July 25th, 2008 — Boating
If you are looking for a book that covers practical outboard boating, this is a definite must read and revisit kind of book. Getchell did a fantastic job of putting together a resource that all outboard boaters should read and he managed to cover some pretty technical concepts without alienating any reader. If you own your own outboard boat, or if you just rent one while on vacation, this is a book that will help you understand everything you’ll need to know to have a safe, enjoyable and fun time on the water.
Absolutely everything you could ever need to know about outboard boating is covered. We appreciated the section on picking a trailer for your boat since this is an area that many books in this genre tend to avoid. You’ll learn a lot about the uses for trailers and which ones are most suited towards hauling an outboard boat. Not all trailers are created equal and this book does a great job of discussing their strengths and weaknesses. In fact, you may even be able to avoid a nasty accident by following this advice to help you pick the best trailer for the job.
The book starts out with how to select the right kind of outboard boat for your needs. This was incredibly useful, even for those who may not own a boat yet. You’ll learn a lot about the whole process of picking a boat and what types may be right for your own unique uses. This is a great guide to help you pick a boat and avoid having buyer’s remorse after the sale. We recommend taking your copy with you to the dealership for some last minute tips and advice.
He also covers powering and equipping your outboard boat and this section was particularly interesting. It’s always helpful to understand what you’re going to need to get to make your boat even more enjoyable and he really covered some essential equipment that any boater is going to need. While you don’t have to purchase it all at once, this is a great reference list of what you’re eventually going to need to add to your boat.
The section on maintenance is incredibly important and should be read several times. You’ll pick up a lot of great tips and useful hints that will keep your boat running in tip top shape for many years to come. Numerous problems can be avoided with the right maintenance and for these tips alone, the book is well worth the cover price. If you’re completely new to outboard boats, this section is incredibly powerful and will help you understand all that you need to do to properly care for your new boat.
Overall, this was a fun read that covered some of the most important points that any outboard boat owner or renter needs to know. It’s an easy read that goes quickly and should be kept near by whenever you’re planning on buying or maintaining a boat.
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July 18th, 2008 — Boating, Book Review
If you’re looking for a semi-technical read on how boats are built and what makes them strong, this is the perfect fit. Its terminology is easy enough for even novices to understand, and it certainly does not alienate a new boating audience. Although technically you really don’t need to know these things if you’re just a weekend boater, it is still helpful to understand how boats work and why you need to take proper care of it. This book is also a terrific resource if you’re in the market for a new boat and you want to make sure that you find the one that is best suited to your needs.
The book covers mostly small craft, up to the size of 120 feet. The author did a great job of giving a history on each of the building materials that go into making a boat as well as how they all fit together to make a stronger craft. While it might be a little dry for some readers that really aren’t interested in how boats are made, for those of us that are fascinated by the whole manufacturing process and what goes into making the boats we love so much, this is the perfect read.
The illustrations are incredibly helpful and really break down how each of the materials work to create one whole boat. You’ll learn a lot about boat building theories, different types of manufacturing techniques and more about the different kinds of boats and their purposes. We really recommend that new boaters take the time to read through this book at least once so that they can have a greater appreciation of all the work that went into making that simple craft that they enjoy so much.
One of the best parts about this book is that in addition to covering traditional materials and techniques, the author also discusses brand new materials that are now being used to make boats lighter, faster and stronger. So many books end up being outdated because they focus only on the past and it was great to see that this author did not make that mistake. You’ll really gain a new appreciation of the research and development that goes into these materials as well as what is on the horizon when it comes to building new boats.
If you’re thinking about building your own boat, then this is definitely a book that you absolutely must read. You’ll learn a lot more about what you’ll need to know before you ever get started and the best part is, you’ll get a lot of technical information without feeling as though you’re reading a textbook.
Overall, this is a great read, if a little dry at times, and for those that need to learn more about the whole process of putting a boat together, it is definitely a must-have. Pretty much any boater can read this book and come away with a newfound appreciation of how boats are made.
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July 17th, 2008 — Fishing, Halibut, Tips and Tricks
Halibut fishing is incredibly popular and challenging and there are thousands of different techniques that you can learn. However, there are a few standard tips (ok maybe not so secret) that will help you land that halibut, whether you’re fishing from a boat, the dock or even the side of a lake. If you want to start really bringing in the fish, these tips will make a big difference in your success rate.
