Houston Boat Show - June 20-24, 2012

Boating Gear Musts!

networkchefs — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:51:38 +0000

Boating enthusiasts had to have used these products aboard their own boats. The gear’s reliability over time is proven. And, like electricity, these items might be taken for granted – but if we didn’t have them, they’d be sorely missed.

Take-Apart Key Float

Whoever invented the buoy-shaped, take-apart key float should be applauded. Bright and buoyant, it floats dropped keys. Take it apart and store your boat’s registration, fishing license or an “emergency 10-spot” in waterproof security. Free at many chandlers and marinas and with new boat purchases.

Baba Loo

Probably responsible for selling as many boats as the outboard engine, the Porta Potti has been a hit since Thetford debuted the first one in 1961. Needing little description, it provides the comfort many require.

Grip and Grin

The best handling tool used for toothy critters. Bluefish or northern pike are a nightmare in a net, but you can slide the BogaGrip onto the lip of the fish to keep it under control and use a hook remover to steer clear of losing a finger to those choppers. You can get it calibrated and certified by the International Game Fish Association for official weight recordings, though hoisting a fish by its lip could put unnecessary stress on it prior to release. But as an in-water release tool, there’s nothing that can be found that better keeps a game fish under control.

Rubber Clamp Jackets

If you have grown tired of getting slashed and bloodied by the tag ends of hose clamps whenever you work in the bilge, the rubber clamp jackets are what you need. They are one of the best boating inventions of all time. And they’re cheap. 20 cents.

Fathom Lens

View the water in HD. There is no doubt that these improve fishing, and general boating because they make it so easy to see beyond the water. They replicate polarized lenses because they block yellow light, the hardest for the human eye to process, at 580 nanometers. (Visible light ranges from about 390 to 780 nm.) The detail is phenomenal.

Boom Town

Star brite’s Oil-Absorbent Maxi-Boom costs just a few bucks but can save you thousands in potential fines. Without them, the automatic bilge pump would discharge oily water overboard. They will soak up two quarts of oil and can be wrung out and reused.

Double-Jointed

Think about the ingenuity of the ubiquitous ratchet antenna mount. The two adjustable joints allow you to mount a marine antenna vertically straight on just about any surface — vertical, horizontal or angled — and quickly lay it down for a low bridge or to trailer your boat.

Power Knob

Edson’s Power Knob is the most reliable piece of marine equipment used; enabling you to spin the wheel lock to lock in a blink makes easy work of docking with hydraulic steering.

Smart Phone Protectors

The Wanganui is the easiest iPhone protector to stick into a pocket. The phone slides right in and seals tight with the Aquaclips — kind of like dogging down a hatch. The touch screen works through the plastic, as does the camera.

Deck Plates

The black Beckson plates are made of High Impact ABS for superior strength. These plates allow access under the deck and inside bulkheads to install items such as cleats and rail stanchions, as well as to service components like sending units for fuel gauges. Available in many colors and sizes.

Boat Stands

Boat stands, or poppets as they are called around the boatyard, are simply invaluable for proper long-term boat storage. Sure, you could use blocks and shims to prop up your boat, but using stands makes the job easier and safer.

“Boating’s Best Gear of All Time | Boating Magazine.” Boating’s Best Gear of All Time | Boating Magazine. Web. 17 May 2012.

Water and Boating Safety

networkchefs — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:53:37 +0000

Keeping Your Precious Cargo Safe

For those who regularly boat with family members aboard, it is important to never miss the golden opportunity to involve each and every family passenger in some sort of duty aboard the boat. Not only does it become a process that is fun and educational, but it also makes every trip from the pier or launch ramp a chance to strengthen family ties through teamwork and shared responsibility. People enjoying the warm weather last weekend flocked to the water. The large number of people enjoying area lakes and rivers are keeping marine patrols very busy. As summer quickly approaches and family time includes water activities, there are a few reminders that should be considered before venturing out with your “precious cargo”.

