The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine - June 2011 Issue by The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine

The Great Lakes Mariner

Congratulations to: J. D el andro - Sheb oyg an, WI $50.00 Winner for Forwarding The Great Lakes Mariner (Remember: To be eligible you must have entered your email address on our website as a subscriber and have forwarded the magazine via the “forward” link that is in our magazine delivery email.)

and

S. D anne w itz - Ros e v i l l e, MI $50.00 Winner for Subscribing to and Reading The Great Lakes Mariner (Remember: To be eligible you must have entered your email address on our website as a subscriber and have opened the copy of the current magazine that was delivered via our email.)

Thank you to everyone that read our debut issue - and thank you for reading this issue! Our list of subscribers is growing faster than I had anticipated but I of course want many, many more. Please help us get the word out by letting your boat-loving friends and family members know about us. The more subscribers the Magazine gets the more businesses will want to advertise, the more businesses that advertise the better our articles and features will be (writers don’t write for free you know.) Every penny of profit for the foreseeable future will be reinvested into the magazine, so please help us make it great.

Kevin Counts

Editor and Publisher The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine

The Great Lakes Mariner

The Great Lakes Mariner Featured Articles:

On The Cover:

Refurbished Electronics:

Out with the old in with the “new” at a fraction of the cost...Pg.38

Epilepsy and Boating:

What every boater should know...Pg.10

Reseating Deck Hardware: Preventive maintenance now can prevent major repairs later...Pg.24

The Grady-White 275 Freedom We take a look at a very impressive dual console by Grady-White..Pg.16

Departments: Mutt of the Month - Pg.4 Editorial - Pg.43

Keep it Tuned Up:

Save some money and our waterways...Pg.35

Don’t forget to get your free subscription on our website to be eligible for our reader contest each issue.

What’s Up Dock - Pg.28 State by State - Pg.46 Classifieds - Pg.54

Advertising Deadline for the next issue is Friday, July 29, 2011

Like Us on Facebook

WWW.TheGreatLakesMariner.Com The Great Lakes Mariner

Mut t of the Month

I f you would l i ke you r p et to b e cons ide re d for Mut t o f t he Mont h pleas e email a photo along with the pets name to: muttofthemonth@thegreatlakesmariner.com (Please include the pet’s name and home port)

I f you r p et i s chos e n you’l l re c e ive a “ Gre at L ake s M a r i ne r “ T- sh i r t

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Mercury Marine Announces Verado Outboard Recall Owners of Mercury Verado outboard engines should have been notified of a problem with the motors shift bell crank which has been found to be prone to corrosion and may result in a loss of shift control. If this occurs it can leave a boater stranded and may result in some unsafe circumstances. Thankfully the problem has been identified and Mercury Marine (Marine Power International) are taking care of the problem at no cost and getting you back on the water. Below is a copy of the letter that registered owners should have received:

Dear, Serial No.

e determined that erior customer satisfaction, we hav As part of our commitment to sup ure the reliability of rd’s shift bell crank replaced to ens boa out r you e hav to ary ess nec it is your Mercury Outboard. What is the condition? at the base of the shift potential for corrosion cracking Mercury Marine has identified a This could result in l crank and the upper shift shaft. control studs of both the shift bel which could result in uld cause a loss of shift control, wo ich wh ge, aka bre d stu e sibl pos d until the repair has The boat should not be operate ry. inju al son per or age dam ty proper been completed. What will Mercury Marine do? h the shift bell crank and horised dealer), will replace bot Mercury Marine (through an aut components have been without charge. The replacement the stud of the upper shift shaft corrosion. vide additional protection against pro to d ure act nuf ma and ed ign des dealer) and What should you do? rd dealer (preferably the selling boa Out er arin ry/M rcu Me r you t Please contac 2 to schedule an 3 or OEM Service Bulletin 2011-0 mention Service Bulletin 2011-0 shaft stud replaced. rd’s shift bell crank and upper shift appointment to have your outboa t/outboard in for r dealer when you bring your boa Please present this notice to you a service appointment. board? or if you no longer own this out What if you have other questions Dealer or Mercury Marine on Please contact your authorised merc_info@mercmarine.com. with our product, rest of your continued satisfaction We have sent this notice in the inte nvenience this may cause you. and we sincerely regret any inco ercurymarine.com.au ase refer to our website www.m ple tion loca ler dea rest nea r For you

Effected Models are Verado’s 200-350hp with Serial #: 1B812047 & Below.

Sincerely Ltd Marine Power International Pty

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Honda Recalls a Small Item That Could be a Big Problem

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Boating & Epilepsy: What Every Boater Should Know By Stacey Chillemi Did You Know…?

When people are busy and active they are less likely to have seizures.

Boating, Children & Epilepsy

Through the eyes of parents who have a child who suffers from an epilepsy disorder, the world may seem an especially dangerous place. If you have a child with epilepsy, you may secretly wish that you could surround your child with a room full of nurses on call 24/7, or you may feel like you want some type of protective bubble so you can protect your child from all the harm that the world carries. All parents worry about the worst things that could happen, the what-if scenarios. While these fears are completely normal for any caring parent, they generally aren’t realistic or the best choice. The fact is that most kids with epilepsy do fine in life and live happy, healthy and productive lives. Back in the day before epilepsy was brought out into the open there was a huge emphasis on what children with epilepsy can’t do, but nowadays, doctors try to stress to kids and teenagers not what they cannot do, but what they can do.” Quoted by William R. Turk, MD, Chief of the Neurology Division at the Nemours Children’s’ Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Boating & Epilepsy In the vast majority of cases, people with epilepsy lead completely normal lives. And most people with epilepsy can do just about anything including boating.

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Epilepsy & Limitations: Taking Precautions Many individuals might think boating might seem out of the question for people with epilepsy. But as long as someone is with them watching over them they should be okay. In almost every case, the benefits outweigh the unlikely risks. There are a few extra precautions that people who want to go boating with epilepsy need to take, especially around the ocean waters or the bay. These precautions include: 1.

On boats, adults and children with epilepsy should wear a life jacket.

