Showing posts with label Boating. Show all posts

Friday, 12 August 2016

LIFE JACKET DESIGN WINNERS

2015 Life Jacket Design Competition Winners Announced

Sponsored by the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and the Personal Floatation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA), the 2015 Innovation in Life Jacket Design Competition attempted to answer the question: What would a modern life jacket look like if you threw out the rulebook and started with a clean slate?

The goal of the competition was to rethink a 100-year-old design, seek out the newest technologies and design innovations and develop interest in newer, more versatile life jackets. Design entries were judged on the following criteria: innovation, wearability, value/affordability, reliability, versatility and practicality.

A team of five judges from the boating, paddling and life jacket manufacturing industry reviewed nearly 250 contest submissions from as far away as Mongolia and New Zealand, and also asked recreational boaters to vote for their favorite design entry.

Competition Judge and Image Base Vice President Joe Fogarty said, “Whether a commercial enterprise, an individual inventor-entrepreneur, a student or a group of Scouts, the 2015 Life Jacket Design Competition brought forth a lot of creativity. The entries we chose will not only keep us afloat, but showed thoughtfulness, problem solving and practicality.”

Judge Lili Colby, Owner and “chief PFDiva” at paddlesport life jacket manufacturer MTI Adventurewear said, “It was exciting to see that so many of the competitors shared a common goal to create more wearable product for the average recreational boater. Thinking ‘out of the box’ not only meant that the designs need to work, but that they also need to look good and be comfortable to wear. I wouldn’t be surprised to find a number of the finalist’s designs make it to market someday if they can be US Coast Guard approved.”

Winners of the design competition received a share of $15,000 in prize money: $10,000 to First Place, $3,000 to Second Place and $2,000 to Third Place.

Winner Announcement Video:

Here is a breakdown of the three winners:

First Place: Michael Garman – Foam Filled Jacket

Michael Garman of Moseley, Virginia submitted his prototype design that uses two-part expanding foam encased in a comfortable thermal fabric that’s designed to keep the wearer cool. The design uses a smartphone app to submit exact body measurements to the factory where the lifejacket is custom molded, offering a perfect fit right out of the box. A heat reflecting fabric can be used on cold days to help keep the wearer warm – or reversed for hot days that combine with an inner fabric mesh to keep the wearer cool. Accessories such as a rear mounted hydration pack – great for paddlers – and custom pocket choices add versatility. A built-in signal mirror and whistle improve safety.

Second Place: Jimi Beach of Aegis Safety Products – Life Shirt

Jimi Beach of the two-year-young Aegis Safety Products in Orlando, Florida took second place with his brand new, soon-to-market, inflatable floatation “Lifeshirt” that blends affordability with comfort and performance. The “actionwear” design looks similar to a sport shirt and is intended for a range of uses from boating to surfing. Offering automatic or manual inflation, a patented design resists inadvertent inflation from rain or splashes but activates instantly when the user’s head or shoulders submerge. Retail pricing is expected to remain consistent with or lower than other PFDs on the market. Lifeshirt is currently undergoing certification for adults and children in a lightweight performance class of personal floatation devices. LifeShirt is expected to be available Spring 2016.

Third Place: Jessie Kate Brown – Comfort Flex Life Vest

Jessie Kate Brown of Lafayette, Louisiana submitted a theoretical design for the “Comfort Flex Life Vest,” a comfortable form-fitting design that increases visibility and inspires user confidence. “Relief cuts” on the side add buoyant material while a new hinge point and a lobster tail-like relief cut on the middle of the back of the jacket allow the wearer to easily bend their body, unlike some current vest-style designs which have one-piece backs. A reflective collar, and an athletic spandex shell and liner increase comfort and wearability.

More Design Finalists

All 11 finalists of the Life Jacket Design Competition can be found on the Boat US.

