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Town Creek Marina in Beautiful Beaufort, NC

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Town Creek Marina, Beaufort, NC

Located in Beaufort, NC, Town Creek Marina is a full service marina offering a variety of services and amenities including everything from docking and maintenance to supplies and storage. Whether you’re sailing to Atlantic Beach or to Cape Lookout National Seashore, Town Creek Marina in Beaufort is the perfecting starting point for your next boating adventure.

Offering 88 slips for dockage, monthly wet slip rates vary from USD $300 for a 30’ x 10’ slip to $650 for a 55’ slip with an additional 20% cost for outside face. Town Creek Marina offers a 15% discount for prepaying a two month dockage rental and a discount of 25% for a four month rental. Dry stack boat storage rates are $125 per foot with a minimum charge of $250. Transient rates are $2.00 per foot per day for a regular slip ($9.00 per foot weekly) and $2.40 per foot daily for an inside or outside face dock ($10.80 per foot weekly); Boat US members receive a 25% discount off of these rates.

Town Creek Marina offers a variety of convenience items for purchase at their Ship’s Store including snacks and beverages, fishing bait and tackle, plus they provide complimentary wireless internet access. Also provided are laundry facilities, well-kept restrooms and showers, plus pump out facilities; electricity is provided at each slip along with complimentary water. Offering daily specials, FishTales waterfront restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner (closed during the winter season) and is available for events and catering. The Tiki Bar offers a laid back atmosphere along with live music and beautiful sunset views.

Town Creek Marina offers drystack and wet slip customers a fuel discount of .20¢ per gallon off for diesel or gas plus a 15% discount on non-food items at the Ship’s Store; while Boat US members receive a .10¢ discount on diesel and gas plus a 10% discount on non-food items. Town Creek Marina also offers a dockage customer referral program for current slip holders who refer a new dockage customer to the marina; both the new customer and the referring customer will receive a 10% discount of up to six months in duration.

Along with offering a selection of used boats for sale, Town Creek Marina is also a dealer for new vessels including Glacier Bay and World Cat boats. Charter services are available including both ½ and full day packages for excursions like sport fishing (including bluefin tuna), inshore, seasonal, overnight, and a boating excursion designed especially for children. Town Creek Marina can also arrange for sunset cruises with a choice of three dining options with rates starting from $150. Fish cleaning stations are provided along with complimentary ice to keep the day’s catch fresh.

The service department at Town Creek Marina features a 50-ton travel lift with fully qualified mechanics trained to provide repairs and maintenance in a variety of areas including mechanical and electrical along with external gelcoat, paint, and fiberglass. The Town Creek Marina service department also provides courtesy cars upon request.

Flickr.com Photo Credit: 305 Cape Lookout by Andrew.Orlowski

Sources:
Town Creek Marina
Visit North Carolina

Tags: amenities, bait, bar, bluefin, boat, boats, cape lookout, complimentary, discount, dockage, docking, fishing, for sale, free, fuel, internet, laundry, maintenance, marina, music, nc, north carolina, pump out, repairs, restaurant, restrooms, services, shower, slip, slips, storage, store, supplies, tackle, town creek, vessel, waterfront, wireless
Posted in Featured Marinas | No Comments »

Nissan Outboard Engine Facts

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Facts about Nissan Outboard Engines

Then
Nissan outboard engines were first manufactured in 1984 in North America as a subsidiary of Nissan Industrial Equipment located in Memphis, TN. The first Nissan outboard engine to be exhibited was in 1985 at the Bass Masters Classic held in Pine Bluff, AR. Nissan Marine became a separate company in 1991 and established their headquarters in Dallas, TX; however, they still remain as a subsidiary of the Nissan Motor Company.

Now
Nissan outboard engines are manufactured in Tokyo, Japan, by the Tohatsu Corporation – the world’s second largest manufacturer of outboard engines. Tohatsu also produces some Mercury and Honda outboard engines. The Nissan Motor Company had a revenue income of USD $93 billion in 2008.

