The Season is Starting - 2012!

Well, it may not be official, but with the way the weather has been here in this area (eastern PA) it sure seems like it! We've had temp's in the upper 70's and even touching 80, recently. It's only March 21th! My boat is still in it's big, white cocoon - just waiting to emerge for the start of what hopes to be a good season... with any luck, it'll be just as clean and pretty as when I put it away. Maybe with a lot of luck... ;)

I am so tempted to rip the wrap off and start getting ready. But you just know that that Murphy guy will jump out of his little hiding place and dump a foot of heavy, wet, late-March snow on us! I've got some small projects that I'd like to get started on, such as finishing up re-painting my dash panels (where the gauges are). I was able to do most of it over the winter, but there are a few loose ends that need to be tied up.

Other than that, it's really just a matter of normal, Spring-time preparations... flush the fresh water system, re-stock the boat with the things that were removed for fear of freezing, start her up and give all the systems a good once-over, etc.

How about you guys? What are your thoughts? What do you do in the Spring to get ready for the boating season?

Blackbeard the Pirate

Blackbeard's ship, Queen Anne's Revenge, was found in 1996 off the coast of North Carolina. Since then, more than 250,000 artifacts have been recovered. This article discusses interesting pieces of information about the notorious pirate and has a nice picture of his 3,000lb "everyday anchor" being hauled out of the water.

Click here for the article:

Blackbeard's Anchor Retrieved

Product Focus - Taylor Pontoon Fender

Looking for a better option to protect your pontoon?

Here is brief Product Focus Presentation on Tayor Made Pontoon Fenders.

20th Annual Ice Tee Golf Tournament

Sun, January 30th, 2011

Boating may be on hold until the ice thaws. But that doesn't mean that the fun on Lake Wallenpaupack has to wait. In fact, this cold, frozen winter - thanks to Mother Nature - brings back the annual golf tournament.

Check out 9 holes of golf atop frozen Lake Wallenpaupack! There will be prizes, giveaways, and more. There will be fun for golfers, non-golfers, and spectators!!

- “Fairways” are lined by this year’s Christmas trees given by locals and local nurseries
- Water hazards are carved into the ice and other “traps” are included on the course – including snow “bunkers”
- Players can bring up to three clubs, including a putter.
- Contests for Wackiest Hat, best sled, others will be given out
- Ice Bar carved from local ice carver will be available outside with full bar service, sponsored by Yuengling

To be held at the Waterfront at Ehrhardt's, Route 507, Lake Wallenpaupack. Presented by the Pocono Lake Region Chamber of Commerce. Major sponsors include Ehrhardt's, Crystal Cabin Fever, Yuengling and Banko Beverage.

Tee times every 10 minutes between 9 am and 2 pm, awards ceremony at approximately 3 pm. Just $15 per golfer in advance or $20 at the door. Applications available by emailing visit@lakeregioncc.com or by calling 570-226-3191.

Local Lakes Closed to Trailer Boating

Well it appears as though the lack of rain this summer has finally caught up to us and is taking it's toll on local trailer boating. Both Beltzville Lake and Blue Marsh Lake were required to release more water to supply the Delaware River with fresh water. This now means that boat launch ramp access at both of these lakes have been closed due to low water.

Click here for additional details on other local lakes.

On Sunday, September 19th, the last day that the Pine Run Lauch at Beltzville Lake was open, Dennis took his family and his boat, a Sea Ray 260 Sundancer, out for one last run. Here are some pictures from the lake.

Click on the links below for more detailed information about conditions at these lakes.

Blue Marsh Lake Info...

Beltzville Lake Info...

Would you wear a PFD on your Wedding Day?

For this happy couple there was no question that a Personal Floatation Device would make a beautiful wedding gown. Especially when you are getting married aboard your own boat.

Marilynn Katatsky, 62, and Rick Kaufmann, 67, were married June 4, 2010 aboard Patriot Games, their 2007 EdgeWater 245CC. The ceremony took place on Spa Creek near the Annapolis (Md.) Yacht Club.

Click below to see the wedding slideshow and hear Marilynn explain how this all happened.

