Fishing is Fun - For the Whole Family

Family FishingFishing has been a favorite sport for many generations. You could say that fishing has been one of the very first activities that a father and his child have enjoyed together – and what better bonding time than in the outdoors fishing? Fishing can be fun and beneficial for both children and adults, and has created a lifetime of traditions and memories. Not to mention all of the other benefits it holds!

There are many different types of fishing, but fishing in general is good for your health. While you may look like a bump on a log at certain points throughout your fishing day, you’re gaining a great amount of Vitamin D from the sun, which is a major vitamin deficiency in most people’s daily nutritional intake since our main source of Vitamin D only comes from UV rays. Be sure to wear sun block though. Vitamin D isn’t necessarily a good thing when your skin is burnt!  Another health benefit is the simple active nature of fishing. It takes a lot of muscle groups in your body to reel a fish in. From your forearms to your thighs, you may be working more muscles than you realized. While fishing may not help you lose a noticeable amount of weight, it can help you tone your muscles. This is also a good way to get your family active while having fun!

I often remember my grandfather coming home in the evenings from doing a little fishing. When he’d get home, well after dark, we were always intrigued to hear about ‘the one that got away’ or the ones that didn’t. But quite differently, as children, we misunderstood his still happy face when coming home after catching absolutely nothing. What’s the point of fishing if you don’t catch anything? As an adult, I can now fully understand. Fishing isn’t always about catching fish. Being on a boat with a line in the water is one of the most rewarding activities. It’s unexplainable, but fishing is relaxing. Maybe it’s the silence. Maybe it’s feeling the water swaying back and forth under your feet with the expectation that at any moment, that pole might bend. Maybe it’s being one with nature, or maybe it’s because, in most cases, fishing requires little thinking and allows your mind to wander. Either way, it’s worth the relaxation, even if you don’t catch the ‘big one’.

Fresh clean fish are tasty, that’s a given. Fishing is often used to put food on family’s tables, especially during the spring and summer months. Providing fish for your family is a great benefit to fishing. While most anglers enjoy catching and releasing fish, many people still enjoy what the sport was originally created for …food! You’ll of course need to check with your state to see if there are any special requirements on length and types of fish that you can keep. You’ll need to make sure your fishing license is up to date as well, whether you plan on keeping a fish or not.

Whether walking in the river, standing on the shoreline, or sitting in a boat, fishing is fun for the entire family – even mom! Introducing your children to nature at an early age not only improves sensory skills and lures them away from the television, but it also offers a fun learning experience about water, safety, and teaching them patience and independence. Growing a strong bond with your family is also another benefit. Families that enjoy the simple activities in life together, including fishing, are more relaxed, bonded, and overall, happier. Take this time of doing something you already love doing to bond with your family and enjoy teaching them about leadership skills, nature, fishing, and life. Involve every member of your family. Every family member, old or young, will learn more when they sense the feeling of being involved and having their family involved. You are showing true leadership skills when you take the time to first apply these skills to your family, patiently. Fishing is an amazing leadership and independence builder. These simple skills will help your child feel more confident and able in everyday life at school or with their friends.  Your family will feel comfortable in having conversations with one another, especially when there is a common bond. When you and your family can completely enjoy something together, a lifetime bond begins to form.

There’s nothing like watching the face of your child when they catch their first fish – or their second, or their eighth! Make sure you have all of the necessary “kid friendly” fishing tools before you set off on your fishing adventure. Things such as bobbers, a small child size fishing pole, and live bait can enhance the experience for everyone. A word of advice, keep your camera handy. You’re guaranteed to catch more than just fun slimy fish during the day! Laughing – just one more key benefit to fishing with your family.

