As the Fall months creep into our calendars, boat owners in cooler climates acknowledge, with sadness, that it’s time to put the boat away. Outside Storage? It’s a thought and an option but consider that you may be threatened by snow build up, tornadoes or hurricanes. The success of storing your boat outside depends on how well your boat is protected from the conditions outdoors.                          Rinse/Flush Rinsing the outside of your boat and trailer thoroughly with fresh water will remove excess salt. Pay particular attention to your trailer’s leaf springs, wheel hubs and brakes that are constantly submerged during launching and retrieval of your boat. Flush your engine's cooling system with fresh water in line with your engine manufacturer’s salt removal recommendations. This will minimize corrosion and overheating issues come spring. Drain your boat of all water – bilge, head, sink lines, water tanks, sea-cocks, and pipes. If you are in an area with extended periods of freezing, put antifreeze in the low parts if there is still some water present. Salt Watch out for salt. Buy a good salt remover to minimize corrosion. Add fuel stabilizer to top off your fuel tanks. Here is one recommended by CLR Marine. Diesel Formula Fuel Stabilizer & Performance Improver - 32oz *Case of 4* STA-BIL Diesel Formula Fuel Stabilizer is a diesel additive that keeps fuel fresh for quick, easy starts and maximized for engine performance. Designed for use with all diesel engines, and all diesel fuels, Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer Diesel formula prevents sludge and sediment formation, cleans and lubricates fuel injectors to improve performance and helps remove water. It is safe to use and recommended for use at every fill up, with the 32 ounce bottle treating up to 320 gallons of fuel. Batteries Remove the batteries from your boat and store in your garage or basement. Batteries should be connected to a battery charger that will give them a good charge and one that w automatically switches to a float/trickle charge to keep your batteries topped up. Match your charger to the type of battery you are charging. Using a charger manufactured for lead acid batteries to charge an AGM (absorbent glass mat) battery will cause damage to the battery. If you choose to keep your batteries in the boat, connect a solar trickle charger. These chargers will keep your batteries topped off without the hassle of removing heavy batteries from your boat. Cleaning Clean the exterior with the proper fiber glass or wood cleaner needed for your boat. Bright work can be cleaned by removing the wood or cleaning it as it is - installed. Be careful to not get the wood cleaner onto the deck surfaces. The exterior should be dried with a chamois cloth. Vinyl seat cushions and backs should be cleaned with vinyl cleaner. Hard surfaces inside the vessel can be wiped with all purpose cleaners. End your cleaning with a coat of wax to the exterior and polish. Don’t forget the bottom paint. Before you store, spend the time to give your boat a thorough cleaning. CLR Marine has many products by trusted brands such as Powerhouse, Davis Instruments, Jabsco, Shurhold, and Swobbit, to help winterize and clean. You will be grateful in the spring during launch time that your boat is already clean as the new boating season begins. Cover Up If you store outside in your yard, driveway, or a boat yard, a boat cover is a must to prevent damage from winter conditions. Leaving your boat in the water is not recommended. The boat is exposed to rough weather, and has a greater possibility of sinking if you aren’t monitoring it often. https://www.clrmarine.com/462m4/boat-outfitting/winter-covers.html and https://www.clrmarine.com/462m4/winterizing.html Circle May 21, 2022, on your calendar. The date is almost ten days before Memorial Day, next year when most harbors open for the season. Start your prep work, tune-ups, sanding, and painting to get out on the water and a great boating season. In the meantime, during the cold winter months, cozy up to the fire and read your boating manuals, new safety regulations and weather information. Fair winds and smooth sailing.   To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please get in touch with CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/. _________________________________________________________________________ Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com ©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com, 2021.  

Boat Outfitting Equipment and Supplies When it comes time for outfitting your boat, you can get all your boating supplies and boating accessories from us. You will never need to go anywhere else for your boat outfitting, because we have all the boat supplies you need. If you're looking for anchors/chain/rope, anodes, antifouling systems or boarding ladders, we have you covered. We can also offer you a selection of bottom paint and bow thrusters to choose from. You may also want cleaning supplies that offer deck/galley options so you can get your boat sparkling and ready to enjoy. We also have display mounts and docking accessories to complete your outfitting needs.

