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NEWS From BoatU.S.
LAKE ANNA, Va., May 13, 2009 -- Capt. Peter Merrick, owner of TowBoatU.S. Ingram Bay in Kilmarnock, Va., has opened a second location, TowBoatU.S. Lake Anna. The on-the-water towing and assistance company gives recreational boaters a reliable way to summon on-the-water assistance day or night. Battery jump starts, fuel drop offs, ungrounding services and tows back to a launch ramp are some common requests. "Boaters and anglers have been asking us for a long time when we would open up on the lake," said Capt. Merrick. "Since we have professional captains and all the right equipment, they know it's a lot easier to call us rather than have to ask a friend to find them and safely get them back to the dock or launch ramp," he added. TowBoatU.S. Lake Anna is located at Anna Point Marina near the Route 208 bridge. It is operational 24-hours a day, seven days a week from May 1 to September 13. Off-season service is also available. The new port joins a nationwide BoatU.S. towing fleet of over 600 towing assistance vessels. Stationed at the port is 16-foot center console response boat loaded with a full complement of towing and salvage equipment including extra fuel, engine fluids, pumps, dive gear and a battery "jump pack" to handle dead batteries. With a shallow draft and fold-down radar arch, the vessel can easily pass under all of the low bridges on the lake to reach stranded boaters in any location. The vessel can be identified by its distinctive red hull, white bow stripes and "TowBoatU.S." lettering along its sides. BoatU.S. offers an "Unlimited" on-the-water towing plans for freshwater boaters for just $53 a year, which includes BoatU.S. membership Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average about $600 per incident. Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatU.S. Lake Anna by calling the company directly at 804-435-7650; by VHF radio on channel 16; or through the BoatU.S. toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869. Visit BoatUS.com/towing for more information. ### About BoatU.S. Towing Services: Summer Water Safety Tip: ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 16, 2009 - Summer will soon be here and for many parents, this may be the first time your family goes boating. To make sure everyone is ready, the non-profit BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Waterhas three free online resources at www.BoatUS.com/foundation/LJLP/fit_video to make sure the kids are safe: How to properly fit a kid's lifejacket: Having a child wear an adult or incorrectly sized life jacket could be as dangerous as having no life jacket at all, giving parents a false sense of security. A short online video explains how to fit a right-sized life jacket to your child. How to borrow a kid's life jacket if you don't have one: Boaters don't always have every kid-sized life jacket aboard. However, the BoatU.S. Foundation has over 500 locations across the country - local marinas, fire departments and other waterfront businesses - where parents can borrow a kid's life jacket (in various sizes) for the day or weekend, absolutely free. The Web site allows parents to search for a Kid's Life Jacket Loaner location near them. The program loaned out over 90,000 life jackets last year, and three lives have been saved to date. Know your state's life jacket laws: Confused about who needs a life jacket? The Web site has a state-by-state listing of life jacket regulations. For more information on boating water safety and the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water go to BoatUS.com/foundation . ### About the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water: How to Save Money on Boat Insurance ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 2, 2009 - Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) has these tips to save money on boat insurance: 1. Reality check: Today's competitive boat buying market has likely reduced the value of your boat - which could allow you to reduce your premium. 2. Hold the small stuff: If you don't submit small claims and can handle a bigger deductible, ask your insurance company for a discount. 3. Check for duplication: If you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy it may cover things such as "sports equipment coverage" which is sometimes added to a boat insurance policy. 4. Go back to school: Many insurance companies give a discount for taking an approved safe boating class. 5. Join a boating group: Join the U.S. Power Squadrons or U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and earn an extra discount on your insurance while learning and participating in making our waterways safer. 