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Boating Rules And Regulations – What You Need To Know To Stay Safe On The Water!
0 Comments | Posted by admin in Boating Q & A
Before you start looking thru the boat classifieds for a new boat for sale or maybe a used boat for sale, you need to stop to think about getting acquainted with the basic sailing rules and regs. These may affect the kind of boat you purchase and how you intend to use it. The amount of registered boaters continues to rise annually and though the amount of lethal accidents has appears to level off over the last few years, the quantity of sailing congestion and traffic has not.
Every year it appears like there are more boaters on our inland waters and major gateways and your local county law enforcement is now constantly monitoring them for violations. Below are some boating regulations to help keep you safe. People between the ages of 12-15 may operate a boat provided they are accompanied by an adult. This regulation varies from state to state, so check your local authority first.
Cruising in Prohibited Areas - Proscribed areas are routinely marked with buoys, beacons or diver down flags. Be cautious to check for proscribed areas at your local launch site or keep away from marked areas. Slow-No Wake: Marked areas require that you operate your boat as to not make a wake and at minimum speed
Riding on Bow: It is generally unlawful to ride on the bow, unless supplied with seating, or gunwale of a boat that's traveling at a speed greater than slow-no wake speed. Unacceptable Distance: It isn't lawful to operate a boat when traveling greater than slow-no wake speeds inside a hundred feet of coastal waters less than three feet deep, any berthed or anchored vessel, any dock or raft, a marked swimming area.
Failure to control Speed: It is unlawful to operate a boat at a speed that would cause danger to property or life or speeds that make it difficult for you to safely manage your vessel including, speeds greater than 55mph on little inland lakes, faster than reasonable speeds in serious conditions, speeds greater than slow-no wake speeds with people riding on bow. Reckless Operation: Includes operation your vessel that threatens the protection of others or the property of others. It is illegal to tow skiers from dusk to dawn.
Boats towing skiers must be provided with a wide angle rearview mirror or have someone else on board, twelve years or older, to watch the skier. Each occupant must wear a life preserver or life jacket, if provided with a kill switch wire must be attached to the driver, inflatable life jackets aren't sufficient or authorized for PWC's, can only be operated during daytime hours and can't be used from nightfall to dawn, must maintain at least fifty foot distance from other objects including boats, shore, docks, swimmers unless moving at no-wake speed, jumping the wake of another vessel or driving intolerably close is illegal, it is illegal to operate the vessel in a delegated area for showering, fishing, swimming or in a prohibited area, operated the vessel while drunk (blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher), it is illegal to operate the vessel inside 50' of a diver down flag. Note : there are further needs and rules for PWC private watercraft.
Alcohol and Drugs: In some states, alcohol is involved in as much as 25% of cruising accidents. It is unlawful to operate your boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In most states, if you've a blood alcohol level higher than 0.1 percent you are guilty of a misdemeanor. In some states it's 0.08%. If you are BAL is 0.07%, your local Sheriff can apply other tests to establish if you're under the influence. Your blood alcohol level is conditional upon your weight, your metabolic rate and how much food is in your belly. Heavier folks or people that have recently eaten will have a higher toleration to the results of alcohol. Blood Alcohol levels - FOR REFERENCE just for a medium size adult male weighing roughly 175lbs his blood alcohol level will be as the following, one drink in hour - .016 two drinks in one hour- .032 three drinks in 1.5 hours- .048 four drinks in two hours- .064 five drinks in 2.5 hours- .08 six drinks in 3.5 hours - .096 For a huge size adult male weighing roughly 225 lbs, one drink in hour - .01 two drinks in one hour- .02 three drinks in 1.5 hours- .03 four drinks in two hours- .045 five drinks in 2.5 hours- .06 six drinks in 3.5 hours - .067 Blood Alcohol Levels and How it Feels Physically : .02 relaxed feeling .05 less alert and physical coordination and impairment starts .07 legally drunk in several states According to this reference info, it's obvious a few drinks over a period of a couple of hours perhaps enjoyed and managed, but four or more drinks without regard for your size places you and others in danger. So as one says on the T. V. don't drink and drive and if you opt to drink do so responsibly.
As always, these are just basic guidelines, please check your local state authority for your specific rules and regulations.
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GPSMAP 5200 Series Network Chartplotters with Touchscreen Interface GPSMAP 5208 Network Chartplotter with U.S. Coastal Detail Maps, 8.4 inch Diag. Display
0 Comments | Posted by admin in GPS
REBATE OFFER GOOD IN CANADA ONLY - Get a $200 West Marine Rebate Check by Mail when you purchase a Garmin GPSMAP 5200 Series Chartplotter between July 30, 2009 and August 16, 2009. Download Rebate Form (PDF) The all-in-one nerve center for your Garmin Marine Network This flagship marine navigator is missing just one thing buttons. The GPSMAP 5200 Series features an unprecedented touchscreen interface, along with a satellite-enhanced worldwide basemap that makes navigation as easy as pointing your finger. By connecting to the Garmin Marine Network, you can add sonar, radar and weather. For even more advanced features, you can add the optional BlueChart g2 Vision card. View Detailed Graphics and Video The GPSMAP 5200 Series features a worldwide basemap with high-quality satellite images in place of more traditional maps. For even more detail, you can add maps easily with the SD card slot without having to connect to a computer. To keep tabs on your engine room or other area of your boat, you can connect a live video feed with the 5200 Series video input/output options. Add Extras with BlueChart g2 Vision With the optional BlueChart g2 Vision SD card, you can add a whole new dimension of exceptional features to your chartplotter. 5200 Series Network Chartplotters with Preloaded Marine Detail Maps: Preloaded marine cartography includes the coastal U.S. including Alaska, Hawaii and the Bahamas. Display Types: 8.4": VGA display, 640 x 480 Screen Resolution 12.1": XGA display, 1024 x 768 Screen Resolution 15": XGA display, 1024 x 768 Screen Resolution 3D mariner's eye view or fish eye view provides you with a 3-dimensional perspective of map information, both above the waterline and below it High-resolution satellite images and aerial photographs help you orient yourself in unfamiliar areas Auto Guidance technology searches through all relevant charts to create a route you can actually follow one that avoids obstacles, shallow water, buoys and other obstructions. Interface Inputs/Outputs: 3 built-in network ports, 4 NMEA input, 2 NMEA output, 2 video inputs for onboard cameras, 1 VGA PC monitor video output Receiver Type: 12 channel with WAAS Waterproof: Manufacturer-rated IPX 7 submersible Warranty: Two years $0.02 » More Details ...
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Traditional Series SailPod Systems Straight Guard 1.25 inchdia.
0 Comments | Posted by admin in Chartplotters
The 9.5"W and 12"W are two of NavPod's most popular sail systems. Each features a 3 instrument NavPod, radar/chartplotter NavPod and a polished stainless steel two-bend 1.25"dia. angle guard. $131.77 » More Details ...
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Bean Bag Mount – 10% Summer Sale! Price shown reflects 10% discount.
0 Comments | Posted by admin in Chartplotters
Bean Bag Mount - 10% Summer Sale! Price shown reflects 10% discount. IF THE WORDS "NO INSTALLATION REQUIRED" MAKE YOU HAPPY, THIS IS THE MOUNT FOR YOU. BEAN BAG MOUNT HAS A NO-SKID BOTTOM AND VELCRO" STRIP ON THE TOP, SO YOUR UNIT SITS SECURELY ON YOUR DASH, CONSOLE, OR OTHER SURFACE. SMALL ATTACHED FLAP STORES EXTRA BATTERIES. $10.99 » More Details ...















































