Buying Your Own “Hole In The Water” Part 2

Become A Boat Detective

Whether you employ a surveyor or not, you should know some of the things to look for if you have decided to buy a used boat. A keen eye, a good ear and a checklist will lead you to potential problems. Some of the things to look for are:

• Mismatched paint. This could indicate that the boat has been in an accident and had repairs made. Although this in and of itself may not disqualify the boat, if you were not told of the repairs what else might you not have been told about?
• Does the keel run true in a straight line fore and aft? Is is straight horizontally?
• Do you see any apparent water lines inside the boat or on the engine. Look for a line that separates a rust free area on the engine and an lower area with a lot of rust. This could indicate that the boat took on water.
• On an inboard, does the shaft turn true or does it wobble? What about the prop – any nicks or cracks?
• Take hold of the prop and try to move it up and down and sideways. You should not be able to move it much. If you can, you have a worn cutlass bearing.
• Take a small rubber or phenol hammer and lightly tap the hull moving around the boat. If you hear voids in the fiberglass, that could be a problem of repairs, blisters, or delamination.
• Walk around the decks and on the bow – you shouldn’t find soft spots.
• How are the floors inside? Any soft spots?
• Is the steering free and easy to move?
• Is the upholstery in good shape?
• Check around hatches and windows – do you see water stains inside? If so, these will have to be rebedded to keep the rain and spray out.
• Is there any musty/moldy smell inside? This could indicate leakage, prior water damage or simply neglect.
• Make sure it is legal with all required equipment.
• Are the handrails bolted through and not just screwed to the surface? Are they secure?
• Look at the transom and check the hull identification number. Does it look like it has been modified? Does it match the number on the registration and or title.
• When you start the engine do you have good water flow?
• Check belts and hoses for cracks or wear. Even with low hours on an engine(s), rubber deteriorates just sitting.
• Check the oil and instead of wiping the stick with a cloth use your fingers, do you feel any grit? What is the color? How does it smell? Does it smell burned. You might want to send a sample of it and the transmission fluid to a lab for testing.
• Check the transmission fluid with the same process as the oil.
• Check the impeller and while you are looking at it throw it away and replace it with a new one.
• Check the strainer(s) for debris and clean if necessary.
• Test the seacocks to make sure they open and close.
• Does the transmission shift easily or does it “clunk?”
• See if you can get the maintenance records and review how the boat has been maintained in the past. Also look for reccurring problems.
• See if you can find the previous owner(s) and ask about the boat.
• Check both the BUC and NADA books to determine value range for this model and year. You can get these books at any boat dealer or a bank that does boat loans.
• If you are looking at an inboard/outboard make sure the tilt motor works properly.
• If you are looking at an outboard look under the cover for excessive corrosion.

This should keep you busy for a while and frustrate the seller, but I’ve seen too many people burned by what appears to be a good deal. Like anything else, if it appears to be too good to be true it probably is.

This is just a quick list of things to consider when contemplating the purchase of a boat. It’s not meant to take the place of employing the services of a qualified marine surveyor. A professional surveyor will check far more areas than we have the space to discuss here.

No matter where you buy your boat, remember that you, as skipper, are responsible for having the required safety equipment which is determined by the class of your boat. Do not assume your boat came from the showroom or factory with proper navigation lights, etc.

To Buy Or Not To Buy – That Is The Question

Many times it just doesn’t make sense to own a boat when you can lease, rent or charter one. Several years ago, when I was the proud owner of a large sail boat, my marine insurance policy was up for renewal. Unfortunately, I was also the owner of a career and, as many of us tend to do, was absorbed in my work and rarely had time to use the boat. When my insurance bill came, I thought perhaps I should calculate how much this asset, that I was neglecting, was costing me. During the prior two years the boat cost approximately $6,000 every time I used it. I immediately became a motivated seller, since I knew I could charter the same boat in the Caribbean for about $3,000.

