Boat U.S. - March 2008 - (Page 53)

atyourservice MEMBERSHIP Member Mailbag Dear BoatU.S., In December of 2006, the Pacific Northwest endured an unusually strong windstorm. The weathercasters had warned us so we prepared our J-35 with extra dock lines and fenders. help you narrow down your perfect escape with a new cruise search and booking “tool” at BoatUS.com (click on “Charter/Travel”). We’ve already done the hard work by negotiating special BoatU.S. member pricing. You can search by port of embarkation, cruising area, cruise line, ship or date range — more than 50 cruise lines are included. From the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe to Alaska, Asia, and Tahiti, the right cruise awaits you at BoatUS.com. ahead and start building your own profile at TheBoaters.com. Tower’s Tips From Capt. Don Wilson, TowBoatU.S. Galveston, TX: “I enjoy making a living towing disabled boats. However, in the last couple of months I’ve had to tow in two boats with no one aboard. These accidents left three bodies to be recovered. “Believe me when I say I’d rather see you having a bad day on the water in need of a tow than to see your boat without you on it at all. “Please wear your life jackets — you can even get a cool looking one from your local store. Get yourself a VHF radio. Cell phones are great but they can’t always do the things that will save your life. “Please buy a GPS. They’re affordable now and it will help people find you in much shorter time. And before you go out, let someone know when you expect to return.” BoatU.S. Magazine Goes Electronic If you have given us your e-mail address, you already know the exciting news: BoatU.S. Magazine is now offered in a digital version. This new delivery method allows readers to get more out of BoatU.S. Magazine, such as built-in web site links that let you click for more information. You can also view it from any computer connected to the Internet (go ahead, your boss said it was OK). So send an e-mail to Membership@ BoatUS.com with the words “add my e-mail” in the subject line at the top, and place your name and membership number (or address) in the body. Then you’ll start getting your own digital magazine. Photo by Jan Anderson During the night, the 70+ mph winds opened up part of our marina’s breakwater, exposing us to the storm and causing major damage to the marina. Five boats sank and several others broke free and went aground. Our Grace E. got damaged by some of these unfortunate boats, but she stayed in her slip. We had an immediate, compassionate response when we made our claim to BoatU.S. Insurance. Grace E. was hauled three weeks later and repaired in time for a race in early February of 2007. The prompt response by BoatU.S. Insurance was in contrast to a dock neighbor who also sustained damage to his vessel. In April of 2007 — five months after the storm — he was still waiting for his insurance company to help with repairs. We are proud to have BoatU.S. on our team! Send Us Your Life Jacket Story Send us 250 words or less on how a life jacket saved your life while you were boating and you could win a $50 BoatU.S. Visa gift card. We’ll select one story to publish in an upcoming issue of BoatU.S. Magazine. Stories should be e-mailed to Membership@BoatUS.com no later than April 15. Profile Yourself @ TheBoaters.com Lawyers have them, dog owners have them and now boat owners can have them too. We are talking about your own online “page” containing your complete (boating) “profile” for others in cyberspace to see and connect. Where? At The Boaters.com, a new Facebook-like web site that BoatU.S. has teamed up with that can help boaters meet other boaters around the bend or around the world. Within a boater’s profile, you can — Cheryl White describe boating experiences, boating backPuyallup, WA ground, current and future boats, favorite destinations marked on a map, or compile an individual “Captain’s Log,” and other fun Discount Cruising at stuff, including adding a BoatU.S. member “badge” to show your pride. BoatUS.com Boating profiles can be posted at Thinking about taking a cruise on a the bottom of e-mails, in any forum posts “big” boat but don’t know your options? The (including those at BoatUS.com) or any BoatU.S. Yacht Charter & Travel Division can place on the web. And it’s free. So go Membership “Make every day on the water a good day with BoatU.S.!” Visit BoatUS.com 800-395-2628 • Join BoatU.S. for the special rate of $19 – 25% off the regular dues of $25 • Renew Your Membership • Upgrade Your Towing Service • Get a free insurance quote or call Recruiting a New Member? • Make sure to give your Membership number • Get a gift for each Member you recruit Call us or visit BoatUS.com. Mention Priority Code HB357AB BoatU.S. Magazine March 2008 Questions? 53 http://TheBoaters.com http://www.BoatUS.com http://www.BoatUS.com http://TheBoaters.com http://www.BoatUS.com http://www.BoatUS.com http://www.BoatUS.com http://www.BoatUS.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Boat U.S. - March 2008

Boat U.S. - March 2008 Contents Behind the Buoy BoatU.S. Reports Member Forum Cap'n Drew Sailing the Sidewalk Aviators Ahoy Docking and Duffing Waterfront Living: Charleston Waterfront Marketplace Grady Right 2nd Time Around DIY: Keeping the Water Out Hot Tips Boat Smart Ask Chuck Foundation Findings Tangled Line At Your Service Good Foundations BoatU.S. Exchange Behind the Boat Where Our Flags Fly

Boat U.S. - March 2008

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