A look at the 10 best fishing products of the last 75 years. Used Boat Sales

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Last year, the American Sportfishing Association, the voice for the sportfishing industry, celebrated its 75th anniversary. Recently, they partnered with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to survey thousands of this country's most avid anglers to find out which products they feel have been the most instrumental in shaping the sport over the past seven and a half decades.

Sorted by the date of introduction, these are the top 10 fishing products which span six categories: accessories, electronics, lines, lures, reels and rods:

Original Rapala Floater Minnow (1936). This hard body lure is one of the most successful and widely used lures in fishing history. It is still the "go to" lure of many of today's bass and trout anglers.

Nibble, Nabber Springloaded Bobber (1947). This red and white bobber replaced the cork as an indicator of a strike. In those days many anglers fished with live bait and the bobber made suspending them at a desired depth simpler and easier.

Mitchell 3000 (1949). This was the first commercially successful spinning reel and is one of the most common reels used today. Costing $18.95 in the 1950's, that was a good sum of money and out of reach for many of us. But it was the best spinning reel on the market. My first one was purchases overseas through a serviceman's rod and gun club and was shipped home, awaiting my discharge. It was a tough workhorse of a reel and millions
of casts were made with it. The only thing that ever went wrong with it was the bail spring, and fortunately, Dick Moon's Sporting Goods Store in Pittsfield had the capability of making and replacing them.
n Crème Plastic Worm (1949). It changed the sport forever as the first, and still famous, long lasting artificial worm that both looked and felt real. (It changed my tackle box forever, too because it interacted with the plastic tackle box and actually melted into and ruined it).

Zero Bomb Company Closed Face Spincast Reel (1949). Costing only $3 or $4, it made fishing easy and affordable to everyone, regardless of age, gender or expertise. I had a lot of entanglements with mine which contributed greatly to my vocabulary of profanity. It finally ended up on the bottom of one of our lakes, (accidentally dropped overboard of course). They have greatly improved since then and are currently manufactured by ZEBCO Brands.

Lowrance Fish Lo-k-Tor (1957). The Little Green Box introduced anglers to the use of sonar in locating individual fish.

DuPont Stren Monofilament Line (1958). Improved the durability, affordability and casting ability of fishing line while reducing its visibility to fish.

Minn Kota Trolling Motor (1958). This was the first electric gear-driven trolling motor that gave anglers the ability to quietly maneuver and position their boats. Originally manufactured by Minn Kota, it is now manufactured by Johnson Outdoors.

Fenwick High Modulus Graphite Rod (1972). Its super-sensitive carbon (graphite) fibers revolutionized the method of making fishing rods and how anglers fished. I never owned a Fenwick graphite but I owned and still fish with their excellent fiberglass rods.

The Shakespeare Ugly Stick (1976). With its special construction, it created an affordable, unbreakable and dynamic fishing rod still in use today. I like this rod so much that I own two of them in different sizes.

I'll bet some of you gray haired anglers owned and enjoyed many of these products and wonder if you, like me, still have them and dig them out of the closet or cellar from time to time. It is fun dusting them off and thinking back to the good old days, cherishing memories of lunker fish that were (or weren't) landed, where we were fishing at the time and with whom.

The Lake Garfield Association will be sponsoring a fishing derby for children 12 and under next Saturday (Aug. 8) at the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery Lower Pond on Hatchery Road in Mill River. The derby, which is free and open to the public, runs from 9-11 a.m.

Zebra mussels: It is encouraging to see the Lakes and Ponds Assn (LAPA), the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) and representatives from the bass fishing clubs meeting and attempting to establish a dialog on how to address the zebra mussel issue. Obviously, there is some common ground, that being that they all want to see the mussels contained and not spread to neighboring waters. They also agree that ramp monitoring is a good idea and issue a call to the fishing community to volunteer as monitors. They agree to work together to help increase the public's awareness to the perils of the mussels.

Other than Laurel Lake, many sportsmen do not agree on the closing of boat ramps. LAPA would like to see them all temporarily closed (45 days) to help curtail the mussel spread while experts figure out a course of action. Most fishermen that I know disagree. Their position is that Laurel Lake is the only local lake confirmed as having the mussels. If people are cleaning their boats and there are ramp monitors inspecting them, then why exclude the general public from using the other public waters. Besides, the ramp barriers have no effect on those who use canoes and kayaks anyways for they can just be carried anywhere and launched, which is currently happening in a lot of places.

