Way back in 2007, Carlos Quinones, first worked with Hi-Tide after being hired by our Founder, Don Wood, as an outside sales representative and hasn’t looked back since.
The following year, Carlos became part of the Hi-Tide family proper, coming on as office manager before being promoted to general manager in 2009 and then vice president in 2010. Through the years, he’s always been a shining example of what Hi-Tide stands for: namely, leadership, hard work and a drive to always provide our customers with the highest level of expertise and care.
Carlos has a real passion for helping people hit the water to enjoy this pastime that we all know and love: boating. Through his work, he’s proven more than capable of taking on the role of new president of Hi-Tide Boat Lifts, which we announce with a mix of pride and excitement for the future. As president, Carlos will oversee all departments, including sales and marketing, vendor relations, and purchasing.
Due to this promotion, Craig Wood is now free to focus his efforts into another passion of his: providing children throughout the U.S. with unique access and exposure to IndyCar racing events in the Mazda Road to Indy series through the “Kids on Track” program. If that’s not a win/win, we don’t know what is.
We’re happy to welcome our new President, Carlos Quinones, as he enjoys many more years of success with Hi-Tide!
With 2015 in the books, it’s just about time to start planning your boating adventures for the brand new year. One thing we always look forward to is the treasure trove of boat shows that flood The Sunshine State all year long. Below, you’ll find five of some of our favorite Florida boat shows. Get out your calendars: you won’t want to miss these fantastic events in your backyard.
Can’t-Miss Florida Boat Shows in 2016
Charlotte County Boat Show
Hosted in the Charlotte County Fairgrounds, this show is free to the public and is a perfect chance to window shop for your next boat or catch an educational seminar in the Charlotte, Florida area this January 14-17.
Stuart Boat Show
Featuring more than 190 local, national and international exhibitors with displays both in water and on land, this is huge show that you’ll not want to miss if you’re in the “sailfish capital of the world,” Stuart, Florida. Don’t miss the seminars, food, drinks and fun to be had this January 15-17.
Naples Boat Show
As the area’s largest premier recreational boat show, check out the offerings from top marinas and dealers. Held at the Naples Airport on January 21-24, be sure to grab your tickets soon!
Palm Beach International Boat Show
The 31st Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show is headed to Downtown West Palm Beach for four days of fun, from March 17-20, 2016. Top marine manufacturers and hundreds of boats make this show worth catching.
Suncoast Boat Show
The annual Suncoast Boat Show is headed to Downtown Sarasota this April 15-17, featuring the perfect opportunity to scope out your next boat and the latest marine electronics and accessories.
All in all, 2016 is looking like a good year for boaters and fishing enthusiasts thanks to some standout Florida boat shows that are hitting our shores (and convention halls) all year long. Cheers to the new year and these fantastic excuses to meet boat enthusiast communities across the state.
Many take New Year’s Eve to toast the new year optimistically, popping champagne and celebrating with good friends and loved ones. If you own a boat, it’s a great excuse to get on the water and enjoy some nearby fireworks as you welcome midnight with friends, music and fun. However, many are tempted to add alcohol to the mix while operating their boat, leading to dangerous and potentially deadly results.
Let’s run down a few key facts before you decide to boat under the influence this New Year’s Eve:
- Drinking and boating is just as dangerous as drinking and driving, increasing boating fatalities by nearly 34%.
- Penalties for being caught drinking and boating include extensive fines, suspension or forfeiture of boating license and prison time if an alcohol-related fatality occurs.
- It is illegal to operate a boat with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
- It is illegal for a minor to have a blood alcohol concentration of .o2 or higher while on your vessel.
- Physical or chemical tests may be used to determine your blood alcohol concentration if you are suspected of drinking and boating.
- It is also illegal to boat while impaired by other illicit drugs.
Though it may seem like a great opportunity to pop some bubbly or crack open a few cans with your best buds, it’s smart to assign a designated boat operator for the night or just enjoy a drink once safely back on shore. Beyond just a smart choice, remember that it’s also the law. Drinking and boating presents dangerous and unnecessary risks that could lead to you spending cash on tickets or time behind bars in 2016. Do we have to remind you that there’s no boating in jail? Didn’t think so.
That being said, we sincerely hope you welcome 2016 the right way: enjoying Florida’s beautiful waterways responsibly. Cheers!
We all know “he’s” checking his list and checking it twice, but are you? Now that your holiday shopping is through (hopefully), and you may be fortunate enough to enjoy some time off from work, it is the perfect time to create or review your semi-annual boating checklist; an important practice even for the most experienced of boaters.
A boating checklist very easily helps you keep track of maintenance and safety measures that can be literal lifesavers on your vessel.
Semi-Annual Boating Checklist
- Corrosion: Inspect your vessel from top to bottom in order to assess if there is any sign of corrosion to the engine control linkage, gear case, engine mounts, through-hulls and more.
- Electrical: Ensure that all wiring is approved for marine use, all wires are clear from the exhaust system and that the entire electrical system is protected by fuses or circuit breakers. Also, ensure that your battery is stored in a watertight container and adequately secured.
- Fuel: When refueling, be sure to never use gasoline that’s more than 10% ethanol, which could damage your engine. Check for any gas leaks, inspecting for rust, a loose fuel tank, cracked or stiff hoses and other signs of damage. Always have a fuel shut-off valve at both the tank and engine.
- Kitchen: If you have a kitchen onboard, be sure that your stove and heating devices are all for marine use, your cabin is ventilated to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning and your shut-off valve is properly secured.
- Safety: Check guardrails for corrosion, ensure that fire extinguishers have been checked within the past year and are easily accessible in case of a fire. In addition, inspect all personal floatation devices for damage and ensure that you have an EPIRB onboard to be easily found in an emergency situation.
A full semi-annual boating checklist can be found on the Discover Boating website, along with a conveniently downloadable PDF to print and utilize. Staying on your boat’s nice list has truly never been easier. With these important six-month reminders you can ensure that both you and your boat stay safe into the new year and beyond.
Though many Florida boaters are happy to frequently hit the saltwater seas due to our close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic waters, many others take advantage of our smattering of fresh, inland waters. Whether pleasure cruising on the St. Johns River or fishing for largemouth bass on Lake Okeechobee, there is no shortage of inland waters to explore in The Sunshine State.
Though, in general, the same laws and best practices apply whether in fresh or saltwater, there may be a few differentiators you should consider before switching from lake to ocean boating.
Factors to Consider Before Switching to Saltwater
- Saltwater is very corrosive, making rinsing your boat with freshwater after trips on the ocean a necessity to avoid damage over time.
- Boats and ships regularly used in saltwater can have reduced life expectancies, due to the corrosive nature of saltwater.
- Engines should be flushed after use in saltwater to avoid damage.
- Drinking and boating laws do not change on inland waters.
- In general, no major modifications need to be made to allow your boat onto both fresh and saltwater bodies of water.
Our main takeaway: Florida is full of both inland waters and open ocean that are ripe for boating, fishing and fun. Be sure to note and respect the corrosive power of saltwater, especially after your trip, when a simple wash and rinse may help you avoid costly repairs down the road. Follow boating laws and best practices and enjoy your time on fresh and salt waters safely while keeping these differentiating factors in mind.