Have you ever done anything like this aboard your own boat? Let us know!

Chesapeake Bay Family Fun

We had another great trip to the Chesapeake in the middle of July. We hooked up Lazy Daze on Friday morning and trailered down to Elk Neck State Park (Turkey Point) where we launched and left the truck & trailer in their parking lot until we returned Monday afternoon. The launch is nice and they even have a pump-out facility and a small supply store.

From Turkey Point, we steamed down to The Sailing Emporium in Rock Hall on the Eastern shore of Maryland to hang out with some friends and spend the night there in the marina. For anyone that hasn’t come in to a marina by boat before, the standard protocol is to raise (call) the dockmaster on VHF 16 to announce yourself and ask where to go. We got situated in our slip and then made a very direct bee line to their swimming pool as the temperature was hovering around 100*. We’ve been at The Sailing Emporium a few times over the years and it has always been a great place to stay. The grounds are well-kept and the staff is inviting and very pleasant.

Our 3-year old daughter, Marina, decided she was going to try her hand at diving into a pool for the first time. After watching her a few times, I decided not to tell her that she is supposed to put her hands out in front of her as she dives. It was much more entertaining for everyone to watch this little blondy going head first… and, yes, sometimes it was more of a “face-flop” than a dive. But she always came up smiling and we always laughed and congratulated her – which, of course, meant she would get right out and do it again! Of course Cody couldn’t let his little sister show him up! Cody's favorite jump was, much to pleasure of everyone around him, a cannonball, of course.

That night we called Waterman’s, a favorite waterfront restaurant of many boater’s, and the manager came over and picked us up with his car. As you can tell in the picture below, my wife is a huge fan of “All You Can Eat” crabs! Apparently the kids enjoy crabs as well, since they kept stealing them from my wife whenever she wasn’t looking!

The following day we headed across the bay to Baltimore and Inner Harbor. It is very awe-inspiring to come in to Baltimore past Fort McHenry and imagine what it must have been like nearly 200 years ago as the port was defended against the British.

We had a great lunch at a restaurant where the kids were encouraged by our waitress to throw their used napkins on the floor. You should have seen their little faces as she told them “It’s OK”… Both kids looked at me with a stunned expression as if to say “Is it really OK, daddy?” Those confused expressions quickly changed to that of sheer happiness! After walking around for a while and looking at some of the old ships we headed back to Rock Hall and, of course, immediately jumped in the pool again.

On Sunday, we went north a bit to a place called Still Pond. This was our first time there – fantastic little cove! The water was warm and the sandy bottom provided a great hold for the hook as we decided to stay there all day and spend the night, as well. The kids must have swam back and forth between the shore and our boat a dozen times. They started calling the shore “Kid’s Land” and eventually wouldn’t let us go with them, as they wanted to explore on their own. It was great watching the two of them swim over, build sand castles and do their own exploring on the shoreline.

Eventually all good things must come to an end. Monday morning we headed back up to Elk Neck. We put the boat back on the trailer, had the kids take one last potty break and a just a few hours later we were back home in Allentown, PA. Living in Allentown, we obviously are not “right on the water”. But trailer boating can be a lot of fun as it opens you up to being able to go to many different places. The Chesapeake is definitely a great destination and one that we try to do at least once every year!

Not bad for a little 3-year old!

Can you tell my wife likes crabs?

"Daddy, why can't I dip my popcorn shrimp in a vat of butter?"

"I'm good at hammering!"

"Daddy, will you dance with me?"

Fort McHenry, the way the invading British would have seen it... minus the flying cannonballs coming at us, of course.

Baltimore Inner Harbor approach.

Monkey see, monkey do.

Fishing on "Sunset Boulevard" at The Sailing Imporium.

One of the last times that my wife was allowed to visit "Kid's Land".

Our last night on the Bay.

Naming Your Boat

So, you got yourself a new boat and have finally decided on a name for her. Great! But, should you just plop that name on the transom and call it a day? What about simply bringing aboard items that have the boat’s name on them? Well, unless you want to anger the Gods of the Sea and Winds, you might be best advised to read on, Captain!

