"St January/February 1987 80C

The Keystone State's Official Boating Magazine VIEWPOINT Boat Manufacturing in America

Last week we visited the home plant of one of our country's largest boat manufacturers. What we saw makes us feel good about the old U.S. of A. Innovation and ingenuity abound. Problems that have plagued the industry in the past, production inefficiency and shoddy workmanship are being solved through renewed company leadership and management interest. For instance, the company we visited produces a well-equipped boat, but offers no factory installed options. This reduces inefficiency on the assembly line and at the same time removes the necessity of a large inventory. Cost is reduced and a better boat is passed on to the customer. To assure that quality of workmanship is built into the product, the manufacturer pays bonuses to assembly teams based on quality control reports. When the boat leaves the factory, a dollar factor is added to the overhead for warranty work. If, at the end of the warranty period, that boat has not used up all the warranty dollars, the remainder is returned to the team that built the boat. These are just a few of the innovative ideas our host of last week uses. Competition in the boating industry is keen, so you can be sure that the other companies are using techniques just as imaginative to stay in the ball game. Companies of integrity and makers who care are not the only factors that go into the making of a good boat. The Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 put the Coast Guard into the regulatory construction standards business. So you don't have to worry any longer about household wiring, un-fused circuits, untested fuel and ventilation systems, flotation standards, and so forth. We should also recognize those organizations that develop the standards and test the component parts—the American Boat and Yacht Council(ABYC), American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Underwriter's Laboratories (UL), the National Marine Manufacturers Association (N M MA) Boat Certification program—to name a few. When shopping, look for their logos. This is the boat show season. Walk down the aisles of colors and dreams with confidence. Buy American.

Gene Sporl Assistant Executive Director Bureau of Waterways Pennsylvania Fish Commission /„/ January/February 1987 VoL 4 No. 1

The cover BOAT The ice-locked winter scene on this issue's cover shows Presque Isle Inlet and Lake Erie. Photographer Denis Stager braved bitter winds and cold to Capture this scene on film. Speaking about Pennsylvania. braving the elements of Presque Isle. check out the nostalgic picture painted by the article that begins on page I8—those ice Editor — Art Michaels boaters careening across the frozen bay at speeds up to 100 mph! If Graphics/Layout — Ted Welke you prefer to look forward to spring, consider how to enjoy a Photographer — Russ Gettig successful shakedown cruise in a new boat, in the article on page 26, and if you're unfamiliar with tournament water skiing, the Circulation — Eleanor Mutch article that begins on page 29 may interest you. Secretary — Charlene Glisan

Under 10 Horsepower by Tom Reinke The variety of boating activities is surprisingly great for this crowd 4

Winter Projects by Stephen Knox Cabin fever getting to you? Check out these activities.. 7

Equipping for Canoe Tripping by Cliff Jacobson If you think wet gear is part of the canoe trip game. better read this 8

Boat Pennsylvania Index, Volume 3 (January through December 1986) 12

The Marine Environment Can Destroy Your Boat by Hank Albing If you don't take care of your boat and gear, slowly but surely it'll deteriorate, and sooner or later, it'll let you down 14

Pick a Sailboat by Kevin D. Kirkpatrick This down-to-earth advice can help you get the most for your sailboat dollars 15

Hard water Sailors of Yesterday by Paul Jenkins Ride with the author on this nostalgic view, across the Presque Isle Bay ice in home-built boats 18

PFC—in the Air Everywhere by Larry Shaffer The Fish Commission is livin' on the air in Pennsylvania, up and down the dial 21

There's a Boom in Water Siding by John M. Cornish A ski boom can help you improve your water skiing skills and help you learn new ones 24

Shakedown Cruise by Art Michaels Enjoying a new boat hinges on having a successful maiden voyage. Here's how 26 Pennsylvania Fish Commission Boating The Hidden World of Tournament Water Advisory Board T. T.(Ted) Metzger, Jr. Leonard A. Green Skiing by Bruce Kistler President Carlisle Helen B. Lange An insider looks at all aspects of this rapidly growing Johnstown Ross J. Huhn Chairwoman exciting part of water skiing 29 Joan R. Plumly Saltsburg Sharpsville Vice President Calvin J. Kern Clayton Buchanan Bose Pennsylvania (ISSN0888-1561} is published bimonthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission.3532 Walnut Street. Harrisburg.PA 17109.0 1986.Subscription rates: one Jenkintown Whitehall Pittsburgh year.$4: three years.$11: Single Copies are 80 cents each.Second class postage is paid Marilyn A. Black Leroy Guccini at Harrisburg, PA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Boat PA Circulation. Leon Reed Pennsylvania Fish Commission. P.O. Box 1673. Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. For Meadville Honesdale Greentown Subscription and change 01address. use above address.Send all other correspondence to: The Editor. Boat Pennsylvania. P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Editorial David Coe J. Wayne Yorks Thaddeus Piotrowski contributions are welcomed, but must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped State College Benton Bloomsburg envelope. Submissions are handled with care, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for the return or safety of submissions in his possession or in transit. The Mark Faulkner Edward J. Rogowski authors'views, ideas, and advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect Boalsburg Holland the opinion or official position of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission or its staff. by Tom Reinke They have been aided in this effort by requiring the mixing of gas and oil, the marine industry, which has devised there are 4-stroke models that run on oaters, like the rest of the human an endless list of products that let boat- straight gas. The manufacturers of the race, are a clever lot. When faced ers do just about everything under 10 4-strokes contend that the advantages B with a challenge or an obstacle horsepower that they could do over 10 of these motors are that they run quieter they will find a way to overcome it. hp,certainly with just as much fun and require less maintenance and that they Take, for example, the 10-horsepower often at a fraction of the cost. are 50 percent more fuel-efficient than limit that exists on many Pennsylvania their 2-stroke counterparts. lakes. The restriction is intended to Motors In keeping with their big motor assure a certain amount of sanity and Much of the focus in the under 10-hp image, the lOs use the latest technology safety on waters that are either small or market is the motors that bump up found in the larger motors, from loop- are heavily used by different types of against the limit, the 9.8 and 9.9 hp charged cylinders that maximize power boaters. Among other things,the horse- motors that virtually every outboard to automatic fuel mixing, which elimi- power limit helps to keep down the manufacturer offers. The 10 hp limit is nates the troublesome chore of having speed limit and prevents smaller boats very common across the country and to measure just the right amount of oil from being intimidated by larger, more the 9.8 and 9.9 hp models were designed to add to the gas. powerful craft. to stay within the limit yet offer all the The real advantage of the 10 hp At first glance, the 10 horsepower features that you can find on larger motors is that they come in versions to limit may appear to be a severe restric- motors. Apparently the manufacturers fit almost any type of boat. There are tion on the amount of fun that you can have hit the nail on the head, because short, long and extra long shaft models have on the water. After all, what can the 9.8s and 9.9s (we'll call them 10 hp to fit transoms from 15-25 inches. In you do with boats and motors that for convenience) are the most popular addition, there are propeller and gear- small? Actually, boaters have risen to outboards sold in the country. ing options that make them suitable for the challenge, making the most of the There is more variety in the lOs than everything from small fishing boats to limit and getting true enjoyment out of there is at any other power rating. In pontoon boats to displacement hull boating under 10 horsepower. addition to the standard 2-stroke engines sailboats 25 or 26 feet long. 4 Boat Pennsylvania photos by Russ Gettig

Motors of 10 hpfeature reliability and portability. the options for remote controls. have grown up with features such as The best way ofdescribing the 6-8s is gearshifts, twist grip throttles and re- to say that they have gutsy power while mote or enlarged fuel tanks for extended maintaining simplicity and reasonable range. cost. At the small end are 2 hp to 4 hp Boats motors that tout portability and reli- The key to success in boating under ability. At about 24 pounds for the 2s 10 hp is not so much the size and power and 45 pounds for the 4s, they can be of the motor but the choice of a boat carried almost anywhere, and with fea- best suited to the things you want to do. tures such as extended corrosion pro- If fishing is the primary goal, a john tection and sophisticated alloys in in- boat or utility boat is the way to go. If ternal engine parts they are reliable to most of your boating takes place on take you anywhere. One manufacturer rivers and small lakes, perhaps a canoe reported that on a worldwide basis or similar boat that can be either rowed there are more 2 hp outboards sold than or powered is best. If you want to be On the practical side, there are recti- any other. The reasons are their low able to take the family out and do a fier and alternator kits available for cost and the predominance of small variety of things, or if you plan to use powering running lights and electronic boats throughout the world. the boat on a variety of waters from fish finders, depth gauges or CB and In recent years the 2and 4 hp motors inland lakes and rivers to Lake Erie or VHF radios. For boaters who want to the Chesapeake or Jersey shore, a set up a small yacht with all of the con- bigger boat with the freeboard, beam venience of larger boats and motors, a and carrying capacity to carry a load to 10 hp motor with electric starting and take big water is probably best. remote controls lets the skipper drive Proper matching of the boats and from a helmsman seat forward. motor is essential. Overpowering a A nice thing about the lOs is that even small boat gets you very little in terms when they are loaded with options,they of extra performance, so the money are still portable,small and light enough spent on the additional horses essen- to be carried by hand and transported tially will be lost. On the other hand, a in the trunk of the car. severely underpowered boat will not The second category of motors under perform as it should. 10 hp are the 6 hp to 8 hp powerplants. One rule ofthumb used in matching a These motors offer almost the same boat and motor is that the size of the power as the 10 hp models but often at a motor should be 80 percent ofthe max- savings because the range and options imum horsepower rating. For larger and add-on features is unlimited. The boats, that represents a good balance. motors come with advanced design fea- Above 80 percent, speed and load- tures and conveniences such as full gear pushing gains decrease substantially for shift, loop-charging and even alterna- each additional horsepower. For exam- tors and electric starting. About the ple, going from 50 hp to 60 hp repre- only things missing from this group are sents a 20 percent gain that is not likely January'February 1987 5 The number of boats suitable for the high cost and the top end speed.The