So now that we know that fishing is relaxing, good for your health, and a great bonding experience – you may be wondering “where does the ‘fun’ for the kids come in?” There are so many great tools on the web for you to enhance your child’s fishing experience, but nothing is better than actually getting out there and getting their little beginner angler hands dirty. Before you go fishing, let your child pick out a fishing pole that’s just their size. Whether it’s a Disney fishing pole or simply satin black, it’s always fun when you have something of your own that you got to pick out all by yourself. Next – the bait. Live bait is always fun when fishing with your family. But if it’s not accessible, that’s fine too. Have your children search for worms and critters under rocks and in the yard or along the river bank.  Give them mason jars or other types of clear containers so that they can see what they’ve collected. If you have more than one child, turn it into a game! See who can collect the most bait.

When you’re fishing with the entire family, make a day of it! Don’t just narrow your day to fishing. Take a cooler full of food and drinks, maybe even a blanket to sit on when you’re on shore. Go exploring on shore or on a beach, play some games, go swimming. There are so many things you can do to make the most of your time with the ones you love.

The most important part to making fishing fun for your family is to sit back, relax, and don’t force it. If you find that your family is getting bored (especially if the fish aren’t biting), let them take a break. Let them go swimming or set the poles down and let them enjoy a snack, read a book, or play a game while waiting. The fish will always be there, but quality time with their parent(s) won’t be. Take this time to talk to them about their week, toys, school, events, or for the older kids….what they want to do with their lives. You see, fishing is more than just throwing a hook and line into the water; it’s about involving and showing your family that you’re taking the time to be with them. It’s about showing them that you care, and that no matter what, you’re always there. It’s about generations of families following traditions and making new memories. And if you catch fish, that’s pretty cool too.

Source: captainsmarine.com

Life Jackets for Kids

Safety and life jackets are the first key steps to any great boating experience. Knowing that everyone on board is safe makes for a more enjoyable day on the water – but what about kids? We’ve all heard it, “my jacket is too itchy, my jacket is too hot,” or, “why do I have to wear this stupid thing?” How can a day on the water be enjoyable while listening to your child complain all day long? Well, it can be, because there are so many life jacket options for your child, whether an infant, toddler or pre-teen/youth. Taking the necessary precautions and steps to make sure your child has the proper life jacket and fit for them will make a world of difference. 

First and foremost, if your child is old enough to understand, then sitting them down and explaining to them why life jackets are so crucial will help them tremendously. Pre-teens/youth are probably the worst when it comes to complaining. But if they can understand the reasoning behind life jackets and know that it’s not just some evil plan devised by their parents to make them miserable all day, it’s easier for them to cope. The bulk of all drownings do not occur out to sea, but in shallow inland waters involving boats under 20-feet long. Unfortunately, most drowning victims had a life jacket on the boat, but never chose to, or were made to, wear it. Make sure you always choose safety first!

Making sure your children are wearing the proper clothing under their life jackets will help them become more comfortable while wearing their jacket. Wear clothes made with material that is light weight and breathes easily, such as cotton. Your child’s jacket should also fit snuggly to their body. A great test to make sure they are fitted properly is to have your child put their life jacket on and then pick them up by the shoulders of the life jacket. If their chin and ears do not slip through the jacket, and the jacket remains snug to their body, then the jacket is properly fitted.

There are many different life jacket options for children, even small infants (though it is not always recommended to take small infants onboard a boat). You’ll want to consider purchasing a life jacket with a ‘heads- up’ collar for infants, smaller children/toddlers, and children who do not know how to swim. These life vests ensure that your child’s face will be turned up and away from the water when they fall in or should they be knocked unconscious. When fitted properly, these life vests should not cause any major discomfort to your child. 

Many older children and youth believe that all life jackets are huge and uncomfortable for good reason – they’ve never seen all of the options!  Life jackets are now made to be comfortable and easy to wear – there are even some jackets that come in customizable colors, depending on your style. Some life jackets have mesh backs and many are created to breathe easier, all while keeping its user safe.  Research your options online or stop by our pro-shop to find the best fit for your child.

