The All New Carver 34 Fly - Revolutionary

The new Carver 34 Fly is the essence of a Carver Yacht, merging durability and space with modern convenience and efficient design. This exciting new yacht will revolutionize expectations in its class with unmatched ergonomic and spacious layout complemented by forward thinking, design, innovation and styling. The first in an entirely new and exciting series of yachts from Carver, the 34 Fly is handcrafted with pride in the United States. Making its world debut in December 2012, the 34 Fly will raise the bar for yachts in this size class.

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Source: mycarveryachts.com

The Difference Between Sterndrive and Inboard

For years there have been debates about whether sterndrives or inboards are better. In this post, we’ll present the facts and let you decide on the rest. Both have pros and cons and are two completely different machines.

First of all, let’s start by explaining what exactly sterndrives and inboards are. 

A sterndrive is a marine propulsion system that is attached to a sterndrive, also known as an outdrive. The drive unit is both the transmission and propulsion. When the captain turns the steering wheel, the entire drive turns. No rudder is needed.

An inboard is a marine propulsion system that is enclosed within the hull of the boat — it is usually connected to a propulsion screw by a driveshaft. The driveshaft goes from the transmission to a propeller outside of the boat. The boat is steered with a rudder when the steering wheel is turned by the captain. The propeller then pushes the water past the turned rudder and turns the boat.

Now let’s look at the pros and cons of both.

  • Sterndrive’s provide the boater with a versatile range of trim. This allows you to raise the sterndrive up when loading/unloading or when in shallow water. It also allows smoother rides when trimmed up. Trimming down allows quicker acceleration.  However, inboards draw less than a sterndrive does if the sterndrive is all the way down (inboards need less water to float). Sterndrives draw less when slightly tilted up.
  • Sterndrives will go faster than an inboard with the same horsepower and even use less fuel. On the other hand, inboards will hold a speed more easily than a sterndrive.
  • Sterndrive’s put out great wakes for wakeboarding; inboards create flat wakes for waterskiing.
  • Inboard boats go in one direction in reverse no matter what the position of the wheel. With a sterndrive boat, reverse thrust is directional.
  • Sterndrive’s can, at times, have higher maintenance requirements than inboards. However sterndrive motors are easier to get to.
  • Inboard propellers are tucked up underneath the boat, which can be much safer than a sterndrive tiled up; but without a tilt up mechanism, an inboard engine has a larger draft.
  • Since a sterndrive boat has the equipment on the back of the boat, it allows more room onboard than an inboard boat.
  • While sterndrive boats allow a smooth ride when trimmed up, larger boats with inboard engines can have a smooth and stable ride as well. Since the motor is deep in the hull of the boat, it improves stability because it lowers the boat’s center of gravity.

These are just a few examples, and as you can tell, there are plenty of pros and cons to each propulsion system. Depending on your budget and how you’re going to use your boat, either of these will get the job done and give you an enjoyable time on the water. Still have questions? Contact our sales team and we’ll get you going in the right direction.

Source: hagadonemarine.com

Basic Tools to Keep Aboard

It’s always best to be prepared when traveling on your boat. Carrying a first aid kit is a must, but carrying a tool kit with you is also a good decision. You never know when you might need to repair a canvas or tighten a bolt. First, make sure you have a waterproof marine tool box to keep your tools organized and handy, but also to protect your tools from water damage.

Now, what’s in your tool kit? Here are a few basic tools you should keep in your tool kit onboard at all times.

Canvas Snap Tool: Easily align and fasten inside and outside snaps. Ideal for unsnapping snaps without damaging the canvas. (pictured below)

Duct Tape: Because everyone knows that Duct Tape can fix anything! Electrical tape is another good thing to keep handy.

Manuals: Chances are, if you need your tool kit, you’ll also need your manual – whether for your engine, plumbing, ventilation, or just your boat in general.  You should keep these manuals in your tool box with your tools so that you don’t have to search for them when you truly need them. Make sure you keep these in a large plastic zip lock bag so that they don’t get wet.

