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Arizona Sailing Foundation Holds Powerboat Class
By Rob Gibbs Normally, this would be an article about a sailing class, but over the weekend of April 19-20, the Arizona Sailing Foundation held the US SAILING Basic Powerboat course. This is the first in a two-part training series. The second part of the course is Safety, Rescue and Support. While these courses were originally developed for people who ran sailing races and coached sailors, the Basic Powerboat course is geared to anyone who wants to improve his or her powerboat handling skills.
ASF Partcipants Students spend about six hours in class, followed by a written test. Then it's out on the water for six to eight hours of maneuvering drills. And, that on-the-water time is what makes the course unique. This is the only powerboating course that offers on-the-water training as part of the certification. When you are done, you have been trained in high-speed handling, in close-quarters maneuvering, docking, towing and more. We have two more Basic Powerboat Handling classes (June 7 and 8 and July 26 and 27) and one Safety, Rescue and Support class (Aug. 16 and 17) scheduled for this summer. For more information on this and other ASF courses, visit our www.ArizonaSailingFoundation.org. It is our goal to make the water we all enjoy safer for everyone.
Wakeboarders Ready For Great ’08 Season By Chris Cameron Arizona Wakeboard Association With the all the Phoenix area lakes nearly at capacity, it is sure to be agreat season for watersport enthusiasts. Wakeboarders itching to show offtheir skills can compete in the Arizona Wakeboard ssociation's (AWA) 2008Rider's Series. This season the AWA will offer six competitive events, learn-to-wakeboard clinics, rail-jam demonstrations, and an end-of-the-season fiesta. This long-running competitive series kicked off at Lake Pleasant's Two Cow Cove on April 26. You Don’t Have To Be A ‘Pro’ The divisions are Novice (no inverts), Intermediate (two inverts or less), Advanced (5 inverts or less), Outlaw (unlimited inverts), Wakeskate, Masters (35 years and older), Groms (11 years and younger), and Women. Ask any long-time member of the AWA why they compete, and it's not for the incredible swag that you can win or the killer boats you get to ride behind; it's the people. You will meet more people who share your passion at an AWA event than you can imagine. It is a great environment with even better people. Come see for yourself! Boater Education Remains Top Issue, Safety Experts Hear at San Diego Summit
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May 2008
Mike Harris HONORED -- Four Southwest boating law administrators were honored at the 12th annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit for their efforts at trying to prevent boating accidents along the Colorado River system. They are, left to right, Ray Tsuneyoshi, director for the California Department of Boating and Waterways; Fred Messmann, Nevada Department of Wildlife boating law administrator; Dave Harris, Utah boating law administrator, and Kevin Bergersen, Arizona boating law administrator. |
Required Boater Education Probable
“The U.S. Coast Guard is getting pretty assertive for some type of national requirement for boater education,” Huntsman said.
The chief of the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division was on hand to say such a proposal is pretty close to being finished. Once that happens, and other key federal agencies have had a chance to give their input, it then will go to Congress for review.
“Arizona’s boater education program is voluntary compliance, and about 1,000 persons a year go through the program,” Huntsman said. “The online version started last August, so it’s almost been a year. But, that’s still not a lot of people taking the program.”
Huntsman said that unfortunately most people don’t go through the state’s boater education until they receive a citation and have a judge require the person to take the course.
Kevin Bergersen, Arizona Boating Law administrator, told Arizona Boating & Waterways that getting an annual grasp on the number of persons’ receiving boating citations is somewhat difficult.
“There’s no common reporting base,” he said. “OUI (operating under the influence) arrests seem to be an upward trend, at least on a five-year trend.”
One of the reasons for that upward trend, he said, was that policing agencies are being more effective in training officers how to spot problems on the water.
“The irony is that if you take the class, you can dramatically reduce your chances of a boating accident,” he added.
Four Honored By NWSC
One of the highlights of the summit was honoring four Southwest boating law administrators with the second highest award that the National Water Safety Congress can present.
Huntsman, who also serves as the Region 5 vice president for the Congress, presented the NWSC Boating Safety Award to Ray Tsuneyoshi, director for the California Department of Boating and Waterways; Kevin Bergersen, Arizona boating law administrator; Fred Messmann, Nevada Department of Wildlife boating law administrator, and Dave Harris, Utah boating law administrator.
