 300 strokes. He’s convinced that his attitude and discipline helped save him.

8. Tow a line.

Most people avoid overboard lines for fear of trapping them in the propeller. But 83-year-old Marshall Perrow had tied a knotted dockline to the stern while single-handing. When he fell overboard, his boat kept sailing at four knots. He managed to grab the line and hold on until the boat ran aground.

9. Avoid booze.

The liver produces less blood sugar with alcohol in the system, which can speed up hypothermia. Don’t drink and drive.

Keep safe out there. BuyMarine.

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1. Practice good seamanship. It is the responsibility of every boat operator to take all necessary action to avoid a boat collision, taking into account the weather, vessel traffic and the limits of other vessels. Such action should be taken in ample time to avoid boat collisions and at a safe distance from other vessels.

2. Keep a proper lookout. Failing to keep a sharp lookout is the most common cause of boat collisions. Every operator must keep a proper lookout, using both sight and hearing, at all times. Watch and listen for other vessels, radio communications, navigational hazards and others involved in water activities.

3. Maintain a safe speed. Safe speed is the speed that ensures you will have sufficient time to avoid boat collisions and can stop within an appropriate distance. Safe speed will vary depending on conditions such as wind, water conditions, navigational hazards, visibility, surrounding vessel traffic density and the maneuverability of your boat. Always reduce speed and navigate with extreme caution at night and when visibility is restricted.

Careful out there! Boat collisions are yours to prevent. For all your boating gear needs, see us at BuyMarine.

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MINNEAPOLIS – Cummins Power Generation unveiled an Acoustic Testing Center at its Fridley, Minn., headquarters in the fall that the company says is the largest of its kind in the world.

Previously, noise testing was conducted outdoors — where weather, ambient background noise and noise pollution restrictions to protect surrounding neighborhoods restricted what the company could test.

The new 23,000-square foot facility, which opened in October, houses a 13,000-square foot hemi-anechoic test area; a secondary, smaller hemi-anechoic test chamber; and a 1,500-square foot performance test area. All of these tools, Cummins said, help it gather better data that it can then use to produce quieter generators for the marine industry.

How will boaters benefit from the work done at the Acoustical Testing Center? What benefits does it offer Cummins and those with which it conducts business?

From Cummins: “As noted, the benefit is two-fold. For boat manufacturers, a low noise generator provides one less problem for them to worry about as well as allowing for a more luxurious feel to their design. As for the end user, whether they are watching a big screen or just want to enjoy the environment that surrounds them, the ATC will help Cummins Onan design and produce marine generators that produce a minimal amount of noise. When you forget the generator is running because you can’t hear it, we think that is a pretty good thing.”

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