Wrenches: Make sure you have several different sizes with you if you aren’t quite sure of the exact sizes that you’ll need.

Screwdrivers: Pick up one of those handy dandy 11-in-1 screwdriver sets at your local hardware store – you’ll thank yourself later.

Canvas Repair Kit: This kit should include small pieces of canvas, needles and string.

Super glue: Because just like Duct Tape, it can fix anything when you’re in a pickle. 

Multi-tool: Having a small multi-functional tool on board, such as Swiss army knife, can definitely come in handy.  Many of these tools include small screw drivers, scissors, knives of all sizes, etc.

Socket set: If you have the room for a complete set, perfect. If not, find out the sizes you need and keep them on board at all times.

Spare Flashlight: with fresh batteries. Make sure your flashlight is waterproof and floats in case of an emergency.

There are several other things to consider keeping on board in your tool kit (depending on the size of your boat and add-on equipment) such as extra fuses, impellers, spare keys, wire cutters, spare electrical wiring, etc.

Make sure you keep your tool kit in a place where you can easily access it, especially in a time of emergency. If you have to use something in your tool kit (such as a spare part) or if something in your tool kit breaks, be sure to replace it as soon as you get back to dock. Remember, keep calm and carry a tool kit. Happy boating!

Source: hagadonemarine.com

How-To Take A Great Picture of Your Boat

Gorgeous shimmering water, a clean sleek boat, sun rising over the horizon – every boat lover wants that perfect picture of their boat. But capturing that ‘perfect picture’ is easier said than done.

First, consider what exactly you’re looking to take a picture of. Your boat, obviously. But do you want to take a picture of it while docked or do you prefer a friend on another boat take a photo of you driving offshore? Maybe you want both. Either way, once you’ve established a plan, there are some other very important things you need to consider.

Lighting is everything

The best time to take photos of anything, especially a boat in glistening water, is in the early morning or late evening. In the summertime this is usually around 7-7:30am and 6:30-7:30pm. You can take semi-decent photos at anytime if there is overcast. If you think you’re going to defy the laws of the sun high in the sky at lunch time though, you are sadly mistaken, my friend. Once the sun has risen it creates harsh light and shadows. It also reflects off of the surface of the water which creates many unwanted shadows across your boat. 

When taking a photo of your boat, make sure the sun is always positioned behind it or at an angle from the boat. This illuminates your boat and also guarantee’s that it isn’t in a direct sunlight position (again, harsh light is the worst when taking photos). This is also true for when you’re taking photos of people on board – always make sure the sun is behind them. Avoid using a flash if possible as it can cause a glare on the side of your boat.

If you’re shooting with a DSLR camera (not a point and shoot), make sure your photo isn’t overexposed by checking the histogram. It’s better to make your photo darker than lighter – you can fix underexposed photos easier than you can fix extremely overexposed photos.  Also, make sure you know how to use your camera. Learning how to shoot in manual mode before you try to take amazing photos of your boat will be quite helpful.

The Best Angle and Position

Don’t be scared to get creative and wild with the angle in which you’re taking a photo. Standing on a dock taking a photo of your boat head level isn’t going to cut it – you won’t be able to catch the details and the curves in the body. Try standing on a chair or ladder, or even squatting or lying down to get a few low photos of your boat by positioning the camera in a low position and pointing the camera upward (capturing the bottom to the top of your boat). Standing beside the boat at an angle (front to back) also creates a nice feel to the photo.

Don’t forget that there’s more to a photo than just your boat. Offsetting your boat to one side or the other in the viewfinder creates a dramatic effect and adds layers to the photo. You can also use this time to capture a beautiful sunset or other boats in the distance. There is beauty in depth.