6. Go liability only: If your boat is paid for and you feel comfortable with absorbing the cost of damage to, or the loss of your boat, consider a "liability only" policy that will still protect you and your other assets from lawsuits if you damage someone else's property or injure a third party. However, all liability policies are not alike - things like medical coverage for family and friends, salvage and wreck removal, fuel spill and uninsured boater coverage should be included. 7. Long lay-up? If your boat is in storage for an extended period consider a "port risk" policy that provides no navigation coverage but does cover your boat in cases of theft, fire or liability should someone get hurt. 8. Have the "right" type of policy: Most boaters have either an "Agreed Value" policy or an "Actual Cash Value" policy. The Agreed Value policy typically costs more but provides more reimbursement in the event of a partial loss by paying the replacement cost of most items, and it will pay the value stated on the policy if the boat is a total loss. However, the Actual Cash Value policy costs less but also depreciates all losses - and will pay you less in almost every claim. Both kinds of policies have benefits but only you can decide which best meet your needs. 9. Understand what you're getting: Boat insurance policies can vary widely. For example, an insurance policy with $800,000 for fuel spill coverage may sound like a lot, while other policies may exclude this coverage completely. In plain English, if your boat starts a marina fire that destroys other vessels, will there be enough money to cover the resulting spill as well as the loss of neighboring vessels? Some other coverages to ask about: · Salvage and wreck removal coverage: If your boat sinks, your insurer will write you a check for the value of the lost boat (hull value). But who pays to remove the sunken boat? Depending on your insurance company it could be your own wallet or a separate "bucket" of salvage money in your policy. · Consequential damage: If your boat sinks because of a failed part, is the resulting water damage covered? Or, does the policy exclude "any loss caused directly or indirectly, or resulting from" the failed part? If it does exclude it, you'll end up paying more for repairs out of pocket. · Contractual liability: Commonly needed by boaters who rent storage space or a marina slip, contractual liability satisfies a rental / slip contract's "hold harmless" provision. However, you may not need this coverage if you store your boat at home. FIVE REASONS TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT YOUR BOAT PROPELLER ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12, 2009 - Selecting the right propeller for your boat's motor is sometimes as much art as it is science. That's because every boater uses their boat in different ways and under different conditions. The January 2009 issue of Seaworthy from BoatU.S. Marine Insurance recently looked at why you may want to take a closer look at your prop this winter and ask yourself these five questions: 1. Is your boat slow to come onto plane? Pitch is the theoretical distance a prop makes though the water in one revolution. If a prop has too much pitch the boat will have a lousy "hole shot" -- meaning its ability to get on plane quickly will suffer, similar to trying to start a car from a stop in third gear. Your tachometer can also indicate potential problems with pitch. Assuming you have a clean, well-maintained boat, your boat's engine should reach within 100-200 revolutions per minute of its rated wide open throttle (WOT). If not, a prop shop may need to adjust pitch. 2. Does your engine over-rev and boat seem slow? If there is too little pitch in the prop, the engine will over-rev and go past its redline at WOT. A prop shop can also add more pitch or recommend a new prop. Both under and over-reving can seriously damage an engine. 3. Did you run over a log, hit a sandbar or stump? You may have forgotten about that little bump that happened last summer, but your prop hasn't and it could affect performance when you launch in the spring. One prop shop proprietor reported to Seaworthy that 80% of the damaged propellers that come in to his repair facility look healthy at first glance -- until they are reviewed with computerized repair equipment. 