Charleston Boat Show - Here We Come!

Start making plans to join us at the 34th Annual Charleston Boat Show, January 24-26, 2014 at the Charleston Area Convention Center. This is one of Lowcountry’s best boat shows on land and sea.

Do you know the history behind the Charleston Boat Show?

It started 34 years ago and has grown into the biggest boat show in Lowcountry taking place every January. It offers family-friendly fun for everyone with a wide variety of products, activities, seminars, and entertainment. This is a must-attend event for the entire family.

We hope you stop by our display of over 30 boats. We have a boat to fit your lifestyle, activity and budget.

Which of our boat models are you looking forward to seeing?

Boating Life Photo Contest

Do you want a chance to win a Longshore Boats Gift Certificate?

All you have to do is enter our Boating Life Photo Contest by posting your boating picture on our Facebook page. It can be fishing, a family boating adventure, or just about anything with your boat.

The top three photos with the most likes wins a $100 Longshore Boats Gift Certificate and the next five photos will receive a $50 Longshore Boats Gift Certificate. The winning photos will be displayed around our dealership.

We'll be announcing the deadline soon. So start posting your pictures today!

Tips for the Fall Fisherman and Boater

Are you planning a fall fishing trip or boating excursion? The cool Fall weather brings in cooler water temperatures. Before heading out and enjoying the fall foliage on the water, take the following safety precautions.

Here are five fall fishing and boating safety tips from BoatUS:

Sunshine isn’t your friend: 

Don’t let the sunny day deceive you - while it may be T-shirt weather in the morning at the launch ramp or dock, the weather can change quickly during this time of year. Bring extra clothing to dress in layers and always bring foul weather gear.

Float your plan: 

The fishing hole of raft-up spot crowds may be gone, but that also means your closest potential rescuers are long gone too. A simple sharing of your float plan with family or friends letting them know where you’re going and when you’ll be back could save valuable time in locating you if something happens.

Murphy likes you: 

Does your boat have any lingering maintenance issues? This isn’t the time of year to find out. Ensure any problems - engine, fuel, charging systems, or safety issues such as navigation lights - are fixed before you go.

I’ve fallen and I can’t get up: 

A simple fall overboard can kill this time of year. Hypothermia is a real threat. By wearing your life jacket, if you do find yourself accidentally over the side you will float and have time to get back aboard, preferably with a knotted or looped rope attached to the gunnel or ladder that be reached from the water. If you’d like to see just how hard it is to get back in a boat, go to www.BoatUS.com/foundation/boardingladders.

Don’t leave without me: 

If you are alone and fall out, will the boat keep going? It won’t run away if you had your engine cutoff lanyard attached to you or use another type of shutdown device.

5 Fall Boating Tips

As we head into the peak season of Fall, chances are you may be wanting to go out on your boat to enjoy the fall foliage from the water. The days are still sunny and the crisp autumn air invites you to take the boat out at least one more time. So we're passing along some fall boating safety tips from our friends at BoatUS.

• The sun is in your face and the breeze may be warm, but below the keel the water temperature has dropped. A simple fall overboard at this time of year can be a big problem if you can't get back into the boat. What is your plan to get back aboard, especially if you're boating solo? Wearing a life jacket can also buy you critical time to get back in the boat.
• You need to let someone know where you're going and what time you'll be back. That's because there are significantly fewer boaters on the water at this time of year to bail you out if there's trouble. A float plan left with family or friends is simple to do, and don't forget to check back in upon your return. Here's an easy, sample float plan: BoatUS.com/seaworthy/floatplan.asp.
• With temperature fluctuations, fog takes only a short time to appear. If you're headed out on the open water, carrying a compass and chart should be a bare minimum.
• Check your communications gear, including your VHF radio and all of its wired connections. If it is a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF, have you connected the radio to your GPS/chartplotter and have you gotten your MMSI number? If not, rescuers won't be able to find you quickly. BoatUS offers this service for free at BoatUS.com/MMSI. Handheld VHFs should be fully charged before you go, and remember that cell phone batteries don't last as long when you're using fishing or charting apps.
• Layer up. It may be sunny when you head out, but a short rainsquall and temperature drop with clouds in the afternoon can serve up a case of hypothermia pretty quick. Be prepared for big swings in the weather.

