The great outdoors is…well–great. The trouble is, human exposure to these often delicate ecosystems can lead to damage, pollution and even full-stop extinctions if not carefully monitored. Your favorite waterway to boat or fish in is no different. For that reason, it is important to know the easy ways you can enjoy eco-friendly boating without sacrificing the fun of getting out on the water with friends and family.
Five Easy Ways to Implement Eco-Friendly Boating Techniques
See the Signs: Many waterways, especially near vulnerable flora and fauna (manatees, seagrass, coral, etc.), will post “no wake” signs that warn boaters to slow their vessels. High-speed boats can cause wakes that damage shorelines and make it more difficult to maneuver around seagrasses and slow-moving wildlife. Just as you should in a car, follow posted speed limits and heed all warning signs.
Don’t Spill:Fuel and oil are both awful for the environment. Though you may be extra careful when filling your oil and fuel tanks on the water, you may not be able to avoid a spill. Add to that, the risk of your engine or tanks leaking these pollutants and you can see why it is so important to report any incidences of oil or gas leaks to the Environmental Protection Agency as soon as possible. If you come across a vessel leaking or dumping pollutants, it is your responsibility to report it as well.
Maintenance and Mess:Always ensure that your engine is up to snuff before hitting the water. It is especially important to check all hoses, which can become brittle after months of exposure to the sun and water.
Trash Troubles:Do your part to ensure that no one on your boat is throwing garbage overboard. It is tempting to simply toss that soda can or potato chip bag into the open water, but this has an immediate and terrible impact on the entire ecosystem, no matter how little the litter.
Overfishing:If you’re new to fishing, you may not realize that there are strict regulations on both saltwater and freshwater fishing to avoid overfishing or the capture of protected species. Follow these rules to stay on the right side of the law and preserve the delicate ecosystem.
If you love boating, you must also love and respect Mother Nature. Do your part every time you hit the water by following waterway speed limits and warnings, reporting oil and fuel spills, maintaining your engine and never littering. As boating and fishing enthusiasts, we are also the guardians of the waters we love spending our time on.
Smart, eco-friendly boating has come a long way since the “save the manatees” days (a campaign that actually accomplished just that). With more awareness, there is no excuse for leaving our waterways worse for future generations of boaters, fishers and anglers.
Forgetful, indecisive or ever-busy significant others–listen up! If you’re all out of Valentine’s Day ideas for you and your significant other, we may have you covered. With these boating-and-fishing-inspired tips for a romantic date, you can treat that special someone to a fun excursion or gift that they’re sure to remember for years to come.
Valentine’s Day Ideas to Treat Your Favorite Boater
You catch, I cook: Though some already split the fishing/cooking duties, this is a fantastic way to spend time, bond and enjoy some good eats. Propose the idea of visiting a beloved fishing spot for a full day of cruising and dropping lines, then enjoying the day’s catch for dinner. In case the fish aren’t biting, pick a plan B before hitting the water. Trust us, no one wants a hangry valentine come dinnertime.
Kayaking or canoeing: Both kayaking and canoeing give you the chance to paddle away together, enjoying a bit of outdoor quiet time while soaking in the sun and scenery.
Gifts that keep on giving: You could settle for a nice bottle of wine or box of chocolates, but why not give your partner something they can use while doing what they love? Protective sunglasses, a high-quality boating knife, or even a paid pleasure cruise to get them on the water without the hassle of taking out their own boat are all great options. If unsure, maybe pry a bit to see what they need most for their boat.
Romance on the water: Plan a beachside getaway, even if just for a day. Nothing refreshes like some time on the beach, and there are fewer things more romantic than sharing a sunset on the seashore. If the water permits, consider even decking out your boat for a special Valentine’s Day trip with their favorite music, food and a bit of festive decorating on deck.
A brand new boat: Your significant other would hate if we didn’t at least put it on the list…
Valentine’s Day ideas can sometimes be hard to come by, but even the most hard-to-shop-for boaters are sure to love at least one of the ideas above. As they say, it’s the thought that counts, and showing your beloved that you embrace their boating and fishing fanaticism is sure to generate some smiles come February 14.
Good luck, and have a great time enjoying the love of boating with the one you love.
Though the movie, Jaws, has terrified generations of beachgoers, divers and boaters, as it turns out, a great white holds nothing on an invasive species taking over the waters North Carolina down to parts of South America and the Gulf of Mexico. Its name is “lionfish” and, though not king of the jungle, this invasive species has the potential to have a quite destructive reign over our waters.
Luckily, people like us like boating, and many boaters also enjoy fishing and angling across our coastlines. Yes, we are saying that you can make a difference in the world by catching your dinner tonight.
But let’s get some facts on the lionfish first.
What You Need to Know Before Catching and Cooking Lionfish
Are Lionfish Dangerous? Lionfish have 13 sharp spines that are venomous and should be avoided when catching these creatures. These spines must be removed before cooking to avoid injury. When cleaning a lionfish, it is recommended that your use a pair of puncture-proof gloves to make the process both easier and safer.
Can I Eat Lionfish?Not only is lionfish edible, it is now served in many restaurants in an effort to drive down the numbers of the invasive species. Heat neutralizes the lionfish’s venomous spines (though it’s still recommended to just remove them beforehand) and the meat of the fish is apparently mild and easy to prepare as everything from filets to fish tacos.