Every life jacket has a weight and buoyancy limit, so be careful when choosing which life jacket to buy. You’ll want to invest in life jackets that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. All children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket at all times unless in a cabin or below deck. Each state varies with the age limit, so be sure to check your individual state for more information.

You’ll want to test every life jacket before sailing off in your boat. Take your child into a shallow area of water and have them lay down to test their jacket. While even a heads-up collar is a wonderful life saver for children, it may not guarantee that your child’s face will be turned away from the water if they are frantically swinging their arms and legs around in panic. Be sure to teach your child the proper things to do should they fall into the water, by keeping their bodies (especially their arms and legs) still and relaxed.  Explain to them that life jackets are used to help us in these situations, and the only thing they need to do is stay still and calm so that they can be quickly retrieved. 

Once everyone on board is equipped with their properly fitted and pre-tested life jackets, it’s time to head onto the water.  It’s a win-win situation – save a life by taking the necessary precautions ahead of time, and have a relaxing day with a very happy ending. They’ll have nothing to complain about, except for the fact that no one wants the day to end.

Boating With A Family

With the weather steadily growing warmer, families are eager to get outside and onto the water to enjoy these beautiful spring and summer days. It’s easy to get excited about boating, especially when you have children and a family to enjoy it with. But while boating with your family can be amazingly fun and educational, you should constantly remember that boating with younger children and family members can be dangerous if you do not take the proper precautions before leaving the dock. 

Life vests & “no-no’s”:  First and foremost, each person and child should be equipped with a life vest. Make sure younger children have life vests with a ‘heads up’ collar that ensure their faces will automatically be turned upward  and away from the water, should they go overboard.  Whistles are a good option to have on a child’s life vest as well. It is wise to tell any and all passengers to wear slip resistant shoes if they have them.  Boat decks can at times become very slippery and may unfortunately cause unwanted falls.  In addition to wearing slip resistant shoes, running, jumping, and hanging over the side of the boat are all major “no-no’s” in order to prevent a fall or to even prevent capsizing smaller boats.  

It is best to let your family know upfront that these precautionary rules are not flexible and there are no exceptions, even if life vests are itchy or the children become bored.  

In Case of Emergency:  You should always be sure that the adult and teenage passengers on board know what actions to take should an emergency with the boat arise. It will equip them with much needed knowledge should something happen to you or the boat. These passengers will also serve as helpers on board in case you need them in a time of panic.

Once these safety precautions have been taken, be sure to include your family and teach them about the responsibilities that come along with boating.  Teach them the boating ‘language’ so that they can feel included in your adventure and understand when you say ‘starboard’ or ‘bow’.  This is especially exciting for children as they are using their ever growing imaginations daily.

Pack a cooler & tote: Taking a picnic lunch or a cooler packed full of drinks and snacks will allow you to spend more time out on the water with your family. Let your children pick a few of their own snacks while preparing for your trip – it will make them feel more involved and they’ll become more excited about the big day.

Along with packing a cooler, make sure you pack a tote with extra clothes, underwear, towels, swim suits, a thick blanket for the little ones to lie on, hats, and sun block. The sun’s reflection off of the water will cause sunburn much quicker than being on dry land. There’s nothing worse than coming back from a fun day of boating with horribly painful sunburn!

Games & Swimming: It’s hard for children to sit still for an entire day of boating – bringing along games keep children (and some adults!) busy.  If you have babies or toddlers in your family, make sure you provide them with age appropriate games or toys. They will most likely be the first ones to become easily bored or tired.  

Being in a boat without the thought of jumping into the magnificent, cool, water is hard to avoid as well. After all, you’re surrounded by it on all sides. Make a schedule and plan to drop anchor some place nice for your family so that they’ll have time to go exploring, or even just swimming and splashing around for an hour. This will also give you more one-on-one relaxation time with your family and a break from being ‘captain’!