1 under 10 hp is staggering and con- high cost you can always do without In stantly growing. When most people and as far as the speed is concerned, if think of small outboards the first thing you need to go 40-50 mph to get to the that comes to mind is aluminum fishing fishing hole, you're probably too late to Horsepower boats; the basic 12-foot or 14-foot fish- get anything anyway. to pay off in 20 percent more speed, but ing boat accommodating 3 or 4 people In spite of the popularity ofthe alum- it represents a substantial increase in remains overwhelmingly popular. inum bass boats, there is nothing bad price. Historically, these boats have been that can be said for the standard old- In smaller boats, power and perfor- plain janes, but now they are starting to fashioned aluminum fishing boats. They have the carrying capacity and durabil- ity, and while they are not as fancy as the dressed up aluminum bass boats, you can do everything in them that you can in a fancier boat. That holds true for john boats as well, the fiat-bottomed blunt-nosed scows that are one of the roomiest and functional boats ever designed. Smaller pontoon boats,floating patios as they are often called, are also ideal for under 10 hp motors and lakes. As a large, stable walk-around platform they are capable of carrying the whole family on fishing trips, swimming exercises or leisurely shoreline cruises. Pontoon boats are best powered with high-thrust outboards, and since they are usually equipped with consoles and steering wheels, remote control and electric starting motors usually prove to be the most convenient powerplants. Canoes can also be powered with a small outboard. The square-ended canoes are best suited for motors, but the traditional double-ended canoes can be adapted for outboard power with a bracket that mounts on the gun- wale and carries the motor on the side of the boat. This is not as simple and safe an arrangement as a square ended canoe, but it does allow the double- to be used as both a pad- Engines of 10 hp come in versions tofit just about any boat or application. ended models dling or motoring canoe without any mance gains are greater for each step up come alive with a long list of features loss in paddling ease or performance. in horsepower. The changes are signifi- and options. In addition to painted and lnflatables are still another type of cant enough to consider going with the striped topsides, some models have boat suitable for outboards. They come maximum power rating. A 10 hp motor adopted serious bass boat features, in many different sizes from small 8-10 is 25 percent more powerful than an 8 including aerated live wells, lockers, foot models to runabout-style 15-footers and 67 percent more powerful than a 6. pedestal seats and rod holders. with wood floors and seats. Those are substantial differences that The aluminum bass boats have caught Inflatables are practical when large make a big difference in performance, on like wildfire. Many ofthem are rated boat ramps are few, and they make considering that the loads carried by for motors up to 25-35 hp, but they can good fishing boats as well as cruising small boats can vary significantly. be easily powered by a 10 hp outboard. craft. lnflatables are surprisingly stable, A 14-foot fishing boat's empty weight The boathouse statistics from outboard too. is around 175 pounds. With an 8 hp manufacturers indicate that lightly No matter what your boating prefer- motor, fuel and two people, the total loaded these boats plane in a flash and ences are, there is a 10 hp lake near you weight is around 600 pounds. With two hit 20 mph. Emen when you pile on the where you can enjoy your sport. more people on board the weightjumps gear or people most will still plane and to 920 pounds, up over 50 percent. top out at 15-16 mph. With a rig like That's where the additional horsepower that you have all the basic features of Tom Reinke serves on the Boat Penn- comes through. the 150 hp thundering bass boats except sylvania Editorial Advisory Committee. 6 Boat Pennsylvania Winter Projects by Stephen Knox

ith most of Pennsylvania locked in the dead of Wwinter, boaters are becoming restless. Spring seems an eternity away. Take hope, though, because there are lots of little projects that will make those long winter evenings easier to bear. All the gear you removed from the boat in the fall should be cleaned, inspected, and repaired as necessary. Lifejackets, flares, lines, anchors, fire extinguishers, fishing gear—all require some annual care and now is the perfect time. Start with your safety equipment. Check your flare kit to be sure that you have all the required equipment. Consider investing in more equipment if you have only the minimum required by law. If your flares have expired, buy new ones but do not throw out the old. Though expired, Now is a good time to start on winter If your boat is on a trailer, this is they are still probably all right. projects. They keep you busy warding the time to check the trailer, too. Inspect your fire extinguishers. off the effects ofcabin fever, and by Repack the wheel bearings, touch up Most models have a pressure gauge the time spring arrives, you'll be ready any rust spots, and clean the light that tells you when to recharge the to launch without delay. socket contacts. If the trailer is badly unit. Like flares, you really need more rusted, arrange to store the boat off than the minimum required by law. the trailer long enough to do a Uncoil and wash all your dock and do that now, too. If it is do-it-yourself complete paint job in the garage. anchor lines. Wash them by hand in a work, haul it to the garage. If you Sailors with boats stored ashore large sink or throw them in the have to send it out for extensive should check the mast while it is out. washer. The washer will do a better repairs, do it now while your Inspect all bolts and screws for job, but you will have to spend some repairman is slack. tightness, check the standing rigging time untangling. Either way, give The winter doldrums are the perfect for broken strands, and clean the them a final soak in fabric softener. It time to overhaul your fishing tackle. contacts of mast-mounted lights. will make even old lines soft as new. Sharpen all the hooks, replenish all Any boat could benefit from the Check every inch for chafe and cut the supplies, clean all the scales, etc., addition of small canvas projects and strands. Replace any lines that are the out of the bottom of the tackle box. winter is the perfect time to make least bit suspect. Whip any ends that Clean and lubricate your reels, renew them. Several good books are have come loose, coil everything the line, check rods for cracks or available that have detailed neatly, and your lines are ready for rough spots in the eyes. instructions. You can fill winter spring. While all this gear is off the boat, evenings with halyard bags, wheel Wash your fenders, too. Remove take the opportunity to give the inside covers, fitted sheets, seat cushions, life any creosote with varsol or mineral of the boat a complete cleaning. It will jacket storage bags, duffel bags, T-top spirits. Replace the lines on the be much eaiser before you restow all canvas, or even a whole boat cover. fenders, if required. Finally, give them the gear in the spring. Such projects are easier than you a coat of ArmorAll or similar Look over all your equipment that think, even if you have never sewn. preservative. is powered by dry cell batteries. If you Finally, plan the work of spring If you are a sailor, stretch the sails do not regularly replace the batteries recommissioning and order any out in the den for a thorough during the season, replace them all material you will need then. When inspection. If any repairs are needed, now. Better to spend a few extra there is absolutely nothing left to do, take them to your sailmaker now, dollars now than to discover on a read a good book. If you have done before the spring rush. dark May night that the flashlight everything else, spring can't be • If your outboard requires service, batteries are dead. that far away. January/February 1987 7 • kr' • . • ,... who understood the principles of A compendium of essential gear packing and the realities of rough- water canoeing. For the rules are the and how to pack it same, be it a local overnighter or a month-long trek in the wilds. Rain is rain no matter where it falls, and gear will be as thoroughly drenched in a capsize on a mirror-flat pond as in a thrashing rapid. Even on routes where there are technically no portages, enough variables—high water, low water, no water, downed trees, fences, and the like—often combine to teach the fundamentals of careful packing and portability. What keeps you dry and in command on non-intimidating local waters will do the same on extended ventures in the deep backcountry. Here are some of the basic items you'll need and tips for using them Equipping for effectively. Packs For gentle rivers where there are no real portages, you can stow your gear inside army duffle bags, soft-sided canvas or nylon luggage, or plastic ice Canoe Tripping chests (coolers). However, everything must be waterproofed according to by Cliff Jacobson the method suggested in the sidebar that accompanies this article. photos by the author Nonetheless, if you're really serious about canoe tripping, you'll want one t was 10 p.m. along the Fond du action. We piled the fire high, brought or more genuine packsacks. Lac River in northwest Sas- forth dry clothes, hot sweet tea, and In Minnesota, the traditional I katchewan. The sky was gentle warm food. Later when normality Duluth pack—a canvas envelope with gray, about as dark as it gets near resumed, our conversation turned to seemingly unlimited space, reigns timberline in late July. Four of us, all camping gear and the procedures for king, while in New England, the good friends, snuggled contentedly packing it. woven ash pack basket is most around the brightly blazing fire, while Outwardly, the men poked fun at popular. Duluth packs come in overhead Northern Lights danced our plastic-lined canvas duluth packs, several sizes, but the number-three eerily in bands of mist-green and our watertight Wanigan boxes, and model that measures 24 inches wide creamy white. scientific ways. One man proudly by 30 inches deep is most common. A thousand miles of driving and a proclaimed that "wet gear was part of Duluth packs have been favored by hundred more of paddling had the canoe tripping game." But we canoeists for more than a century for ultimately brought us to this special knew better. Despite their lofty airs, one very good reason: Nothing better place. Each man stared wonderingly we knew they were impressed by our has come along. Consider these into the crackling coals and in his own gear and methods. They were advantages: way recounted the joys of peace and ordinary Fords and Chevys. We were A number-three Duluth pack friendship. the sports cars that just blew past. accommodates more than 5,000 cubic Then we heard the clanking of their Admittedly, our equipment was inches of gear. canoes. The callous invasion of our newer than theirs and better adapted Duluth packs stow comfortably privacy. to the rigors of wilderness travel. But into the tightest confines of a canoe. The spell was broken. that doesn't excuse the sloppy packing Duluth packs sit upright in the Without emotion, we silently and resultant wet gear. Most items canoe, their backs and bellies out of watched the four bedraggled men file had been thoughtlessly stuffed into contact with accumulated bilge water. into the light of our campfire. They'd unlined nylon frame packs. What The first time you have to carry a run a drop we portaged. Both boats didn't fit was secured within leaky mud-smeared pack against the back of had capsized. Everything was plywood boxes. your new Pendleton shirt, you'll thoroughly watersoaked. Yet, even this shabby outfit could understand the importance of this Knowingly, my crew sprung into have been waterproofed by anyone "stand-up" feature. Januar.v1 February 1987 9 Duluth packs are not watertight, so they're always lined with one or more waterproof plastic bags. The weakest part of a plastic bag is its mouth, which in this case is upright, out of touch with bilge water. You can swamp your canoe to the rails, and as long as you don't capsize, pack contents will stay dry even ifyou inadvertently leave the plastic liners unsealed. Try this with any other pack design! Duluth packs are relatively expensive—$50 to $75 for a good one. Pack baskets of woven ash splints have the same advantages as Duluth packs but offer rigid walls which are useful for carrying awkward items like eggs, tin cans, cameras, and binoculars. Packbaskets should be "sandwich-lined." If you want the finest in contemporary dry boxes, check out the E-M Wanigan (10411 Kelman Ct. North, Stillwater, MN 55082), which boasts a 5,000 cubic-inch capacity, padded shoulder straps and hipbelt, and a vacuum-tight rubber seal.

