Add tunes to your boat
with unit that offers USB
and auxiliary inputs

Prospec Millenia Bluetooth receiver

The latest stereo to join the Milennia brand, Prospec Electronics Milennia MILPRV21 offers Bluetooth audio streaming and a host of other features in a compact size. The unit measures six inches by four inches and has a retail cost of $169.95.

The Millennia MILPRV21 also utilizes U.S. and European tuning, and features USB and auxiliary inputs for users to plug in portable media devices for more music versatility. The unit is built to withstand the marine environment and has a waterproof faceplate.

Clearly marked, intuitive controls make playing music and the radio simple. Users can easily adjust the volume with push-button keys. An RF remote can be purchased separately.

Built to handle the rough marine environment, this receiver has a waterproof faceplate. Prospec also added an RF remote-ready option to the unit. Remote can be purchased separately.
Information:

Prospec Electronics
3325 S Morgans Point Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
www.prospecelectronics.com

Tie down gear
with ease instead
of bungee cords

LoopRope has many uses

LoopRope makes tie down easy for boating and all of your outdoor activities including camping, rafting, surfing, backpacking.

LoopRope is constructed of quarter-inch shock cords that are doubled up and come in 3-, 4-, and 5-foot lengths, along with two stainless-steel S-clips. Instead of tying knots in ropes or using bungee cords that are too long or short, simply loop, clip and go.

In addition to working on boats, LoopRope is useful for operators of SUVs, ATVs, RVs, trucks, trailers, motorcycles and around the home or cabin. Costs begin at $19.95.

Located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale,
upscale facility offers amenities, security
of Harbor Islands gated community

Location is crucial when it comes to assessing the difficulty of getting to the Intracoastal Waterway in South Florida. With hundreds of channels and neighborhood canals crisscrossing the region, while your boat may be docked on the water, you could be 40 minutes or more away from the Intracoastal superhighway.

But that’s not the case at Loggerhead Marina Hollywood, where all it takes is a right turn to put you almost squarely between Port Everglades (six miles to the north) and the Haulover Inlet (five miles to the south). The location is what makes Loggerhead Marina Hollywood so popular with long-term and transient slip guests. Not only is there great ocean access, but the marina is nestled with the residential gated community of Harbor Islands, and situated in a cozy, sheltered alcove of luxury homes and lush tropical landscaping.

“We have a mixture of people that both live in the area and keep their boats here, to people that live in Texas and fly in for a week or two,” said Dave O’Connor, Loggerhead Marina Hollywood harbormaster. The staff is comprised of O’Connor, two dockhands, two office assistants and a maintenance person. “We have a very secure location in this upscale community. You don’t have unauthorized people walking around the docks. Yet you have access to the tropical pool in the Harbor Islands community and the health club.”

The marina offers 191 wets slips for boats ranging from 30 to 120 feet. Fuel trucks can be scheduled to deliver gas or diesel to boats in the slips, and Port Supply is on standby to handle service needs. Dockhands are available for assistance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. There’s a ship’s store for sundry items, and the air-conditioned men and women’s restroom facilities feature luxurious marble tiled showers, separate toilets, and private changing rooms.

Utility pedestals installed at each slip include metered electricity with choices of 30-, 50- and 100-amp rating standard outlets. Telephone connections are prewired at every slip and phone service may be arranged through Bell South. Water outlets offer clean and sanitary city water.

The facility also features a state-of-the-art sanitary pump-out system with hydrant connections for every slip. In addition there’s a Captain’s Lounge that offers Internet access, telephone and a comfortable business workspace. There is also a covered lanai adjacent to the Captain’s Lounge that is open for entertaining.

“Our members get together every Friday night on our patio for potluck dinner and cocktails,” O’Connor explained. “Then on Tuesdays some of the guests meet in the morning for a bike ride to the beach for breakfast and bike back. It’s a really neat community and they do a lot together.”

Loggerhead has 12 Florida marina facilities, including Hollywood, Aventura, Daytona Beach, Jupiter, Lantana, Miami, Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach, South Lantana, St. Petersburg, Stuart, and Vero Beach. Members are offered reciprocal dockage at any of the other Loggerhead facilities.

