• Online Account Log-In
  • Scott Sky Smith Blog – Sky Log
  • Privacy Policy
Scott Sky Smith Insurance

Category Archives: Boat shows

Offshore Sport Fishing Boats

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Scott Smith
Sport fishing                       
Q.  I like to spend time offshore fishing and I am considering an investment in a sport fishing boat.  Is there anything specific I should look for?
A.  There are really a number of factors to take into account.  First, you need to decide on your plan for using the boat.  If you are truly dedicated to using it as just an off shore fishing boat, then the design will need to target just fishing.  In reality, I do not think you will find many of these “just fishing” boats used by recreational boaters.
If you look at the available sport fishing boats on the market, I think you will find that a large percentage of the offshore fishing boat designs are more than just fishing boats.  Most of today’s sport-fishing boats have become weekend and vacation getaways.  A few of the larger ones are even long term live aboard vessels.  
If you are serious about using the boat as a fishing boat, you will want to look at the size and layout of the fishing area.  You will definitely want a roomy section of the cockpit that has accessible bait wells and storage areas for the catch of the day.  In addition, most sport fishing boats need a decent fighting chair.  That means you will need a spacious enough area to accommodate the chair, the crew and the cheer squad for that record catch.  
The next major question you need to ask yourself is what type of waters you plan to spend most of your time in.  If you live and plan to use the boat in the Northern waters (East or West), you will want to shop for a boat that has the ability to handle rougher waters and colder temperatures.  Being cold and wet on a boat with nowhere to warm up will reduce your enthusiasm.  A boat that is too small for your water can make the trip uncomfortable to only the hardiest of the fishing crowd.  Do not buy a boat that you “think” will be big enough.  Test your planned purchase on similar water before you spend the money.
With that in mind, the location and use will also determine a few of the amenities you opt for.  To extend the fishing (or any use) in the Northern areas, the cabin should offer heat for that cold weather warm up.   If the boat is to be in the southern waters where the temperatures can be rather high, the cabin needs to be air-conditioned.  Many of today’s owners move their boat back and forth so they should be equipped for both climates. 
 That choice will come down to the location it is used, the fishing area of the cockpit, the passenger comfort and finally the personal styling preferences.   
Posted in Boat Insurance, boat ownership, boat projects, boat safety, Boat shows, BoatU.S., deep sea fishing, fishing boats, Mercury outboards, Mercury outboards Seattle boat show, sport fishing |

U.S. Boat Sales Float Back to the Top, Expected to Surge through 2018

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Scott Smith
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Boat Sales Float Back to the Top, Expected to Surge through 2018
Critical selling season for uniquely American-made industry kicks off in January with boat shows around the U.S., bringing best deals of the year for buyers
CHICAGO – January 4, 2017 – The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), 

U.S. Recreational Boating by the Numbers
·         Annual U.S. sales of boats, marine products and services totaled $36 billion in 2015 and are expected to climb three percent in 2016 to $37 billion.
  • Annual U.S. retail sales of NEW boats, marine engines and marine accessories totaled $17.4 billion in 2015 and are expected to grow to $19.1 billion in 2016.
  • There were approximately 238,000 NEW power boats sold in 2015. The NMMA expects this number to grow to more than 250,000 in 2016.
  • The recreational boating industry in the U.S. has an annual economic impact of more than $121.5 billion (includes direct, indirect and induced spending), supporting 650,000 direct and indirect American jobs and nearly 35,000 small businesses.
  • Leading the nation in sales of new powerboat, engine, trailer and accessories in 2015 were the following states:
1.       Florida: $2.6 billion, up 11.4 percent from 2014
2.       Texas: $1.4 billion, up 8.2 percent from 2014
3.       Michigan: $842.5 million, up 10.5 percent from 2014
4.       Minnesota: $661.5 million, up 10 percent from 2014
5.       New York: $643.3 million, up 7.6 percent from 2014
6.       North Carolina: $634.6 million, up 9.4 percent from 2014
7.       Wisconsin: $616.5 million, up 10 percent from 2014
8.       California: $576.3 million, up 5.4 percent from 2014
9.       Louisiana: $528.1 million, down 0.3 percent from 2014
10.   Alabama: $512.3 million, up 11.9 percent from 2014
  • It’s not just new boats Americans are buying; there were an estimated 958,000 pre-owned boats (powerboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats) sold in 2015, an increase of 1.9 percent.
  • There were an estimated 12.1 million registered/documented boats in the U.S. in 2015.
  • Ninety-five percent of boats on the water (powerboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats) in the U.S. are small in size at less than 26 feet in length—boats that can be trailered by a vehicle to local waterways.
  • Boating is predominantly “middle-class” with 72 percent of boat owners having a household income of less than $100,000.
  • 95 percent of all Americans live within an hour’s drive of a navigable body of water

Posted in Boat Insurance, boat safety, Boat shows, boats, boatshows, new boats, pontoon and deckboat magazine, pontoons, Sailboat, specialty insurance, watercraft |

Using a drone to inspect a boat

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Scott Smith

Once you buy a drone, what do you do? There are only so many photos of the house.  

We tested a drone as a way to inspect a sailboat mast.  Need to climb 60 feet to see whats at the top?  Use a drone first. Might save you the trip and the photos are in great details. 

In this case we used a Yuneec Typnoon Q500 – 4K and a Yuneec Breeze.  The breeze is flown using he smart phone as a controller.
Check out the video here,  Drone mast inspection
Posted in boat repair, Boat shows, boatshows, Breeze, drone inspection, drone insurance, drones, sail boats, Sailboat, sailing, Typhoon, yuneec |
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Contact us

Call – (515) 289-1439

Email: ins@skysmith.com

 

Wings, Wheels, Water YouTube Channel

subscribeSubscribe to my channel
«
Prev
1
/
7
Next
»
loading
play
Touch 'N Go - Liability
play
Touch 'N Go - Floats
play
Touch 'N Go - Cost (of Aircraft Ownership)
«
Prev
1
/
7
Next
»
loading

CyberChimps WordPress Themes

© Scott Sky Smith