Let's Hear Your Boating Stories

Well, here we are. Thanksgiving already! It is hard to believe that another boating season has passed by. However, we can all reflect back on the fun we had this past season and make plans for next year. In fact, we at Peters Marine Service would like to know how each of you spent this past year boating and what you are planning for next year. Please send us your stories and plans to ted@petersmarine.com and I will publish select ones to run in our Newsletter.

I will offer the first installment.

Our Summer Trip
by Ted Shelson

As many of you know by now, I keep our family boat in Ithaca, NY on Cayuga Lake. This past August we took a 230 mile round trip from our marina to Sylvan Beach, NY on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake. This trip took us north on Cayuga Lake, east on the Erie Canal, and eastward across Oneida Lake. Here is an abbreviated version of my daily log.

Captain: Ted; First Mate: Sherri; Crew: Sarah, age 9, and Owen, now age 5

Day 1, Sunday, August 10th
We arrived by car at Allen Treman Marine State Park in Ithaca, NY by 1:00pm. We loaded up ‘Daytripper’, our Sea Ray 240 Sundancer, addressed a few maintenance issues, and headed out on our trip by 3:50pm. The first leg of our trip took us north 30 miles up Cayuga Lake to the cove at Hibiscus Point. Here the water is only a few feet deep and the bottom is sandy. We threw out the anchor around 5:30pm, swam around a bit, had a wonderful shrimp and rice dinner, and settled in for the night after playing games with the kids and watching a movie on our portable 7” DVD player.

Day 2, Monday, August 11th
Woke up around 8:00am and headed north after a Blueberry muffin and cereal breakfast. The weather was a bit cool, overcast, and breezy as we made our way to the first of three locks in our journey, Lock CS1 “Mud Lock”. This lock is the first lock of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. From here we continued north under I-90 to the intersection of the Erie Canal. From here you could travel west to Buffalo, NY or east to Albany. For our trip we headed east. By this time the sky was clearing and the sun felt warm. Sarah did a great job navigating and picking out the channel markers.

By lunchtime we approached Erie Canal Lock #E24 in Baldwinsville, NY. This is a great canal town. There is always something to do and much to see. For example: Tie up at the wall on the west side of the lock and walk into town to enjoy a little shopping or dining. Take a picnic lunch and venture to the park for some time off the boat. Or enjoy a concert at Paper Mill Island.

Once through the lock, we anchored in the river, had lunch, and did a little fishing. Owen caught a catfish. What fun!

Time was pressing us to move along as we wanted to get through Lock #E23 in Brewerton, NY by evening. The weather turned lousy. It rained all the way to Brewerton, which made dealing with the lock a bit miserable. Earlier we had called ahead to Winter Harbor Marina to reserve a slip for the evening. We arrived around 6:15pm. I can’t say enough about this place. It was exceptionally clean, inexpensive, and the personnel were very friendly.

Day 3, Tuesday, August 12th
We left Winter Harbor around 10:30am after an egg and fruit breakfast and a little fishing from the dock with the kids. I wanted to leave early enough before the winds had a chance to pick the lake up. We plotted our course on a chart and headed out across the 21 mile long lake. Fortunately the lake was calm but started to pick up as we approached Sylvan Beach on the eastern shore. Here we checked into Mariner’s Landing Marina where we plan on spending the next two nights. There is much to do in Sylvan Beach. There is of course the sandy beach, which is great to spend the afternoon. You can walk there from our marina or on calm days you can anchor just off shore and swim in to shore. There is also the nostalgic Sylvan Beach Amusement Park. After securing our slip we simply packed our beach bags and walked to the beach for the afternoon. That night we went out for dinner and watched a movie onboard the boat.

Day 4, Wednesday, August 13th
The skies today looked a little threatening so instead of walking we traveled by boat to the amusement park and tied up at the bulkhead. We had great fun. The rides and games are very family oriented and inexpensive. Sarah and I had a blast on the Galaxi Roller Coaster and the whole family enjoyed the Bumper Cars. We will never forget how Sherri and I got a little sick on the Tilt-A-Whirl. I guess we are getting too old for some of the rides we used to enjoy so much as kids. There was plenty to eat and there were no lines for any of the rides.