Packing the camera The Wanigan offers great protectionfor crushables and breakables. The best way to pack your camera is in an amphibious assault gas mask bag—about $7 at military surplus ground cloth and tent floor and you'll fortnight. Everything should fit easily stores. Gas mask bags are constructed sleep dry. Never place the ground into an 8-inch by II-inch nylon stuff of tough canvas-covered rubber and sheet under the tent floor, as is sack. have a roll-down seal and three recommended by some tent makers: Rain gear should be uncomplicated. positive brass fasteners. They are Flowing groundwater will become A two-piece rain suit is better than a absolutely rapids-proof! A vinyl trapped between the plastic sheet and poncho, which dribbles through, or a version of these bags is available from tent floor and be pressure-wicked knee-length shirt (cagoule), which Phoenix Products, U.S. Route 421, (from body weight) into the sleeping could become entangled in a capsize. Tyner, KY 40486. Surplus steel ammo compartment. Begin each new canoe The best buys on rainwear are usually boxes are also popular camera safes, camping trip with a new plastic found in industrial supply stores, though these are heavy, noisy to open ground cloth and you'll stay dry no where construction workers and and close, and frequently unreliable. matter how bad the weather! outdoor professionals shop. The new construction-grade rain suits are Tent Clothing strong, light, and wondrously You don't need a sophisticated You don't need sophisticated inexpensive. They'll keep you plenty high-altitude tent for canoeing. Any clothing for canoe camping. Simply dry even though they lack the simple forest tent will do if it has a avoid wearing cotton, except in the exquisite tailoring, multiple pockets, bathtub floor(no perimeter seams at height of summer heat, and you'll do and exotic hoods(which you really ground level) and a waterproof fly fine. Woolens, inexpensive acrylics, or don't need) of high-tech camp store that stakes nearly to the ground. The polyester pile are the favored regimen. garments. fly must cover every seam and floor Military surplus wool tropical shirts Do not wear your rain gear for corner! A vestibule (alcove) is and trousers make delightful summer wind protection. Any item that is important: It provides a place to store wear, even when temperatures climb frequently worn will eventually equipment out of the weather. to the 90s. develop holes. Wear your nylon shell Vestibules also seal the entryway of a A breathable nylon jacket is jacket for wind and keep the poly- tent from blowing rain. essential to stem the biting winds, and coated stuff for its intended purpose. Always use a plastic ground cloth don't forget polypropylene, acrylic, or Always store rain clothes in a nylon inside your tent. Any water that wicks woolen gloves. A change of clothes sack to eliminate the abrasion that through worn floor seams and fabric from nose to toes is the rule whether results from stuffing these garments will be trapped between the plastic you're going for a weekend or a into packsacks. 10 Boat Pennsylvania tightly rolled abrasion liner. This will isolate it from the dry gear below. Set the pole and stake bag just under the pack flap and run the closing straps of the pack flap through loops of nylon cord sewn to the ends of the pole bag. Cinch the pack flap down tightly. The nylon cord loops keep the pole bag from sliding out beneath the pack flap.

Cliff Jacobson has some 33 years of canoeing experience and is one ofthe foremost paddling experts in America. He is the author of three canoeing books. Cliff Jacobson hailsfrom Minnesota.

Effective waterproofing Canoeing books are rich with advice on how to waterproof your gear. You're generally advised to line than 5,000 cubic inches of A Duluth pack like this one accommodates more each pack with one of two plastic confines, and packs upright, away gear, stows comfortably into a canoe's tight garbage bags and to seal each with a from bilge water. rubber band. This works fine, as long Rain tarp as you don't tear the plastic bags. But A 10-foot by 10-foot or larger nylon in similar fashion. Pack items in this every time you stuff an item into the rain tarp, tightly pitched between two order: pack, you stretch or abraid the light trees, will enable you to prepare I. Sleeping bag goes into the plastic liner. In no time, leaks develop. meals, make repairs, and otherwise bottom of your pack, followed by The typical garbage bag seldom lasts enjoy a rainy day. The rain tarp is one your foam sleeping pad or air more than a day on most canoe trips. of the most essential and overlooked mattress. Atop this place your triple- Here's a more reliable method: items on a canoe trip. bagged clothes bag, extra shoes, First, line your packsacks with a sweater, and sundries. sturdy plastic bag (I prefer 6-mil grain Edged tools 2. Roll down the abrasion liner to sacks, when I can get them). Then, A folding saw and hand axe are produce a tight seal. Place your rain place a tough, abrasion-proof sack essential to make fire when the woods gear and nylon tarp on top. This will inside this plastic bag. The abrasion are drenched from a week-long rain. isolate these possibly damp items from liner may be made of nylon, Locate a dead downed tree and saw the dry gear within your pack. polypropylene, burlap, or heavy(6 - off a few foot-long sections. Use the 3. Twist, fold over, and seal the mil) plastic. It need not be waterproof. hand axe as a wedge to split the waterproof plastic pack liner with a It's only purpose is to accept the wear sections to dry heartwood. Simply loop of shock cord. You now have an normally incurred by the delicate stand a cut section on end and gently absolutely waterproof, well-balanced plastic liner. bury the axe head. Hold the handle load. Now, pack your pack as described firmly with both hands while a friend in the previous discussion. Twist and pounds the head through with a two- Packing the tent seal each pack liner and secure it with foot chunk of log. This procedure is Most tents have poles that are too a loop of shock cord or inner tube very safe and it virtually eliminates long to fit within a packsack. band. Note that the puncture-prone "axidents!" Remember, use the axe Consequently, tents and poles should vinyl bag is protectively sandwiched for splitting only, never chopping. be packed separately as follows: between two layers of tough I. Stuff or roll the tent, without material—the outer pack fabric and Packing the outfit stakes and poles, and place it in a the inner abrasion liner. Here's a rapids-proof procedure for nylon bag. Pack poles and stakes in a I always "triple-bag" my down packing your gear: separate nylon bag with drawstring sleeping bag(you need two nylon stuff Line your pack(s) with a plastic bag closure. sacks) by this method before 1 place it and inner abrasion liner. Sandwich- 2. Pack the tent between the in my Duluth pack.—CJ bag your sleeping bag and clothes bag waterproof plastic pack liner and the January! February 1987 II ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES west Pennsylvania. Bleech, Mike. 1985 boating accident statistics. Mar./ Apr. 26-28. Greene, Joe. Mar./ Apr. 12. BOAT The art of lining. Jacobson, Cliff. ALCOHOL AND BOATING May/June 8-10. Alcohol effects on skills perform- Pennsylvania* The Jack Anderson Memorial Loyal- ance. Burns, Dr. Marcelline. July/ sock Slalom. Wonderlich, Dave. Aug. 27. Jan./ Feb. 12-13. BOARDSAILING see SAILBOARDS The Tiadaghton Elm Classic. Won- BOAT BATTERIES INDEX derlich, Dave. Mar./ Apr. 29. Marine batteries. Knox, Stephen. CANOES Nov.! Dec. 17. Volume 3 A cover for your canoe. Jacobson, I I January through Cliff. July/ Aug. 10-13. How to buy a used canoe. Jacobson, December 1986 Cliff. Jan./ Feb. 8-11. Quick ways to repair your fiberglass canoe. Jacobson,Cliff. Mar./ Apr. EDUCATION BOATING 14-17. small craft train- Ohio/ Pennsylvania CLOTHING ing college. Mayer,Janet R.Sept.! The new flotation wetsuits. Cornish, Oct. 24-27. John M. July/ Aug. 14-15. BOATING SAFETY Warm and dry in the cold and wet. Alcohol effects on skills performance.- Walbridge,Charlie. Sept.!Oct. 4-7. Burns, Dr. Marcelline. July/ Aug. WHY RESISTER NONPOWEREO BOATS? 27. p.age 26 Danger lurks in your small boat. Michaels, Art. Sept./Oct. 19-21. File a float plan. Grossetti, Pete. July/ Aug. 23. Is the plug in? Chambers, Virgil. TM Kopf.* &shit 011kia,gaoling Mogul. Mar./ Apr. 7. BOAT BUYING The Coast Guard boating safety How I graduated from a 12-footer to defect notification program. Jan./ a I6-footer. Michaels, Art. July/ Feb. 14-15. Aug. 28-31. Wakes make more waves than you How to buy a used canoe. Jacobson, think. Michaels, Art. May/June Cliff. Jan./ Feb. 8-11. 16-17. Pontoon boat shopping tips. Billl- BUOYS meyer, Larry. Mar./ Apr. 30-31. Signposts for boaters. Menke, Fred. BOAT MAINTENANCE July/ Aug. 24-26. Quick ways to repair your fiberglass CANOEING canoe. Jacobson,Cliff. Mar./ Apr. Canoes to the North Pole. Vickery, COAST GUARD 14-17. Jim dale. Mar./ Apr. 13. The Coast Guard Trailering tips. Diamond, Gary. Floating the spring fresh in north- boating safety de- May/June 11-13. fect notification program. Jan./ Tuning your outboard. Diamond, Feb. 14-15. Gary. Mar./ Apr. 18-21. COVERS Winter storage and your sailboat. BOAT A cover for your canoe. Jacobson, Kirkpatrick, Kevin D. Nov.!Dec. • PennsytvaniaNW Cliff. July/ Aug. 10-13. 14-16. DELAWARE RIVER BOAT REGISTRATION The parade of boats at Neshaminy Why register nonpowered boats? State Park. Reinke, Tom. May/ Simmons,John. May/June 26-29. June 14-15. BOAT THEFT ELECTRONICS Thieves are eyeing your boat, motor, The new electronics for small boats. and trailer. Michaels, Art. Nov.! Diamond,Gary. Nov./ Dec. 10-11. Dec. 29-31. ENGINES BOAT TRAILERING Technology revolutionizes the new- Trailering tips. Diamond, Gary. est outboards. Reinke, Tom. May/June 11-13. Mar./Apr. 8-11. BOATING ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA Adventure is the heart of exploring. Erie: Cradle of the modern U.S. Chambers, Virgil. May/June 30- Navy. Eisert, Sr., Harold. May/ 31. June 18-19. 12 Boat Pennsylvania FORMULA ONE NESHAMINY STATE PARK Formula One. Sajna, Mike. Jan./ The parade of boats at Neshaminy Feb. 26-27. State Park. Reinke, Tom. May/ Pennsylvania's king of speed. Sajna, June 14-15. Mike. Sept./Oct. 28-31. NORTH POLE FRENCH CREEK Canoes to the North Pole. Vickery, Floating French Creek:"The Buffalo Jim dale. Mar./ Apr. 13. River". Bleech, Mike. Jan./ Feb. OUTBOARD MOTORS 28-31. Technology revolutionizes the new- ICE SAFETY est outboards. Reinke, Tom. Is the ice safe? Jan./ Feb. 7. Mar./Apr. 8-11. ICEBOATING Tuning your outboard. Diamond, lceboating: Winter's high-speed thrill. Gary. Mar./ Apr. 18-21. Reinke, Tom. Jan./ Feb. 18-19. PEARY, ROBERT INFLATABLE BOATS Canoes to the North Pole. Vickery, A good inflatable is a real boat. Jim dale. Mar./ Apr. 13. Chambers, Virgil. Nov./ Dec. 12- PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMIS- 13. SION KNOTS How regulations are made. Guise, SAILING Four keys to boatmanship. Whiting, Dennis T. Nov.!Dec. 22-23. Downwind sailing. Kauffman,John. John R. Mar./ Apr. 4-6. Land and water acquisition and the July/ Aug. 16-19. LAUNCHING fish commission. Hoffman, John 10 ways to improve your Hobie sail- Fast,safe boat launching and retriev- 0. Sept./Oct. 16-18. ing skills. Alexander, Brian. May/ ing. Everett,Sam. Sept./ Oct.8-10. PERRY,OLIVER HAZARD June 4-7. LAWS AND LEGISLATION Erie: Cradle of the modern U.S. T1ADAGHTON ELM CLASSIC How regulations are made. Guise, Navy. Eisert, Sr., Harold. May/ MARATHON CANOE RACE Dennis T. Nov./ Dec. 22-23. June 18-19. The Tiadaghton Elm Classic. Won- I IGHTS PERSONAL FLOTATION DE- derlich, Dave. Mar./ Apr. 29. Under way at night. Greene, Joe. VICES UNITED STATES NAVY July/ Aug. 4-5. The new hybrid PFDs. July/ Aug. Erie: Cradle of the modern U.S. LINING 8-9. Navy. Eisert, Sr., Harold. May/ The art of lining. Jacobson, Cliff. What makes a personal flotation June 18-19. May/June 8-10. device personal? Chambers,Virgil. WAKES July/ Aug. 6-8. Wakes make more waves than you SmodwrOos.V.....1.• PONTOON BOATS think. Michaels, Art. May/June 12.1 BOAT One ton and no brakes. Sept./Oct. 16-17. 14-15. WATER SAFETY Pennsylvania. Pontoon boat shopping tips. Bihl- Beware of cold water. Chambers, meyer, Larry. Mar./ Apr. 30-31. Virgil. Jan./ Feb. 16-17. PRODUCT SAFETY Is the ice safe? Jan./ Feb. 7. The Coast Guard boating safety Wakes make more waves than you defect notification program. Jan./ think. Michaels, Art. May/June Feb. 14-15. 16-17. PROV1CH,JOHN WATER SKIING Pennsylvania's king of speed. Sajna, A primer for purchasing water ski Mike. Sept./Oct. 28-31. equipment. Greene, Joe. May/ RACING June 20-21. Formula One. Sajna, Mike. Jan./ A primer for water ski towboat Feb. 26-27. drivers. Kistler, Bruce. Sept./Oct. Pennsylvania's king of speed. Sajna, 11-13. Mike. Sept./Oct. 28-31. Choosing the right slalom ski. Kist- The Jack Anderson Memorial Loyal- ler, Bruce. Nov./ Dec. 4-6. The Keystone State's Official Boating Magaame sock Slalom. Wonderlich, Dave. Cruising and water skiing in Penn- Jan./ Feb. 12-13. sylvania state parks. Wiediger, MARINAS The Tiadaghton Elm Classic. Won- John K. Nov.!Dec. 7-9. Choosing summer homes for boats. derlich, Dave. Mar./ Apr. 29. Keystone state water ski clubs. Kist- Reinke, Tom. Nov.!Dec. 24-25. ROPES ler, Bruce. Jan./ Feb. 24-25. NAVIGATION Four keys to boatmanship. Whiting, The new flotation wetsuits. Cornish, Signposts for boaters. Menke, Fred. John R. Mar./ Apr. 4-6. John M. July/ Aug. 14-15. July/ Aug. 24-26. SAILBOARDS WAVING Under way at night. Greene, Joe. Choosing a beginner's sailboard. Waving. Courtsal, Frances Chase. July/ Aug. 4-5. Kauffman, John. Jan./ Feb. 4-6. Nov.!Dec. 26-28. January!February 1987 13 shock, ultraviolet exposure, heat, cold, pollution, chemical attack and various forms of marine life, such as barnacles and algae,can lead to the destruction of even the most. expensive craft. Underwriters Laboratories also un- derstands the harsh marine environ- ment and investigates marine products and equipment for these special appli- cations. Vibration and shock tests are conducted on almost every piece of Marine Environment equipment on a boat. Many materials The and devices are subjected to harsh environmental conditions, such as ex- treme temperatures, to simulate condi- Can Destroy Your Boat tions that might change the properties or performance of a marine product in by Hank Albing ost land vehicle owners rec- the marine environment. ognize and take precautions The UL mark on marine products M against the effects of the and materials signifies to consumers environment on their vehicles. Vehicles that the product has been investigated are routinely rust-proofed, washed, in simulated environmental conditions waxed and taken to the shop for general and for electric shock, fire and casualty repairs. hazards that could affect life or prop- Boat owners know that vibration. erty. In addition to purchasing marine products that bear the UL mark, UL recommends the following measures to extend the life of your craft. • Visually check your craft before ven- turing out. Vibration and shock from engines, propellers and waves can cause fastenings to loosen, nuts and screws to drop out and cracks to develop in the strangest places. • Check mooring lines, sails, cushion covers and PFDs for signs of deteriora- tion. The effects on the sun and salts cause slow degradation ofsynthetic and natural fabrics used in these devices. • Check the outside of your boat for barnacles and algae. Remove them with recommended detergents or cleaning solutions. •Have your boat routinely inspected by qualified personnel. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an authorized inspector and will make a routine safety check of your equipment. Boats meeting the criteria are awarded a courtesy marine examination(CM E)decal. • Don't overload or overpower your boat. Recommended loading and pow- Welke ering guidelines are on the capacity Ted plate of your boat, usually affixed by to the transom. Hank Albing is a senior project engi- illusbelion neer in Underwriters Laboratories Marine Department. This article is This device on Lake Wallenpaupack scrubs hulls to remove dirt. Regular reprinted with permissionfrom Trade- cleaning and maintenance can prolong the life and beauty ofyour boat. winds, published by Underwriters Laboratories. 14 Boat Pennsylvania •

