Most outdoors enthusiasts worth their salt understand that the ecosystem and the creatures that inhabit it are precious and vital. However, some lack respect for the forests and waterways that they visit and enjoy, actively damaging them by polluting, over-hunting/fishing, or otherwise disturbing the wildlife. That is where the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act comes in.
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act was presented by The Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources and backed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). But why is this act gaining so much support and what, exactly, is it supposed to do? According to Wink News, the act could help support the protection of Florida’s most vulnerable species to the tune of $50 million a year.
Another outspoken proponent of this act is the Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife, who believe the act will:
Help support the industries surrounding fishing, boating and other outdoor recreational activities, protecting U.S. jobs and the economy.
Breaking families, especially kids, away from the likes of social media, emails, video games and computer screens.
Protecting more than 12,000 species of wildlife nationwide through the funding of effective conservation.
According to The National Wildlife Federation, more than 40% of freshwater fish species are at risk in North America and 70% of freshwater mussels are already extinct or imperiled. Through added support (such as this act) and awareness, we can do our part to make sure the waterways we love to boat and fish on are around for generations to come.
So, on your next trip on the water, make sure you collect all garbage, ensure your vessel isn’t leaking oil or gasoline and steer clear of wildlife and fragile ecosystems.
For anyone who forgot or was simply not living on the eastern coast of the US a few years back, the 2017 hurricane season was a rude reminder of just how dangerous Mother Nature is, and just how little control we have over her.
It’s not every hurricane season that we face Category 4 and 5 storms in quick succession, but last year saw hurricanes ravage the Caribbean, as well as Texas and Florida coastlines–the worst-hit areas still on the slow road to recovery. What does this mean for some of the country’s best and most beloved boating spots?
According to one article from TCPalm, of Florida’s 905,298 registered recreational vessels in 2016, somewhere in the range of 2,000-3,000 were damaged, destroyed or sunken. Efforts to recover boats stranded by the storm have resulted in the Federal Emergency Management Agency spending close to $12.5 million on their efforts.
With the destructive 2017 hurricane season behind us, it is a good time to prepare for the next season, now with the recent lessons learned about the importance of hurricane preparedness.
What can I do to protect myself before the next hurricane season?
Get Insured: Before hurricane season, look into exactly what is covered by your boat insurance policy to understand what recovery looks like for you and your vessel if the worst happens.
Make a Plan:If a hurricane is tracking directly for where your boat is stored and you don’t already have a plan to get out of Dodge, it’s already too late. Begin planning now and decide whether you will tow your vessel for safe storage or risk it on the water.
Write a Checklist:Making a list and checking it twice is great advice before a storm strikes. List all items on the vessel that must be either stripped from the boat or battened down and secured before the high winds, dangerous waves and heavy rain begin. This will keep you from entering panic mode and wasting time when you need it most.
Check with Your Marina:If your vessel is docked at a marina or private dock, call the manager of the dock to inquire the precautions they take to keep ships safe and what they recommend for keeping your boat protected during a big storm.
As with most things, the best way to enter hurricane season is prepared and with safety in mind. The worst thing to do before a hurricane hits is panic. Instead, take the time to get your ducks in a row so that you can simply and efficiently protect your vessel. In the meantime, have fun, boat safely and we’ll see you on the water!
With the week or two of cold that us Floridians call “winter” already in the rearview, you know what is just around the corner: pitch-perfect boating weather. Though you may have taken a little time off for the holiday season, the blue skies, scorching sun and warm waters on the horizon mean boaters will be coming out in droves. Unfortunately, more boaters means more cases of boating under the influence–but one group doesn’t think that has to be the case forever.
An effort to curb boating under the influence is picking up steam, called Sober Skippers. Backed by the Sea Tow Foundation, a boating safety and education group, the push to designate sober skippers before hitting the water is similar to efforts to get people to designate sober drivers on roadways and just as important.
There is a laid-back attitude in most aspects of boating, but that approach becomes dangerous, even life-threatening, when it’s applied to boating under the influence. Though you may think you can handle a couple of light beers without much effect, the truth is, operating a boat safely can be a tricky task in the best of conditions. With blowing winds, blinding sunlight, scorching temperatures, unpredictable weather conditions and even more unpredictable fellow boaters, why impair yourself further?
