People often ask me, “is it not dangerous out there?” My standard respond to that is, statistically seen, it is far more dangerous to drive a car across the country than crossing the ocean in a sailboat. That being said, I know how statistics are generated and calculated. It does not do me any good if 1000 people make it safely across the ocean, but I am the one the ends up drowning in a storm. Therefore always prepare for the worst. If you hope for the best and plan for the worst, you are safe. It’s just like with anything in life the better you prepare ahead a time, the easier you will have it if you get in a stressful situation.

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong
- Murphy’s Law -

Click to continue →

Docking a boat can be a quite difficult at times. By remembering a few details and following these few simple tips, docking your boat will be easier than parallel park your car. The following tips will help you to dock your boat safely and securely no matter where you are.
Click to continue →

Boat landings can be a dangerous place if you don’t know what you are doing and not paying attention. I usually like to put my 17 foot outboard in at Remley’s Point in Mt. Pleasant, SC. There are three ramps so a space usually becomes available soon even if it’s a busy weekend. I’ve never personally had any issues there, except for this summer: on two different occasions, my boat was hit by another boat right at the boat landing.

Click to continue →

5 tips for how to stay safe on the water: 
 

 

1. Life Jackets: Life jackets save lives! Chances of survival, when going over board, dramatically improve when wearing a floatation device. Children under the age of 12 should wear a life jacket at all times while boating. Before boating, make sure all life jackets are in good shape, fit properly, and are stowed in an easily accessible location.

2. Stay sober: Operating a boat while intoxicated is extremely dangerous. Operating a vessel under the influence not only puts the passengers in harms way, but also everyone else on the water.

Click to continue →

SCHODACK LANDING - David Weidman is broken-hearted about his boat, which he called his ‘pride and joy.’

He said he’s mad at himself for driving it too fast – 100 miles an hour.

Weidman says he was racing another speed boat on the Hudson River north of the Castleton Bridge, when he got into trouble.
“I hit a wave. The boat flew up in the air Click to continue →