Later that evening back at the marina Owen and I fished a little while Sherri and Sarah went for a walk to do a little shopping. They enjoyed spending time together and watching a beautiful sunset from the beach.

Day 5, Thursday, August 14th
It was a foggy morning as we headed out for our return home. With the aid of our compass, charts, and GPS we easily navigated out onto and across the lake. We continued west back through the Erie Canal. This time we stopped for lunch around 2:00pm at Cross Lake in Jordan, NY. This lake is beautiful. We went skiing, tubing, and found a nice cove to anchor and fish. In fact, we liked it here so much that we decided to stay for the night. We cooked spiedies on the grill and bathed in the lake. Later that evening another Sea Ray boat found our cove a nice place to anchor for the night as well.

Day 6, Friday, August 15th
Today we got up early, had breakfast, and headed back for Ithaca. The ride went well. Sherri drove most of the way back to the mud lock. We stopped back at the cove at Hibiscus Point where we swam a bit and washed the canal grime from the boat. We got back to our marina in Ithaca late in the day. By this time we were glad to get off the boat for a bit so we went out to Pizza Hut for dinner.

Day 7, Saturday, August 16th
Today was simple. We hopped in the car and went out for breakfast at The Falls in Trumansburg, NY. We then packed up and drove home.

Final Thoughts
This trip was a great time spent together enjoying our boat. We made family memories that will certainly last a lifetime. Now as winter approaches we have been spending some time together planning next summer’s trip. Where we go is currently unclear. What is clear is that we will have fun planning it, enjoying it, and I am sure remembering it by this time next year.

What are your plans? Let us know. I am sure there are boaters like us who can never get enough thinking about how better to use our boats.

Please email me at ted@petersmarine.com. I would also encourage everyone to comment on this and any other entry in our blogspot. We would really like to hear your thoughts.

Safety Equipment Presentation

Safety is never a glamorous topic to discuss. Nevertheless it is an important consideration when venturing out for a fun day out on the water. Click the link below and join us for a brief presentation on the many different choices in signaling devices, fire extinguishers, and life jackets.

Safety Equipment Presentation Video, Click Here ...

New York Times columnist says boats are good investments!

This article makes the argument that some investments go beyond a simple monetary expenditure and that "some purchases may still be worth the price"
See why boats are the perfect investment, CLICK HERE...

Peters Marine Service Honored as Sea Ray® Ambassador Dealer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peters Marine Service Honored as Sea Ray® Ambassador Dealer

Allentown, PA – August 5, 2008 – Peters Marine Service, serving the Lehigh Valley for over 72 years, has achieved the leading status of Sea Ray Ambassador Dealer for the upcoming model-year 2009.
“All of us here at Peters Marine Service are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service along with a superior product,” said Bobby Michener, President. “Reaching this status is challenging, time-consuming and requires considerable investment. We’re very proud to have achieved Sea Ray Ambassador Dealer standing.”
Introduced in 1996, the Sea Ray Master Dealer Program was the first standards-based certification program in the boating industry. It has been developed and refined over the years to provide Sea Ray customers with a superior shopping, purchasing and ownership experience. Dealers that have achieved “Ambassador” status have reached the highest level possible within the Master Dealer Program.
“Earning Ambassador Dealer status isn’t just based on Sea Ray’s high standards, but on the high standards of Sea Ray customers as well,” said Ed Boncek, director of dealer management systems at Sea Ray. “Along with more than 110 stringent guidelines covering service, sales, facility and parts, Ambassador Dealers must achieve the highest scores of all Sea Ray dealers on satisfaction surveys sent to their customers. Therefore, earning Ambassador Dealer status requires focus and sustained teamwork from both the retail and service teams.”
To qualify, dealers agree to meet a set of demanding customer-care and operational standards. They take on self-improvement efforts to meet those standards and submit to yearly on-site evaluations by an independent consultant. And the work doesn’t end there: In order to maintain Ambassador Dealer status, dealerships must be recertified every 12 months. The dealership’s retail and service teams must undergo continuous factory-sponsored training to handle every aspect of their customers’ boating needs.
“We’re very proud of our Ambassador Dealers,” said Rick Stone, president of Sea Ray Boats. “The Master Dealer Program has been a big success for us. As always, our dealers play a critical role in our business, displaying an outstanding commitment to the partnership between manufacturer, dealer, and consumer. Sea Ray and our customers appreciate the extra mile these dealers go to attain this recognition.”
For more information about Peters Marine Service, please visit www.petersmarine.com.
(more)
Peters Marine Service, Inc. – Master Dealer
August 31, 2008
Page 2 of 2


