Boat Trailer Safety – 1st Mate Tech Suggests

While leaving the docks yesterday after we saw a few gentleman pulling a boat out of the Barnegat Bay in Ocean County, New Jersey. After seeing their misfortune, 1st Mate Tech decided that it would be a good idea to Blog about Boat Trailer Safety.

Your boat is like one of your most expensive assets and transporting it from place to place is very important. Getting to and home from the Bay, Lake, River, or Ocean is just as important as the time you spend on the water.

Trailer Lights

Before you leave home or where ever you store your boat, check the lights. A detailed inspection of the Boat’s Trailer Lights is extremely important.  Check the turn signal, break lights, and tail lights. Have a helper stand behind the boat trailer and check each function before departing.

At least once a month during the boating season, you should preform a detailed check on the trailer’s lighting system. Inspect the light casings for crack or chips as well as look at the wiring for any possible problems. In the case that you find a problem, it will likely be less expensive to replace the trailer’s lighting system that it would be to search for the short.

Trailer’s Coupler

Now take a look at the Coupler, make sure it is rust and corrosion free. If not, either attempt to clean it up with metal primer and a wire brush, if that does not work replace the trailer coupler (very cheap fix). Finally make sure the locking lever and the safety pin are present and in outstanding condition. (our friends this weekend with the run away boat trailer did not preform this inspection!).

Trailer Winch and Tiedowns

If the winch is manual or electric, it is always cheaper to replace the winch when you are at home or the boat is stationary for a extend period of time. First make sure that winch is not undersized for your boat and is good condition! Check the cables or straps for any signs of wear and tear. If you think it close buy a new one. Also remember the winch is for launching and retrieving your boat from the water only.  You should also have additional tiedowns for the boat.  Inspect the tiedown hooks and straps for wear and tear also.

Trailer Wheel Bearing

Inspect the wheels for any problems. Make sure they spin and do not make any noises or vibrate. Look at the bearing for leaks. Bearing Protectors are cheap and easy to install.

Boating Safety Alert – Product Recall – Raymarine

First Mate Technology Posting – July 16 2009

A voluntary recall has been issued by Raymarine, Inc on July 16, 2009 for the SPX 5 Sport Drive Pilot (E12206 & E12132).

The problem with the auto-pilot is that mechanical clutch has failed under certain boating circumstances. When the failure occurs the autopilot will lock the steering of the vessel in one direction.

Customers should de-install the unit as soon as possible and contact Raymarine for a replacement. The safety of your crew, family and boat could be at risk.

SPX 5 Sport Drive and Control Head – Model E12206 & SPX5 Sport Drive Pilot Only – Model E12132 are the effect units – Both units have only been on sale since February 6th 2009

ACR EPIRB Battery Replacement (Important for all Boaters)

Testing and replacing your battery on you EPIRB is an extremely important exercise for Boat Safety.

Please make sure to test your unit as often as possible. Only allow a certified battery replacement service center replace your Marine PLB or EPRIB battery.

Boating is always a fun past time for the recreational boater. Please make Marine safety your 1st priority. 1st Mate Tech will help make your Boat a safe place for you family and friends.

Please contact 1st Mate Technology for any questions about the process of replacing your EPIRB & PLBS Battery.

Lowrance HDS Software updates now available

1st Mate Technology Marine Electronics Updates :

A new software update is now available for U.S. and Canadian HDS Displays. The free Lowrance download features Navionics support and expanded HDS performance enhancements. See the updated download information page for the complete list of software enhancements and installation instructions.

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Product-Software-Updates/

Weekly Special – RAYMARINE RAY218 FIXED MOUNT VHF/HAILER

Get this product at our lowest price yet! You must come to the 1st Mate Technology to see the price.

Limited Time offer… While supplies last!

RAY 218
The Ray218 is Raymarines premier fixed mount VHF radio. Delivering exceptional performance and style, the Ray218 includes a long list of standard features including Class D Digital Selective Calling, a built-in hailer and chartplotter position polling. Expand the Ray218 with the powerful Raymic remote handset. The optional Raymic handset enables full function radio control and intercom capability from a remote station on board.

Features:

• Class D DSC (Digital Selective Calling) transceiver
  
• DSC Distress key transmits GPS position and a digital mayday
  
• NOAA Weather Alert
  
• Built-in 30 Watt Hailer with “Listen Back” capability and automatic fog horn
  
• NMEA 0183 input with GPS Position, COG and SOG display
  
• Chartplotter position polling using NMEA 0183 output
  
• Easy-to-use rotary controls for channel, volume, squelch and menu operation
  
• Extra large dot matrix LCD
  
• Speaker microphone with controls and remote mount option
  
• Dual Channel Display (2UP Mode) displays active channel and stand by channel simultaneously
  
• Programmable favorite channel soft keys (1UP Mode)
  
• Quick Access 16/9 Key
  
• 4 Scan Modes: All Scan, Saved (Memory) Scan, Priority All Scan and Priority Saved Scan
  
• Submersible (IPX7 Standard)
  
• Superior receiver with excellent intermodulation rejection
  
• Optional Raymic remote station handset serves as full function second station
  
• Raymic enables full duplex intercom capabilities between Ray218 and Raymic at a remote station

A must Have for the boater in your life!

