As the holidays approach, many of us scramble to come up with unique gift ideas for the boaters in our lives. Whether you’re searching for a big surprise or just need some nautical stocking stuffers, our Holiday Boater Gift Guide features our top picks for every kind of boater and every kind of budget.
We’re gearing up for our largest event of the year – the Fort Myers Boat Show! With so much to see, learn and do, we want to make sure you feel as prepared as possible to get the most out of your boat show experience, no matter what show you’re at. Whether you’re there strictly for the boats, interested in discovering fishing tips from local anglers, or making your holiday wish list filled with the latest gadgets, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t leaving anything out. Whether you attend the show regularly or are planning your first visit, you can benefit from our tips below.
In 2016, Fort Myers was ranked in the top 5 cities with the most boat thefts in the country. Locking and tracking technology becomes more advanced every year, but unfortunately, so do the culprits. Thieves aren’t always out to steal an entire boat and are often looking for easier items to grab like outboard engines, trolling motors, props, and electronics. Big ticket items can come in small packages. Keeping up to date on the latest preventative measures can help keep your boat where it belongs—with you.
By: Stokes Marine
No two boat lifts or docks are exactly the same so chances are you’ll need a bit of customization to fit your needs. These needs might include washing your boat, boat maintenance, entering and exiting the boat, and accessing different areas around your boat.
If the dock does not wrap all the way around both side of the boat, washing the boat can become very difficult. Washing the hull of a boat while being on the boat can be rough on your back and sometimes impossible depending the what kind of hull you have.
OK, well the bad news is no one has time to fish. We are cleaning yards, helping friends, or just getting back in the swing of life. But if your family and property are OK and you can manage a trip down Harbor, there are fish to be caught.
By: Stokes Marine
If you are in the market for a new lift, or just curious about how they work, we have compiled some basic information to educate you on boat lifts.
Late summer in Florida brings warm ocean waters and frequent afternoon storms. Surrounded by conditions known for producing wild weather, most of the area’s experienced boat owners are ready to put their hurricane preparation plan into action at a moment’s notice. Whether you’ve recently become a boat owner, or if it’s simply been a while since you were on hurricane standby, check out these tips for prepping your boat to ride out a hurricane.
For those born and raised, or just always on the water, bringing the entire family on the boat is second nature. However, even the most experienced boating families need to practice safe habits on the water. Many of these safety tips go without saying, but it’s always beneficial to have a refresher.
Forget the necktie and “World’s Best Dad” mug, because we’ve netted some thoughtful and useful Father’s Day gift ideas for the Captain of the house. And if you’re a Dad yourself, feel free to “accidentally” send this list to your crew at home!
With the start of the summer season, we hope you are enjoying time on the water. With that in mind, we have created a Gulf-wide one-page guide on how to prepare for and respond to an accidental oil or fuel spill on your own vessel. This fact sheet—printed on waterproof paper for on-board storing—will tell you what products to have in place to prevent and/or contain leaking oil and which authorities to call for help in every Gulf state.
Read more “A Boater’s Guide to Handling Oil and Fuel Spills”