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Aug. 9, 2011
Vol 8, No 1-11 |
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No Time Like the Present to Buy a Boat
Great buys are out there; explore possibilities with us in September
Even though the economy can sometimes feel like it's dragging its knuckles on the ground, nonetheless potential buyers are noticing that some great buys are out there. It's not just us who think so, either. In a recent Soundings Trade Only newsletter, NADA Guides reported a surge in used-boat interest, part of a trend of consumer shopping growth.
Capt Fred Davis is on it. His September Boat Smart column offers solid advice about how to narrow the fantastic range of choices to the boat that's perfect for your family. He warns to remember to take boating classes if you're new to the lifestyle.
Don't buy sight unseen! Is one of Capt Davis' tips.
Photo courtesy Fred Davis
For those who like to delve into a subject, Kate Godfrey-DeMay's analysis of the designs of the sailboats used in September's Commonwealth Yacht Club Cup Regatta
should be right up your alley.
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Doug Davis and friends aboard
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Sparkie (fifth one
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Photos courtesy Doug Davis
This month, the lead story is a doubleheader. First, Bobbye Kenyon invites us to "Hit the Water in Style," with two powerboats made right here in the heartland: the Rinker Captiva 216 BR from Nautic Global Group, and the Formula 290 FX4 from Thunderbird Products.
 
Rinker Captiva 216 BR in action Helm of a Formula 290 FX 4
Photos courtesy of manufacturers
Gary Kramer, in the meantime, has discovered deep enthusiasm for a small, tough boat that goes where larger ones cannot: the Aspen C-90, designed by Larry Graf. Here three peeks inside its well-thought-out interior.
  
From left, Aspen C-90 head, helm area, side of the king-sized bed Photos by Gary Kramer
Kramer also talks about the C-Dory and the unique culture that has arisen among its owners, who call themselves C-Brats. Kramer attended last year's C-Brat Get-Together in Guttenberg, Iowa. Here's a shot of him and Bill Fiero, and a picture of some of the boats lined up at Hawkeye Marina in Dubuque, where they cruised for lunch.
 
Gary Kramer, left, and Bill Fiero C-Dorys at Hawkeye Marina
Photos by Gary Kramer
After finding the right boat, Sandy Lindsey helps you "Pick the Right Towable for Your Needs." Here's one possibility, the Rave Slingshot III.
Rave Slingshot III
Photo courtesy of Rave Sports
The marinas this month are Findlay Marina by Debbie Fox, and Lake LBJ Yacht Club and Marina by Dorothy and James Richardson.
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Part of Finlay Marina from the lake
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Photo by Debbie Fox
Llano Country Courthouse, near Lake LBJ
Photo by James Richardson
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Don't Look Now, But Here Come the Boat Shows
Hard as it is to believe, but after a breather of a few
 | | Photo courtesy Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show and Festival of Arts |
months,
we are once again hearing from organizations mounting boat shows in late summer and fall. Perhaps the premier antique boat show, the Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show and Festival of Arts folks sent us this wonderful shot from last year.
Here are some shows to note:
34th Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden
Boat Show and Festival of Arts
Hessel, Mich.
Aug. 13
(906) 484-4081 (Barb Smith)
E-mail: lcha@cedarville.net
www.lchistorical.org
Sponsored by Les Cheneaux Historical Association, this show is proudly the largest in nation featuring antique and classic wooden boats.
Michigan City In-Water Boat Show
Michigan City, Ind.
Aug. 19-22
(440) 899-5009
E-mail: LEMTA@aol.com
www.michigancityboatshow.com
Antique and Classic Boat Show
Pewaukee, Wis.
Aug. 20
(262) 691-2341
www.glacbs.org
More than 30 antique and classic boats from southeast Wisconsin will be moored along the Pewaukee Lake shoreline. Some of them date back to the 1920s.
Tampa Boat Show
Tampa
Sept. 9-11
(954) 441-3227
www.tampaboatshow.com
For complete listings, go to our Web site.
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Wacky Regattas Put the 'Zany' in Summer
For fun or fundraising, boaters explore cardboard, more to build craft
From the southernmost point of our coverage--the Florida Keys, and the westernmost--Muskogee, Okla., we've heard about two separate "regattas" using materials that we usually expect to sink.
In the spirit of fun we expect from the Keys during the hottest time of year, on Aug. 19-20, visitors to Key Largo can decide what floats their boat at The Anything That Floats "regatta." Resourceful teams race boats constructed out of household materials that could include wood, PVC, jugs, buckets, pool noodles, plastic wrap, lawn furniture or cardboard. Old T-shirts can be pressed into service as sails, and oars and paddles are permitted. Motors, foam, floats, rafts or pool toys are not allowed, however, to compete on the half-mile buoyed course.
Prize categories include Best Costumes, Most Creative Vessel, Best Hard-Luck Story, and Vessel Containing Most Participants That Still Floats. I'd love to hear some of those hard-luck stories!
For more information about this event, go to www.keylargoanythingthatfloatsrace.com, www.fla-keys.com/keylargo, to Facebook at facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest, or call 1-800-822-1088.
 
Left, 2010 River Rumba starting line, Pink Cadillac with Zachariah Vercruyssen & Richard Arnel
Photos courtesy Port of Muskogee The following weekend, Aug. 26-27, Muskogee Parks and Recreation Department and the Port of Muskogee, Okla., join forces to present the 4rd Annual River Rumba/Cardboard Boat Regatta at Three Forks Harbor. The Parks and Recreation staff members will give free cardboard to all registrants in Saturday's race. On Friday, things kick off with a parade of boats and the band Infinity playing live music for the harbor party. Here's a "Viking ship" that showed up last year:  From Left, Chris James, Roger Davis, Mike Voegeli, and Mark Wilkerson Photo courtesy Muskogee Parks and Rec DeptNew lyrics to "Okie From Muskogee" played over the speaker system added to the fun. To join in this event, or just to watch it, go to www.exchangeclubmuskogee.org or call the Parks and Rec Department at (918) 684-6302. Several sites here in the St Louis area have sponsored cardboard-boat races, either for charity or just as an excuse to get dunked on a hot day. If organizations in your area are doing it too, we'd love to hear about them. E-mail me, Lee Braff, here, to tell us about it. Happy (Cardboard Boat) Boating, Lee Braff HeartLand Boating Editorial Offices
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