STORY and PICTURES from:

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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

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Wednesday, 3 August 2016

COMMERCIAL & NON COMMERCIAL MARINE EDUCATION

http://boatnuteducation.freeblog.site/

COURSES ARE AVAILABLE IN TORONTO CANADA

ALL COMMERCIAL MARINE COURSES WILL BE OFFERED WITH A TRANSPORT CANADA APPROVED CURRICULM AND INTSRUCTORS. THE EDUCATION CENTER HAS ALSO BEEN APPROVED BY TRANSPORT CANADA

Commercial courses are designed for persons who have desire to work in the commercial marine industry. If you are using your boat for charters you must educate yourself to meet the legal requirements for legal operation.

ALL NON COMMERCIAL BOATING COURSES WILL BE OFFERED BY A TRAINED EXPERT IN THE REQUIRED FIELD. COURSES HAVE BEEN VETTED BY INDUSTRY AND OR GOVERNING BODIES.

Non commercial courses are designed to educate vessel owners or operators in various subjects related to vessel ownership. All graduates will receive a diploma and an opportunity to save on parts and insurance.

CLASS SIZES ARE LIMITED / NON COMMERCIAL COURSES WILL BE AVAILABLE ON LINE FOR INTERNATIONAL VESSEL OWNERS.

Please Link to http://boatnuteducation.freeblog.site/ for all the information you will need.

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Saturday, 16 July 2016

CONTAMINATED FUEL/ WATER IN FUEL

http://boatnutmagazine.com/

CONTAMINATED FUEL/ WATER IN GAS PART 1

Contaminated fuel is like a dog with a bone it will not give let go!

It will give you more motor running problems then you can imagine! Quite often when you think that you have beat the issue, the contamination is all gone, then mechanical failures show up. Contaminated fuel will come back to get your motor again and again. So how does the fuel get contaminated with water and other debris, and what are the effects to your boat motor?

First off lets discuss how this contamination can happen: Gas caps and the fuel vents are the first common sense place to look for a point of water entry into your gas tank. When you look at power boats there are generally two different types of fuel caps.

The first type of fuel cap is the self venting cap. This is a filler cap that includes a built in vent. The vent allows the tank to expand and contract with temperature variations. The vent also allows the tank to expel air during the filling process and allow air to enter the tank while the fuel is being consumed.

*This type of cap quite often has a large inside rubber gasket that seals off the filler pipe when closed while leaving the vent to be able to breath air for expansion and contraction and varying fuel levels. In many cases were the fuel in the tank has become contaminated the gasket which seals the filler pipe is damaged or missing. Meaning that in the rain or while washing your power boat the water can pass the cap and enter the filler pipe, down the filler hose to the fuel tank.

*The second type of fuel cap is the screw type fuel filler cap: These caps generally require a deck key to open them. The cap threads into the filler pipe. There are two major issues with this type of cap one there is a rubber o ring that creates a seal under the cap lid which maybe missing or damaged. The filler cap maybe deck mounted in such a fashion that rain water or wash down water may pool on top off the cap.Giving the water lots of time to work past the cap and enter the tank.

*The fuel vent: The fuel vent is mounted on the hull side and is used in conjunction with a non vented fuel filler cap. The vent could be turned so that the air opening is facing in a direction were when either running the boat, while raining or washing the water may enter the vent and thus get into the tank through the fuel tank vent line.

The other factors that may allow water to enter the fuel tank are:

Environment VS Volume of fuel in tank; This means that if the volume of fuel is never topped up and or the boat lives in an area were the temperature can make large swings the fuel tank can sweat thus water will build up over time. (This also occurs when the boat has been stored for lengths of time without use).

Please keep in mind that current fuels that contain methanol will absorb water, compounding the problem.

You may have purchased contaminated fuel at the fuel provider. What can also happen at a full serve gas dock is that the attendant mixes up which cap is which and water is accidentally added to the fuel or visa versa were fuel ends up in the water. Any Power Boater who has been around awhile has seen this happen.

Off course there is always the possibility that the contamination is from the tank fitting themselves there are bad signs that go along with this issue, the primary sign is that there is an issue with tank fittings failing is the smell of fuel in the bilge or near the tank.

NEVER START OR RUN A POWER BOAT IF THERE IS THE ODOR OF FUEL IN THE BILGE ALWAYS HAVE THE VESSEL CHECKED BY A PROFESSIONAL TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM!

