Please take a moment to read this BoatUS release below, regarding on the water safety and your wake. you may also follow BoatUS on twitter, at @BoatUS.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., August 26, 2009 – Boat wakes – those long, frothy, V-shaped waves trailing from the stern of a powerboat as it slices through the water – have a sinister side. When other vessels encounter them, they can hurt people. They can make people angry, and they can bring the wrath of law enforcement, for good reason.
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) recently looked into the issue of boat wakes by combing through the insurance claims case files, where swampings, broken teeth, and back injuries are found. “You avoid being the recipient of gestures from other skippers by using a little common sense and courtesy,” says BoatUS Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance. “This means coming completely off plane when you enter a no wake zone or anywhere your wake could compromise the safety of other boats,” he adds.
Terry Grapentine, Principal at Grapentine Company LLC, has written a very informative, thoughtful and powerful article regarding the current and future issues concerning the global boating markets. He also puts forth a call to action that could very well positively impact the way in which global leaders within the world’s boating markets come together to not only repair the issues of today, but proactively prepare for the sustainability of the market of tomorrow.
Please consider reading Mr. Grapentine’s article on Boating Industry’s website, here.
Please give this great article a read from the Dallas Sailing Examiner, regarding the sport of sailing and how it not only keeps youths physically active, but rather can teach many life lessons as well.
We are privileged to have a great proponent of this within our own community, the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center. Feel free to give them a shout and enjoy some time out on beautiful Lake Champlain this season.
There’s no doubt that this summer is going to be unforgettable here on Lake Champlain. With the celebration of the Quadricentennial taking place over the next few months, the waterfront will be filled with boating, sailing, fishing and most of all, lots of fun for the whole community.
As nice as it is to relax on the rocks by the boat house or have a delicious lunch at Splash, we urge you to get out there and be part of the action! Our friends at the Lake Champlain Sailing Center have just announced and unbelievable “2 for 1 Season Pass Special” that will have you and a first mate experiencing the beauty of Lake Champlain off shore and on the water.
The best part about what we do here at Burlington Boatyard is having the chance to meet new people in and around the Lake Community, assisting them as best we can, however we can.
Over the last few weeks we have been trying to help out Emily, a local sailor who loves spending time with her boyfriend on their Cape Dory 25. They are searching for a new Dinghy, and despite there being no current listings for one on our site, we want to reach out to all of you who may be able to help them in their search. Here is her letter:
It seems someone is interested in telling people that Lake Champlain might not be the best place to visit. According to the Burlington Free Press, popular travel writer Peter Greenberg recently told travelers to “bring a haz-mat suit along” on visits to Lake Champlain. These insults have sparked arguments last Thursday between environmentalists and the Douglas administration.
A few particular environmental groups have accused Gov. Douglas for failing to stem the population that feeds toxic algae blooms in the northern parts of the lake and revisited their call for more action to restore and protect the lake environment and its tourist economy.
Perhaps Mr. Greenberg and his following may wish to invest some time in researching the large amount of progress made in the efforts to revitalize the lake environment, specifically the ongoing control of sea lamprey and their effects on the economy here on Lake Champlain. Various organizations such as Lake Champlain International, Trout Unlimited, Vermont Fish & Wildlife, and both Gov. Douglas and Sen. Leahy’s administrations have dedicated thousands of hours to ensure that our fisheries be restored and are well protected against the detrimental effects the lamprey have had on our economy and environment. Over the past few years there have been multiple watersheds treated and the benefits are clearly being seen, as biologists and fishermen alike are noticing the increase in number and size of those fish affected.
In fact, Burlington Boatyard covered the press conference involving the above organizations that took place at this year’s 2009 Yankee Sportman’s Classic, and we invite you to watch these videos to learn more of the successes of these initiatives.
Recently, Jimmy Farah, CCO of Burlington Boatyard, interviewed Nicole Ullian, founder & president of the UVM Wakeboard Club.Nicole talks about the efforts and plans of the group in becoming the first official wakeboard club at the university.Also, after the interview, checkout some of the highlights of the UVM crew riding at Malletts Bay.Enjoy the video!
Recently, Burlington Boatyard has come in contact with a group of energetic and dedicated students at the University of Vermont, who are organizing a wakeboarding club which will allow for the promotion of the sport, as well as Lake Champlain being a great resource right “down the hill”.
We have asked club President, Nicole Ullian, to reach out to all members of the Lake community – marinas, local businesses, individual boaters, and so on – to inform us all of their progress, needs and goals as they go through the process of recognition.
I invite you to read more on who they are, what they plan to do as a club, and more over, how they plan to be a positive group within the community to promote and contribute to the area.
-Guy
Hello World! We are a group of students attending the University of Vermont working to establish the UVM Wakeboarding Club. We’re in the process of recognition at the university and are seeking your help and support, which will enable us to launch in the spring of 2009.
The club currently has over 100 interested members, some of which are expert riders and others who have never ridden before! Our goal is to get those students who are interested in wakeboarding out on the water and riding as much as possible. This will enable us all to learn, progress, and most importantly, both UVM students of today and those of the future will be able to enjoy beautiful Lake Champlain and all it has to offer.
As a follow-up to our article ”Winterizing Your Boat On Your Own: A Checklist“, avid sailor and fellow Burlington Boatyard member, Eliot Beck has compiled a quick guide focused solely on winterizing your sailboat…
Make sure to get any water & other liquids that may freeze out of the boat, and find ways to let air circulate. If covered, make sure there are vents (even if shrink-wrapping, you can provide venting).
Gas tanks should be filled to prevent as much air in the tank as possible. Alternatively, you could make sure the tanks are thoroughly drained & left totally dry. Keep in mind however, more often than not the method you chose depends on the fuel system.
As a follow up to the article titled, “Storing Your Boat For the Winter: Almost That Time of Year Again…”, I wanted to put together a few suggestions for those out there who plan to store their boat themselves this winter. While it is relatively easy to do this, especially as you repeat it year in and year out, I figured I would throw out some useful tips that will be able to get your boat all set for its “vacation” as well as reduce the chance that you will run into problems upon returning it to water next season:
Unless you are a mechanic or you have much experience working with boat engines, you may want to research taking it to a service shop or sending an email on our “Ask the Tech” service so that you will be confident your motor will be fully prepped and serviced for the upcoming months.
The Ethanol Debate!! Yes, it is a hot topic in the boating world now-a-days because in the past, it was almost always acceptable to store your gas tank full and with the appropriate amount of stabilizer in it, and that would ensure a safe storage and start-up for the next season. Well, since our friend Ethanol has jumped into the mix, many have found that its ability to attract moisture will cause start-up issues the next time you try to get the engine running. What has been found to be best is to completely drain your tank, and then bring them to be cleaned appropriately before you put your boat back in the water next.
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