5 Tips for Boating at Night

Are you planning a nighttime cruise on the water? With the crisp autumn air and the leaves changing colors, now might be the best time to take the boat out a few more times before putting it away for the winter.

If you get stuck on the water at night, or you plan a nighttime cruise, you should be able to make it back to the docks safely with these five tips.

Slow Down

Many waterways have slower nighttime speeds. This is a necessary precaution because the landmarks that you are familiar with can change or completely disappear at night which makes it easy to run off course. Debris big enough to damage your boat become invisible on the water. Play it safe, slow down.

Eliminate Distractions

Easy nighttime navigation can be done by reading subtle clues. To be able to read the clues, you will need make sure there is nothing that is distracting you. Lower your interior lights, lower your stereo, and pop your head over the windshield to reduce glare.

Careful With High Beams

You might think that headlights are the answer. Well, most boats only have docking lights which do not produce the power you need on the open water. If you have forward mounted, or spotlight flashlight, those can be helpful. Use them with care. They can confuse other boaters by overpowering your navigation lights, or blind an approaching captain.

Use A Compass

During the day make sure to note the heading on your compass when you are leaving your marina. It is easy to make sure you are going the opposite direction upon your return. As a reminder, never make a trip to unfamiliar destinations at night.

Learn The Lights

Every boater should know the combinations of red, green and white lights that tell you whether a boat is coming or going, and in what general direction. Make sure your own running lights are working properly.

Join Us For The Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre Boat Show

We'll be at the Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre Boat Show, Thursday, September 19 through Sunday, September 22, 2013. Boat show hours:

Thursday: Noon-6pm

Friday: Noon-6pm

Saturday: 10am-6pm

Sunday: 11am-5pm

Come out and see our display of new boats from Robalo, Edgewater, and Chaparral. We'll have the boat of your dreams ready to board with amazing deals to help make your dreams of boat ownership a reality!

Which model are you interested in boarding?

Boating 101 - Basic Boat Navigation Class

Capt. Tom Harper will be holding a

Boating 101 - Basic Boat Navigation class:

When: Saturday, September 7

Where: Daniel Island Marina

Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm (with 1 hour lunch break)

This course covers all of the essentials of safe boating, in layman's terms, for today's recreational boater. All students must register! Call Capt. Tom Harper at 843-388-1499 or email: tharper3@comcast.net

Keep These Items Inside Your Marine First Aid Kit

One of the busiest boating weekends of the year is coming up. It's Labor Day weekend and we know that many of you will want to get in as much boating time as possible. But will you be prepared for an unexpected injury or accident? There are a few essentials we think you should keep inside your marine first aid kit. We recommend you have the following:

• antiseptic
• topical anesthetic wipes
• waterproof adhesive bandages
• butterfly bandages to close open wounds
• bandages to wrap sprained ankles or wrists
• gauze sponges
• medical adhesive tape
• pieces of splint material to stabilize suspected broken bones
• motion-sickness bags
• cold and pain reliever medications
• blunt-tipped bandage scissors
• tweezers
• flashlight
• Easy-to-understand first aid instructional booklet

Any other items you would carry inside your marine first aid kit?

4 First Aid Skills

No boater wants to think about what could go wrong while out boating. But unfortunately, it’s a reality. We may want to ignore the possibility it could happen to us, but what if it did? Would you be prepared? How would you handle the situation? Our friends at Discover Boating recently shared some great tips and we thought we should pass them along.

Stock Up

Space is at a premium on any boat, but a carefully packed first aid kit needs to be the first gear you stow. Whether you buy a pre-stocked kit from a marine retailer or you assemble it yourself, you need to make sure to include the basics. That means making sure you can treat common boating ailments such as sunburn, scrapes, bruises, sprains, insect bites and even seasickness.

Evaluate The Situation

When it comes to rendering first aid, always remember that your main goal should be not to make the situation worse. If you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything and head directly back to shore. Very often, doing the wrong thing can be much worse than not doing anything at all. Of course, most of the time the problem should be pretty obvious. Wrap and ice a sprained ankle. Clean, disinfect and bandage a cut. You know the drill. Most first aid kits come with an easy reference to help you know what to do when. Just make sure and keep an eye out for any signs of the injured person going into shock such as clammy skin, labored breathing or profuse sweating.