A revamped DiscoverBoating.com Web site officially launches today, featuring an updated look and several new, interactive features designed to show visitors how easy it is to become a boat owner.   “All of the new tools on DiscoverBoating.com, both active and planned, are designed to generate additional boating prospects, which is especially important this year for our industry stakeholders,” Carl Blackwell, vice president of marketing communications for Grow Boating, Inc. and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, said this afternoon.   The site focuses on activities for boaters, while incorporating images of people partaking in fishing, sailing or watersports.      Consumers have the opportunity to select their activity of choice by clicking on the specific icon and are redirected to a page providing relevant information about that particular activity, including boat type selections, tips and resources.   “By increasing the focus on boating activities and making the site more interactive, we anticipate people will get that much more excited about getting out on the water and, ultimately, buying a boat,” said Armida Markarova, director of interactive marketing for Grow Boating Inc. and the NMMA, in a statement   DiscoverBoating.com also features the Boating Affordability Tool/Budget Planner, which compares the cost of boat ownership to several other popular family leisure activities.   Another new feature is the “Baby Boomer” section, which goes live this week. The Boomer section positions boating as the ideal activity to enrich a person's “Golden Years.” The Boomer section features a call to action for visitors to request a free copy of the “Get Started in Boating” DVD, experiment with the Boat Selector Tool and calculate the cost of boat ownership.   To answer pleas from wannabe boat owners, the Spousal Conversion Kit also launched this week as part of DiscoverBoating.com's overall redesign. The kit provides Web site visitors with a seven-step process to help convince their significant other that the time has come to purchase a boat.   Blackwell said recent media coverage of the Spousal Conversion Kit and our spokesperson, Mike Schmidt, a baseball hall-of-famer, has helped drive people to the Web site.   “Schmidt conducted countless interviews recalling his experiences talking his wife into allowing him to purchase a boat (eventually two boats) that were fun and entertaining,” Blackwell said. “It resulted in stations all across the country coming to us requesting interviews. The interview drove people back to DiscoverBoating.com, as Schmidt mentioned his experiences as a boater and angler and the time he spent on the Web site. The results far exceeded our expectations.”      For information about DiscoverBoating.com, contact Markarova at (312) 946-6284 or amarkarova@nmma.org.  

Hand Tool Adapter Put boat cleaning tools in the palm of your hand. Adapter handle transforms any Swobbit Uni-Snap™ product into a hand tool. Features: Secure foam handle grip,  Works with Swobbit brushes, mops, scrub pads, washing tools and quick-drying water blades (equipped with a Uni-Snap™ Adapter) Approximately 6.5" long *Sold as an Individual

  Depending what part of the country you are in, you may soon be prepping boats for winter storage. That storage can last six, seven, eight months or more! Without proper steps being taken now, when that boat comes out of storage, there will be a lot of problems to address!   When an engine is in storage, the oil and lubricants in the motor can often drain away from the components they were designed to protect, leaving the engine susceptible to corrosion. Upon restart, that corrosion can lead to severe damage of the cylinder head, pistons and valves. If you don't have the right tools for winterization, it's going to be a very long Fall. Don't get stuck performing engine flushes and oil changes manually. Get the tools that do those jobs right. Save time and increase the number of jobs you can do and the amount of money you can make! Pick up all the winterization supplies you need - including powerful oil change pumps.             Specials   Closeouts    Remanufactured    Rebates          

Choose Enviro-Friendly Products Flexdel's Aquagard products are considered "Environmentally Preferable" because they release low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and heavy metals compared to other competing products.   Flitz Products Are Safe For The Environment You can feel good knowing Flitz products are formulated to be safe for you and the environment. For over 30 years, Flitz has been a world leader in the manufacturing of Premium Polishing Products. During that time, the Flitz brand has become known as "The Good Stuff." Ask any user why they buy Flitz products and they will tell you, "Flitz just works the best".   Best Boat Cleaning Products Welcome to Shurhold's "One Handle Does It All!" system. This system quickly and easily allows you to snap over 40 different accessories to the same fixed length or telescoping handles. Shurhold understands that space is limited on your boat and storage is a premium. That is why these boat detailing products are designed to save you time, money and space. One handle on your boat can quickly snap to several different boat cleaning brushes, deck mops, or great boating attachments like a boat hook or paddle.   A More Efficient Way To Clean Swobbit is a more efficient way to clean. Swobbit offers a variety of products including washing brushes and tools, drying mops and cloths, water blades, scrub pads and plates, microfiber products and maintenance k its. The Swobbit System is everything you need to keep your boat looking as clean and new as the day you bought it.  