Capturing Details

Don’t forget about the details on your boat such as the reel on your favorite fishing pole, the gauges on your dash, or even something as simple as an old rope lying in the corner. All of these things are part of your boat and your love for it. Detailed and abstract photos not only make unique hangings for your wall, they also help you capture memories. You’ll be able to look back and smell that salt water air, feel mist against your face, and remember the exact sunset on that evening….all by looking at the photo hanging in your den. 

You can take perfect photos of your boat, whether you’re using a point-and-shoot camera or a more complicated DSLR camera. When in doubt, you can always hire a professional to do it (and they might even consider bartering a session for a boat ride). In any case, remember to get out of the ‘norm’ and shoot at different angles. Don’t shoot in harsh sunlight. Have a friend take photos of you in the middle of the lake while you’re cruising around with your family. Or capture the essence of that gorgeous memorable sunset in the background. Remember, you’re not just taking a cool picture of your boat, you’re taking a cool picture of your boat while making memories that will last a lifetime.

Source: hagadonemarine.com

Is Satellite TV For You?

While the serenity and excitement of fishing, water sports, lying in the sun, and feeling the cool breeze blow across your skin is all part of the boating experience; sometimes, you just want to watch a baseball game…or maybe, in recent weeks, your favorite Olympic team. Or, yes, the newest Disney show that you’re youngest can’t live without.

Welcome to the 21st Century — we have satellite capabilities on boats here.

Should I make the investment?

Having a satellite TV on a boat clearly isn’t for everyone. If you don’t spend a lot of time on your boat, you don’t need it. If you enjoy getting away from the noise of everyday life, it’s highly probable that you wouldn’t even turn the TV on if you had one on your boat. However, if you have a family, enjoy entertaining on your boat, or just want to kick back and relax, then satellite TV could definitely be for you.

Marine satellite TV systems are available at a wide range of prices – mainly depending on how much equipment you need. For just one TV and receiver, marine satellite TV can usually fit into a smaller budget. But if you want to have multiple TVs being used at one time or a large system, it can get pricey.

How it works

If you have decided that satellite TV on your boat is for you, then you’re in luck – the set-up process is fairly simple. Satellite TV on a boat isn’t much different than that on land.  While satellite on land uses wires and cables, marine satellite TV receives transmissions directly from satellites.

First, you’ll need to contact a local marine TV retailer (that’s us). Or, if you are buying a boat and want satellite TV as an add-on, make sure you tell your salesperson so they can make the changes accordingly. Either way, we’ll be able to make sure you get all of the proper equipment and can help you with the set up. If you’re confident in knowing what you’re doing, you can just order the equipment from our parts department. However, we highly recommend having our trained and professional technicians install your new satellite TV.

The above picture is the inside of the dome on a satellite TV.

Now, you’ll need a TV. Any TV will do really – however, LCDs, Plasma’s, and flat screens are the obvious choices. Flat screens on mounts also give you the ability to easily hide the TV or move it out of the way when you’re not using it.

Next, decide which satellite service provider you’d like to go with. You can even go with providers such as DirecTV and Dish Network. All satellite service providers have different channels and network packages to offer, so be sure to check out all of their packages. Premium movies and pay-per-view programs can also be purchased while onboard. 

Once set-up is complete, you’ll be able to enjoy your satellite TV, and a few great boating movies, from just about anywhere. Simple as that!

Happy boating with your 48” LCD satellite TV!

Source: hagadonemarine.com

Buying Used - Where to Start

Buying a used boat is appealing to those who are looking for their very first boat investment or even for the experienced boater that wants to upgrade, or just have a second boat. Buying a used boat is a wonderful option, but there are some factors that need to be considered when looking for your used boat investment.

Buying from a private seller

Buying a used boat from a private seller runs a high risk even though, at times, it can seem like a better ‘deal’. Most private sellers do not allow you to test drive the boat that you are interested in purchasing. Most private sellers also don’t stand behind the boat sale or offer mechanical and other help should a problem arise once the boat is yours.

