Nautique Nation VIP Access Program

Nautique and its award winning dealer, Tobler Marina, announce the Nautique Nation VIP Access program. This program will allow prospective Nautique customers to experience the Nautique difference firsthand at Nautique's world-class headquarters in beautiful sunny Orlando, Florida.

From December 15th through February 28th prospective Nautique buyers can schedule one week ahead, through Tobler Marina, to have the unique opportunity to receive celebrity treatment at Nautique’s state-of-the-art facilities. Prospective customers will test drive 2014 model year Nautique boats on one of the Nautique private lakes, receive an exclusive interactive plant tour, meet members of our executive team, and much more.

“We would like to invite prospective Nautique buyers down to experience what sets Nautique apart from our competitors,” stated Nautique President/CEO Bill Yeargin. “Our team is fortunate to enjoy boating year around while other parts of the world are experiencing cold weather; this is a perfect opportunity to get a jump start on a 2014 Nautique demo,” Yeargin added.

For more information about the exclusive Nautique Nation VIP Access program or to schedule your visit, contact Tobler Marina.

NAUTIQUE AND PICKOS SKI SCHOOL JOIN FORCES

Ever consider going to a waterskiing or wakeboarding school? Nautique announced an alliance with the Pickos Ski School in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida for those who would like to improve their skills.

The Pickos Ski School will exclusively use two of the world record breaking Ski Nautique 200’s to provide expert coaching behind the world’s best 3-event wake for its students. The Pickos Ski School is a year-round, world-class coaching facility that instructs students around the world from beginner to professionals in slalom, tricks, and jump.  The Pickos Ski School’s top priority is to provide you with the very best in coaching and instructions as well as give you a world-class experience on and off the water.

“We couldn’t be happier than we are now. We finally feel like we are using the best towboat on the market and the best facility in the world for competition training. The Ski Nautique 200 time and time again, has proven to be the world’s best boat to be behind. It’s by far the most sought after boat to be driving and skiing behind in any event. It simply outperforms all other boats that are out there. It is this versatility and the 15 World Records set since its inception in 2010, makes the Ski Nautique 200 my #1 choice,” commented Cory Pickos.

“Nautique is extremely happy to partner with the with the Pickos Ski School in Northwest Florida, a premier water ski school that will be using the world record-breaking Ski Nautique 200,” stated Nautique President/CEO Bill Yeargin. “We know that the students at the Pickos Ski School will have the same experience others have had behind the Ski Nautique 200 with many new personal bests and records soon to come!” Yeargin added.

The Pickos Ski School is a waterski school located in North West Florida in Santa Rosa Beach. The ski lakes were designed specifically for waterskiing and wakeboarding. The lakes were built long and narrow to protect against adverse wind conditions. The banks of the lakes are specifically designed as to not create backwash. The Pickos Ski School is a great place to have fun, build champions on and off the water and enjoy the sport of waterskiing. To learn more visithttp://www.skicory.com/.

Time for Digital Charts as NOAA Stops Printing Traditional Charts

With the recent announcement that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will cease offering paper nautical charts as of April 13, 2014, boat owners and mariners may be in a quandary on how to remain current on these critical charts for safe marine navigation. Printed nautical maps have been the traditional navigational method for boaters, both commercial and pleasure, for centuries, with the US government printing these charts dating back to 1862.

Like other industries and fields, nautical navigation is going digital. It's time to get aboard with the nautical technology changes announced. GPS nautical charts and other electronic formats and apps will become the standard for many mariners. Now is the time to move your critical charts to a digital format, whether a mobile application or online service. Raster Navigational Chart (RNC) DVDs are available currently, and it is expected that newer, user-friendly applications and online services will quickly fill the gap which will be left when the NOAA ceases printing nautical charts. MyNOAACharts from the NOAA was in late beta-testing for Android tablets in the summer of 2013, and offered  built-in GPS capabilities, could be used from land or water, and other features. Depending on user feedback during this beta period, the NOAA may move forward with additional O/S platforms in the future.