A properly fitted life jacket should be warn at all times when in and around our lakes and rivers. In many cases, life jackets save lives. They often help you survive the unexpected, but unfortunately there are no guarantees. Make sure that you and your children are wearing life jackets while enjoying the water this summer. Life jackets are recommended for everyone and are required for children on the water. In Washington, all children younger than 13 years old on boats shorter than 19 feet must wear life jackets that are Coast Guard approved. Make sure they are correctly fitted for the child’s size.

May is the official start of boating season in many states and it’s also when some of the coldest water from snowmelt enters streams and rivers. Cold water can disable a person 15 times faster than cold air. Combined with the cold, strong and fast currents make many rivers and streams treacherous. A calm ocean or bay can be deceiving with current and tidal changes that can quickly sweep people out to sea.

On the water:

Check water flow condition and hazard warnings before getting in a boat, kayak, or raft. The U.S. Geological Survey updates conditions regularly. Scout the river, lake, or bay before you launch any water vehicle.

In the water:

Learn to swim.
Always wear a life jacket in the water.
Watch for and steer clear of branches, logjams, small dams, and falls that can pin you underwater.

By the water:

Ocean currents can be unseen but powerful. Rip currents, sneaker waves, undertow, and tidal changes can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.
Check weather conditions and tide tables before venturing onto the beach.
If you’re caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore until you’re out of the current, and then swim to shore.
Children can slip into the water quickly and quietly – be sure to closely supervise all children around water.

More water safety resources are available on the Department of Health water safety website.

Houston Boat Show – June 20-24 at Reliant Center

boatshowhou — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:48:25 +0000

A Boat Show is more than just an opportunity to get a great deal on a boat. You and your whole family will love exploring all the booths and boats. Of, course, it’s great fun to see the latest and greatest and to imagine which luxury cruiser you’ll climb aboard when your ship finally does come in…but there are plenty of practical reasons to buy a ticket as well.

Whether you’re buying, browsing or learning, a boat show is a great place to start. Boat shows give you a chance to see what’s new and keep current on the latest trends. Or, if you’re new to boating there’s really no better place to educate yourself on the many options available so you can make a smart decision when you do buy. Whether your interests lie in reeling in that big fish, landing twisted jumps on skis or wakeboards, adventurously exploring unfamiliar waterways, or if you just want to look at boats for all occasions, this boat show is for you. So bring the whole family.

Summertime in the South can be pretty long. Don’t miss out on all the fun you could be having out on the water right now. Come find the best deal on a boat for your family at Houston’s Hottest Summer Sale-Abration.

Show Hours

Wednesday	June 20th	1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday	June 21st	1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday	June 22nd	1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday	June 23rd	10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday	June 24th	Noon – 6:00 p.m.

Admission

Adults - $8.00
Children aged 6 – 12 - $4.00
Children 5 and under - FREE

Only cash will be accepted at the ticket windows. The onsite ticket windows will open 30 minutes prior to show opening and close 30 minutes prior to show closing.

Parking at Reliant Center

$10.00 Per Day for Onsite Parking – Cash Only

Houston Boat Show – June 20-24 at Reliant Center

boatshowhou — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:47:39 +0000

Show Hours

Wednesday	June 20th	1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday	June 21st	1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday	June 22nd	1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday	June 23rd	10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday	June 24th	Noon – 6:00 p.m.

Admission

Adults - $8.00
Children aged 6 – 12 - $4.00
Children 5 and under - FREE

Only cash will be accepted at the ticket windows. The onsite ticket windows will open 30 minutes prior to show opening and close 30 minutes prior to show closing.

Parking at Reliant Center

$10.00 Per Day for Onsite Parking – Cash Only

Houston Boat Show – June 20-24 at Reliant Center

boatshowhou — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:48:37 +0000

Show Hours

Wednesday	June 20th	1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday	June 21st	1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday	June 22nd	1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday	June 23rd	10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday	June 24th	Noon – 6:00 p.m.

Admission

Adults – $8.00
Children aged 6 – 12 – $4.00
Children 5 and under – FREE

Only cash will be accepted at the ticket windows. The onsite ticket windows will open 30 minutes prior to show opening and close 30 minutes prior to show closing.

Parking at Reliant Center

$10.00 Per Day for Onsite Parking – Cash Only