For more information, contact:
Loggerhead Marina Hollywood
1400 Marina Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
888-504-4372 or 954-457-8557
http://www.harborislandsmarina.com/index.htm

Experienced broker, sailor
works the political arena
to benefit boating industry

Jeff Erdmann, Bollman Yachts

Contrary to popular perceptions, not all lobbyists wear Italian-tailored suits, expensive silk ties, Gucci loafers and get paid big bucks. In fact, Jeff Erdmann is one of Florida’s leading marine industry advocates and he doesn’t get paid at all. He’s a volunteer.

As Chair of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association Public Affairs Committee, Erdmann played a key role in 2010 convincing the Florida legislature to put an $18,000 sales-use tax cap on boats purchased or brought into Florida. The legislation not only saved jobs in the marine industry, but the state has collected nearly 10 times as much revenue than was projected. Talk about a win-win.

In real life Erdmann is the owner of Fort Lauderdale’s Bollman Yachts. He purchased the business from Pete Bollman in 2001 after working as a yacht broker for 14 years. He estimates he’s sold between 400 and 500 boats since his career began, with the largest sale topping $13.5 million. Bollman Yachts has a staff of nine brokers.

Erdmann is also an accomplished sailor, and in 2008 completed a five-week trip-of-a-lifetime: a 30,000-mile circumnavigation consisting of a combination of charter sailboats and several air passages. Southern Boating recently caught up with Erdmann to discuss his passion for yachting and advocacy.

SB: How did you get started in the brokerage business?
JE: I was living in Texas and selling copying machines. I was selling a copying machine to a bingo hall and the owner said, “You should come by tonight and play bingo.” So I made plans to play bingo that night.

That day I was also looking for a new boat and I was scouring the classified ads. I came upon an ad in Soundings for a course on “How to Become a Yacht Broker.” It would have set me back $500.

That night I played bingo and won $500. I took that as a good omen, bought the course and became a yacht broker in 1987. It’s been a great career. There have been unforeseen bumps along the way, like the luxury tax, the 1989-1991 savings and loan crisis, 9/11, and the Great Recession. But, it’s a pleasure to work with folks who love boating and if I can help them get out on the water, so much the better.

SB: In 2010 you helped convince the Florida Legislature to approve an $18,000 sales-use tax cap on boats purchased or brought into Florida. How does this help the boating industry?
JE: Let’s say you’re buying a $1 million yacht. Before Florida enacted its sales/use tax cap you were looking at a $60,000 tax bill because of our 6% sales tax. The British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and the Marshall Islands are examples of island nations that are part of a cottage industry where you can set up an offshore corporation and register a vessel at an average cost of about $12,000 plus and another $1,500 a year in administrative fees. Once flagged offshore it’s now a foreign vessel and it will not stay in Florida for repairs or provisioning anywhere near the same amount of time as it would if it was registered in Florida.

Now there is a competitive alternative to that. The $18,000 sales/use tax cap is a little more than what it would cost to do it offshore, but there’s so much less hassle because the boat can stay in Florida and does not have to go regularly offshore. It’s much better for the state, marine businesses and their employees here. Boat dockage, fuel, provisioning, maintenance, refits, redecorating; it’s all done here in Florida, creating jobs and increasing sales tax revenue.

SB: You are working on a new initiative that will aid sellers of boats nationally, can you explain more?
JE: We are working to expand the benefits of the boat show bond to a listing bond that will allow a foreign flagged boat to be offered for sale in the United States to U.S. citizens until it sells, as long as it’s listed with a broker under an exclusive listing.

The current boat show bond was pushed through Congress in 2004 by former Rep. Clay Shaw and works well but could be improved if changed to include more boats for a longer period of time. Under current law a seller can apply for a boat show bond that is only good for six months, boats 79 feet or larger, good only during a boat show. Once the six months expires, the boat must leave the U.S. or it has to pay the duty or forfeit the bond.

The Florida Yacht Brokers Association would like to have the law amended so that boats of all sizes can take advantage of the bond, not be limited to boat show dates and most importantly, don’t have to leave the U.S. during the time they are for sale. Getting any change through Congress is a tremendous, time-consuming effort. Although we have just begun the process, we have met with folks in the industry to enlist their support and have floated the idea in Washington, D.C. during a recent visit to Capitol Hill.

