1.  Don’t allow the warm weather to let your guard down:  The air temperatures may by downright balmy, but deceptively cold waters increase the risk of hypothermia even on a “t-shirt day”.  Also remember there are fewer boats out on the water that could come to your aid.  Bring extra layers or change of clothes and rain gear this time of the year.

2.  Plan on how to get back in the boat:  If you accidentally went overboard, do you have a way of getting back on board?  You may be surprised at how hard this can be especially if you are alone or haven’t prepared for it.  It could be as simple as having a rope with looped handles affixed to a cleat that can easily be grabbed from the water.  The BoatUS Foundation also tested after-market boarding ladders for boats.  You can view these tests at www.youtube.com/user/BoatUSFoundation/videos.

3.  Refresh your memory:  Take a boating safety course now from the comfort of your home.  The no-cost online course is designed to demonstrate important safety devices such as flares, rules of the water, how to get help in an emergency and the best way to fit a life jacket on a child so they will not slip out.  It is available at www.BoatUS.org/onlinecourse.

The boat course may even help you save money on insurance and meet your state’s requirements for boating safety education.

Safe & Happy Boating….

SI Yachts, the Northeast’s Premier Marina & Service Center is
Located only 30 minutes from New Jersey!

The perfect marina is closer than you think; it’s SI Yachts Service Center & Marina. In addition to our state-of-the-art modern facility we offer a service team of experienced and skilled professionals to take care of your every service and boating need.

So what makes us so perfect?  Well for starters, we have something for everyone. But more importantly, our entire marina and business, both yacht sales and service, is designed all around what YOU need to enjoy the boating lifestyle.  See how many things on our “Top 10” list are important to you and then call us to reserve your slip today -  866.602.5204

Click here for the Top 10 Reasons Why SIYachts Marina & Service Center is the “perfect” boating location on the Northeast:

1.  Deep water slips for yachts up to 80 feet (10’ MLW) – with cable and wireless (that works!) – in a storm protected harbor!
2.  Only 5 minutes to open water (no “no wake zones” to navigate)
3.  Full service yard that can handle any repair – big or small – with “special” pricing exclusively for marina customers
4.  3 travel lifts that can handle up to 80 tons
5.  Brand new modern state-of-the-art concrete floating docks (with personal dock boxes included) with high end electric (No more voltage drops!)
6.  New bathhouse with modern tile showers
7.  Fuel on premises – with “special” pricing exclusively for marina customers
8.  Modern near-by park/playground for the kids; great dining and ships store within a 5 minute walk; on-site parking
9.  Full schedule of dock parties; cruising club and a few more “summer surprises”
10.Great Sunrises and Sunsets!

So, what are you waiting for? We have it all for you. Or, would you rather spend valuable boating time stuck in traffic as opposed to…, you know – boating!

To see all that we offer, visit our website at www.siyachts.com and then pick up the phone and call us at 866.602.5204 to get more information and arrange for a visit. You have nothing to lose and all to gain. Don’t wait!

The SI Yachts Marina & Service Center:

1. Brand new floating concrete docks
2. With dock boxes
3. A full service yard that can handle any and all repairs
4. Skilled technicians who do it right the first time and everytime
5. Protected harbor;
6. Cable TV and wireless – that works
7. Safety – it’s a big thing for us – locked gates; security; and even life jackets for the kids when they are walking around the docks; there is even a park within a 2 minute walk from your boat
8. Summer parties – we will supply the Bar-B-Q’s
9. Cruising Club -  will help you get out on the water to explore and visit great places all within 3 hours from your slip
10. Fun – lots of it

By now you have had it with all of this winter weather. We all need a distraction. Well, guess what will be here sooner than you think? The 2012 Boating season!  That’s right, the 2012 boating season is just around the corner… and it’s time to book your marina slip and Spring commission your boat!  Remember, SI Yachts Marina & Service Center is your local boating one-stop-shop!

Here are a few Spring tips:

1.  Bottom painting.  Barnacle growth reduces speed and maneuverability and increases fuel consumption.  There are many types of antifouling paints on the market. The type you choose depends on what type of boating you do and where you boat.

2.  Sea water impellers are better when changed in the spring just prior to spring start up. So they will be fresh.  Call today to have yours changed!

3.  Fresh water system should be sanitized at the start of each season. To sanitize the system and kill bacteria do the following. Make sure the hot water heater is off. Empty system by turning on the pump and opening all the faucets (Hot and Cold) till empty, turn off pump. In a container with a gallon of fresh water mix 1/4 cup bleach. Add one of these gallons for every 15 gallons of tank capacity. Once filled run a quart of water out of each faucet including the hot water side,so that all the lines are filled with the solution. Let sit for three hours. No more than 24 hours. Next drain the entire water system through all the faucets(now is a good time to clean all the diffusion screens in the faucets so they will not get clogged with the stuff that is coming out.) Fill with fresh water only and drain it one more time. To remove excess chlorine taste or odor which might remain, prpeare a solution of one quart white vinegar to five gallons of water and allow this to remain overnight. Drain the system again and fill with fresh water.

4.  It would be hard to overstate the importance of maintaining the zinc anodes on your boat. When a zinc is gone, the metal component it was installed to protect begins to dissolve. Where the zinc is mounted directly to the protected metal-bolted to the side of a metal rudder, for example-it is essential to make sure the surface under the zinc is bare and bright before the anode is installed. This is to ensure good electrical contact. Zincs are installed on the shafts,rudders,trim tabs,and swimplatform lifts. Zinc anodes cannot perform their function unless they are exposed. Putting paint on a zinc smothers it, rendering it useless. Never coat zinc anodes with bottom paint.