    Purchasing and owning a boat is a major investment. If you want to get the most from your investment, you must keep your boat in working order and in good condition.   Many new boat owners don’t know how to keep up with maintenance. Fortunately, it’s not impractical if you understand what boat maintenance entails and develop a system. Below, CLR Marine discusses some maintenance essentials to prolong your boat’s lifespan and avoid safety issues on the water!   Engines   No component is perhaps more critical than your boat’s engine. Engine failure is not only inconvenient but can also be dangerous when you’re out on the water. That’s why it’s important to prepare and repair your engine while you’re on land and have access to the necessary parts.   There are many steps to checking and maintaining a boat engine, but here are a few of the most crucial ones   ●Replace all engine filters and fluids each year. ●Inspect all hoses and clamps, replacing them as needed. ●Inspect the fuel system for leaks or damage, and replace any components that are not in tiptop shape.  ●Regularly evaluate the ventilation and exhaust systems. ●Regularly inspect the raw water pump, replacing the rubber impeller once a year.  ●Closely evaluate hoses, cables, and any other engine components.   The easiest way to keep up with the responsibilities is to use PDF files to track, update, and share maintenance schedules and duties. Use this tool to add pages to a PDF and easily modify the document as needed.   Electrical Components   Your boat’s electrical system is also challenging to maintain when you’re already on the water. Avoid leaving the radio, light, or other electrical parts on for extended periods when the engine is running; otherwise, you could face a dead battery.   Inspecting the battery and cable connection for corrosion and other damage is also a good idea. Replace the battery, cables, breakers, switches, fuses, and any other parts that need it. Further, you’ll want to ensure all the lights are functioning and that you have quality jumper cables for emergencies.   Hull, Propeller, and Motor   It’s critical to check the hull, propeller, and motor to ensure they are in top condition. Fight the temptation to procrastinate on replacing any necessary components until next season. The last thing you want to do is forget and face problems on the water.   The propellers should be properly secured, straight, and undamaged. Ensure the hull doesn’t have any distortions, cracks, or blisters, and give it a good deep cleaning. While you’re at it, evaluate your anchor and its rode to confirm they are up to the task.   Safety Gear   The importance of having a good set of jumper cables for emergencies. Several other items are necessary to protect you and others on the water. Make sure you have the following safety equipment and that they’re in working order:   ●Life jackets ●Fire extinguishers ●Carbon monoxide detector ●A basic first aid kit   ●An emergency signal kit   Cosmetics   Finally, you want to ensure your boat looks the part. This means cleaning it regularly and winterizing it for the cold months. Also, Make sure you have the right to use the right supplies and tactics to keep your vinyl upholstery sparkling and free of mildew stains.   Don’t allow your investment to go to waste. Keeping up with boat maintenance is essential for keeping your boat safe, functioning, and attractive. Coming up with a schedule and a checklist can make the difference between enjoying a long-lasting boat and paying for expensive repairs.     Would you like to read more helpful content or browse our wide selection of marine supplies? Visit CLRMarine.com today!   Written By Kelli Brewer

CLR Marine carries Solas® Amita 3-Blade Mercury 6-15hp aluminum boat propellers that utilize a state-of-the-art squeeze-casting process & makes these aluminum boat propellers stronger and tougher than traditional die-cast boat propellers.  To learn more visit this link. We also have a custom propeller search tool, making it SUPER EASY to find your replacement propeller today!

