Dropping anchor in NYC soon! The 2014 NY Boat Show.

Ring in the New Year with New Adventures on the Water at 109th Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show.

Yep, it opens on January 1st, New Year's Day, perfect to start the New Year with on-water adventures at the 2014 Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show. The northeast’s premier boating event takes place January 1-5 at the Javits Center, bringing lifelong boaters and enthusiastic dreamers the newest and best in luxury motor yachts, sport fishers, performance boats, sailboats, and thousands of marine accessories. Beyond delivering a shopping paradise for boaters, the world’s first and longest-running boat show is the perfect destination for families and out-of-towners looking to ring in the New Year on a boat. I've been going to the NY Show every year for more than 30 years.

Here's a lot more info on the show.

http://www.nyboatshow.com/

An easy way to protect those expensive marine electronics.

DuraSafe E-LOCK/Swivel Combo

Buying marine electronics is time consuming because you want to make sure you get exactly the right unit. Protecting your valuable purchase from theft is something else to be considered. The E-LOCK®/Swivel Combo by DuraSafe is something to consider. It combines two keyed-alike locks to provide ultimate protection of bracket mounted electronics that utilize a RAM Mount. When marine electronics are mounted to a RAM® Mount System, locks are needed for both the electronics unit and the mount. DuraSafe combines these two locks into one keyed-alike package. It is available in three different sizes depending on the RAM Mount System. Small fits B Size RAM – 1” dia. ball, Medium fits C size RAM – 1.5” dia. ball and Large fits D & E size – 2.25” and 3.37” dia. balls. To take keyed-alike convenience a step further, boaters who already have DuraSafe locks or require several E-LOCK or E-LOCK/Swivel Combos can custom-order product from DuraSafe with all the keys the same. The E-LOCK/Swivel Combo is available from marine and outdoor distributors and retailers across the US. New distributors and retailers include A.C. Kerman, Northern Wholesale Marine, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Defender Industries, Tackle Warehouse, Bass & Gas and West Marine. For more information about the DuraSafe E-LOCK/Swivel Combo and other DuraSafe products, visit

www.durasafelocks.com

You Don’t Need To Hire A Diver If You Have The HydroView Inspector

The HydroView Inspector is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with two HD cameras that can record live video and capture photos. The internal camera is located in the front dome of the vehicle providing a forward look. The external camera is mounted to the body of the ROV and is manually positionable to change the pan/tilt of the camera. See in any direction, not just directly in front of the ROV. Digital recordings of images and HD video from either camera are executed with the tap of a button in the software application. The HydroView Inspector includes: LED lights, internal HD camera, external HD camera with manual pan/tilt, Standard 150 foot cable, Depth Sensor, Temperature Sensor, Orientation Sensor, Waterproof carrying case, Topside box which generates its own Wi-Fi, free download of the application to use on your iPad, PC or MAC computer. There is no need to send a diver or even drain a tank for an inspection. With the HydroView Inspector's external camera, inspections are easier and safer. Simply drive your HydroView right along the side of the object that is being inspected while aiming the second camera to perform the inspection. Watch the live feed or record the HD video for editing, sharing and reporting. In addition, there is no formal training required for operation. As you might have guessed this much technology is not inexpensive at $9500.00. 

http://www.aquabotix.com/proddetail.php?ref=ref=ref=ref=&prod=01-HV-PRO-INSP

PROP SOX - They're an inexpensive way to protect propeller blades.

Propeller blades are one of the most important components of an outboard or sterndrive propulsion system. When even one blade is damaged, it can ruin the top performance of a prop that costs hundreds of dollars. (Sometimes more than $1,000.) That's why Davis Instruments' Prop Sox are an important accessory to help protect propeller blades when the boat is not in use. They also protect them from road kickback when trailering. The Prop Sox system includes three injection-molded plastic covers that fit most boaters' propeller blades. They are ideal for keeping propeller blades safe from dings and dents while out of the water. Prop Sox work with most sterndrives and outboards. The bright, molded plastic socks simply slip over each propeller blade. They're held in place with a rubber shock cord strap. But wait, there's more! When you're towing your boat, reflective hot dots alert drivers following too closely behind. The Prop Sox can also help prevent personal injury to those walking near the prop by covering sharp edges. For use when a boat is out of the water only, a set of three Prop Sox, shock cord straps and three reflector hot dots from Davis Instruments costs $9.99.

www.davisnet.com

They're $8.99 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Davis-Prop-Sox-450/dp/B001HBZ146

Do you worry about the effects of Ethanol on your marine engine?

I've written about the negative effects Ethanol can unleash on marine engines. You probably know about them too, and like me bought additives to help stop them. Years ago when talking them to to the owner of a marina, he told that ValvTect fuel has additives already blended in. Fortunately, I have two marinas near by that sell ValvTect. I've used it ever since. I didn't realize how careful they are about there fuel until I received the following press release. I was happy to get it since I did worry about what might have happened to underground tanks, along with everything else, after Sandy. In case you're wondering, I don't have any connection with ValvTect, I just like their product.

ValvTect Completes Fuel Tank Testing at 600+ Marinas

Unfortunately, it is all too common for gasoline and diesel storage tanks at marinas to contain excess water and other contaminants such as bacteria and debris. These contaminants can be pumped into boaters’ fuel tanks and can cause an engine to shut down or cause permanent damage. The presence of ethanol gasoline, ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and biodiesel makes this situation even worse.

To combat this problem, all Certified ValvTect Marinas must have their fuel tanks tested before they are allowed to sell ValvTect Marine Fuels and up to twice a year thereafter once they become a Certified ValvTect Marina. This testing, plus special hydroscopic fuel filters that are required to be installed on all ValvTect Marinas’ fuel pumps, helps to ensure boaters that ValvTect Marine Gasoline and ValvTect Marine Diesel are free of contamination. Marinas that do not pass the test must have their tanks treated, cleaned and retested to be free of contamination before they can sell ValvTect Marine Fuels. Marinas that pass the test are awarded a “Certification of Contamination Free Storage Tank” certificate that can be proudly displayed at the fuel dock. “This spring we completed testing and certification of the gasoline and diesel fuel storage tanks at all 600+ Certified ValvTect Marinas,” said Jerry Nessenson, President of ValvTect Petroleum. "We believe this is the only program of its kind in the marine industry and even in the on-road petroleum industry. While the program is costly and time consuming, we believe it is essential to provide boaters ValvTect Marine Fuels that will not only provide better performance, but also prevent fuel related engine problems caused by fuel pumped from a contaminated fuel tank,” Nessenson added. Boaters can look for ValvTect’s certificate indicating the marina’s fuel tanks have been tested and certified free of contamination where ValvTect Marine Gasoline and ValvTect Marine Diesel with BioGuard are sold. Both ValvTect fuels are specially formulated for marine engines to prevent ethanol and ultra low sulfur diesel fuel problems as well as longer engine life and improved fuel economy from the clean-up of engine deposits (commonly called gunk).

For more information and the location of the nearest Certified ValvTect Marina, visit www.valvtect.com