5.  Test your CO/smoke/fume detectors. Test all units onboard. Both types have buttons or switches for testing purposes.

6.  EPIRBS. Check the expiration date on the side of the unit. If close to expiration date send out for battery replacement. If you do not have one consider purchasing one. Make sure to register it with the coast guard.

7.  Flares check the expiration date. If it is within 90 days replace them. Dipose of them by giving them to your local fire department.

8.  Liferaft/ditchbag check the inspection date. If inspection is due send it with the hydrostatic release to an authorized facility to be repacked.

9.  PFDs. Make sure you have the correct number and size for the passengers you are likely to have on board. For inflatable PFDs determine that the CO2 cylinder is fully charged. Replace the water activated bobbin on each one. If your PFD has a strobe light make sure to replace the battery

10.  Ground tackle. Check that the nylon rode is  in good shape,thimbles are sound, and the shackle pins are tight and properly secured with stainless steel wire or UV resistant ty wrap.

11.  Flashlights – replace the batteries. Tip: if you load them in backwards you can avoid draining them if the light is inadvertently turned on. When needed you can easily load them in the right way.

12.  Check your navigation lights. Replace burned out bulbs. Clean up the contacts and lens.

13.  Cleanup and fiberglass restoration. Give the topsides a good scrubbing. Clean all plastic and isinglass and apply a good polish. Clean your vinyl with a high quality cleaner and protectant. Clean fiberglass and apply a coat of marine wax.

14.  Courtesy marine exam. Contact your local US coast gueard auxiliary or US power squadron. Inquire about a courtesy marine exam CME. A certified inspector can check your vessel and make recommendations for any safety upgrades. This service is free and a current CME sticker displayed on your boat can sometimes help avoid Coast Guard or local law enforcement patrol stops to check your gear.

As always, SI Yachts is here to help! We want your Spring commission to be an enjoyable & seamless transition into the boating season.  Contact us today to schedule your Spring commission 718.984.7676; you’ll be glad you did!

Our marina still has slips available and we are offering group discounts! As part of our ongoing efforts to show you, our customer, how much we  appreciate your business, look at what our slip program offers:
Significant reduction in 2011 slip rental fees verse 2010
Lower fuel costs at our fuel dock – exclusively for all marina customer
Everybody loves a clean bottom so all marina customers are eligible for a 50% reduction in July or August for one haul & bottom wash – those barnacles really hurt your boat’s performance and fuel consumption!
Group discounts! Want to dock in a luxurious, new, centrally located, full-service deep water marina but don’t want to leave your marina buddies?  Forward them this link or stop by and get a tour, you’ll just love what SI Yachts Marina & Service Center has to offer you! Not only are we the most convenient, safest, technologically advance marina out there we also have adjacent playground & park, restaurants, tiki bars, marine & ship’s store, on-site fuel dock and a brand new bath house beautifully appointed with tile showers.

February 26th, 2012

Veteran rock star Sammy Hagar had a hit some years back “I Can’t Drive 55″ but in a few months you can. That is, aboard the latest Viking, the new 55 Convertible, launching in late spring.

Viking first launched a 55 Convertible in the fall of 1997. It was instantly popular with tournament fishermen and serious cruisers and 115 were built during its five-year tenure.

Fast forward to 2012 and this new 55 represents a sea change in style, construction and elegance.

Pulled from the mold prior to the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show, hull number one features our popular custom Buck blue hull, with our signature snow white topsides. Stay tuned for regular reports because this model is going to sing.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The ninth annual Los Sueños Signature Billfish Series will consist of two tournaments to be fished out of the world-class Los Sueños Marina in Playa Herradura, Costa Rica. The tournament dates are January 25-28, 2012 for Leg I and March 21-24, 2012 for Leg II.

Format: Both tournaments are exclusively catch and release.

Sanctioning: The Los Sueños Signature Billfish Series is sanctioned by the World Billfish Series (WBS) and the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). Anglers competing in the Los Sueños tournaments are automatically enrolled in the WBS and compete for points in the Pacific Rim Division.  For further information, please visit www.worldbillfishseries.com or www.igfa.org.

Target Species: Marlin (all species) and Pacific sailfish.

Scoring: Points will be awarded for each successful release, 500 for any species of marlin and 100 for Pacific sailfish.

Monitoring: The tournament will provide an IGFA or LSOCP observer who will rotate on participating boats. Observers will be assigned to the boats by the tournament committee. All releases must be verified by the observer. Marlin releases may also have photo and/or video confirmation with a date and time stamp.

Entry Fee: $7,000 per boat per tournament or $10,000 per boat for the Series (both tournaments). The entry fee includes seven social tickets for tournament events; four angler bags; and T-shirts and caps for anglers and crew. In addition, the entry fee qualifies boats to win trophies and cash prizes as defined below.

Prizes: All boats are eligible for trophies and cash prizes, to be awarded to the top three boats per tournament based on overall billfish release points. Prize money will be distributed 50% to first place, 30% to second place and 20% to third place. There is also a $50,000 grand prize for the Series Champion. The cash prize purse will vary in accordance with the number of entries received.