Supplies for the US Boater

New Marine Electronics for 2009

Marine & Boating Safety 2009

Adventure Medical Kits!

Marine Safety is a must for 1st Mate Technology and 1st Mate Suggests!

We love the new products from Adventure Medical  Kits. This is quick way to make sure your boat is equipped for all situations.

Adventure Medical has a line of Kits just for Boaters.

These kits will help to handle any issues on the water. Where you are sailing, Fishing or water skiing. a Adventure Medical Kit is a must have for all boat owners.

Check out the Marine Series Marine 1000!

Marine 1000

This kit comes equipped for wound care, bleeding, CPR, Sprains or Fractures, burns and even includes over the counter medication.

Check out all of the Adventure Medical Products for all of your outdoor needs!

Transducers ” The Fishfinder Helper”

A Transducer can be just as important if not more than the display unit (Fish finder, Temp Gauge). When picking what type of Transducer you should have for your boat, you first need to answer a few questions about your boat and the other electronics that you already have .

Frequency

First if you have a Sonar, Fishfinder or Multifunctional Unit already than you must look for the same frequency.

Otherwise, General Boater Rule – 50kHz for water deeper that 200 Feet, 200 kHz for shallow water (kilohertz). Remember the depth that a transducer output to can depend on many factors outside of the transducer including sonar unit, frequency, and transducer installation.

Water conditions and type will also affect the reading, Fresh water will always all the Sonar (Fish finder) to output deeper reading and floor (bottom) readings than mercy or salt water.

Cone Angle

Generally, use a wide cone angle for fishing shallow to medium depths. The narrow cone penetrates to deeper depths, but shows less fish and structure due to its narrow beam.

The depth capability of your sonar units depends on its transmitter power, receiver, sensitivity, frequency, transducer and transducer installation. Other things that effect depth capability are: water conditions and type, (all sonar will show deeper depth readings in fresh water than salt) and bottom conditions.

Transducer Installation Types

1. Transom Mount – bolted to the transom – Perfect for Small Boats with outboard or I/O motors, or any trailer’d boat
2. Thru-Hull – Bolted through the Hull – Ideally used for larger boat with in-board motors
3. In-Hull Installation – Glued inside the bottom of the hull. (Solid Fiberglass only)

One of the most recent products we reviewed was the AirMar Tilted Element Flush Mount Transducer. 1^st you must know the dead rise on your boats hull to order the proper model! Once we had the B60 Tilted Element™ 20°, this was one of the easier transducers to install. Simply Drill a hole, insert Transducer and seal with Marine sealant (please read the instructions 1st but you get my point!)

The flush design minimizes drag with only 5 mm (3/16″) extending outside of the hull. No Fairing Block equals less drag.This really helped to keep the transducer in the proper position at all boating speeds.

The Flush Mount models come in a 12º tilted version (for 8º to 15º dead rise) & 20º tilted version (for 16ºto 24º deadrise)

We are extremely impressed with the Tilted Element transducers and have decided to make the entire line 1^st Mate Tech Suggests products!

Marine and Boat Safety Series – Focus on VHF Handheld Radios!

The goal of 1^st Mate Suggests isto put safety first. In the past few months, we have received calls from boaters asking about the advantage of VHF radios or even the need. Most state the fact that they carry a cell phone at all times makes a VHF Radio obsolete. Though cell phone technology has increased, 1^st Mate suggests all boaters carry a VHF radio when on the water.

All VHF radios are design to be used in case of emergency, most are submersible and some even float! We suggest all boaters have a “ditch bag” packed with emergency supplies including a VHF Handheld, in case that you are in situation where you need to abandon ship.

The US Coast Guard does not advocate the use of cell phones in the event of an emergency. Some reasons for this are that all boats in the area receive a mayday call and all captains are required to lend assistance. Most of the time when a VHF Mayday call is broadcast, other boaters arrive on the scene before Coast Guard due to proximity.The speed of response can definate save your life!

Some great New Features are Built-in GPS, and Bluetooth but Safety first then Technology!

For all new VHFs check out 1st Mate Technology’s VHF Hand held selection.

Current Promotions:

Check out the February 2009 Fixed Mount and Hand held VHF Radio Specials!

Humminbird discounts VHF Marine Radios and SmartCast with Rebate though 12/31/2009

Humminbird has issued a $20 rebate for the VHF55 series radio.