“The award was given to them to recognize their combined efforts in trying to reduce accidents along the Colorado River system, and to reduce the number of boaters operating under the influence of drugs and alcohol,” Huntsman said.
New Safety Products Showcased
The summit also provided an exhibit area to showcase some of the new boating-safety products now available to boaters.
One of those was a new wireless emergency engine shut -off system available for boaters. Wearing a sensor that sends a signal if it’s submerged, if the boater falls overboard, the control module instantly receives the “boater overboard” signal and shuts off the engine.
Developed by Maritech Industries, the unit works in salt and fresh water.
The company also displayed a system designed for houseboats that provides a two-step control unit to start the engine.
The first step is for the captain to turn on the ignition key, which then sends a signal to the stern of the boat where a designated person checks for any swimmers or debris that might be close by. After checking for persons or obstacles, the person at the stern presses a button that sends an “all clear” signal back to the safety system and which then allows the engine to start.
Challenged America To Host VA's First Summer Sports Clinic
San Diego, Calif., has recently been designated as the site for the first National "Summer Sports Clinic" for America's disabled veterans, with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and San Diego's Challenged America program as co-sponsors and host, according to Urban Miyares, Challenged America co-founder and president of the Disabled Businesspersons Association.
Scheduled for Sept. 29 to Oct.3, from the Downtown Manchester Hyatt Hotel, the "Summer Sports Clinic" (SSC) for veterans will host more than 100 severely disabled veterans, introducing them to therapeutic sporting activities, such as sailing, surfing, and kayaking on San Diego's waters.
This week-long clinic will also include alternative sporting and recreational activities, rehabilitation and educational programs, and social events for the disabled veterans, their loved ones, healthcare professionals from VA facilities around the nation, sponsors, celebrities, and volunteers.
Challenged America is a San Diego-based, charitable, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)
volunteer-driven program launched in 1978 by disabled veterans. Utilizing adaptive sailing as a rehabilitation activity, the Challenged America program has been providing free sailing instruction to thousands of kids and adults with disabilities, their loved ones, and to professionals in sports therapy and recreational rehabilitation for the past 30 years.
For a complete press release, a printed version of the Clinic poster, or to
learn more about sponsorship opportunities and supporting America's heroes
at the "Summer Sports Clinic" for America's disabled veterans, contact Urban
Miyares, DBA Challenged America program at Port@ChallengedAmerica.org or
call (619) 594-8805.
Colorado River Fact Sheet
Serious About Safety
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The Colorado River System is one of the most popular recreational boating systems in the United States. Although commercial travel is sparse, the lakes, reservoirs and river stretches that make up the Colorado River system attract recreational boaters in staggering numbers. This popularity unfortunately results in significant numbers of boating accidents and fatalities every year. There are many factors for the accidents and deaths, but one thing is shared – lack of knowledge. Through partnerships, among state and local governments and businesses along the river system, we can turn these statistics around. The numbers and facts below do not tell the whole story, but with increased education and awareness, we can make a difference.
Contributing Factors For Accidents On The Colorado River
Carbon Monoxide Issues
More Information:http://www.BoatColoradoRiver.com |
The Colorado River
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An Old Yellow Jeep, A Borrowed Boat, And —
Darla Bardelli Has Her Own Victory At WBT
Driving from Phoenix to Lake Lewisville, Texas, in an old yellow Jeep and towing a boat loaned her by Lew Rayer of Lew’s Tackle Shop in Apache Junction, Darla Bardelli had her own victory this past month.
"In it to win it" is Bardelli’s slogan. She means fishing in the Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors. She also means her battle against the breast cancer with which she was diagnosed on Aug. 23, 2007.
And, just eight weeks after Bardelli’s double, radical mastectomy, she finished 24th (out of approximately 100) in the pro division, her best showing to date in a WBT event.
"I’m looking forward to the rest of the season," said Bardelli."I feel like I got a great start and I have a shot at that Classic spot."
She was referring to the big prize of the WBT season, winning the season-long points race to become Toyota WBT Angler of the Year and the first woman in history to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.
With No. 1 of the WBT season behind her, Bardelli is ready for the second event May 22-24 on Alabama’s Lake Neely Henry and the third June 19-21 on Tennessee’s Old Hickory Lake.
"After the tournament in June, I will begin seven weeks of daily radiation. I will be ready to come back and fish in October in Georgia," she said, referring to the Clark’s Hill Lake event out of Evans, Ga., Oct. 23-25.