Fort Lauderdale Boat Show dealers hope for rising tide. Used Boat Sales.

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There is cautious optimism that the giant Fort Lauderdale boat show will see an increase in sales.

With the stock market gaining momentum and luxury buyers beginning to emerge from their shells, area boating businesses are hoping this year's Fort Lauderdale International Boat show will be a boon for sales -- and not just a spectacle for frugal spectators.

The 50th installment of the world's largest boat show -- running Thursday through Monday in Fort Lauderdale -- comes after several trying months in South Florida's maritime industries, which have been hit particularly hard during the global recession.

But the recent stock market rally and an upswing in traffic at boat shops in the past few months has the show's organizers and some vendors feeling optimistic that consumers are once again confident enough to put down boatloads of cash on fancy yachts.

``Boats are purchased when people have a certain comfort level in terms of job security and their stock market portfolios,'' said Frank Herhold, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, which owns the show. ``We've seen some very economically significant increases in consumer confidence and an increase in the stock market. These are good bellwethers.''

Luxury spending jumped 29 percent in the third quarter of 2009 compared with the previous three months, according to a survey by Unity Marketing. And, since an average sized yacht can cost $1 million or more, boat show exhibitors are looking to luxury buyers to show up in full force with checkbooks in hand.

But unemployment and economic uncertainty remain high, and organizers admit they won't know whether the boat show will meet expectations until the numbers are tallied after the event.

Jay Reynolds, who chairs the boat show committee for the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, said that while sales were originally expected to be down by as much as 20 percent, the last three months have showed encouraging signs. For example, advance ticket sales are up 16 percent over last year and vendor registrations have rallied recently, although they are still down 17 percent, said Skip Zimbalist, CEO of the show's producer, Show Management.

PRICING UNCERTAIN

Because the market has been so turbulent, many dealers aren't sure how to price their yachts in order to attract buyers during a boat show that can account for as much as 40 percent of annual sales.

``We have conversations almost every day with other brokers and no one really knows what the price of most boats are,'' said Loren Schweizer, a consultant with Wood Marines Group, a Fort Lauderdale boat vendor. ``Generally, it's what people are willing to pay. It's a really crazy market right now.''

To convince cautious window shoppers to make a purchase, dealers are offering deep discounts and free extras like iPods, TVs and expense-paid vacations.

At Fort Lauderdale-based Anchor Yacht Sales, consultant Forest Roberts is offering a free satellite television, tender or water maker with the purchase of a yacht. He said these perks, ranging from $7,000 to $11,000 in value, could help him seal the deal on the sale of a $2 million boat.

Roberts said that because most of his clients are multi-millionaires, his business hasn't been as troubled by the downturn as most of his industry colleagues.

``The difference is, the people who have $2 or $3 million of net worth are going out to buy a $300,000 or $500,000 boat -- those are the people that the economy has bothered,'' he said. ``The people that we're dealing with have $10 or $15 or $100 million of net worth. The economy has bothered them, but not to a great extent.''

Roberts plans to exhibit two new 58-foot yachts at the weekend show, a decision he made after quickly selling the single 58-footer he showed at the Miami boat show in February. He had to turn two potential buyers away during that show, he said. The boats, which come completely furnished and wired, are each listed at just under $2 million.

This weekend's show will feature boats that are much cheaper and others much more expensive than those 58-footers, including kayaks, powerboats and megayachts. More than 1,500 floating vessels will be on display at six locations in Fort Lauderdale, covering 3 million square feet, about the same as in years past.

VARIETY AFLOAT

Herhold expects the show's diverse array of boat types and price points to help it reach a wide swath of consumers -- from the budget-conscious first timer to the billionaire enthusiast.

``Attendees will see everything from kayaks to megayachts, with a boat to fit everybody's pocket books and boating agenda,'' he said.

At last year's show, frugality ruled the day, with most show-goers either opting for lower-priced boats or deciding to postpone their purchases until their portfolios were in better shape.

A year later, with many economists saying that the worst has passed, there's a cautious optimism at some boat dealers that this year might be better.