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Kevin D. Kirkpatrick For now, consider boats in three While you're at it, ask if they have by basic categories—daysailors, club rac- any back issues of sailing publications ers and pocket cruisers—all 24 feet or that you may borrow.These can also be e are approaching that time less. These three categories, within this useful reference materials. If your circle of the year when a sailor's size range, account for as many as 80 of sailing acquaintances is limited, try W fancy turns to thoughts of percent of the sailboats plying Penn- your local library. Many will allow you boat buying, but mid-winter seems an sylvania waterways. Unfortunately,even to check out back issues for a limited odd time to be thinking about selecting with these limitations, the subject may time. a new sailboat for next season. Here in still be too broad for a single discussion. If I seem to be stressing research and Pennsylvania,summer is still at least 40 Perhaps the issues discussed will raise homework, it is for a good reason. Too degrees and several inches offresh snow questions in your mind and provide many prospective boat buyers get caught away. Most sailors are more concerned direction when you seek your own up in the romance of boats and over- with the wind chill than with windspeed solutions. look certain fundamental facts that or direction. Fora sailor who is consid- Another source of information is make up an informed judgment. Once ering a, new boat, the winter months your circle of sailing friends and ac- they have fallen in love with a boat and provide an opportunity to get a head- quaintances. They may have literature bought it, they find out that they can't start on the work necessary to make an on their own boats as well as others they live with it. informed judgment on the size, type considered when they were shopping. and cost of a sailboat that fulfills his When it comes to boat literature,sailors Wants, needs, limits requirements and gives years of tend to be pack rats. They seldom throw Up until now this article has dealt satisfaction. any away. with the "external" aspects of selection. January/ February 1987 15 Pick a Sailboat

For all the time and energy this part requires, it is really the simplest element of the process. The most difficult phase is yet to come. You must sit down and evaluate your specific wants, needs,and expectations;then determine how much you are prepared to spend on them. If sailing is to be a family activity, their feelings are important, too. You must establish realistic limits. Some com- promises may have to be made. It is far easier to make them now than it might be to change your lifestyle later. This part of sailboat buying can be a painful process and consequently the most fre- quently overlooked.