Editor’s Note: We wholeheartedly support our “Tight Lines” co-editor and our friend as she continues to make her own victories through incredible courage, determination, and skill.
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U.S. Coast Guard AuxiliaryGive Mom Some Boating Safety Tips/Gifts That May Save Her Life
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Offers Great Mother's Day Gift Ideas For Boaters
Compiled By Tom Nunes
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
With Mother's Day just around the corner, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary would like to offer some special Mother's Day gift ideas that say "I love you" and will help keep boat-loving Moms stay safe all year long and will surely last longer than roses or a card.
With warm weather approaching, one of the best gift ideas is to give Mom a sleek, lightweight, and comfortable inflatable life jacket (also known as a personal flotation device — or PFD). Today's life jackets come in a variety of styles and colors, are lightweight, yet they provide even greater buoyancy than many older (less comfortable) styles.
More importantly, since these life jackets are less cumbersome, Mom is more likely to wear it. A sad reality is that over 80 percent of those involved in boating fatalities drowned, many because they were not wearing a life jacket.
One other great gift idea for a boater is to enhance her skills, and sign up Mom for a boating-safety course. Knowledge is power, and it has been statistically shown that boaters who have taken a safety class are far less likely to be involved in a boating mishap or fatality.
Course topics include basic boat handling, required and recommended safety equipment, navigational rules and dealing with boating emergencies. Specialty classes, such as advanced navigation, how to read a nautical chart, and how to use GPS and radar are also available.
To learn more, call 1-877-875-6296, or visit the USCGAUX Boating Safety Class page at http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/class_finder/index.html
Another Mother’s Day gift idea is a vessel safety check (VSC) with the local Coast Guard Auxiliary. An Auxiliarist will examine your vessel to ensure compliance with federal, state and local safety requirements before getting underway.
For more information or to schedule a VSC, visit: http://safetyseal.net/ and click on "I WANT A VSC."
Several other great gift ideas to help keep Mom safe include —
- A carbon monoxide detector
- A fire extinguisher
- An anchor
- Emergency signaling kits — flares, signal mirror, whistle, etc.
- Up-to-date navigational charts and/or a handheld GPS unit
- Navigation tools and calculators
- Hand-held VHF marine radio with extra batteries
- Personal emergency position indicating radio beacons (PEPIRBs)
- Tool kit and spare parts for boats
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as a first aid kit, sunscreen, sunglasses, food and water.
The price range for these items runs from under $10, up to several hundred dollars, but giving the gift of safety to Mom is priceless.
The Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary recommends these gifts in the effort to save lives, and to reduce the number of mishaps on America's waterways.
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Kayaks, Canoes Keep Coast Guard Busy
Provided By Tom Nunes
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
From Oregon to New Orleans to Philadelphia the U.S. Coast Guard stayed busy this past month, rescuing kayakers and a canoeist.
In Oregon, the Coast Guard rescued a 30-year-old male after his kayak had overturned. The man was reportedly suffering from hypothermia when Coast Guard rescuers reached him.
In New Orleans, the Coast Guard rescued a man in the Bonnet Carre Spillway after the canoe he was aboard became stranded by the strong current. And, in Philadelphia, the Coast Guard, a tug-boat crew, and a boom-boat crew rescued two kayakers after they had capsized and been overtaken by water in the Delaware River. Both kayakers demonstrated early signs of hypothermia.
Stories like this are all too familiar, and as the temperatures across the country warm, more and more Americans will take to the water to recreate. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary reminds paddlecraft operators that a safe trip begins with assessing conditions and planning your trip, including the return.
Data is available from a wide array of sources: buoys, NOAA forecasts, locals, previous trip reports, bar condition reports, and charts are starting points as the prudent mariner does not rely on a single source of information.
And, don’t forget to wear your life jacket. Paddlecraft operators are also encouraged to get a free Vessel Safety Check (yes, paddle craft are considered vessels too and are required by federal law to maintain specific safety equipment onboard).
To arrange for a free vessel safety check, go to www.vesselsafetycheck.org and click on "I Want a VSC" to find a Vessel Examiner near you.
As the numbers of people turning to manual-powered craft or paddlecraft increases, so does the risk for novice or unprepared operators getting themselves into trouble. A recent study by the Outdoor Industry Foundation has shown a dramatic increase in the number of Americans participating in kayaking, a 23 percent increase in 2005 alone.