Head Back To Shore

If someone’s got an injury or gets sick while you’re out on the water — even if it’s not a life-threatening situation — it’s probably time to head back to the shore. Whether it’s seasickness, dehydration or a bad reaction to an insect sting can get worse. For that reason, it’s a good time to call it a day. For anything more serious, it’s time to set a course back to the dock immediately. Keep your patient low in the boat and don’t hammer the throttle.

Call 9-1-1

Don’t ever hesitate to call for help if you need it. You’ll know it’s a serious episode when someone loses consciousness, exhibits signs of shock, or has difficulty breathing. If that’s the case, call 9-1-1 on your cell phone or use Channel 16 to place a Mayday call. Speak slowly and clearly, announce your position from the GPS, and describe your emergency. Maintain emergency contact until help arrives.

What other first aid skills could you add to this list?

Reduce Your Boat's Fuel Usage

Are you concerned about the efficiency of your boat's engine? Do you want to spend less time fueling up at the dock? We want you to get the most out of your boat's tank of fuel (and we're sure you do too)! So we're sharing some tips to not only help you save time and money on fueling, but also help the environment with decreased emissions.

Tune Your Engine

A properly tuned engine will get better mileage and run better. Plus will have fewer emissions. Make sure to service your engine at least once a year and follow the proper maintenance schedule recommended by your engine manufacturer.

Use The Appropriate Propeller

If your boat is slow "out of the hole" or lacks top-end speed, you might have the wrong propeller. Sometimes using the stock propeller may not be the best choice for your type of boating. By experimenting with different props, you may find one that saves fuel and improves performance. The biggest thing you have to worry about with the pitch in the propeller is to make sure the pitch of the propeller allows the motor to generate or run in its recommended RPM range.

Drain Your Boat of Unnecessary Water

Before leaving the dock, be sure to drain your boat of unnecessary water. The lighter your boat is the better gas mileage you'll get.

Reduce Unnecessary Weight

Carry only the gear you will need for your boating excursion. Clear your decks of clutter and lower canvas tops as they create drag. Even having more than one anchor is not always necessary.

Balance Your Load

By balancing your boat's load, you allow your it to plane quickly. Many boats are stern heavy with passengers, motor, batteries and fuel. Consider asking passengers to move forward when accelerating and getting on plane.

Throttle Back To Cruising Speed After Start

Once you get up on a plane, throttle back slightly and find that speed where your boat is on plane and the motor is running smooth without effort. Your boat will ride smooth and level and will perform at its best once you find this speed.

Keep The Boat In Trim

Using your trim tabs and distributing weight evenly will help move your boat through the water with less effort and less fuel. Make sure engine height is set correctly so that your engine is not too deep in the water creating additional drag. Trim your boat so it runs flat and effortlessly.

Avoid Excess Engine Idling

Even when you are idling in neutral, your boat is consuming fuel. Plus, idling can produce potentially deadly carbon monoxide (CO) fumes.

Use The Proper Fuel To Oil Mix

If you must mix your own fuel, be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Too little or too much oil can harm your engine, affect overall performance and reduce fuel efficiency.

Purchase A Low Emission Fuel Efficient Engine

When looking at a new boat or repowering your existing one, look for an engine that promises better fuel economy and lower emissions.

What other tips could you suggest in lowering fuel usage?

Summer Boating Safety Tips

Summer is in full swing! Warm weather means more people are out enjoying their boat with family and friends. It is important to remember to boat smart and responsibly. Here are some tips to keep everyone in and around your boat safe.

Wear a Life Jacket: Make sure a life jacket is available at all times for every single person aboard. It should fit properly and be stored for easy access. Adult jackets will not work for children. Always test jackets once a year for wear and buoyancy. Toss out the ones that are waterlogged or leaky.

Know The Rules: Knowing the nautical “rules of the road” is extremely important, especially when meeting, crossing or overtaking another boat. Always maintain a safe speed and keep a watchful eye on the waters around you.

Be Aware of Carbon Monoxide: All boat engines produce carbon monoxide which is an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas. Poor cabin ventilation and faulty equipment can contribute to the problem. But did you know that carbon monoxide emissions can even affect you on your boat’s swim platform and other areas near the engine where gases could build up? Be sure to install carbon monoxide detectors on your boat and be aware of the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning (headaches, nausea, weakness and irritated eyes).

