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Dear Judy,
BoatUS Membership eLine is produced by the BoatUS Membership Department and is an update on seasonal issues, helpful suggestions and friendly reminders. This has been sent to you because you are an active Member of BoatUS - The Association. |
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 BoatUS has some new fun and exciting online games that are sure to start 2009 with a splash!
Play DockIt, the boating game of skill, and test your ability to dock the boat - and you'll automatically be entered into the Wave of Fortune Sweepstakes where you could win $25,000!
Every time you play online you increase your chances of winning the big money as well as our weekly and monthly giveaways. Just register and log on to my.BoatUS.com to play and earn an entry for every level you complete.
You'll also get an entry into the Wave of Fortune sweepstakes when you renew your Membership or sponsor a boating friend as a new BoatUS Member.
For more gaming fun, visit BoatUS.com/Games and pass the winter months with a number of classic games with a nautical twist such as Sudoku, Word Searches, Mahjong and more.
 While you're online you can read the digital version of BoatUS Magazine by logging into my.BoatUS.com. If you enjoy viewing the magazine online, be sure to join our Go Green initiative. By Going Green you can choose to receive your BoatUS Magazine, your Member Services Directory, and even your Renewal bill all by email and help BoatUS save a boat load of trees. Visit BoatUS.com/Membership/addc.asp to learn how you can Go Green with BoatUS.
Nancy S. Michelman
President@BoatUS.com
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NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS), which produces nautical charts for U.S. waters, would like feedback from boaters on proposed changes to the information contained on charts. Specifically, the National Ocean Service is proposing the removal of:
• Tide tables
• Tables of small craft facilities
Click here to see a list of the tables these charts will be removed from.
Tidal information will continue to be available at: Tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov
The proposed changes are advertised on The Office of Coast Survey Web site under "Latest News": Nauticalcharts.noaa.gov
Boaters wishing to comment can use the form posted at Ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/idrs/inquiry.aspx and should send comments by February 20.
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We know that in these tough economic times, boaters everywhere are looking for the best deal for their money. BoatUS Marine Insurance would like to remind you of our lower cost coverage options that still provide the essential protection your boat needs. After all, what better time to ensure that you don't have to pay significant out-of-pocket expense should an accident befall your boat?
• Boat Saver Policy: The BoatUS Boat Saver Policy is a "no-frills" actual cash value insurance policy. With this policy, you take on more of the risk in the event of a claim, but pay less upfront premium. It contains the basic coverage you need including hull coverage, salvage, medical and liability. And it is available for all boat types, including PWC.
• Stand Alone Liability Policy: The BoatUS Liability-Only Policy is an option for boats with limited hull value that have no lien holder. There is no hull coverage with the policy (which means in the event of a claim, you take on the cost of repairs), but it does cover full salvage and medical and/or liability for third-party property damage or bodily injury. It's a good low-cost option that protects your assets beyond the boat repair.
Of course, our flagship Yacht Policy also remains an excellent value providing agreed value coverage for your boat and equipment, less out of pocket expense for repairs and full replacement coverage (without a deductible) for new boats suffering a total loss.
 All BoatUS policies include 24/7 immediate dispatch of assistance, superior claims handling by boating experts, full salvage assistance and wreck removal, fuel spill liability, and a free subscription to the digital edition of Seaworthy Damage Avoidance Newsletter, featuring boat and life-saving tips taken from actual claims.
Take advantage of these affordable coverage options today!
Click Here for a fast, free online quote. Or for personal service, call us at (800) 283-2883.
* All policies subject to limits and exclusions
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The advent of catch-and-release has been great for the sport of fishing. It has literally re-cycled fish and opportunity for other anglers. However, there is a proper method to returning fish to the water after you catch them that assures the fish's chances of survival.
Here are some basic tips:
- Don't play or fight a fish any longer than necessary. This way when you do catch and release the fish, it's not fatigued or stressed.
- Do not touch or handle the fish any more than necessary. Doing so removes a protective slime coat that helps protect the fish from disease. It might be a good idea to wet your hands before handling the fish. NOTE: For the same reason, the use of dip nets is not encouraged with fish you plan to release. And if you do use nets, those with rubber webbing seem to be less harmful in this regard than those made of twine.
- If a hook is swallowed, cut it off as close to the eye of the hook as possible and release the fish, rather than trying to remove the hook. Studies have shown fish have a better chance of survival if you do this.
- There is nothing wrong with taking photos of a catch, but consider that the fish cannot breathe out of water. Take the photo and return the fish to water as soon as possible.
- Fishing with barbless hooks aid in the survival rate of caught and released fish. The same is true of anglers using circle hooks. These hooks are designed to turn when taken by the
 fish and hook it in the corner of the mouth rather than be swallowed.
For more Fishing Tips visit www.BoatUSAngler.com
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 New for My.BoatUS.com, DockIT, the boating game of skill! If you are registering for the first time, the new module will be added automatically. If you have already registered, log in and click on "Personalize" to find the DockIT game under Boating Lite.