SB: What is the state of the boat brokerage business today, and how do you see it faring through this year and into 2013?
JE: The brokerage business continues to be tentative. Buyers have been waiting on the sidelines for a sign that we have hit bottom and a sustainable recovery is underway. Much like the current housing market, it definitely has been a buyer’s market. Some buyers who have been waiting for the bottom of the market have found they can buy a lot more boat for their money, getting some fantastic deals. That said, we have seen multiple offers recently, a good sign that the market is improving. Something else to consider in the value department is the pleasure that boating provides. As they say, timing is everything, and there has probably never been a better time to get an incredible deal and go boating.

Also, there’s less inventory on the high and low end of the market. Trawlers like Grand Banks are selling. High-end center console fishing boats are also selling well. Express sportfishing boats, however, are still seeing tough times.

What’s nice about the brokerage business is we don’t have to sell a customer one particular boat. We get to go shopping with them. We have a relationship with our clients and find the very best value for them. I’m always walking the docks during boat shows searching for the best deals to deliver to my clients.

SB: Your sailing exploits are amazing, what stands out most from your adventures? Do you have another big trip planned?
JE: I started sailing at the age of seven with my father and brothers. In 1996 I had a great offshore experience, sailing in the Pacific Cup Race from San Francisco to Hawaii. I was on a 62 Deerfoot and we had the spinnaker up 24/7 for eight and a half days. The entire race was just under 12 days and we covered about 2,500 nautical miles.

We had to sail around the Pacific high and were becalmed for both the first day and a half and the last half-day. We could have made it faster. We made almost 18 knots in surfing conditions and were tracking day in and day out at 10 to 12 knots. We were just flying!

I don’t have another big trip planned but I’ve been invited on a couple. I’m sure I’ll go on another great adventure at some point – hopefully sooner rather than later.

SB: Where do you enjoy boating?
JE: In a word: everywhere. Locally, I love day sailing on Biscayne Bay, cruising the hundreds of miles of waterways in Fort Lauderdale and boating in the Florida Keys. Worldwide, I occasionally get to go on deliveries or races with some of my favorite clients. With business picking up and the exceeding demands of advocating for the marine industry, I simply don’t have the time to do as much boating as I would like.

Saving lives or just
lending a helping hand,
it’s all in a day’s work

Boat owners everywhere have a friend on the water in Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer, founder of Sea Tow. In 1983, Capt. Joe saw a business opportunity when the U.S. Coast Guard stopped responding to non-emergency calls, which includes assisting boats that have run out of gas or have mechanical problems.

Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer

Sea Tow responds to these calls, and to so much more. Boat owners nationwide and overseas have been helped by Sea Tow, and the company is expanding its presence in 2012 with new apps and internet systems. Southern Boating interviewed Capt. Joe and learned about what makes his company so strong, and what’s ahead.

SB: Sea Tow has helped many boat owners since you founded the company in 1983, what stories most stand out?
JF: During the last 29 years we’ve acquired thousands of stories, but the most outstanding are of course, the good ones.

While our focus in on non-emergency assistance we are often able to assist with emergency situations on the water by being in the right place at the right time. Helping with those situations is very rewarding, but there is nothing like saving a life; which I have had the good fortune of being able to do more than once.

However, one incident will always stand out in my mind. It was a call that there were eight people in the water, and three people were still missing. Upon arrival at the scene we found a boat sunk with just the bow sticking up about three feet out of the water. One person at the scene said they heard someone calling for help from inside the bow of the boat and that they could not breathe. Hundreds of thoughts and decisions based on past experience race through your mind, but there is no time to waste. As the first responders on scene you need to take charge. We jumped to action. The boat needed to be righted in order to attempt to save the person inside; we took action. Amazingly, as we were righting the boat, the action of doing so caused the boy, trapped in the bow to come “flushing” out of the boat into the arms of the local harbormaster that was in the water, riding the boat, as it came back to the surface upright. Barely responsive, the 9 year old, slowly opened his eyes and was rushed to shore for medical attention. After a brief trip to the hospital, he was OK. The others that were missing were two little girls that were trapped inside the boat. After trying to revive them with the assistance of other on scene rescuers, we were unsuccessful. We were all just fortunate that we were able to save one life that day. I believe the good Lord is looking over our Captains’ shoulders and helping to make tough decisions during these types of incidents. He was definitely looking over that little boy that day.