Overall, the object is to have a fun and safe boating experience. Taking precautionary steps before getting on the boat will make for a more relaxing day, not only for your family, but for you as well. Knowing that you’ve given your family the best knowledge you can give about your boat, safety, and having fun while being safe, makes for an exciting new adventure and hopefully, a new family tradition.

Source: captainsmarine.com

A Client Story

A great story from one of our customers…

“The value of having professionals maintain your stuff…I recently had my Flathead Lake boat in to Captains for a 200 hour service on the main motor. This is the time of year that I have to trailer my boat back and forth for every charter, and Mike Lopez and I had just dicussed the importance of maintaining your trailer bearings on my radio show on 600 KGEZ - Kalispell, MT. So I thought, well, it’s there, I might as well have them do the trailer bearings along with the motor maintenance, why spoil my finely manucured fishermens hands, right? Well, the great mechanics at Captains found a defect from the factory on one of my bearing spindles that helped me avoid a VERY expensive road side breakdown…These guys know their stuff, and even though I do most of my own maintenance, its always good to have your stuff looked at by the Pro’s even if it’s only periodically. Avoid the rush and take advantage of their services now…I’m glad I did.”

We’re so thankful for our customers and we’re glad to be here for all of you.

Boat Show Tips

When you’re interested in buying a boat, boat shows are one of the best ways to try on many different shapes and sizes of boats, from sport boats to deck boats to cruisers and fishing boats. Boat shows also provide a great time to mingle with the boating community and hear firsthand how boating is a wonderful way to spend your free time. With all this excitement, boat show can feel a bit overwhelming. To help you save time and money, follow these tips.

Do Your Homework

Boat shows are a great way to begin the boat buying process. But with all the different styles and sizes to choose from, it’s hard to make a decision if you haven’t already narrowed down your choices. Before attending our boat show, visit our website and start looking at the different models we sell. While browsing, think about what you’ll use your boat for and how many people you’ll take out at a time. That way, when you visit us at the boat show, you’ll be able to spend more time on the boat that fits.

Come Prepared

When you come to the boat show, you should bring a few things with you.

  1. Questions - bring all your questions. We’ll have an expert team on hand to help you understand everything there is to know about the boating lifestyle and the different boats.
  2. A Notebook - you may want to take notes about and/or compare different boat models, sizes, how many people can fit or how much fuel the boat can hold. Having a notebook handy will come in handy.
  3. Printed Address Labels - if you plan to visit multiple venders during the show, bring pre-printed address labels that have your name and contact information. Many vendors ask for this information and having an address label ready to peel and stick will save you lots of time.

Climb Aboard

You’d be surprised at how many people are too nervous to climb aboard and check out the boat that caught their eye. Go ahead, climb aboard! We’re here for you and want you to feel comfortable spending some time on the boats that fit what you’re looking for. Have a seat at the helm (the Captains chair), open doors and check for storage room or take a peek at the head (the restroom). Want to know more? Our friendly staff will be right there when you need us to answer any question or show you the features that may surprise you.


Are you ready for the Boat Show? We sure are!

Introducing The All New Cobalt 220

In the sleek and performance driven NEW Cobalt 220, Free Space Reclamation (FSR) provides interior width beyond any other 22 foot stern drive on the market. Cobalt’s unique new interior design, the function of reduced gunwale thickness carefully engineered for optimum use of the space between interior and exterior walls means improved unparalleled room and comfort.

The fact is that you get more Cobalt from the inside - out. And the out - the Kevlar reinforced hull - knows exactly what to do. Combine the performance advantage of Cobalt’s extended running surface, reverse chines, and the legendary progressive dead-rise that has helped Cobalt earn the recognition of the “best ride and drive amongst the competition” and you might just determine that Cobalt… has no competition.

Are you ready to climb aboard the New Cobalt 220?