About Peters Marine Service, Inc.:
For over 72 years our 4th generation, family owned, marine retail business has thrived in a land locked environment by providing personal service, honest and fair pricing, and quality products like Sea Ray Boats. Our 12 full-time and 5 part-time employees have a combined experience of over 150 years plus an immeasurable amount of lifetime experience. Our mission is to exceed your expectations by providing professional and courteous service.

About Sea Ray:
Founded in 1959, Sea Ray is the world’s largest manufacturer of superior quality pleasure boats. Sea Ray is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., and operates as part of the Boat Group Unit of Brunswick Corporation. With more than 40 models ranging from 17 to 68 feet, Sea Ray makes a boat for every lifestyle — each built with a unique commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and excellence throughout. Additional information about Sea Ray is available at www.searay.com.

# # #

And The Winner Is.....

Jeff Bachman of Lehighton, PA!

He was the winner of the 2008 Sea Ray 175 Sport given away on August 30th at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA during the final game of the inaugural season of Lehigh Valley IronPigs Baseball.



Over 2000 people registered since April 1st. Of those who entered, 30 semi-finalists were randomly chosen to meet at our showroom on August 30th. From those 30 a drawing was held to widdle down to 10 finalists. These finalists were provided with 2 tickets and escorted by limo to the ballpark. During the game these finalists chose their key, one of which would start the boat.

At the end of the game each contestant tried their luck. But in the end contestant #5, Jeff Bachman, held the key that started the boat.

Many thanks to all of the participants and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for helping to make this promotion a great success!

Congratulations Jeff!!!


Courtesy Of:


Allentown, PA



Knoxville, TN

Keep on boatin', mates!

Don't put that boat away, yet! Just because the kids are back in
school, doesn't mean your boating fun has to end. Personally, I
don't even consider winterizing my boat until sometime in November.
Occasionally it's even been as late as December. There are a lot of
nice days left and the water stays warm for quite a while still.
Whether it's a short day-trip with the family, an overnight trip, or
even a just getting out for an hour or two of skiing, there's still
plenty of good boating times to be had. In fact, boating later in
the season can make for a really nice day since the lakes are not as
crowded. On second thought, maybe you shouldn't go boating - leave
that nice, uncrowded lake for me! ;)

How late into the season do you typically go boating? Take a minute
and leave a comment!

Boat Launching Made Easy!

Thinking of taking the plunge into the wonderful world of trailer boating, but are nervous about what to expect at the launch ramp? Dennis and Ted give a step by step instruction to this very easy yet sometimes intimidating experience. Follow these steps and you'll be a pro at the ramp every time.

Check Out the 'Launching a Boat' Video Here ...

Click Here to Learn the Basics of 'Retriveiving a Boat' ...

See it All Together Here in the Video 'Launching and Retreiving 2' ...

Cayuga Lake, NY -

Take a trip north for some freshwater boating possibilities.
By Ted Shelson, Sales Manager, Peters Marine Service, Inc.

Cayuga Lake located in the Finger Lake region of New York State is a beautiful boating destination only 3 hours from the Lehigh Valley. This is where my family and I have chosen to slip our Sea Ray 240 Sundancer. About every other weekend or so my wife, Sherri, and I pack the car along with our two children, Sarah, age 9, and Owen, age 4. We make the trip to our marina, Allan H. Treman State Marine Park, in Ithaca, New York. At times the four of us feel a little tight in only a 24’ boat. But we enjoy the togetherness and look at it as a camping adventure on the water.

