September 28, 2005
Tampa Boat Show
The annual Tampa Boat Show is this weekend at the Tampa Convention Center downtown. As many of you know, Genmar will not be there displaying their Aquasport line as the brand was discontinued a few months ago. That's probably for the best as the direction Genmar was taking Aquasport was getting very far from from the brand's classic looks and functionality.
Posted by captain at 12:18 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 04, 2005
Just a few boats ... and cops ...
It's a lot of fun to watch Sea Ray and Bayliner owners crash into one another during Gasparilla in Tampa. I did see a bunch of good looking restored Aquasports though. Note that they were navigating with great care and skill.
The law enforcement presence was huge as usual. Seems like they could have spent their time more effectively rather than boarding over 800 vessels that day and citing about 70. I personally witnessed about 10 stops. Sure looked like they were stopping any and everyone who was on the water that day. I guess they forgot about that concept we lawyers call "probable cause."
Posted by captain at 12:04 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Please abolish the USCG Auxiliary!
I know I'm probably going to piss someone off here, but isn't the USCG Auxiliary more of a liability than an asset? I mean, do we really need geriatric boaters who probably have lost their DMV licenses for operating automobiles b/c of their age directing us on the water? A typical experience with the Auxiliary goes as follows:
Off in the distance a Bayliner approaches, USCG Auxiliary flags and pennants flying in copious numbers. The vessel is usually operated by a crew of eight, usually four men and their wives, all donning life vests. As they approach, a holier-than-thou attitude can be detected. As I'm in Florida, most Auxiliary members seems to be recently transplanted New Yorkers with little local knowledge. The ship's captain will invariably try to come alongside my very shallow draft 222 lying in less than 12" of water. The captain, unaware of the depth, will proceed to foul his props on the I/O he operates. As I laugh, the crew, frustrated and embarrassed, motors away.