CAPTAIN O' CAPTAIN

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

                    CAPTAIN O CAPTAIN , HOW DO I KNOW ITS TRUE?

First let me ask why are all the boat experts referred to as captain? Is calling yourself a captain a self appointed arrogant way of saying I know boats, or is it to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling that they are telling you the facts. After all they must know something he/she is a captain. I personally hate being referred to as a captain, I spent over 40 years around boats, and always thought of a captain as someone who was responsible for the safe operation of a vessel. Someone who is an expert at charts and navigation. A captain would be the go to person for maritime laws and rules not necessarily the person to keep the vessel in tip top order, there is a crew for that. So I consider myself crew and not a captain.

SO WHAT MAKES ME SO SMART?

My phone rings everyday with questions about all matter of topics to do with maintenance, repair and opinions of all years makes and models of power boats. This is what I have discover opinions are like ass holes everyone has one! Most of the opinions are founded on self gain and sales, you call a company or expert and they are trying to figure out how to cash in. You are a potential cash cow, do they want to advise you or raid your wallet.............

I started this blog to provide the best information I could with the thought that over 30 years of international power boat repairs, operation and maintenance would be of value to you the boat owner. As there is little quality information and entertainment to do with power boating maybe I could grow this idea into something fun and truth full, not a every boat and boat product is the greatest thing you have ever seen. There are enough of those sites out there
.

So what makes me any different than any other so called expert? I feel I should explain my back ground and how I earned a degree from the Boat Nut University. I received my PHD in power boat repair from putting in Plenty of Hard Days. Making mistakes, learning and listening to the best  people the industry had and has to offer, these are not the advise givers they are the people who build and service boats around the world. Person's that boat builders rely on to fly to some little country where there are no supply stores and fix every issue big or small on any boat at a moments notice. We needed to be experts at every system of any size boat any model year. No fancy titles just able to do anything trouble shooters, providing a written account of why the part or system failed in the field, design a repair procedure for others to follow, and supply engineering with solutions to stop the failure on future models of the same or similar boats.  There where not many of us.

You had to be able to disassemble an entire boat in the field, as well as be a mechanic, upholstery, wood worker, electrician, plumber, fiberglass expert you name it. Back in the 80s and 90s we received certificates for each trade we mastered even receiving US Coast Guard certificates for fuel systems. But that's all gone now, new technicians are parts swappers, the best you can get is a service school diploma.

My client base included plenty of names you will recognize:

• Sea Ray
• Bayliner
• Robalo
• Wahoo
• Boston Whaler
• Trophy
• Meridian
• Maxum
• Baja
• Tiara
• Ranger
• Wellcraft
• Prowler
• Rinker
• Hydra Sport
• Astro/ Procraft
• Campion
• Thundercraft
• Chris Craft
• Trojan
• Glasstron
• Four Winns
• Larson
• Mastercraft
• Lund
• World Cat
• Polar
• Fountain
• Cigerette
• Doral
• and many more custom and private boats

This variety of manufacturers and model years have provided a unique insight into power boats and how they have evolved over the last 35 plus years. I have repaired and operated all of the above boats, in all types of environments. These experiences coupled with the amazingly skilled people that I have had the pleasure of having as colleges and friends have prepared me to sit down and write honest, informative and entertaining information for you the boat owners.

Any feed back or opinions are welcome at boatnutmedia@gmail.com!!!!

To guarantee access to all of  Boat Nut Magazine articles, pictures and featured services visit the official Boat Nut Magazine ©™ website. Be sure to reply to the Boat Nut Association registration on our site for the latest Boat Nut weekly and monthly news letters and opportunities.

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

Copyright 2015 © Boat Nut Media, Toronto, Ontario. All rights reserved. No part of this information/publications may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or reproduced in any way, including but not limited to photocopy, magnetic, or other record, without prior agreement and written permission of the publisher, Boat Nuts Media ©™ No liability is assumed with respect to the information provided.           

MARINE SAFETY SCHOOL JOY STICK PILOTING

                                                        

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

             JOY STICK PILOTING CONTROL BASICS

                              MARINE SAFETY SCHOOL

              

                      E Mail boatnutmedia@gmail.com for your candidate application

  Boat Nut Media has created the most comprehensive new power boat technology operators course

                                      

 

 

Each candidate must prove that they hold a current boat operations card (if applicable) and fill out a form swearing that they have more than 20 hours of power boat operation.