4. Do you want to go faster? The first place to look is the prop. Stainless-steel props, with thinner and stronger blades, allow slightly more speed. However, the trade-off is that they are also more costly to purchase and repair, and should you strike a submerged object a stainless prop has the potential to cause greater lower unit damage than an aluminum prop. 5. Using too much fuel? It's a good idea to monitor fuel flow, either with a fuel flow meter or by doing the math. When fuel economy starts to suffer the first thing to check is for propeller damage as a dinged prop can easily rob you up to 10% in fuel costs. HOW TO AVOID THE SIX MOST COMMON BOAT WINTERIZING MISTAKES Free BoatU.S. Winterizing Guide Available ALEXANDRIA, VA, October 28, 2008 - With winter approaching, BoatU.S. Marine Insurance has reviewed its claim files and reports the following six most common mistakes made when winterizing a boat: 1. Failure to winterize the engine: Freezing temperatures occur in all 50 states and while they are taken seriously up north, it's the balmy states of California, Florida, Texas, Alabama and Georgia where boaters are most likely to have freeze-related damage to engine blocks. It routinely occurs to boats stored ashore here. Boats left in a slip are less susceptible to sudden freezing as the surrounding water retains heat longer than air. 2. Failure to drain water from sea strainer: If your winterizing plan calls for draining the engine, the seawater strainer must be winterized or residual water could freeze and rupture the watertight seal. Sometimes you won't know it's damaged until spring launching and water begins to trickle in. 3. Failure to close seacocks: For boats left in the water, leaving seacocks open over the winter is like going on extended vacation without locking the house. If a thru-hull cannot be closed, the vessel must be stored ashore - the sole exception is cockpit drains. Heavy snow loads can also force your boat under, allowing water to enter thru-hulls that are normally well above the water line. 4. Clogged petcocks: Engine cooling system petcocks clogged by rust or other debris can prevent water from fully draining. If one is plugged, try using a coat hanger to clear the blockage or use the engine's intake hose to flush anti-freeze through the system. 5. Leaving open boats in the water over winter: Boats with large open cockpits or low freeboard can easily be pushed underwater by the weight of accumulated ice and snow. Always store them ashore. 6. Using biminis or dodgers as winter storage covers: A cover that protects the crew from the sun does a lousy job protecting the boat from freezing rain and snow. Unlike a bonafide winter cover, biminis and dodgers tend to rip apart and age prematurely by the effects of winter weather. To get a free copy of the BoatU.S. Winterizing Guide full of tips to help you prepare your vessel for the winter, go to http://www.BoatUS.com/seaworthy/winter, or call 800-283-2883. ### The Problem with Ethanol Fuel: Phase Separation ALEXANDRIA, VA, Sept. 9, 2008 -- Ethanol-laden gasoline, dubbed "E-10" for its 10% ethanol content, is now commonplace at marina fuel docks across the country. However, as winter approaches and boaters lay up their vessels for the season, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) has some recommendations to ensure that spring commissioning will go smoothly. That's because E-10 can phase separate, or form two separate solutions in the gas tank - water and fuel - over a long winter storage period. Once this happens, the engine may not run and internal damage can occur. BoatU.S. has these recommendations for storing boats fueled with E-10 this winter: · Top Off: For boats with built-in gas tanks, stop at the fuel dock and top off the tank before you haul out, leaving it nearly full with just a little room for expansion. A tank that is almost full limits the flow of air into and out of the vent, which reduces the chance of fluctuating temperatures adding condensation (water) to the fuel, inviting phase separation. Anglers who fish over the winter should also top off their boat's gasoline tanks between outings to prevent condensation. Draining built-in fuel tanks of E-10 gas, while completely eliminating any chances of phase separation, is not practical and potentially dangerous. · Freshening doesn't work: Midwest marina owners, who have dealt with E-10 for many years, report that phase separation typically occurs when boats are stored with tanks only one-quarter to one-half full, which cannot be remedied by adding fresh gasoline in the spring. Once E-10 phase separates, the water will remain at the bottom of the tank. · Additive issues: With any fuel that sits in a tank for a long time, it's important to add a stabilizer. But stabilizers do not prevent phase separation. Once it occurs, additives and water separators can't help. The only remedy is to have the gas and ethanol/water professionally removed from the tank. · Fiberglass tanks beware: Ethanol is known to chemically react with many fiberglass fuel tanks, which can cause them to deteriorate and potentially fail. Unfortunately, unless your boat's manufacturer can confirm that your fiberglass tank was built to withstand ethanol, your only remedy may be to replace the tank with a non-reactive material such as aluminum. · Let it breathe: While ethanol does attract moisture, never try to plug up a fuel tank vent to prevent moist air from entering a tank. Without room to expand, the