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Dec. 8, 2010 Vol 12 No 1-10
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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
And that's probably because it's already December
OK. The boat is tucked up all snug in its bed--er, slip--and it's too cold to take her out on the water. Aside from shopping for gifts, and we'll talk more about that pretty soon, what is there to do?
Last winter, Doug Blom suggested visiting your chilly boat during the winter, in his Beside the Water column, to daydream about the arrival of spring. Good idea, even if she looks like this one.
Photo by Davis & Company
Well, you could shop for presents. No, not until you drop. But you'll find some good ideas right in this edition of the newsletter.
Photo courtesy of Grand Rivers, Ky.
In honor of the season, the folks at GTB tell us, more than 500,000 lights will turn on at Patti's Settlement and in Grand Rivers to mark the holiday season. They will continue to burn brightly into the New Year.
Many marinas decorate for the holidays. Heck, many places, even fairly far north, sponsor parades of boats decorated with lights. If you take some photos of these events, we'd love to see them. E-mail digital versions of the pictures here to see them in the newsletter.
Make your own wish list for Christmas. You're going to check it twice, aren't you?
But the very best thing to do in the winter is to take a course about boating safety. The nice people at BoatUS suggest that you start by taking the free online boating safety course and learning about other boating safety programs here.
Waterway Law columnist Joan Wenner can hardly avoid thinking about safety a good deal, and she writes to tell everyone that the Fall issue of the Coast Guard's PROCEEDINGS of the Marine Safety & Security Council highlights the valuable contributions of the United States Power Squadrons (USPS).
The volunteer organization of more than 40,000 in 440 squadrons across the country, trains pleasure boaters at all levels through its "USPS University" and seminars, courses and boat operator certification. For more information, go to the USPS Web site. Or, call 888-FOR-USPS (367-8777).
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E-mail or call (270) 886-7268 for a price quote.
Visit the Web site, too. |
News For Boaters Muscatine's Keels and Wheels boat show brings back APBA race-boat testing
David Moritz, organizer of "That Was Then, This Is Now" Keels and Wheels in Muscatine, Iowa, has announced that in 2011, the American Power Boat Association will again be testing race boats. "This year we will have some of the World's best in our midst," he writes. "This is our 5th Anniversary and we are going all out."
The boat show is scheduled for May 13-14 in Muscatine. Click here for more 2011 boat shows.
Electric Boat Center opens
Carolina Electric Boats announced last month that a consortium of boat companies has formed The Electric Boat Center to provide dealers with an all-electric boat business center. It's a complete multi-boat display that can be installed in a dealership, providing boaters with a showcase for non-gas-powered watercraft. Frank Jones, president of Carolina Electric Boats, said he thought a unified approach would expand the market for affordable efficient, green vessels.
West Marine contest deadline extended
Last week, West Marine announced it would extend the deadline for entries for "Green Product of the Year" to Dec 31. It continues to search for innovative, green products, and will award a grand prize of $10,000 to a designated official winner at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show. Participants can enter the contest, as well as view the complete rules and entry requirements, here.
Wisconsin announces five more Certified Clean Marinas
Racine's Mayor John Dickert and Mayor Larry MacDonald of Bayfield, Wis., last week announced which facilities have been newly certified as Clean Marinas. They are: The Abbey Marina in Fontana, Racine's Gaslight Pointe Marina, Lakeshore Towers in Racine, Manitowoc Marina and SkipperBud's Reefpoint Marina, also in Racine.
Participating marinas in the Wisconsin Clean Marina Program adopt up to 100 best management practices to prevent pollution and protect fish, wildlife, and public health. It was launched in July of 2010. A total of nine marinas have been certified in just five months. |
Featured Boat of the Month
1929 Morton Johnson 45.5' -- 
6-71 Detroit, 513.5k Onan generator, one bath, two bedrooms, central air, GPS, VHF, Bose sound system, tracking satellite. Asking $169,000. For more info: www.islandcityharbor.com. Call 563-687-2825.
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That Time of Year--Take a gander at the boat parades
It's not the oldest, it's not the first in December, but the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade that this year kicks off the City of Fort Lauderdale's Centennial, is arguably the most spectacular of the decorated-boat parades.
It takes place this year on Dec 11, and starts on the New River in Fort Lauderdale and continuing to the Intracoastal North to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. This year's theme is "That's Entertainment." Get tickets here.
We also found:
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade St. Pete Beach on Dec 10, starting at Merry Pier in Pass-a-Grille and going to Boca Ciega Bay. Go here for more information.
14th annual Boot Key Harbor Christmas Boat Parade on Dec 11, along the Blackwater River, and Downtown Riverwalk. Sponsored by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, contact Tom Scott at (850) 623-9377 for more information.
Now, that's just three. The nice people at Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) have compiled a new online Holiday Boat Parade Finder.
"The Web site lets anyone easily seek out local lighted boat parades by state or specific date, and includes Web site links and contact information. There's also an easy way to add a listing for a boat parade that's not already included," the news release said.
Now that's spreading holiday cheer.
Hoping you're enjoying the holidays, I am,
Lee Braff
Editor
HeartLand Boating
Editorial Offices
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