Schweizer said he's seen an uptick in sales in the last couple months, even selling a $2 million boat for close to the asking price -- more than he expected to get for it.

Roberts already has orders for two $2 million boats from buyers in other parts of the state. There's a possibility that he might sell all five of the boats that he's taking to the show and maybe even get orders for more, a result that would be ``dynamo,'' he said.

Based on website traffic, Herhold expects a large contingent of international consumers to attend the show this year -- meaning foreign high rollers from countries unaffected by the global downturn could prop up sales.

Usually about half of the attendees -- estimated at more than 100,000 this year -- come from outside South Florida and about a third come from other states.

A little more than 10 percent come from international locations, Herhold said.

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New Requirement MSDS on Tankers

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The U.S. Coast Guard announced that it has submitted a Federal Register notice to the marine community containing guidance on new International Maritime Organization measures. These new measures require that all tank ships subject to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention carrying Annex I cargoes and all ships using Annex I marine fuels have Material Safety Data Sheets aboard. This Safety of Life at Sea Convention requirement will become effective January 1, 2011. It does not apply to inland barges or any other ship not subject to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention.

After January 1, 2011, nations party to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention can be expected to verify that ships subject to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention have Material Safety Data Sheets as required. After that date, all U.S. flagged vessels under the Safety of Life at Sea Convention traveling overseas should expect foreign administrations to ask for Material Safety Data Sheets for each Annex I cargo and marine oil fuel on board.

Also after that date, all foreign flagged vessels under the Safety of Life at Sea Convention in U.S. ports should expect the Coast Guard to ask for Material Safety Data Sheets in fulfillment of the United States' duties as a party to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention. The Coast Guard expects that ship's personnel receive Material Safety Data Sheets in a working language or languages understood by them. The Coast Guard expects that occupational exposure limits referenced in a Material Safety Data Sheet be based on an internationally-recognized standard.

The International Maritime Organization has recommended a format for the Material Safety Data Sheet and the Coast Guard encourages the use of this recommended format and content, which is set out in the Federal Register notice. Some nations party to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention may require Material Safety Data Sheets to follow the International Maritime Organization recommendations for format and content.

In most cases, vessels will already have Material Safety Data sheets for all cargoes that usually will contain the recommended information. In some cases, certain recommended data may not apply to the bulk liquid in question (data not applicable should be so noted); however, some member nations may require all of the recommended information.

The notice is available at the Office of the Federal Register Public Inspection Desk at www.federalregister.gov. After publication, it will be available in the Federal Register and at www.regulations.gov, docket number: USCG-2009-0553.

Zeus propulsion standard on new Sea Ray 43 Sundancer.

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No matter how experienced the boater, from veteran owner to brand-new buyer, they’ll always have the upper hand with the new Sea Ray 43 Sundancer. This is the first Sea Ray to come standard with the revolutionary Zeus propulsion system and intuitive helm joystick, which means that now anyone can dock. All the driver has to do is move the joystick in the direction he or she wants to go, or twist it to turn the boat in its own length. Nothing could be easier.

The 43 Sundancer comes standard with twin Cummins MerCruiser® QSB 425 diesels (425 hp - 313 kW) mated to Zeus drives — individually articulating pods that offer up to 15 percent better fuel economy and 15 percent faster top speeds than regular inboards. Plus, the Zeus-equipped 43 Sundancer provides a more comfortable ride because gear noise and vibration are significantly reduced. Optional power includes twin Cummins MerCruiser QSB 480 diesels (474 hp - 353 kW) with Zeus drives.

Above the waterline, the 43 Sundancer is everything that discriminating boat owners have come to expect from the definitive express cruiser series on the water. It starts with a trademark reverse sheer line, below which are two oversize hull windows and10 portlights. A hardtop integrates seamlessly with the windshield for the ultimate in weather protection and climate control (16,000-BTU helm air conditioning/heating is optional), yet you can still let the sun shine in thanks to two retractable skylights.

The captain will enjoy that sunny warmth from a double-wide helm seat with flip-up bolster and armrests. It slides and adjusts vertically in front of the gel-coated dash with SmartCraft® VesselView Display and MerCruiser digital throttle and shift. To port, guests can lounge on the big L-shaped bench. The seating options continue in the cockpit, which boasts a U-shaped lounge flanking a convenient fiberglass table; a wet bar opposite features a solid-surface countertop, sink and icemaker — or you can opt up to the removable flatscreen TV, stainless-steel barbecue grill and refrigerator.