There are always funny stories about the experiences we have as Sea Tow captain; however it is the stories of saving a life that stand out and mean so much to us.

SB: Has Sea Tow’s mission changed since the beginning? If so, in what ways?
JF: Yes, our mission has changed over the years. The formative years were rough, as with any industry starting from the ground up. Remember, Sea Tow took on the challenge of privatizing what used to be a government/Coast Guard function starting in 1983. It took a long time for the industry to develop, along with the professionalism. And of course after September 11, the Coast Guard’s mission changed once again talking on additional Homeland Security duties as a new part of that Department.

More work was placed on the Coast Guard with little change in budget, so Sea Tow and others are counted on even more to help be the eyes and ears on the water.

After 28 years in business Sea Tow now responds to over 50,000 non-emergency and emergency calls each year – cases which the Coast Guard used to be responsible for. Our Sea Tow membership base has also increased with time allowing us to maintain the highest level of service to the boating public and continue our focus on member service. As a co-founder of C-PORT, the national association for the Marine Assistance industry, I’ve also been a proponent of standards and increased professionalism and ethical behavior across the industry and now sit on TSAC (Towing Safety Advisory Committee) for the Department of Homeland Security.

SB: Sea Tow has a network of nearly 100 locations in the U.S., as well as offices in Europe, Australia and the Caribbean. Are you involved in those operations and how do you see Sea Tow evolving?
JF: I, along with my entire team at Sea tow headquarters, are very involved in Sea Tow network operations. We are committed to providing the best service for all boaters, regardless of where they are located. Our team at Sea Tow International headquarters in Southold, N.Y., is responsible for supporting the Sea Tow network with a 24/7 Contact and Dispatch Center, marketing and PR, membership processing and operations support.

As far as the evolution of Sea Tow, I see us moving into new areas over the next couple years. Expanding our inland lakes and river presence in the continental U.S. as well as expanding in the Caribbean. We have also invested highly over the past few years to create services and offerings to assist boaters and to make boating safer.

In 2008 we founded the Sea Tow Foundation to promote boating safety and education. One of the Foundation’s largest projects has been a life jacket loaner program getting over 10,000 life jackets into the hands of boaters who might otherwise have not worn them.

In 2011 we launched the free Sea Tow Automated Radio Check service. Using VHF channels 24-28 (varies by area) boaters can now check the tone, quality and strength of their radio transmission without having to rely on anyone else. And, of course, this service helps by reducing traffic on Channel 16 so it can be used for its intended purpose – hailing and distress.

And on April 12 we launched our new Sea Tow App for iPhone and Android. We’re very excited about it. The Sea Tow App combines all of the other boating apps out there into one including tides, weather, radar, compass, GPS, day/night modes and, of course, a way to call Sea Tow for assistance. Check it out at www.seatow.com/app. We are still proponents of having a working VHF and other proper electronics on board, but the App should serve as a great additional tool in a boater’s toolbox.

SB: What type of boating do you enjoy and where? Have you ever needed the help of Sea Tow?
JF: As long as my feet are wet, I’m happy. I must be near, in, or on the water; it’s in my blood. Any type of boating is best; however different types offer different thrills and options. I enjoy sailing for the challenge and quietness. I like speed when you need to be at your destination quickly. Of course, I am just as content out on my boat anchored in the bay on a weekend. Any day on the water is better than a day in the office.

I will offer however that while Mother Nature is my friend and I respect her very much, one must never lose sight of the fact that things can go wrong. Everyone needs the help on the water sooner or later. It’s just Murphy’s Law. And, yes I have used my own service. As I said, eventually everyone needs Sea Tow’s help. You just never know – even with the best preparation.

SB: Many of your family members work at Sea Tow—explain their roles.
JF: Sea Tow International is a family-owned and operated business, just like most of our local franchise operations are as well. My daughter, Kristen, and my son, Joseph, pretty much grew up in the business. They were there from day one, just like my wife Georgia.

Kristen serves as our Chief Administrative Officer managing the marketing, PR, sales, membership and contact center teams. Joseph serves as our Chief Operations officer managing franchise operations and legal. But, both of them started at “the bottom” having done many of the jobs they now supervise. Guess that’s what happens when “Dad” puts you to work as soon as they were able! They also both bring outside work experience with them having both sought other careers outside of Sea Tow; Kristen and a middle and high school Spanish teacher and Joseph as a ship’s deck officer with a Chief Mate Unlimited, 1600-ton Master’s license. Both returned to work full time at Sea Tow in the early 2000s.