Unfortunately, there has also been a rise in the number of paddlecraft accidents.
Three knots is the average speed for a kayaker. In the wrong place, where a river narrows or where underwater features force waters to speed up or create towering waves, experience and preparedness, not muscle power, are what matter.
The prepared kayaker will have a boat appropriate for the task, be wearing protective clothing and a lifejacket, be carrying safety and communication equipment, have the skills to re-enter and roll, and use good judgment tempered with an appraisal of objective and subjective factors.
The experienced paddler should also be in the company of one or more people equally versed in reading the water and self-rescue.
Please Send Best Wishes To Gary Dobyns
From His Friend Margie Anderson
My good friend Gary Dobyns, a professional bass fisherman in California, was in a boating accident recently. After over 36 years of safe boat operating, his boat spun out for no apparent reason and he was thrown overboard.
He wasn’t wearing a life jacket, but the kill switch saved his life by stopping the boat right on top of him. With cracked vertebrae, broken ribs, and a useless left arm and leg, he would have died if the boat had been any distance away.
Boating accidents can happen to anyone at any time. You don’t have to be driving recklessly. Recent information from BoatU.S. about falls overboard is particularly timely, since National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23. Keep safe and please remember Gary Dobyns in your thoughts and prayers.
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Our Pick For Baja-Bound Anglers
The Book We’ve Been Waiting For Is Out:
Zack Thomas’ The Angler's Guide To Trailer-Boating Baja
Towing your own boat into Baja California and exploring and fishing its wild, rich, mysterious waters on your own is an adventure in the truest sense — it never goes quite according to plan, it's a bit risky, and it requires considerable planning and preparation, but you can pretty much count on seeing and experiencing things you'll remember the rest of your life.
But, that first trip below the border can be intimidating. Unfounded horror stories abound about corrupt cops, terrible roads, rampant theft, and "Montezuma's revenge." And, getting straight, definitive answers about things like insurance, licenses, visas and regulations can be nearly impossible.
Covers All The ‘Brass Tacks’
Zack Thomas's new book, The Angler's Guide to Trailer-Boating Baja, dispels the common Baja myths and covers all the "brass tacks" a first-timer needs to know about — not just paperwork, but also preparing boats, trailers and tow vehicles, what parts and supplies are and aren't available below the border, driving conditions and drive times, and more.
For those who already know the Baja ropes, the book details more than 30 launch spots, ranging from full-service marinas to remote beach launches. In addition to descriptions and photos of the launches themselves, each chapter includes complete logistical information — where to buy ice, food, and drinks; where to stay and how much it's going to cost; where to wash down your boat; which Pemex stations are most convenient for truck-trailer rigs; navigational hazards to be aware of; where to catch/buy bait, etc.
Author Himself Wanted This Kind Of Book
"I first decided to research and write this book," Thomas says, "because I wanted a copy of it myself. Like a lot of do-it-yourself Baja guys, I was stuck in a rut. I was going down three to five times a year, but always to the places I already knew — San Quintín, Mulegé, Loreto and Mag Bay.
"I'd been wanting for years to hit the remote Pacific coast of the Vizcaíno Peninsula, but I just couldn't find the information I needed. Were the roads really that bad? Could I launch a deep-vee 21-footer anywhere out there? Where was gas available, and how dependable was the supply? How about diesel for my truck? Should I plan to camp, or were there hotels?
"You can get answers to those things on the Internet, but every one you get is different. Everybody's an expert in cyberspace, and you have no way of knowing who's reliable and who isn't. So I figured if I wanted a book like this, other people probably did too."
Guide Based On Firsthand Research
Everything in The Angler's Guide to Trailer-Boating Baja is the result of firsthand research. "The thing that sets this book apart," Thomas says, "is that between November 2006 and November 2007, I towed my own boat to every corner of Baja and scrounged up every scrap of information you'd need to plan a trip to any launch spot on the peninsula. I was always thinking, 'What would I want to know if I'd never been here before?'
"Need a secure place to leave your rig for a few nights in Puerto San Carlos? Wonder what the camping is like at Ensenada de los Muertos? Looking for ice in La Bocana? Out of two-stroke oil in Santa Rosalía? Don't know where to flush your engine in Loreto? It's all in there, and it's all based on recent firsthand research."