Since the beginning of time, mariners have known that to properly name a boat you must follow the rules of the sea. If one doesn’t abide, Legend has it that he’d surely be struck with nothing but bad luck aboard the ship. Most importantly, this means registering your boat’s name in Poseidon’s (or Neptune’s) Ledger of the Deep. Once registered in the Ledger, you are free to sail (or motor) with fair winds and passage.

This is all accomplished through the Naming Ceremony (or Renaming, if the boat currently has a name). Now there is an actual turn of phrase to follow, but the basic concept is that you are asking permission from Poseidon to name your boat (or remove an old name). While the process to follow is strict, part of this process does involve a good bottle of Champagne (don’t skimp here!). Some of the liquid spirit is offered to the Gods by pouring it into the sea, but any that is left over is fair game for you and any friends that you may invite to the ceremony.

After the ceremony is completed, you may safely bring aboard any items that bear your boat’s name. You may also now have your name put on the transom. If you had to put the name on beforehand, at least keep it sufficiently covered until after the ceremony.

Is this just superstitious flooey for the fool-hearted? I don’t have the answer. However, I can tell you that my boat currently does not have a name on it and it won’t be revealed until after a little imbibing of some not-so-cheap Champagne!

What a great weekend!

Boy, did we have a fantastic, long-weekend getaway! My family (Kim, Cody & Marina) and I took the boat up to Lake Wallenpaupack for the 4th of July. We ended up spending 3 days and 2 nights on the water in our 260 Sundancer. We took plenty of food and drinks for the trip that we kept in the fridge. Most of the time we cooked on the boat, but we even treated ourselves and went out to dinner one night - by boat, of course! Plus, you just can't beat seeing fireworks when you're on a boat - it just makes a special day like the 4th that much more memorable.

Here's a few pics of what our days and nights were like:

It's really great when they play together nicely, isn't it?

Here we are waiting for the fireworks, along with a few other boaters. Jiffy Pop is great, isn't it!?!

It's hard to tell in the picture, but every single little light that you see is another boat. These pictures are just one vantage point - all together, I bet there were easily 3,000 boats here.

All in all, we had a blast. Cody got to do a lot of fishing and Marina was in the water more than she was out! It's so nice to be able to go any where you want to, but still be "home".

Tubes That YOU Control!

Summer's here and the temps are heating up!

Tubing is always a fun thing to do that requires little if any skill to enjoy. BUT, how about kicking things up a notch with a tube that
YOU CAN STEER!

That's right, take the thrill of tubing to a whole new level.

Check out these videos and see the fun.


Only $79 at Peters Marine Service for Bat X Ray



Only $99 at Peters Marine Service for Lulu



Only $219 at Peters Marine Service for U Slalom



Only $189 at Peters Marine Service for Slalom Solo
Only $299 at Peters Marine Service for Slalom Jockey (shown)

** Please Note that the prices shown are for 'IN-STOCK' units and are of limited supply.


POST A COMMENT IF YOU HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED THESE FOR YOURSELF

Product Focus: Bimini Top

When referring to canvas tops, there are two basic styles. The first is typically called a “convertible top”. This attaches directly to the top of the windshield, and then stretches aft covering about half of the cockpit. More often than not, one cannot stand under this type.

The second type – and by far the most popular – is the bimini top. This style offers more protection from the sun (since it is larger than the convertible top) and is usually high enough to allow people to stand under it.

A bimini top can make a great addition to any boat. It gives you, your friends, and family a quick and easy way to get out of the hot sun, yet still enjoy being on the boat. A popular option for bimini’s are rear legs. The use of these will allow the bimini to stay in a vertical position (as pictured) when not being used, as opposed to having to lay it down into the boat where it would get in the way.

Bimini tops are available in sizes to fit just about any boat, as well as a selection of fabric materials and hardware. Installation is also very easy. A professional shop, like us, will typically charge about 1 hour of labor for this, although it can certainly be done by a DIY’er.