As with any other technological leap, there are numerous vendors, programs, and applications available to help mariners remain abreast of the announced changes from the NOAA. When looking for an application or other online chart option, be sure to carefully review the features and any feedback provided by other customers to determine the best alternative for your needs. Conferring with a reliable boat dealer is another terrific option to help you decide which program or application conforms to your particular needs and boating concerns.

What is your favorite chart app?

Putting Your Boat Back on Its Trailer Safely

2006 Stingray 195 LR Runabout at Tobler Marina

Loading a boat can be more difficult than it appears and it is important to keep boating safety in mind, even when the day on the water has come to an end. When it is time to trailer a boat, be sure to back the boat trailer to the same depth as the boat with the tops of the fenders just above the water. Use the bow line to guide the boat onto the trailer. Next, carefully load the boat onto the trailer and secure the bow hook. If your trailer is equipped with guide-ons, the boat should settle into proper positioning on its own. Otherwise, you will have to guide your boat by hand.

Your trailer may be equipped with either an electric or hand-cranked winch. Using the winch, pull the boat the rest of the way up and into the proper position. Next, secure the boat to the trailer with tie-down straps. If your boat does not come with tie-down straps, it may be wise to invest in some. These straps go over your boat and attach to each side of the trailer. This keeps the trailer boat combination together through rough, bumpy rides and reduces the chance of damage to the boat. Once you are sure your boat is securely on the trailer you may guide your vehicle up the ramp and back to the staging area.

Now, you may remove the drain plug and unload any items from the boat. You can reinstall the drain plug once you arrive at home, but it’s best not to so you avoid what’s called “Dry Sinking”. If you store your boat outside, and it rains, rainwater will not drain properly.

Remember to move your boat off of the ramp before unloading as other people may need to use the ramp. If you have a tarp or cover for your boat, it may be a good idea to wait to place it on the boat until it is being parked or docked. Tarps have a tendency to come loose and cause damage to boats during transport. Tarps used for boat docking are not designed to withstand highway speeds and may end up harming the boats finish.

With these tips and a little practice, you'll minimize the troubles you may encounter while loading your boat.

Do you trailer your boat? What tips have helped you to become a pro at putting your boat back on its trailer?

Which Boat Is Right For You?

Boats are like shoes in that one size does not fit all.  What might be a perfect fit for you may not do it all for the guy at the next mooring and most first time boat buyers are confronted by the same dilemma when they go to a boat dealership to buy a boat...analysis paralysis.

Getting the boat has been your waking passion for longer than you can remember, and now that it’s time to scratch that item off your bucket list you’re having a hard time pulling the trigger on that decision.  To help calm those choppy mental waters it’s always best to go into the boat dealership with a firm grasp of what you want to achieve on the water.

What Boating Lifestyle is Your Lifestyle?

There are plenty of ways to hit the water, and the way you choose to make your boating debut will be conditional upon what kind of boating lifestyle you envision for yourself.  As such, if you are picturing yourself zipping across the wave tops strapped to a wakeboard than a sailboat is probably out of the equation.  Conversely, should you enjoy an unhurried cruise up the coastline then you probably won’t need to pony up the money required to purchase a 500-hp cigarette boat.

If you want to be just be a weekend water warrior than you can safely look for a boat that offers less amenities than a vessel that is slated as a liveaboard or extended cruiser.  Once you have firm parameters established in your mind about what you want to do with our new boat, then the boats that don’t fit that lifestyle easily fall by the wayside.

To Trailer or not to Trailer

Size does matter when it comes to boats.  From the cost associated with an initial boat purchase to maintenance expenses to storage concerns, a boat can be a pricey proposition.  Additionally, the size of the boat will dictate how easy it is to get into the water.  Face it, a boat that is hard to launch will spend the majority of its time sitting in the driveway, and that is not the vision you have of the ideal boating lifestyle.  A smaller boat that is easily trailerable may be a preferred option to the expense associated with mooring a larger boat that accrues expensive dockage fees each month.