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Below deck, the 43 Sundancer features a functional (and absolutely gorgeous) split stateroom plan, each with a wood privacy door. The forward master pampers owners in an island-style bed, from which they can watch the flatscreen HDTV with remote DVD player. Cruising couples will be amazed at the storage — under the berth, in gunwale cabinets, in two hanging lockers, in the floor — and they’ll also love the individual head and shower compartments, port and starboard, both with tile flooring.

The mid-stateroom has two twin beds that convert to a queen, so it’s perfect for kids or grown-up guests. Along with a hanging locker, overnighters here will appreciate a private head and shower compartment; the vanity is separate and includes a solid-surface countertop, mirror, sink and storage.

In between the two staterooms, the salon and galley have all the modern indulgences of a refined seaside condominium. There’s optional wood flooring and Ultraleather HP™ seating; a 26-inch flatscreen HDTV with DVD player and stereo with six-disk CD changer; wood blinds and high-gloss cherry interior (either regular or dark). The galley is designed to make life as easy as possible for the onboard chef, sporting designated storage for cutlery, plates, and glasses. Full stainless-steel appliances add more than a touch of luxury.

At its heart, the new 43 Sundancer is a boat that will make owners feel comfortable in any situation, whether it be driving, docking, entertaining, or cruising with friends and family. And since it comes with a free membership in the Sea Ray Owners Club™, which offers great money-saving benefits and endless fun experiences like owners’ rendezvous and dock parties, the newest sport yacht will have ample opportunity to show off its slick handiwork.

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Specifications* for the 43 Sundancer are as follows:
Overall Length w/Extended Swim Platform 47’3” 14.40 m
Beam 14’0” 4.27 m
Draft (Zeus Drives) 42” 107 cm
Dry weight 28,500 lbs 12,928 kg
Fuel capacity 350 gal 1,325 L
Water capacity 100 gal 378 L
Holding tank 42 gal 159 L
Dead rise 19° 19°

*The specification measurements are approximate and are subject to variance.

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U.S. brokers look north to sell rising boat inventory. Sell A Boat

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Faltering American economy and election-year jitters put Canadian buyers in the driver's seat.
Faced with a faltering economy and election-year jitters among consumers, American yacht brokers are looking north of the border to find customers for their growing inventory of boats.

The Canadian dollar reaching parity with the U.S. greenback piqued interest in cross-border boat shopping among Canadians, and even now with the dollar at a weaker 93 cents US, Allen Powell, president of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association, said Canadians are still heading south in search of boats.

"We've had Canadians coming all the way down here," said Powell, who owns Capital City Yachts in Olympia, Wash., which primarily sells trawlers from 45 to 75 feet, ranging from $580,000 US to over $1 million. "We just delivered a brand new powerboat to a Canadian, and we just delivered a sailboat that was built in Canada and is going back to Canada.

"Our goal is to encourage your fellow countrymen to come and look and to look seriously because there is a lot of inventory that brokers are anxious to sell," he said. "Frankly, a lot of people, ourselves included, are looking at getting the '09 models in and not having to worry about the '08 models that are still here."

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Just as real estate here has switched from a sellers' to a buyers' market, boat buyers in the U.S. are now in the driver's seat. Powell said with election years traditionally weaker for those luxury purchases, the November presidential vote is only making it more difficult to sell boats to Americans.

"The dollar parity has helped for sure, and I think your economy has been more robust. It is certainly more stable," said Powell. "It seems to me that has helped, and I assume that has brought some people who might have been sitting on the fence to buy.

"The other thing that has been helpful to Canadian buyers is that there is more inventory, and so the choices are greater."

Like the auto business, gas guzzlers are the new pariahs on the water, and Powell said there has been a shift to more efficient powerboats and sailboats, driven by concern for the environment as well as concern for pocketbooks.

"The sailboat inventory is probably at one of the lowest [points], it is a lot lower than last year," he said, adding that the same cannot be said for twin gas-engine powerboats.