State-By-State Life Jacket Requirements

I found an interesting link that shows life jacket requirements and licensing laws, organized by state. All you need to do is click on the state you're interested in. Planning a trip to another state this summer? Check out that state's laws before you go so you are prepared!

http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/boatsfact.htm

Field Testing a Torqeedo Powered 713 Gillgetter Pontoon on Beltzville Lake

Working for a land locked marine store in Allentown, Pennsylvania is not as glamorous as maybe working at a marina in beautiful South Florida. However, we do have our moments when we can get out on the water and have a little fun. Here is an example of one of those times.

It was a beautiful pre-spring day on March 18th with the air temperature hitting close to 70 degrees. Bobby and I decided to take a new electrically equipped 2010 Gillgetter 713 Fish n Cruise Pontoon for a test run at Beltzville Lake in the Pocono Mountains. We arrived early. Without a hint of a breeze the lake was like a sheet of glass.

The lake water was very high and the docks were not yet put in so we had to get a little creative putting the boat in the water. Although the air was warm I knew that the lake still had ice the previous week. Getting my feet wet was not an option. As we discovered launching this boat was so very easy - easier than I could have imagined. And we didn't get wet either.

As we backed away from the ramp we received a few odd stares from the few fisherman who were hanging around the ramp area. I am sure I could read their minds, "I see that boat moving, but I don't hear anything. What is that?"

Our boat is powered with a Torqueed 4.0R Cruise 48volt Electric Outboard. This motor is super efficient and produces the equivilant power of a 9.9hp gas engine! Perfect for small boats like ours or for use on power restricted lakes. The motor produces a distinctive hum but it was nevertheless quiet and we could hold a conversation easily while at full throttle.

We tooled around for about 3 hours that morning putting this boat and motor combo through it's paces and here is what we discovered:

1) Very easy to launch and load
2) Handles effortlessly and turns easily - Anyone can operate this boat like a pro.
3) We only used 13% of the available battery life so a full days use is a reality.
4) Super stable ride.
and
5) It was a heck of a lot of FUN!

Bobby and I had a blast that day testing this and another boat the Infinyte i3 Utility Boat.

Yes, it is true that a marine store in Allentown, PA is not the same as one in a more exotic location. But I can say that we probably enjoy the times we do get to go out far better.

Check out our experience for yourself!

The Two Best Days

The two best days - you have surely heard the line before, often referred to the joys of boat ownership. I, however, have never been an advocate for that way of thinking.

If the first best day is the day in which you purchased your boat, what were the reasons that made it so? And if the day the boat was sold was truly the second best day, then maybe the boat was not the best fit for the owner's needs or maybe those needs changed. Either way this is not the fault of boating or the boat. The key to a joyful boating experience is fitting the correct boat to the correct needs.

As many of you may know, my family and I own a wonderful Sea Ray 240 Sundancer that we have spent much time aboard and totally enjoy. The VERY best day was the day that I arrived home, 'new' boat in tow, and backed it into the driveway - my wife and kids running out of the house to greet me. Since then we have enjoyed many overnights, long weekends, and trips aboard our boat. Many memories were made. It was all we needed to have loads of fun. Why would we need anything else? This boat fit our needs perfectly.


As it happens, we discovered that over time our needs are changing. The kids are getting bigger, our level of cruising experience is expanding, and our desire to cross bigger bodies of water is exceeding the capabilities of our 24' boat. Therefore, the inevitable day arrived - the day we sold our boat.

Some would say that this is supposed to be the second best day of boat ownership. However, as I showed the boat to two wonderful and excited prospects and explained about all the upgrades and personal touches that I did to the boat over time, I discovered that it was hard to let go. The memories of our family fun came rushing back. I could see myself at the helm cruising up the lake. There was my wife and daughter at the cockpit table enjoying a game of Yahtzee with the sun shining and the warm breeze blowing their hair. I could almost hear my son screaming that he caught another fish, an action that seemed to take place with every cast. I once again began to get excited about being out on the water. I convinced myself that if the boat should not sell, then back in the water it will go.

Reality came quickly crashing back as the words came out of my customer's mouth, "Looks great! We'll take it."

That is when the supposed second best day turned suddenly sad. Our boat is sold. I almost felt like saying, "Are you sure?" But I knew this was for the best. Had we kept this boat for another season we probably would not have been as happy as previous years. Our needs are changing. We are outgrowing our boat.