How do I know if the tank is contaminated:

1- The way the engine runs (or doesn't run) will be the first sign of issues it will loose power, and start to run rough. The motor will hesitate and sound like it is miss firing and likely stall. Another sign is hard starting with a hard time idling, stalling through the shift and popping while running. The motor will also create white smoke out the exhaust. Do not get me wrong there are other issues that can cause these same issues,

You have more checking to do to confirm contaminated fuel.

2- If you have a fuel filter in line between the tank and the motor, This filter is a canister and should look like an oil filter. This filter traps water that is leaving the tank on its way to the motor and should be changed in a regular maintenance schedule. To check the condition of the fuel in the filter remove the filter and pour the contents into a clear glass container and allow the fuel to settle for several minutes if the filter is trapping contamination you will see the water sink to the bottom of the glass container (it will look like clear jelly at the bottom). This dump the fuel out of the filter test it is not always accurate as some filters trap water and the only way to know if the filter is contaminated is to change it.

Image result for marine fuel filter water separator

3- Remove the fuel line at the filter or fuel pump and draw some fuel from the tank direct and let the fuel settle. Check the bottom of the clear glass container you are using to inspect fuel samples for water. ( BE SURE THAT YOU DUMP THE FUEL FROM YOUR GLASS CONTAINER AND CLEAN AND DRY BEFORE POURING A NEW SAMPLE TO VIEW) The amount of contamination you find is important to how you remove the water from the tank.

4-No in line fuel filter to dump and inspecting the fuel from the tank is to risky. There is another way to check for water. Take off the flame arrester on the top off the carburetor or throttle body on the top of the motor.(While the motor is not running) Spray some WD40 around the top edges of the carburetor or throttle body. Not a lot just a thin coat and start the motor the spray from the injectors or the mist from the carburetor will contain water and white spots will show up in the WD40. The water will also build up and run down barrel openings of the body.

5- Remove the spark plugs and check the color of the end were the spark takes place. You can read the way a motor is burning fuel by the color on the plugs.

6- If you have experience with fuel you can dip your fingers in the fuel at the carburetor or under the injector spray and see the water it will form little bubbles in the fuel.

So I have contaminated fuel what can happen to my motor if I continue to operate my boat?

Several issues can and do occur if you run the boat on contaminated fuel:

The first of which is the ignition system will start to fail. Due to the fact that you are trying to ignite fuel that is not wanting to burn properly. The coil wire can burn off, the coil can fail. The cap, rotor, wires and plugs will live a much shorter life. If the ignition side of your boat suddenly fails one of the reasons could be contaminated gas.

The next thing on a carburetor motor is the carburetor itself will act up. The water that does get through the system can corrode the inside parts of the carburetor. This causes flooding and stalling. You may have to rebuild or at the very least service the carburetor. The carburetor can give you issues hours after or years after running on contaminated fuel as the damage on the inside can get worse when the boat is stored or sees a reduction in running hours.

Image result for marine efi throttle body

A newer boat with throttle body injection can suffer far more problems. This is a brief list:

Fuel Pump

Injectors

Fuel filter in cooler

Sender failure

Over fuel dumping at injectors

Computer codes

And if you have a hard start even gas in motor oil

Water in Fuel will also eat up spark plugs

The bottom line is contaminated fuel could be and quite often is the culprit of a bad running motor quite often over looked and dismissed as needing a tune up that leads to more and more service. Contaminated fuel can be a costly situation to have to deal with if you only tackle one failure at a time, as they show up. If you have water in the fuel be prepared to go all the way other wise you could have the I AM BACK AT THE DOCK BLUES over and over until the whole system is serviced

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Part 2 will discuss how to get ride of the gremlins contaminated fuel will produce.

Wednesday, 2 March 2016

TRAILER BOATING / A must read for Trailer Boaters

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Trailer Boating

Small runabouts are the most popular type of vessel on our waterways.

Small runabouts are the most popular type of vessel on our waterways. Open runabouts of less than 4.8m are often referred to as “aluminum boats” and due to their size they are more susceptible to capsize and swamping than larger vessels.

