marine – Page 2 – Scott Sky Smith Insurance

Boat Show Season

Question: Its almost boat show season around the country! I like attending the show in our area. However, sometimes I am overwhelmed with all the things to see. Since you go to many events, any advice on what is the best way to get the most out of a boat show.

Answer: Boy, that is a wide open question. First you have to ask yourself why you are attending a boat show (or any show for that matter). Are you attending as new buyer looking for a new boat? On the other hand, are you attending as an owner looking to upgrade what you already have or just add on to your equipment? Maybe you are a manufacturer or dealer…. that is a completely different reason.

My situation is even different from that. I am looking for new products, new boats and new companies. I am interested in anything that might be of interest to my customers and readers. I like to keep up with the industry and review new products or boats. I am also looking for things I want for myself. I also look for shows that will allow me to give seminars and promote my books.

Of course, I am always looking for a location that I like to visit. I like the local shows but that is not the same as taking a trip to a distant location and using it like a working vacation. (Just don’t tell my wife how much fun these shows are!)

One of my favorite shows is the Miami International Boat Show in February (2/14/2019 – 2/18/2019). Look up their schedules at www.miamiboatshow.com.

While I no longer give seminars at the Miami Show it is still a huge show with more things than you can see in a couple days. Plus its Miami, a great place for boats, food and cigars.

That said, it is probably best to decide why you are at the show and establish an agenda for the time you will be attending. Reviewing or looking at a boat can take a significant amount of time. Plan your time accordingly. In most cases you will want to look over the boat, listen to the sales pitch and, if possible, try it out on the water.

Because it will be a time consuming experience, do a little research ahead of time. Review models and manufacturers that you have an interest in, on the manufacturers website or at a local dealer. Go to the website for the show or event you will be attending and get a copy of the exhibitors list. Review the exhibitor list and rank the manufacturers or dealers by your interest. It sounds like a lot of work but if you prioritize the models you want to see, you can spend less time wandering the exhibits and more time shopping. You will also find that you will probably have more time to leisurely enjoy the show once you have achieved your “requirements”.

If you are looking at products or upgrades to your existing boat, it is a variation of the same agenda. Look through the exhibitor lists and develop a plan and route through the exhibit area. It is also important to keep track of other things that might be of interested as you are looking at the exhibitor list or walking around. You can always come back to a booth or visit the company’s website later (or back in your hotel room!).

Its a great experience even if you arent shopping for anything in particular.

Boat Compass

Boat Compass? Who needs one. I realize most people like the new GPS systems for navigation. However, I also want a compass. Here are a few tips on how to choose the right compass (besides getting one as a gift. Hint, hint!) and decide where to place it.

Many people opt for GPS navigation and neglect the old reliable compass navigation systems. The GPS can be simpler to use and often more accurate for the novice, but a good reliable compass is almost a necessity in my mind. I have had GPS screens fail, database corrupt and numerous other problems. While reliability is very high on the new electronics I always like a backup system, especially if I am going on a long trip with little service available.

What kind of Compass?

Many companies manufacture compass units. One is ComNav Marine (www.comnavmarine.com). They offer numerous models of compasses and autopilot systems that couple to the compass.

Their recommendations come from four basic questions;

What kind of boat is the compass going to be used on?

Sailboats and powerboats have different damping characteristics and heeling angle limits. These differences require a different design in the compass to compensate for those limits.

What size is the boat?

ComNav states that “the further the compass will be from the helmsman, the larger the compass you should have. If your boat is greater than 8 meters (approximately 26 feet), consider a 100 Series or larger capsule”. Lets note here that ComNav compass models are named for the apparent size of the compass card. For example, the compass card on a 70 Series compass has an apparent size of 70 mm (2 ³/₄ “) while the 125 Series has an apparent size of 125 mm (4.9”). ComNav says “apparent” size since the dome and fluid inside the compass magnify the actual card size.

Where will the compass be mounted?

Compass manufacturers do a very good job of designing compasses to be mounted in almost any location or position. Typical mounting styles include: bulkhead, flush-mount and bracket-mount. The biggest mounting concerns are to make sure you can easily see the compass and to keep it away from things that could effect its operation (anything that creates magnetic fields or iron.)

What kind of compensators do you need?

The more steel in the boat (steel hulls) the more important compensators will be. ComNav recommends the use of “compensators for all compass applications where the compass will be used for navigation”. They also offer a reminder that “the distance to the source of interference is more critical than the strength of it”.