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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Used Boat Sales Globe Wireless Distributes Satlink Fleet Broadband

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Globe Wireless and Satlink announced the signing of a Marketing and Distribution Agreement which appoints Globe Wireless as a distributor of Satlink’s Inmarsat FleetBroadband 150 and 250 equipment. Globe Wireless has also made an initial substantial order of FleetBroadband units.

The Marketing and Distribution Agreement allows Globe Wireless to promote, sell, install, service and support Satlink FleetBroadband equipment. Globe Wireless will use its worldwide team employee technicians to install and service the Satlink equipment aboard customer ships.

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Buying A Cruising Yacht On The Internet With Sell A Boat .Com

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Have you ever dreamt that you would one day own a yacht of your own? I think everybody dreams of one day owning a shiny new boat. If you do get to the stage where you find yourself in a position to buy a new yacht, which being an accomplishment in itself, you should spend with-in your budget and be able to take it anywhere. When you buy a yacht, always look at what comes with the boat and decide if it's everything you want. There are many types of construction and we summarize them below for you:

1. GRP - Almost all cruising yachts out there today are made of GRP construction. GRP material is long lasting, strong, and easy to repair. Osmosis is the only real problem here, as the blisters it leaves can be sometimes costly to repair.

2. Steel - Steel is always a great a idea, as it is by far the strongest material. There have been steel boats ran into reefs and banks and received just a few mere scratches. Even though steel has many advantages, rust is the true enemy here. You must keep all surfaces thoroughly painted, primed, and ready to avoid all types of rust.

3. Aluminum - Although rare in the normal cruising market, aluminum is very popular with the construction of top quality custom built yachts. If you are looking for an aluminum constructed yacht, always make sure that it wasn't constructed by an amateur yacht builder - as this can cause major problems later on down the road.

4. Wood - Even though it's the most traditional building material, wood still has a lot to offer. If you get the right kind of wood, it can last just as long as any other type of material. The maintenance costs are very high with wood, especially if you do your own painting.

5. Ferro-cement - Concrete type boats have been around for a long time. A cheap method of hull construction, it was very popular in the 70's. If done properly, it can be a very strong method of yacht construction.

6. Rigs - The most popular choices of yacht rigs include sloop, cutter, and ketch - in that particular order. Sloop has the virtue of simplicity, while ketch and cutter rigs will split the sail plan into more easily managed areas. A ketch rig can sail under mizzen and headsail alone, while cutter rigs can offer a simple twin headsail with downwind option.

The main question you should ask yourself is "what is essential" and "what is desirable", it is a good idea before you begin looking for a yacht, to make a list of what you must have then make a list of what would be nice to have. There are many additions and add-ons you can get for yachts, although they can get very expensive if you do not plan carefully and purchase in a hurry. It is strongly recommended that when you shop for a yacht, you should always plan out your budget before you even start looking. A nice yacht can cost a lot of money, which is something you may need to save up for. Yachts are great to sail on, especially for those who have a lot of money to spare, so, in conclusion, good luck in your quest and we hope the above comments assist you in your search.

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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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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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TowBoatUS Bay St. Louis Opens On The Mississippi Gulf Coast

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TowBoatUS, part of the nation’s largest on-the-water towing service for boaters, has returned to an area of the Gulf known as “Hurricane Katrina ground zero.” Capt. Matt Caldwell has opened TowBoatUS Bay St. Louis on Mississippi’s “West End” on St. Louis Bay adjacent to the Bay Waveland Yacht Club. The news follows the recent opening of TowBoatU.S. Lake Pontchartrain, LA, and brings the total number of TowBoatUS in the Gulf (from the Keys to the Mexican border) to 51.

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Captain Caldwell, a USCG veteran, said “I’ve wanted to open my own on-the-water towing port for a long time and I believe this is the right location and right time to do it. This region will grow significantly and I want to be there when boaters need assistance.” Before returning to his home state, Capt. Caldwell was a towboat captain in the Charleston region, ran a dive boat and also worked in the oil service industry.
Caldwell has equipped TowBoatUS Bay St. Louis with three vessels: a 20-foot Boston Whaler Guardian center console, a 21-foot Impact pilothouse and a 27-foot Boston Whaler pilothouse. “We use the 20-footer when we need to trailer to a location or when bridges are problems,” said Caldwell. All three vessels can be identified by their distinctive red hulls with white bow stripes and “TowBoatU.S.” lettering along its side.

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Onboard each boat is a full complement of towing and salvage equipment including extra fuel, pumps, airbags and battery “jump packs” to handle every breakdown from running out of fuel to running aground.
Hurricane Katrina changed the topography of many local waterways says Caldwell, which can lead to groundings. “Many of our barrier islands and shoals have shifted since the storm. But I want boaters to know they can rely on us – I enjoy being able to help them,” he added.
Similar to a roadside auto club, BoatUS offers on-the-water assistance plans starting at around $37 a year. Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average about $600 per incident. Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatUS Bay St. Louis by calling the company directly at 228-217-4439 or 800-315-6206; by VHF radio on channel 16; or through the BoatUS toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869 or visit http://www.BoatUS.com for more information.

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Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 670,000 members with a wide array of consumer services, including on-the-water towing assistance provided by TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist. These two fleets combined offer North American boaters the largest network of US, Canadian and Bahamian towing ports with over 270 locations and nearly 500 towing assistance vessels - twice that of any other service provider.