The heart and soul of the company is still Georgia, my wife, as executive Vice President. She is the real reason Sea Tow is here today. You know how they say that behind every successful man there is an exhausted woman…well, that could describe Georgia. She has been integral to the success of the company and building it over the years. So much so, that these days, I refer to myself as “Chief Custodian”. I still make sure things are under control, that the lights are working and that the operation is moving forward. I have no plans of retiring; I’m having too much fun!

Multi-filament rope
offers advantages
over nylon or cotton

Soft Lines Dock Lines

Soft Lines’ Dock Lines are made from multi-filament polypropylene rope, which gives them a distinct advantage over nylon or cotton lines.

Soft Lines’ Dock Lines are softer and more flexible than lines made from nylon or cotton. The material is resistant to most chemicals and stays flexible in cold weather. Even tight knots are easy to release and can be personalized with a boat name so that your lines aren’t mistaken for someone else’s when untying from raft-ups.

Soft Lines’ are available in thicknesses of 3/8-, ½- and 5/8-inch and can be ordered in lengths of 10 to 35 feet. Prices start at $13.50 for 10 feet of 3/8-inch rope and no minimum order requirement. Custom colors are available to perfectly match your boat’s color scheme.

Contact:
Soft Lines
422 Third Street W
Ashland WI 54806
715-682-3774
softlinesinc.com

Add color and clarity
to your nighttime boating
with new lighting source

SeaSense LED accent bezel

The SeaSense Rod Holder LED Accent Bezel lets boaters add color-coordinated accent lighting to their watercraft while also clearly identifying rod holder locations onboard for night fishing. It fits most current popular rod holder models.

In addition, the SeaSense Cup Holder LED Accent Bezel has the same effect by adding rings of glowing LED light around any boat’s stainless steel drink holders. It fits most current popular cup holder models.

SeaSense Rod & Cup Holder LED Accent Bezels are available in either vibrant white or blue LED lighting. Additional LED colors will be introduced later this year. Price for a single cup holder bezel is $29.99, and a rod holder bezel is $39.99.

“We introduced LED lighting to the marine market in 2001 with our LED Trailer Light Kit for under-80-inch trailers,” said David Nirenberg, President and CEO of Unified Marine, maker of the SeaSense brand. “Our new SeaSense LED lights add pizazz to any vessel by allowing boaters to customize the look and feel of the helm, deck or interior. LED lighting offers significant energy savings over traditional incandescent lights, which helps extend marine battery life and make boating more enjoyable.”
Both products are 100-percent waterproof, as well as UV- and impact-resistant. They draw just .65 amps and last five times longer than incandescent bulbs. And, like all LED lights, they’re cool to the touch.

Information: Visit www.seasense.com, or call 800-282-872.

Berthing for six guests
plus a captain makes
overnighting a joy

In golf, you drive for show and putt for dough. In boating, you drive for show and DOCK for dough. While piloting a boat isn’t always easy, it’s around the dock where reputations are won or lost, where knees turn to jelly and cuss words fly. Every available hand is used as a human bumper, fending off of pilings and other boats’ bows, as those on the dock watch and judge every decision. It can take months or even years to attain docking confidence, depending on your skill and the boat’s equipment.

In the case of the Cranchi Fifty 8 Fly that I sea trialed, it can take just a couple of hours to feel like a seasoned old salt ready to take on the high seas and the most difficult docking situation. The key to my confidence on the Fifty 8 Fly is the splendid pairing with Volvo Penta’s 900 IPS engines and Joystick low-speed control. Cranchi introduced the brand-new fiberglass-hull Fifty 8 Fly last year and builds her for exclusive IPS use.

The main saloon features a galley unit to starboard, which also houses a flat-screen TV that rises upward for optimal viewing, a port couch, and huge windows that allow in lots of natural light. Below deck, in addition to the full-beam aft master stateroom with queen bed and ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet, there’s a VIP stateroom with a queen bed and ensuite access to a dayhead with a shower. Additionally, there’s a guest stateroom amidships with two twin beds, as well as a refrigerator and freezer and washer/dryer combo unit in the hallway. The boat sleeps six, plus a crew cabin with a twin bunk and head.