We like the convenience of keeping our boat in the water. You may prefer trailering your boat here for a weekend getaway. The marina offers ample parking and eight launch ramps, each having it’s own dock. So launching and retrieving your boat is a breeze. Transient slips must be reserved in advance but you will not be disappointed with the accommodations. Each slip offers water and electric and features grass and shade trees along the bulkhead.


TRANSIENT SLIPS AND 8 LAUNCH RAMPS

We love this place because crowds are seldom – if ever, there is always something to do, and the boating possibilities are endless. After all Cayuga Lake is accessible to the largest freshwater inland waterway in the world via the Erie Canal! The lake is about 40 miles long with Ithaca located at the southernmost end. Most boating activities generally take place at either end of the lake with pockets of activity around the two state parks in the middle, Taughannock Falls State Park, and Long Point State Park. Most of the time however, you can easily find a secluded spot for skiing, tubing, fishing, or simply anchoring near shore to pass the time. We prefer to travel a short distance up the lake away from other boaters, cut the engine, and drift back down the lake in the gentle breeze. Other times we will grab a mooring and spend the night out on the lake away from the marina. Perhaps you would enjoy taking your boat for an evening cruise and finish with a waterfront dinner at The Boat Yard Grille where you can take in the nightlife every Friday with Live Bands.

Should the weather turn bad; there is always something to do. For the adults there is the Cayuga Wine Trail. Enjoy the scenery, sample the wines, and maybe bring a bottle or two home to share with friends. You can also take in a play at the Hangar Theatre near the marina’s main entrance off of Route 89. The kids will love the Science Center in downtown Ithaca. Take a short drive north on Rte 89 to Taughannock Falls State Park. There you will find a hiking trail to the base of the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. It is an easy walk and something the kids will enjoy.


MOORING AT CROW BAR POINT

Take a trip by boat! On this lake you don’t have to just go in circles. Cayuga Lake is connected to Seneca Lake to the west via the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, located at the north end of the lake. Here you will also find access to the Erie Canal. Canaling is loads of fun and the adventure of going through the locks gives everyone the opportunity to have a hands-on experience. Just a short distance west on the Cayuga-Seneca canal and through 2 locks you will find a wonderful place to overnight at Seneca Falls, NY. Towns along the canal system make every effort to attract boaters. Seneca Falls has a beautiful waterfront offering nice docks and free water and electric hookups. Here you can get off of the boat to do some shopping, grab a bite to eat, or explore this historic town. Visit the Women’s Rights National Historic Park, within walking distance of your boat, and discover how five women changed the world.

There is so much to do and so much to see. So take a weekend and give it a go. In fact, you could come a few times and not see the same things twice. Like us, you may even decide to stick around for the entire season.


So where on the lake should we go today?


DIRECTIONS:
From the Lehigh Valley take I-476 North to I-81 North (or 33 North to I-80 West to I-380 North to I-81 North) fifteen minutes north of Binghamton, NY take Exit 8, Whitney Point. Follow Rte 79 West for about 45 minutes into Ithaca. As you approach the bottom of the long hill into downtown Ithaca bear right onto Seneca Way which turns onto E. Seneca Street. E. Seneca Street becomes W. Seneca Street. Stay in center lane. RIGHT turn from center lane onto West Meadow St. Follow signs to Rte 89 North. Take immediate LEFT onto West Buffalo Street. Turn RIGHT onto Taughannock Blvd / Rte 89 North. Go about 1 mile to marina entrance on right. WATCH YOUR SPEED. 30 MPH and strictly enforced.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Plan ahead.
For transient slip reservations contact the marina c/o Robert H. Treman State Park at (607) 273-3440
Lock Passes are required for going through the canal and can easily be purchased at the first lock that you arrive at. Click here for fee information: http://www.nyscanals.gov/exvac/boating/bctolls.html


