ShipStore.com Beacon: The January Boater
Issue 64, January 14 2005
http://www.ShipStore.com
Floating your boat since 1982 TM


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IN THIS ISSUE:
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~ WELCOME ABOARD: Greetings from Captain Jim
~ CAPTAIN'S TIP: The January Boater
~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: "The January Boater" Specials
~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree" Drawing

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~ WELCOME ABOARD: Greetings from Captain Jim
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Sorry! Last week we accidentally sent out the newsletter twice. Thank you to everyone who let us know, almost immediately. It's good to know we have so many attentive subscribers!

Last week's Beacon, "New Year's Resolutions" [ http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/NEWS/NEWSbeacon063.html ] solicited lots of feedback, everything from pats on the back (thank you) to strong feelings and advice about HTML newsletters.

We want to know what you want, and the HTML versus text format newsletter debate has been ongoing. What do you think? George had originally pushed for the HTML format because he felt that photos are often far more user-friendly than blocks of text. Within the last year or so the industry seems to have pretty much gone to HTML across the board now that most users are using mail browsers that are HTML-enabled. Our developer, Mark Engelhardt, recently announced that he was ready for the transition. We'd love your feedback. What format would you like?

Captain Jim
captjim@shipstore.com

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~ CAPTAIN'S TIP: The January Boater
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It was about a week into the new year, and I was eating lunch overlooking Lake Champlain. It was a beautiful day. Not too chilly, blue sky, sunshine, a foot or so of snow on the ground. And a fishing boat trolling north through the narrows...

Double take!

I grabbed a pair of binoculars which are used mostly for watching bald eagles this time of year and verified that there was in fact about a twenty foot boat making it's way through a slight chop. Nobody was visible on board, but there was a bimini top obscuring the helm, and I suppose the diehard boater was tucked in there for warmth.

For those of you not familiar with our North Country winters, I assure you that this is a highly unusual site in January. Field Bay, just north of us on the Vermont shore, was already frozen solid. The local ice fishermen were already getting their shanties outfitted and ready for the lake to freeze. We've been sledding, snowshoeing and skiing for weeks. In short, we're in the middle of winter, albeit a slightly milder winter than many we've experienced in the past.

One part of me was deeply envious of the brave captain enjoying the lake all to himself. I've long loved the early spring and late fall boating days. There's an intimacy with the water and the environment that is less apparent when you share the experience with other boaters. In recent years my wife and I have tried to extend the boating season on both ends in an effort to take advantage of those idyllic conditions. Although conventional wisdom murmurs something about a three month boating season (if you're lucky) in these northern climes, we've enjoyed pretty close to a six month boating season for the last couple of years, May through October. The waterskiing conditions in October of 2004 were some of the best I've ever known. On the other hand, this past fall our ambition bruised us. We returned from a trip in early October to find out that the Ski Nautique had nearly sunk, and had had to be rescued, pumped out, and nursed back to health. Lesson learned: when leaving the boat unattended for an extended period in the fall, we'd better make certain it can't sink!

Which brings me to the second reaction to the January boater. In addition to a pang of envy, I was concerned for his (her?) safety. This is a big lake, and he was at least half a mile from the nearest shore. Even an able swimmer wouldn't last long in these frigid waters. And, since there's nobody else on the lake, rescue would inevitably be slow at best. An overactive imagination could dream up all sorts of horrible emergencies that could befall the January boater on Lake Champlain.

But instead of scheming up horror stories, let's consider some important reminders for boaters during the winter. Whether or not you've continued using your boat during the chilly months, winter's a great time to give your boat a thorough inspection.

Examine your boat, engine and trailer for problems that may have developed during the boating season as well as new problems just becoming apparent. Fiberglass boats should be inspected for hull blisters, chips, and cracks. Check through-hull fittings and scuppers for clogging and/or leaking, and look for stress cracks in the transom. Test out all of your hardware, looking for abrasion, worn threads, loose fittings, etc. Tighten engine mounting hardware which is particularly susceptible to loosening due to vibration. Check your skeg(s) and/or rudder for damage and determine whether or not it's time to replace your zincs. Check lubricants, fuel tank and other fluids. Consider applying a corrosion protectant to all metal surfaces. Inspect the trailer for welding cracks and rust damage; functional lights and functional, well lubricated bearings; and ensure that the tires are still in good condition and fully inflated.

