The Captain's Corner

It's the best time of the year... well almost, but it is time to prepare for the best time of the year... BOATING SEASON! Spring prep might look a little different for everyone, depending on where you are boating, what kind of vessel you have, how frequently you are using it, and so on. This is the time of year that you should consider starting your big projects to ensure that you are ready to ENJOY your season on the water. Below you'll find checklists for some recommended areas that should be serviced or looked over at the beginning of each season.  Spring Recommissioning: 𐀀 Inspect hull for blisters, cracks, distortion, gouges - any crack or gouges that show gray underneath on a fiberglass boat should be repaired to ensure that no water will penetrate the fiberglass.  𐀀 Paint bottom or check condition of bottom paint 𐀀 Charge battery, inspect/clean battery terminals, and tighten any connections - on both ends of the battery cable 𐀀 Inspect all fuel lines, hose clamps, a...

 That time of year is coming... the dreaded day of pulling the boat from the water and putting it away until next season. It's time for winter boat preparations. For most your boat is your baby, but at the very least it's an investment, and you want to ensure that you're caring for it properly. We compiled a list of tips to make sure you don't forget anything! 1. Wash and wax your boat - inside and out. You want to make sure that you remove all dirt, mildew, blood from fishing, etc. If you have an outboard motor, you will want to wash and wax this too. This makes your spring preparations easier next season.  2. Remove your bilge plug - drain and clean the bilge. Make sure you store the plug in a safe place for spring launch. We recommend putting it in a cup holder on the boat or in a bag and tied to the steering wheel.  3. If applicable, you should change your oil, oil filters, and lower unit oil. When your engine is sitting in the off season, you want clean oil to lubr...

-         Stocking stuffers can always be tricky, you can only eat so many pieces of candy!! So get your boater little stocking stuffers that will help them in the upcoming season!         Floating Key Chains : key floats are incredibly important for any boat owner. In the case that your keys should fall overboard, they can be easily retrieved from the water since they will be floating! -         Croakies and Cap Savers: make sure your boater doesn’t lose their sunglasses or hat out on the water! o    Leather Monogrammed Sunglass Strap | Clayton & Crume (claytonandcrume.com) – if you’re looking for something personalized, this is a leather sunglasses/glasses strap o    www.croakies.com – if you’re just looking for something small that will get the job done. They have multiple types, even some that float! -         Bottle Opener: nautical th...

  The 2022 Holiday season is rapidly approaching! Trying to figure out what to get the boater in your life? Look no further, we have combined a list of gifts for the seasoned boater to the brand new, up and coming boater. Sirius Signal LED flare – this is a GREAT idea for someone that owns a boat. This is a great alternative for the required visual distress signals. No more placing flares every 3 years, just put batteries in and check periodically to ensure the batteries are charged!         GPS/ Depth Finders/Fish Finder: for the new boat owner or the seasoned boater that wants to upgrade! GPS/fish/depth finders are a great “big” present for the boater in your life. Different brands include Garmin, Lowrance, Simrad, and more. Look out for Black Friday deals at Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, and more.        Boat Training Gift Certificate: Training is always a great idea for a new boater, boater that wants to work on their skills, or so...

  Hey! Welcome to our blog! We're here to give you information on boat, the boating community, safety, and more! I'm Captain Jess, I work for Think Boating Safety and Coast Boating School as a Captain and Boat Class Instructor. My boss is Captain Vinnie (who you will hear from also), he has been a Boat Safety course instructor for quite a few years and has taught thousands of students all across New Jersey, including me. We're based out of New Jersey and both have extensive experience on the water and in the marine industry.  Be sure to follow and like us on facebook to see the latest posts and videos from our time on the water!