Additional Information
- Released March 26, 2008;
- Book is $29.95 plus $3.50 shipping through www.bajatrailerboating.com;
- Also available through numerous Southern California fishing tackle shops, plus Seabreeze Books and Discover Baja in San Diego, and in Phoenix, from Phoenix Fishing Supply, 4810 N 16th St. More Arizona outlets expected.
- 320 pages, 8-3/8" x 10-7/8",
- Updated information based on Thomas’s own trips and readers' trips is available at the Web site www.bajatrailerboating.com —
Sample chapter, Preface, and Table of Contents are available for free at www.bajatrailerboating.com .
(As Thomas says, “Folks can read a sample chapter and the preface on my Web site, so they'll know they're not spending $30 on another sloppy and/or poorly researched "fluff piece.")
About The Author
- Former lead editor of Pacific Coast Sportfishing and FishRap
- Current contributing editor to FishRap and Go Boating magazine, regular contributor to Western Outdoors
- Member of Boating Writers International
- Member of Outdoor Writers Association of America
- Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of California
- OWAC Writer of the Year 2003
- U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Captain
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If You Don’t Wear Anything Else, Wear Your Life Jacket!
And, Don’t Forget The Pets Aboard
Safety of life, limb and property is a personal responsibility we should all follow no matter what we do. While boating, wearing a lifejacket is perhaps your single, most important responsibility for both you and your passengers.
Why don’t boaters wear their life jackets? Past reasons for not wearing a life jacket are simply not true for today’s personal flotation devices. Today’s jackets are no longer the hot and bulky vests once associated with water safety gear.
Now there are many attractive styles and colors from which to choose, including infants’ wearables and the newest inflatables. There is simply no excuse for not wearing a life jacket aboard a pleasure craft. Besides that, for some age groups and users it’s the law.
Federal and state regulations for recreational boats state that life jackets must be Coast Guard approved, in good and serviceable condition and of appropriate size for the intended wearer. One size does not fit all!
Recreational boats must carry one Type I, II, III or V personal flotation device for each person aboard. A life jacket stowed in an inaccessible compartment does little good when the unexpected happens, and suddenly the boater is in the water. The best life jacket or other personal flotation device is the one that is already being worn.
With the aim of saving lives, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Canadian Safe Boating Council, the National Safe Boating Council and other marine safety organizations, celebrate National Safe Boating Week each May. The event is the high point of a year-round North American Safe Boating Campaign.
Its purpose is to get the boating public to think safety and to reduce the toll of death and injuries on our waterways by being responsible and always wearing lifejackets.
“Wear It!” is the theme. It refers, of course, to life jackets. Press releases repeating this theme are sent to the print media, and public service announcements are broadcast on radio and television stations across the U.S. and Canada.
Wearing a life jacket is a must for children — it’s the law. An important feature of National Safe Boating Week is safety for children on our waterways. As incentives to “Wear It,” life jacket exchange programs and giveaways are held from coast to coast during National Safe Boating Week.
In addition to promoting life jacket wear, National Safe Boating Week is a push for vessel-safety checks. Throughout the United States, members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Power Squadrons offer free courtesy checks to make sure a boat has the proper safety equipment, required by law, and is free of obvious hazardous conditions.
Vessel safety booths are set up at launch ramps, marinas and retail store parking lots. To locate a Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel examiner in your area and schedule your boat to be checked, go to www.vesselsafetycheck.org. Click on “I want a VSC.” To contact a Power Squadron examiner, go to www.usps.org .
Today, over 13 million boats traverse our waterways, yet 65 percent of the boaters have never taken a boating-safety course, according to Coast Guard statistics. Public boater education is emphasized during the campaign because boating education saves lives and property.
The Auxiliary, the Power Squadrons and other boating organizations offer the basic America’s Boating Course to the more advanced navigation and GPS courses. To find a Coast Guard Auxiliary class near you, click on www.cgaux.org, “Visitors.” To take a Power Squadron class, click on www.usps.org.
Recreational boating is one of our nation’s most popular sports. Safe boating is smart boating when the vessel operator complies with federal and state regulations. During National Safe Boating Week and throughout the boating season, smart boaters get vessel safety checks, take boating safety classes, stay sober on the water and, above all, “Wear It!”
Editor’s Note: And, as long as we are highlighting the importance of wearing life jackets, please don’t forget your pets. If you live aboard or boat with dogs and/or cats, or other “Good Company,” there are PFDs available for them as well. Their safety is also your responsibility.