Every captain of a small vessel needs to take extra care when planning and preparing for a day out, and of course, lifejackets are a key safety item.

Lifejackets

Lifejackets have come a long way in form and function over the years. From the uncomfortable and bulky designs of the past, today’s lifejackets come in a range of styles and are much more convenient and comfortable to wear.

There’s a range of information available about lifejacket requirements when boating.

Alcohol

Boating is a great way to spend time with family and friends, but go easy on the drink. A lot of people already feel a bit wobbly if they’re not used to being on a boat - mix in a few drinks, and the effects of sun, wind and waves and alcohol can be a lethal combination.
If you’re the captain, you’re responsible for the safety of everyone on board. So take it easy on the water and remember in most cases ( check with local law enforcement) you can only have a drink at anchor or tied to the dock if you have a fixed galley and head on board your vessel.

Navigate safely

Speed and wash

If you’re out on a powerboat, just keep an eye on your speed and the amount of wash you’re making. They can both be dangerous.

Always make sure you’re travelling at a safe speed for the conditions and keep a proper lookout.

When you’re traveling at night or if there are lots of other boats around, you should slow down.

And don’t forget to look behind and regularly check your wash so you’re not being a nuisance or danger to others on the water.

Lights

When you’re boating at night, it’s a completely different ballgame.

Unlike driving a car where you use your headlights to see where you’re going, with a boat you use your lights to show others where you are.

If your lights aren’t fitted properly, you can’t expect others to see you.

As the captain, you must make sure you have the correct lights, and they’ re in proper working order. Do not operate your boat with the spot light on constantly ( another boater cannot tell if he/she is behind you or in front of you from a distance) or the docking lights on while out on the water.

Proper lookout

The more you know about boating and what to do when you’re on the water, the better your day. One of the most important things you need to make sure you do is to keep a proper lookout at all times.

Things for everyone on board to keep an eye out for are any floating debris, hazards like submerged reefs or rocks, other boats, especially kayaks and dinghies, and of course swimmers.

And if you’re in a navigation channel, entering a narrow passage, or on a sharp bend, always make sure you keep right.

Plan and prepare

Cold water

No matter what you do out on the water, the more you plan and perpare, the better off you’ll always be. And that goes for the bad as well as the good.

If you’re out on a calm summer’s day and boating on a quiet river, the risk of hypothermia is low.

However, if you’re boating offshore, or in high country areas in winter, it’s a totally different story

Good captains and crew always wear the right clothes for the conditions so they don’t get cold and risk hypothermia.

So when you’re getting rugged up to keep out the cold, you should ask yourself, - “Could I swim in this gear if I had to?” If you’re not sure then you should wear a lifejacket. It’s not just a lifesaver, it can also keep you warm .

Boat suitability

No matter what boat you head out on, whether it’s a canoe, jet ski, yacht or even a luxury cruiser, they all have their limits.

So it’s a good idea to make sure whichever one you’re on, that it’s suitable for the conditions.

You should always check the weather forecast before you go and ask about localised river, lake or sea conditions. Above all, be sure that you and your vessel can handle the conditions.

Small boats offshore

When you’re boating offshore, you should think about more than just the adventure. Certain conditions can make it quite risky.

The right thing to do is plan your trip. First and foremost, make sure your boat’s up to it. You should also use different sources to check the weather and check that all safety gear is on board and in proper working order.

Part of your planning should include thinking about wind, waves, tides and also safe havens should the conditions change.

If you’re going more than 2 miles offshore, you need a marine radio and should consider a EPIRB emergency beacon.

And always remember to tell someone where you’re going,, when you expect to return and make sure they’ll check. The easiest way is to use your marine radio to log on with the coastal radio network.

Take care - be prop aware

Boat propellers pose a risk that can be easily ignored or forgotten because they are under the water, ‘out of sight and out of mind’.

But a strike from a spinning propeller can cause serious injury or even death.

A typical three-bladed propeller - which spins at around 3200rpm - can make more than 160 impacts per second, and can travel from head to toe of an average person in less than one tenth of a second, causing multiple deep wounds.

