Monthly Archives: August 2016

Editor's Note: We wrote this article for the July issue of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt, and the good people at that magazine have granted us permission to repost it. Many thanks! What's more fun than a trampoline in the backyard? How about a trampoline in the water? If you've visited Destin, Florida, you've probably seen the Crab Island Water Park on Destin's famous sand bar and party spot. Fun for kids of all ages, it's made up of inflatable slides, balance beams, and trampolines. [caption id="attachment_171" align="aligncenter" width="315"] Photo: Destin Vacation Boat Rentals[/caption] Like a swim raft, a water trampoline must be anchored in water of a safe depth. The manufacturer Rave Sports recommends smaller trampolines for shallow water. Larger trampolines provide a bigger bounce and, consequently, a deeper plunge into the water, so anchoring a big trampoline in deep water is important to keep jumpers safe. Unanchored, a water trampoline makes a free-floating raft with space for

You're cruising along your favorite lake or river, and you feel a little bump. The boat keeps running just fine, but when you get back to the dock, you check your propeller and find you've cracked or bent a blade. The damage might not look too bad, but even a little crack in a propeller blade can negatively impact performance, reduce fuel efficiency, and cause costly damage to the engine itself. In this instance as in so many others, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: Install a new propeller as soon possible. Choose wisely. Aluminum propellers are affordable, but for durability, you can't beat stainless steel. Steel props also are reputed to be faster, adding as much as 3 knots in speed. Large boats and motor yachts with inboard motors frequently use nibral propellers, made of a nickel-brass-aluminum alloy. Make sure the propeller you choose is suitable for your motor. If in doubt, consult your local prop shop (or call Great Lakes Skipper customer service)