Cobalt 220

*New* Cobalt Touch Tech Control System for WSS Models

Now available on the 232, 242, and 262 WSS models. This high tech Murphy Display System offers complete control over all rider settings including; ballast tanks, trim tabs, and cruise control. For the 2012 model year, this system will be offered as a Free Upgrade with the purchase of the three rider system options: ballast, trim tabs, and cruise control. The system can also be upgraded to include GPS map for an extra cost. Visit our showroom to learn more and tell us in the comments if this is feature you’ve been waiting for.

How-To Winterize Your Boat

It’s time to pull in the rafts, lifts, and boats for another season. But there is more to it than just taking boats out of the water. Winterizing a boat and motor is the most important maintenance a boat owner can perform to help ensure safe boating next spring.

Whether you choose to do it yourself or have service facility do it for you, winterizing is the best way to prepare your boat for the season to come. Regardless of where your boat is stored (inside or outside), much care is needed to protect your boat engine.

The following are some basic steps to winterize your marine engine and equipment.

  • Fill the fuel tanks and add the appropriate amount of stabilizer. Run the engine long enough to get treated gas into the fuel line and engine. Left untreated over the winter, gasoline deteriorates into varnish and gum, making starting difficult.
  • Flush the cooling system. (Flushing kits are available from our parts department.) Also remove block plugs and drain all the water from inboard and inboard outdrive engines. This cleans out accumulated sediment and rust flakes. Pump in anti-freeze to avoid trapped ice pockets. Use an environmentally safe product to avoid contaminating the marine environment.
  • Fog the engine with oil to prevent rust. Available in bulk or aerosol cans, fogging oil is formulated to stick to the cylinders and not slide down the walls. Follow the instructions that come with the product making sure to spray some of the oil into the cylinders through the sparkplug holes once the engine has cooled down. Check the spark plugs and replace them as necessary.
  • Replace the oil and oil filter on inboard and inboard outdrive engines. Be sure to dispose of the used oil at an authorized recycling center.
  • Change the lower unit gearcase lubricant on outboards and inboard/outdrive engines. Even a little water trapped in the gearcase can cause damage, especially if allowed to freeze.
  • Check the props for nicks. Even slight damage can hinder performance. Worse yet, blade damage can cause vibration, damaging other engine parts and the drive system. Some damaged props can be repaired by marine dealers for a fraction of the cost of a new one.
  • Store outboards in an upright position. Consider having the water pump impeller replaced every two or three years. The rubber legs can get stiff, reducing water circulation, or they may break off, eliminating coolant flow completely.
  • Spray a moisture displacing lubricant such as a silicone product onto electrical terminals and the fuse panel. Read the label to make sure the spray is safe for use on electrical components.
  • Inspect steering systems, including tiller steering friction fittings on outboards. Tighten them if they’re loose.
  • Clean the backfire flame arrester on inboard engines with carburetor cleaner.
  • Clean boats inside and out and cover when stored, even indoors. Allow for air circulation under the cover to prevent mildew.
  • Drain water from the bilges and leave the transom drain plug out. It’s a good idea to place a reminder note in a conspicuous place to avoid embarrassment at the boat ramp next spring.
  • Hang life jackets up where they can air out.
  • Examine trailer tires and grease the wheel bearings, replacing them as necessary. Check bulbs and electrical contacts on the plugs as well as sockets where the bulbs screw in. Spray contacts with a moisture displacing lubricant and wrap electrical tape around the plugs to keep them dry.
  • Put the trailer on blocks and remove the tires to prolong rubber life and hinder boat thieves.
  • Check the owner’s manual for tips that are particular to your own brand of boat, engine and trailer.

For boaters who aren’t comfortable doing their own maintenance, all the procedures may be performed by our qualified marine technicians. Call, email or come in today to schedule your boats winterization. Taking a little time in the fall to get your boat and motor ready for winter means that you can be one of the first boaters out on the water next spring.

Ethanol Fuel In Marine Engines - Good or Bad?


Often times the question comes up, “ What will I notice using ethanol fuel in my stern drive or inboard boat engine?” The simple answer is that you probably won’t notice much, especially if your boat is 2001 or newer, when they started building engines with ethanol in mind.

