Date: May 10th, 2006

BOATOhio.com e-Newsletter
May 2006
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With spring off to such a wonderful start, we hope you’ve found the time to get your boat in the water. There’s no better place to spend a summer than boating and fishing with friends and family. Along those lines, last month we featured an article about the new nationwide initiative to grow boating (http://www.boatingfest.com/growboating.html). A large part of the focus is how you can help the effort by introducing your kids and grandkids to the sport by taking them out on the water. If you don’t have access to a boat however, the 7th annual North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest, a free family event that offers Lake Erie boat rides and kids fishing from a charter boat, is a great opportunity to experience boating and fishing in a real hands-on way. Be sure to check out the first article in this newsletter for more information and then share the news, and the lifestyles, with interested friends and family.

Now enjoy the May edition of our e-Newsletter; it’s filled with loads of information that’ll help make your time out on the water more enjoyable. And as always, please feel free to forward this publication to interested friends and family. Boating and fishing are, after all, more than sports. They’re lifestyles best shared with loved ones.

Table of Contents
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Save the Dates: North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest
Life Jacket Refresher: Remember, They’re Your Lifeline
Boats for Sale
Sell Your Boat
LEMTA Dealers & Marinas
Magazine
BOATOhio Kids: Fun for Youngsters
Weekly Fishing Reports
Forums
Boating Associations of Ohio (BAO)
Events
BOATOhio.net Email
FREE "Go Boating" Magazine Subscription
Feedback

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Save the Dates: North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest

Now celebrating its seventh year, the North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest (BFF) continues to grow. Funded entirely by grant money and donations, this free event is designed to introduce families to the joys of the boating and fishing lifestyles via hands-on and fun activities. Located directly behind the world-famous Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland, this year’s event takes place June 9-11.

“Thanks in large part to modern technology, today’s families are busier than ever,” said BFF committee member Sue Templar. “Cell phones, laptops with wireless Internet, video games, and the like are occupying more and more of our days. Quality time away from distractions is harder and harder to come by today. Boating and fishing, out on the water with friends and family, are great for bonding.”

Along those lines, members of the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association (LEMTA) will be getting people out on Lake Erie with 30-minute power and sailboat cruises. Additionally, the Division of Wildlife will be providing all equipment and expert instruction to kids interested in fishing Lake Erie aboard the charter boat Holiday. “What better way to introduce young families and children to the boating and fishing lifestyles than by getting them safely out on the water with family and friends,” Templar concluded.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

The popular Capt'n Willie the Great Lakes Pirate will be performing several times daily; providing a unique blend of Great Lakes knowledge, nautical nonsense and musical interaction, Capt'n Willie's mission is to present kids 10 and under with an interactive and fun education about the Great Lakes and boating safety.

The Grandon, one of two Division of Wildlife fish research vessels, will be open for tours. Charged with assessing and managing fish population and fisheries in Lake Erie's western and central basins and tributary streams, she monitors fish populations' abundance, growth, age, diet and health.

Learn firsthand how to build small boats from scratch from members of the Cleveland Amateur Boatbuilding and Boating Society (CABBS). Established in 1967 by do-it-yourselfers, CABBS’ goal has always been to share its collective knowledge with others while promoting the joys of home boat building.

Replica model boats built to scale will be displayed by members of the Cleveland Model Boat Club. See PT boats, U.S. Coast Guard cutters, sailboats, submarines, and more and learn how to build your own working models.

Kids and adults alike are invited to participate in daily Best Dressed Pirate Costume Contests. A pirate-themed event, winners will be chosen daily and receive great prizes.

Life jackets, tackle boxes, rod/reel combos will be given away hourly during the event. Since its inception in 2000, over 900 life jackets, 1,000 tackle boxes, and 1,200 rod/reel combos have been given away to children attending the event.

Well-known musician Alex Bevan will be headlining the musical portion of the event. Talented bands and solo acts are set to perform throughout all three Festival days.

The North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest is partially funded through grants from the ODNR Division of Watercraft, the National Water Safety Congress, and The Cleveland Foundation’s Network Connection program.

For complete event information, go to http://www.boatingfest.com.

FESTIVAL HOURS:
Friday, June 9
11 am – 8 pm

Saturday, June 10
11 am – 8 pm

Sunday, June 11
11 am – 5 pm

ADMISSION:
Admission and activities at this event are FREE to the public.

ORGANIZERS:
The North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest is staged by member organizations of the non-profit Lake Erie Safe Boating Council (LESBC).

