I used my 11' Boston Whaler as a dinghy for many sailing trips to the Bahamas. It was a great dinghy for fishing and lobstering, but a hard-hull dinghy this large does have drawbacks. I used to have an 11' Boston Whaler which was used as a dinghy … [Read more...]
Dinghy Towing Equipment and Techniques
Selecting and Using the Dinghy Tow Line A stainless steel snap hook like this one makes it easy to attach your dinghy tow line. Floating plastic 3 strand rope makes a great dinghy tow line. A 3 strand nylon line works quite well too, but … [Read more...]
A Boat, or an Experimental Hydro Rocket? You decide…
My HydraSports (aka Experimental Hydro Rocket II) after Hurricane Andrew Shop: Remote Control (RC) Flying Rocket Ever wanted to fly a remote control rocket? Now you can pilot your very own rc rocket. These rc toys will have you soaring to … [Read more...]
New Power Tilt and Trim for a Boston Whaler
The hydraulic tilt and trim on my Boston Whaler's Merc 70 Q: How many sailors does it take to screw in a lightbulb?A: It's cheaper to sit in the dark. When we first bought our 1989 Boston Whaler 15, there was a slow leak in the … [Read more...]
The Catalina Expo 12.5: A Review
The Catalina Expo 12.5 Reviewed May 2007 I took the Catalina Expo 12.5 out for small boat sailing day with the Punta Gorda Sailing Club and learned a bit more about how the boat likes to sail in light air. On the way out, I passed one of … [Read more...]
What Should Be In Your Small Boat Marine Toolkit
Marine Tool Kit With First Aid Supplies for Small Boats Selecting Your Marine Toolbox First, if you want a waterproof marine tool box, get one that is also airtight. I've used a "waterproof" marine tool kit on small boats, and most are merely water … [Read more...]
Kayaking into a Dolphin Feeding Frenzy
The area in Charlotte Harbor where I paddled into a dolphin feeding frenzy. This pic was taken while I was out in my blue racing kayak. I didn't dare get out my camera while I was in the midst of the dolphins that day. A mother dolphin and her baby. … [Read more...]
Never Let Go – The First Rule of Boating Safety
Never Let Go of the Boat Not Even for a Split Second A group of us had gone out spearfishing off the Berry Islands in my friend's inflatable dinghy. I had left my swim fins in our boat. No problem, I would stay in the boat and pick up fish … [Read more...]
Securing Your Boat Safely For a Hurricane
This picture shows why you remove all canvas from the boat before the hurricane. The canvas on this boat's t-top was heavy-weight and well-stitched; the canvas suffered no damage. The T-top frame, however, is another story; because the canvas didn't … [Read more...]
Wakejumping at Stiltsville
Wakejumping and Boat Insurance Agents When I was a teenager, we were sometimes invited to parties at Stiltsville houses. Stiltsville is a group of houses built on stilts out in Biscayne Bay south of Key Biscayne. The houses sit in shallow … [Read more...]