Makes & Models
Nissan Marine produces a selection of outboard engines ranging from 2.5 HP up to 115 HP and ranging in manufacturer’s suggested retail pricing from USD $1,054 to $11,354; these outboard engines include two-stroke and four-stroke models. One of Nissan Marine’s most popular outboard motors is the award winning TDLI (Two-stroke, Low Pressure, Direct Injection) series featuring a “direct fuel injection system and a 32-bit ECU (Engine Control Unit).” The TDLI outboard engines series are compact, fuel efficient, and produce low emissions in accordance with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CARB (California Air Resources Board) standards. All Nissan Marine outboard engines come with a 3 year limited warranty program.

Parts & Manuals
Nissan Marine outboard engine owner’s manuals can be viewed, free of charge, at the Nissan Marine website. Nissan Marine parts and service manuals for two-stroke, four-stroke, and TDLI models can be ordered from your local Nissan Marine dealer. Basic outboard engine repair manuals can be purchased through Amazon.com.

If you’d like to ask a Nissan Marine outboard engine question sooner than waiting for a manual to arrive, try the Just Answer website. For a fee ranging from $14 to $34, you can ask a Just Answer expert about a Nissan Marine outboard motor and receive an answer within minutes from a certified marine mechanic. You can also browse previous Nissan Marine questions and answers free of charge.

News for 2010
The latest products introduced into the Nissan Marine outboard engine line-up include the new 6 HP four-Sail Pro cited as “the smallest four-stroke 25-inch shaft outboard motor available,”; new 15 and 20 HP Power Tilt motors; and the new 9.8 Power Tilt engine.

Dealer Locator
With 50 dealerships across North America, Nissan Marine dealers can easily be located by using the ‘dealer locator’ feature on the Nissan Marine website.

Owner’s Groups & Clubs
There are several online forums dedicated to Nissan Marine outboard engine owners including one at Marine Engine and another at iboats.com; there is also a Tohatsu outboard engine forum on Stripers Online, at iboats.com, and a Nissan Marine owner’s group on Yahoo.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Nissan Marine
Marine Engine
Iboats.com
Stripers Online
Yahoo Groups

Tags: boat, boats, carb, economy, emission, engine, engines, EPA, four-st, fuel, motor, motors, nissan, outboard, tdli, tohatsu, two-stroke
Posted in Boating Information | No Comments »

Deadman’s Flat Yacht Club is Small but Active

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

With beautiful tree-lined streets and a population of only 13,000, the small community of Bexley, OH, located in greater Columbus, is home to Deadman’s Flat Yacht Club. Established in 2006 by its original founder William Parker and Brett Langolf, Deadman’s Flat Yacht Club keeps in accordance with their small town appeal with only 23 members and counting.

Langolf, who currently serves as Commodore, describes Deadman’s Flat Yacht Club as a “grassroots following turned club that was founded on the principle of taking performance , one design sailing boats and traveling to regattas and races throughout the Midwest and beyond.” Langolf explained that the club’s name was inspired from boat design testing conducted by Will Parker at a remote location in California, known as Deadman’s Flat.

With a member concentration on racing, Deadman’s Flat Yacht Club is always “looking for new members who enjoy racing, drinking and various regattas across North America,” says Langolf. Deadman’s Flat also encourages youth sailing through instruction available within a variety of boats. “We usually use the largest boat in our fleet for open water instruction, Bob Bert’s Beneteau First 42 (footer),” says Langolf.

As Deadman’s Flat Yacht Club is a travelling club, Langolf explains that “not all boat owners have their boats in a dock at a yacht club. They might have a great one design boat like an S2 7.9, Laser, J/24, Etchells, Lightnings, J30, etc. that they want to race and compete in various regattas across the nation i.e. Sailing World NOODs, Key West Race Week, Leukemia Cup, etc. They would rather incur the cost of traveling and racing versus yacht club dues.”

Even though Deadman’s Flat doesn’t have a specific sailing location, at any given time you’ll find members out racing on lakes in Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan or on the Great Lakes. There is also an annual member’s regatta in the Caribbean. Crowning club achievements include J24 fleet Champions, a Hog Wild Overall Winner, an dEtchells Mountain Champion. Member Ryan Quinn won the Key West Pride Sportsmanship Award.