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The key is the bait.
Halibut are a tough fish to bait, and the best way to keep them interested is to keep changing your bait. We recommend changing every ten to fifteen minutes. It is a lot of work, but it will really pay off. Try rotating out your different types of bait. Once you land one, chances are that bait won’t work again for a little while, so dip back into your rotation for more variety.
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Use the right kind of bait.
As you may have guessed, halibut are picky eaters. We recommend the use of the following baits for the best success: Octopus (if you can find it - squid will also work) Halibut Skin (only use the white side of the skin) Salmon heads, Mackerel innards, crab or cod. It’s best to have as many on hand as possible so that you can rotate them frequently as mentioned above.
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Use the right kind of lures.
Once again, we’re dealing with a pretty crafty fish here, so you’re going to need to step up your game. We’ve found that Zzingers work very well, as well as lead heads. Your lures should be pretty big and it’s a great idea to really try out several different ones while you’re fishing. Often, it’s the right combination that will lure them in, and knowing when to change things up. The lures can work very well if you’ve found that the above baits just aren’t getting the job done.
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Use the right tools.
Halibut require a pretty strong line, so try to get somewhere between 80 and 120# test lines. Your pole should also be powerful and should be very quick on the reel in. Try practicing your technique off the water for the best results.
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Keep trying the same location.
While many people like to move around, this can actually reduce your chances of catching a halibut. If you’re on shore, make sure you stay in about the same spot and cast deep. If you’re on a boat, drop anchor and sit there for awhile. It may take a lot of patience, but you will land a halibut.
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Don’t be afraid to get a little smelly.
The best secret to attracting halibut is to scent your boat and the water around you. It’s a bit nasty but it works. Chum scent works the best and will make a big difference in the amount of fish that you catch. Just remember that if you store your boat in your own garage, you’re probably going to want to wash it well before bringing it back home.
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June 27th, 2008 — Boating, Book Review
The author of this book is incredibly well respected in the boating community and has years of experience writing for top boating publications from around the world. If you’re completely new to boating or you’d just like a refresher course, this is one of the best resources out there. As a book from the Complete Idiots… line, it is incredibly easy to read and chances are, you’ll never feel intimidated by the terminology. The author does a great job of breaking everything down so it is incredibly easy to understand. You’ll walk away with a lot more knowledge and a lot more confidence after reading this book.
Absolutely everything you could ever need to know about boating and sailing is covered here and it’s very easy to understand. We really recommend this title if you’re planning a lake vacation and thinking about renting a boat or if you own your own boat and want to get more use out of it. Whether you prefer sailing or power boating, each type is given adequate space and both disciplines will be able to take away a lot of useful information.
The book is geared towards novices and goes into information on common boating terms that will help you feel as though you really know what you’re doing. From learning the bow from the stern to more complicated terms, everything you could ever need to know is covered in a fun and engaging manner. Although some sections may make pro-boaters roll their eyes, there are still some useful tips that will help any level of boater become more professional and more capable of piloting their craft.
You’ll learn about buying a new boat and what kind of considerations need to go into that decision before you plunk down your money. This is a great guide for those that think they want to get into the boating lifestyle but they’re really not sure where to start. You’ll be able to avoid a lot of heartache by reading this book first so you don’t end up making a bad purchase. He also covers the aspects of ownership such as proper maintenance, trailering, how to properly care for your boat and what not to do.
The section on handling different types of weather is probably the most important and more than justifies the cost of the book. You’ll learn how to handle any kind of storm and what signs you need to watch out for when you’re on the water. There are also some great safety tips in this section that will keep you safe while you’re out there.
Navigation is also covered at length and this section offers some very helpful advice, especially for those that are new to piloting any kind of craft. Overall, we highly recommend this book, especially for novices that are looking to find out as much as possible in a short time. You’ll walk away feeling a lot more confident and you’ll be able to get out there and really enjoy your trip on the water.
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June 6th, 2008 — Boating, Book Review
If you’ve been thinking about making your own boat, but you’re worried that you don’t have the kind of equipment or the time to really make a masterpiece, this book is simply an incredible resource that will make it easy. Although traditional methods of small boat manufacturing are time consuming and require a lot of lofting and special tools, if you’ve got a “circular saw, a sander/polisher/grinder, a block plane, a framing square, a level, and a tape measure,” you can build your own boat by following the instructions in this book.
