Captain's Log :: Captain John's Log
Boat Smart From The Start
May 1, 2012Boat Smart from the Start This Mothers Day thousands of boaters across the nation pulled off their covers and hit the water. We go out on our boat to enjoy ourselves, leave our worries behind and spend time with family and friends. That however does not excuse us from being prudent mariners. To legally operate any boat with an engine, other than a personal watercraft, or a sailboat 191⁄2…Read More
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Shinnecock and Hampton Bays
April 27, 2012I don't get to spend much time in the south fork of Long Island but yesterday was asked to bring a 30' Tiara back from Ponquogue Marina in Hampton Bay. The drive over from Port Jeff was a long hour and change but the scenery is magnificent. Somewhere between Iowa farm land and the Pine Barrens in New Jersey. There are hundreds of small homes along the way each with a boat…Read More
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Get a FREE Get a Vessel Safety Check for your boat before you get on the water this season
March 9, 2012Vessel Safety Check is a courtesy examination of your boat to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and the Federal regulations. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and a member of the United States Power Squadrons or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that can help you be a…Read More
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You know your a pro fisherman when...
January 13, 2012* You have a shiner dangling from your rear view mirrow because you think it makes a good air freshener.* Your wedding party had to tie tin cans to the back of your whaler.* You call your boat "sweetheart" and your wife "grady"* Hiller's Sport shop has your credit card number on file.* You keep a ugly stick by your favorite chair to change the tv channels with.* You get 40 to life because your…Read More
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Bilge Pumps in the Winter
December 29, 2011Please make sure that your bilge pump is functioning properly during the winter months if your boat is stored in the water. This means it is important to make sure that your battery system contains enough power to support running the pump for a long period of time. Make sure you test your batteries weekly and check the water levels if applicable. It is important to frequently…Read More
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Trailering
December 19, 2011The majority of recreational boats in the United States are trailered to and from the water. Your boat trailer is only one part of the entire boating package, which includes the boat, trailer, hitch and towing vehicle. Neglecting the trailer’s maintenance can result in damage to your boat, your towing vehicle or both. The trailer must have a load capacity adequate to carry the boat, motor…Read More
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Who you gonna call?
October 14, 2011As we have discussed in the past, there are lots of ways to enjoy yourself on the water and also many ways to get into trouble. Hopefully you have taken a safe boating course and received a NASBLA or state approved certificate. But who do you call when you get in trouble? Your VHF radio should be your first line of defense. Use your VHF radio on channel 16 to contact a commercial salvage or towing…Read More
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Marine Radar
September 27, 2011If you boat in New England, there will be times when you can’t see 100’ feet away from your boat. Hopefully this will be while you’re at the dock. If not, you will want to have and to know how to use a marine radar display. You’re visibility can be limited by many different factors, certainly fog is the biggest but there are others. Rain, snow and even smoke can…Read More
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Connecticut Boating Regulations
August 8, 2011In every state with federally controlled waters there are usually two sets of regulations you must follow, those enforced by the United States Coast Guard and those of the state. In Connecticut, the Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for writing and enforcing our regulations. Those regulations are then adopted in whole by each city, town or municipality who in…Read More
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Nautical Charts
August 3, 2011My first boat was a 21’ bowrider which had no electronics, only a compass. Before I bought it, I read everything I could about charts and how to use them. I was to pick up the boat in Stamford and bring it home to Norwalk. I was familiar with the waters (sort of) from having grown up in the Shippan section of Stamford and working around the shoreline homes of Darien and…Read More
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