Get Your Boat Inspected: Register your boat for a free Vessel Safety Check to ensure it is safe to be on the water. A Vessel Safety Check is performed courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to verify the presence and condition of all required safety equipment. These free checks can save lives, money, and time.

Take a Boating Safety Course: Register for a boating safety course, they are quick, inexpensive, and effective. You know, you can never be too prepared.

Drive Safe: Designate a sober driver for your boat to ensure everyone stays safe and sober. You do not want to risk the chance of getting a ticket for boating under the influence.

We hope you find these tips useful in keeping you, your family and friends safe on the water. Do you have any other safety tips to add to our list?

We Offer These Services

With summer officially here, you'll want to stay out on the water for as long as possible - right? We think the answer is a definite yes. We want you to enjoy your boating season and not have to worry about your boat breaking down. We offer the following services:

• Yamaha Outboard Service 5 Star Certified & Master Tech
• Mercury Outboard Service Platinum Certified
• Mercruiser Sterndrive Service - Platinum Certified
• Electrical Diagnostics
• Professional Electronics Installation
• Maintenance Plans
• Custom Rigging Options
• Detailing
• Bottom Painting
• Gelcoat Repair
• Pick up & Delivery
• Trailer Maintenance

Let us help you stay out on the water longer. Does your boat need to be serviced? Do you need parts for your boat? We can help you with all your boating needs. How can we help you?

The Longshore Advantage

Are you familiar with the Longshore Advantage? If not, don't worry. We're here to tell you all about it. Customers who buy a boat from us receive all the following benefits:

• On-water Boat Orientation
• Captain's Confidence Training
• Deluxe Coast Guard Package *
• Complimentary Boating 101 Class for the entire family
• Complimentary dock use for the weekend
• Invitation to our Annual Rendezvous *
• Entire boat waxed prior to delivery *
• 125+ point pre-delivery inspection - including on-water testing prior to delivery *
• We have been serving our customers for 15 years and are here to stay!
• Boat registration numbers professionally installed
• One year complimentary membership to Boat US
• Specialized Technicians who log almost 700 hours training annually
• MRAA Certified Dealer
• Yamaha 5 Star Certified
• Mercury Platinum Certified
• Free one year towing insurance *
• Complimentary wash upon completion of service work
• EdgeWater Key Dealer Award 2007
• EdgeWater CSI Award 2007
• Crowline Platinum Dealer 2007

*On all new boats only

How can we help you get on the water?

Tips for Taking Your Dog on the Boat

Is your pup a boating fiend? While many generally assume only retrievers are good boating dogs, we've seen a large variety of pooches out on boats over the years. Bringing your dog can be a fun addition to the day, but they do need a few more accommodations than some of your human guests. So here are our tips for bringing your dog with you on the boat.

• Set your pup up with a life jacket. If your dog knows how to swim, you might find this silly. But remember: humans can swim but still need to wear life jackets! High seas or fatigue can negatively impact your pup's ability to swim, so a life jacket ensures he wont have any issues. In addition, most dog life jackets come with a handle on top, which makes them a great tool for helping to heave your dog back aboard when he is through with swimming. Many pro shops sell life jackets, or you can easily order them online.
• Provide drinking water. Obviously, if you're out on salt water, your pooch won't be able to drink out of the water. But even freshwater can have less than desirable organisms that make drinking from a lake not a super idea either. Bring bottled or tap water and a bowl for your dog so he doesn't get dehydrated - or sick from drinking the wrong kind of water.
• Don't forget the pit stop. You might be able to train your dog to pee in the back of the boat so you can wash it down (if you have an appropriate boat). But really, it's just easier if you stop off somewhere to let your dog do his thing and stretch his legs. Don't forget to pick up after him!
• Watch the fishing lines. Some dogs might not be able to handle watching you fish - the drop of a lure into the water might prove to be too irresistable. So play it by ear. But keep your tackle box out of his reach, and watch the lines around him.

Do you bring your dog out on the boat? What part do they like the best? 

What Causes Boating Accidents?

Next week is National Safe Boating Week, a week we'll spend emphasizing how to boat safely and the importance of doing so. So we know we're a little ahead of the curve writing about it now, but we figured we'd go ahead and set up the week by writing about boating accidents. Not a fun topic, but one that must be understood in order to realize the importance of boating safety measures.