With each level you complete you will be able to enter yourself into the Wave of Fortune Sweepstakes with a grand prize of $25,000 and be eligible for weekly and monthly prizes. Have fun and do your best to beat all 10 levels.
While logged onto My.BoatUS.com you can:
- View customized tide charts
- Track hurricanes/weather
- Update your contact information and Go Green
 Remember to login once a day and click on "Enter Contest" (left side of screen under "Manage Your Content") to increase your chances of winning a HX850S 6 Watt FLOATING VHF with GPS. Registration is simple and easy - just fill in your Member number (# 3229834), email address and zip code, create a password and you're all set!
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E-mail: Membership@BoatUS.com
Website: BoatUS.com/Membership
Members-Only website: my.BoatUS.com
Call: 800-395-2628 |
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· Renew Your Membership
· Change E-mail Address
· BoatUS Logo Items
· BoatUS Credit Card
· Marine Insurance
· Towing Services |
DIY CD Blow-Out Sale!
To clear out some overstocked CDs, DIY Boat Owner has three CD-Roms on sale through Feb. 15 or until supplies run out. For only $9.95 (normally $19.95), choose from:
· Powerboat Rigging - Tips and guides on maintaining and servicing your powerboat and trailer - gauges, propellers, steering systems and more.
· Painting & Refinishing - Guides to painting and refinishing hulls, topsides and decks with marine coatings, oil and varnishes.
· Launch & Haulout - Recently updated, prepare for spring launch with checklists, lubrication guides, engine servicing and lay-up prep.
These and all DIY CD-ROMs, contain reliable hands-on advice, tips, and technical guidance from the only repair and maintenance magazine endorsed by BoatUS. To order the discount DIY CDs, use priority code BEL19CD and click here to order online or call 1-888-658-BOAT(2628)!
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Below is a list of the newest BoatUS Cooperating Marinas that have joined the program. To view the over 885 participating marinas nationwide and the discounts they offer, please go to BoatUS.com/Marinas and find one near you!
Arkansas:
· 101 Boat Dock
California:
· Pier 39 Marina
· BoatFixerGuy
Florida:
· Advanced Boat Repair
· Amelia Island Yacht Basin
· Anchorage Resort & Yacht Club
· Davidson's Marine Service
· Pelicans Perch Marine & Boatyard
· Pirate Hat Marina
· River Forest Yachting Center - LaBelle
· Turnberry Isle Marina
· Yacht Management Marina
Illinois:
· Pistakee Lake Marina
Michigan:
· Linwood Beach Marina
New Jersey:
· Blackfoot Marine
Oklahoma:
· Dripping Springs Marina
· Dripping Springs Yacht Club
Oregon:
· West Coast Mobile Marine
Virginia:
· Cockrell's Marine Railway
· Taylors Landing Marine Center
Wisconsin:
· Abbey Marina
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The BoatUS WorldPoints® Visa® credit card offers you 2 points for every $1 you spend on boating related purchases at over 15,000 marinas, boating stores (including West Marine), service centers and boat rental locations nationwide. You'll earn 1 point for every $1 you spend elsewhere and can redeem your points for cash back, gift cards, travel with no blackout dates, merchandise and much more, all for no annual fee! You can choose from four boating images and customize it by adding your boat name or Membership number to your card. Plus, for each open account, a contribution is made to the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Click here for more information about the BoatUS credit card.
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Great news for the New Year! Hertz is giving you a free day on weekend rentals. And we mean free in every sense of the word! There's no minimum keep on this offer. That means there is no limit on amount of days you need to book to get the free day. You could rent for one weekend day and get that day for free. This offer is available for a reservation of Economy through Full-size class cars, now through March 31, 2009. Some charges, such as taxes and optional services, will apply. One redemption per customer per month. For more information, please click here. Or click here for more Hertz travel specials for BoatUS Members.
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It's time to make the switch to 406 MHz EPIRBs (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon)! Satellite processing of distress signals by the U.S. Coast Guard on the 121 and 243 MHz bands will cease on February 1. Due to numerous false alerts and poor accuracy which degraded the reliability of lifesaving services, the decision was made by the international satellite-based search and rescue organization, COSPAS/SARSAT, nearly nine years ago to discontinue satellite coverage on these bands. With 406 MHz EPIRBs operating on a more reliable frequency, along with the required registration process, search and rescue agencies are able to respond quicker using the proper equipment, and pinpoint offshore boaters in distress. You can purchase a 406 MHz EPIRB for $700 retail or for short offshore trips, rent from the BoatUS Foundation for only $40 a week. Click here for further information on the rental program
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Onboard Entertainment
Ten years ago your options for onboard entertainment consisted of AM/FM radio and cassette tapes, along with these newfangled CDs. How the electronic landscape has shifted! Now we have MP3s, WMAs, CD-R and RW discs, the ubiquitous iPod, XM and Sirius satellite radio... If you do not have teenage kids around you to explain this stuff in glorious detail, read this West Advisor which shares some installation tips to keep your new entertainment system sounding great.
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