JOY STICK PILOTING BASICS  is a complete program broken down into 36 components, due to the subject, quality and amount of material covered Boat Nut Media is unable to offer this program as a down load only. The candidate will have to complete a written test which Boat Nut Media can provide in any major language, This way we can supply you with a certificate of graduation, Which depending on what country you are in may provide you with an insurance discount. "Boat Nut Media does not guaranty an insurance discount". You can have you and your co captain take the course together.

                               

            Boats today are going through incredible transformations in 2015. We can purchase boats with multiple joy stick controls, such as Axius, IPS, Aft and Forward thrusters, Auto ride, self-leveling systems, electronic shifting and steering, self-anchoring, as well as many other up to date, and technologically advanced equipment. Boat manufacturers are spending a great deal of time and money on design and ergonomics to obtain specific performance to achieve a boat fine tuned to its owner’s needs. Perhaps wake board boats demonstrate this the best.

            This being said, It is still important much like aircrafts we understand what a boat is and how it works. The addition of joy stick piloting does not change the basics of what a boat is or how it works. In actuality some new designs will require technology to make them manageable.

Drive by wire- Boat Captains will have to become familiar with new systems such as Axius. Axius is a steering control system which allows the boat to be controlled in several modes and by joy stick. The initial change this brings is over confidence or complete reliance on these systems. That being said, the PDF file on the Axius system is 44 pages long, How many Captains and more importantly how many every day boat users will read the whole thing? How many will read, learn and practice these systems before a trip out?

The basics are still important, understanding your boats behavior and basic old school helm and stick controls must be practiced and understood as well. The differences while doing these manoeuvers will be speed in both steering and shifting, the Captain will feel rather no or artificial feedback. This change’s the way the Captain must focus and respond to his/her vessel. Joy stick control can be selected to make the vessel easier to control, which works fantastic sideways, also allowing full rotation of the vessel all at the captain’s fingertips. This system also included sky hook, when the vessel has the correct electronics to make it operate. Sky Hook, a way of anchoring allows the captain to keep the boat in one location, without having to drop anchor. It’s a great addition to an arsenal of electronic assistance, but again the Captain must understand their surroundings and the effects of prop wash and prop trenching as the motors will rev and steer on their own. The Axius system may not be appropriate in a tight marina with other boats tied up in close proximity to you. Your boat may cause damage to other boats, swimmers or environment. It is in these surrounding’s you will most often see untrained, uneducated captains lose control of their vessels. This will result in a series of unfortunate events leading to damage, as stated above, fear, loss of control over both systems, and boat, and in worst case scenarios, even death of crew or bi standers                           

Photo Provided by: Mercury Marine

 

This program is approved by MERCURY MARINE so you know that you are receiving the highest quality information available. Graduates can request one on one personal operation training on their own vessel to be sure they understand the fundamentals. 

Contact: Marine Safety School @ 416 995-6806 For More Information 

                                         "WE WILL MAKE A BOAT NUT OUT OF YOU"

Boat Nut Media will provide access to International Boaters ONE on ONE through online classes to start in April 2015, These live online class will be limited and made available over Skype or Zoom conference apps, so candidates must have Skype or Zoom access, and access to debit, credit card or Pay Pal account for payment of course.

To guarantee access to all of  Boat Nut Magazine articles, pictures and featured services visit the official Boat Nut Magazine ©™ website. Be sure to reply to the Boat Nut Association registration on our site for the latest Boat Nut weekly and monthly news letters and opportunities.

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

Copyright 2015 © Boat Nut Media, Toronto, Ontario. All rights reserved. No part of this information/publications may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or reproduced in any way, including but not limited to photocopy, magnetic, or other record, without prior agreement and written permission of the publisher, Boat Nuts Media ©™ No liability is assumed with respect to the information provided.

Boaters Card/ Boating License

                                                     

 

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

 BOATERS CARD: How far behind are we with Power Boat education in Canada

Are we really behind after all there is the Boaters Card program, if we have one of these cards, away you go. However does this make you a captain? I think as power boaters we assume that once we tempt fate and get the boat in and out of our slip we got it figured out. We can drive our cars through traffic so the water ways are easy, no big deal! That is the attitude right up until we are in trouble, and then the repair technicians and rescuers phones start to ring off the hook on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Same old story my boat is not running right, mean while the engine compartment is half full of water. This type of call happens more than you would think. Or the weather changes and they leave the boat some were unplugged on a wall because the owner is scared to get back to his/her slip.

Most boaters do not have any perception of how easy or quick you can sink a boat. This summer a boat had mostly sunk at the dock it was still in a position were the water was below the rub rail, another boater decided to board the boat while it was down in 15 ft of water, in the time it took for the helpful boater to step on and then right off the boat had completely sunk. This boat was a thirty foot cabin cruiser. As a matter of fact the bigger the boat the faster it will sink, so were do you store your life jackets? Every boat has a sweet spot or a point of no return and once that is crossed, in a minute the boat is gone.

