boating safety

Despite all the jokes revolving around beer-soaked boat rides, boats and booze don't always mix well. Having an alcoholic drink or two is all right if you're not the one at the helm, but even for passengers, overindulgence on the water isn't wise for safety's sake. Alcohol slows down reflexes and can play havoc with your balance. If you choose to drink alcohol while on the boat, please don't drive or operate any watercraft. It's not only dangerous, but also illegal. Don't let a bad decision ruin a good time.

Summer! It's finally time for long, sunny days, warm weather - and storms, which can cause more damage than just wet clothes and dampened spirits. Strong winds can whip up waves to dangerous heights, and lightning can be lethal.

Save 10% on boat deck and floor hatches, escape and ventilation hatches, portlights, and storage boxes through November 25, 2018! How many of us have caught wind of trouble and said, "Batten down the hatches"? We know we have. It's something we say and hear often, but have you ever thought of where the expression comes from?

Save 10% on all watersports equipment through July 8, 2018!  You haven't lived the lake life until you've been tubing. Getting wet, catching air, and wiping out - it's all part of the fun. Like any activity in and around water, safety must come first. Sadly, it's all too easy for carelessness to turn a day on the water into a tragedy.

Save 10% on escape and ventilation hatches, portlights, deck hatches, and storage boxes through April 28, 2018! Don't settle for a gloomy galley or shadowy staterooms. With the right hatches and portlights - at the right price - you can fill your boat cabin with natural light and fresh air.

What a beautiful October! The sun has been shining warm and bright here on the shore of Lake Michigan, but we know colder days lie not far ahead. Our thoughts turn to protecting our beautiful, beloved boats, tucking them in for their winter nap after another fun-filled summer. Behind all the warm-and-fuzzy metaphors, however, is some hard work: winterization.

When facing something as mighty and unpredictable as the sea, sailors and fishermen have long sought ways to tip the odds in their favor. Since ancient times, superstitions have surrounded boating. In honor of Friday the Thirteenth, we've compiled thirteen spooky boating superstitions and traditions. Do you observe any of these?

Like anything people wear, life jackets can get dirty and even wear out. While personal flotation devices (PFDs) are easy to clean and maintain, there might be a few details you haven't thought about before. Read on for how to clean, dry, and store this important boat equipment, and what to do when mildew strikes.

The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1, but Mother Nature started weeks ahead of schedule with Tropical Storm Arlene back in April. Though Arlene stayed out to sea, we can't count on being so lucky all season. The latest Pacific temperature data is trending towards El Niáo, but the water is not yet warm enough to qualify. The researchers at Colorado State University's Tropical Meteorology Project have revised their earlier forecast and are now predicting 13 named storms this season.

Memorial Day in the USA is the unofficial beginning of summer, kicking off the warm-weather party season. You don't need a big yacht to host a boat party, and you don't have to be Martha Stewart to throw a fun, flavorful, and safe party that your boating buddies will remember for a long time.