It's that time again when Old Man Winter is shortening or ending our sailing season. Maybe you store your boat in a garage, barn, or at a marina. Now is the time to brush up on safe and useful storage tips.   1. When packing up, clean your electronics with a microfiber cloth by wiping down buttons and screens. A soft cloth is recommended with bottled water to clean screens that may have been stained by saltwater. Screen cleaners will not do the job. You may want to document the wiring so that installation is easy when you are ready to launch.   2. Drain your boat of all water – bilge, head, sink lines, water tanks, sea-cocks, and pipes. If you are in an area with extended periods of freezing, put antifreeze in the low parts if there is still some water present.   3. Remove all batteries. Charge your batteries, clean the terminals, and put a light coat of grease on the terminals. Store your batteries in a warm, dry place. Not in the boat.   4. Winterize the engine: Use fresh water to flush the engine, including the cooling system, to remove corrosion, dirt, salt, and residue Refill the cooling system with antifreeze. Warm up the engine to loosen impurities. Replace the oil and filters. Look for the residue of old oil. Remove and store all belts.   5. Fill the engine with gas and stabilizer. Run the engine for 15 minutes so that the mixture reaches the engine. If your engine uses E-10 fuel, take extra care in that it absorbs moisture ten times more than typical gasoline. (source: trailervalet.com).   6. A thorough cleaning of the boat before you store is a must, whether you have a small fishing boat or a six-cabin yacht. Soap and water will do a thorough job. Clean lockers, refrigerators, coolers, sinks, and cushions. Open all and allow to dry before you store. Next, clean the entire outside from bow to stern. End your cleaning with a coat of wax to the exterior and polish. Leaving a clean boat will make the launch process a lot easier when it's time.   7. Keeping mold and mildew at bay: Mildew comes from humidity. The best way to reduce humidity is ventilation. Although some skippers button up their boats to be airtight for the winter, there has to be some ventilation source. Use products that absorb moisture such as Damp Rid or purchase a dehumidifier such as Eva-Dry Mini Dehumidifiers. Find and seal any leaks and keep the boat clean. Cover the boat with either shrink wrap or a boat cover.   8. Shrinkwrap or a canvas boat cover? Ratings and opinions from the Hull Truth Boating Forum suggest that canvas covers are a better option for durability and cost. The canvas covers can be used season after season. With shrink wrap covers, there is the cost of installation every year. One source said if you are north of Boston, shrink wrapping is preferable because snow will slide right off the plastic wrap, versus weighing down the canvas. Contributors also felt the boat stays cleaner with shrink wrap.      Remove boat cushions, or not? The jury is out about removing boat cushions. Many skippers remove all cushions and bedding. Others spray the cushion bottoms with anti-mold spray. If keeping cabin cushions on the boat, stand them up on end to reduce the chance of mold. Most important is to keep as much moisture out of the cabin, as mentioned above.   Do everything you can to keep your boat critter-free during the winter. Lock all windows. Many small, rabid animals, especially raccoons, are looking for a warm place to nest for the winter. Raccoons are drawn by any food left in boats and will chew carpeting and cushions. Once inside a locked boat, they have no way to exit since they have most likely fallen from an open window. The messes they leave, including their waste, can be very unpleasant and a costly wake-up call in the spring. Keep mice out by plugging up scuppers and vents. Many skippers use Dryer Fresh Cab rodent repellent hoping the strong scent will repel rodents.   Circle Saturday, May 22, 2021, on your calendar. That is almost ten days before Memorial Day, next year when most harbors open for the season. Start your prep work, tune-ups, sanding, and painting to get out on the water for a great boating season.   Fair Winds. Smooth Sailing     To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/. __________________________________________________________________________ Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com ©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com    