VHF55 Rebate includes the Standard VHF55s Radio, and the VHF55s Plus Radio.

The Both VHF55 Radios has a large LCD displays and are submersible. The VHF55s Plus has a NiMH Battery (Nickel Metal Hydride) and has an alkaline battery tray (great for storing in the ditch bag). The VHF55s Plus also comes with a DC and AC charger.

For the fishing crowd, Hummingbird is also offering a $10 Rebate on the SmartCast RF-25 and RF-35 models.

Click to Download Humminbird Rebate form (PDF)

Fishfinder / GPS Chartplotter Review – Lowrance HDS Series

HDS by Lowrance – High Definition Fishfinders / GPS Chartplotter Combo

In the next few weeks to months the boating world will likely be bombarded with marketing materials from Lowrance. In bad economy, this may seem like the worst time to come out with “The Most Revolutionary Finders Since The Little Green Box” but 1^st Mate Suggest decided to take a dive in and see what we hope live up to the marine electronics hype and get us to buy one for the 2009 boating season!

Broadband is what powers the link between the transducer and the display screen. In recent test, broadband has preformed with great target separation which equates to finding more fish.

1st Mate Suggests (1stmatetechnology.com Blog) reviewed the Lowrance HDS-5 Multifunction Fishfinder/Chartplotter w/ 83/200 kHz Transducer (140-21)

The display was very impressive. The clarity of the target separation was the best I have seen on a 5’ screen. Broadband technology is used to power the link between the transducer and the display screen. In recent test, broadband has preformed with great target separation which equates to finding more fish.The HDS-5 Fishfinder was compared side by side with Lowrance LMS – 525C DF and difference in target separation unbelievable.

The Charting display was also very impressive. Lake Insight™ for U.S. lakes ; and Nautic Insight™ for U.S. coastal waters coverage included make this a great for the US Boater. Plus the fact that the screen was viewable in sunlight makes the display a winner in 2009.

Usage was pretty good, we like FlyWheel™ scroll dial but it took a little time to get used to it. We could not hold that against the 5 series (still have trouble with the iPod). Lowrance also states that the HDS series are “Retro-fit” ready which is great if you are updating your boats fishfinder / chart plotter combo from an earlier Lowrance marine electronic product.

One Question we always get from our readers is always about Compatibility – HDS series will work with late-model Lowrance transducers, plus Ethernetworks (Yellow) and NMEA 2000® network connectors.

Overall, 1^st Mate Technology is very excited about the new HDS series. The technology advancements are vast and we think  the Lowrance statements about the revolutionary technology are true.

Please let us know your question, thoughts or comments!

Lowrance has posted software updates to the HDS Units software. Please checkout there site for installation istructions (link Below)

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Product-Software-Updates/

Getting the Boat ready for Winter

Docks are Empty!

The Boating season is over for most of the country and now it is time to start planning for next season but first you need to get the boat ready for  inactivity. Some call it Winterizing. This effort will effect on your boat’s performance, get you ready for next season and certainly save you time and money come spring.

1^st Mate Suggests all owners pull their boats out of the water and store boat in climate-controlled facility, shrink wrapped or buy a cover for the boat.

Once you have made your choice and arrangements, it is time to do a little now to make sure you can get out as soon as the weather is warm again.

Here is a 1st Mate Quick List of jobs that should be done prior to storing the boat.

1. Check you owner manuals for the Manufacturer’s Recommendations
2. Fill’er Up – Fill your fuel tanks. This will prevent condensation build up over the winter months.
3. Flush Engine (s) with Fresh Water!
4. Stern Drives should be inspected, cleaned (Soap and Water) and Drain gear casings
5. Make sure Bilges are clean and dry. Once clean , spray with a mist of displacing lubricant and a splash of antifreeze to prevent any excess water from freezing.
6. Pump out Head Holding Tank, as you pump add extra fresh water. Add a cleaning agent (check manuals) and then flush with more fresh water. Finally add a little antifreeze and flush through hoses, tanks and valves.
7. Watermakers – Drain system (Hot and Fresh Tanks) and add a little Anti Freeze (non-Toxic). Turn on All Facets until anti freeze pours out.
8. Remove all items that can be stored off of the boat. PFD’s, Electronics, Communication  devices, EPIRB & PLBS, , etc.
9. Clean the entire Interior of the Boat! Open all drawers and Lockers. Flip up all boat cushions. Install a Air Dryer or Dehumidifier to reduce mildew.
10. Batteries – it is a good idea to remove the batteries from the boat and trickle charge them every 45 days.
11. Clean the Exterior of your Boat! Wash down the Hull and any Fiberglass areas that can be cleaning. Clean Trim tabs, Rod Holders, and Props. This maintenance can reduce corrosion and extent the life of these parts.

See you in March!