Phoenix Power Squadron Wants You!
Summer Boaters Need Safety Classes
From Ron Werner
The Phoenix Power Squadron is keen on enrolling students — for safety’s sake. They urge everyone to “Boat Smart from the Start” and advise learning from qualified instructors: USPS (623) 566-3044 or BPE@phx-usps.org and USCG AUX (623) 566-3044.
Another vital subject is vessel safety, and if you need an inspection, e-mail rwerner@prodigy.net.
As Power Squadron members state, “Our goal is to make you safe.”
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USCG Auxiliary Safe Boating Week:
May 17-23
Come To Lake Pleasant For Kickoff To Safety
Lake Pleasant Regional Park is the site of the 2008 Arizona Safe Boating Celebration, which will be held on May 17 at the 10 Lane Ramp.
Is your watercraft safe? Do you have everything onboard that you need to keep your family safe while you are on the water?
Are you knowledgeable of Arizona's boating laws and regulations? Do you know what all those buoys mean? This event can put those worries to rest as you find out more about keeping your family and boat safe.
This is your chance to see a real U.S. Coast Guard helicopter demonstrate rescue-swimmer techniques, just like the ones in the movies! Wakeboard demos, knot tying, sailboat and kayak demos, and much, much more is planned for the celebration at the 10 Lane boat ramp.
A fashion show is planned to show you the latest in lightweight, comfortable, and stylish life jackets! There will be prizes throughout the morning and lots of information from boating experts that will help you enjoy safe boating on the lake.
Find out how to operate your boat safely and learn about dangers such as excessive speed, alcohol, and carbon monoxide poisoning. And, don't miss this annual opportunity to get your FREE watercraft safety check, which will be available at both boat ramps.
While you might not pass, you won't be cited during the event! The inspection takes less than 15 minutes and can be performed while you get your boat ready to launch. Don't forget to stop and, hopefully, put your mind at ease knowing you are a safe boater.
This free service is brought to you by the park and the following sponsors: Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S.C.G. Auxiliary, and the Phoenix Power Squadron.
Date: May 17
Time: 8 a.m.-noon
Duration: Inspections take less than 15 minutes, and you won't be cited!
Speakers: Arizona Game & Fish Department, Phoenix Power Squadron, and United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
Registration Required? No
Fee: Park entry fees of $5.00 per vehicle plus $2.00 per watercraft
More Info: http://www.azsafeboating.org/
Contact: Events Coordinator (602) 372-7460, ext. 200
Location: 4 Lane and 10 Lane boat ramps
Note: Inspected watercraft owners receive a discount coupon good for next visit to the park.
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Brad Stephens Featured Boat Of The Month
Scottsdale Marine Center Presents The White Mountain Special
Arizona is known for having one of the most diverse topographies of all the states. The central and eastern parts of Arizona include our high-country pine forests and trout lakes.
This adventure zone is a great place to escape the summer heat and to fish on some of the finest trout lakes in the West. Although almost anything that floats will get you on the water, being comfortable and well equipped will make your forestland adventure that much more enjoyable.
Enter The White Mountain Special
This trout-fishing machine begins as a 1415T, Mirrocraft aluminum boat. It is a wide beamed, rather deep boat that is just over 14 feet in length.
It comes from the factory with a flat, carpeted floor (marine-grade carpet), two pedestal seats, three seat bases, a nice livewell with bait bucket, and lights so that you can be out before and after dark when necessary.
The interior is roomy and open, leaving plenty of space for casting, flyfishing or for just plain kicking back and stretching out in between hook-ups. The two seats (standard) can be located in three different spots within the boat. A third pedestal seat is available as an option.
Enclosed storage compartments are located in the bow area of the boat and under the forward deck. The boat has a capacity of four adults, and we have fished up to five comfortably if you have a boat full of small children. The factory trailer features a welded frame with 12-inch wheels, buddy bearings, winch, tongue jack and side guides to make loading and unloading a one-person breeze.
So Much For The Basics
Scottsdale Marine takes the basic 1415T and transforms it into a top fishing machine. First, a fish finder is added to ensure that there are fish present where you are fishing. Fish are not evenly dispersed around the lake and having a fish finder will give you the opportunity to find the fish and to avoid fishing all day where there are no fish to catch (very frustrating).