Boat propeller injuries, if not fatal, are usually severe and disfiguring, resulting in prolonged disability and permanent impairment.

Propeller injuries are preventable. Boat Nut Magazine have launched the Take care - Be prop aware campaign to increase public awareness about the dangers of prop strikes.

Being ‘prop-aware’ is particularly important for people involved in tow sports like water-skiing and wakeboarding, and any time powerboats are used near swimmers or children, such as sailing schools and surf clubs. Being ‘prop-aware’ is also important for people diving or snorkelling out of a vessel, and for boat drivers operating in areas where divers, snorkellers or spearfishers may be present.

It is also important to pass the message on to less experienced people who rent powerboats such as aluminum fishing boats and houseboats.

http://maritimemanagement.transport.nsw.gov.au/index.html

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Saturday, 20 February 2016

SEA RAY WINS AGAIN / WHAT ELSE IS NEWS?

This is all great marketing

Sea Ray Wins 5 More CSI Awards Totaling 68 – the Most in the Industry.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 19, 2016) — Sea Ray recently was recognized by the marine industry’s independent trade organization for excellence in customer satisfaction, the 12th consecutive year the company has received the honor. Sea Ray earned five 2015 Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Awards from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), bringing the company’s total to an unprecendented 68 CSI Awards. The NMMA announced the awards during the Industry Breakfast held at the recent 2016 Miami International Boat Show.
“There can be no higher goal than the complete satisfaction of your customers,” said Tim Schiek, president of the Sea Ray Boat Group. “We take great pride in the fact that our customers rank their Sea Ray experiences so highly across this many categories. It reflects the hard work of our extensive dealer network, as well as the commitment of our employees to produce beautifully crafted luxury sport boats, cruisers and yachts.”
Sea Ray’s newest awards came in the following five categories: Deck Boats, Fiberglass Outboard Boats, Inboard Express Cruisers, Sterndrive Bowrider Boats, and Sterndrive Cuddy and Express Boats.
The CSI Award is further affirmation that Sea Ray’s broad portfolio delivers the ultimate on-water experience for every style of boater. As “The Most Awarded Boat Brand. Ever™”, Sea Ray has through the years earned accolades from the industry’s toughest critics and in the most stringent rankings, including those of J.D. Power, the NMMA, the AIM Media Group and Boating Industry magazine.
“Sea Ray delivers more innovation and more excitement year-after-year, and our customers clearly appreciate that,” said Schiek. “Satisfaction measurements are our most valued metric because they cover the whole experience, from the quality and design of our boats, to the comfort and durability they provide, to the value the customer receives. Our boats represent our commitment to delivering a luxury experience and a first-rate customer service to our valued owners.”
The CSI Awards are an independently administered measure customer satisfaction, only recognizing boat and engine manufacturers that receive the highest marks. To achieve the requirements for the Marine Industry CSI Awards, Sea Ray achieved and maintained a standard of excellence of 90 percent or higher in customer satisfaction over the past year. This score is based on information provided directly by nearly 60,000 consumers who purchased a new boat or engine during the period from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016. -FROM MARINE MAX

Surprise, surprise even the Marine Max announcement was pretty slick. I worked for both of these companies over the years and know them better than they think. I am not saying that Sea Ray doesn't have the highest CSI ratings among their customers, they should, but damn what do you expect. The worlds biggest boat builder with the worlds biggest budget wins "Yippie". I would certainly hope so! This will be in every Marine Blog, Industry Magazine, where ever there is space in North America.

Sea Ray with the support from it's parent company Brunswick has had a few years to get this right starting in 1960 in the marine industry. Brunswick has owned or still owns Owen Yachts, Larson, Mariner, Motor Guide, Zebco, IDS, Mototron, Meridian, Quicksilver, Partnered with Cummins, Land & Sea, Cabo, Maxum, Trophy, Spectrum, Rayglass, Bella, Aquador, Flipper, Swivl Ease, Wahoo, Baja, Astro, Vision, StarCraft, Monark, Lowe, Lund, Harris,Omvik, Uttern, Askeladden, Arvor,Savage, Valiant, Hatteras, Sealine, Princecraft and more. I would hope with all this experience they should win. Another win for Sea Ray one of Brunswick's crown jewels is as predictable as the sun will come up tomorrow. I have nothing against Sea Ray or Brunswick myself, but we cannot pretend that they are on the same field as every body else.