How Can I Catch Lionfish?Unfortunately, lionfish are rarely caught on lines. Instead, you’ll have to resort to spearfishing or using a net. Note that the lionfish can be found year round and have an unlimited daily bag limit, so fish away. If you don’t care to catch the fish yourself, contact the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to report sightings.
How Do I Treat a Lionfish Sting?If stung, do not panic. The venom of a lionfish, though painful, is rarely deadly.
Immediately get back on your boat and inspect the wound.
If necessary, remove any remnant of the lionfish’s spine and disinfect the area.
Run the injury under hot but non-scalding water, then let it soak for approximately 30 minutes.
Contact the Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 and seek professional medical attention as soon as possible.
Again, this injury has very low chances of being life threatening, but it is better for have a professional monitor your reaction to the toxin than go without treatment.
With a high reproduction rate and no natural predators in our waters, we have to step up and start eating the lionfish before it eats the the native fish of our waters.
We know, we know. It’s tough–yet another reason to get out on your boat and spend the day on the water, just to go home to a fresh fish dinner. However, lionfish are our burden; and we are hungry for more.
If you couldn’t tell, boat lifts are kind of our thing; but beyond our business of crafting high-quality boat lifts, we’re also enthusiasts of boating and fishing that understand just how complicated it can be to find the right boat, gear and hardware for exactly what you’re looking for. Though we may not be able to make all of those big decisions for you, we at least want to do our part to make sure your boat lift search is smooth sailing.
5 Considerations When Researching Boat Lifts
Drives: A boat lift’s drive is really the powerhouse of the entire thing. Without a quality drive, a boat lift is dead in the water. As experts in boat lifts, we created Gear Drive technology with incredibly intensive quality control. Your first step before buying a boat lift should be to make sure you know the drive is up to snuff.
Controls: What good are boat lifts if you can’t control them? With boat lift controls pounded by everything from the blazing sun to corrosive salt waters, anything but a durable, high-quality design won’t do. Make sure the controls aren’t outsourced, low-end models that are simply slapped onto the boat lift to save some money.
Construction: We’ve mentioned it before, but we cannot sing the praises of aluminum enough. Ensure that the boat lift model you’re eyeing is welded instead of bolted together. Bolted boat lifts often suffer from galvanic corrosion caused by the dissimilar metals in salt water.
Components:Boat lifts, much like many mechanical devices, are only as strong as the smallest components that make them up. If your boat lift manufacturer can’t guarantee quality from the cables to the on/off switch, the quality of the entire boat lift is up to question.
Cost:Boat lifts are an investment. You may be able to find a boat lift on the cheap, but the lifespan of a low-quality lift means that you’ll probably be shopping for another in no time. It is far better to invest in a lift that may nearly last the lifetime of your boat instead of spending more on multiple, low-quality boat lifts.
We know the struggles of finding the equipment that’s Goldilocks-perfect for your boat. However, when it comes to boat lifts, we’ve got your covered. Sure, we may be a little biased, but if you have your doubts, read how Hi-Tide Boat Lifts’ drives, controls, construction, components and price point are the perfect pick for nearly any boat–from the bayou to the Bahamas.
Thanksgiving is the perfect chance to get in some quality time to sit back, relax and unapologetically pig out on turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pie. In other words, it’s definitely in the running for greatest holiday of the year.
However, as the name implies, it’s also an equally perfect chance to do a bit of self-reflection and count your blessings. In the spirit of Thanksgiving (and before the turkey-induced coma fully takes hold), four members of the Hi-Tide family shared the reasons why they’re thankful for sharing the lifestyle and love of boating with the world.
What is Hi-Tide Thankful for This Thanksgiving?
Thomas Fox – Dealer Recruiter
What I love about boating: I love the water most likely because I am an Aquarius. Being on the water with the blue sky and beautiful water–I find it all very calming. I love to view nature in its natural environment. Tooling down the Intracoastal Waterway and stopping at local businesses for a drink or lunch, or even better, beaching up a local island and hanging out with family and friends is the best. I am not an ocean fisherman but have the desire to learn. I love to dive and snorkel, again, because I get to be at one with nature.
Caitlin Lawston – Customer Support & Accounting
Boating to me takes you away from the chaos of the world. When you’re on the water, you’re surrounded by the beauty of the big blue ocean. And what lies underneath is nothing short of majestic. The feeling of the warm sun on your skin, the sound of the calming water surrounding you, and the views just can’t be beat!
Ryan Hyde – Research & Design
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to live in a beautiful waterfront community where my boat is just steps away from our door. With a family of five, most days are spent racing from here to there, keeping up with our texts and emails, and grabbing meals on the go between sports and obligations. The time we spend together as a family enjoying life on the water, dropping in a line to catch dinner, and watching beautiful sunsets on our way back in has proven to be priceless. I can’t imagine life any other way.
One thing’s for sure–there are tons of reasons to be thankful for being able to enjoy the fun and passion of boating, especially when able to share it with those you love.
Before we get back to the recliner with a drumstick in one hand, TV controller in the other, we want to share one more thing we’re thankful for–you. To the entire boating community and all those we’ve had the pleasure of serving, have a very Happy Thanksgiving. We’ll see you on the water…right after this nap.