Cost Let's begin with cost. How much are you really willing to spend on a sail- boat? If you are a paragon of determi- nation and economy, this is what you will spend. If, on the other hand, you are like the rest of us, add another 60 percent to your figure. This is how much the average buyer actually spends racer only to find out that the nearest powerboat lines. Those dealers who over his original budget. The informa- active racing fleet is 300 miles from his carry any small sailboats at all treat tion you've gained from your excur- home and dominated by world class them as a sideline. Dealers who special- sions to boat shows and dealers and the sailors. Had that sailor done his home- ize in sail are few and far between. research you've done will help you set a work, he would have selected another Opening the local newspaper to the realistic cost figure. Now might be a class of boat with an active fleet closer classified ads doesn't help much,either. good time to think about how you are to home. More powerboats! Even the national going to finance your purchase. Will the By conservative estimate, there are sailing magazines are woefully short on cost come from savings? Part savings/ more than 400 different sailboat designs advertisements for new or used small part loan? Perhaps one of your stops currently available on the new and used boats. should be your local bank? sailboat markets for craft under 24 feet If small sailboats are so hard to find, Once you have determined a realistic in length. The sizes and types range why are there so many of them out there budget, the next step is to sit down and from 8-foot sailing dinks through 19- sailing? Where did these people find honestly assess how you plan to use it, foot club racers to 24-foot blue-water them? Some found them by dumb luck. with whom you are going to sail and cruisers. Prices range from $100 for an Most found their boats the same way where you will be sailing. If the boat is older, used 12-foot Sea Snark to $43,900 that Stanley found Livingston—they to be a shared, family experience, be for a new 24-foot Dana. went exploring and talked to the natives. sure that their feelings and input are One would think that with a selection They spent hour upon hour trekking included on your list. as broad as this, finding a boat to suit through muddy boat yards. They made This is usually the most difficult part one's particular sailing requirements pilgrimages to convention center boat of the selection process. This is where and pocketbook would be a simple show extravaganzas. They went to reality often runs head-on into rom- task. Well, think again! The process of shopping mall boat exhibits. They ance. While this process is often pain- selecting a sailboat that fulfills an indi- searched out local yacht and sailing ful, it is seldom terminal. Bear in mind vidual sailor's peculiar requirements is a clubs and read their bulletin boards. that this needn't be the last and only long, slow passage of discovery. They had friends,family and co-workers boat you'll ever own. With a bit of Many sailors think that all they have bring them out-of-town newspapers. thought and research, there are com- to do is drive down to their local beat They asked questions: "What kind of promises that can be made and still dealer and just pick one out. When this boat is this? Where did you find it?" No provide a satisfying sailing experience. hapless sailor arrives, he finds few ifany one ever said that finding the right boat Too often sailors make unreasonable sailboats on the dealer's yard or in for you was going to be easy, but along demands of their boats and come away the showroom. Most Pennsylvania ma- the way you will gain a great deal of disappointed. Take, for example, the rine dealers concentrate their sales useful information and meet a lot of competitive sailor who buys a red-hot efforts and showroom inventories on very pleasant sailors. 16 Boat Pennsylvania the boat you want to buy and the dealer wants to sell. Used boat market When you enter the used boat market you should adhere to the basic creed: Buyer beware! For the most part, thi:, market is dominated by individual pri- vate sellers. There are remarkably few used sailboats on dealers' yards. While the majority of private sellers are hon- est, forthright people just like you or me, they are still just "folks." They make mistakes just like you or me. In most cases, when you do business with a private seller, there are no warranties and little recourse. The advantages of a private sale are usually a lower price and perhaps a few extras. Many sellers often include additional equipment and gear as a part of the deal. These are added values. If you've seen a new model of a design that appeals to you, don't be overly optimistic about the price of a used model. Most sailboats hold 80 to 90 percent of their original value and may even appreciate in value over the years, depending on age and general Above left, when you are seriously Shopping condition. interested in buying a certain used Now that you have done your home- When you become seriously inter- boat, always inspect it carefully. The work,determined a realistic budget and ested in a used boat, whether from a former owner's needs may seem honestly evaluated your requirements, dealer or private seller,always inspect it similar to yours, but they may be it's time to go shopping for a boat. carefully. One question you should quite different. There are two basic markets for sail- always ask a private seller is,"Why are boats: the new-boat market—through you selling it?"The answer to this ques- Above, consider the time ofyear local dealers or factory-direct agents tion may tell you a great deal about the you buy a boat. At certain times, and the used boat market—through boat and how it fits your plans. For dealers often offer incentives, which local dealers and private sellers. Each instance, if you are looking at a I9-foot provide good deals. Latefall and market has its good points and bad. overnighter with a small cuddy cabin winter are such times. for you and your wife and the owner New-boat market tells you that the boat is too small for Within the new-boat market you are him and his wife, you might want to Homework usually doing business with a reputable reconsider it as a possibility. In addition to these field trips, there dealer or factory with ties to the local Selecting the sailboat that is right for is homework that you should be doing. community and sailing industry. Most you can be a rewarding and satisfying Pick up copies of the various sailboat new boats carry some sort of warranty. experience. There are many less plea- reference guides at your local news- Should problems arise with the boat or sant ways to pass cold, winter evenings stand. Both Sail and Sailing World its equipment after the sale, most repu- than reading sailing ads and literature. publish the most comprehensive guides table dealers and manufacturers will It's all right to dream of warm,tropical annually. They are useful tools. They correct the defect at no cost. This is an breezes and long, sandy beaches while provide the basic specifications and added value. you're at it. But when the time comes to suggested prices on hundreds of small In addition, many dealers and manu- make the decisions, remember who you sailboats. They also provide the names facturers may offer special incentive are and where you sail, and when the and addresses of the manufacturers and packages of boats ordered at this time going gets tough,always remember that many individual class associations to of the year. These might include such sailing is a dirty job—but somebody's whom you can call or write for addi- things as a special option package or a got to do it! Why not you? tional information. boat trailer at no extra charge. Depend- • Most manufacturers are delighted to ing on the contents of these packages send you their latest sales brochures as and the terms of the deals, this can Kevin D. Kirkpatrick is education well as a listing of their dealers nearest represent substantial value. Most ofthe director and past commodore of the you. time you can negotiate a fair price for Pinchot Sailing Club in York County. January/ February 1987 17 Hardwater Sailors

by Paul Jenkins steps and had to dive to avoid being left behind. In seconds the boat was literally skimming over the frozen surface. he day was cold and blustery and a strong west wind Everything started to vibrate as we continued to accelerate. whipped stinging snow across the frozen bay. The ice below went by in a blur. T It was late December as I made my way down the The wind-driven snow tore at my clothes as if in a wind concrete steps at the foot of Walnut Street and over the tunnel, and even tiny openings let in cold needles that gave railroad bridge toward the snow-covered boat shanties me goosebumps to mark the spot. I sat like a statue below. gripping the seat with both hands, not daring even to pull A school chum had invited me for my first iceboat ride, up my scarf. and my curiosity peaked as I stepped onto the bay ice. In The heavy cast iron runners passed over the ice, front of the boat house, my friend and another guy were chattering like machine guns, and spitting chips of ice in all unfurling the mainsail on a large red iceboat. I offered to directions. help with the work, but they told me to just stand by and Was this what iceboating was all about? be ready to push when the sail was up. All I could liken it to would be wing-walking in a The boat was crudely built with two-by-sixes and other snowstorm with one exception—we were flying a lot lower. heavy planks held together with steel plates and black It was 1957 when I took this unforgettable iceboat ride. lagbolts. It was obvious the builder used whatever backyard The red gaff-rigged boat belonged to Bob Zawadzki. Bob material he could find. kept his boat at the foot of Walnut and remembers those The mast was nothing but a rough-hewn tree trunk days fondly. "In the winter all of us kids in the supported by rusty steel cable. neighborhood spent our time on the bay either fishing, Once the sail was up and the lines were lashed, we skating or sailing. I loved to sail, and built my first boat out pushed the contraption sideways to the wind. The sail filled of old wood found on the beach or parts scrounged up and she started to move. At first it went slowly and then from Marty Jensen's boathouse. Most of the older guys someone yelled for me to hop in. I pushed for a few more worked in shops where they could make just about 18 Boat Pennsylvania evem poi Aq uomnisnill photos junkyard. B granddad than a sharpened anything version to things years. the of him, wrecked was have Depression, Marty "From "We bolt I He put long, ob's other talked right. impressive later my -rope said When the right. Jensen had of boat capable it, old you about parts. "We The had by David boats to the boats the but on almost I We boat. were was Harry needed. wasn't owned old a the runners, boats the would Dave One to 1900 boat on (Harry's up started of a the Yesterday boats edge A me an gaff and speeds the Bierig author Christmas didn't working, few to fixed in the The big apprentice go at -rigged sewed bay of about the getting could it that so years boathouse son) boats took about rest my near it have that Second fast up." time, the so go new 1890. back started we back, a things 1 70 popular? the preceded to stayed the course 1 lot and sails dug sailed mph, red it be steerer World trees and I of big I was started win fancy, sailing ready and out hit main. people up in and boats made every I on a a it when of asked. those worked War. about all mere hole by in just the some though We sailing with night to of day. us the 25 the peninsula and During days. junior strong. all do the learn 20 years. me. fall—we on My wind sewing helped feet it." with more earlier all I still the could from and actually them early they one long, that's in Cherry. I'm were between back Harry We were Harry "We "The I Bierig those talked went pretty of were have just sailing days the so we across on stay said. Sr., today's were "My largest days that used 50 did said foot a exactly a still today, sure of to and with good "He blur. and the without out it makes iceboating. uncle a the Harry was hitting of in DN boat the one telephone those 60 "We bay day." on that around of one had blur... peninsula day." Cascade We 57 but old 1 to / 1 feet boats. Hahn 2 side Hickey somewhere