First: how do boating accidents happen?

As you can see, the top 5 types of boating accidents (in 2011) are: collission with a recreational vessel, flooding/swamping, collision with a fixed object, skier mishap and people overboard. Not that surprising, overall. But then take a look at the next list, the top 10 contributing factors to these boating accidents. #1 is operator inattention, something so easily fixable it's scary. When you're operating a boat, make like you are operating a vehicle on the road. There's really hardly any difference, besides the fact that there are no specific lanes to the water (though, of course, there are right of way rules!). Boat operators should never ever casually operate a boat - always pay full attention to your speed, surroundings and other factors. 

In fact, if boaters were to treat boating the same as driving, many of these other contributing factors might not be an issue, like excessive speed, alcohol use and rules of the road/water.

Operator inexperience, though listed as a separate contributor, is actually a factor in many of those listed here. More experienced operators have a better understanding of weather, force of wakes, rules of the road and more. So if you are new boater, not to fear - practice makes perfect, but a boating safety class will put you above many of your fellow boaters. 

Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages all next week to learn other boating safety tips (boating classes is just the tip of the iceberg!).

Trailering Your Boat

More often than not, when we think of boating, we think of the boat. Why not? Getting in a boat in the water is the whole reason all of us are boaters. We are not boaters for the times the boat is out of the water. But, in all honesty, the trailer is probably the second most essential component of boating. If your trailer is out of order, so are your destination boating adventures. And, if your boat lives on its trailer, so are your boating adventures period. So in this post, we'll explore the basics you need to know about trailering a boat.




Taking Care of Your Trailer
The #1 most important thing to maintain on your trailer are the bearings. A bad bearing equals a busted trailer. Remember: your trailer hubs go in the water twice a boating trip, so they might need a little extra love. Pop off a cap every so often with a screwdriver to check the bearings. If they are dry, add a little grease. If you notice your bearings getting hot any time your trailer is in motion, stop immediately. If you don't, your trailer fix will likely turn into a trailer replacement. When you hook the trailer up to your car, have a friend stand back there and watch your lights (make sure to test the brakes and the hazards). The longer your drive with the trailer, the more important this is. We also recommend investing in a spare wheel if your trailer doesn't come with one. Just like with the spare tire in your car, it will make any road trouble a lot more bearable.

Towing Capacity
Your car will be rated for a particular tow capacity, or a certain amount of weight it can stand to pull. Boating Magazine just updated their tow guide, if you need a refresher. Don't, don't, don't push the limits of your car's rating. Overworking your car will only result in expensive engine and/or transmission work. (Trust me on that one. Been there.) Also, make sure you're not comparing your boat's dry weight to your tow capacity. Dry weight refers to the boat's weight without gear and gas, and who trailers a boat without those things? Add a few hundred pounds to the dry weight to give yourself some cushion. Even then, don't push the upper limits of the tow capacity of your vehicle.

Do you have a favorite brand of trailer? How about a maintenance schedule where you check on bearings, lights, etc?

Our Annual Customer Rendezvous Is Coming!

You might have seen the event on Facebook (and if not, you should join it!), or you might have heard us talking about it. Our annual customer rendezvous is approaching! We'll list all of the details below, but here's the most important one (so you don't miss it): To register for the Rendezvous, contact Longshore Boats at 843-216-4700 or email tanya@longshoreboats.com by May 6. To reserve accomodations, contact Sea Island Best Western at 843-522-2090.

The cost of the Rendezvous is $50 per adult and $25 for children under the age of 12. The price includes a T-Shirt and cookout. The dockage fee is $2.00 per foot per day for the boat. The hotel rate is $149.99 plus sales tax.

Questions? Contact Tanya or give us a call! We hope you'll join us for this event that is always great fun.
The cost of the Rendezvous is $50 per adult and $25 for children under the age of 12. The price includes a T-Shirt and cookout. The dockage fee is $2.00 per foot per day for the boat. The hotel rate is $149.99 plus sales tax.
Questions? Contact Tanya or give us a call! We hope you'll join us for this event that is always great fun.
Questions? Contact Tanya or give us a call! We hope you'll join us for this event that is always great fun.