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Life Jacket Refresher: Remember, They’re Your Lifeline

With boating season right around the corner, organizations across the country, including LEMTA, are busy preparing to spread the message of safe and responsible boating. Awareness campaigns, safe boating classes and inspections, and regional events all play a part in keeping our waters safe; according to United States Coast Guard (USCG) statistics, very safe. Last year, despite more boats than ever on our nation's waters, the USCG recorded the lowest number of recreational boating fatalities in the history of the statistics. However, for the steady decrease in fatalities is to continue, boaters like you need to make an effort to be aware of the basics of safe boating. In this piece, we'll detail some of the basics of life jackets. Plus, we'll touch upon a program and an event that can supply you with no cost life jackets.

TYPES OF LIFE JACKETS:

TYPE I
Offshore Life Jacket
This PFD is designed for extended survival in rough, open water. It usually will turn an unconscious person face up and has over 22 pounds of buoyancy. This is the best PFD to keep you afloat in remote regions where rescue may be slow in coming.

TYPE II Near Shore
Buoyant Vest
This "classic" PFD comes in several sizes for adults and children and is for calm inland water where there is chance of fast rescue. It is less bulky and less expensive than a Type I, and many will turn an unconscious person face-up in the water.

TYPE III
Flotation Aid
These life jackets are generally considered the most comfortable, with styles for different boating activities and sports. They are for use in calm water where there is good chance of fast rescue since they will generally not turn an unconscious person face-up. Flotation aids come in many sizes and styles.

TYPE V
Special Use Device
Special use PFD's include work vests, deck suits, and hybrids for restricted use. Hybrid vests contain some internal buoyancy and are inflatable to provide additional flotation.

TYPE III and V
Inflatable Life Jacket
These are highly visible when inflated and turn most wearers and unconscious users face-up faster than traditional PFD's.

The USCG's Boating Safety web site is a terrific resource and includes, among many other things, detailed life jacket information; we recommend that you spend some time re-familiarizing yourself with some of the safe boating basics. Access their site at: http://www.uscgboating.org.

Simply wearing a life jacket isn't enough - anyone putting on a jacket should make sure that it fits properly and the straps, buckles or zipper are secure. PROPER FIT IS IMPORTANT! Be sure life jackets fit properly by following these steps:

Working in pairs, have one person (A) stand behind the other person (B) and test the life jacket for proper fit. While person B puts his arms straight overhead (similar to a football referee signaling a touchdown) person A should grasp the tops of person B's arm openings and gently pull up. As shown in the illustrations of Abby on the page, excess room above the arm openings and the life jacket "riding up" over the chin and face are signs of a "bad fit." A snug fit in these areas represents a "good fit."

A proper fit means once it's zippered and/or buckled, it should keep your head and upper shoulders above the water. If it fits too loose, the flotation will push the jacket up around your face. If your life jacket is too small, it won't keep your body afloat. When not using your life jacket (when you're not boating), store it in a readily accessible place away from sunlight and chemicals. Nylon and other synthetic materials used to make your life jacket will be harmed over time by ultra-violet radiation from the sun. Fabric that becomes discolored may indicate ultra-violet damage. In other words, don't leave your PFD hanging outside all summer exposed to the sun and expect it to be unharmed. Also, prolonged exposure to chemicals or exhaust fumes can attack the flotation's foam.

LIFE JACKET LOANER PROGRAM FOR KIDS
Every parent wants to make sure his or her child is as safe as possible, and that goes double for parents who take their kids on the water. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water makes it easier for boating families to stay safe with its national life jacket loaner program. Around the country, over 350 marinas, fuel docks, BoatUS Towing Operators, and other waterfront businesses lend out kids' life jackets for the day or weekend to families who have a temporary need for one.

To find a BoatUS Life Jacket Loaner Program business near you, go to http://www.boatus.com/foundation/LJLP.

For a library of useful boating safety resources, click http://www.boatohio.com/safety.shtml.

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Boats

Shop more than 150 new and pre-owned boats from Ohio’s top dealers in the “Boats” section of BOATOhio.com. Use the quick and easy searchable database to specify exactly what you’re looking for (new/used, type, size range, make/model, and price range). To be even more specific, use the new keyword search (if you’re looking for Glastron boats, just type in “Glastron” and hit “Search”).

When you’ve found what you’re looking for, or if you have any questions, contact the seller directly from the site. The listings are always changing, so check back often.

To begin the search for your next (or first) boat, go to http://www.boatohio.com/boats_search.shtml.

~ Featured Boat ~

This month’s featured boat is a 2000 Parker 2801 Center Console from South Shore Marine. To view this boat, and all other boats listed by South Shore Marine, click on http://www.boatohio.com/cgi-bin/webdata/webdata_boats.pl?cgifunction=Search&Dealer=South%20Shore%20Marine%20Services.