2. As long as someone’s keeping an eye on them they should be fine. The most dangerous place is not a pool or in the ocean - it’s the bathtub. When it comes to water more people with epilepsy have more injuries in the bathtub than anywhere else. 3. If you have epilepsy then you should not go boating by yourself. Bring a friend with you. It doesn’t matter if your seizures are controlled. It’s always good to be safe than sorry. (Cont. on Pg. 13)

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Boating & Epilepsy: (Continued from page 13) 4. If you have epilepsy make sure that your companions know you have epilepsy and be sure they know how to help if you have a seizure. The Epilepsy Foundation web site provides great insight for first aid. You can view their first aid tips at http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/first aid.

Thought for the Day It’s only natural to want to protect the one you love with epilepsy but, remember that being over-protective or unfairly keeping a tight rein on the one you love with epilepsy may be more psychologically and socially damaging than the epilepsy itself. So try to relax and let the one you love with epilepsy have some leeway. Boating is a great thing for people with epilepsy. Boating is very relaxing and can reduce people’s stress levels. Stress can trigger seizures, but boating is a great way to escape the stresses of life and enjoy the wonders of the waters. Boating can also boost a person with epilepsy’s self - esteem. Not only are they doing something they enjoy, but in the back of their mind they know that epilepsy doesn’t go away, but life goes on and even though you have epilepsy you don’t have to stop living and experiencing the joys of life including boating. I have had epilepsy since the age of five and boating has always been a big part of my life. It relaxes me, brings me happiness and most of all it’s a love and a passion that everyone in my family has that helps keep us stay close and well bonded. About the Author: Stacey Chillemi began her first book, Epilepsy: You’re Not Alone, while in college. It was published six years later. Since the birth of her children, she has been a freelance journalist. She won an award from the Epilepsy Foundation of America in 2002 for her help and dedication to people with epilepsy.

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f you want to find a quick way to dislike your current boat go visit a Grady-White dealer. That’s what I did and I was immediately smitten by the very impressive 2011 Freedom 275. True to Grady-White form the boat hits the mark in every way and no detail is missed. I was given the full tour of the boat by BJ Brooks at Land’s End Yacht Sales in Harrison Twp, Michigan. Generally when boat shopping a perspective owner has to choose between a boat that is refined or a boat that is a workhorse, somehow the Grady-White engineers always seem to blend the two together seamlessly. BJ pointed out the exceptional entertainment system with controls in multiple locations throughout the boat and the electric extendable lounge seating that is sure to make any day of family cruising much more enjoyable. I, of course, was fixated on more utilitarian features like the rock solid hinges on the cabinets and doors, the thru-hulls and stern eye hooks that are all built to last a couple of lifetimes, and the optional 32-gallon live well. As I walked around the deck the dull thud of my steps let me know, before I even checked, that the decks are thick and built to last. Durable features are seen everywhere, Grady-White has swapped out traditional bulbs in the Navigation and deck lights for energy efficient and durable L.E.D.’s, so they too will last years. As with other Grady-Whites the Freedom 275 has the coveted Sea-V2 hull that makes water conditions that would keep other boats dock side easily manageable for the Freedom 275. Another striking feature is how Grady-White effectively managed to use just about every square inch of the vessel for either storage or comfort features; I know this is a common trend in modern boats

The Great Lakes Mariner

Grady-White made effective use of space on the Freedom 275. The head is tucked away in the port side console and is relatively spacious. The controls are laid out neatly in front of the Captain and a large area is left for a customized electronics installation. The electric lounge chair stows away under the port side passenger seat until needed, then a quick press of a button and the seat extends out to make a comfortable position to bask in the sun or catch a quick nap (below).

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2011 Freedom 275 but, like anything, some do it better than others. Powered by twin Yamaha 150’s, this boat will move nicely through the water while still being relatively easy on gas. This boat is definitely a thing of beauty but I must admit this beauty doesn’t come cheap; the model I looked at had an MSRP of $114,000. But, when you consider that you will be buying a boat that will last a lifetime and will provide safety and comfort for everyone on board, the axiom “you get what you pay for” immediately comes to mind. The Freedom 275 comes with an optional hardtop (Right). Little things such as the fold-away bench seat, the stowable bow table, and extendable washdown hose that is tucked away in a convenient storage area add to the overall appeal of the boat.

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Main Specifications • Beam Amidships: 8’6” (2.59 m) • Bridge Clearance: 6’4” (1.93 m) w/ Hardtop: 8’6” (2.59 m) • Center Line Length: 26’11” (8.20 m) • Cockpit Depth: 27” (0.69 m) • Cockpit Square Footage: 60 sq. ft. (5.6 m2) • Hull Draft: 20” (0.51 m) • Maximum HP: 500 (373 kW) • Outboard Shaft Length: Single: 30” (0.76 m) Dual: 25” (0.64 m) • Standard Fuel Capacity: 200 gal. (757 l) •Transom Width: 7’10” (2.39 m)

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The Great Lakes Mariner wishes to thank the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard for putting their life on the line to protect all of us.

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REBEDDING DECK FASTENERS: Maintain Now - Save Later By Paul Esterle

any, if not most, of our boats have a hidden time bomb ticking away. That time bomb could, over time, destroy much of the resale value of our boats if not corrected. It all harkens back to the time and manner the boat was built and the culprit is a cored deck. Cored Fiberglass construction evolved as a means of building stronger and lighter structures. These days, it is mostly confined to decks, although some boats do have cored hulls. Decks for fiberglass boats are built in a female mold. The mold is first heavily waxed to allow the finished part to separate from the mold. Then a thin layer of gel coat is sprayed into the mold. The gel coat provides the shiny exterior finish we associate with a fiberglass vessel. Then the outer fiberglass skin is built up, consisting of various fiberglass reinforcements and resin. A core material is then applied to this skin. That core material can be plywood, end-grain balsa or one of several different types of structural foam. Once the core is bonded in place, a final inner fiberglass skin is then built up on the core material. The resultant structure is lighter and more rigid than the fiberglass alone would be. Now comes the problem - deck openings are cut for hatches and vents and various pieces of deck hardware are bolted in place. Hatch openings are simply routed out of the molded deck and fastener holes drilled into the deck. The hatch, vent, or fastener is then installed using marine sealant to seal out any water. Unfortunately, most sealants are good for five or so years and then they start to break down and begin to leak. The water penetration usually happens in the core first, giving no sign of leakage below. By the time a leak is evident the damage is done. The core is wet and saturated with water, bonds between the core and the inner and outer skins are breaking and your deck is starting to act like a trampoline. Wet core and springy decks drastically reduce the value and selling price of the boat.

