Applies to boats less than 26 feet operating on plane or above displacement speed SPRINGFIELD, Va. – There are new engine cutoff device wear requirements for recreational boat operators as part of the January 1, 2021, passage of National Defense Authorization Act that included a…
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Captain’s Blog
Ring in the New Year on the Water with Common Sense
Going out on the boat on December 31st or January 1st is a great way to ring in the New Year. Chances are, many of you fellow boaters will ring in the new year on the water. What better way to kick off the year…
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How to Anchor Like a Pro and Enjoy the World of Cruising
In my opinion, there is nothing better about the boating lifestyle than finding a nice quiet spot to anchor, dropping the hook, and enjoying your favorite beverage while taking it all in after a great cruise. The vast world of cruising opens up once you’ve…
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Captain Dave’s Favorite Nautical Terms
Every hobby, like every business, seems to have it’s own language, and boating is no different. There are literally dictionaries filled with nautical terms. One of my favorites is the Dictionary of Naval Abbreviations, otherwise knows as the DICNAVAB. (You can buy it on Amazon!…
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Here’s What Every Boater Needs to Know About Weather
There’s a line from a Jimmy Buffet song about “going where the weather suits my clothes”. I’ve adapted that to my boating life to be “going when the weather suits my wife”! I made the conscious decision to go out on the water to have…
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The Right (and Wrong) Way to Use Your VHF Radio
Your VHF (very high frequency) radio is one of the best tools you have on board your boat. Your VHF radio is your link to the Coast Guard, towing services and other first responders. (You can learn more about it here). It allows you to…
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Emergency On Your Boat? Here’s How to Get Help
BOATING SAFETY SKILLS PUT TO THE TEST There’s nothing quite like being out on a boat. Those of us who have spent any time on a boat know there are generally no bad days when you’re on one. The gentle motion, the fresh sea breeze,…
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How Do I Become A Boater? Here’s What to Do
Dreams of Boating Have you been staring out at the water, longing to feel the wind in your face and control your own boat, but you don’t know where to start? Tired of being a “tag along” with friends or family members, going out on…
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Need Your Boater Safety Card? The Simple Way To Get It
California Boater Safety Card: It’s the Law If you’ve been dreaming about getting behind the wheel on the water, you probably already know, you need a boater safety card. But how do you get one? It’s simple. Who Needs to Have a Boater Safety Card?…
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