Feel free to email me with any questions or comments. ted@petersmarine.com

Short list on upcoming courses here at Peters Marine

US Power Squadron GPS Course on Thursday June 12th

PA Basic Boating Course on Monday June 23rd & Tuesday June 24th

US Power Squadron Boat Handling Course on Thursday June 26th

PA Basic Boating Course on Monday July 7th & Tuesday July 8th

US Power Squadron Charting Course on Thursday July 10th

PA Basic Boating Course on Monday July 21st & Tuesday July 22nd

US Power Squadron VHF Radio Course on Thursday July 24th

Another GPS Course Offered be the US Power Squadron

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND FOR A 3RD TIME. Ever wanted to know more about using a GPS. Now is a great time to attend a GPS Seminar offered by the US Power Squadron. They will be holding one here at Peters Marine Service on June 12th. CLICK Below for more information or give us a jingle at 610-433-1606.

Click here for more information...

The 2009 Checkmates are here!

We have recently received our 2009 Checkmates here at Peters Marine Service. There are very sharp, classic, speed boats. Check them out and let us know what your think!

Check out a video here...

Expand your nautical knowledge! Boat Courses for May!

Consider expanding your boating knowledge with some of our latest class offerings here at Peters Marine Service. GPS, weather forecasting, boat handling, and basic boating are all being offered in the next few weeks. Check here for more details.

Short list:
USPS – Onboard weather forecasting on May 15th
USPS – Boat handling under power on May 29th
Pa Safe Boater Course starting on May 31st & June 2nd

Have comments about our courses? Please feel free to list them below.

Time to get ready!

Wow! It has been a busy spring here at Peters Marine Service. We have been busy getting customers boats ready for the summer. Now is the prime time for you to start planning and getting your boat ready for spring. A good check of your boat and trailer is necessary to help ensure a great season of boating. Below is a list of items you may want to check for the upcoming season:

Comments are welcome in the section below.

Safety items:
Fire extinguishers all charged and ready?
Life jackets in good condition? No tears and do they still fit?
Flares expired?
Does the horn still work? Do you have a back up device?

Trailer:
Tire pressure ok?
Are the lug nuts still tight?
Did we grease the wheel bearings? Are the bearings OK?
Do the brakes work?

Boat:
Do we have all of our bumpers, lines, and other equipment in the boat? Are they all in good condition?
Hey, where is that drain plug for the boat?
Has our engine been properly maintained? Fluid levels ok?

This is just a short list of items. Do you have any other suggestions? Feel free to leave them in the comment section below.

GPS Seminar at Peters Marine Service

Ever wanted to know more about using a GPS. Now is a great time to attend a GPS Seminar offered by the US Power Squadron. They will be holding one here at Peters Marine Service on May 1st. CLICK Below for more information or give us a jingle at 610-433-1606.

Click Here for more info...

Thank you to those attending the PA Safe Boater Course

Thank you to everyone who attended the PA Safe Boating course here at Peters Marine Service. I enjoyed the many discussions we had about boating in Pennsylvania. I will look forward to seeing everyone out on the water boating safe. Oh, and for those that missed this course we have another one scheduled to start April 26th. Call today to reserve your spot.

Click here for more info....

PA Safe Boater Course

Peters Marine Service now offers the Pennsylvania Safe Boater Course in house. We believe in safe boating. So if you ever wanted to learn some basic rules of boating call us and reserve your seat today.

The course is held over two Saturdays March 29th and April 5th from 9:00AM to 1:00 PM each day.

After successful completion of the course you will receive a temporary PA Safety Education Certificate. This certificate can then be used to apply for a permanent PA Boating Safety Education Card.

Basic Facts:
Who can attend this course? Any PA resident 12 years of age or older.
Is this required to operate a PWC (Jet Ski) in Pennsylvania? Yes, this certificate is required to operate a PWC in Pennsylvania.
Is this required to operate a boat in Pennsylvania? Yes, if you where born after January 1st, 1982. Special note: The State of New Jersey requires a Safety Certificate for all ages.
Is this course recognized nationwide? Yes, the PA Safety Education Course is recognized nationwide.

Call us for more details and to reserve your seat. Call: 610-433-1606.

Is Winter over???