There is much more to the expense of owning a boat than just the 20 percent down payment. You need to consider all the factors to get a complete picture of how big that hole in the water really is. The following worksheet should help put things in focus.

ITEM	ANNUAL COST
Monthly Payments X 12	$
Registration Fees	$
Equipment	$
Insurance	$
Trailer Registration	$
Dock Fees	$
Maintenance/Repairs	$
Taxes	$
Fuel and Oil	$
Winter Storage (if needed)	$
Total	$

Now that you have estimated the cost of ownership, shop around and price renting, leasing, and chartering. If the use of your boat is limited by season or other factors, it may be the wiser choice.

Now that I have thoroughly frustrated and confused you on the ups and downs of boat ownership, don’t be discouraged. Owning and caring for a boat can be a very pleasant experience. It can be a relaxing diversion from an otherwise hectic world. It is a sport in which the whole family can participate.

An important note to end on: when you do become a new or used boat owner, be sure to take a boating safety course. Make sure that everyone who will be riding in or operating the boat takes a boating safety course as well. If you are a family of boaters, take the course together. You might be surprised at what you don’t know.

Buying Your Own “Hole In The Water” Part 1

With all the boat shows popping up across the country this winter, I thought I should touch on the do’s and don’ts of boat ownership. This series of articles will be posted in three parts in order to give you time to absorb all the information offered.

The two most widely-used sayings about boats are that they are “holes in the water, into which you throw money” and “the happiest day of a boat owner’s life is the day they buy the boat and the day they sell it.” Although many people believe these axioms are true, they don’t necessarily have to be if you approach boat ownership with an understanding of what is involved.

Look Before You Leap

Many people are unhappy boat owners because they buy the wrong boat. Before you dive head first into the world of boat ownership, ask yourself a few questions that will help you focus on the kind of boat you will need.

• Who will use the boat? Just family or will you invite friends? This may have a bearing on the size.
• How will you use the boat? Will you be fishing, water skiing, cruising, taking day trips, weekend trips or week long excursions?
• When, and how often, will the boat be used? Do you boat year-round or only seasonally?
• Where will you operate the boat? In lakes, rivers, bays, or on the ocean?
• How much can you afford to spend? Don’t forget the initial cost of purchase is just the beginning. There will be maintenance, insurance, registration fees and instruction and safety course fees.
• What type of boat suits your personality and temperament? Do you imagine getting from place to place with great speed or leisurely sailing to your destination?

Become An Old Salt

I’m sure there are many books on the subject of buying a boat that you could probably get at your local library or book store. Learn the terminology of boating, hang out at the local marina and talk to people about boats. By talking to boat owners you will find out what problems they have encountered and how different kinds of boats handle. You’ll also find what features they like and dislike.

When looking for a boat you will want to consider it in terms of:

• Safety
• Physical Condition
• Options and accessories
• Looks
• Performance
• Cost

New vs. Used

A brand, spankin’ new boat can be beautiful to look at but you should be aware that it can also have its own problems. Sure it’s under warranty and you don’t personally have to spend time on maintenance and repairs. However, you can’t use the boat when it is in the being repaired.

I could tell you a long story here but I’ll try to keep it short. I was recently employed by a very nice, and very inexperienced, couple to give private lessons on their brand new 42′ sportfishing boat. (I will not give the manufacturer’s name or that of the broker, who was to prepare and deliver the boat, in order to protect the guilty.)

This was a one-half million dollar boat and the new owners paid the broker $26,000 for prep and delivery, not to mention the $50,000 commission. Needless to say, the two weeks of training turned out to be less than ideal when the boat was continually torn apart to fix one thing after another.

Just to give you a feel for the disaster, some examples were:

• Electronics not installed
• Refrigeration did not work
• Generator would not start
• Boat was delivered with practically no fuel although the contract called for full tanks
• Shaft logs squealed to high heaven
• Stereo did not work
• …I could go on but I think you get the point

Needless to say, this couple were on the verge of getting out of boating before they got started. The point is, although a new boat is something to be treasured, it may be wise to at least consider a used boat.