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facebook.com/OffShoreAmherstburg 26

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www.offshoregroup.net

REBEDDING DECK FASTENERS: Maintain Now - Save Later Correcting these problems before damage occurs is well within the abilities of the average boater. It takes a little time and some new skills but will end up protecting your investment. The process requires removing the hardware or hatch and sealing the hole or edges of the opening and then rebedding the item.

Hatches and other openings After removing the hatch, vent or other item, you should be able to see the cross section of the deck; outer skin, core and inner skin. Inspect the core to determine if it is wet. If it is a little damp, repeated applications of alcohol can be used to dry it out. Wet or rotten core will need to be removed and replaced.

The holes are drilled, cleared of all debris, and ready for the epoxy/resin compound.

The next step is to cut back the core around the opening. How much core you cut back will depend on the location of the fasteners holding the hatch or vent in place. If the fastener holes are reasonably close to the edge of the opening, simply cut back the core beyond these fastener holes. If the holes are farther away from the edge of the opening handle the fastener holes separately, as noted in the next section. With the core cut back and dry, brush a liberal coat of epoxy resin in the recess formed by cutting back the core. The idea is to saturate the core with epoxy. This will help seal the core and also prevent the dry core from pulling the epoxy resin out of the filler and leaving a weak filler behind.

The holes are filled with epoxy/resin compound and ready to be drilled - Water will no longer be a problem!

Cont. on Pg. 30 The Great Lakes Mariner

What’s Up Dock? New products and exciting innovations in boating gear! Spot Connect Can’t get enough text messaging? Well here’s a product for you. The Spot Connect allows you to connect to a global satellite network and send messages even when you are far from a service area. Just link up your smartphone via Bluetooth and the Spot Connect app and you can send emails and text messages to friends, update your Facebook and Twitter pages, or send GPS coordinates to emergency personnel from anywhere on the planet. Suggested Retail of $169.99 and an additional $99.99 a year for service. If your an extended cruiser this seems like a fair price for a little extra safety and ease of communication.

The Pack-Away Kettle This product won’t save your life but it will save cupboard space. The Pack-Away Kettle collapses down to a fraction of its full size so it’s ideal for the limited storage space that is available on most boats. The price is a little less than ideal: The kettle along with the shipping will run you about $65.00

SATELLITE3 406™ EPIRB “In an emergency, your registered, digitally-coded distress message is broadcast via a powerful 6-watt, 406 MHz signal (typically within 1 hour). An integrated 121.5 MHz homing signal then guides local Search & Rescue efforts.” This unit retails for $1,049 but can be easily found for hundreds less.

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Nauticast™ Receive Only AIS A requirement for the big ships is affordable for the masses. According to the Manufacturer “AIS increases navigational safety by receiving vessel identification, position, course and speed of other AIS-equipped vessels and base stations. This helps reduce the difficulty of identifying ships when not in sight and understanding their navigational intentions.” This product connects to a chartplotter, radar, or a laptop and is a low cost safety enhancement for extended cruisers. MSRP is $320.00 but I found it for $239.00 after a quick search.

Tracphone V3 mini-VSAT Designed for boats as small as 30’, KVH Industries has made satellite communications small enough for the little guy. The dome has a diameter of only 15”. Even at this diminutive size you can download data at speeds of up to 2 Mbps. The cost: Data: as low as 99¢ MB and as low as 49¢ a minute for voice. If you spend a lot of time away from port and want to keep in contact with others this may be the solution you have been waiting for. Most pleasure craft owners will have to break open a couple of piggy banks for this one - If you act now it’s on sale for only $14,500

New Wayfarer Sunglasses Not since Eddie Money graced a stage could you brag about your Ray Bans but what’s old is new again! Ray Ban has refined the traditional Wayfarer to bring them up to date with current styles. They now have a softer eye shape and come in fashion colors but are still easily recognizable. They can grace your face for only $120.00.

If you have a new product that you would like featured in What’s Up Dock? Please email us at: whatsupdock@thegreatlakesmariner.com

REBEDDING DECK FASTENERS: Maintain Now - Save Later Cont. from Pg. 27 While that initial epoxy is tacky, fill the void around the opening with thickened epoxy filler. Disposable plastic pastry bags works well for this step. Be sure there are no voids or air bubbles left in the filler. It goes without saying that the filler needs to be thick enough that it doesn’t sag out of the slot. Note: if you are also filling the area where the fasteners holes are be sure to tape off any bottom opening; epoxy icicles hanging down are unsightly after all. Once the epoxy filler has cured, you can move on to the third step in this process, reinstalling the hardware.

Dealing with Fastener Holes Often times, you are dealing with a fastener screwed into the deck or thru-bolted. Again, the first step is to remove the fasteners and whatever the fastener was holding in place. The object is to again remove the core material around the fastener hole and fill the cavity with epoxy. An often stated solution for removing the core around the fastener hole is to bend the end of a finishing nail at a right angle, chuck it in a drill, place it in the hole and turn it on. It is supposed to chip out the core so you can fill the resulting cavity with epoxy filler. I’m here to tell you that process usually doesn’t work. The nail is too soft and soon will break off. When I use this method, I take an Allen key, around 1/8” or slightly larger and cut back the short leg. Cut it at an angle to form a cutting edge. Chuck it up in a drill and go to it. The hardened Allen key won’t break. Vacuum out the hole often. I have since discarded that technique and use a different one. I choose a hole saw with a diameter slightly smaller than the hardware being rebedded. I cut through the top skin and the core but don’t touch the bottom skin. Clean out the center plug and you are ready to seal the hole. With either technique it is now time to seal the core with a coat of epoxy resin. Before you apply any epoxy resin make sure to tape off any fastener holes on the bottom skin, then give the 30

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cavity around the fastener hole a good coat of epoxy resin to seal the core. While the epoxy resin is still tacky, fill the hole with epoxy filler and let cure. Once the epoxy filler has cured, you can redrill the fastener hole, secure in the knowledge that the core is safe from water intrusion and any future leak will drip on your head. Butyl Rubber Sealant (also known as Butyl Tape) comes in Rebedding Hardware long roles, is easy to work with, My technique for this has also changed over the years. In the and relatively inexpensive. old days, I would have taped off around the item being rebedded and applied a thick layer of 3M101 sealant to the bottom of the item. I would then place a small rubber washer over each fastener, again on the bottom side of the hardware. Those washers would keep the hardware item from squeezing out all the sealant as the fasteners were tightened. I would have let the sealant cure, and then retightened the fastener nut from below while not allowing the bolt or screw to turn. That turning would have broken the sealant bond between the fastener and the hole and provided a leakage path for water. These days, I have switched to using a butyl rubber sealant. This comes in rolls, usually about 1/8” thick and ½” or ¾” wide. This butyl sealant came to my attention when I removed a thruhull fitting from my 35-footer. I was anticipating a struggle to The Great Lakes Mariner

REBEDDING DECK FASTENERS: Maintain Now - Save Later Cont. from Pg. 31 break it free, assuming it had been sealed with 3M5200 or the like. To my surprise, it came away with a reasonable application of force. I found it had been installed, in 1978, with a black butyl rubber sealant that was still pliable and sealing well. I have since found several references to using it on the internet.