You know, although I'm an avid boater, I really do like the winter months. I enjoy the scenery of fresh fallen snow, a warm fire with a good glass of wine and I also love to hit the slopes. Usually, at this time of year I'm hoping for one more good snow. If any of you are snow skiers, you know there's nothing like first tracks and fresh powder! However, in our area, let's just say that skiing has been 'less than stellar' this year and leave it at that. But instead of getting down over missing out on the snow skiing this year, I've found myself wishing for an early Spring so I can get a head start on some boating!

The days are starting to get longer, the sun is feeling nice and warm on my skin and it looks like the temperatures are on the rise. I'm so tempted to take a boat to the lake the first time we get a sunny, 55-degree day! It's funny... 55-degrees in the Fall is chilly, but 55-degrees in late Winter/early Spring is a beautiful day! I guess it's all relative.

Anyways, what do any of you think? Are you ready to go boating? Feel free to leave some comments on your thoughts!

Great old video on boating safety with Patty Duke. Is that an old Sea Ray?

Spring is almost here!

Spring is in the air! Old man winter is fading away. It will not be long now! The waterfronts at Beltzville, Wallenpaupack, and Blue Marsh will start to transform. It’s time to get the boat polished up, check all systems, and maybe install some new toys like a GPS, grill, or new covers. I like to beat the crowds and make sure I am ready for the first warm day. After a long winter your first spring cruise is like you are going boating again for the first time. Bring on spring!

Tie up your boat like an old, salty mariner!

Actually, it’s not that hard. The average trailer-boater will be tying up using cleats (whether on the boat or the dock) and a rope with a loop in one end, which is the way ropes are typically sold. As such, there are really only two knots to learn. The first is how to tie, or "make a line fast", to a cleat with a loop in the end of the rope. The second is how to tie to a cleat without a loop in the end of the rope.

With a loop in the end of the rope, it really doesn’t get any simpler. Take the loop and pinch it closed. Next, pass the loop through the open hole in the middle of the cleat - the "base". Pull the loop through the base just far enough to open up the loop and hook it around the ends - the "horns". Finally, pull it tight and...you're done!

Without a loop, there’s a few more steps but it is still quite easy. Since the rope that you would buy is only going to have a loop in one end, it might be good to know this way, as well! You’ll need about two feet of rope to do this, so leave yourself some slack. Wrap the end of the rope around one horn, then the other. Depending on your perspective, the rope should look like either a "U" or an upside down "U" going around the cleat. Next, wrap the rope "over and around" one horn, then "over and around" the other horn. Lastly, you’re going to go back around the first horn, but add a twist. Flip the rope under itself as you hook it around that horn to "lock it off". Pull the free end tight and your done.


So, to make it a little easier, here are two videos for your enjoyment!

Better yet, stop by the store and I’ll be more than happy to show you in person! Mastering these basic knots - and teaching them to others in your "boating clan" - can make your time on the water that much more enjoyable.

By the way, a scrap 1-foot piece of wood with a cheap cleat screwed onto it can make for an easy way to practice at home and teach the kids before going on the water!

Where do people boat in Allentown, PA?

So often we hear this question asked. To many it is a surprise that we have been here in Allentown since 1936 - Over 72 Years! But where's the blue-green water and snow white beaches? Well, for that experience you may have to go elsewhere. However, this area is great for many different boating experiences. For instance, pack a picnic lunch and tow your boat to Belzville State Park Lake one weekend and follow it up with a road trip (boat in tow of course) to the Delaware River for sightseeing around Philadelphia on the next weekend. Or maybe another daytrip could be to New York Harbor and get a perspective of Manhattan that you have never had before. Others may find the northern Chesapeake Bay with all its wonders the preferred destination. Lake Wallenpaupack, Northeast Pennsylvania’s largest lake, has over 52 miles of shoreline to explore. Blue Marsh lake near Reading, PA is another excellent choice for skiing, tubing, or beach the boat on shore and have a picnic lunch – lakeside of course. The point is this - you can do so much in so many different places with a boat. And this area has lots to offer all within a short hour and half drive from Allentown. Day trips with smaller boats are fun, easy, and relatively inexpensive.