At the end of the day, your boating experience will be of your own making, so make sure that the boat you select will serve the nautical fun you are anticipating.

3 Safety Tips To Remember While Boating

You know that as the temperature ramps up, so too does the desire to hit the water with your friends and loved ones to live the boating lifestyle.  Invariably, your weekend excursions will involve a great deal of logistics from organizing the journey to getting the food to making sure you have enough sunscreen and ice.

To ensure everyone has a great time and gets home safely however, you also need to develop a comprehensive boating safety plan. Regardless if you are a seasoned old nautical salt, or you have just started to look at boats for sale, once out on the water the safety of everyone on board must always be the most important consideration for the vessel’s Captain. Towards that end, you should always stock and maintain life jackets on your vessel, establish a float plan, and ensure that your First Mate is fully capable of taking on the responsibility of the helm in the event you are somehow disabled.

Personal Flotation Devices

When it comes to boating safety, the United States Coast Guard is the lead agency in enforcing regulations designed to maintaining that safety. Recognizing that a personal floatation device is the first line of defense in warding off tragedy, the U.S. Coast Guard mandates that a vessel must have an approved Type I, II, IIl, or V life jacket for each person on board. Additionally, if children comprise part of your passenger roster, you need to secure special life jackets specifically made for them. The most important consideration is that for a life jacket to function it has to be worn, so the Coast Guard highly recommends that everyone onboard suit up.

Float Plan

In the exact same way that a pilot will file a flight plan to alert others to their intended voyage, so too will a float plan provide crucial life saving information in the event of a mishap on the water. Simply stated, a float plan is a detailed set of data that is written down to convey critical information in case of an emergency. Such information can include: names of crew and passengers, information on the vessel, the intended cruising grounds, and an estimated time of returning.  Once completed, the float plan should be given to a land-based friend or neighbor. Should any changes be anticipated in the plan, the person safeguarding the plan needs to be informed. Get a template float plan from the U.S. Coast Guard if you do not have one already.

First Mate

The First Mate plays an important role in the boat’s safe return to shore in case the Captain is disabled out on the water. As such, they must be able to demonstrate competency in vessel handling, man-overboard procedures, and docking. Should a voyage include only passengers, the Captain should acquaint one of the passengers on the boat’s essential systems.

Fun on the Water Means Staying Safe on the Water

Enjoying the boating lifestyle is a great way to spend the summer and an even better way to spend times with friends and loved ones. Make sure that tragedy doesn't ruin those fun times by always practicing prudent safety measures.

Fishing: Quality Time For A Father And Son

Imagine this scene. A young boy and his father rise early before the sun is completely above the horizon. They grab their fishing poles and tackle boxes and then head out together. Many of the men on these trips were once those sons getting ready to head out with Dad. If you were one of those boys who now wants to share that tradition your own sons, you’re not alone. A father-son day on the lake fishing can become a wonderful tradition that builds beautiful memories and strong relationships.

When you are planning a father-son fishing trip, it’s important to remember that the important part of the trip is to spend time together. Bringing home a good catch is a nice bonus, but it should not be the main purpose of going on a father-son fishing trip. In fact, the whole adventure brings plenty of opportunities to learn about caring for a boat (or pontoon) and being responsible while still having a good time.

When Dad and Son head out for a day on the water, they will need to spend some time together checking the boat. For a smaller boat, this process should be quick and consist of checking for damage to the hull that might be dangerous and verifying that the motor is working and has oil and fuel. A larger vessel will take more time but is the same process. This part of the trip, while “work,” can become an important part of the father-son fishing trip because a young boy entrusted with checking on the boat will feel great getting more responsibility.

Once out in the water, the father-son fishing trip provides a wonderful time to relax and enjoy the sun. You can chat or just take in the silence around you together, remembering that you are using this day to spend time together.