A little history the Marine Max we all know probably wouldn't have existed without Brunswick cash. They are not the only ones.

The initial public offering consists of 4,780,569 shares (including 1,264,745 shares sold by selling stockholders) at a price of $12.50 per share. Salomon Smith Barney and William Blair & Company were the managing underwriters for the issuance. The 3,515,824 shares sold by the Company include 1,861,200 shares sold directly by the Company to Brunswick Corporation. The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase 437,905 additional shares from stockholders of the company.

Can we get over the SR Logo for a minute lets discuss the boat builders who are not under the Brunswick umbrella who managed to survive the economic crash and have better boats than ever. This is why I started Boat Nut this Industry is so polluted with the big B its not even funny. They are like Micro Soft in the soft ware business. If you are successful they buy you, if they don't like you well..., and they have so many back door restrictions to anyone who dares to try something new (even an on line parts store needs the blessing of Land & Sea which it probably will not get).

Sea Ray and Brunswick are the giants in marketing: Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill "Genuine Ingenuity"(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood, Garelick and Whale marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine, BLA and Bell RPG parts and accessories distributors; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Brunswick Commercial and Government Products, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray and Uttern boats; From: BRUNSWICK SITE

Now the NMMA the bestowers of these coveted awards, who are they?
Oh yah and they own Discover Boating ( BEEN TO A BOAT SHOW LATELY) . Well they receive their funding from you guessed it -------------! Check this out:

Boat Manufacturer Division (BMD)

Nearly 200 boat brands representing more than 85% of the boats sold in the U.S. recognize the value of NMMA Certification for their business and their customers. Promote your NMMA Certified boats through Discover Boating and join other industry stakeholders in support of the association’s efforts to protect and grow recreational boating through public policy advocacy and industry-focused growth initiatives.

Benefits

Some of the benefits you will enjoy as an NMMA member are:

Cost-savings, including 5–20% off consumer boat show and IBEX booth space rates
Access to NMMA’s comprehensive library of industry statistics including exclusive reports
Exclusive access to resources such as the boat and accessory warranty repair survey— a 50-state reference guide to laws and regulations governing warranty repair work
Export development assistance through our partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce
Learn more about the benefits of NMMA membership by visiting our member benefits page.

Dues

Boat Manufacturer Division (BMD) dues are based on the total North American marine sales for your company’s most recently completed fiscal year. Click here to view the BMD dues schedule or reference Section II on the NMMA Membership Application.

Eligibility

To join NMMA’s Boat Manufacturer Division (BMD) your business must manufacture or import boats. BMD membership is also contingent on the following:
1. Completion of the NMMA Certification program within 12 months of joining NMMA. NMMA Certification helps ensure your boats are built to applicable standards set by the American Boats & Yacht Council (ABYC), and promotes their compliance to the public. The annual cost to become certified ranges between $1,500 and $2,000.
2. Support of the Discover Boating program through the Grow Boating membership fee. This fee is based on the horsepower of engines packaged with your boats and is billed separately.
If your business is based outside North America must have a business presence in North America operating as a legally authorized sales office, importer, division, etc. Without a business presence in North America, an application for NMMA membership will not be considered.