When they’re not out sailing, the avid racers can be found meeting at various bars across the U.S. where they hold skippers meetings and weather briefings. Langolf noted that a popular meeting place of choice is the “home of the ‘The Whomper’ bar, a modified Laser sailboat where many racing meetings have happened.” But you’ll have to become a member to find out more information on this benefit.

Flag officers within Deadman’s Flat Yacht Club include Katie Langolf – Vice Commodore; John Gallagher – Secretary; Ryan Quinn – Chaplain; Eric Bert – Judge Advocate and Race Rules Chair; and Chris Cooke – Webmaster.

Avid racers are invited to contact Langolf for membership information by email at langolfbrett@hotmail.com or by snail mail at Deadman’s Flat Yacht Club, 2464 Sherwood, Bexley, OH 43209.

Sources:
Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce
Brett Langolf – Commodore, Deadman’s Flat Yacht Club

Tags: boat, boats, brett langolf, club, deadman's flat, langolf, members, oh, ohio, racing, regatta, regattas, yacht
Posted in Boating Information, Travel, People and Places | No Comments »

Rafting Up Etiquette Tips

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Rafting up is most common among the sailboat crowd, but very popular with smaller motor boats and yachts, as well. A raft up is a terrific way to create socializing opportunities as they most often consists of between two and twelve yachts or boats.

rafting-up

The well-prepared rafter is recommeneded to have at least the following items available. Two adequately sized fenders, which are most commonly sized at 8″ by 20″ for 25 ft. to 40 ft. boats, and 10″ by 26″ for 40 ft. to 60 ft. boats. Also needed are four lines including, a bow line, stern line and two spring lines. The lines should be the same diameter as the boat’s regular docking or anchor lines. The spring lines should be at least 80% the length of the boat. Lastly, an adequate anchor and ground tackle are not only recommended, but vital if you want to avoid the inherent chaos and danger of using inferior supplies.

One boat, preferably the largest, will be the anchor boat. The anchor and tackle of the anchor boat should be of adequate capacity to hold a raft of several boats in normal conditions. When joining with an anchored boat or existing raft, approach slowly, with fenders deployed on the approach side. When you are almost to the side, bring your boat to a stop. Both boats should have someone towards the front to handle the bow line from the approaching yacht. The bow line is secured first, then the stern line, then two spring lines. Lines should be tight enough to hold the boats close, but not compressing the fenders. The spring lines should be absorbing most of the stress. Spring lines control the relative fore and aft movement of the connected boats.

Rafting up is a social event and joining a raft is an automatic invitation for other raftees to come visit. Rafting tends to be a sharing of food, drink and conversation. A few common courtesies apply when rafting. First, get approval from your neighbors before cranking up the tunes. Second, when crossing one yacht to get to another, go over the bow, not through the cockpit. Third, step lightly trying not to rock the boat. In addition, if you have gone ashore, make sure your feet or deck shoes are free of sand before stepping on a boat’s finish. Lastly, charge up batteries right after joining up, then keep the generator off, especially through the night.

Departing a raft up is a reverse order of the joining process. If possible the outside yachts should leave first. The spring lines are slipped first, then the stern and finally the bow line. If the raft is breaking up completely, ask the anchor boat if they need any assistance to lift the anchor.

There are several things to keep in mind when rafting up. It is accepted practice to either ask first or be invited to join a raft. Lines should be made fast only to cleats with the ability to slip if it is necessary in case of emergency. Fenders and lines should be regularly checked for position and tension. Boats should be lined up so mast and rigging offset if the boats are rocked.

Good seamanship, common sense and common courtesy will making rafting up a pleasure for you and your raft-mates.