Happy New Year! This past year has been a time of tumultuous panoptic upsets: The pandemic, political unrest, and nature's mayhem of hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires. However, boaters still have our beautiful waterways, lakes, harbors, and our oceans to enjoy and use as an oasis of tranquility, peace, and sports. We eagerly look forward to the boat shows across the country to learn new techniques, sample new products, and get ready for a safe and fun-filled boating season. The following is a snapshot and calendar of 2021 Boat Shows going live and in-person and shows going virtual. Before attending an in-person show, please go to the show's link to find out about COVID-19 policies. The big three shows that draw national and international crowds are the Ft Lauderdale, Annapolis, and the Chicago Boat Shows. Chicago The Chicago Boat Show, usually held the second week of January, was cancelled for this year. Show promoters have told fans to plan on the in-person show from January 12-16, 2022. Annapolis, MD Annapolis, MD, promises a wonderful in-person United States Sailboat Show October 14-18, 2021, at the City Dock in beautiful downtown, historic Annapolis. This internationally acclaimed sailboat show is recognized as the world's largest and most prestigious sailboat show. Fort Lauderdale Miami -The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (or FLIBS as it is affectionately called) will be held October 27 - 31, 2021. The show claims to be the largest boat show globally, covering more than 2,992,367 square feet. The 2021 Boat Shows Cleveland Boat Show & Fishing Expo. January 15-24, 2021. Virtual Seattle Boat Show. January 28-31, 2021. Virtual  Michiana Boat & Sports Show February 19-21, 2021 The Boat Show in Springfield, IL February 26-28, 2021 Lake County Boat Show February 26-28, 2021 Akron Boat Show & Water Sports February/March 2021 Downtown Knoxville Boat Show March 4-7, 2021  World Fishing & Outdoor, Suffern, NY March 4-7, 2021  Orlando Boat Show  March 5-7, 2021 Atlantic City Boat Show April 7-11, 2021  Tampa Boat Show September 10-12, 2021 Norwalk Boat Show, Norwalk, CT September 23-26, 2021 2020 – Catalina Yachts Suffers Two Losses Frank Butler, the founder of Catalina Yachts, died in late November 2020. Frank Willis Butler, 92, president and Chief Executive Officer of Catalina Yachts, died at Westlake Village on Nov. 15, 2020, from unexpected complications from a recent illness. Butler founded Catalina Yachts in 1969 in Hollywood, CA. The company has grown to become the largest builder of fiberglass production sailboats in the United States.Long Beach Yacht Club Commodore Charles Legeman said, "Frank Butler is the one person who helped take the Congressional Cup to the top level in the world by his donation of the Catalina 37s, which were specifically built for match racing." Catalina Yacht fleets of Catalina owners sprang up across the county. Many skippers, both of us included, owned Catalina sailboats throughout our sailing history. Catalina sailboats provided sailing ease in addition to sound design and were very forgiving for the less-than-experienced sailor. Another Blow to Catalina Yachts In mid-December of 2020, the Catalina Yacht factory in Largo, FL, was hit by a tornado. The high winds did extensive damage to the factory building, and boat molds that weigh 20,000 pounds were pushed around like paper. Sharon Day is the company's president and explained, "Workers at the plant work a 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. shift, so no workers were on duty when the tornado hit." As we venture into 2021, we wish our readers safe boating, fair winds, and smooth sailing. To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/. ______________________________________________________________________________ Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com ©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com  

Summer, swimming and boating are all synonymous with having a good time on the water. Whether you are on a boat or on a dock, when the heat of the sun kicks into high gear, your first impulse is to head for the water.   Swimming off a boat or dock can be refreshing, but safety has to be the first consideration. Unfortunately, it is the swimming accidents and statistics about these accidents that stick in our minds.   What to do if you see Electric Shock Drowning   According to ESFI, The Electrical Safety Foundation International, a premier non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace, the following should regarding potential Electric Shock Drowning:     Do not enter the water.     • Turn off the source of power     • Call 911     • Use an insulated device (such as fiberglass rescue crook) to attempt to remove the victim from the water     If a swimmer is experiencing difficulty, such as paralysis, don't let anyone jump in the water! Get the dock power turned off immediately. Most docks have an emergency shut off switch. Contact your dockmaster for its location, or about getting one installed. Anyone using the dock should know where the emergency switch is located.   To assist the swimmer who has been shocked, get a nonmetal device. Stay away from the dock's metal swim ladders.     Electricity can seep into the water from a boat, hot tub, pool or marina. Swimmers can also experience electric shock when reaching for a metal ladder (mentioned above) that has been in the water with electrical current.   The Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and educating people on the risks of electric shock drowning, has recorded 84 cases in the U.S. since 1986. It may seem like a low number of fatalities, but if it is someone you love who dies, one death is too many.   The best way to avoid electric shock is to install ground fault devices on power sources at the breaker. A ground fault device protects the entire power source from its start and prevents the current from following any unintended paths during a ground fault (contact between an energized conductor and the ground).   Swimming off the dock in a marina.             Please don't do it. It is a dangerous adventure that can quickly turn fatal. Electric Shock Drowning (ESD), will most likely be fatal. It happens when 120-volt AC (alternating current) from nearby boats, or docks electrocutes or incapacitates swimmers in freshwater. As swimmers enter the water the electricity  paralyzes their muscles, causing the person to drown.     Swimming off a boat                               Electric Shock Drowning happens in freshwater and many times involves a swimmer making contact with a metal ladder that is electrically charged. If a swimmer is attempting to board your boat and feels any tingling or paralysis:     • don't jump in the water     • turn off all power on the boat     • Call 911, the marine police, coast guard, or coastguard auxiliary to get help underway.      • Use wooden oars or some nonmetal objects to rescue the swimmer.   More safety features when swimming off a boat       • With swimmers in the water, one adult who knows how to operate the boat should be on board at all times.    • All engines should be off before swimmers enter the water    • A flotation device attached to a tow rope or line secured to the boat should be in the water for a swimmer to grab if needed.        Keeping your boat safe   Talk to marina owners or operators about the danger of ESD. Ask your marina operator to prohibit swimming at their facility and post signs. Ask marina operators if they are aware of and following the guidelines from NFPA 303 (Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards) and National Electric Code (NEC) 555. Never use household extension cords on your boat. Shore power cords meeting UL standards are required. Your boat can be tested and inspected for electricity leaks by a qualified electrician trained to ABYC standards. Whether in freshwater or saltwater, never dive on your boat for repairs while connected to shore power. ESD How does it happen              ESD is caused by alternating current (AC) flowing through fresh water encountering a human body. The current tries to pass through the body and causes skeletal muscular paralysis, which ultimately results in a drowning. The above picture shows you how the current flows.     There are many devices that can be installed in the water near your boat, dock or pool to detect electrical leaks that could lead to electric shock. One example is. It is used for boats, pools, and marinas. The ShockAlarm is easy to test and continually monitors while in the water. One user said it had detected electricity in the water on several occasions before swimmers were about to enter. Users suggest that this alarm is in the water at all times when swimmers are present.   Swimming during the summer or anytime should be enjoyable, refreshing, and safe. Have a great summer on the water.   Fair Winds. Smooth Sailing.   ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/. Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com ©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com, 2020  