NMMA Certification

Currently, 85% of all boats sold in the United States are produced by NMMA Certified boat manufacturing members. The NMMA Certification helps manufacturers ensure their boats are built to applicable standards set by the American Boats & Yacht Council (ABYC), and to promote their compliance to the consumer. Participating boat manufacturers must submit applications for all models; each model must be physically inspected by an NMMA inspector annually. To achieve Certification, a manufacturer must demonstrate that all variances found during the inspection have been corrected. Manufacturers of NMMA Certified boats benefit from:

Assurance their boats meet the industry standards for the United States (ABYC Standards)
A detailed hands-on inspection and verification process
Improved consumer confidence
Increased brand respect and awareness through Discover Boating
Liability protection and product liability insurance discounts

Grow Boating Membership Fees

NMMA members support the Grow Boating Initiative through vision, leadership and financial contributions. The Grow Boating Engine Assessment is the primary funding tool. All NMMA Boat Manufacturer Division members are required to pay this assessment on the engines that are used in their boats.
Of the 5 million consumers to visit DiscoverBoating.com in our 2015, 2.8 million consumers clicked directly through to manufacturer sites from the Boat Selector section to shop on their own. In many cases DiscoverBoating.com is the #1 or #2 resource of web traffic to manufacturers sites, which can be measured by your own personal Google Analytics. From NMMA SITE

SO HOW ARE WE AS BOATERS SUPPOSED TO BUY ALL THE HYPE?!

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Lifejacket maintenance and servicing / 5 Steps to self check

Lifejacket maintenance and servicing

Australia has some very progressive boat owner education programs and assistance. We here in North America could take a few

In NSW it is a legal requirement that inflatable lifejackets are serviced in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

Better design, technology and wear ability in lifejackets have been a major breakthrough in boating safety. Inflatable lifejackets are now becoming more and more popular as they are easy to wear, don’t get in the way and are increasingly affordable. You should be aware that this type of lifejacket requires extra care, maintenance and service.

Keeping your inflatable lifejacket in good condition

Lifejackets are subjected to the heat of the sun and the harshness of salt. Such conditions can result in quite a bit of damage if the jacket isn’t properly looked after.

As a boater you should always check your lifejacket before putting it on and heading out on the water. Inflatable lifejackets clearly aren’t effective if they don’t inflate. All it takes is something like a fish hook to pierce the bladder and prevent them from inflating.

You are also legally required to service your inflatable lifejacket in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Unless the manufacturer specifies and permits a longer period, you should get your lifejacket serviced at least once a year. If you’re buying a new inflatable lifejacket, you should have it serviced within a year from the day you bought it.

If, for whatever reason, you can’t remember when you bought your inflatable lifejacket or when you last had it serviced, then it’s a good idea to get it serviced straight away.

You should also keep all your servicing receipts and certificates of servicing as evidence of the service. That way, you can always verify the servicing if you ever need to. If you don’t, you could be falling short of the safety equipment requirements as well as putting both yourself and your passengers at risk.

You might also like to think about keeping a safety equipment log for your vessel. It’s a good way to help you record when your equipment needs to be replaced or serviced.

Wear it. Inspect it. Service it.

Five steps to self-check your inflatable lifejacket. An easy-to-follow way to help you keep your inflatable lifejacket in good shape.

Step 1

Check for visible signs of wear or damage. Ensure all
fastenings and buckles are in good working order

Step2

Following manufacturer’s instructions, reveal the inflation system and oral inflation tube. Inflate the bladder using the oral tube and leave overnight in a room with a constant temperature. If the bladder loses pressure, immediately take the lifejacket to an accredited service agent for further tests. Do not attempt to repair your lifejacket yourself.

Step3

Use the cap attached to the oral inflation tube to deflate the bladder. Invert cap and press down on the valve at the top of the oral tube. Do not insert other objects into the top of the tube as they may damage the valve. Roll or press the lifejacket to deflate fully.

Step4

Remove the CO2 cylinder and inspect. The cylinder should be intact with no rust or corrosion. Weigh the cylinder on kitchen or letter scales, ensure weight corresponds to the minimum gross weight engraved on cylinder +/- 2g.

If the cylinder is rusted, corroded, has been pierced or is not the correct weight it should be replaced immediately. On auto-inflating lifejackets, ensure all auto components are armed and in date. Refit cylinder to the inflation system, tightening it by hand until firm. Do not over-tighten.

Step 5

Repack the lifejacket as per manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure the manual inflation toggle is accessible and unlikely to be caught when being worn.