Now we have the freedom to concentrate on finding the next boat that better fits our changing needs and experience that first best day all over again.

Ted Shelson

Compact Pontoons at Peters Marine Service!

Check out our new line of 13'-20' Gillgetter and Qwest Compact Pontoon Boats by Apex Marine. Some models are now in stock and available to be seen! Call us today at 610-433-1606 for details.

Why Consider A Compact Pontoon?
While there are many reasons to consider a COMPACT pontoon boat from Apex Marine, there are particular situations where they truly shine:

1. Electric Only Lakes: Compact pontoon boats are ideally suited for lakes that only allow electric propulsion. Electric outboards are limited in horsepower and will perform better on the smaller size and weight of a compact pontoon.

2. First Time Buyers & Small Families: Compact pontoons are a safe and affordable way to get into boating. Easy to manage and maintain. They are perfectly sized for small groups or families.

3. Lakes with Horsepower Restrictions: Because of their smaller size and weight, compact pontoons perform better with less horsepower than larger boats.

4. Easier to Handle: It’s easy to become intimidated or aggravated with larger boats that can be hard to dock or put on a trailer, especially in windy conditions. A smaller pontoon is more nimble, lighter and easier to maneuver. In particular, this can be a benefit to inexperienced boaters.

5. In Lieu of Aluminum V-Bottoms: A compact pontoon boat can be just as versatile and affordable as an aluminum v-bottom boat, but much more comfortable to be on. In addition, a pontoon’s flat deck allows you to get up and move around, has more room for coolers and gear, and sits higher making it easier to get in and out from a dock.

6. Easy to Trailer: A compact pontoon is the perfect take-along boat. Its narrow width and light weight makes them easy to trailer. Many models can be pulled with mini vans and small SUV’s. They also work perfectly for pulling with motor homes. Anyone who has ever trailered a full size pontoon boat will certainly appreciate this feature.

7. Fits in Garage: A compact pontoon boat can be stored where other larger pontoons cannot. Many garage doors are too small for full size pontoons.

8. Rescue Boat/Law Enforcement /Parks Department: A small pontoon offers a completely stable and open platform for people and gear. Its smaller profile is perfect for accessing small, hard to reach areas, and makes it easy to transport, load and unload quickly. We offer custom layouts for a variety of applications including a center console style.

Torqueedo Electric Motors

As some of you might know, we have enthusiastically taken on a new line of boats here at Peters Marine. Pontoons!!! No, we are not getting rid of Sea Ray - they are as strong as ever. But, with the addition of Quest and Gill Getter Pontoons -- it enables us to venture into "Green" propulsion. 5 years ago, a new company stepped into the field of electric motors... Torqueedo. While we are still learning about them, it truly appears they are re-writing the book on electric propulsion. Their motors, drive systems and propellers are leaps and bounds above the "normal" electric motor. They offer not only more power, but better efficiency at the same time. That efficiency translates into more run time... in other words, more time on the water!

Check out the future of electric motors and let us know what you think. Do you have any experience with them? Torqueedo Electric Motors

The Boat Builders

All you have to do is put it together.

Winter Water Skiing

Yes, the air is cold and the snow is flying. Just don't tell these guys that boating has to end just because there is a little ice on the pond.



Have you ever done anything like this?

If so, email your story, pictures, or video links to ted@petersmarine.com and I will share them here.

Our First Boat

by Dominick Pisano
2009 Sea Ray 230 Sundancer
















In July, my better half (Lenore) and I went on vacation to Cape Cod, during our stay, we took a ferry ride to Martha’s Vineyard. As we walked off the ferry, we saw a sight unfamiliar to us. There were a number of private boats from small to large, all tied to one another with the closest tied to the pier. I stood there looking in amazement as these people were sitting in their bathing suits on the decks of their boats, enjoying refreshments and conversation with the people in the boats next to them. I looked at Lenore and simply said, “We are doing something wrong, they are enjoying themselves more than we are”.

