Boat Fenders and Ways to Hang Them

Boat Fenders, or bumpers as they are often called, are an important accessory to protect your boat from damage during docking or rafting up with other boaters. They are available in many different shapes and sizes depending upon the type of boat you own. There are even various types of hardware options to hang them from your boat.

Join Dennis as he demonstrates the many choices of fender hangers.

Some Tips to Discover Your Own Boating Adventure

Last week we enjoyed a taste of spring weather. It may not have lasted long, but long enough to get the “props” turning in my mind. Many thoughts of how we can enjoy this season in our boat quickly floated by.

How about you? Have you given any thought to how boating can be a part of the warmer weather ahead? Many people will immediately conjure up images of racing up and down the lake pulling skiers and tubers all afternoon. While that can sure be loads of fun, why not consider including your boat into other fun activities as well?

Here are a few tips to get you started. For instance, why not book a dinner cruise date with your significant other – reservations for two at the best table overlooking the water, your boat! Pack a picnic meal and enjoy a beautiful sunset while gently anchored in a secluded cove. Or better yet, fire up a grill mounted right to your boat and create a lakeside barbeque. Afterward enjoy the peace and serenity of a moonlight cruise. Life on the water takes on an exciting feel once the sun goes down.


If the two of you cannot easily escape from the rest of your clan, then take them along and reconnect! Use your boat as your personal waterfront estate. Find a cove, throw out the anchor, and spend an afternoon swimming, fishing, laughing, and just plain enjoying each other’s company. Togetherness is the only option in the confines of your boat.

Create your own vacation cruise and take a trip by boat. See new sites from an entirely new prospective this year. Frequent visitors to our blog have most likely read my entry about our summer boating trip last year. Spend an overnight, a weekend, or longer traveling by boat. There are always new ‘ports of call’ waiting to be visited.

Include your boat in your plans this summer and discover your own boating adventure. The possibilities are endless.

Have some ideas that you would like to share? Leave a comment below and let us know how you are planning to use your boat this year.

Onboard Weather Forecasting

A US Power Squadron Seminar

Changing weather conditions can convert what was a delightful day on the water into a real challenge. Forecasting what weather you will encounter is one of the top priorities for safe boating.

Should we go out? When should we come in? These are important questions, but some fundamental understandings of the weather can help you make these decisions. That’s what this seminar is all about.

While not a course in weather, this seminar explains how just using your own senses can help you determine what conditions you will encounter where you are.

By all means, a forecast is important. It will tell you what weather systems are headed your way, but they are challenged to tell exactly where and when conditions will change. Add your own observations and you have an extra edge. Add a couple of instruments and you can verify your observations. The seminar explains weather systems, how to understand clouds and their changes, using changing wind direction, temperature, and pressure to hone in on emerging weather fronts. The seminar includes the McGraw-Hill Onboard Weather Forecasting waterproof Captain’s Quick Guide to take aboard your boat.

Join us on Thursday, April 29th, 2010 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm for this fun, interesting, and very useful course.

Instruction is FREE. Course materials are $21.

Seating is limited so please reserve your seat today by calling us at 610-433-1606 or email at ted@petersmarine.com.

Boat Handling under Power

A US Power Squadron Seminar

Do you know what is the best way to approach a dock? Now, what if the wind were blowing or the current was pushing your boat, would you be confident of how best to handle the situation?

We all like to think that we are the master of our domain - the Captain of our ship - but sometimes a little extra knowledge can go a long way to improving all of our boating skills. Even experienced boaters will walk away from this course with an increased confidence.

Join us on Thursday, May 6th, 2010 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm for an instructional classroom seminar on how to depart and dock under a variety of conditions as well as all about trimming a boat while underway. Seminar materials include a waterproof USPS Captain's Quick Guide.

Instruction is FREE. Course materials are $25.

Seating is limited so call us today to reserve your seat at 610-433-1606 or email us at ted@petersmarine.com

Using VHF & VHF/DSC Marine Radios

A US Power Squadron Seminar

Learn the proper use of VHF radio communication.

Join us on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 from 10:00am to Noon for a relaxed and informative instructional seminar on the proper way to communicate via VHF radio. Everyone on board should be familiar with this important piece of safety equipment.

Instruction is FREE. Course materials are $25.

Seating is limited so call us today to reserve your seat at 610-433-1606 or email us at ted@petersmarine.com

VHF radio is the mainstay of coastal communication and essential for emergency communications. Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is rapidly becoming a reality as more Coast Guard Rescue 21 System operations go live. Currently, the mid Atlantic coast is operational with DSC. The Gulf region will be operational early next year and all Coast Guard Cutters will be DSC equipped by next year.

