InTheBite

Assessing Modern Marine Propulsion

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marine propulsion

Photo Jarrett Bay/Luke Pearson

By Christopher Swanhart

It used to be there was only one choice for marine propulsion—wind. Steam power was next, then it was the internal combustion engine. Typically, this power has been delivered to the water via submerged propellers on inclined shafts. And even with the multitude of propulsion types available today, and the significant advances in systems efficiency, inclined shafts remain a constant on mid- to large-sized sportfishing vessels. Let’s take a look at why.

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Avoiding a Disaster While Offshore Boating

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offshore boating on a sportfisher

By Scott “Fraz” Murie

Safety—It’s not just a word, it’s an action. People in our profession sometimes get too comfortable in our routines and forget what could happen in a split second. It probably won’t, but what if it does? Offshore boating accidents can happen and unfortunately do happen.

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Garmin Introduces Surround View Camera System

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OLATHE, Kan., Sept. 7, 2021/Business Wire—Garmin® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN), the world’s largest and most innovative marine electronics manufacturer, today announced the Garmin Surround View Camera System, a breakthrough in video guidance for recreational boating and yachting. Utilizing six through-hull mounted cameras that act like multiple sets of eyes, Surround View provides a live 360-degree bird’s-eye view around the vessel to help captains quickly view their vessel’s perimeter during low-speed maneuvers, such as docking, from the helm.

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Keeping the Boss Happy: Advice from Veteran Captains and Owners

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By Jan Fogt

When it comes to pleasing the boss, all the usual applies. Like keeping the boat clean and well maintained, keeping meticulous maintenance records, reigning in any bad behavior on the part of the crew, being prepared for travel and trips, tournaments, etc. In other words, when it comes to the boat, the secret to longevity on the job would seem to be to keep the boss’s life as hassle free as possible while watching out for the bottom line. As most captains will attest, if you can manage all of the above while taking care of fishing, you’ve got a job for life.

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Fighting Big Fish from A Center Console

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Yellowfin boat floating in water

By Capt. Adam Peeples

When I head offshore for a day of fishing my wife, Cadence, almost always says, “I hope you catch a big one today!” Catching a big fish is probably every captain and angler’s goal on any given fishing trip. We obsess over gear, baits, weather, moon phase, lucky shirts and hats – the list goes on. One thing that often gets overlooked, however, is the actual battle of man versus fish.

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Double Zero: The Importance of Hiring a Crew

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50th International Billfish Tournament, San Juan, Puerto Rico

By Capt. Scott “Fraz” Murie

Double zero is the term we have used in this business for as long as I can remember. It stands for owner/operator, or boats with no crews. Having a boat without a dedicated crew doesn’t make sense. The owners of these boats may think they are saving money by hiring a wash down and wax crew to keep their boats shiny two days a month. Some owner/operators think that’s all there is to it!

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USCG: New Engine Cut-Off Switch Law Going into Effect April 1

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us coast guard
USCG, Tuesday, March 23, 2021—On April 1, 2021 a new federal law goes into effect that requires the operator of a boat with an installed Engine Cut-Off Switch (ECOS) to use the ECOS link. The link is usually a coiled bungee cord lanyard clipped onto the operator’s person, Personal Floatation Device (PFD) or clothing and the other end attached to the cut-off switch, but there are plenty of variations on the market, including electronic wireless devices.  The law applies on all “Navigable Waters of the US.”

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Covering Your Assets: A Captain’s Guide to the Law of Sportfishing

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sunken boat

By Winslow Taylor

Maybe you’ve worked on boats—put in your time, mated for some folks all the while learning what to and what not to do. The result of your journey? You’ve finally been offered a job to run a boat. Or maybe you are a seasoned vet running an established program throughout the world.

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A Checklist that Never Ends: Time Management is Key

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checklist

It seems that my boat checklist never ends. The checklist is a valuable tool for me which I use religiously. I always keep it handy. If you are like me, and don’t write down what you’re thinking, it most likely will be forgotten. During any given week, my mate and I work off of a checklist that is continuously updated. The list consists of everything, such as supplies needed, metal that needs waxed or repairs that need to be made. One would think that you could run out of things for a checklist, but if you keep a top-notch boat and stay up with all the systems that should not happen.

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No Captain Can Claim Perfection

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boat heading offshore

By Piet Van Alder

We were less than 100 yards from the fuel dock when the second motor died. In a futile gesture, I tried to restart it, but the reality was quite clear. We were out of fuel. The wind was from the southeast at 20 knots and we were now dangerously adrift, heading into unknown waters of unknown depth, and approaching other docks and vessels like a wayward pinball. I looked towards the bow to check the anchor, and there wasn’t one. An otherwise happy day had turned to sh*t in a hurry. We kept our cool and sprang into action.

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