Sources: World Wide Web Yacht Club, MYC Cruisers

Tags: boats, courtesies, invitation, raft, rafter, rafting up, yachts
Posted in Boating Information, News, Travel, People and Places | No Comments »

Vector Stormtracker Elite WC300DSV Review & Tips

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

By Zachary Perry, MarineFuel.com News
November 18, 2009

The Vector Stormtracker Elite is a weather alert radio with a built-in 5″ TV, alarm clock, cellphone charger, lantern, and flashlight. It can be powered with AC or DC cords, batteries, or a hand-crank dynamo. The Vector WC300DSV is a useful product for boaters, campers, and residents of areas affected by severe weather.

RADIO RECEIVER: The Stormtracker Elite’s digital weather radio tunes all seven NOAA/NWS VHF channels, alongside the regular AM and FM bands. Although I only receive one or no weather radio stations on less sophisticated receivers, this unit picks up two clearly (sometimes three). Weather reception is excellent, FM is good, and AM mediocre.

SPEAKER: The radio and TV use a round, metal-covered speaker on the side of the unit. The speaker produces high quality, clear sound. With good reception, the radio can be turned to maximum volume without any distortion. There is also an earphone jack.

WEATHER ALERT: The Vector Stormtracker Elite can be set to sound an alarm when an official weather or other emergency alert is issued. Users may program it to cover one or more counties. Marine weather zones can also be specified, which is useful for boaters and island residents. The receiver’s specific area alert reception is a feature only found on fairly high-end radios.

TELEVISION: The unit’s B&W UHF/VHF analog television can receive broadcasts from Canada, U.S. LPTV stations, and cable/satellite services. It has a clear, sharp picture and good audio quality. The nine-section telescoping radio/TV antenna is sturdy and almost 32″ long.

ALARM CLOCK: The Vector WC300DSV has a digital clock and alarm. It is a bit difficult to set, but has a loud alarm that should be able to wake most people up. Unlike many portable alarm clocks, the unit features a “Snooze” button. It also shows the current date.

ACCESSORIES: The Vector Stormtracker Elite comes with a DC car power cord (also works in some boats and RVs), AC adapter, five cellphone charging adapters, and adjustable carrying strap. Its well-written instructions thoroughly cover almost every aspect of the unit. They are especially helpful for setting up the weather alerts and clock.

PARTS: There is a replaceable two amp fuse on the back of the unit. The 12V DC car/boat adapter also has a separate fuse. The 1/8″ antenna jack accepts various adapters for connection with standard TV/radio antennas, digital converters, VCRs, and other RF devices.

POWER: The Vector Stormtracker Elite’s TV can only be powered using the AC/DC adapters or 9 “C” batteries, while the other functions may also be powered with the dynamo crank. The dynamo is only really useful for powering the FM radio and lights. When power runs low, the digital display goes blank but the lights and AM/FM radio keep working.

LIGHTS: The WC300DSV also has a flashlight on the front and a lantern on the back, which can be used independently or simultaneously with the other functions. They are rather bright and have LED bulbs; LEDs last much longer and consume less electricity than other types.

SIMILAR MODELS: The original Vector Stormtracker is more ruggedly designed but offers fewer features. The larger Songwave SW-3600 has more functions and an adjustable lantern, but its dynamo and weather radio don’t work as well.

TIPS: Here are a couple tips on using the Vector Stormtracker Elite which weren’t covered in the manual…

1. When connecting the TV to a converter box or similar device, you may hear a lot of buzzing in the audio. If so, turn up the other device’s volume level, then readjust the TV volume.

2. The alarm clock’s loudness can be set using the radio/TV volume knob. Be careful not to turn it too low if the radio or TV is used before the time when the alarm is set to go off.

Overall, the Vector Stormtracker Elite’s best functions are its weather alert radio, alarm clock, FM radio, and lights. The dynamo crank can be useful, but should not be relied upon to power the weather radio; bring batteries or an adapter if this is important. The Stormtracker Elite’s most valuable feature is its excellent weather band reception, which surpasses that of many such receivers.

Tags: accessories, adapter, batteries, boaters, boats, campers, cellphone charger, clock, dynamo, elite, flashlight, hand-crank, lantern, LED, lights, marine weather, power, radio, review, speaker, stormtracker, television, tips, vector, vhf, weather
Posted in News, Product Reviews | No Comments »