Review our "Mid-Winter Boat Check-Up" for more suggestions:

http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/NEWS/NEWSbeacon028.html

If you have continued to use your boat during the winter, I suggest you read "Ten Tips to Stay Safe During Severe Winter Weather":

http://sailing.about.com/b/a/139013.htm

This article, published at About.com, comes from a press release issued by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. It offers excellent instructions for how to stack the odds in your favor if you just can't wait until springtime to get back out on the water. I just hope the lone boater who puttered past my window read "Ten Tips to Stay Safe During Severe Winter Weather"! Enjoy the rest of January.

George Davis, Beacon Editor
editor@shipstore.com

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~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: January Boater Clearance
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KENT Adult life jackets with storage bag (4 each)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/KEN/KEN420719.html

Sevylor Youth Life Vest: 50-90 pounds
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD407D.html

Sevylor Child Life Vest: 30-50 pounds
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD418D.html

Sevylor Life Vest: 32-36 inch chest
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD600.html

Sevylor Life Vest: 36-40 inch chest ()
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD610.html

Sevylor Life Vest: 40-45 inch chest ()
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD620.html

Sevylor Life Vest: 45-50 inch chest ()
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD630.html

Sevylor Life Vest: 50-55 inch chest ()
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD640.html

Adult Life Vest: 42-58 inch chest ()
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD800.html

Sevylor HF Adult Life Vest: 32-40 inch chest ()
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD801.html

Adult Paddler Life Vest: 32-42 inch chest
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD995.html

Adult Paddler Life Vest: 42-52 inch chest
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEV/SEVPFD996.html

Comfort Series Boating Vest BLUE, SMALL
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE2220BLUSM.html

GLO-BUG Childs Heads-Up Life Vest
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE3002GLO.html

Child's Heads Up Vest (PFD), Orange
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE3002ORG.html

Childs Heads Up Life Vest PFD, Assorted Patterns
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE3002P.html

Scooby-Doo Childs Heads Up Vest
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE3002SDM.html

Child Heads Up Vest Taz
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE3002TAZ.html

Stearns Heads up PFD 30-50lbs, Tweety BIrd - Looney Tunes
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE3002TWT.html

Child Ski Vest 30-50 pounds
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE3040ORG.html

Child Ski Vest 30-50# Green
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE3040GRN.html

Classic Sportvest Green L/XL
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE4142GRNLXL.html

Paddlesport Vest (Blue ), large/extra large ()
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE6600BLULXL.html

Paddlesports Vest (Blue) , Small/ Medium
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/STE/STE6600SMBLUE.html

DOCKLINE 1/2 X 15, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA031215.html

DOCKLINE 1/2 X 20, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA031220.html

DOCKLINE 1/2 X 25, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA031225.html

DOCKLINE 1/2 X 30, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA031230.html

DOCKLINE 3/8 X 10, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA033810.html

DOCKLINE 3/8 X 15, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA033815.html

DOCKLINE 3/8 X 20, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA033820.html

DOCKLINE 3/8 X 25, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA033825.html

DOCKLINE 5/8 X 25, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA035825.html

DOCKLINE 5/8 X 30, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA035830.html

DOCKLINE 5/8 X 35, NYLON TWIST
Supplies limited (end of stock)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/SEA/SEA035835.html

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~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree!" Drawing
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Win a $100.00 credit at ShipStore.com. To be eligible for future "Win a Shopping Spree!" drawings all you have to do is subscribe to the Beacon. All current subscribers are eligible for the random drawing. If you're not already subscribed, then visit http://www.shipstore.com and click the "Win a Shopping Spree!" link along the top of your screen.

Once you subscrive you'll be sent a confirmation email which you must respond to in order to activate your subscription and be added to our mailing list. This double opt-in procedure enables us to prevent accidental subscriptions and spam. As soon as your confirmation is confirmed, you will be entered into the "Win a Shopping Spree!" drawing for a $100.00 free merchandise from ShipStore.com. Good luck.

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NEWSLETTER SENT BY PERMISSION ONLY
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COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
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COPYRIGHT 2005 ShipStore.com (tm) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Permission is granted to electronically copy, print or forward this newsletter for use as a shopping, boating or travel resource as long as it is not altered in any way and sent in its entirety. Any other use of materials on this Web site--including reproduction for purposes other than those noted above, modification, distribution, or republication--without the prior written permission of Westport Marina, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

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CONTACT INFORMATION
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ShipStore.com
6039 Route 9N
Westport, NY 12993
Telephone: 518-962-2700
Toll Free: 877-SHIPSTORE (US and Canada)
Fax: 518-962-4582

E-Mail sales@shipstore.com with any questions.