seconds. in Hahn, on a only be time a over miles course, we boats guys a jib Erie boat long." able others. runner good made would the Their brothers and were clocked pole 80 and We in on Hahn were 145 belonged that somewhere to 62 mph. The 100 didn't some had it for them of boathouse sail Park weighed trees around seconds January' could was heavy—"for was were Finnish boat that's a it three were with go days once mast. sail." have mph; almost Ave. to a really was real well-known 100 Dr. at the reefs and so February and on that the descent). The was Harry's least just about mph; iceboater," Cooney. Finns a go. on fancy comparison, fast in even full I at the boat remember. as the the The the of 1987 35 (the gale. dad, a much beat gear Hickey was main in way course, foot feet thing He the men We as of 19 the basket. "I sometimes went over three or four times in an afternoon and never got hurt. "In the new boats you sit over the runner plank and when you hike you are three or four feet above the ice. It could really hurt you if you came down at any speed. "The old boats also were designed to come into the wind if you let go of the tiller, slowing them to a halt, a built-in safety device. "Another boat I remember was built by Dennis Schaaf and sailed out of the Chestnut Street boathouse. Dennis, or Ben, as he was known in those days, was still in high school when he built her. It was not a large boat or a fancy one, but the bent wood basket and jet-black finishing along with silver runners would have made any backyard boatbuilder proud. "The boat had a pirate ship look about it, and the fact that Ben had a six-foot, fire-snorting dragon painted on the green sail added to its mystique. Ben's sailing habits were almost as unorthodox as his craft. He designed the boat to be fast and sailed it the same way. There was only one problem—when you push a boat close to its limits, things "The boat had a pirate ship look.., and a start to go wrong. fire-snorting dragon. When you push a boat "I recall the day Ben spent all morning sharpening a new to its limits, things start to go wrong." set of runners. Bob Zawadzki and I had been out sailing and were about one-half mile off the boathouse when we If saw Ben sailing out to meet us. "We jibed onto his tack and luffed for a while to wait for his boat to draw nearer. As he drew closer, we sheeted in to sail with him but as we could see, the flying black dragon was going to be too fast for us. Just as we prepared to give him room to windward, we were hit by a hard windpuff that lifted our port runner off the ice. As I glanced back to see how Ben took the puff, I couldn't believe my eyes. His boat, already hiking on two runners, was hit by the puff and in one unreal moment, flipped over onto its back, exploding in a large cloud of splinters and snow when it hit a drift. By the time we got turned around and back to the stricken boat, Ben was walking around kicking the snow with disgust and asking Bob where he could get a new mast. "Ben was known for these things. One winter, he managed to break three masts. He didn't get hurt, but old spars along the bayfront were becoming hard to find. "At the end, I was becoming so desperate I used an old pond-net pole that was so heavy it just wouldn't break, no matter how many times I went over." A story that seems to typify the type of people who fostered iceboating on the bay was this one told by Harry Hahn about his dad. "I went down to the family boat shanty one winter day because I was making plans to put up a flagpole at my '-4 1111mos home and wanted to use an old spar, of which there were many in the boathouse loft. When I discovered every spar was gone, I asked my dad where they were. He smiled and ow safe was iceboating in the old days? said,'Come over here by the window.' I looked out onto H "I think the old boats were actually safer and more that bay and all I could see was iceboats. He said,'There forgiving than the new designs. In those boats, you sat in they are, out there.' I said those things must be worth the rear car—a rope basket—alongside the rear or steering something. At that he said to me,'When a kid comes to me runner. The side runners were forward on the crossplank. and says he needs a mast or a boom, I can't turn him down. When the boat lifted into a hike you were still close to the There are a lot of happy kids out there and I ask you,• ice and if it did go all the way over, you just rolled out of what's more important than that?'" 20 Boat Pennsylvania -111111111111•11=111111 growing popularity of boating, and stress boating safety. Into float trips? In the Air We can tell you where to find some of the best waters for this popular leisure- PFC time activity, and we'll give you some ideas from time to time on how to Everywhere extend the sport of boating through the by Larry Shaffer winter months. The interest in waterborne recreation become accustomed to turning on the in Pennsylvania is high, and The Fish Commission is in the air radio. So what better way is there to it con- tinues to grow each year. In addition, .. . everywhere. We don't mean to reach the boaters and anglers of environmental imply that the Fish Commission has Pennsylvania? awareness today is on the minds of nearly everyone. People begun using aircraft in the performance Each taped program distributed to need to be informed accurately of its duties, but rather that it is using the participating stations addresses an to understand their environment the airwaves:statewide radio broadcasts. issue of concern to Keystone State better and allow them to make Chances are we're heard over a station boaters and anglers, provides informa- proper deci- sions about it. near you. tion of interest, and keeps listeners up We think radio can help, For several years now, the Fish to date on information such as the wide and we've found that this regular series of broad- Commission has been providing a range of boating opportunities this casts is a logical medium to reach weekly three-minute program to nearly state has to offer, the latest in boating the million-plus boaters and anglers 70 AM and FM radio stations through- equipment and the how and where of who excitedly call Pennsylvania one out the Commonwealth and even one in fishing. We delve into such topics as of the best states in the nation for varied New York state,and efforts are going to fishery management, what it is and boating and fishing opportunities. be made over the next several months what it means to the sportsmen who If you haven't heard these Fish Com- to increase that number to provide even enjoy Pennsylvania's vast water re- mission programs, check with better coverage in this state where sources; pollution, its sources and ef- your local station for broadcast times. Ifthey boating and fishing interest is always at fects; and we'll talk about fish and the are not now carrying a high level. We hope to see our "net- other cold-blooded animals—reptiles these programs, ask them to get in touch with work"grow to at least 100 stations. and amphibians—for which the Fish us. We'd be delighted to add them to our Why radio? Because most everyone Commission is responsible. We'll in- network and help provide their listens to the radio at least during some vestigate their natural history, their listeners with this important service. part of the day, every day. There is at habits and their peculiarities. We'll least one radio in nearly every home research boats and talk about advan- Larry Shaffer is an information officer and in nearly every car and truck. When tages and disadvantages of the many who is responsiblefor broadcasts and we need or want information, we've different designs and types, pursue the special publications.

Radio Stations Airing Pennsylvania Fish Commission Programs

WC1K (Bath, NY) WJUN (Mexico, PA) WBCB (Levittown, PA) WBVP (Beaver Falls, PA) WHP (Harrisburg, PA) WFIL (Philadelphia, PA) WY EP (Pittsburgh, PA) WFRA (Franklin, PA) WNPV (Lansdale, PA) WARO(Cannonsburg, PA) WMGW/ WZPR (Meadville, PA) WSHP (Shippensburg, PA) WPQR (Uniontown, PA) WTIV (Titusville, PA) WGSA (Ephrata, PA) WCVI (Connellsville, PA) WNAE(Warren, PA) WBPZ(Lock Haven, PA) WSKE (Everett, PA) WWCB(Corry, PA) WBNE(Benton, PA) WDBA(Du Bois, PA) WVCC (Linesville, PA) WLSH (Lansford, PA) WCED(Du Bois, PA) WJET (Erie, PA) WBRX (Berwick, PA) W LEM (Emporium, PA) WLKK (Erie, PA) WYZZ(Wilkes-Barre, PA) WWBR (Johnstown, PA) WRIE (Erie, PA) WATS(Sayer, PA) W1SR (Butler, PA) WVAM (Altoona, PA) WOYK (York, PA) WFEM (Ellwood City, PA) WTRN (Tyrone, PA) WRAK (Williamsport, PA) WEDA (Grove City, PA) WESB(Bradford, PA) WTGC(Lewisburg, PA) WPIC(Sharon, PA) WKZA (Kane, PA) WM BT(Shenandoah, PA) WMGZ(Sharon, PA) WM AJ (State College, PA) WDNH (Honesdale, PA) WWNW(New Wilmington, PA) WRSC-WQWK (State College, PA) HOST/PA Outdoor Life WWCH (Clarion, PA) W PH B (Philipsburg, PA) (Nanticoke, PA) WOYL - WRJS (Oil City, PA) WFRM (Coudersport, PA) WPEL(Montrose, PA) WVLV (Lebanon, PA) W100(Carlisle, PA) WQIQ (Aston, PA) WHYL (Carlisle, PA)

January/ February 1987 21 Coast Guard Continues Boating Safety Hotline

The popular Boating Safety Hotline will be continued and made a regular part of the Coast Guard's consumer services for recreational boaters. The hotline is a toll-free telephone service available to boaters in the con- tiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Implemented on an experimen- tal basis in the summer of 1985, the hotline handled nearly 6,000 calls from boaters in its first year of operation. The hotline is designed to operate as a two-way service—both to give out information and receive it. Many boat- ers call the hotline to find out if there have been any safety recalls on the boat they own or are thinking of buying. Others who call to report problems they are experiencing with their boat often provide details of a potential safety defect that leads to a defect investiga- tion and, where warranted, a recall. All seven past presidents of the National Association of State Boating Law Boaters may also call the hotline to Administrators(NASBLA) who are currently still active were honored recently ask questions about Coast Guard boat- by BOA TI U.S. at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. BOA TI U.S. President ing safety regulations, Coast Guard Richard Schwartz presented each past president with an engraved ship's wheel. Auxiliary services available to the pub- Picturedfrom right to left are: Thomas C. Welsh (South Carolina), Tom lic, or some other boating safety topic. Alexander (Arizona), George W. Stewart, Jr. (Delaware), Dale P. Morey The Boating Safety Hotline is (Wisconsin), William B. Garner(Alabama), BOA TI U.S. President Richard located at Coast Guard headquarters Schwartz, Gene Sporl(Fish Commission assistant executive director), Caroll in Washington, D.C., and operates Henneke (Indiana), and BOA TI U.S. Vice President Michael Sciulla. throughout the year, Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Calls New Lake Erie received after hours are recorded on an "Friend of the River"Award answering machine and the caller is Wind Warning System contacted by the hotline operator the The Fish Commission received the next working day. The toll-free tele- Schuylkill River Greenway Associa- The key to safe boating is avoiding phone number is 800-368-5647. tion's "Friend of the River" Award last trouble rather than getting out of trou- October, at the organization's annual ble once you get into it. That's why a dinner. The annual award is offered in new wind warning system will be 1986 Boat Registration three categories—people, groups, and installed at the Commission Walnut communities—to recognize and call Creek Access. The device consists of Totals attention to significant work in two powerful strobe lights and a pro- conservation. peller that accurately measures wind Some 236,011 boats were registered Cheryl K. Riley, director of the velocity atop a 26-foot tower. When in Pennsylvania in 1986, an increase of Commission Office of Education and wind speed reaches 15 mph or higher, about 3.25 percent over the 1985 total. Information, accepted the award on the strobe lights flash. They are visible Allegheny County included the most behalf of the Fish Commission. The from 1-3 miles in daylight and some 10 number of boat registrants with 26,147. award was presented by Dr. Maurice miles at night. The system warns boat- In second place was Bucks County with Goddard, former secretary of the De- ers of increasing winds that could create 9,778 registrants. Erie, Luzerne, West- partment of Environmental Resources hazardous boating conditions. The moreland,York, and Montgomery coun- who served under the leadership of five warning system is expected to be opera- ties, in that order, included the next governors. tional during May 1987. highest numbers of boat registrants.

22 Boat Pennsylvania P

Boating Facility Permits for Group Formed Private Markers, Aids BOAT Recreational marine facilities and The number of floats, ski ramps, sla- 4111111jr, access to boating and fishing waters lom courses, aids, markers, and other Pennsylv-- dll% were central themes of the First Na- floating objects on Pennsylvania waters tional Boating Water Access Confer- is increasing, but it is illegal to place ence, held last September in Roseville, these devices unless the Fish Commis- SUBSCRIPTIONS Michigan. Nearly 100 representatives sion authorizes their use and placement. NEW ORDERS/ RENEWALS of state and federal agencies, manufac- In accordance with current boating turers, architects and engineers shared regulations, requests to establish pri- To start a subscription to Boat Penn- their expertise and toured marine facili- vate markers or aids on Common- sylvania or to extend your current subscription, ties on lakes St. Clair and Huron. wealth waterways by clubs,individuals, enter your name and address and check subscription During the meeting, a group called state agencies, the municipalities,and other term you prefer. (Please print clearly) "States Organization for Boating Ac- groups must be made in writing on cess"(SOBA) was formed. The purpose Form PFC-277. Written requests must of SOBA is to promote the acquisition, be made to the waterways conservation Your name development and administration of officer of the district in which the recreational boating facilities by pro- marker or buoy is to be placed,through viding a medium for the exchange of the nearest Fish Commission regional Address Apt. views and experiences on this subject. headquarters. SOBA membership is comprised of Float permits(Form PFC-277) may City State Zip boating access specialists—both govern- be obtained by writing to: Fred Menke, ment and private sector—as well as Aids-to-Navigation Coordinator, P.O. water-based recreation industry repre- Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Signature sentatives. The Fish Commission is a The phone number is 717-657-4434. charter member of this group. Account # if renewing Ketterer, Eckert Attention: (Account number Businessmen and Employers appears above name on label.) Recognized Why not give your new clients and State water rescue instructors customers gift subscriptions to Boat El 1 year S4 commander Steven Ketterer, of Pennsylvania? You might want to ad- (6 issues) Harrisburg's River Rescue Water vertise these gift subscriptions as Safety Division, and Thomas Eckert, bonuses, as enticements for choosing 0 New lieutenant with York City Fire and your company or organization over subscriber Rescue Service, were presented with competitors, and for opening new El Renewal the Fish Commission's 1986 Water accounts. Rescue Awards in recognition for Furthermore, let Boat Pennsylvania outstanding contributions in the help you maintain goodwill among promotion of water rescue training in your present customers and provide Pennsylvania. Both Steve and Tom year-round contact—your customers have been Commission-certified water and clients will remember your pro- (attach mailing rescue instructors for the three years. ducts and services as each issue arrives. label when — The awards presentation was made You could also let Boat Pennsylvania renewing) last October by Virgil Chambers, chief be part of awards to employees for ser- of the Commission Bureau of vice,job performance,safety, and other Waterways Boating Safety Education special recognition. Section, at Robert Morris College For complete details, contact Boat during the 1986 Water Rescue Pennsylvania editor Art Michaels at Return this form to: Seminar, in Pittsburgh. 717-657-4520. PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION Correspondence Tip BOAT PA Circulation your order, be sure to include in your P.O. Box 1673 If you ordered subscriptions, publi- letter the 7-digit number on the back of Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673 cations, and other items from the Fish your cancelled check. This number Be sure your name and address appear Commission,and if you need to corres- both on this form and on your check. appears directly below the stamp,"Pay Make checks payable to pond with the Fish Commission about to the order of the state treasurer." PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION.