The average boater has no idea were to look or what to do in the case of a break down, except to panic. So the question is can you read the weather? Do you have a VHF licence? do you know what the markers mean? Or who has the right of way? what is a Williams turn and why should you know? I have been with more boater card holders who cannot answer these basic questions, and these seem to be the same boaters who head out with 8 or more persons on there boats all the time.

At least Sail Canada requests that you must have 18 hrs before you can get a certificate for a basic sailboat skills. However no required hours for the Power Boat certificate. What this means is most boater card holders have little to no experience before getting their card and heading out on to the water themselves. The sad part is a sailboat under power can only achieve 9 knots, and will run aground far before you can hit the shore line in most cases. So would it be that bad if power boat operation required a basic course for you and your co captain . After all if you were out in the lake do you have someone on board who would be comfortable to take your place and get you home?

So why don't we take one weekends worth of fuel money and really become boaters, you may even get an insurance discount out of it. I would feel at lot safer at the gas dock if I knew the boater trying to squeeze in or hold off knew what they were doing for sure, wouldn't you?

Power Boaters need to set aside their egos and get on the education band wagon, boats are getting bigger faster and more sophisticated every year and that trend is going to accelerate over the next five years. When you think about it boats are more like airplanes than cars, and you cannot take an on line course to fly. You have courses for all other motorized vehicles that can cause a death. We are doomed to advanced operation education sooner or later if we embrace the idea now and get involved boaters will have some say in the direction and costs of an advanced operators course. If we ignore it there will be a day when it is legislated for us and we will have to accept the decisions that are made for us at what ever cost is determined.
.

If power boaters continue to make more insurance claims and have more accidents every year there will be mandated changes by the province. It has already happened in Europe. I hope that this makes you think about power boat education as a responsible, safe acceptable idea to get in on, and support.

To guarantee access to all of  Boat Nut Magazine articles, pictures and featured services visit the official Boat Nut Magazine ©™ website. Be sure to reply to the Boat Nut Association registration on our site for the latest Boat Nut weekly and monthly news letters and opportunities.

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

Copyright 2015 © Boat Nut Media, Toronto, Ontario. All rights reserved. No part of this information/publications may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or reproduced in any way, including but not limited to photocopy, magnetic, or other record, without prior agreement and written permission of the publisher, Boat Nuts Media ©™ No liability is assumed with respect to the information provided.

Helping Boaters

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

IS THE PLEASURE BOAT INDUSTRY REALLY HELPING THE BOATER?

I have been a trouble shooter and certified technician in the pleasure boat industry for more than thirty years. Earning multiple industry and government certifications both international and here at home (Manufacturers and US Coast Guard). My trade has taken me to every state and province in the US and Canada. Completing projects for companies such as Sea Ray, Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Rinker, Tiara, Four Winns and Ranger to name a few. I have had repair shops in Ontario, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Florida. Working with dealers such as Olympic Boat Center and Marine Max. All these places and companies have given me a unique perspective on the pleasure boat industry and its consumers. There seems to be a disconnect with what information, education and services boaters really require ( as a group boaters are fractured into many groups, usually determined by the boat builder name such as Sea Ray owners Club , which marina or yacht club you belong to), every one has an opinion or free advice. Quite often this advice comes from industry outsiders and people who believe they have the answer. This not only makes things confusing but is often incorrect leaving the most important, accurate information not presented to the boater. In this industry there should be as much information as possible, based on fact. Which should be available to you when making decisions about boat purchases or  boating related services.

Boat Nut Media wants to be your go to location for unbiased boating information, however we NEED your input to be sure we are providing boat owners and potential boaters with the information and training that makes sense to you. Without YOUR input we are just another boat media outlet that no one relies on to become informed, with no trust. It is important that any information or training is put in terms that the boater can easily understand. Our goal is to connect with boaters through social media relationships unlike other boat media outlets. For example, " Power Boat TV" with its 25 years on network television, and only 858 likes on their Facebook page. I was not shocked by this number,  but when you consider that they are unchallenged you would assume they are doing something right, are they that far off the mark of the boaters interest?

Reviews for example,  I have not seen or read one yet that is a true representation of what a review is meant to be. Wouldn't it be great to have a "Top Gear" type of presentation. No fear of telling how it is, good, bad or just crap. When you consider what you the consumer spend on your boat purchase, not to mention what is spent to maintain and enjoy your boat. I would think there would be a market for an honest, fact based format. The question " is there enough interest by boaters"? the industry generally says no.