When contacting a particular boat’s owner/dealer, please tell them you found their listing on BOATOhio.com.

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Sell Your Boat

One low price until your boat sells. Don’t waste your time with ads that run only one time, reach far fewer prospects, and cost more. Utilize the power of BOATOhio.com to sell your boat.

This is a great opportunity to reach thousands of prospects currently in the market for a boat. After all, the boat listing section is consistently the most popular area on BOATOhio.com. Plus, the site draws the thousands of visitors who come online to get detailed information about our Cleveland Mid-America Boat Show and the North American In-Water Boat Show, not to mention the ever-growing North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest.

To list your boat, or to learn more about this great offer, go to http://www.boatohio.com/boatad.shtml

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LEMTA Dealers & Marinas

Formed nearly 50 years ago in 1957, the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association (LEMTA) is a trades association of more than 110 recreational boat dealers, marina operators, and pleasure boat service companies located across northern Ohio. With exceptionally high standards for business practices, each LEMTA member company has exhibited responsibility in sales and service, and each has demonstrated continued support of recreational boating in Ohio.

Because it isn’t always easy for boaters and anglers to find the right products and services in a pinch, LEMTA has compiled a comprehensive online guide of products and services offered by its members.

Through the use of a searchable database, quickly and easily locate nearly any recreational boating product or service needed.

For a complete list of LEMTA member companies, and to access the searchable database, visit http://www.boatohio.com/guide_search.shtml

For assistance locating a specific product or service not listed on the site, please contact the LEMTA office at 440-899-5009 or LEMTA@aol.com.

To learn more about the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association (LEMTA), go to http://www.LEMTA.com.

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Magazine

The BOATOhio.com Magazine features timely and interesting articles from experts in their chosen fields as well as from respected regional publications. From destinations and boat care tips to fishing and new boat reviews, this section has you covered.

Plus, be sure to stop by the “Magazine Library.” New stories are added daily and some of the most recent include useful gadgets and gear, system maintenance, restoration projects, sailing, freezer and fridge care, and more.

~ Magazine Library Article Excerpt ~

When a Motor Stalls, You Can Determine What Went Wrong and How to Fix It

Ten miles offshore the skies are cobalt blue, the water like glass. But while trolling along a promising weed line, the outboard motor on your center console suddenly dies and stubbornly refuses to restart. What do you do? The answer is as simple as the sea is salt. Immediately pull in the lines because you have a bigger problem than catching dolphin. Don’t succumb to the temptation to mindlessly crank and crank in hopes the dead engine will magically come back to life. It won’t. All you’ll do is drain the battery, at which point you’ll truly be dead in the water. Instead, follow these proven troubleshooting steps to determine exactly what has gone haywire.

Listen carefully. First, here’s the good news: An outboard’s behavior in the last few seconds before it conks out will often provide valuable diagnostic clues. If it stutters before giving up the ghost, a fault in fuel delivery is most likely the problem. In contrast, ignition failures are typically immediate and final. The engine either runs or it’s dead. You should also think about what you did prior to the motor failure. If you topped off the tanks and shortly thereafter the engine began to run rough, suspect contaminated fuel. If you recently removed the cowling to check the crankcase oil level, and soon thereafter the outboard started to cut out, you should remove the cowling once more and look for a pinched wire.

Trace the fuel Veteran troubleshooters are fond of posing the question, "Is it plugged in?" The translation: Is the engine getting gas? More specifically, you want to know if fuel is flowing without interruption all the way from the tank to the engine. To find out, you have to trace fuel flow every single step of the way. Is there ample gas inside the four cold walls of your fuel tank, or is it as dry as a bone? Don’t put your trust in the gauges because they are notorious for lying. If you’re certain there is fuel in the tank, then double-check whether the fuel valve is swung wide open, as it should be.

Check the filter At the fuel filter/water separator, open the bowl petcock to see whether water issues forth. A big volume of water means contaminated fuel. To remedy the problem, absorb any water in the gas with a can of fuel dryer, retrieved from your well-stocked spare parts kit—you have spares aboard, right? Healthy fuel, while lightly tinted for tax purposes, should be otherwise clear. Murky gas means emulsified water. Scrutinize the filter element. Is it plugged up with debris or reduced to paper pulp due to an excess of water? When in doubt, replace it with a spare. Avoid future engine shutdowns due to a plugged fuel filter by plumbing on the outlet side of the filter a dedicated vacuum gauge that reveals filter life at a glance with a green, yellow and red bar graph.