That being said,…

Source: captainsmarine.com

7 Days To Boat Ownership - With Your Significant Other

 

Buying a boat is a big decision, especially when you’re married. With the help of Discover Boating, we’ll give you, and your significant other, a seven day guide to get on the same page.

“Before you begin your seven day quest to boat ownership, take an opportunity to go out on a friend’s boat with a few people including your Significant Other (S.O.). This will give your S.O. a taste of the boating lifestyle and peak their interest in the bonding benefits of owning a boat.

Day 1 - Educate

 

Day 2 - Accessiblility

  • Educate Significant Other (S.O.) on how accessible the boating lifestyle is by pointing out that 90 percent of Americans live within an hour drive of a body of water they can boat on.
  • Note that you live only one hour from somewhere you can enjoy boating
  • Night Activity - Call a friend that owns a boat and arrange for a dinner with the couple. Discuss the key benefits to the boating lifestyle that you would like your friend to include during dinner discussions.

Day 3 - Dinner with Friends

  • Plan for your dinner date with friends to be close to a boat dealership. Make sure that you pass the dealership both on the way to dinner and going home. On the way to dinner, subtly point out the dealership and the beautiful boats on display.
  • During dinner, make sure your friend brings up the boating topic so you don’t sound like a broken record and your S.O. does not catch on to your ulterior motives.
  • After dinner, drive by the boat dealership again and casually suggest that the two of you make an appointment to see what types of boats they offer (leave message at dealership immediately when you get home).

Day 4 - Affordability
  • Visit Discover Boating’s Budget Planner to print out information that shows how the costs of boat ownership are compared to the costs of other family leisure activities. This is a great opportunity for you to personalize the expense of boat ownership.
    • For example, compare the cost of buying a boat to your last family vacation to Disney World. Or, by not eating out at a local restaurant once a week, you could save enough money for your monthly boat payment.
  • Create your own family budget that includes your monthly boat-related payments to show that you really can afford a boat.

Day 5 - Experience the Lifestyle
  • Get your S.O. in the mood for boating by purchasing them a captain’s hat for the ride along. Present the gift to them when you pick them up. Repeat the following statements on the way to your ride along:
    • “We’re just looking today to get an idea of what would be right for our family and our boating needs.”
    • “I’m excited to get out on the water today. It’s kind of like an afternoon vacation.”
    • “(Boat Dealer) seemed really nice on the phone and seemed to understand what we’re looking for - (Boat Dealer) is bringing two types of boats for us to cruise in today.”
  • Take pictures during ride along. You will use these later.
  • Night Activity - Rent a movie that includes beautiful images of boating and the boating lifestyle, and watch with your S.O.

Day 6 - For the Whole Family
  • From DiscoverBoating.com, email video testimonies of consumers who have already purchased a boat to your S.O.
    • o Videos of families enjoying the boating lifestyle and real people telling their story of boat ownership will help your S.O. visualize how boat ownership could change your lives too.
  • Include pictures from the previous day’s ride along. Make sure you include a picture of the two of you enjoying the boating lifestyle and one of your S.O. driving the boat.
  • Night Activity - Bring home dinner and dessert “just because” and watch Discover Boating DVD after dinner while enjoying your dessert.

Day 7 - Making Waves
  • You have covered all of the bases except one - together time. Talk to your S.O. about not only all of the family time you’ll be able to spend together on the boat, but couple time as well. Boating, with the stars bouncing off the water and the cool night breeze flowing through your hair, can be a romantic night for two any night of the week.
  • Also, let your S.O. know that your first duty off business is to teach them how to drive and dock the boat so they can enjoy the boat with their friends as well.”

We hope this information helped you and your significant other to get on the same page about boat ownership. Boating is a lifestyle that will change your life - for the better. Still have questions? Visit our social media channels, leave a comment below or come by our dealership. We’re here for you.

Source: discoverboating.com