additional pressure could rupture fuel system components. · Portable gas tanks: Any un-mixed gas (without 2-cycle oil) remaining in portable tanks may be carefully poured into your automobile gas tank. However, if you do have to store gas over the winter in a portable tank, keep the tank out of the sun and in a well-ventilated area away from ignition sources, keeping in mind that gasoline fumes are heavier than air. Recent BoatU.S. Foundation tests of portable jerry jugs confirmed that over time, gasoline can evaporate through the walls of some plastic containers. · The good news: Next spring when you start the boating season you will already have a tank full of last year's gas, likely saving yourself some money on a fill up. BOATUS OFFERS EASY WAY TO EXPLORE NEW BOATING AND FISHING GROUNDS ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 11, 2008 - Are you bored with your local waterway? Trailer boat owners and anglers don't have to settle for the same old water or fishing holes thanks to a free, online BoatU.S. Launch Ramp Locator at http://www.BoatUS.com/Trailerclub The BoatU.S. Ramp Locator offers thousands of locations to launch a boat including municipal or state boat ramps, marinas, boat clubs, private sites and other locations that offer trailer boat access. "We don't just give you a ramp's address - we've included all of the important information you need to make a decision, whether you're looking for new weekend cruise location, a new fishing locale, or just thinking about venturing a little farther," said BoatU.S. Trailer Club Director Beth McCann. Trailer boaters and anglers can take advantage of the Locator's detailed boat launch site descriptions including parking information, hours of operation, boat size or motor restrictions, water depths, docking facilities, camping information, local services available, and contact information including Web site links and phone numbers. McCann also says if you know of a boat ramp location not listed, you can get free trailer ball hitch cover from the Club by submitting the information online. For anglers, fishing tips and species information as well as information on water depths and stocking programs are also included. The BoatU.S. Trailer Club is part of Boat Owners Association of The United States - the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters with 650,000 members. For $29 a year the Club offers 24 hour a day roadside assistance for boat trailer and tow vehicle breakdowns while towing, launch ramp fee rebates, and a subscription to BoatU.S. Trailering magazine, featuring information on towing techniques, how-to tips, trailer boating destinations from across North America and more. Go to http://www.BoatUS.com/Trailerclub or call 800-245-6923 for more information. If you are a boat-owning angler, you may find additional information at http://www.BoatUSAngler.com or by calling 866-906-0013. MIDSUMMER BOAT MAINTENANCE TIPS FROM BOATU.S. ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 6, 2008 - Seaworthy, the newsletter from BoatU.S. that helps boaters and anglers prevent damage to their vessels, recently looked into some of the more common reasons for on-the-water boat troubles that occur mid-season. "Preventive maintenance will help you avoid the headaches and keep your crew or fishing buddies comfortable and safe," says Seaworthy Editor Bob Adriance. "So going over the boat's systems in the spring is very important. But now after a couple months of use, it's time to look at things again. A midsummer check-up will ensure you make it back to home port without a problem." Here are some midsummer maintenance tips for both power and sailboats: · Through-hulls: Make a thorough check around any below-the-waterline hole or opening. Check all through-hulls for leaks and cycle seacocks to ensure they close properly. If it's hard to move the handle, make a note to service it next time the boat is out of the water. Any hose clamps should be tight and hose ends secure. A bilge pump cycle counter is a simple upgrade and the best early warning system that unwanted water is coming aboard. · Engine belts: For inboard engines, look in areas near the belts checking for evidence of black dust - a sure sign that engine pulleys need to be realigned and the belt replaced. Push on the longest run of the belt - it should not deflect more than one half inch. · Engine hoses: Squeeze coolant and fuel hoses with your hands, looking for softness, cracks or bulges. Replace any that are suspect. Wiggle the ends to ensure they are secure and inspect for any possible chafing issues in the engine compartment. · Sterndrives: Inspect the folds in the bellows and replace if they show signs of cracking. · Sacrificial zincs and anodes: A wasted zinc is a sure sign of trouble, possibly stray current at the dock. Ensure all zincs are no less than