The aft deck is wide, featuring a large table and couch along the transom. Aft of the transom is a huge swim platform that can be lowered below the waterline to make re-boarding easy. But there are other equally ideal places to relax. On the bow is a three-person sunpad that can be shaded by a retractable awning. The flybridge offers both sun and shade: A fixed hardtop covers the center of the flybridge while another retractable awning system provides more shade if needed. On the flybridge deck there’s a huge U-shaped couch aft accommodating seating for 10, and the tables can be fully deployed or folded back for more space. There’s also a large sunpad forward on the flybridge.

The port-side helm station on the flybridge is nearly identical to the starboard side one on the main deck?the difference is where the throttle and Joystick controls are located. Up top, throttles are located all the way to port on the steering station so you have good visibility when docking. Identical Raymarine 120E Multi-Function Displays above and below provide operating information.

In good weather like I had, running the Fifty 8 Fly up top is the way to go. However, the expansive front windshield on the main deck and giant side windows provide an incredible amount of visibility for the pilot at the main-deck helm station. With the automatic trim employed and un-crowded waters, the Fifty 8 Fly is about the easiest 58-footer I have ever had the pleasure to run, thanks to Cranchi’s design and the incredible performance of the Volvo Penta IPS drives. And in close quarters around the docks, well… you’ll easily earn your dough.

SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 60′ 8″
Beam: 15′ 10″
Draft: 4′ 4″
Weight: 59,300 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 528 gallons
Freshwater capacity: 142 gallons
Standard power: 2x Volvo Penta IPS/2-800 EVC/EC diesel engines, 600-hp each
Maximum power (as sea-trialed): 2x Volvo Penta IPS/2-900 EVC/EC diesel engines, 700-hp each
Top speed with maximum power: 34 knots
Cruising / Top speed: 24 knots @1900 rpm / 24 knots
Range @ cruise: 280nm
yachtworks.net

Taking on recreational marine
causes a long-time passion
for political insider and strategist

Michael Sciulla

An accomplished communicator, advocate and strategist, Michael Sciulla spent 28 years both fighting for the interests of recreational boaters as a lobbyist and building the BoatU.S. brand. During his tenure, the BoatU.S. membership grew from 30,000 to 650,000. He left BoatU.S. in late 2008, and since then he’s been on a mission to help the boating industry recover from the recent recession and assist writers in the shift from print to online media.

Sciulla writes a marketing and political column for Soundings Trade Only. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Boating Writers International and Marine Marketers of America, producing and moderating more than 15 panel and roundtable discussions over the past decade on a wide variety of thought-provoking topics from “Expanding the Boating Universe Beyond Middle-aged White Males” for the 2008 Fort Lauderdale boat show to “Rethinking the Media’s Role in Recreational Boating” for the 2012 Miami boat show.

He is now working with the Florida Yacht Brokers Association in an effort to protect and promote the state’s marine industry. Sciulla recently sat down with Southern Boating to chat about politics, boating, and the making of public policy.

SB: As the presidential election campaign enters the stretch run, are there any marine issues that affect both owners that our readers should be following?
MS: Having either worked for or with Congress for the past 35 years, I think it’s fair to say that issues affecting recreational boaters don’t generally make it into the national debate. But, who gets elected to Congress and gains effective control of the legislative process next year is probably as important to your pocketbook, the marine environment and the price of fuel used in your boat as who wins the presidency.

That said, unless by some miracle a lame duck Congress goes into session after the November elections and crafts a formula to tame the looming federal budget deficit, a fight over the expiring Bush tax cuts and a push for a “Buffett” tax in early 2013 could make the current Congress look like a well-oiled machine. This is especially true if the voters return a divided Congress to Washington later this year.

While the current “Do-Nothing” Congress, with the Republicans in control of the House of Representatives and the Democrats controlling the U.S. Senate may be viewed by some as the best of all possible worlds, I think most Americans are tired of all the in-fighting and want Congress to get to work putting the country back to work.