If the idea of trailering does not appeal to you, don’t feel left out of the fun. Make the boat your destination for an extended stay on the water. There are plenty of places to keep your boat in the water within a short drive. You could have your very own water front condo in a boat. Many in this area keep their boats at the Jersey Shore, on the Chesapeake Bay, Raystown Lake in Pennsylvania, and there are even some, like myself, that keep their boats in beautiful places like the Finger Lakes of New York. Imagine yourself being gently rocked to sleep at night and waking the next morning to a hot cup of coffee in hand with the view of a beautiful sunrise over the water. Wow, how about that?

So what destinations lay ahead today? Use your imagination. The choices are yours. And this is the perfect place to explore them all – IN A BOAT.

Ted Shelson
Sales Manager
Peters Marine Service, Inc.

Dark, Windy, and Cold Blue Marsh Lake...

Just in case anyone was curious Blue Marsh Lake is still there. When I was there it was dark, windy, and very cold. But there was no ice on the lake. Swimming was not on my agenda!

I'm going boating in February!

That’s it! I’m heading out to Blue Marsh Lake tonight. I’ve had enough of waiting for spring to get here. Tonight after work I’m going to take my ice pick from home and go boating.

Ok, I’m not really going to go boating. I have a meeting tonight out at Blue Marsh Lake in Reading. But I will be so close to the Lake I am going to go down to the ramp and check it out. Yes it will be dark, cold, and deserted, but just to get close to the water will do me good. It has been too long since I have gone boating. This past October was the last time I relaxed out on the lake. So as I stand on the lakeshore tonight I will remember all of the fun my family and I had here last year. I will remember swimming, cruising, tubing, skiing, attempting to wakeboard, and (as my daughter says it) “Soaking up the sun”. That’s her favorite song. Then I will begin to look forward to this season. My wife and I will begin planning those lazy days on the lake. So if you are at home and waiting for the warm days to arrive you should know you are not alone. I am sure there are other souls like me staring out a window or on a cold lakeshore waiting patiently for the first warm day of spring. Hurry up Mother Nature!

For more information on Blue Marsh Lake click here..

See you on the water,

Bobby

Why do we go boating....

Top Reasons for Boating. Over a dozen studies have shown that being with family and friends, relaxing and being outdoors and close to nature are the primary reasons people spend time on the water. A family doesn't have to spend a fortune on a theme park vacation to have an experience that everyone will enjoy. Boating is about Family. Work. School. Music lessons. Sports practice. Ever feel like your family is being pulled in a million different directions? Bring them back together on a boat. Time spent on a boat is quality time. Whether you're fishing, swimming, tubing or just cruising along taking in the scenery, you're having fun together. You're not waiting in long lines, under the hot sun, bickering about what ride to go on next. Out on the water there are no distractions. You can focus on each other. You can have conversations. Share stories. Laugh. Reconnect and create memories that will last a lifetime. Life really is better on a boat. Boating Lets You Relax. It's hard not to relax when you're on a boat. Out on the water there are no faxes. No computers. No interruptions. There is the open water. The fresh air. The sun warming your face. And a sense of freedom and adventure you can't find anywhere else. Whether looking for blissful, deadline-free days or pulse-quickening adventures, you can find them on a boat. After all, you're the captain. The only rules are the ones that you make. And you're free to break those. With a boat, great getaways are just a weekend away. You may be just a few miles from home, but it feels like you're a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of your daily routine. Go boating—and find the freedom to be your best. You'll never catch your limit of funOn a boat, you'll never catch your limit of fun. There are always new places to explore. Bigger fish to catch. Friends to be found. And new memories to be made. Reeling in the big one, catching a wave off the board or just taking in the scenery, after a full day of fun on the water, it's easy to remember why it's called the "Great Outdoors".

Spring is just around the corner... Lets get ready for a great boating season!

Bobby

Welcome...

Peters Marine Service Blog... Welcome... Weekly we will post our news, events, and boating lifestyle on this blog. Check back often for up to date information on boating in eastern PA and beyond.