DSC vastly simplifies and improves rescue and routine call signaling – making it easier to make a call while the system frees up Channel 16 for essential communications. However, you need to know how to use it. This seminar answers those needs and explains basic VHF operation. A CD is included with a DSC Simulator that allows you to practice on your computer at home. A handy waterproof McGraw-Hill Captain’s Quick Guide Using VHF is included with essential information that you should have aboard, which will explain to anyone on your crew how to use the radio.

Lake Wallenpaupack Real Estate Resource…

I have been reading Karen’s blog for sometime now.  She is a realtor located at beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack in Pike County.  I’ve learned a good deal about the Lake’s many available properties through this blog.  She also has great information about local lake events and new store openings. 

Great job Karen!  Keep up the good work!

Karen’s blog can be found at: http://pikewaynepablog.com/  

US Power Squadron Boating Course

The Squadron Boating Course - by US Power Squadron

ARE YOU AN AVID BOATER LOOKING TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

This course goes BEYOND basic boating information and touches on the details of VHF Radio use, understanding Navigational Aids, Chart Reading, GPS Navgation, Adverse Weather Boating, and MUCH MORE....

The US Power Squadron will be offering their Squadron Boating Course here at the Peters Marine Safe Boating Classroom. Whether you skipper your own cruiser or paddle a kayak, this COMPREHENSIVE course is intended for ALL boaters. In fact, it is meant to be of interest to the whole family, and we encourage your family to attend as a group. It covers the basics you need to know to safely and legally operate your boat or PWC. We believe in safe boating. So if you ever wanted to learn some basic rules of boating and make yourself LEGAL on the water, call us and reserve your seat today.

The Squadron Boating Course:
6 Thursday Evenings from 7pm to 9pm
September 17th, 24th, October 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd
Must attend all dates as different topics are covered at each session.

Instruction is FREE.

Book and Materials are $50.

Reserve your seat today by calling us at 610-433-1606.

Or email us at ted@petersmarine.com

PA Safe Boater Courses

Learn Safe Boating at Peters Marine Service!

The PA Safe Boater Course is a basic introduction to safe boating and meets today's requirements of boater certification for Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

This course is FREE!

After successful completion of this 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 - a $10 fee to the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

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 motorboat in Pennsylvania? Yes, if you where born after January 1st, 1982.

Is this course recognized nationwide? Yes, the PA Safety Education Course is recognized nationwide.

Special note: The State of New Jersey requires a Safety Certificate for all ages.

Join us during these upcoming course dates:

August 27th and September 3rd - Thurs Eve 6 - 10pm - OPEN

Attendance on BOTH days is required to receive your certificate.

Reserve your seat today - Call us at 610-433-1606. Or email us at ted@petersmarine.com

March Madness at our Service Department

Need to get your boat ready for the season? You know it will be here before too long. 
So why not get it ready BEFORE those warm days arrive so you are ready to hit the water running!
Schedule spring maintenance on your boat or trailer for MARCH and beat the rush.
We will even give you a minimum of $50 OFF your service bill --
15% OFF if over $500.
Call our service team for details at 610-821-0118.

Blue Marsh Lake Report - March

On Saturday I took a trip out to Blue Marsh Lake in Reading.  With the warm weather this past weekend I was thinking about boating.  Of course it's way too early for that!  Everyone will be happy to know the lake is still there.  The trees and grass are brown, there are no docks in the water, and the water level is low.  However, the lake is still there.

 

I was surprised to find I was not the only one thinking about boating.  I witnessed several boats out on the lake!  Granted they where fishing not skiing.  But they where boating!  Also to my surprised I found one of our customers AJ Devine walking around the lakeshore.  He also is getting the boating itch.  One thing AJ and I did notice was that the lake level was lower than normal.  A quick call to the Ranger Station and Ranger Kathy revealed the lake is down about 6 feet, which is correct for this time of year.  It will be back up to it's normal level when boating season starts.  That's good because my boat would not like all those rocks.

 

On my way out of the Lake I noticed a sign for the Visitors Center.  I had a little extra time so I decided to see what it was like.  The Visitors center sits high up on a hill overlooking the Dam and Lake.  It's a great view!  Inside the structure is a great amount of information about the Lake, Dam, and surrounding area.  If you still are not ready to go boating and want a nice place to just enjoy the view plus learn a little history this is a great spot.

    

  

Thanks for reading the Blue Marsh Lake Report!