Upon our return to the Lehigh Valley, I decided that we were missing a good thing and so we decided to buy a boat. As newcomers to boating, we had no idea what to look for or how to find it; thank God for the internet. My search found this place called Peters Marine. Finding their web site most informative, I sent an e-mail to their address, congratulating them on the information offered through their web site. Low and behold, I get a response from Ted Shelson thanking me for my email and advising that if I need help just give him a call.

During the month of August we visited Peters Marine, looked at their showroom boats, and then searched different boating places in and around Bethlehem and Allentown. The third week in August we decided to go back to Peters Marine and see Ted. He responded to our every question and went out of his way to make our dream of owning a boat come true. Needless to say: we bought a 2009 Sea Ray 230 Sundancer and with the help from Ted, towed it to Lake Wallenpaupack. He was also able to obtain use of a slip for the month of September and the first two weeks in October. Now one thing I must mention is that Lenore was apprehensive about all of this because she is not a swimmer and her first question was “Where are the lifejackets and how do I put it on”.

Well for a person with apprehension, she took to boating like a fish to water and we both found a world of pure enjoyment. With the assistance of Ray Ely from the Service Department, we launched our boat the first week in September. It was a rainy day but we got her off the trailer and into the water. Ray opened the Bimini top and then proceeded to give me instruction in maneuvering the boat out of the slip, down the alley and into open water. Prior to all this I took the PA Boater Safety Course and obtained my blue card certificate. After driving the boat with Ray at my side, we went back to the slip and Ray left us on our own. We enjoyed lunch in our cabin and afterward, we decided it was time to chance it and take her out by ourselves.

The thrill of taking our boat out for the first time, maneuvering out of the slip and down the alley was exhilarating to say the least. There were boats on both sides of us and all I could think of was “I must not hit anyone else’s boat”. This was the first time in my life that I had ever done such a thing and it certainly got my adrenaline running. Once we cleared the alley (without a miss-hap) and were in open water, I felt nothing but joy standing at the helm of my own boat, going along Lake Wallenpaupack, seeing the other boats; both our hearts were pounding: some due to joy and some due to nerves. At the end of the day, I was able to maneuver into the alley and back into the slip. We tied to the slip, cleaned her up and put on the cover; what a day.

Well by the end of the second week in October, we had already logged ten hours on the engine. My First Mate and I are really looking forward to next summer when we could enjoy our boat for a longer season but we still talk about the fun and enjoyment we had on our boat for 2009.


It certainly appears as though Dominick and Lenore have truly 'Discovered' Boating! Have You?

Share your boating stories or tidbits of helpful boating information with other fellow boaters. Forward them to ted@petersmarine.com and we will publish them here.

Anti-Freeze ALERT!

SOME COLD FACTS

REGARDING NON-TOXIC ANTI-FREEZE

NOT ALL "MINUS 50" ANTI-FREEZE IS CREATED EQUAL

Over the years several diluted Anti-Freeze products have been introduced to the market containing 25-28% propylene glycol (PG). These products were originally designed for the discount retailers as a water systems price point product from which to UPSELL and were NOT recommened or intended for use in winterizing engines. These same products will be sold by some suppliers this season as being suitable for use in engines. DON'T BE FOOLED!

The ratings system for propylene glycol "Burst Points" can be somewhat misleading as different containers can have very different "burst points" (Example: copper pipe, rubber hose, and a cast iron engine have very different flexibility properties and "Burst Points"). This allows these diluted products to be legally advertised as "Minus 50" products!

It is therefore crucial for you to compare the percentage of propylene glycol in a product to obtain adequate protection for engine winterization.

A 30% blend of propylene glycol has been the minimum recommended percentage suitable for "Minus 50" protection in the Northeast when winterizing engines.

Camco Freeze Ban 50 contains 30% propylene glycol and ha been successfully used in winterizing the raw water sides of engine systems for over 25 years.

Engines are typically the most expensive portion of a boating investment. It simply does not make sense to use a substandard product in them in order to save a few dimes!

Freeze Ban 50 offers affordable high performance protection.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PROPERLY WINTERIZING YOUR BOAT, PLEASE CONTACT:

The Service Department of Peters Marine at 610-821-0118 or email: service@petersmarine.com