Topics for this new web based media outlet could be boating safety, regional laws, destinations in your boating region (an example would be on lake Ontario where you can take in a play by boat), international border crossing (how the laws affect you). Real Reviews! We will even come out to your boat if you would like to have us on board (drive and review every boat possible). Hot Topics such as surveys, and service. How To advice that can actually be followed even if its just for you to understand what your paying for. (Which will be available on line for download specific to your boat). The ability to ask a question of your choice (there are no stupid questions) and get  quality answers. Information about planned development( such as what's going to happen at Ontario Place and what will happen to the marina), and much more.

The only way Boat Nut Media will gain traction is if you the boat owner or new boater get involved. We have to prove to the industry that they are not listening or providing the content you need, so please respond with your thoughts to Boat Nut Media at our Email boatnutmedia@gmail.com , Twitter or on Facebook. Just drop us a comment good or bad or ask us a question. Boat Nut Media thanks you for your time.

Director of Education Programs 2015

To guarantee access to all of  Boat Nut Magazine articles, pictures and featured services visit the official Boat Nut Magazine ©™ website. Be sure to reply to the Boat Nut Association registration on our site for the latest Boat Nut weekly and monthly news letters and opportunities.

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

Copyright 2015 © Boat Nut Media, Toronto, Ontario. All rights reserved. No part of this information/publications may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or reproduced in any way, including but not limited to photocopy, magnetic, or other record, without prior agreement and written permission of the publisher, Boat Nuts Media ©™. No liability is assumed with respect to the information provided.

Introduction to BNM 2015



                                

                                                           

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

                                  Who is behind Boat Nut Media?

  

  Clayton Cripps:  2015 Director of Education Programs

 Clayton has logged more than 2000 hours of boat operation experience, in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and most of the major fresh water lakes and rivers in North America. Many of these hours were logged in boats that were damaged, mechanically unfit or unsafe for normal operation.

He was also a warranty repair technician for Brunswick Boat Companies (Sea Ray, Bayliner, Baja, Boston Whaler, Robalo, Meridian, Maxum,etc.) Clayton has also contracted to Olympic Boat Center, Marine Max and many more including several Genmar Companies and Rinker Boat Company. His expertise includes fiberglass repair, interior finishing, mechanic service and rebuild, in the 30 plus years in the industry Clayton, has received many industry certificates and authorizations. Product development at Chris Craft, private captaining, sunk boat recovery, projects for South Africa, Ireland, Mexico, Hong Kong and other locations around the globe.

This unique background brings with it a portfolio of boater’s questions and needs that will be exploited in the development of Boat Nut Media programs. He will also call on his many contacts and industry experts to provide the most up to date and accurate information possible for interested boaters.            
   
Truly A BOAT NUT!!!!!

  

                   

                                                               

 Brittany Cripps:  2015 Director of Media Services

Brittany Cripps has logged more than 1000 hours of power boating and sailing experience, both on and off shore. On Power and Sail (boats and yachts), with destinations like Vancouver Island and the Caribbean as well as many fresh water lakes and rivers across North America and Internationally. Not all of these hours have been uneventful, she has several emergency hours under her belt.

Brittany has become an expert in today’s social media, with an understanding of how to achieve the most buzz while keeping the message on target. She is also familiar with web based media such as radio, streaming video and peer to peer TV. Brittany is a published author with continued opportunities to have articles published in industry based publications. Along with her writings and media skills she has been involved in the industry running detail companies in Florida USA and Ontario Canada. With an understanding of boat maintenance, repair and operation. Brittany has also provided private captain services for groups up to 8 persons.

This blended back ground will allow her to bring exciting ideas, knowing the interest of boaters will be well served and that accurate and entertaining information is a necessity to target and maintain the audience that Boat Nut Media wants to continue expanding. With several young captains in her life it is important to her that safety in boat operation be kept at the fore front of her messages

                                                   

         Another BOAT NUT!!!!!!

To guarantee access to all of  Boat Nut Magazine articles, pictures and featured services visit the official Boat Nut Magazine ©™ website. Be sure to reply to the Boat Nut Association registration on our site for the latest Boat Nut weekly and monthly news letters and opportunities.

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

Copyright 2015 © Boat Nut Media, Toronto, Ontario. All rights reserved. No part of this information/publications may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or reproduced in any way, including but not limited to photocopy, magnetic, or other record, without prior agreement and written permission of the publisher, Boat Nuts Media ©™. No liability is assumed with respect to the information provided.