Joystick Controls

I wanted to take a moment to discuss boating using a joystick. I know it seems as if all those hours playing games during your childhood have now finally come into some use with your adult life with using a joystick to operate your boat.

Joystick controls allow you to preform maneuvers that would never have been possible with conventional controls. One of the most obvious new ways is the ability to move your boat sideways. This maneuver makes it easier to dock but only once you have practiced for a bit first. The boat tents to lean away from the direction that it is moving and when you lay off the joystick, the boat rocks back toward the opposite direction. If you keep the boat moving until you have completely reached the dock, you run a risk of dinging the side of your boat when it settles.

Another maneuver is the ability to keep a boat in place while spinning in a circle. This makes moving around is tight spaces a breeze. Just as before, you can't just hop in a joystick operated boat and be able to flawlessly navigate. You will need to practice, practice, and then practice some more.

Joystick controls have their advantages, my favorite being the ability to hold fast. Meaning, with the help of control system with built in GPS, you now have the ability to keep the boat in one solitary position with the push of a button. Potential uses, waiting in line at the boat ramp & gas dock or seeing if you have found the perfect fishing spot. Your boat will keep itself stationary. That doesn't mean that you can just leave it unmanned. The technology is not there yet for a man less operation.

Even with the new maneuvers that you can do with a joystick operated boat; you will not be able to hop in and be proficient. Take your time; there is a learning curve as with anything new. Don't give up and keep practicing.

Safe Fishing Tips

We love to go fishing and we know that you love fishing just as much as we do. When you head out on the water for your next fishing trip keep these next few tips in mind to keep you and everyone else out on the water with you safe. 

The first thing to remember when you are getting ready for you next fishing outing is to prepare. Preparing starts with checking the forecast. Just because the weather looks good right now doesn’t mean that it will be like that all day. Keep an eye on the sky and the weather app on your phone. Being prepared also means that you are dressed for the day. Dressing in layers and ending with a water/wind protection layer. Appropriate footgear is required for safety. That means not sandals or bare feet allowed. Your goal is to stay dry and warm.

Another way to prepare before departure is to pack the extra item that you will need on board including water, flashlights, maps, insect repellent and cellphone or radio. Keeping these extra safety items in the boat are helpful in emergency situations. Another important safety tip to remember is to always keep your fillet knives sharp. You wouldn’t want to be out on an unstable boat trying to sharpen a knife.

When you are on the water, make sure to wear your life vest at all times. Having it within reach does not count. In an emergency you will not think or be able to grab it before hitting the water. Put it on before leaving shore. Once out on the water, use caution when you bait or remove hooks. They are sharp and the boat is constantly moving so make sure to handle the fish carefully. Because of those reasons, you should always use safety glasses when you are casting.

One of the most important tips to remember is do not fish in areas where it is not permitted. They are off limits for a reason, either to protect wildlife, vegetation, or for your safety. When you choose your fishing spot, always consider safety factors.

Using these tips will keep you and your new fishing buddies safe while on the water. Remember fishing is fun and following these rules will ensure that it stays that way. Now, let’s go fishing.

The Fishing Hook

We love fishing and one of the most prevalent accessories in fishing is the fishing hook. How much do we really know about the hook. We know it hooks the fish but do we know much else? Let’s get started with what a hook is. A fishhook is a device that is used to catch a fish by “hooking” the fish by the mouth. The hooks come in many different shapes, designs, sizes, and materials.

The hook looks like a simple piece of metal, but it is much more complex than it looks. It is made up of different parts coming together to form the traditional J shape. It starts at the top of the hook (the top of the J) with the eye followed by the shank, which is the long spine of the hook. The shank flows into the bend then it finishes off at the point of the hook.

The point is the business end of the hook, it is where all the action happens. The point of the hook is where the fish is caught onto the line. There is another piece of metal that is attached to the point which is called the barb. It is in place to prevent the hook from slipping out of the fish once it has been caught.

There are different types of hooks. There is the traditional J hook, which looks just like a J. This hook is best used with natural (live or dead) bait. J hooks are the most common as well as the oldest hooks on the market.

There is also a hook called the treble hook. This hook has three different points attached to one shank. You will find this hook usually attached to artificial baits.

The final type of fishing hook is called the circle hook. It is very similar to the J hook with the exception that the point goes further in pointing toward the shaft. This makes it look like a circle. The circle hook is the hook for beginners. There is little to no work when you are catching the fish.

Now when someone asks you about a hook, you will now more about the history and types of hooks that are on the market. Take what you have learned and head out to find your next fishing hook. Let’s go fishing.

*Photo Credit: Mike Cline

Is It Time For An Engine Repower?

Car engine and boat engines are quite a bit different. With your car, once the engine decides it has had enough; usually your car body is ready to kick the bucket as well. With your boat, when your engine starts to give you problems, there are still many years that are left in the body of your boat. That is where we come in. We can perform an engine repower in order to lengthen the life of your boat.

How can you tell when your boat engine is ready for a repower? There are a few reasons to get an engine repower over just buying a new boat. The first big reason is if buying a new boat is out of your budget. Engine repowers are drastically less than if you were to buy a new boat outright.

Your engine doesn't have to be having problems in order for you to want an engine repower. You could want more performance from your boat, increase your boat's resale value, want to upgrade to the latest technology, or you just want to reduce your fuel costs. There are many reasons why you might want to get your boat engine repowered and any one of them would make it worth it. Let us help you to get, or keep, your boat on the water for many boating seasons to come.

Fishing Is Great, What About The Bait?