Above: Removed cleat and screws prepared with butyl rubber for reseating

I apply it on the bottom side of the hardware and around any fasteners. The fastener holes themselves are slightly countersunk to provide a wedging action for the butyl rubber. The fastener can be tightened up against the sealant and excess sealant is allowed to ooze out from under the hardware. It can be tightened slowly and firmly without worrying about squeezing out too much of the butyl rubber sealant. So far it has worked as well as that thru-hull installation and is now my preferred method of rebedding.

Bottom Line Above: Cleat is reseated and tightened - note the squeezeout. This assures a good seal (Black sealant was used for greater contrast in photos)

A little preventative medicine will keep your deck solid and dry for years to come and preserve the resale value, as much as any used boat has a resale value. About the Author: Paul Esterle manages Capt’n Pauley’s Place and Capt’n Pauley’s Virtual Boatyard websites and is the author of Optimizing the Trailerable Sailboat and Capt’n Pauley’s Boat Repairs and Upgrades.

Above: Most of the squeeze out just pulls away, the rest is cleaned away quickly with acetone 32

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The Great Lakes Mariner Your Guide to Boating Products, Ports, and Safe Adventure

This could have been your ad! Your business can get exposure without breaking the bank! To make a great deal even better, first time advertisers receive their first ad free with a paid follow-up ad of equal value! Go to:

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Keeping Your Boat in Tune: Save Money and our Waterways

By Lucy Brake

ost of us will be busy making plans to head out on the Great Lakes to enjoy the very special environment we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep. But having a boat that is not quite in tune can mean you are using more fuel than you need to, reducing your boat’s performance and also releasing more nasty emissions. The Great Lakes hold nearly one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water supply and about ninetenths of the U.S. supply so we have to take care of it. Fortunately, many of the things you can do to protect all of the Great Lakes and the myriad of connecting channels also result in personal gains too, such as saving money and prolonging the life of your boat. So here are just a few basic ideas on how to keep your boat in tune with the environment and also help save on money on fuel and long-term maintenance costs. Whether your boat is equipped with an inboard, inboard-outboard, or outboard engine, the following simple tips can help to potentially reduce your impact on the precious Great Lakes environment while at the same time increasing the value of your fuel expenditures. Go easy with the throttle – This is a really simple tip, although sometimes not so easy to do when you want to get to your favorite fishing spot fast. Holding back on the throttle a little can go a long way towards saving fuel and reducing emissions. You don’t have to go really slow but when you find the right cruising speed for your own boat, which is very rarely top speed, you will find your fuel bill will decrease quite rapidly. Change the oil – Take the time to check your boat’s engine oil regularly and change the oil at least as often as the engine manufacturer recommends. You will find that keeping fresh and clean oil in your boat’s engine can help to reduce wear and tear on the engine, increase the life of the engine and also improve the efficiency. Remember to take care when you do change the oil not to let oil spill into the water as this Products such as these oil can really damage marine life. Using oil absorbent pads are an inexpen- absorbent pads can save you sive way to stop oil leaking into your bilges as well as into the water. If from an oil covered bilge and you have a trailer boat it is best to change the oil at home or in the place prevent oil from leaking into the waterways where you store your boat and do dispose of the old oil in the correct place. (Cont. on Pg 36) The Great Lakes Mariner

Keeping Your Boat in Tune: Keep it trim – Maintaining a proper trim adjustment can make a big difference in both the fuel economy and performance of your boat. If your bow is riding too high in the water this means your boat is over-trimmed and you will be using more fuel than you need to. You will find the fuel economy and performance of your boat is reduced because the boat’s stern is too far down into the water, just like driving your car up a hill. Trim tabs can be a great way to help keep the boat trimmed or you can get hydro-foils installed on your outboard, just have a chat with your local marine equipment outlet.

Adjusting your tabs is an easy way to save fuel - Plane out, Clean the bottom – It is amazing how much plant and marine trim down, and back off the life can get attached to the bottom of your boat and they can add a lot throttle.

of friction which means your boat will be less cost-effective. Keeping the hull of your boat clean will help to reduce this resistance and allow your boat to slip through the water more efficiently. In addition, plant life clinging to the hulls of boats is one of the major ways that nasty aquatic pests are transferred between the different lakes. Keeping the hull of your boat clean will have a direct benefit for the local environment as well.

1 U.S. Gallon of Water Weighs 8.34 lbs. - How much extra weight is in your fresh and waste water tanks? Lose some weight – It is surprising how much having excess weight on board your boat can impact on the fuel efficiency and consequently reduce the performance of the boat. If you are heading out on a day trip, take off some of the items you won’t need on your trip, especially if they are quite heavy, such a dehumidifier or a barbeque. Use the right propeller – Surprisingly the propeller can make a significant difference to the tuning of your boat. Having a propeller that delivers the right balance of size and pitch for your specific boat and motor is important and it means that you will be able to both increase the performance of your boat as well as improve your fuel efficiency. The right propeller will help you to get on the plane quicker and stay there at a lower speed. Make sure that if your propeller has been damaged, such as by hitting the bottom, you do something about it because as well as reducing performance, the damage can actually transfer vibrations into your engine which can potentially cause major problems. Combined, these few ideas (some very inexpensive) can help to minimize the amount of fuel you will use on your boating adventures and also go a long way towards making sure you are an environmentally-conscious boater.

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Go from this.............