Next, rod-holder bases are installed in four locations and filled with at least two rod holders. Rod holders can be either the spinning-reel type or those suited for flyrods.
Cleats are installed for tying off anchors or dock lines, and tiedowns are added for trailering on the sometimes rough roads. A powerful electric trolling motor is used to power the boat, as most of the lakes in the pine forests are restricted to electric motors only.
Sporting over 80 pounds of thrust, this motor will push the boat through almost any wind conditions. The 24-volt motor is powered by two deep-cycle batteries, and a convenient two-bank battery charger installed in the boat keeps them ready to go at your beck and call.
Consider The Cool Options
Other options include drink-cup holders installed where you want them, a bimini top for shade, and a custom towing cover to keep your boat clean while on the road. The White Mountain Special can be purchased with all the goodies or can be priced to provide just the basics. Either way, your boating and fishing adventures are waiting.
The White Mountain Special offers comfort, rugged performance and exceptional value.
A truly successful adventure begins with the right equipment. Add a "get up early and go attitude," and you can expect many successful days of fishing on the cool lakes up north.
For more information on The White Mountain Special, visit Scottsdale Marine Center, 6795 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250 or call Glenn Cate at (480) 483-8538. Other contact points are fax: (480) 483-8588 and e-mail: smcinc@mindspring.com.
WAKE ZONE
Contact Your Senators Now!
Help Stop Federal Permitting Of Incidental Non-Point Pollution From Boats
Editor,
The Clock Is Ticking. We need everyone to contact their U.S. Senators to ask them to co-sponsor S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008.
The Threat. Congress has only six months to correct a terrible wrong imposed on recreational boating by a Federal District judge that would require every boat owner to obtain a yearly federal or state permit to operate every boat owned in every state the boat operates in. The cost could go to $2,000.00 per boat per state.
The Issue. These permits would apply to deck run off, bilge water, engine-cooling water, and any other water-based operational discharge from a recreational boat. The fines based on citizen suits range up to $32,000 per day. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is already writing the required new federal rule, which is set to go operational on Oct. 1, 2008.
What Can You Do? The Southern California Marine Association (SCMA) strongly encourages you and your employees, your friends and all your boating suppliers to CONTACT YOUR SENATORS and ask them to co-sponsor S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008.
To assist you in this process, SCMA urges you to go to a special Web site, www.boatblue.org, set up for this issue. Once there, simply type in your zip code and click send.
For further information, contact the SCMA at (714) 633-7581 or contact
Jim Klark at jim@scma.com
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THANK YOU! -- Emily Decker expresses her sincere gratitude to Superstition Search & Rescue, the Pinal County Sheriff's Department, DPS, and others for their rescue training and skills. Without them, Emily and her boyfriend John might have had a grim ending to their March 15 ordeal in the Superstition Mountains. (See their complete story on page 2 of the April issue of Arizona Boating & Watersports news magazine or at azbw.com.)To SSAR: A Thank You From Emily
Editor,
I am so happy to see that you have chosen the Superstition Search & Rescue team (SSAR) as the recipients of the "Rock the Boat" proceeds. If anyone deserves extra support, it is certainly this group of amazing people.
When my boyfriend and I made a critical mistake one month ago, hiking in the Superstitions, SSAR — along with five other agencies — responded to our call instantly and saved our lives.
If it weren't for their training and skills, our story would have been a very grim one.
The article you featured last month on SSAR was our story, and I'd like to thank this magazine for bringing them much-needed attention. The people of SSAR spent the entire day saving our lives — for no pay. They even have to supply most of their own equipment.
As someone who loves to explore our Superstitions (as safely as possible, of course), I am so happy this group exists.
Thank you to SSAR, Pinal County Sheriff's Dept., DPS, and everyone involved in our rescue and others.
I am forever grateful.
Sincerely,
Emily Decker
Apache Junction
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SAFETY-SAVY TWINS -- Three-year-old twins Nora (left) and Addie (right) Pollard are ready to be in, near, or on the water as they sport their life-saving PFDs.The Arizona State Parks department will also be celebrating their 50th anniversary so a tent with children's activities and VIP ceremonies will be part of this year's May 5 Tri-State Celebration. Tri-State Boating Safety Fair May 5 At Lake Havasu State Park
A consortium of state, local and Federal boating agencies are hosting the fourth annual Tri-State Boating Safety Fair to educate boaters about boating safety, especially the importance of life jackets and the newest danger of Quagga mussels.