January!February 1987 23 There's a BOOM in Water Skiing by John M. Cornish he "boom" in water skiing isn't of a shattering explosive Tnature, but instead is a new training and teaching device. The water skiing boom has been used to teach barefoot water skiing for at least 10 years. More recently,"the boom," as the skiers refer to it, has been developed so that it can be used in the training and teaching of all types of water skiing. Improvements have emerged as a result of manufacturers finding that booms could be profitable and marketable items. In the early days, the only booms that were seen on our rivers and lakes were those that competition skiers would buy or make for themselves out of some type of galvanized or painted pipe and pieces of rope. The pipe wuld have to be 1/12 to 2 inches in diameter and be made of a heavy gauge so that it would not bend. This made them extremely heavy and hard to hold onto. is to assist in teaching and training progresses to what is referred to as the Since its popularity grew, the boom water skiers from beginners to "shortline." The shortline is a 5-foot is now constructed of solid rods of advanced barefooters. ski tow line with a standard ski anodized aircraft aluminum with handle. This tow line is attached to vinyl-covered steel cables. The boom Advantages the end of the boom, giving the skier a itself, where the skier holds on, is The boom allows a skier to stand chance to learn the new feat on calm machined down to a thickness that is on the water only a few feet from the water, without the solid stability of easy to hold with a textured surface boat. An instructor is able to talk to the boom but not the instability of 75 that enhances the skier's grip. The the skier while the skier is skiing. The feet of rope. The skier still has the total weight is approximately 30 skier can receive encouragement and privilege of skiing parallel to the boat, pounds and is easily mounted to any instructions to correct improper body only a few feet away so that the skier ski boat. Different companies have position when learning new water can still be coached verbally. After different mounting brackets for skiing skills. The boom also gives the continued practice with the shortline, pleasure boats as well. The cost of a skier a great amount of stability while the skier is ready to move to the boom averages around $300, which holding onto it, which is not the case standard skiing position behind the makes them affordable and now while holding onto a ski rope 75 feet boat on a standard rope length of commonplace on many waterways. behind the boat. Another problem 75 feet. This 10-foot to 12-foot rod mounts that a skier on a boom does not have For each new trick a skier tries to on the ski tow pylon that is found in to contend with is the wake of the master, the boom can be an the center of most ski boats. The boat. The boat does give off a small advantage. The boom can also boom extends perpendicular out over amount of side spray that normally become a crutch and cause the skier the gunwale of the boat. It normally goes unnoticed by the skier. to develop some bad habits. The has two guy wires that fasten to the boom is very good for teaching a bow eye or deck lifting ring to keep Shortline beginner to get up on skis for the first the boom at a 90-degree angle to the As a skier improves his attempts at time. It's also very good for teaching a boat while the skier pulls on it. The a new water skiing endeavor, while deep-water start on a slalom ski. In main purpose for such a contraption holding directly onto the boom, he both cases, the skier learns to surface 24 Boat Pennsylvania Above, a boom is useful in learning safety precautions that should be Boat owners should be certain that new skiing tricks. At left, the author followed. Keep all loose cables and their boats are safe for boom skiing demonstrates the use ofa boom for ropes away from the boom, which before mounting a boom. Boats that barefoot water skiing. keeps a falling skier from getting are used with booms should be able to tangled up and being dragged after a track straight and level. Weight photos by the author fall or worse. This is a rule that should distribution in any boat is an be followed by all boaters to avoid important factor; the boom makes possible accidents. this consideration more important. It Another rule that should be becomes evident that most of the holding directly onto the boom. As followed, which involves the driver, is safety rules are common sense items that level is mastered, the skier to keep the boat moving after a skier that should be practiced in any types progresses to the shortline and to the falls until the boat is safely past the of watercraft, and extra caution back of the boat. skier. The skier who falls while skiing should be taken with the addition of a In most cases, the boom is used on the boom falls beside the boat. If boom. more for learning barefoot water the driver were to stop the boat, the A boom is a beneficial piece of skiing tricks. Because of this, there has skier may be in danger of hitting the equipment. It is a tool that should be been a special harness designed. This side of the boat or being run over by used as such and treated with respect. cradle-like harness holds the skier in a the boat if it made a turn. Keeping the It is not necessarily an instrument that position that allows the skier to ski boat proceeding straight ahead at a every boater or water skier should but not fall. This too is a great help in constant speed ensures that the skier have. If you decide to invest in a learning certain skiing tricks. will fall and be left behind, out of boom, take the effort to learn about it danger. from someone who has experience with Safety A competent driver is very and knowledge about booms and Booms are very useful and can help important when boom skiing, as it is boom skiing. raise a skier's performance level. They for any activity on the water. The are relatively safe if they are used weight of the skier pulling on the side correctly and with respect. As with all of the boat several feet away causes John M. Cornish coached the U.S. things, there are those individuals who the boat to pull to that side. The Barefoot Team to afirst -place victory can abuse a good thing and turn it driver must be able to compensate for last summer in world competition in into a weapon. There are several the changes while handling the boat. Germany. He lives in Rockwood, PA. January!February 1987 25 ,...... 00•,.., ---...• -411 ...." ...... *114.1, ....-...... 0.1 -- ....1741.6 "'Ae"". ..--- ,iintivaistm.r..-....-Matt4itr Tea- -n•. - !.r...." ...a...allii ...l .4 . ....

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26 Boat Pennsylvania But if you want to keep your new- sounds from warning signals. boat experience free of anguish, you If you've never trailered a boat have to plan the next phase of boat before, you'll want to listen ownership carefully: the shakedown specifically to how the trailer takes cruise. Whether your new rig is the bumps in the road. You'll want to first you've ever owned or if you've hear what the suspension sounds like owned a boat before, the shakedown in normal operation. When you learn cruise is crucial to starting off on the the new trailering sounds and you right foot. You need to develop the take a trip, keep one ear on the radio, confidence in the new boat that comes the CB, or the conversation with your only with getting to know the rig well. fishing partner, and one ear on the Letting this trust in your boat grow is trailer. a key ingredient to enjoying it as the Even if you've trailered an older newness fades. boat before, new boats and trailers Handle this step with flying colors can ride and "feel" very differently and you're well on the way to getting from your old rig. In addition to maximum pleasure and satisfaction learning the new sounds of your from your new investment, and this trailer, you'll want to pay particularly idea applies whether your new rig is a close attention in the beginning to 12-footer or a 40-footer. how the new rig takes bumps, dips, Here are some ideas on how to potholes, and other road obstacles— have a pleasant maiden voyage. how those bumps "feel." First, don't plan an extensive caper Getting to know your rig on the in an untried rig. After I drove away road in this way can give you the edge with my new 16-foot center console, if something goes wrong. You can for example, I took it the next calm, often feel and hear the problem sunny Saturday morning to a local immediately, thus preventing a minor unlimited horsepower lake, about an mishap from becoming a disaster. hour's drive from my home. I wanted That goes not only for physical to give the trailer a workout, but not damage, but for repair costs, too. on a long haul, and I wanted to test the boat's capabilities in a reasonably Perfect conditions safe environment over which I could When I arrived at that lake, except maintain control. for an occasional wake from another boat, no wave heights were higher Trailering than about 6 inches. That was perfect. That's the initial step: Trailering the If I needed assistance, other boaters new boat. When you trailer a new rig, were around, but conditions were not stop after the first two or three miles crowded, either. and check everything—tie-downs, Try to duplicate these ideal maiden winch, lights, and tires, for instance. If voyage conditions when you take your you have problems, it's better to test cruise. Crowded waterways mean discover them only a few miles from you have to watch your lookout most home rather than farther away when diligently. You always want to the neglected difficulty could cause an maintain proper lookout when you accident or great damage to your new pilot a boat, but on the maiden rig. voyage, uncrowded conditions let you After the first stop, pull over again pay attention also to learning about about 10 miles later, and then 25 or 30 your new boat. You can't accomplish miles later. If all's well, develop the this goal if you're constantly dodging by Art Michaels routine of checking your rig regularly water skiers, sailboarders, fishermen, uying a new boat, motor, and on trips, first after only a few miles trollers, pontoon boats, cruisers, and trailer is painless. When you and then every 100 miles or so. sailboats. Bhand the dealer the check and Furthermore, at least in the he gives you the rig's ignition keys, beginning, don't use the radio or talk Engine break-in you feel no different than you did the on the CB. You want to trailer the Another aspect of the cruise to moment before when you still new boat silently so that you can learn consider is that if you're using a new clutched the money and you were the new sounds of your rig. You'll engine, follow the manufacturer's thousands of dollars richer. quickly learn to distinguish "okay" recommendations carefully concerning January,February 1987 27 electric motor. After you launch and retrieve one or two times, you'll want to note new equipment with which you need to replace older gear from your previous rig. If your boat is all new, you'll probably come up with a list of small items you want aboard that you didn't pick up at the dealership. For instance, I thought I could transfer a set of mooring lines from an old rig to a new one, but after one launching at a ramp where a swift current pushed the boat stern downstream while I launched and retrieved, I realized that new, much longer mooring lines headlined my shopping list. XIV Piloting