Several of our most recent blogs have been about emergencies while on board. This blog presents probably the most critical type of emergency and rescue in the form of airlift by a helicopter from your boat to shore. A helicopter is brought in when this is the only way to immediate safety and medical services.     Two events prompt evacuation by helicopter: Weather so severe that you will perish without removal, and a medical emergency where time is critical.   First, your VHF radio must be tuned to Channel 16 at high volume. When you make the emergency call for the helicopter, know your position. The helicopter pilot will give instructions as to what your course heading should be, and your speed. Clear your deck of any loose items that could blow into the water or create problems, such as coolers, soda cans, garbage cans, buckets, towels, jackets, etc. Lower all antennas, if possible. If you are on a sailboat, all sails should be lowered and secured.   The only passengers on deck should be the one rescued and those who can help. All others should be below.   Important things, every skipper should know. 1. The helicopter pilot sits in the starboard seat, and the retrieving cable is launched from the starboard side of the helicopter. 2. No spotlights or flares are launched or shined in the direction of the aircraft.   Your boat and the helicopter work better when both are aligned and underway on the same heading. If the boat engine is not working, then the vessel should still be set to the course indicated by the helicopter pilot.   Follow through with all instructions from the helicopter pilot before the helicopter is overhead. Once the aircraft is overhead, be prepared for extreme noise and windy conditions. At this point, the only signals from boat to helicopter will be hand signals because of the noise.   When an item is lowered from the helicopter – a static discharge cable is usally attached to the, stretcher, hook, or equipment – the spinning blades act like a generator and can generate thousands of volts of electricity into the cable. To avoid an electrical shock, let the static discharge cable touch down on the boat or in the water before touching it.    If the helicopter is lowering a person, the person may be lowered directly to the boat. Another way to lower a person or item to the vessel is with a high wire safely flown to the vessel's deck, and then the equipment will be lowered. Never secure a cable to the boat that is directly attached to the helicopter. If an ill or injured person is being secured into a gurney on deck, the helicopter will move away until the individual is ready to be hoisted up.   In extreme weather where the entire crew needs to be evacuated, know that the boat will be lost. There won't be anyone from the rescue squad that will be bringing the boat back to shore.   Rescue by helicopter is most likely a life and death situation. Remain calm. Listen to the directions of the emergency personnel. Review safety instructions with all visitors to your boat.   Fair winds. Smooth sailing.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------   Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com    ©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com   To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/.  

