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Welcome to the HeartLand Boating Newsletter
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Apr. 12, 2010
Vol 4, No 1-10
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LET'S DO THE LOOP
The Great Circle calls
to heartlanders
It's almost May,
perfect boating weather, when boaters take up the challenge of circumnavigating
the entire eastern half of the nation, otherwise known as the Great Loop.
That's our theme for
May, when Mike Bush "Sums It All Up," cogitating about the places
he experienced and people he met during his voyage.
Railroad
Lock along Great Loop. Photo by Brock Lutz
Gary Kramer writes about converting a shrimper into a boat
suitable for long-distance hauls, while Kate Godfrey-DeMay's roundup of tops and Biminis helps everyone
choose the right model of this important part of onboard comfort.
Detail from the trawler.
Photo by Gary Kramer
Capt. Fred Davis offers advice about buying a used boat in the
Boat Smart column.
Joanne Cunningham
Walker writes about one of the places found along the route, Guntersville, Ala. Ron and Eva Stob describe
Kuttawa Harbor on Lake Barkley, a big hit with Loopers, and Terry Rau profiles another favorite, Toad Cove Yacht
Club. It's part of the Camden on the Lake Resort, Spa and Yacht Club, at Lake of the Ozarks.
 Boats at Kuttawa Harbor.
Photo by Eva Stob Camden on the Lake Resort. Photo
by Terry Rau
Along the way, boaters
would probably see many abandoned boats, Kate Godfrey-DeMay told us, because
it's a growing problem.
 Photo courtesy Florida F&WC
On a lighter note,
newcomer Janet Cochrane shares some of the joys of scuba diving at the
southernmost tip of the journey, in balmy Florida waters.
Spanish hogfish. Photo by Janet Cochrane
A more northerly
section of the route is along the Illinois River, where Hennepin Marine, of Hennepin, Ill., is located. Denise Sarsfield shares their
recipe for their hot dip, bunya calda. This month, she kicks off a series of
recipes from restaurant marinas. Please send suggestions here for heartland marinas you'd like her to cover.
Let's Do The Loop!
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A CAUTIONARY TALE
The weather is getting
better. Soon most of us will be back on the water.
The nice people at
BoatU.S. recently shared a series of just-released photos from TowBoatU.S. of Islamorada Florida.
They document an incident that took place the week of March 15. It highlights
the need for every boater to stay prepared.
A center-console fishing vessel took on water while fishing offshore at Tennessee Reef. A small-craft warning had been issued, and seas
were confused, running about four feet. Fishing alone, the owner did not notice
that the vessel had taken on water, perhaps as a result of the rough seas.
Before he could do anything, the vessel slipped down on the starboard side.
TowBoatU.S. Islamorada responded to a U.S. Coast Guard urgent marine
broadcast and a request from Florida Fish and Wildlife officers who
were first to arrive on scene and safely removed the owner from the
sinking
boat. A little later the towing company arrived and sent a swimmer over
to the
boat. She had to climb aboard very carefully to remove unsecured items
before
connecting a towing bridle. The boat was successfully returned to port,
but the
owner was reported to be a little shaken.
Here are the photos:
Photos courtesy TowBoatU.S., Islamorada,
Florida
As you begin the 2010 boating season, think about
what you would do if these events happened to you. What would you do now to ensure your own happy ending to a day of
fishing?
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NEWS FOR BOATERS
Gibson To Introduce Executive Series
Gibson Boats of Portland, Tenn., has announced plans to introduce a new Executive Series next year.
The "Exec" features one-level living while maintaining Gibson's legendary performance, maneuverability and value. This new series is in response to dealer and customer requests to "bring back the Executive."
Spokesman Kelly Sovine reported that Gibson employees are excited about their new series and invite everyone to stop by for a plant tour when in the Nashville area.
Pictured is a rendering of Gibson's new 55-foot by 16-foot Executive Classic.
Gibson Executive Classic. Artwork by Josh Austin
HLB Staff Member Attends Houseboat Expo
HeartLandBoating advertising representative Mark Gentry attended the National Houseboat Expo 2010 from March 5-7 in Louisville. He brought back interesting
pictures, one of which appears in the April issue. Here's another:
 Dirk Wiley,
Cool Cat, and Lori Ammerman at
Catamaran Cruisers booth
Photo by Mark GentryTo see the
rest of them, go to our Facebook page and look for the latest album of
pictures.
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FIVE REASONS WHY BOATS SINK IN THE SPRINGTIME
Summer-ize your boat
If preparing the
boat for a winter rest is winterizing, what is the term for what you're doing
now? Summer-izing, naturally.
Every spring,
shortly after they're launched for the season, boats sink while still tied up
at the dock. It can be a real mess. BoatU.S. marine insurance claim files offer
the top five reasons for springtime sinkings.
1. Missing or
damaged hose clamps. Often
removed in the fall to winterize the engine, the clamps can be forgotten in the
spring when the boat is launched. 
One reason to inspect
stainless hose clamps. Photo courtesy BoatU.S.
2. Unsecured
engine hoses. During the
winter, freezing water can lift hoses off seacocks (valves).
3. Spring rains. Combine heavy rains with leaking ports, deck
hatches, cracked or improperly caulked fittings, chain plates, and even
scuppers clogged by leaves, and soon your boat could be on the bottom.
4. Broken sea
strainer. Glass, plastic and
even bronze strainer bowls can be cracked or bent over the winter if not
properly winterized, allowing water trickle in when the seawater intake seacock
is in the Open position.
5. Leaking
stuffing box. A steady drip
from an improperly adjusted stuffing box--that "packing" around the
prop shaft--has been known to swamp a boat.
So, protect your
boat. Click here for a free Spring Commissioning Checklist. Do
not forget properly sized life jackets for each passenger, including children.
Check inflatable life jacket cylinders. And, test smoke, carbon monoxide, fume
and bilge alarms.
 Sandy Steele and
Freckles enjoy boating on Lake Cumberland.Photo by Cliff SteeleLee
Braff
Editor
HeartLand Boating
Editorial Offices
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FEATURED BOAT
1989 38' BAYLINER 3888 MOTOR YACHT - Twin 175 hp
Hino diesels, 445 hrs, 8 kW generator, 425 hrs. Custom rear
hardtop. Radar. Excellent condition, under cover, freshwater.
TN owner, Reduced price, $99,900. 423-595-7600. MR11
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