Used boats don’t come without problems either and to find that perfect one can be a time consuming headache. If you are spending a considerable amount of money on a boat you might want to consider having it surveyed by a qualified marine surveyor. I stress qualified because at this time anyone can call themselves a marine surveyor. Ask at the local marina for a recommendation and make sure that they are a member of either, or both, of the marine surveyor associations. You can call the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors – SAMS and they can recommend a surveyor in your area.

BoatU.S. Annual List of Top Ten Boat Names

“Bail Out” makes list of top ten boat names in 2009.

Boat names can reveal much about the personality of a boat owner. Or, they can also serve as signposts of the modern era. With the release of the annual Top Ten List of Most Popular Boat Names by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.), one newcomer to the list stands out. “Bail Out”, the number five pick, clearly speaks volumes about what’s on boaters’ minds,” said BoatU.S. President Nancy Michelman. “With today’s economic uncertainty, naming a boat “Bail Out” could indicate that boating is a survival mechanism for the family that will keep them afloat,” she added.

Top Ten Names for 2009

1. Second Wind
2. Seas the Day
3. Lazy Daze
4. Jolly Roger
5. Bail Out
6. On the Rocks
7. Pegasus
8. Serenity Now
9. Namaste
10. Comfortably Numb

A list with the annual top ten boat names, starting from 1991, can also be found at the BoatUS  Web site.

KEY WEST BOAT SHOW AND NAUTICAL MARKET

Since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Tuesday, looks like there are at least six more weeks of winter. In the meantime if it is too cold to boat, especially in the north-east, why not improve your attitude by changing your latitude and head to the Boat Show and Nautical Market in Key West Florida.

Since merchants and seafarers first settled the island, tall ships, fishing vessels, work boats and pleasure craft have used and enjoyed the Key West waters. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27-28, modern-day boating fans can continue that seafaring tradition at the Rotary Club of Key West’s eighth annual Boat Show & Nautical Market.

The free family friendly show takes place along the island city’s Truman Waterfront from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

At the quarter-mile-long nautical market, attendees will find a large selection of new and used boats from leading Florida Keys boat dealers as well as quality marine equipment, rods and reels, arts and crafts, and even nautical clothing.

Kids in attendance can take part in the “Fish Florida” program that provides free rods, reels and tackle boxes. They receive their gear after participating in an educational program, set for approximately 10:30 a.m. each day, that focuses on responsible angling, bait and tackle, knot tying, equipment and casting.

Proceeds from the boat show benefit the Rotary Club of Key West’s scholarship fund.

After enjoying the Boat Show and Nautical Market, stroll over to the end of William Street to the Schooner Wharf Bar for a dolphin sandwich an adult beverage and some great entertainment from Michael McCloud and Friends. http://www.schoonerwharf.com/

For more information, visit www.keywestboatshow.com.

Fatal fish virus found in Lake Superior

VHS Virus

Researchers say a fatal fish virus, Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), has been found in Lake Superior meaning it has now spread to all the great lakes.

This week, Cornell University reported it had found trace amounts of VHS in samples taken from four sites in Lake Superior. VHS is not a health risk to humans but it can infect a number of native fish species, causing them to bleed to death.

The DNR says there is no evidence of a wide-spread outbreak in Lake Superior, and news of the disease won’t change state VHS rules. But the DNR says it does put an emphasis on the need to follow those rules.

Most important is a ban on harvesting minnows from Lake Superior, along with the requirement that no live fish be moved away from the lake. There is no way to eliminate or stop the spread of VHS, but everyone can play a role in slowing the spread. Statewide boaters and anglers are required to drain all water from fishing and boating equipment when leaving a lake. The DNR says this is one of the most common ways VHS is spread. “VHS has spread from Lake Michigan, now we’re finding it in Lake Superior, we found it in Lake Winnebago prior to that and it can be spread fairly easily,” said Bob Hujik, a Fish Team Supervisor with the DNR. “Especially by boaters with water in their live wells or through live fish.”