Fishing is one of the more relaxing things that we spend our time doing. With work, kids, endless chores around the house, fishing is our time away from it all. The fishing is always nice, but sometimes, the catching is not the greatest. The most important thing to consider when you are looking for a lot of fish to start biting, is to consider your bait. Once you have that figured out, you are ready for a relaxing day sitting on the water with your fishing pole having fish after fish after fish biting on your hook.

What is bait? Bait is what you will use to attract a fish and entice him to eat the bait. Which in turn hooks the fish on your line. There are a range of bait options from live bait, to no bait at all. The three main categories of bait are live bait, dead bait, and artificial bait. The bait you choose, depends on the type of fish you are looking to catch, the water in which you are fishing, the time of the year, and even the natural food source of the fish.

Live Bait

Live bait as it sounds is bait that is alive when you put it on the hook. Things such as worms or leeches. Ask any angler and they will most likely say that live bait is the way to go no matter what. The reasoning? Fish are used to the look, smell, and taste of a live specimen that inhabits their waters. When you are using live bait you can either catch it yourself using insects, worms or other small fish that you catch in the same body of water that you are fishing in. Or, you could buy live bait from your local bait shop. Be sure that if you are purchasing live bait, to make sure it is indigenous to the area where you are fishing or the fish won't come near it. 

Dead Bait

Again, just like it sounds, dead bait is bait that is dead when you place it on the hook. Dead bait has all the same benefits as live bait. It looks like, feels like and smells like the real thing. The same types of baits are available for dead bait that you can purchase alive. The advantage of dead bait is it's far less expensive if you are purchasing it and if you are planning on spending your day fishing, you don't have to worry about keeping the bait alive all day. The disadvantage, you have a little more work cut out for you. You will have to make the bait appear alive by moving it through the water. 

Artificial Bait

Artificial bait is not natural, it is manufactured. This type of bait includes bait from using just hooks, to large plastic creature like objects. Artificial bait is a huge part of the fishing industry. Every year manufactures come out with new and improved baits that are guaranteed to catch you fish. It can be said, that artificial bait is more to catch the fisherman than the fish. With the cool look to the bait, to the creative packaging and marketing, I'm sure you have picked up a lure because it looked awesome in the store. 

Regardless of the bait that you choose, make sure that you are using the appropriate sized bait for the job. A good gage  would be the bigger the fish the bigger the bait. Not to say that you couldn't catch a big fish with a little bait, but it would be quite difficult to catch a smaller fish with bait that was meant for something much larger. Take what you have learned today and start to catch more fish, turn a good fishing trip great! Let's go fishing.

The Right Plug

With today's modern fuel injection changing your spark plugs is few and far between, that day will come that you will need to know how to properly change a spark plug on your boat. That is where we come in. Here are some tips and tricks for changing your spark plugs.

Using The Right Wrench

Spark plugs have a porcelain tip on them that is protected by a foam cover. Using a standard socket wrench could crack the porcelain. You will need a steady hand, socket extension and tight gripping socket.

Choose The Right Plug

A tad short or not the right heat range won't fly. Close enough will not work when installing spark plugs. The best way to figure out the right spark plug is to contact the manufacturer. 

Using The Right Gap

The gap is the distance the spark has to jump. If you have a gapless engine, then this is one step that you do not have to worry with. If your sparks need to be gapped, I would suggest investing in feeler gages. The gap setting can be found on the emissions plate of the engine or in the owner’s manual

Using The Right Torque

Over tightening is one of the biggest mistakes. If you overtighten the spark plug when reinstalling it, you could strip the cylinder which would be costly to remove and have it re-threaded. The average torque wrench setting should be between 18-20 pounds per square inch. Make sure to check with the manufacturer before use.

Quick Tip: As you are changing your plug, check the others. Look for water droplets, aluminum bits, or a white substance on them. If you find any, take it to your dealer before you head out again.

Now that you know how to change your spark plugs, don't let the fear of what might go wrong stop you from enjoy a day relaxing on the water. If you are looking for some more tips on the subject, check these out.

New Georgia Boating Laws In Effect

New boating laws have taken effect in Georgia, and they apply to everyone boating in the state - whether or not you are a resident.

The biggest change is this: anyone in Georgia born in 1998 or later must take an approved boating safety course before taking the wheel of a boat or personal watercraft. (This new education requirement, however, will not be enforced until July 1, 2014.) While taking a boating safety course has always been a good practice, especially for younger boaters, such a course is now required by law.

The following persons, however, are exempt:

• a person licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel;
• a person operating on a private lake or pond; or
• a non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA approved boater education course or equivalency examination from another state.

Where can you find state-approved boating safety courses? There are actually several options to choose from. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources website lists several resources for finding courses near you. Courses are often run by local Coast Guard Auxiluary units, DNR law enforcement or sail and power squadrons. There are several online options as well, including Boat-Ed, Boater Exam or the Boat US Foundation. Information for these online courses (including pricing) is on the GADNR website.

Other provisions of Senate Bill 136, which went into effect on May 15, 2013, include lowering the maximum blood alcohol level from .10 to .08 for anyone operating a boat. This now makes the legal blood acohol limit the same for boating and driving. The new law also increases penalties for those caught boating while intoxicated. In addition, the new legislation tightens life jacket laws, requiring anyone on a moving boat who is 13 years old or younger to wear a life jacket (previously, it was recommended for kids under 13 and required for kids under 10).

These changes stem from the three boating-related deaths of children in Georgia last summer. We think they are good changes, ones that should make our children safer and keep everyone a bit more responsible for safety on the water.

What do you think of these new boating laws?