......To this

At half the cost! 38

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Refurbished Electronics Get the Quality of New at the Price of Used - Without Getting Burned! By Kevin Counts

while back I was speaking with a friend of mine and I mentioned that I was kicking around the idea of buying a new chartplotter (for the sake of expediency when I say chartplotter I’m referring to one that provides charted depth in addition to a vessel’s location) and asked him what he uses; to my surprise he stated nothing. He operates his 21’ i/o with no electronics beyond a marine radio, in the south end of the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Anyone that has traveled in the area knows that it can be a minefield of errant boulders and long abandoned debris. When asked why, he stated that he just can’t bring himself to spend the money on one so he tries to confine his travels to the shipping channels and waters that he is familiar with. Granted anyone that has operated in the same waters for a significant portion of their life can probably get by without a chartplotter but for those of us that are even a little adventurous, and who really don’t feel like dealing with paper charts, they can be an invaluable tool. No one disputes that marine electronics are pricey and I, like every boater, dream of having a sprawling instrument panel that is complete with the latest radar unit that is so powerful the Navy is jealous and a chartplotter so accurate that it charts where the sea weed is overgrown. Unfortunately dreams don’t often coincide with reality and honestly I’ve made due with some electronics that are on par electronically with a pac-man video game in order to avoid spending money; however, when you compare the cost of a middle-of-the-road chartplotter to the cost of a new outdrive, or a prop or two, the price starts to look much more reasonable. So after our conversation I decided to really apply myself and try to see if I could obtain a chartplotter that had all of the features that I reasonably want for under $500.

Features Every individual has features that are important to them so my recommendation is to first decide what features you must have and what features you want. Modern chartplotters generally range in screen size from 4” to 15” and can not only show you where you are on a chart and the charted depth of the water around you, but can also show you satellite images of your location, act as an autopilot (auto-guidance), connect to radar units and transducers, let you know where restaurants and gas stations are (including prices and phone numbers), and can even be connected to a computer The Great Lakes Mariner

I may not be to this point yet but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying!

Photo by Pete Warren

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Refurbished Electronics so you can use boating applications. My old chartplotter (a Garmin GPSMap 182 with the local Blue Chart) showed me where I was and the depth, but its depth contours were very broad and lacked detail and just did not make me comfortable and the gray-scale display was not easily readable, so those areas were my starting point for features that I needed to address.

The Search In my case, I have been happy with Garmin but I know every boater has their own favorite brand and can supply hundreds of reasons why that brand is better than all the others; my advice, buy what you like and feel comfortable with. I just knew that I wanted a Garmin so I went to their website. After looking over all of their offerings I found a model that had been around for a while so it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t carry the price jump of the latest models that are offering the latest features but I felt it did everything I needed; the GPSMap 525 with the BlueChart g2 Vision card. The combination of chartplotter and G2 vision card offered color digital and satellite imaging, different view perspectives (overhead, 3D, fisheye), and port information, auto-guidance, depth/ safety shading, fish charts, and holds more way-points than Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll fill in the lifetime of this device. But, with an MSRP of $799.99 for the unit and $321.42 for the BlueChart g2 Vision card they were a

bit steep. But now having a brand and model number, it gave me a known item to search for instead of Googling chartplotters and sorting through thousands of different models I could do a specific search where only price and sellers reliability where my concerns.

Reaching My Goal After searching and searching I inevitably arrived at a very prominent internet auction site. This site had several people and businesses selling the model I was interested in at prices that were lower than anywhere else I had discovered, however there is always the fear that the unit will not be what is advertised or will have a worn out battered appearance; so here is my recommendation for not getting burned: 1. Ensure that you are purchasing from a business and not an individual: Depending on the circumstances manufacturers may honor the factory warranty of the product when bought from a retailer but when purchased from individuals they will not. 2. Confirm that the retailer is selling manufacturer refurbished units and that they are an authorized reseller: Many retailers on the internet advertise they are selling refurbished units but some of them are refurbished by the seller. I think it should go without saying that the manufacturer can do a much better job repairing their product than a guy in his garage

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Refurbished Electronics with a soldering iron. Also, some businesses stumble across a bundle of refurbished units and decide to sell them – if they are not an authorized reseller the manufacturer will not honor the manufacturer warranty. 3. Check the sellers rating: Be very weary of any seller with a positive rating lower than the very high 90’s and with less than several hundred reviews. Also, read the negative reviews, sometimes it is easy to tell if the negative review was due to a customer that could never be satisfied no matter what the seller did or if the customer had a reasonable complaint. 4. Make sure they have a return policy: Some auction site retailers only sell their products as-is. Even if the product is covered by a warranty you may feel the product is not what you had desired or you may not feel like dealing with the manufacturer for a repair. 5. Get a formal sales receipt: If you need to get the unit serviced by the manufacturer they need to see that the unit was purchased from a “real” business not just an internet reseller. If the seller cannot provide a receipt that corresponds with a brick and mortar building move on to the next seller. I understand that jumping through these hoops may seem somewhat less than appealing but all that is required to answer each of these items is an email to the seller. If the seller is a credible and reputable retailer he or she will not mind answering your questions

and will do so promptly. If they don’t answer your question to your satisfaction or in a timeframe that you think is reasonable move on; obviously customer service isn’t their priority. I managed to get all these items confirmed by only contacting two retailers and within 48 hours. In my case the new chartplotter arrived within 10 days of me placing my order. It arrived in a box clearly provided by Garmin and was indistinguishable from a brand new unit, including the warranty. I took the unit over to my boat and wired it right up and – nothing, the chartplotter would not power up. I have to admit that I began to cuss and was kicking myself for being cheap at that moment, but because I had followed my own advice, the issue was easily resolved. I contacted the seller and made him aware of the issue. He immediately assured me that I had the choice to return the unit, exchange it, or ship it to the manufacturer. I then contacted Garmin who gave me shipping instructions. The unit was sent and was back in my hands in about a week. When I reinstalled the unit it fired right up and works like a champ. Purchasing electronics this way is a bit of a hassle and a bit scary but when it was all said and done my total amount spent on a chartplotter with navigation chip with a combined MSRP of $1121.41 was $538.90 including shipping. A little bit of hassle for $582.51 in savings – Well worth it!