VHS has been found in 28 freshwater fish species within the great lakes since 2005. The DNR says it has the potential to wipe out entire fish populations.

In Florida, boating safety education is not optional

Slightly Aground

The following report, courtesy of the St. Petersburg Times, prompts me to put on my accident investigator’s hat once more. Although I was not present at the time and have not reviewed the formal accident report, any experienced boater could make some assumptions as to what happened. Besides ignoring the mandatory education law, it is apparent that there was not a proper look-out and both vessels were operating at excessive speed for the conditions i.e. nightime operations. Additionally, since over 30% of fatal accidents involve alcohol, my guess would be that this was also the case in these incidences.

St. Petersburg Times Editorial – In Print: Saturday, January 30, 2010

On dark bay waters one night last October, two boaters blindly crashed into water hazards. The first injured a man, a woman and two young children when their boat struck a jetty at Weedon Island around 9:30 p.m. Two hours later, five teenagers in a 22-foot boat failed to see another obscure jetty at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg. One teen was killed.

Last week, the city of St. Petersburg demolished the airport jetty that had been there for 80 years. But that only eliminates one hidden obstacle in local waters. Boaters, too, have a responsibility here, as these two crashes show.

At the time of the accidents, state law called for anyone 21 or younger to pass a boating safety course and get a boating safety education card before they could drive a power boat. Investigators for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said neither operator in the two accidents on Tampa Bay last October had one. That is all too common.

In 2008, the commission reports, there were 77 fatal boating accidents in Florida, and in 93 percent of them the boater had not passed the safety course. Now that should be changing.

Effective this year, anyone born Jan. 1, 1988, or later (with a few exceptions) must pass a state-approved boater safety course before they can operate a power boat or personal watercraft. The full impact of this will take several years. As that fixed date slips further into the past, the law will apply to more boaters until eventually every boater is covered. As the two wrecks above grimly illustrate, it is important to know what you’re doing.

The training emphasizes basics — wear a life vest, watch for other boats and stay out of their way. There also are some Florida-specific lessons that even experienced boaters from out-of-state may not know.

With pilings, rocks, piers and jetties, there are enough hazards in local waters. Don’t add ignorance to the list.

FWC Promotes Boating Safety At Super Bowl Events

Florida Marine Patrol Boat

Be smart and safe outdoors. That’s the message the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will promote at 2010 South Florida Super Bowl celebrations.

FWC law enforcement officers will be on hand for two of the events: the Kids Fishing Classic which was held Jan. 30 and the Super Celebrity Fishing Classic Feb. 3. Officers will educate participants on boating safety basics, such as wearing a life jacket, maintaining proper lookout and developing a float plan.

“I encourage all participants, experienced or inexperienced boaters, to stop and chat with our officers. Everyone can use a refresher on boating safety. It’s a matter of personal responsibility,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto, who is also chairman of the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee.

The Super Celebrity Fishing Classic will celebrate the lives of three athletes, tragically killed last year when their boat capsized in the Gulf of Mexico. The lone survivor of the accident will be on hand at the event. Proceeds from the event will go to the victims’ families’ charities of choice.

The Kids Fishing Classic was a day of fun for more than 150 inner-city kids. Some of them have never been on a boat, let alone fished.

“Kids learned how they can help conserve nature by catching and releasing fish,” Barreto said.

For more information on boating safety, visit http://myfwc.com/recreation/boat_index.htm.

For more information on the South Florida Super Bowl, visit http://www.southfloridasuperbowl.com/.

Relieve Cabin Fever with a Good Read This Winter

Now that the holidays are over and it’s too cold to enjoy boating to its full extent, why not keep your boating skills sharp through reading and re-education.