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"People can certainly afford the boat, but they would rather not spend $10,000 a year on fuel," he said of those 40-foot-plus gas-felled boats.

"People are looking for conservative purchases. They are concerned about fuel costs, but also about their carbon footprint," he said.

"We are educating our purchasers that they should look locally first, and if they want to buy something in Seattle or south of the border, we can act for them, just as a real estate agent does when they are buying a house," he said. "We use our expertise to help them import a boat."

Costs can vary, but generally Canadian buyers will be paying GST and provincial sales tax on boats they bring in from the U.S. And depending on where the boat was manufactured, they may also face costs for duty.

"Generally speaking, the selection is better," said Horne. "There is a perception that the U.S. economy is weak and there are bargains galore, but in reality the boats that are repossessed are older boats and they have been let go. The buys aren't phenomenal."

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Gas Prices Pinching Some Boaters To Sell Their Boat

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OKLAHOMA CITY -- High gas prices have some small boat owners struggling to afford the fuel to keep their boats on the water.

Vendors at the Original Free RV and Boat Show at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Sunday said sales of smaller boats have been struggling this year.

Doug Duvall of Boat and RV World in Edmond said large boat sales are still OK, but his business is seeing a lot of people seeking to sell back smaller boats.

“A lot of them will have their motorcycle and their boat and their four-wheelers as their toys,” he said. “Well, they are streamlining toys that take gas.”

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Duvall said boat dealers in Oklahoma are weathering the situation better than their counterparts in California.

Mark Webster brought his wife Yvonne to the boat show, browsing for something they could use for fishing and skiing. Webster said fuel prices wouldn’t make or break his buying decision.

“It's a concern, because you've got your fuel expenses to and from the lake, plus the boat expenses, but it's not really a big factor,” said Webster.

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Walker Bay Boats Extends Its Hull Warranty To 10 Years Sell A Boat Used Boat Sales

Sell-A-Boat.Com - Yakima, WA, – Walker Bay Boats Inc. announced today that it has extended their factory backed warranty on all injection molded hulls, including the Original and Genesis lines to 10 years. By using proprietary High Impact Marine Composite in the injection molding process, Walker Bay hulls are exceptionally strong and impact resistant. “We have put the hulls through rigorous testing and have even hit it with a sledge hammer and driven over it with a truck to illustrate the extremes that our hulls can withstand as opposed to aluminum or fiberglass hulls” said Michael Carroll, Director of Marketing for Walker Bay Boats. “Although we don’t expect or warranty our hulls against sledge hammers and trucks, we are confident that our hulls are going to be around for many years,” concluded Carroll.Walker Bay boats are manufactured using a state-of-the-art injection molding process. Precisely pre-measured UV-protected polypropylene resin is injected with a massive force of over 8000 tons into a mold that can weigh up to 82 tons. It is then cooled to take the shape of the mold with a finish that is flawless. The one-piece hull has no seams or joints to crack or leak which contributes to its impact resistance and durability.

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Unlike a hard fiberglass hull that is vulnerable to corrosion or delaminating when it gets scratched, the Walker Bay hull is a single color solid material that requires no fixing for scuffs and scrapes. Walker Bay’s manufacturing process is environmental friendly with zero emissions and all hulls are 100% recyclable.Walker Bay Boats continues to win awards in innovation and is committed to maintaining the quality of its product to exceed customer expectations. It is important to note that this warranty is specific to the injection molded hull and not components and accessories. Those items have separate warranties that are described in the owner manuals or on the web which also has the specifics on hull coverage. To see video footage of what the Walker Bay hull can take in abuse, go to http://www.walkerbay.com/media/media_ideas.php

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SEATTLE - The Coast Guard received a distress signal from an Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon, or EPIRB, registered to a boat home-ported in Missoula, Mont. Wednesday.

No people were in trouble, but the Coast Guard didn't know that when they first received the signal. However, it wasn't long before they discovered the call was a false alarm.

The owner of the EPIRB had failed to unregister the device when he sold his boat, the 42-foot motor vessel Good Medicine, to a man in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. After a series of phone calls between the Coast Guard District Office in Florida and the broker who sold the boat, it was learned the EPIRB was thrown some time during the week of June 18-24.