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Editorial: Freedom - What’s that? The Government Prepares to Save You from You - Again! The following is a position paper posted by the United States Power Squadron endorsing the National Boating Safety Advisory Council resolution to seek legislation to require life vest wear in a vessels under 18’. When I initially discovered this release the length was listed at 26’ however at some point it was amended to 18’. The paper is posted in its entirety; a response follows: WEDNESDAY, MAY 04, 2011 USPS Endorses NBSAC Resolution to Mandate Life Jackets for Boats Under 18 Feet National Boating Safety Advisory Council 87 Resolution 2011-87-01 Appropriate Regulations for Life Jacket Wear by Recreational Boaters United States Power Squadrons Position Paper In more than a decade of boating accidents leading to fatalities, it is clear that 80 percent of deaths were due to drowning. Of those, the United States Coast Guard determined that more than 80 percent of victims would have survived had they been wearing a life jacket. In spite of more states and territories adopting various mandatory boating safety education requirements, there has not been a significant decrease in the annual accident, injury and fatality rates. Both Congress and the Administration have made it clear to the Coast Guard that this is a priority. In 2010, the United States Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety brought a request to the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) to evaluate whether the Coast Guard should pursue legislative measures to establish mandatory wear of life jackets for boats under 18 feet or to come up with any other recommendations regarding boat type or activity. There followed in a series of meetings of a specially appointed subcommittee presentation, analysis and discussion of data based on 11 years of boating accident statistics. The widely debated issue was brought to the full National Boating Safety Advisory Council and a vote taken to pass on a Resolution to the Coast Guard for action which passed by a majority vote on 2 April 2011. The Board of Directors for the United States Power Squadrons has voted unanimously to endorse this resolution by conducting surveys, engaging with the public and lobbying Congress. This will include support to the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety as appropriate with instituting draft legislation, public comment periods, passage of the bill and implementation. Following are some of the factors leading to the decision to support:

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Freedom - What’s that? The Government Prepares to Save You from You - Again! 1. The Coast Guard through the grant program has funded many different outreach and educational programs, for at least the past 15 years, all aimed at getting boaters to wear life jackets. 2. Most states and territories have partnered with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) to hold outreach programs emphasizing the need to wear life jackets while boating. Most notable was the recent “Wear It!” Campaign conducted in several states. 3. Many advertisement from the National Marine Manufacturers Association now show people wearing life jackets. 4. For years the United States Power Squadrons training courses have emphasized the need for wearing life jackets, especially on small open boats. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary training courses have also emphasized the wearing of life jackets. 5. Many other organization involved in recreational boating have also carried the message of the importance of wearing life jackets. 6. The U.S. Coast Guard contracted with JCI to survey life jacket wear in states with large numbers of registered boats, heavy numbers of accidents or both. The result during the last 11 years is that the wear rate for adult boaters in open boats has ranged between 5 percent and 6 percent. 7. Congress and the Office of Management and Budget are starting to pressure the Coast Guard to deliver better results for the money spent on promoting life jacket wear. 8. With millions of dollars in outreach, advertising and education having been spent with no measurable results in increased life jacket wear, the majority of the members of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council saw the need to seek out other means to achieve positive results. 9. In focusing on open boats under 18 feet, the NBSAC was told that it would cover approximately 83 percent of boaters at highest risk of unexpectedly entering the water without a life jacket and drowning. 10. During the past three years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers worked on establishing mandatory life jacket wear policies on two lakes near the Mississippi River. One lake received signage, radio and television ads. The other lake received only minimal attention and enforcement. On the lake with heavy outreach the wear rate for life jackets exceeded 70 percent for the last two years. In the minds of many of the NBSAC members, the results bolster the case for mandatory life jacket wear.

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Cont. from Page 44

11. The NBSAC Life Jacket Subcommittee will be reconvened to deal with issues including which types of boats and or activities would be exempted from the mandatory wear requirements such as sponsored events, races and regattas.

Response: First let me say that I have a great deal of respect for both the USPS and especially the USCG. That being said it never ceases to amaze me how little individual freedom is considered by those that are supposed to be looking out for our best interest. The gist of this entire issue is that a group of bureaucrats were given the task, more than likely by a well-intentioned elected official, to make boaters behave in a safer manner regarding their own self-protection and the bureaucrats failed. Why did they fail? Because the boaters (free citizens of the United States), after weighing the risk against comfort, decided that they did not want to follow the recommendations of the government. Due to the exorbitant amount of money spent on life vest advocacy programs it is overwhelmingly likely that the thousands upon thousands of boaters that decide each year to not wear a life vest while on their boat have heard the recommendations of the government and decided that they did not want to follow them. THAT IS THEIR CHOICE! Even when the outcome is tragic. “I wish to God that they would have worn a life vest but my wishes, nor anyone else’s, should trump the free will of individuals. “ I have absolutely no issue with the government making recommendations to its citizens, but when the free people of a society decide they do not agree, or do not wish to participate with a program or position that is intended for their own well-being, the government should not impose its will, even when doing so for “the right reasons.” I have a background as a Police Marine Officer and have actually participated in recovering drowning victims from the water. I have had to look in the faces of their family members as they come to terms with the loss; it is tragic and I wish to God that the victim would have worn a life vest but my wishes, nor anyone else’s, should trump the free will of individuals. I whole-heartedly believe that life vest wear should be encouraged by both the marine industry and government agencies but we should never, no matter how well-intentioned they may be, allow government officials to remove our individual freedom, even if it is “for our own good.” Please write to the USPS and your local, State, and Federal representatives and share your feelings. Everyone will one day die, but not everyone in the world experiences freedom. Protect ours! - By Kevin Counts, Editor/ Publisher of The Great Lakes Mariner Magazine. Opposing viewpoints are welcome and may be shared by emailing us at readerscomments@thegreatlakesmariner.com