Manufacturer’s servicing

You’ll find that some lifejacket manufacturers ask that you get your lifejacket serviced by them or an authorized agent. It means your lifejacket will be maintained properly and kept in good working order.

When your lifejacket is being serviced, thorough checks will be carried out to ensure the bladder, reflective tapes, buckles and straps are all up to standard. The servicer will also make sure both the inflation system and oral inflation tube are operating correctly. If you’d like to know more, contact the manufacturer or the place of purchase.

Self servicing

Some manufacturers allow you to service the lifejacket yourself. However, servicing isn’t simply a routine check and clean. It’s far more involved and requires a higher level of inspection and care.

If you are thinking about self servicing, you should make sure you have the necessary ability, knowledge and skill before attempting this. Otherwise we recommend you get it serviced professionally.

If you are self servicing a lifejacket, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and make sure the recharge kit matches your lifejacket.

If a service record is available on the inside of the jacket, sign and date the service record with a permanent marker. If not, you might like to make a paper record of your own and keep a copy handy on board the vessel in case you need to show it to a Boating Safety Officer.

The self servicing of a lifejacket is only valid if the manufacturer allows it and if you keep all servicing receipts and certificates of servicing as documentary evidence of the service occurring. Failure to do so makes verifying servicing impossible, which means you may be in breach of safety requirements and be placing yourself, your family or friends at risk.

If you are using inflatable lifejackets, remember to keep them clean and dry in between each time you use them. This is particularly important with auto inflating models because these can sometimes self inflate when they’re left damp, for example inside a wet vessel.

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Friday, 12 August 2016

Winner Announcement Video:

Here is a breakdown of the three winners:

First Place: Michael Garman – Foam Filled Jacket

Second Place: Jimi Beach of Aegis Safety Products – Life Shirt

Third Place: Jessie Kate Brown – Comfort Flex Life Vest

More Design Finalists

Wednesday, 3 August 2016

COMMERCIAL & NON COMMERCIAL MARINE EDUCATION

COURSES ARE AVAILABLE IN TORONTO CANADA

Saturday, 16 July 2016

CONTAMINATED FUEL/ WATER IN GAS PART 1

First off lets discuss how this contamination can happen: Gas caps and the fuel vents are the first common sense place to look for a point of water entry into your gas tank. When you look at power boats there are generally two different types of fuel caps.

Wednesday, 2 March 2016

Trailer Boating

Lifejackets

Alcohol

Navigate safely

Speed and wash

Lights

Proper lookout

Plan and prepare

Cold water

Boat suitability

Small boats offshore

Take care - be prop aware

Saturday, 20 February 2016

This is all great marketing

Boat Manufacturer Division (BMD)

Benefits

Dues

Eligibility

NMMA Certification

Grow Boating Membership Fees

SO HOW ARE WE AS BOATERS SUPPOSED TO BUY ALL THE HYPE?!

Lifejacket maintenance and servicing

In NSW it is a legal requirement that inflatable lifejackets are serviced in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

Keeping your inflatable lifejacket in good condition

Wear it. Inspect it. Service it.

Step 1

Check for visible signs of wear or damage. Ensure all fastenings and buckles are in good working order

Step2

Step3

Use the cap attached to the oral inflation tube to deflate the bladder. Invert cap and press down on the valve at the top of the oral tube. Do not insert other objects into the top of the tube as they may damage the valve. Roll or press the lifejacket to deflate fully.

Step4

Remove the CO2 cylinder and inspect. The cylinder should be intact with no rust or corrosion. Weigh the cylinder on kitchen or letter scales, ensure weight corresponds to the minimum gross weight engraved on cylinder +/- 2g.

If the cylinder is rusted, corroded, has been pierced or is not the correct weight it should be replaced immediately. On auto-inflating lifejackets, ensure all auto components are armed and in date. Refit cylinder to the inflation system, tightening it by hand until firm. Do not over-tighten.

Step 5

Repack the lifejacket as per manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure the manual inflation toggle is accessible and unlikely to be caught when being worn.

Manufacturer’s servicing

Self servicing

Check for visible signs of wear or damage. Ensure all
fastenings and buckles are in good working order