At Hi-Tide, we’re all for enjoying boating to the fullest, but we draw a line when fun surpasses safety. Boating under the influence is negligent and sets you and all aboard your vessel up for a completely avoidable accident. So when you hit the water this boating season, take the advice that the Sober Skipper program promotes: designate a sober skipper and, once safely back on land, buy them a beer or two. That seems like a win/win situation to us.
Following the buzz of the holiday season, we welcome the new year with open arms. For those with brand new shiny vessels with big red gift bows still tied around the helm, welcome to our favorite pastime. For those seasoned boaters who may be ready to set sail to new destinations this year, we salute you! With the New Year comes new adventures in new places, however, getting to these places with your boat in tow can be somewhat of a hassle if not done correctly and efficiently.
Transporting large boats from one place to another requires calculated planning and resources, all of which are set in place to allow for safe and easy travel. If you’re new to transporting your boat safely on the highway, or need to reevaluate your towing resources to match approved state requirements, check out some tips we like to make sure every boat owner knows about towing their boats.
Follow the Law: Did you know the state requires any trailer above the gross weight of 3,000 pounds to have brakes on each axle and that if your beam is more than 8 feet, 6 inches, you’ll need an over-dimensional permit? These laws are set to protect motorists from hazards caused by oversized loads and to help eliminate delays in regular traffic patterns. Make sure you’re familiar with the state’s Department of Transportation laws to avoid costly fines.
Calculate: It’s important to size your trailer to the boat being towed to ensure safe travel to and from your destination and to maximize the longevity of your tow truck or SUV. The trailer’s gross weight capacity should be high enough to carry both the weight of your boat, as well as any additional items you’re planning to transport. This can include fuel, gear and any other cruising day materials you might be planning to take on board with you. Efficiently calculating the necessary size and weight capacity of your trailer can help in avoiding premature tire and brake wear, leading to longer, safer boat towing excursions.
Select Your Brakes: A popular choice for trailer brakes are electric as opposed to hydraulic brakes. These types of brakes are geared toward a smoother braking action, controlled electronically. They can be fine-tuned for seamless braking between your vehicle and the boat trailer and have the ability to activate the trailer alone in the event it starts to sway out of line. Choosing the right brakes to guide your trailer can make the transportation of your boat a safer one.
For anyone planning to tow their boat from one destination to the next, it’s important to keep in mind safety and efficiency when planning your tow. Gathered from an article by our friends at Florida Sportsman, be sure to familiarize yourself with state regulations and safety precautions, choose a trailer that’s the right size and can hold the weight of your boat, and select brakes that work with your trailer in the safest way possible. Once your boat reaches home, provide security and stability by resting it on one of our boat lifts to help keep your vessel away from potential water damage and corrosion caused by fluctuating storms and season changes.
Ready to get your boat in and out of the water with ease? Our Lift Finder is a great place to start!
We’ve all been there: you have an interest in a new hobby or lifestyle but don’t even know the questions to ask. Well, one question we often get is, what, exactly, is a boat elevator?
Thankfully, boat elevator lifts are pretty simple to explain. At Hi-Tide, we develop aluminum boat elevator lifts. This hardware attaches to your dock by attaching to either piling or seawall. When docking, you simply position your vessel over the lift platform, which is submerged in the water. Once in position, by operating the elevator lift, you can raise the submerged platform, which raises your vessel above the water.
As you may know, water (yes, even freshwater) can be quite corrosive and damaging to your vessel. Simply put, a boat elevator lift keeps the bottom of your vessel high and dry–in a good way. Why?
Boats have been known to sink while docked, sometimes due to damage caused by rough waves.
A vessel raised above the waterline avoid damage from the corrosive effects that water can have over time.
With less wear on vessels, boats can better maintain their paint and are often far easier to clean than those left docked.
Even if your vessel is docked in tighter quarters, a boat elevator may be just right for your needs. Of course, if you have more questions about the benefits of boat lifts or more specifics on our very own aluminum elevator lifts, don’t be afraid to ask. Whether you’re a boating newcomer or experienced captain looking for some new hardware, we’re more than happy to share our passion with anyone in need of a lift.