With the recent furor over Quagga mussel infestation, boating officials worry that boaters will lose sight of the most important boating safety device ever devised—the personal flotation device, most often called a life jacket.
"Life jackets save lives period, said Raynor Tsuneyoshi, director of the California Department of Boating and Waterways. “I know for a fact that if we could get every boater to wear a life jacket on the water, we would have less than half as many people killed on this river system each and every year.”
Tsuneyoshi and other boating officials hear just about every excuse for the lack of life jacket wear on the Colorado River, from “it’s too hot” to the “not-so-comfortable” excuse. But, according to Tsuneyoshi newer, self-inflatable flotation devices have solved that problem, and traditional life jackets are more comfortable, affordable and durable than ever.
This year, teams of safety professionals from three states will come together to do boating safety demonstrations on the river and encourage everyone to wear life jackets. The fourth annual Tri-State Boating Safety Fair is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, at Lake Havasu State Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Celebrating 50 Years
Also, the Arizona State Parks' 50th Anniversary will be celebrated the entire day at the park with programming for children and families.
Besides life-jacket wear, boating pros will focus on boating-safety tips, navigation rules, and sober boating. This year, boating officials worry that the safety message will be overshadowed by the recent discovery of Quagga mussels on the Colorado River System.
“Quaggas are a nasty invasive species that does tremendous damage to infrastructure and ecosystems,” said Fred Messmann, boating-law administrator from Nevada. “We want people to be aware of the Quagga and help us stop this menace, but at the same time, we want people to remember to be safe while they are boating."
The fair will take time to educate on Quagga, reminding boaters to clean their boats and trailers thoroughly to prevent the spread of the destructive species. Experts will be on hand to demonstrate cleaning techniques, explain the issue and provide clarification to boaters with questions.
The Boating Safety Fair will include public safety information booths, a demonstration of a water rescue, free vessel safety checks, and a chance to win a personal watercraft or a 7-day houseboating trip.
Safety Fair participants can register to win the trip by taking the Tri-State Boating Safety Quiz.
Free Vessel Safety Checks
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and state boating-safety agencies will be conducting free vessel safety checks to ensure that a boater has all legal requirements and safety gear aboard the boat.
In addition, corporate sponsors will be giving 150 families a chance to bring in an outgrown or unsafe life jacket and trade it for a brand new one from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while supplies last.
The Arizona State Parks department will also be celebrating their 50th anniversary of the State Parks in Arizona so a tent with children's activities and VIP ceremonies will be part of this year's Tri-State Celebration.
Visitors at the event and all along the river will also receive a “boating safety bag” full of small gifts and educational material about boating laws in the three states through which the Colorado River runs. Boating officials and law enforcement officers from each state will hand out boating safety bags and answer questions at 27 different boat-launch ramps along the Colorado River.
Wearing Life Jackets Key Message
“We want to reach as many people from both sides of the river as possible before this year’s boating season”, said Kevin Bergersen, Arizona’s Boating Law Administrator. “Again, life jackets, sober boating and safe operation are our keymessages to boaters.”
Several different states, local organizations and boating-safety organizations will host events and demonstrations throughout the day. The California boating safety team will demonstrate "hooked goggles" that simulate the debilitating effects of alcohol, and water rescue demonstrations will be performed with the cooperation of various law-enforcement agencies.
Day-use entry fee at the park will be waived for the regular $9 per car, and the public is encouraged to stay the entire day to picnic, swim, fish and watch the events. A boat-launching fee of $9 will still be charged.
For more information about this Boating Safety Fair, call Lake Havasu State Park at (928) 855-9394 or the state representatives: Arizona: Teresa Guillen, Arizona Game and Fish (602) 789-3377; California: Gloria Sandoval at (916) 263-0788, or Nevada: Edwin Lyngar, Department of Wildlife (775) 688-1548.
It is our pleasure from time to time to present to our readers information about new products; however, the information published in Arizona Boating & Watersports news magazine is for reader interest only and does not consitute endorsement by AZBW. Further, we suggest that you check first with local marine, fishing, and RV dealers and suppliers to see if they have the items mentioned in our articles. Also, please remember that the prices given are those that were in effect at press time and may have changed.
You may reach Arizona Boating and Watersports at:
(480) 947-6219
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