This will be our 15^th Annual Rendezvous. We do this event to help promote boating and comraderie for our wonderful customers, and it is  open to Longshore Boats boat buying customers and their family and friends. Over the years we have had a blast on these trips. It gives all of us an opportunity to meet new friends and really enjoy boating. We always have an awesome, diverse group of people come with us: kids, 20-somethings, parents of grown children, retired folks and lots of friends. And we all always have a great time with one another!



This year we are headed down to Beaufort, SC parting from Charleston on Friday, June 7^th. The trip is approximately 85 miles by water. We will be traveling through Charleston Harbor and the Coastal waterways of the Stono River, Edisto River, Cumbahee River, Coosaw River and Ashepoo River. The trip will take us through one of the most scenic waterways on the entire east coast of the US. Many of these waterways are encompassed by the enormous wildlife refuge known as the Ace Basin. Typically, the trip will take approximately 3 hours at a moderate speed traveling mostly through well protected waterways. The largest expanse of water is the entrance to the Coosaw River with a run of approximately 9 miles. With a departure time of 2:00pm on Friday, we should arrive in Beaufort around 5pm.



This is a chaperoned event. Longshore Boats staff will be in several boats and will make sure that all participants get to Beaufort and back without getting lost or otherwise in trouble. We lead the way, all you have to do is follow and navigate your boat safely! To that end, we will be conducting a mandatory captain’s Mmeeting on Saturday, June 1^st at 10am at Longshore Boats. This meeting is designed to ensure that each captain understands the route and has ample time to inspect his boat for all proper safety equipment and address service issues that his boat may need to make the trip without any problems. In the event a boat does have an issue during the Rendezvous and breaks down, Longshore Boats staff will do their best to get their boat going; however, if we cannot, each captain will be responsible for any towing costs. We contact Sea Tow and TowBoat US to let them know we are making the trip and ask them to be on standby. Each captain is responsible for their own towing insurance. Longshore Boats will not tow a boat that is broken down, but we will not leave you in an unsafe area or condition.



We will be docking at the Beaufort Downtown Marina which is a short walk from our hotel - the Sea Island Best Western located directly across the street from the Marina. Beaufort Downtown Marina is an excellent facility, with an easily accessible fuel dock, plenty of deep water, fresh water, power, well stocked ship store, laundromat, and showers. The staff is always helpful and willing to accommodate. Once all of our group is docked and secured, we will make the short walk across the street to the Sea Island Best Western.



The Sea Island Best Western is a Beaufort landmark and one which we have used many times for previous Rendezvous events. It is very clean, centrally located, and has a great pool area and serves a wonderful breakfast. But what makes it so special are the people who help us put on such a great event. They always treat us with true southern hospitality.



On Friday evening, our crew is on their own and free to explore Beaufort. It’s a short walk ino Beaufort (approx. 100 yards from the hotel). Beaufort is the definition of a southern coastal town. It is located right on the water and has a beautiful waterfront park adjacent to a variety of local restaurants, pubs, and shops. For those looking to experience true southern charm, Beaufort is the place to be.



Saturday, June 8^th we will have breakfast and venture out and explore the waters of the immediate Beaufort area. Unlike past Rendezvous in which we had an organized “raft up,” we encourage this years participants to take the time and explore the waterways around Beaufort. Just to the south of the city is Paris Island, home of the USMC and just a little further is Hilton Head Island and the great destination of Harbortown. For those more adventurous, Savannah is about an hour further south. For those who just want to hang out by the pool at the hotel or shop and explore Beaufort, by all means have at it. Save some energy because on Saturday night we will have a catered cookout with live music. In years past as things wrap up at the cookout, folks will wander into Beaufort for a nightcap.



Sunday morning is departure. We ask that people travel back to Charleston in groups and normally everyone is underway by 10am for the trip back to Charleston. Often, people stop for lunch, swimming, or just hanging out.



Each captain and crew is responsible to supply their own food and drink for the weekend. We recommend bringing foul weather gear just in case, plenty of suncreen, towels, and lots of water. We also recommend that children under 12 always wear their life jackets. Each captain is responsible for the safe operation of their boat and its safe running condition. Historically, we have 25 boats participate in the Rendezvous with a group size of 100 to 125 people.