Imagine a warm Saturday evening at your local sailing club. Three boats motor out to the middle of the moonlit lake and raft up. The one in the middle drops its anchor to keep the raft in place. Everyone puts on a swimsuit and jumps over the side. The lake is fed by a river and you can feel the cool stream of water as it moves past your body. Once you are sufficiently cooled off, you swim up to the boat to get back in board and, looking up, see that the top of the transom looks as high as the Eifel Tower. How in the world are you going to pull yourself out of the water, over the side, and on board? No problem, you say. Well, if you haven't tried it you have no idea just how hard that act can be. This is particularly true for young children, and for older folks. And just to scare you some more, entire crews have succumbed to hypothermia after jumping over the side of a sailboat that drifted in a total calm in the middle of the ocean, just because no-body thought about a  boarding ladder or at least dropping a line over the side.   Boarding or swim ladders should be listed as necessities, not just to climb back on board after taking a dip, but also to have as means of getting crew back on board after getting in involuntarily. The issue is a bit less pressing on modern boats with built-in transom steps, but it is still a good idea to have at least a collapsible, removable ladder on board. Swim ladders come in a wide variety of styles but there are a few designs features to consider for usability and practicality, especially on a trailerable boat. Use ladders with hull stand-offs that provide more stability. There should be at least a couple of rungs extended down below the water surface, which makes it easier to get a foot on the bottom rung, to push the body weight up, especially for a fully clothed person who fell in the water. Many boats have folding boarding ladders attached to the transom. A folding ladder is an excellent solution to both routine and emergency re-boarding. Every high-sided boat should have grab rails or steps located at the transom. This will allow a person to hang on while re-boarding. If you thought this blog post was helpful or informative, stay tuned for more content on everything boat related. If you are looking for supplies for your boat, head over CLR Marine's product page for a list of high-quality boat supplies.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland last week signed legislation to enhance boating safety on state waterways.   The new law establishes “failure to control” as an enforceable boat operator rule. Many accidents occur as the result of operator inexperience or the forces of nature. These are not the result of a “rules of the road” violation or caused by reckless operation, but may result in minor property damage or injury.   The law also increases the horsepower limit on Pymatuning Lake in northeastern Ohio to 20-hp. About two-thirds of the lake is within the boundaries of Pennsylvania, which passed legislation to allow for the increase several years ago.   Also, the Ohio law creates a “no wake zone,” requiring boat operators to reduce their speed when passing a boat actively engaged in providing public service, including law enforcement, fireboats, search-and-rescue teams, dredges and towing services. This is similar to the law requiring motorists to proceed with caution and change lanes or slow down when approaching a stationary public safety vehicle displaying an emergency light.   Additionally, the law permits boaters to “slow tow” ski tubes and other towables in no-wake zones and areas outside of the designated speed and ski zones, and requires children under 10 years of age who board a watercraft under 18 feet in length to wear a swimsuit-style life jacket. The children's Type V personal flotation device was approved by the U.S. Coast Guard several years ago and is designed to be more comfortable and better suited to the activities of children participating in family boating.   The law also allows for the transfer of electronic titles for outboard motors. This provision reduces the time it takes to transfer titles by preventing the need for a watercraft dealer to first issue a physical title.   Also in the news today;   Maine offers online renewals for watercraft registration   Maine Gov, John E. Baldacci last week signed a bill that allows state residents to renew their watercraft online.   “Since taking office five years ago, I have made it a goal for Maine government to be more open and accessible to her people and this includes making more government services available online,” Baldacci said in a statement. “I'm very pleased that we are helping Maine people access an array of such services, putting everything from volunteerism opportunities to dog licenses and now boat registration renewals, at their fingertips.”   The legislation allows Maine residents to renew watercraft registration through a safe and secure Web site. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will continue to administer the registrations both online and in person.   Officials estimate that 125,000 watercraft are registered in Maine.  

PB1543 Multi-Compartment Technician's Tool Bag - 17" Spend less time searching for the right tool with CLC’s 17" Molded Base Technician's tool bag.  With its vertically aligned 54 pockets, keep your tools organized and visible at all times.  The dual-zippered compartments fold down for access to multiple items and the large center section has enough room for power tools, hand tools, and accessories.  These features paired with the durable 1680D ballistic polyester fabric and molded base design make CLC's Technician’s tool bag the perfect fit to carry to your next job.  Features: Large center compartment to carry power tools. Vertical tool pockets keep them in sight for quick access. Durable design, constructed with 1680D ballistic polyester. The molded base for longer wear keeps your tools dry and safe. Organize a wide range of tools with 2 large zippered outside compartments that fold all the way down for easy access. Padded carrying handles and adjustable shoulder strap. Heavy zippers with large, ergonomic metal zipper pullers. Measuring tape clip and key holder. 54 Pockets – 10 outside and 44 inside. *Sold as an Individual WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.