EPIRBs are devices intended to save lives by transmitting a signal to rescuers with the position of troubled boaters. When they are improperly disposed of they can cost the Coast Guard valuable time and taxpayers thousands of dollars in resource costs.

The International Maritime Organization and the Coast Guard recommend that unwanted EPIRBS be disposed of by either removing the battery and shipping the unit back to its manufacturer or rendering the unit inoperable by demolishing it. The EPIRB should also be unregistered with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in any case when the unit has been disposed of or transferred to a new owner.

The Coast Guard routinely refers cases involving the non-distress activation of an EPIRB (either as a hoax, through gross negligence, carelessness or improper storage and handling) to the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC can prosecute cases based upon evidence provided by the Coast Guard, and will issue warning letters or notices of apparent liability or fines up to $10,000.

By following the rules for proper EPIRB disposal, boaters can save themselves a lot of trouble and the Coast Guard an unnecessary trip to the dump. For more information on EPIRBS, please contact NOAA at 1-888-212-7283.

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The Discontinuation of *CG

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In an effort to improve Search and Rescue Response the Coast Guard has requested all wireless providers in states other then Alaska to remove the specialized keying sequence, *CG, used to reach the Coast Guard for maritime emergency assistance.

The *CG feature was introduced by some cellular communications companies in the early 1990’s, but never developed into a nationwide service. As wireless providers moved to digital systems, some didn't migrate *CG to the new system and others even lost track of whether or not they were continuing the feature. This patchwork of service is confusing for the mariners who choose to use it, and may, in fact, prevent them from making a timely call for assistance should they find themselves in an area where *CG is not available.

The Coast Guard has found through research and experience that with the multitude of wireless systems and the misalignment of cellular coverage areas with our regions for Search and Rescue response, the use of this specialized service has resulted in misdirection of emergency calls. This has often added significant delays in the Coast Guard response to those calls for assistance.

The Coast Guard has requested that the cellular companies reroute all *CG calls to the 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) nearest to where the call originated. As an added precaution, mariners should stop using the special keying sequence *CG and begin using 911 on their cell phones to notify authorities of a distress at the onset of a maritime emergency if a cell phone is their only means of communication.

The one exception to the discontinuance of the *CG specialized keying sequence is the Alaskan cellular phone region. Cell phone companies operating in Alaska all have the *CG feature available, and because the Coast Guard has a single number for routing those emergency calls, the cellular and Coast Guard regions are fully aligned; calls are not missed and can not be misdirected. The *CG feature will remain active in Alaskan waters.

Mariners are encouraged to invest in a VHF-FM radio as their primary means of distress alerting on the water. Communication via VHF-FM radio provides superior alerting capabilities over cellular phones.

A VHF-FM radio provides superior service in a maritime emergency because:

• When a MAYDAY is sent out via VHF-FM radio it is a broadcast, not just one party is receiving the distress call; any nearby boaters can hear the distress call and offer immediate assistance. Cellular phones are point to point; other boaters in the area can not hear the call and consequently will not be able to respond.

• With the Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 system improvements to the National Distress and Response System (which is monitored by Coast Guard Sector communications centers) coming on line, any call, distress or otherwise, placed over a VHF-FM radio will have an associated line of bearing (LOB). This LOB significantly narrows the area to which Coast Guard or other responders must look to find the boater making the call. In many locations two or more LOB’s will be associated with a call; the intersection of those LOB’s will provide the position of the caller. A cell phone doesn’t do this. If the distressed caller does not know his location it is difficult and time consuming to determine a position through the wireless companies. This is often aggravated by low batteries and poor reception.

• VHF-FM radios are manufactured today with Digital Selective Calling (DSC). This feature provides the mariner with an emergency feature that will send a distress with the vessel’s information and Global Positioning System (GPS) location at the press of a button. It is important to note that the DSC radio must be properly registered with an MMSI number through Boat US and the radio must be properly interfaced with the GPS in order to send an accurate position to assist emergency responders to respond to the distress.

All maritime boaters should have a VHF-FM radio onboard their vessel to assure any calls of distress are heard immediately. Cell phones should only be used as a secondary means of communications. If the cell phone is the only means of communication available then remember, as with any land based emergency, the number to call rescue personnel is 9-1-1. *CG is no longer available. Have a fun and safe boating season.

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