half gone - and replace them now if they are. · Control cables: Look for chafe, splits or swelling of the plastic jacket - a sure sign the cable needs replacement. · Outboard engine mounts: Smaller engines can sometimes vibrate loose, so re-tighten clamps and ensure the cut-off switch is operable. · Hydraulic steering system and trim tabs: Ensure reservoirs are full. If you have to add fluid, there is leak that must be fixed immediately. · Batteries and electrical system: Dead batteries are often nothing more than corroded connections - sandpaper can easily clean them up. With conventional batteries check water levels and add if necessary. Inspect cables and wiring for chafe, especially wherever they may pass through a bulkhead. · Shorepower cable: Look for burn marks on the plug ends and the connection to the boat. Replace both the plug and receptacle immediately if you find any. · Head: If your boat has a flushing toilet and its handle is getting hard to operate, you've likely got calcium buildup. Pour a cup of vinegar into bowl pumping only once or twice. Let it sit for one night before flushing with one-fourth cup of mineral oil. · On deck: Old, stiff, or chafed dock lines should be replaced. Also check anchor line and chain shackles and any splices. · Sailboats only: Look for any broken strands on standing rigging. You can find them by running a loose rag up the rigging, which will snag on any broken ends. Cracked swages are an indicator for immediate replacement. Contact a rigger if you suspect a problem. Running rigging also needs to be looked at - especially the roller furling line. · Trailers: Inspect bearings and ensure they are well packed with grease. Hydraulic brake reservoirs should be full. Lastly, check the tires for wear and ensure lugs are tight. AWARD WINNING LIFE JACKET LOANER PROGRAM Would You Like to Help Kids Stay Safe on the Water? ALEXANDRIA, VA, July 9, 2008 -- The easiest way to ensure a child's safety on the water is to make sure they wear a properly-fitting life jacket. But children's growth spurts or last minute changes to the roster of invited guests don't always make wearing a life jacket easy. Your marina, bait shop, fuel dock or boat club may be able to help next season as the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is looking for new locations to become lending sites for its free Life Jacket Loaner Program. Since the program was launched in 1997, at least three children's lives have been saved as a result of wearing a BoatU.S. Foundation life jacket. Over 90,000 life jackets are loaned out each year through the program, with demand up 22% in the last two years. The program was recently honored by the Partnership for a Safer Maryland as one of six leading injury prevention programs in the state. There is no cost to become a loaner site and presently over 350 clubs and businesses participate as Life Jacket Loaner Program sites. The loaner life jacket kit consists of 12 life jackets in a protective container, signage and easy-to-use sign-out sheets to track usage. Various sizes of jackets are included. To download an application to become a Life Jacket Loaner Program site or for more information on the program and the life jacket laws in your state, please visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/LJLP Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2008. If hosting a loaner site isn't for you, a tax-deductible donation can help. "The need for this program continues to grow each year and your donation will help parents keep their kids safe," said BoatU.S. Foundation President Ruth Wood. Ten dollars will buy one vest-style life jacket and $250 will create a completely new, fully stocked loaner site. Go to http:/www.BoatUS.com/Foundation to make your donation online or mail your donation to: Kids Jackets, BoatU.S. Foundation, 880 South Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304. The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit education and research organization primarily funded by the voluntary contributions of the 650,000 members of BoatU.S. The Foundation operates more than a dozen programs including the only accredited, free, online general boating safety course, a low-cost EPIRB rental program, the "Help Stop the Drops" national clean fueling campaign and has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for nonprofit groups for boating safety and environmental projects. DRAFT EPA PERMIT OPENS PANDORA'S BOX Citizen Lawsuits and Uncertain State Requirements Loom ALEXANDRIA, VA, July 1, 2008 - In response to a federal court order, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a draft permit for millions of recreational vessels for "normal operational discharges" that could open a Pandora's box of compliance problems and unfairly subject recreational boaters - including those who own canoes and kayaks - to potential nuisance lawsuits. The EPA draft puts boaters and anglers squarely under new Clean Water Act regulations that go into effect September 30, 2008. The permit requires boaters to comply with a set of worrisome national requirements as well as additional state requirements "to be determined." Penalties carry up to a $32,500 daily fine for each violation. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) is urging all boaters and anglers to contact their federal lawmakers to bring corrective legislation to the Senate and House floor for a full vote as soon as possible. The Clean Boating Act of 2008 - S. 2766 in the Senate and H.R. 5949 in the House of Representatives - would restore the federal exemption for recreational vessels for "normal operational discharges" that has been in existence for the past 35 years until the federal courts recently determined otherwise. "Boaters want clean waters and want to do their fair share, but the draft EPA permit unfairly burdens them with needless regulation," said BoatU.S. Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich. "The federal courts required EPA to draft a permitting regime that puts individual boaters under the same penalty system as corporate industries even though discharges from a rowing dinghy or motor boat are quite different than those from a large commercial ship with ballast water," said Podlich. The draft permit would allow the EPA, the U.S. Coast Guard, a state authority or some private contractor to inspect a boat and take discharge samples. If requested, a boater would be required to provide such government officials with information to determine permit compliance. "What may appear quite simple on the surface will be anything but in reality," said Podlich. "What happens if a neighbor - who perhaps may not appreciate boats - decides that you use too much biodegradable soap to wash your boat, witnesses an accidentally spilled orange juice draining out of the scuppers, or sees you wipe algae off the scum line? Under the present draft permit guidelines, all of these instances may be deemed a violation of the Clean Water Act," added Podlich. "Even topping off a fuel tank, which is recommended for winter storage of today's ethanol-laden gasoline, could be considered a violation," she added. Also included in the draft EPA permit is the onerous requirement that every state must approve the federal permit before this September 30. Each state may add on its own regulations, potentially creating multiple requirements for boaters cruising between states. After the initial permit this fall, the EPA will then outline for the states how they can implement their own permit systems, which could result in additional state modifications of the permit requirements as well as fees for boaters. To contact your federal legislators, learn more about the Clean Boating Act of 2008, or to make comments on the draft EPA permit by August 1 go to http://www.BoatBlue.org or http://www.BoatUS.com/gov BoatU.S. is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters with over 650,000 members. The Association has been working with the National Marine Manufacturers Association and other groups to seek a viable solution to the proposed EPA draft permitting system. BOATU.S. ANGLER NOW OFFERS PROFESSIONAL FISHING GUIDE INSURANCE ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 19, 2008 - BoatU.S. Angler, part of BoatU.S., with more than 650,000 members nationwide, now offers a commercial guide insurance policy for fishing guides to meet their unique boating needs. "We know that a guide's boat and equipment are essential to success," said Michael Pellerin, director of the BoatU.S. Angler program. "That's why we developed a commercial guide's policy that not only meets the unique needs of boating, but includes the best protection for the other aspects of his or her business. It covers both personal and commercial use, including tournaments." Coverage is available for boats under 24 feet operating with up to three guests. Policy features include: · Agreed value coverage for boat, engine and trailer. In addition, 24-hour emergency dispatch for fire, sinking, fuel spill, even roadside accidents and quick claims service is included. BoatU.S. Angler is a new program from the nation's largest association of recreational boaters whose mission is to protect the interests of boat-owning anglers, increase boating safety, provide consumer assistance and ensure fishing remains worry-free. For more information, call (866) 532-1829 or visit online at http://www.BoatUSAngler.com/insurance About Us | Contacting Us | Rates and Reservations | Directions | FAQ | Fishing Report & Tides | Articles & Tips | Skeeter Boats for Sale | Photo Album | Client Comments | Sponsors | Corporate Trips |
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