For some heavy reading, the consummate compendium on boating and seamanship is “Chapman Piloting,” the 66th edition published by Hearst Marine Books. This comprehensive resource is recommended by both the U.S. Power Squadron and the USCG Auxiliary as a reference.

“Chapman Piloting” covers all the basic topics of boating and seamanship (weather, handling, docking, anchoring, knots, etc.), a broad review of related information, and the etiquette of proper boating, including flag display and dockside behavior.

I would recommend this publication to any boater, new or experienced, who is interested in pursuing the details of boating and seamanship. It makes a complete library almost by itself.

Chapman Piloting : Seamanship & Small Boat Handling (66th Edition)
by Elbert S. Maloney, Charles Frederic Chapman, Published by Hearst Books, Reviewed by: Dr. Steve Batson
You can order Chapman Piloting from amazon.com right now

If you have been following the BoatSafe Blog, you know that I have published a couple of articles warning of the dangers of relying solely on GPS as your primary navigation source. Why not use the winter to learn or relearn additional navigation skills, to get you from one place to another without depending on GPS?

The Nautical Know How navigation course is a combination of a printed text/workbook for home study, sample and real time chart work, online animated demonstrations and testing, and email instructor assistance.

Topics covered in the course include:

Introduction to Navigation Understanding Latitude & Longitude Reading the Nautical Chart Finding Latitude, Longitude & Distance Finding Direction Distance, Speed & Time Calculations Getting to Know Your Magnetic Compass Dead Reckoning

Two & Three Bearing Fixes Running Fixes Finding Set & Drift Estimated Position Finding Course to Steer Finding Relative Bearings Tide and Current Calculations Publications: Coast Pilot, Light List, Local Notice to Mariners Publication Excerpts Putting It All Together Final Exam

For additional information and to order the course go to: http://boatsafe.com/navigation/index.htm

If you’re more in a philosophical mood you might want to check out the following:

First You Have to Row a Little Boat : Reflections on Life & Living
by Richard Bode
Jon Ayers sends the following review:

It’s really a book about life, in which the author relates what he learned through his experiences with small boats while growing up on the south shore of Long Island, and how those experiences guided him later in life.

In a questionnaire sent three years ago to all owners of Nonsuch yachts, which generated some 300 responses, this book was mentioned as a favorite more than any other.
It’s what I would call a ‘dear’ book, in that there is no single overpowering message, but when you finish it, you realize that you have thought a great deal about your own life. You can order this book from Amazon.com

If your boat sports an outboard motor you might want to read: The Outboard Boater’s Handbook : Advanced Seamanship and Practical Skills by David R. Getchell , Sr. (Editor)
Owners of larger boats have their bibles, but, until now, outboard boaters have been neglected. This comprehensive manual shows you how to go places and do things you never thought possible in a small outboard motorboat. Covers all the popular types – and some alternative craft – as well as methods that might change your entire boating outlook.
Topics include

• judging a boat’s potential based on design and construction
• how to upgrade an older boat
• how to handle a little boat in big seas, surf or shallow water
• how to navigate
• how to read the weather
• how to head upriver or offshore
• how to trailer your boat
• how to manage and equip it for camp cruising
• how to care for boat and motor

You can order The Outboard Boater’s Handbook from amazon.com

When a Loose Cannon Flogs a Dead Horse There’s the Devil to Pay : Seafaring Words in Everyday Speech

by Olivia A. Isil, Paperback, Published by Intl Marine Pub

Ever wondered about the origin of big-wig, flogging a dead horse, mind your P’s and Q’s, or three sheets to the wind? These commonly used colloquialisms all have nautical backgrounds and entertaining histories. This collection of more than 250 of these fascinating words and phrases also includes yarns, legends, superstitions, weather lore, poetry, rhymes, songs, and more.