Find the rest of this story, as well as many more, by clicking http://www.boatohio.com/library.shtml

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BOATOhio Kids: Fun for Youngsters

It’s probably not surprising that 80% of today’s boaters were introduced to the lifestyle before age 12 by a friend or relative. Think back, had it not been for someone close to you would you today be a boater and/or angler?

Clearly, a hands-on introduction is the best way to introduce the next generation to boating and fishing. There isn’t a better way to spend quality time with those we care about than out on the water, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

When not out on the water, a great way to get and keep youngsters involved with the boating and fishing lifestyles is to point them to our special BOATOhio Kids section.

Filled with loads of fun, interactive games, activities, events, and books and videos, there are also links to other excellent boating and fishing sites geared towards kids.

Plus, there’s an “Ask the Expert” section featuring a nationally renowned boating safety expert.

Point your kids and grandkids to BOATOhio Kids, http://www.boatohio.com/kids/index.shtml

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Weekly Fishing Reports

Come back every Thursday from spring through fall and receive detailed reports for lakes and rivers throughout our great Buckeye State. From the Northwestern corner to the Southeastern tip, you’ll find useful news, an outlook for the upcoming week, and other beneficial tidbits of information. We've lined up a very knowledgeable source to help make your fishing experiences better than ever.

To access the weekly fishing reports, go to http://www.boatohio.com/reports.shtml

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Forums

Meet up with other anglers to discuss your favorite pastime. Question experts, lend a helping hand to others, make new friends and catch up with old acquaintances.

You’ll discover forums covering power boating, sailing, marine electronics, boat care and repair, destinations, rivers and inland lakes, and more.

Plus award-winning professional angler Jim Stedke moderates the popular “Ask the Expert: Angler’s Alley” forum.

~ Ask the Expert: Angler’s Alley ~

The hottest current topic is picking the right rod length for divers and jets. To join this discussion, or any of the other fishing topics, click on http://www.boatohio.com/cgi-bin/forums/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID14&conf=DCConfID3

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Boating Associations of Ohio (BAO)

Established to unify Ohio's recreational boating community, boat owners and industry alike, the BAO is widely recognized and respected by lawmakers in Columbus as the "voice of Ohio boating.” Together these entities have strengthened boating's presence in the Ohio State House by constantly keeping lawmakers aware of boating's interests and issues.

Over the years, BAO has benefited Ohio’s boaters in a number of substantial ways, perhaps most notably by winning a substantial increase in the amount of gas tax revenue allocated to the Ohio Waterways Safety Fund. Earmarked for launching ramps, docking facilities, and safety programs, millions of dollars annually goes into this Fund and directly benefits all of Ohio’s boaters.

To learn more about the BAO and how you can help further strength boating’s voice in Ohio, click on http://www.boatingassociations.com

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Events

~ Mark Your Calendars ~

North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest
June 9-11, 2006
Voinovich Park, behind the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland, Ohio
http://www.boatingfest.com

North American In-Water Boat Show
September 13-17, 2006
Cedar Point Marina
Sandusky, Ohio
http://www.cedarpointboatshow.com

Cleveland Mid-America Boat Show
January 12-21, 2007
International Exposition (I-X) Center
Cleveland, Ohio
http://www.clevelandboatshow.com

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BOATOhio.net Email

Tired of being bombarded with junk mail and running out of storage space at your Yahoo! and Hotmail accounts? Would you like an e-mail address that gives a bit more insight into your personality and is just a bit more fun?

If you answered yes, then sign up for a FREE boatohio.net e-mail account! Featuring 6 megabytes (MB) of storage space, boatohio.net e-mail blows away both Yahoo! (4MB) and Hotmail (2MB).

To learn more and/or to sign up for your FREE boatohio.net e-mail account, go to http://www.boatohio.com/email.shtml

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FREE "Go Boating" Magazine Subscription

Sign up now for a FREE Subscription to "Go Boating Magazine," courtesy of BOATOhio.com, and learn why more trailerable powerboat owners read "Go Boating" than any other boating magazine.

You'll find reviews on new boats, engines and equipment, expert how-to advice and the most complete buyer's guide in print.

Say yes to one of the best boating deals of the year, a FREE subscription to "Go Boating." There are absolutely no strings attached. This is a free offer with no cost or obligation.

To sign up for your FREE subscription to "Go Boating" Magazine, follow this link: http://www.goboatingamerica.com/free/default.asp?id=14

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Feedback *

We’d like your feedback regarding this e-newsletter, the web site and our boat shows in general. What additions would you like? What could you do without? How can we better serve you? E-mail slfergus@boatohio.com with your comments and suggestions.

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BOATOhio.com
www.boatohio.com
email: slfergus@boatohio.com
Copyright 2006 by LEMTA
www.lemta.com
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