The bottom line: If you want the federal government to take action to solve some of the pressing problems facing this country, you should seriously consider casting your vote for one party or the other and giving that party a mandate to govern. The divided government we’ve had for the past two years is just incapable of meeting the challenges facing this country. We need to put one captain in charge of the ship of state and begin rowing in the same direction. We can either swim together or sink separately. The choice is yours.

SB: In your 28-year career at BoatUS, what do you consider your most important achievements?
MS: Contrary to what some might say, the fight over the federal deficit did not begin with the Tea Party and the Obama Administration. Some of your readers are may recall that early on in the Reagan Administration there was a big push to generate more federal revenues. OMB Director David Stockman reportedly looked around and decided that yacht owners would be an easy target. The problem was they couldn’t call it a tax. Instead, they decided to call it a Coast Guard “user fee.” This so-called “user fee” would have ranged from $50-$600 a year depending on the size of your boat. The media and a number of very outspoken lawmakers thought this was a grand idea. Most boaters used Coast Guard services, the theory went, and so why shouldn’t they pay an annual fee? Legislation was promptly introduced and hearings were scheduled.

Two of the most important lessons I learned from my earlier days as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill was that facts are important and that he who best defined the terms of the debate usually wins. The first thing that we did was to analyze the Coast Guard’s own search and rescue statistics which showed that more than 90% of boaters never came into contact with the Coast Guard and even if they did, they had no right to demand any service. Would it be right to charge everyone for services only used by a few?

The second and perhaps the most important thing we did was to change the terms of the debate. This was no “user fee,” this was a new tax – plain and simple – designed to raise additional revenues for the government from those who it was said could obviously afford to pay more.

In a jam-packed hearing before the House Coast Guard Subcommittee in 1981 we labeled the Administration’s proposal a “user fee” tax and drove home the point that this was simply a new tax masquerading as a fee.

Say what you will about members of Congress, the truth is that most successful lawmakers have great political antenna. They know which way the winds of public opinion blow and were quick to recognize that 10 million recreational boaters was a new constituency worth cultivating.

For the next eight years, every Reagan and Bush administration budget proposal included a Coast Guard “user fee” tax. And every year, our congressional allies deep-sixed the idea until it was finally buried in an omnibus bill that Congress had to pass and could not be amended.

The Coast Guard “user fee” tax ultimately became law in 1990 but was on the books for less than two years. Thanks to an outpouring of support from the boating community we succeeded in pushing through legislation repealing the so-called “user fee” practically before anyone had to pay it. In the final analysis this effort, which took more than 10 years from start to finish, not only ended up saving boaters hundreds if not billions of dollars over the long haul, but also energized the boating community into becoming a political force to be reckoned with in our nation’s capital.

This was especially important on another front as the first Bush Administration in a 1992 back-room deal succeeded in imposing a 20-cents-per-gallon tax on diesel fuel used only by recreational boaters. This caused chaos at fuel docks serving both commercial and recreational boating. The lessons we learned in fighting the “user fee” tax were crucial. It took us a few years but once again, our Congressional allies rose to the task and repealed the tax.

At the same time that these battles were going on, there was also a push to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction for recreational boats. That effort ultimately failed in the face of vigorous opposition from boaters and the marine industry.

While it may appear that we were entirely engaged in keeping the government’s hand out of boating’s pocketbook during this period, the fact is that we were also working day and night to ensure that the federal taxes paid by boaters went back into programs benefitting the boating community. Our greatest accomplishment here began in 1983 when we convinced Congress to put all of the motorboat fuel taxes paid by boaters into a trust fund to benefit federal and state boating and fishing programs. We ultimately grew the Aquatic Resources (Wallop/Breaux) Trust Fund, as it came to be called, from $30 million to over $650 million per year.

I am especially pleased by one particular provision that I fought hard for that is now known as the federal Boating Infrastructure Grant Program. Since 1998 it has been providing millions of dollars each year to the states for transient facilities including moorings, dinghy docks, access piers and other facilities that provide a safe haven for cruising boaters.

SB: You have testified on Capitol Hill and have more than 30 appearances before Congressional committees. What experiences stand out?
MS: Far and away the most remarkable experience I ever had on Capitol Hill was a Congressional hearing in the ornate chambers of the House Merchant Marine Committee in June 1985. The hearing was called to order to discuss the Reagan Administration’s proposed recreational boat “user fee.”