You can order When a Loose Canon Flogs a Dead Horse from amazon.com

For other books recommended by http://boatsafe.com visit:

http://boatsafe.com/books/booklist.htm

Grouper Fishing Ban Hits The Florida Keys Economy

KEY WEST, Fla. (UPI) A temporary ban on grouper fishing will bring economic hardship onto the Florida Keys during its peak tourism season, fishermen say.

The four-month ban went into effect Jan. 1 and is meant to protect the grouper fishery, which wildlife officials say has been over-fished and is now in danger. But Keys commercial fishermen and charter boat captains who take tourists on grouper expeditions say the ban will be economically devastating, The Miami Herald reported Sunday.

“This couldn’t come at a worse time,” Key West charter boat owner Andy Griffiths told the newspaper. “My business already is off 80 percent because of the economy.”

“It’s a bitter choice between sustaining the fishery or sustaining someone’s livelihood,” added Andy McDonald, the wholesale manager at the Islamorada Fish Co. “But if you don’t sustain the fishery, there will be no livelihood.”

The Herald said the ban bars commercial and recreational fishermen from keeping shallow-water grouper such as gag, black, red and yellow fin — caught in federal and state Atlantic Ocean waters from North Carolina to Key West. It comes as the fishing industry is already reportedly reeling because of low demand and low prices for their spiny lobster and stone crab products.

The DUKW Then and Today

The DUKW (popularly pronounced “duck”) is a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck that was designed by General Motors Corporation during World War II for transporting goods and troops over land and water and for use approaching and crossing beaches in amphibious attacks.

The designation of DUKW is not a military acronym, the name comes from the model naming terminology used by GMC; the D indicates a vehicle designed in 1942, the U meant “utility (amphibious)”, the K indicated all-wheel drive and the W indicated two powered rear axles.

Although technically a misnomer, DUKWs are often referred to as duck boats. Another popular nickname was old magoo or simply magoo. Though the origin of this term is unknown, it probably refers to the odd shape of the vehicle.

Developed by the National Defense Research Committee and the Office of Scientific Research and Development, it was initially rejected by the armed services. When a United States Coast Guard patrol craft ran aground on a sandbar near Provincetown, Massachusetts, an experimental DUKW happened to be in the area for a demonstration. Winds up to 60 knots, rain, and heavy surf prevented conventional craft from rescuing the seven stranded Coast Guardsmen, but the DUKW had no trouble, and the military opposition melted. The DUKW would later prove its seaworthiness by crossing the English Channel.

The DUKW was the first vehicle to allow the driver to vary the tire pressure from inside the cab. The tires could be fully inflated for hard surfaces such as roads and less inflated for softer surfaces, especially beach sand. This added to the DUKW’s great versatility as an amphibious vehicle. This feature is now standard on many military vehicles.

Ducks on the Delaware River

DUKWs are still in use, as well as purpose-built amphibious tour buses, primarily as tourist transport in harbor and river cities, including but not limited to: Seattle; Philadelphia; Cincinnati; Pittsburgh; Chattanooga; Nashville; Boston; Branson, Missouri; Grapevine, Texas; Saugatuck, Michigan; Liverpool; London; Dublin, Ireland; Rotorua, New Zealand; Belgian coast (Blankenberge, Koksijde) ; The Netherlands; Singapore; Washington, D.C.; Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta, Georgia; and Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

The first “duck tour” company was started in 1946 by Mel Flath in Milwaukee, WI. He moved his tour to Wisconsin Dells shortly thereafter. His company has changed ownership since, but is still in operation under the name Original Wisconsin Ducks. His family continues to operate a duck company called the Dells Army Ducks in the Wisconsin Dells Area. One well-established tour operator in the United States is Ride the Ducks. However, the vehicles used are not Army Surplus DUKWs, as used by many other companies, but are rather designed and built from the ground up by Ride The Ducks.

For info on Ride the Ducks Philadelphia go to: http://www.phillyducks.com/experience-fun/