You have a great new boat, decked out in top-of-the-line options and are ready to hit the water — or so you think. Many boaters, even experienced ones, can sometimes forget that one little thing that they need to properly secure their vessel. That is why we offer a full list of accessories that can add up to a big difference for you when storing your boat. We’ll examine three of the top boating accessories, just in case you’re missing that one last finishing touch to keep your vessel safely stored and ready for your next trip on the water.
Top Boating Accessories
With a plethora of options to choose from when docking your boat, you may want to do a bit of homework before shopping. At Hi-Tide, you can expect to find every odd and end to fit your boat’s exact needs, including brackets, bunking, winder covers, flare guides and cradle stabilizers that are perfect for your vessel’s specific needs. We’re especially proud of our electronics offerings, which include our patented Riches Switch, as well as flexshaft limit switches, remote controls and more, all of which are designed, built and tested in house.
Whether your needs are large or small, floating docks are an incredibly easy solution for boaters looking for a dock that is versatile and dependable, rising and lowering with water levels. For this reason, floating docks easily rank among our top boating accessories, with standard 18-inch pontoons, high-density polyethylene build and welded aluminum sub-frame. If dependability is what you’re looking for, you’ve found it in our floating docks.
Featuring the most streamlined, yet still secure, boat lift design on the market, davits are equal parts sleek and reliable. Our davits are outfitted with Hi-Tide Gear Drive® winches to ensure that performance is no question when taking on your next boating adventure. If you ever do have issues, our one-year comprehensive, two-year motor and five-year gearbox warranties have you covered.
Though there are many accessory options to choose from, a Hi-Tide expert would be happy to discuss what works best for your boat, yacht or boat house today.
Boating is beloved by many for the escape and solitude it provides. Nothing beats hitting the water for a bit of tranquility and time away from the hustle and bustle of cell phones, social media and emails. However, tech is also poised to make boating a whole lot easier, interactive and downright interesting in 2016. Let’s examine a few tech trends to look for in the boating industry this year.
Boating Tech Trends in 2016
- Improved Websites: Not just in the boating industry, but everywhere, the use of cell phones to surf the web has companies to take another look at their websites. Due to people visiting websites on everything from a gigantic, widescreen computer monitor to a smartphone that fits in a back pocket, websites are being forced to consider conforming to whichever format the user chooses. To do so, look out for revamped boating websites that are responsive, meaning they automatically reformat to best fit the screen at use ( a design that our very own website utilizes).
- Interactive Videos: If you haven’t seen a 360-degree video posted online yet, we highly recommend you give one a look. This tech allows users to watch a video, but also view it at any angle they choose. It’s something similar to wearing a virtual reality headset and is a great way to provide an inside look of boats or yachts in full motion. The possibility of virtual tours has us excited to see where they take this tech in 2016.
- Wearable Technology: Speaking of virtual reality, VR headsets are new, improved and ready to take over the tech world this year. Imagine being able to tour a legendary fishing spot from the comfort of your own home before booking your trip. Smartwatches may also have a promising future in boating, allowing for more easily accessible weather warnings, GPS locating and more.
- Mobile Apps: Apps are still a huge opportunity for boating brands to tackle in 2016, taking full advantage of the vast majority of people that utilize cell phones throughout the day. Look out for new apps to assist you in all aspects of planning a day of boating, from weather to fishing tips to finding your next boat.
- Beacons: Along with VR, beacon technology is a new and exciting possibility for boating companies to interact with you. With this tech, companies at a boat show or marina could directly send you details about the boat or product kiosk you’re walking by, directly to your smartphone.
Though we may not have flying cars and robot maids, the future is here in the boating industry. Everything from beacons to apps, virtual reality to responsive websites are making our lifestyle even easier to enjoy. Though we still enjoy simply hitting the water with a fishing rod and a friend, we’re excited to see what advancements in boating tech do to the pastime that we know and love.
Information provided by: Boating Industry
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!