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Illinois State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes Upgraded Water Standards Needed For Portions of Chicago Waterways On May 11, 2011, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notified the State of Illinois that water quality standards for portions of the Chicago and Calumet Rivers must be upgraded to protect the health and safety of people who recreate in these waterways. These changes are necessary because an increasing number of people are coming into direct contact with the water through kayaking, canoeing, boating and jet and water skiing. EPA has concluded that new or revised water quality standards are needed on the following segments: • Calumet-Sag Channel • Little Calumet River from its junction with the Grand Calumet River to the Calumet-Sag Channel • South Branch of the Chicago River • North Branch of the Chicago River from its confluence with the North Shore Channel to its confluence with the South Branch • North Shore Channel, excluding the segment extending from the North Side Sewage Treatment Works to Lake Michigan Recreational history In 1972, Illinois designated the targeted segments as “secondary contact waters,” meaning they were not used for recreational activities such as swimming and water skiing. In 1984, Illinois determined that it was not necessary to eliminate fecal coliform bacteria in the river system based on its limited usage by people. In the mid-1980s, MWRDGC stopped disinfecting sewage from its Calumet and North Side plants. Since then the heavily industrialized shoreline of the Chicago waterway system has given way to dozens of residential developments, parks and retail stores. Numerous boat docks and access ramps also sprouted along the rivers and canals. In 2002, when it was apparent that more people were using the river system for recreation, Illinois began to study how to improve water quality. Based on a thorough review of volumes of information and testimony, EPA has concluded that higher standards for the targeted segments are long overdue. EPA’s determination is based on the state’s 20022007 use attainability analysis and extensive public comments collected by the Illinois Pollution Control Board from 2007 through 2011. Next steps EPA expects the Illinois Pollution Control Board to promptly adopt upgraded water quality standards. If the board does not act promptly, EPA will. In order to attain the upgraded water quality standards, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will be required to disinfect water discharged from the Calumet and North Side plants. EPA’s analysis demonstrates that water quality can be improved in the river system with existing technology at reasonable cost. For more info go to http://www.epa.gov/region5/chicagoriver/ 46

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Indiana State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes

Women of Childbearing Age Sought for Fish Consumption Focus Group Qualified Participants to Receive $25 VISA Gift Card!

by Natural Resources Education Center on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 5:42am The Environmental Epidemiology Division of the ISDH Epidemiology Resource Center has secured funding to conduct a focus group for women of childbearing age (18 years and older). The discussion will address fish consumption and what information is needed when making decisions about eating fish. We are looking for willing participants. The session will be conducted on Wednesday June 8, 2011, from 5:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 pm at the Indiana Historical Society, at 450 W. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN. There is free parking on site, and a light meal will be provided. The session will be recorded (audio only), so that we may go back and analyze the responses the group has provided. Participants will receive a $25 VISA gift card. Our goal is to better help us determine the most effective way to communicate accurate and helpful information about eating fish. To register, please call 317-351-7190, ext. 253, by May 27.

For more info go to http://www.facebook.com/notes/natural-resources-education-center/ The Great Lakes Mariner

Michigan State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes Michigan Department of Community Health Issues “Do Not Eat” Fish Advisory for 10 Mile/Lange/Revere Canals in St. Clair Shores May 26, 2011 The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has issued a “do not eat” advisory for fish taken from the 10 Mile/Lange/Revere canals in St. Clair Shores. Carp, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, and black crappie samples were collected from the canal in 2010. Laboratory analysis of the samples strongly suggests that levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the fish are too high for people to safely eat. MDCH has sent letters to homeowners along the 10 Mile/Lange/Revere canals and will install signs near publicly accessible areas of the canals to inform people of the advisory. Department representatives will brief the St. Clair Shores City Council on June 6. A public meeting is also being planned. The MDCH plans to test additional fish samples from the canal and the south end of Lake St. Clair. However, based on the canal sampling, the MDCH is advising people not to eat carp or channel catfish from Lake St. Clair until more data are available. For other fish from Lake St. Clair, follow the Michigan Fish Advisory at www.michigan.gov/eatsafefish or call (800) 648-6942. The Ten Mile Drain discharges to the 10 Mile/Lange/Revere canals. In 2001, PCBs were discovered in the sediments in the canals and the drain system. The EPA conducted an emergency clean-up in 2002, removing the contamination from the canals and drain. However, follow-up monitoring indicated continuing contamination. The drain was named a Superfund National Priorities Site in 2010. The EPA has taken a number of interim steps to control the PCB contamination and is conducting a comprehensive environmental investigation of the site. PCBs are a group of toxic chemicals that were once widely used as industrial coolants, insulators and lubricants. PCBs are of concern because they concentrate in the environment and the food chain resulting in health hazards to humans, fish and wildlife. Because of these dangers, the United States banned the manufacture of new PCBs in 1976 and PCBs still in use are strictly regulated

For more info go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-8347-256942--,00.html 48

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Minnesota State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes Free Sticker Reminds Boaters to Check Their Drain Plug A bright-yellow warning sticker has been created by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to help remind boaters to “check their drain plug.”

Invasive species regulations, which went into effect last year, now require boaters to remove the plug and drain the bilge and live well before transporting a watercraft. The DNR developed the sticker because some boaters forget to put their drain plug back in place before relaunching their boats. DNR conservation officers say that some boaters have reported near-misses. “I’m told that one angler returned to the dock after parking his truck and trailer, only to find his boat nearly filled with water,” said Tim Smalley, Minnesota DNR boating safety specialist. “This is something new that boaters need to incorporate into their boat launch routine.” The DNR suggests the warning sticker be placed next to the boat trailer’s winch handle, or somewhere else the boater is likely to see it before the boat is launched. Boaters can obtain the stickers at no charge by calling the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367. They are also available by emailing boatandwater.dnr@state.mn.us and requesting the “Drain Plug Sticker.” For more info go to http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/ The Great Lakes Mariner

New York State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes

New York Announces Initiative to Keep Lake Ontario Waters Clean State Requests “No-Discharge” Designation from EPA

Seeking to safeguard water quality and improve recreational opportunities, state officials announced today that they are calling for New York’s portion of Lake Ontario to be designated as a “Vessel Waste No-Discharge Zone” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A No-Discharge Zone designation means that boaters are banned from discharging their on-board sewage into the water. Boaters must instead dispose of their sewage at specially designated pump-out stations. Treated and untreated wastes can deliver pathogens and toxins to local waters and contribute to harmful nutrient loadings. Waste treated by on-board septic systems often contains chemical additives such as formaldehyde, phenyls and chlorine. These pollutants can harm water quality, pose a risk to people’s health, and impair marine life and habitats. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in collaboration with the state Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the Department of State (DOS), has prepared a petition to the EPA requesting the designation to protect the waters of Lake Ontario. Since 1976, DEC has designated most of the coastal waters and connecting waterways in New York as Vessel Waste No-Discharge Zones. In 2010, DEC announced that it had set a goal of 2012 to establish No-Discharge Zones for all waterbodies and waterways in the state. The Lake Ontario petition is part of DEC’s continuing effort to meet that goal. Approval would extend protection to 326 miles of Great Lakes shoreline from Youngstown in the west, to Cape Vincent in the east. Upon concurrence by EPA, an opportunity for public comment would be announced later this summer in the Federal Register. When that concludes, EPA will address comments and determine if there are an adequate number of vessel pump-out stations to support the No-Discharge Zone. If EPA concurs, the No-Discharge Zone would be enforced by DEC law enforcement, State Police and local authorities.