Stitch and Gluing is quickly becoming one of the most popular methods of building a small boat from scratch, simply because it is so much easier and the results are completely comparable to boats made the traditional way. The main issue facing those of us that want to build a boat is a lack of proper equipment and the painstaking and time consuming process of trying to assemble it in your backyard. With this book however, you can accomplish the same things in less space, in less time and with less tools.
The book will walk you through every step of making your own small powerboat, sailboat or just a regular fishing boat. The author starts off with the very important process of learning how to design your own boat effectively. The tips are well worth the price of the book alone and you’ll feel extremely confident by the time you reach the next section. The author does a great job of giving you that kind of confidence by breaking down each one of the steps until it is incredibly easy to follow.
Next, you’ll get a quick look at how to set up shop to make the actual construction process much easier. This is incredibly helpful and organization is key if you want to make your own boat. You’ll learn the steps you need to avoid and how to set up your shop for the most effective means of building a boat in a lot less time.
After you’re already to go, you’ll get step by step instructions on how to build the boat of your dreams, using those designs that you made in the first section of the book. Even if it is a bit daunting at first, if you follow the instructions and keep to the plan, anyone should be able to make their own boat with few problems. No boat is complete however without some finishing, so the last part of the book covers proper painting techniques and how to completely customize your masterpiece.
Overall, this is a book that we highly recommend to any boat owner or anyone that is interested in boating. Even if you don’t plan to build your own boat anytime soon, you’ll learn a lot about how boats are made and how to know what you’re dealing with on the water. This is simply a great resource.
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May 23rd, 2008 — Boating, Book Review
After Charlie Wing published his book on living aboard, many readers were upset that it really didn’t cover the technical aspects of life aboard a ship. So, this new book from Wing was a pleasant surprise, even if the title is decidedly non-technical. However, if you want to know about how boat “things” work, this book is definitely a must read. The author is an incredibly gifted and popular writer and he is very good at making even complex things easy to understand. When you’re done reading this book, you’ll feel empowered to completely go over your boat and know what each every thing is and what it does.
The book takes an in-depth look at every single component on a boat, from the engines to the freshwater systems. The helpful diagrams and illustrations make it easy to understand what you’re dealing with and what the part should be doing. For those who have difficulty diagnosing problems on their boat, this is a terrific guide that makes it easy even for novices to get their hands dirty and figure out what the problem is. By informing yourself on the “things” inside your boat, you’ll be able to understand what repairs are necessary and when it’s vital to take your boat into a chandlery.
Over 80 devices and “things” are illustrated in full throughout the course of the book and the author does a great job of making sure that it is easy to understand their purposes, and what they do on your boat. We highly recommend this book for new owners, especially if they do not have any experience in dealing with their boats or are completely new to the entire boating world. However, even experienced mariners can take something away from this book and it’s certainly helpful to keep it on board during a trip.
The author divided each part into a two page spread, with illustrations and while the information isn’t terribly technical, you’ll still be able to easily understand each component. This is a great resource if you’re trying to troubleshoot problems on your boat or if you’re trying to learn more about how the engine works. If you’re planning a long trip out on the water or the ocean, we really recommend reading the entire book first and then keeping it with you should any problems occur. You’ll feel a lot more confident about handling any issues that may crop up during your journey.
Overall, this is a book that we can highly recommend. While it could have covered more systems within the boat, the author only had so much space. As it stands, it’s well written and the illustrations are incredible. The intended audience is definitely the novice crew, but the author did a great job of breaking down the terms and making everything easy to understand. This is a terrific book for all boaters and should be considered a great crash course into how boats work.
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November 10th, 2007 — San Francisco Bay, politics
I am deeply saddened by the recent oil spill in the bay when a container ship struck the Bay Bridge. 58,000 gallons of oil were released. With the winds and the tides the oil is as far as Farallon Islands… what a shame.
They have been cleaning birds and skimming oil for several days.
Thanks to all the volunteers that have been cleaning up…
Thanks to all the workers doing there job cleaning up…
I don’t know how far south into my part of the bay the oil is… My boat is raw water cooled, I dont think I should take it anywhere near the oil.
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