Moms on the Water

On May 11, 2008 people everywhere will wax lyrical about how much they appreciate their moms. Why the well-deserved outpouring? Because that second Sunday in May is Mother's Day; a day for praise, cards, and breakfast in bed. And—in the eyes of MarineMax—it's also a great time for moms to hit the water.

Participants in MarineMax's Mother's Day Celebration (held on May 4, 2008) can attend one of the company's Women on Water boating classes. These sessions will be held at 60 MarineMax dealership locations nationwide and will introduce women to boating-basics such as maneuvering, line handling, and docking. I attended a WOW class back in July and was very happy to go toolin' around in a Sea Ray 44 while learning how to back in and use a marine radio.

If you are a mom, have a mom, or know a mom who has any inclination to learn more about boat handling, the Mother's Day event promises to be a good introduction to boating and a great way to spend a spring Sunday. Classes are open to the public but registration is required. For more information, check out MarineMax's web site.

Octopus Vs Shark

This footage of an aquatic battle for survival is just too amazing not to post. Enjoy.

More Mega Marinas

There are more and more ports opening marinas that cater to the megayacht crowd. I recently checked out the Port Louis Marina in St George’s, Grenada near the base of the Antillean Windward Islands. But you don’t have to go that low in latitude to find brand new big-boat marinas.

Newport, Rhode Island’s Forty 1º North is beginning its first full season May 10th. It will have slips available for vessels from 45 to 250 feet, 480-volt electrical service (made possible by over 7,000 pounds of cable), shuttle launches, and a slew of other services you’d expect from a top-notch marine facility.

The marina also has private event spaces and restaurants. The Grill restaurant, located dockside, boasts exotic foods such as the Kobe Beef Burger, as well as Newport classics like clam chowder.

For more on other new dockside facilities, check out the upcoming article, “Monster Marinas” that will appear in our May issue.

Al Copeland, Offshore Racer, Dies

Al Copeland, the colorful character known for his love of extreme speed in the boating world and spicy fried chicken in the fast-food world, died last weekend, only a few months after being diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his salivary glands. He was 64.

Just as his Popeyes Famous Chicken changed the way many folks ate, so, too, did his passion for offshore powerboat racing change the way many people viewed the sport. If you ever witnessed the races, you'll recall his screaming-yellow boats as they zoomed across the horizon. His Popeyes Offshore Racing Team met with success from the 1980's right through to the early 1990's and is reportedly to this day the team with the most wins. Some of the awards he won include the Harmsworth Trophy (a.k.a. Harmsworth Cup) and the National High Point championship (six times out of six tries).

Though Copeland had his share of serious accidents and made more than a few enemies with his speed-demon ways (there are stories of him flying past other boats at more than 100 mph), he also had his fans. If any of you encountered him or watched him race, share your experiences here.

Sewage Steward

How much would you pay to let someone else empty your boat's holding tank every time it needs it? A new company is hoping about $250 a year.

Klean Marine, a start-up based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, believes many boaters would line up for the service, especially those who dump their waste illegally and then feel guilty about the pollution it causes.

The company is starting a beta test program in South Florida this summer. If you're interested, check out its Web site. If the pump-out service proves popular, the company also plans to expand nationwide to be able to service cruisers who cover a lot of coastline every year. For about $250, that means your holding tank is emptied for you everywhere you go.

What do you think of the idea? Comment below.