For more info go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/74650.html 50

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Ohio State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes

Keep It Clean When Preparing Boats for Summer Boating Fun SANDUSKY, OH – The start of the summer boating season is just around the corner and boat owners can help keep the environment clean by adopting a series of best management practices developed through the Ohio Clean Marinas Program. Sanding and painting, for example, is a labor-intensive preseason maintenance chore that many boater owners are faced with this time of year as they prepare their boats for a season on the water. The traditional methods of removing paint from a boat hull followed by an application of varnish or paint often introduces toxic chemicals into waterways. The improper removal of debris and old paint chips from a boat may find its way into waterways which violates state and federal regulations, but also is unhealthy for waterways that are enjoyed by millions of boaters, anglers and swimmers. Here are some best management practices that boaters can easily adopt when sanding and painting their boats before launching them for the summer season. Additional clean boating techniques and best management practices are available online from the Ohio Clean Marinas Program at www.ohioseagrant. osu.edu/cleanboaters • Work in a controlled area: When sanding and painting your boat at a marina, use a designated work area by checking with the site manager. • Use of vacuum sanders and grinders that collect and trap dust will help prevent it from entering the water. Use a drop cloth to catch paint debris and sanding dust. Be sure to clean all debris when work is completed by using a vacuum or manually sweeping and not by hosing down an area with water. • Use water-based paints and solvents when possible. Be sure to avoid spills and properly dispose of any old and unusable product. Follow product usage directions on the label. • Get informed. Taking the time to learn and to utilize best management clean boater practices will help reduce the likelihood of environmental contamination. The Ohio Clean Marinas Program and Clean Boater Program is a proactive partnership among the Ohio Sea Grant College Program, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and their boating partners designed to encourage marinas and boaters to use simple, innovative solutions to keep Ohio’s coastal and inland waterway resources clean. For more info go to http://www.ohiodnr.com/ The Great Lakes Mariner

Pennsylvania State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes

ERIE SAFE BOATING TASK FORCE PLANS ERIE SAFE BOATING DAY Erie, PA – The Erie Safe Boating Task Force will hold their 5th annual Erie Safe Boating Day at Liberty Park on the Erie bayfront on Saturday June 11, 2011 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. A one-for-one life jacket exchange program will again be offered this year on a first come, first served basis. Boaters can exchange a worn out or outgrown life jacket for a similar new one (limit 3). There is no charge for this service, but all donations received will be used to help fund next year’s life jacket exchange program. This event is made possible by donations from Sea Grant, Erie Safe Kids Coalition, S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, Perry’s Landing Marina, Bay Harbor Marina, and Anchor Inn. What to do and see: • See various types of visual distress signals on display at the U.S. Power Squadron booth. • At 10 a.m. only: Watch members of the U.S. Power Squadron shoot off various types of visual distress signals from a boat anchored out in Presque Isle Bay. • Browse through displays and booths from boating related organizations. • Visit the PA Sea Grant booth to learn how to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species. • Watch fire extinguisher demonstrations and learn how to put out fires. • See various agency boats on display in the water and on land: included are the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Customs, U.S. Border Patrol, PA Fish and Boat Commission, Lakeshore Towing, fire/water rescue boats, and others. • Have your boat inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Come by water or by land to make sure your boat is safe for the upcoming boating season. Boaters taking advantage of this service should make sure they have on board the correct amount and type of life jackets and visual distress signals. All boaters are encouraged to: Wear your Life Jacket—it won’t work if you don’t wear it! • Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a kayak with paddle and life jacket donated by Wiegel On The Water in Franklin, PA • Win door prizes including a Lakeshore Towing membership, $25 gift certificates from Anchor Inn, and other boating safety items. • At 11:00 a.m. at the amphitheater, watch a boater receive the PA Fish and Boat Commission Life Saving Award for saving a boater’s life during a boating accident last summer. The Erie Safe Boating Task Force is a voluntary alliance of Federal, State and local organizations with interest in boating safety on the waters of Pennsylvania. The Task Force’s primary purpose is to provide the boating public information on boating safety and coordinate cooperation between agencies. For more info go to http://fishandboat.com/newsreleases/2011press/nw_eriesafe_05_25.pdf 52

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Wisconsin State by State - News from Around the Great Lakes

Registration Deadline for Larger Piers is Extended MADISON – Waterfront property owners now have another year in which to complete a free, one-time registration if they have a larger pier that exceeds size standards set in 2004. The registration deadline has been extended to April 1, 2012, under a bill passed by the Legislature and signed May 27 by Gov. Scott Walker. The vast majority of piers statewide do not need to be registered because they already fit the size standards that lawmakers established for piers to be exempt from state permitting processes, according to Martye Griffin, who coordinates the pier registration program for the Department of Natural Resources. Exempt piers: are a maximum of 6 feet wide but can have a loading platform area up to 8 feet wide located on the water-ward end of the pier; don’t interfere with neighbors or public boating and fishing; and have no more than two boat slips for the first 50 feet of shoreline frontage owned and an additional boat slip for every full 50 feet owned thereafter. Lawmakers created the free, one-time registration process for piers that were first placed in the water before Feb. 6, 2004, to grandfather in most of the larger existing piers that exceeded the size standards. Having the pier registered protects property owners if neighbors or others complain about the pier’s size in future years, allows DNR and local governments to know the larger pier is legal, and is helpful if there is an eventual property ownership transfer, Griffin says. Now waterfront property owners have another season to learn if their pier qualifies to be grandfathered through registration, and to complete the process if it does. Only piers first placed in the water before February 2004 qualify for registration if they meet specific size criteria. A very small number of large piers will not qualify to register but can be downsized by their owners to a size that qualifies for registration or must go through the individual permitting processes with no fee, Griffin says. A downloadable registration form and other materials to complete the registration process are available on the pier registration page of the DNR website. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Martye Griffin (608) 266-2997 For more info go to http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=277#art1 The Great Lakes Mariner

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Parts Nothing Yet 2004 Tiara 3600 Sovran. Freshwater, 450 Cummins Diesels. Complete electronics. 350 hours. Way above average condition! Open to offers including trades for a smaller Tiara. Call 920.737.7304.

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