Learn Basic Boating Skills at Longshore Boats

This weekend, we're hosting a basic boat navigation class with Captain Tom Harper. Through the course, he covers the U.S. system of charts & channel markers and all of the essentials of safe boating, in layman’s terms, for today’s recreational boater.

The class is this Saturday from 9:30am to 3:30pm with a 1 hour lunch break.

Don't forget - you must register ahead of time! Contact Captain Tom at 843-388-1499 or tharper3@comcast.net.

Prepare for the Boat Show

Later this week, we'll be at the 33rd Annual Charleston Boat Show enjoying the huge show that is expected at the Lowcountry's largest boat show and sale. We'll have our own set up with Robalo, EdgeWater and Chaparral boats, but also plan on checking out our manufacturers and other new products.

Are you planning on coming to the show? We recommend you prepare ahead of time to ensure you have the most meaningful, educational and fun experience possible!

1. Consider the price difference. Adult tickets to the show are $9... except for on Friday, when they are $5! That being said, this means Friday will be a very busy day, so if you're going to take advantage of this discount, get there at the beginning of the show. You cannot buy tickets online ahead of time, so plan to spend some time in line.

2. Do your homework. If you're planning on using the boat show as a place to examine a boat you're seriously considering purchasing, great! This can be a good place to do that. But check out our inventory online first so you can make the most of your time on board. Feel free to give us a call if you want to check on exactly what we're bringing to the show. Finally, we recommend you check out the manufacturers websites as well. We will have Robalo, EdgeWater and Chaparral boats with us, so take a peek at those sites too!

3. Take notes. Seriously. Pretend you're in school again, because you won't be able to keep all of the boat and pricing information straight in your head. Write down everything you think you might need to come to a decision later in the show. If you take notes on your phone, great, but if not, make sure you bring that pen and paper!

4. Plan a strategy. If you just plan to meander around the convention center, go for it. But if there are particular dealers or vendors you want to see, make sure you scope out the show before you go. You don't want to get to the show and not be able to find your favorite dealer! (Hint hint.) So check out maps ahead of time to make sure you hit all of your highlights. In addition, if there are specific features or demos you want to see, look at that schedule ahead of time to plan accordingly.

5. Bring supplies. Bring a camera to take pictures, because boat brochures can only show "flattering" pictures. They also might leave out features you feel are important. We also recommend you bring return address labels so you don't have to spend a lot of time writing your contact information down for a variety of vendors.

Now last, but certainly not least, make sure you visit us! We'll be in Exhibit Hall G, and we'll have Edgewater Power Boats, Chaparral Boats, Robalo Boats, Volvo Penta, Mercury & Yamaha outboards for you to check out. We hope to say hi then!

This Just In: Win Tickets to the Boat Show!

As we prepare to show our boats at the Charleston Boat Show next week, we've decided to run a fun promotion on our Facebook page. From now until January 24 at 5pm, new fans who like our page will be entered to win tickets to the boat show! So what are you waiting for? Share our Facebook page with your friends today (and head on over to like it if you haven't already)!

Picking the Perfect PFD

You might not like to wear them, but life jackets (also known as life vests or PFDs) are an essential part of staying safe on the water. Sure, you might be an excellent swimmer on a normal day, but what happens if you hit a wave wrong, get tossed off your boat and knocked unconscious on the way in the water? Now, we don't want to be all doom and gloom. But we do think it's important to know how to choose the best life jacket for you.

Requirements
All recreational vessels must have at least one Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (life jacket) that is U.S. Coast Guard-approved, the proper size for each person on board, in good condition and readily accessible. Additionally, vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one Type IV (throwable) USCG-approved personal flotation device on board (and it needs to be easily accessible). Any person younger than 12-years-old, in a boat less than 16 feet long, must wear a PFD.

Choosing
We like this graphic from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission that explains the different types of PFDs:


For adults, chest size will determine what size PFD is necessary. For children, this is determined by weight. Once you've selected the right size, follow these steps:

• Loosen all the straps, put PFD on and zip up.
• Starting at the waist, tighten all the straps. The PFD should feel snug but not uncomfortable.
• Have someone pull up on the shoulders. If it moves up past your nose, tighten the straps. If you can't and/or it still moves, you need a smaller size.
• If possible, test your PFD in a pool or shallow water. It should not ride up or slip over your chin while floating.

To fit a child, follow basically the same steps. Pick them up by the shoulders of the life jacket, and make sure the vest is snug overall.

We recommend: Once you've adjusted your life jacket to the perfect fit, leave it that way! Keep extra jackets on board for your guests. That way, your favorite jacket is always the right size.

Do not alter a PFD to make it fit - choose one that works for you. There are many different styles, and many companies make separate men's and women's fits. Further, automatic inflatable vests have become increasingly popular, which allow you to wear a slimmer, more minimal vest that automatically inflates if you hit the water. Choose whatever vest you will be the most comfortable in.

Caring
Like with most things in life, if you treat your PFD with care, it will have a long life. Don't use it as a cushion or boat bumper, which can decrease its buoyancy. Avoid putting heavy or sharp objects in vest pockets (if you have them). Don't leave your PFD laying in the hot sun for extended periods of time - this will cause the fabric and inner components to wear and crack more easily. Upon your return from a salt water adventure, give your vest a rinse with fresh water before allowing it to drip dry (not in the direct sun!). Store in a cool, dry place with good ventilation to prevent moisture from building or sitting.

What suggestions do you have for anyone looking to purchase or care for a PFD? Any tips or tricks you've learned over the years?

Smartphone Boating

Did you get a new smartphone over the holidays? If so, you're probably experiencing that sensation all of us smartphone owners experience when we first get our phones: feeling overwhelmed by all of the apps you could or should download. (Which reminds us... make sure to have Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to keep up with us on the go!) But there are also ways to make your phone an effective boating tool as well. Here are four different apps we recommend you download to enhance your boating experience.


First things first: you need to get your boat into the water if you store it on land. That’s where Boat Ramps comes in. This (free!) app allows you to search for ramps near your location, by zip code or by city. Once you’ve chosen a ramp, the app will provide you with directions. The app doesn’t provide, however, information on fees (or lack thereof), restroom facilities or bait shops.



Keep your finger on the pulse of current weather and tide forecasts with the NOAA Buoy and Tide Data app, which accesses data from NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center. You can search for buoys by name or location and view a range of weather data, including wind speed, gusts and pressure. Tide predictions are also included, as are moon phases. The app is very reasonably priced at $1.99.


New and experienced boaters alike can learn from the Boater’s Pocket Reference, an app full of information on U.S. and Canadian navigation rules, tips on boat handling, how to tie marine knots and much more. When your boat is out of the water, you can refer to Boater’s Pocket Reference for information on trailering and regular maintenance. Visual learners will appreciate the variety of charts, graphs and illustrations throughout the app that makes the content extremely easy to understand. While the app isn’t free – in fact, it’s $4.99 – it is highly ranked by iPhone users and includes a search function so you can quickly and easily find the information you need, right when you need it.


If, heaven forbid, something goes wrong on your next voyage, the free Sea Tow app can come to your rescue. You can contact their 24 hour dispatch center through the app, a handy feature if your VHF radio is not working. In addition, the app contains tide and forecast information, and you can save up to seven locations for continued weather monitoring. Finally, the app features a compass and speedometer so you can always pinpoint your location on a map.


What are your favorite boating apps? How has your smart phone enhanced your boating experience, on and/or off the water?