tleINOMI You learn how your new rig You'll enjoy your new rig much more when you learn to handle it well, trust handles on the water only through its capabilities, and discover its limitations. During the shakedown cruise, all practice and experience, but this electronics and other gadgets on a new boat need a thorough test in reasonably aspect of the first cruise is very protected water and controlled conditions. important. Right from the start, you need to develop a "feel" for the the first 10 or so hours of operation— New electronics, equipment throttle and other controls, and how the break-in period. My new blaster, In addition to the engine owner's the boat responds,just as you do for for example, required the first hour of manual, be sure you have on board your new trailer. operation to be no more taxing than the owner's manuals and instruction You need to practice maneuvering running at half throttle, and the next books for all electronic gear. Many your boat so that getting under way hour of operation to include short problems can be solved by checking and mooring at launch sites becomes bursts at full throttle with the rest of out an item's initial performance with second nature—like driving your car. the time spent cruising at speeds no the operating instructions. You save Begin to develop this "feel" during the faster than those generated by about time and money by making minor first outing by practicing in open three-quarters throttle. adjustments yourself instead of water on that protected, relatively safe Pay attention also to the linkage, dragging the rig back to the dealer for waterway. steering, and throttle controls so that a small adjustment that takes only a Then you'll be prepared to take on if they need adjustment after a few few seconds. Before you decide that an awkward mooring in winds and hours of break-in, you can see that it's something isn't working right, make strong currents. When you deftly done. sure you're operating it correctly. accomplish that docking, you feel how Furthermore, new engines with For my boat's maiden cruise, I nicely the boat handles, and the pride their special kinds of oil injection invited a knowledgeable boating in your purchase—investment—shows systems require close observation friend aboard, in addition to running through your pleased look. during break-in so that you can with two other fishing partners in With a successful maiden voyage monitor whether or not the system is their own separate boat. In this way, I accomplished, you take your rig to the working correctly. You'll want to checked out the VHF radio and tested fishing grounds. There the deck make sure that the system is pumping my depth sounder and compass becomes coated with bait and fish oil properly into the engine, which readings by comparing my soundings scales, and the shiny new fittings are you can observe by noting the and readings with those of the gear on dulled by a layer of dirt. Your engine's differences in the oil level before and the other boat. The boating vet who new prop now sports a slightly gray after the first few trips. Your owner's accompanied me knew instantly exhaust film, black in some places, manual details more specifically what whether all the electronics and other and your compass and electronic gear you need to do. gadgets were working properly, and housings become pocked with Don't let the new motor's whether minor adjustments were watermarks and some dirt. But smoothness fool you into fudging on required by either us or by the dealer. everything works because you the manufacturer's break-in He also offered first-hand instruction thoroughly tested each item. instructions. You pave the way for in operating the new electronics. Now your new rig is truly smooth, reliable operation in years to During the maiden voyage, be sure christened. Your pulse quickens at the come when you break in an engine also to test other new equipment, such thought of taking on still greater properly during the maiden voyage, as navigation lights, bilge pump, fishing challenges in your thoroughly and during the entire break-in period. ventilation system, livewell, and tested, trustworthy boat. 28 Boat Pennsylvania

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it's 29 Some classes of tournaments may require that the skier hold a minimum AWSA Skier's Performance Rating, but most local meets have no such requirement and previous tournament experience is not necessary. There are also two special divisions—Open Men and Open Women—that are not age- specific. To"ski open"a skier in a regu- lar age division must qualify by exceed- ing certain difficult performance stand- ards in the event in actual competition. The open skiers are the most skilled. Many types of waterways can be used for water ski tournaments, but ideally the water area must not be too large for protection from wind-induced waves. In fact, a length of about 2,500 feet and width of 300 feet are sufficient to accommodate the ski courses. Outside boat traffic must be controlled, and the spectators and officials must have a good view of the water from the adja- cent shoreline. Because few natural water sites are perfect, there has been a trend toward using man-made tourna- ment facilities. An example of such a site in Pennsylvania is Dave's Pond near Erie. The tournament officials are all unpaid volunteers. These judges, driv- ers and scorers must hold appropriate AWSA official's ratings. Many skiers help out as officials or in other auxiliary capacities. It is common to see entire families involved at a tournament. The contestants in a water ski tour- Tournament water skiers put in many Although it is legal to use two skis, nament use their own skis, but boats are long hours ofpractice and spend much the almost exclusive use of long,severly- provided by the organizing club, usu- money on equipment and travel ex- tapered single skis in this event has ally through promotional arrange- penses. given them their common name— ments with manufacturers. Currently slalom skis. The most advanced ski the most popular AWSA-certified tour- designs incorporate some type of con- nament towboats are inboards, al- caved running surface and usually have though the once dominant outboards fashion, and follows the boat out foils or wings on the keels. All skiers in are making a comeback. Only one tow- through the last set of boat guides (exit this event must wear vest-type(type III) boat operates at a time and safety boats gate). With each successful pass through flotation devices. idle at strategic points at all times to the course, the boat speed is raised two The best slalom skiers, such as the pick up fallen skiers and to provide miles per hour until the maximum legendary La Point brothers of Califor- immediate assistance in the rare event speed for the division is reached. (For nia, routinely ski into such short rope of injury. the principal male divisions, the min- lengths that the towrope is actually imum starting speed is 30 mph and the shorter than the distance from the boat Slalom maximum is 36 mph.) Each pass there- to the turn buoy,the difference made up The largest number of contestants after, the towrope is shortened in pre- entirely by reach! No wonder that the compete in the slalom event. The offi- measured increments. The 75'5" tow- better performers in this event tend to cial slalom course consists of a long, rope is first cut to 59'10",then to 52'6", be tall and strong! straight corridor of buoys through 46'9", and 42'8" and so on.(The odd which the boat passes and six skier measurements result from metric dimen- Trick event buoys placed alternately 38 feet out on sioning used in the rules.) The rope is The trick event is much like gymnas- either side of the boat path. The skier shortened until the skier falls or misses tics or figure skating. Each skier is passes through the first set of boat guide a buoy or gate. The winner is the skier allowed two 20-second periods in which b,.:oys (the skier entrance gate), skis who has negotiated the most consecu- to perform a routine of tricks. Each around all six skier buoys in zig-zag tive buoys. trick has a preset point value based on 30 Boat Pennsylvania and may adjust the length of his tow- structed of modern reinforced plastics. rope to find the sharpest part of the A far cry from the hardwood planks of wake and the smoothest "table" be- yesteryear, good jumpers are the most tween the wakes. expensive skis made. Incidentally,jump Tricks are usually performed at rela- skis do have keels. tively slow speeds, 15-18 mph for most Jump skiers must wear full flotation adults. This is one reason why tricks is vests or special suits that incorporate the only event in which wearing a flota- the buoyancy of a vest with the extra tion device is optional. Most trick skiers impact protection of padded, rein- also use a quick-release mechanism that forced wetsuit material. Most jumpers enables the rope to be released from the also wear helmets of some type. boat instantly should the skier become Jump distances are measured by a entangled while performing any trick. simple yet accurate triangulation sys- Needless to say, most release operators tem. Three stations are set up on shore, are friends or relatives who regularly each containing a set of protractors and pull the release for the skier in practice. sighting arms. Operators at these sta- tions view through the sighting arms to Jumping the point where the skier lands and read In jumping the contestant skis over a the angle on the protractor. The dis- jump ramp for distance—no style or tance between the first station and the form points are awarded. For a jump to ramp is known, and the distance to the count, the skier must ski away from the other two stations is known,so the dis- landing. A maximum boat speed is set tance between the ramp and landing for each division (35 mph for Open point can be determined from the Men, 30 mph for most others) and the angles. This calculation is now typically boat must pass parallel to the ramp. To performed by a computer. get the most distance,jumpers employ The skiers who compete in these what is known as the double wake cut. tournaments put in many long hours of The skier skis out as wide as possible to practice and spend a good deal of the side of the boat away from the money on equipment, gasoline and ramp, waits until the last possible travel expenses,all for a chance to win a moment, then cuts hard across both few trophies and a moment of glory. wakes to the ramp. Performed prop- The better skiers may qualify for their erly, it is possible for the skier to nearly regional or even the national tourna- double his speed. This speed, coupled ment. But most skiers admit that it is with a well-timed jumping or spring the close camaraderie of the tourna- difficulty. The object is to do as many action, can send the skier soaring. It is ment family, not just a chance to win, tricks of the highest point value possible indeed spectacular to watch, and the that makes it all worthwhile. in two 20-second routines without crashes that can result from miscalcula- Some special classes of tournaments repeating. tions are even more spectacular. do offer cash prizes, but these tend to be The basic categories of tricks include The ramp surface, 14 feet wide and 21 limited to the skiers in the Open Men surface turns, wake turns performed in feet long, is usually fiberglass or waxed and Open Women divisions. While few mid-air off the wake,stepovers in which plywood and is kept wet with a sprink- tournament skiers at the local level one leg passes over the rope during the ler system. The height at the takeoff expect to, or even care to, win money at turn, body overs in which the entire edge is 5 feet for most divisions,5 /12 feet tournaments, the "cash award" events body passes over the rope,and toeholds for Men II and 6 feet for Open Men. are providing one means for competi- in which turns are performed while the Angled plywood "aprons" are affixed tive water skiing to break out of its skier is towed by one foot from a toe- to the sides of the ramp to deflect any relative obscurity. A grand prix tour of hold attachment on the rope. Point skier who may misjudge his approach tournaments featuring the best skiers in values range from 30 points for a simple and miss the ramp surface entirely. the world is now attracting television 180-degree surface turn on two skis to The longest distances recorded in the audiences as well as substantial crowds 650 points for a forward wake somer- Open Men division are in excess of 200 at tour events. Another possible route sault on one ski. Only two skiers in the feet. Top jumpers like Sammy Duvall to public notice may take a long while world consistently score over 10,000 of Florida and Mike Hazelwood of to accomplish—to make competition points in two 20-second passes-- Cory Great Britain build up so much speed water skiing a participating sport in the Pickos of Florida and Patrice Martin of during their cuts that they actually land Olympic Games. France. ahead of the boat. Until the day arrives, young skiers Trick skis are short, wide, blunt- Jump skis look much like old- with visions of glory and old skiers who ended, nearly flat and have no keels. In fashioned square-backed recreational are still young in spirit will take to the tricks the skier supplies his own rope skis, but because they must be light for lakes and rivers with vigor and deter- and handle-toehold bridle. The con- distance yet extremely strong to with- mination, even though they may testant may request any constant speed stand the force of landing, they're con- not be in the limelight. January!February 1987 31 fr

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