Fitted out in a loud, white sport coat bedecked with signal flags and a dime store yachtsman’s cap, Rep. Silvio Conti (R-MA), one of the most powerful members of Congress, took the witness chair. Peering through his sunglasses and chomping on his ever-present cigar, the sponsor of legislation to charge boaters an annual Coast Guard “user fee” gazed toward the raised platform containing the members of the House Coast Guard subcommittee.

Chairing the hearing was fellow Bay-stater, Rep. Gerry Studds (D-MA). Not to be outdone by his star witness, Studds, outfitted in a bright yellow New England Sou’ Wester, called the hearing to order with a blow of a foghorn.

This kind of colorful theatrics and bonhomie, especially involving members of the two different parties, is sadly lacking among today’s lawmakers.

Another, much less pleasant experience involving a Florida congressman comes to mind. I will never forget when the Rep. Sam Gibbons (R-FL) personally called me to let me know in no uncertain terms that he was none too happy with me for publicizing the fact that he was behind one of the efforts to unfairly tax boaters. The lesson I learned that day was that you let powerful congressmen blow off steam when they want to so you can live to fight another day.

SB: You have produced numerous speaker panels such as “Expanding the Boating Universe Beyond Middle-aged White Males.” What have you learned as a result of these panels?
MS: I have been fortunate to produce and moderate about 15 panel and roundtable discussions on a volunteer basis for Boating Writers International and Marine Marketers of America at the Miami and Fort Lauderdale boat shows over the past 10 years. These exchanges are important because they provide an opportunity to raise and explore issues that would not normally be on the marine industry’s agenda.

A good example of this was a panel discussion we had during the Fort Lauderdale boat show in October 2008 when we brought in representatives from groups representing women, Hispanics, and African-Americans. The point was made that the boating industry would never reverse the decline it has been in for the past 20 years unless and until they began marketing their products to consumers who were not necessarily middle-aged white males.

The marine industry finally woke up this past December, deciding that it was time to broaden their horizons and throw out the welcome mat to as many Americans as possible.
These panel discussions also provide a forum to bring in outside experts on hot topics such as David Rockefeller’s talk on the need to reverse the decline in the health of our oceans and Coast Guard Adm. Joseph Nimmich’s presentation on the potential security threat posed by terrorists using recreational boats.

SB: Despite national and world economic challenges, there’s a core group of people that will go boating regardless of the economy. Does this surprise you?
MS: Not at all! Recreational boating is much more than a hobby to millions of Americans. For many it’s a lifestyle choice that transcends everyday life. Boating allows us to escape Terra firma and go wherever the wind blows. Outside of jumping out of a plane, I’m not sure that anything else affords such an opportunity.

SB: Do you enjoy boating and where do you like to go boating?
MS: My first love is lake boating. To this day, I’ll never forget the first time I saw a glistening four-seat Gar Wood runabout coming out of the mists on a lake in upstate New York. Boating on the Potomac River in full view of many of our nation’s monuments also has its wonders. Just a few miles south of George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon I swear you could blink your eyes and imagine a boatload of English settlers coming upriver.

New NWR NOAA Weather
feature make handheld radios
an affordable safety accessory

Cobra's CXT135, top, and CXT235 two-way handheld radios

Expanding its range of GMRS radios, Cobra Electronics introduces two powerful two-way radios. The affordable CXT135 ($49.95) and CXT235 ($59.95) feature advanced NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). The CXT235 also has All Hazards Alert, providing audible alerts.

The new NWR feature allows listening to the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards broadcasting of continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service nationwide network of transmitters. NWR relays official weather service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The CXT135 has a range of up to 16 miles, power saver circuitry for extended battery life, Call Alert and rechargeable NiMH batteries.
The more powerful CXT235 includes all the features of the CXT135, plus a greater range of up to 20 miles. It also features NOAA All Hazards Alerts, which provide loud audible tones in the event of a weather alert or other emergency. The NOAA Alert feature activates an automatic alarm on the radio if NOAA sends a tone alert with the warning. The tone will activate an alarm on the CXT235, even if the audio volume is turned down. This is especially useful for warnings which occur at night when most people are sleeping.

Information:
Contact Cobra Electronics Corporation, 6500 West Cortland Street, Chicago, IL 60707.; 773-889-8870; email: productinfo@cobra.com; www.cobra.com.