Also See: Marine Warranties

Should you find that you have completely fallen in love with a boat from a private seller, be sure you are very careful and look over the boat very thoroughly.  Look for scratches, dents, cracks – open all doors and cabinets. Check the cables and steering. In fact, you should consider hiring a qualified professional boat surveyor to look over the boat and to do a complete certified inspection. 

Even if the used boat from a private seller seems perfect and receives a wonderful inspection, you should try to get some background check information on the boat and the seller. Yes, there are good deals out there, and yes, there are plenty of amazing boat owners looking to legally sell their used boat – but fraud runs rampant, and stolen boats are constantly being sold throughout the country. Always make sure that you’re working with a well known, local, and highly recommended seller. 

It’s best to stay away from long distance online sales. You may end up spending more money in traveling expenses, only to come back home with a broken boat or even worse, not coming home with a boat at all! Never, ever, buy a boat online without inspecting it first, or hire a certified professional to inspect it.

Buying from a dealer

Buying a used boat from a dealer can certainly take care of most of those headaches and extra costs for you that might come along with buying from a private seller. If at all possible, you should try to buy your used boat from a trusted boat dealer (like us). Boat dealers inspect every used boat that they have so that it is ready and waiting for you to inspect it yourself. Want to take it for a test drive? – Certainly! Quality boat dealers allow their clients to test drive their boats before final purchase. Just like a car, you want to know every detail of what you’re about to invest into – boat’s aren’t that different than purchasing your next new dream car. 

Buying from a well-known and highly regarded boat dealer or broker can ensure that you aren’t getting yourself into a fraudulent deal. Next thing you know, instead of spending money on fishing bait for you, and a new boat grill for your other half, you’ll be spending money on finding a lawyer and trying to get yourself out of this “amazing deal” that you had to have. 

Boat dealers stand behind their boats (as they should, since they inspected them), and even offer special servicing and maintenance. You can take comfort in knowing that you can take your used boat back to the same dealership that sold the boat to you for tune ups and servicing, and have it treated like the ‘baby’ you know it is – after all, they took care of it before you ever did. 

While there are pros and cons to both buying from a private seller and a dealership, the bottom line is that you want to make sure you have the boat properly inspected before making the purchase and you should always ask questions about the boat no matter where you purchase it from (previous owners, any accidents, etc). Make sure you are comfortable with your dealer or seller – it will help if you buy local or from someone that you know can be trusted. And if you feel like something is too good to be true, do some background snooping and make sure you’re not about to be ‘conned’.

Now, go find that perfect boat and enjoy the second half of summer out on the water. Happy Boating!!

Source: hagadonemarine.com

What to Do if You Run Out of Gas

It’s every boater’s worst nightmare – being stranded in the middle of a river, lake, or the ocean. Many things can strand you in the middle of nowhere – engine problems, bad weather, etc. But one of the most common things is running out of gas. So simple, yet so common. Before you leave dock, always make sure you have enough fuel for your journey, and make sure you have even more than enough. A little extra gas never hurt anyone!

Even the best of boaters may find themselves in this situation though, so here are a few things to do should you find yourself stranded.

  1. First of all, don’t panic! Panicking in any emergency situation on a boat is a no-no – especially if there are others on board with you. Take a breather and clear your mind so that you can make rational decisions.
  2. If you have a VHF radio or phone, and it is working, you should make that your first choice for trying to call for help. You can read our blog full of information on how to use a VHF radio and what stations to call here. 
  3. Set your anchor so that you don’t float any further than you want to. This will also assure that you don’t drift into rocks, shallow water, etc.
  4. Observe where you are. How long have you been in your boat — are you close to shore? Could you paddle there (if you’re in a smaller boat)? Are there any rocks or other dangerous objects around that could puncture your boat? Are there any landmarks that you can give over the radio so that other boats in the area know your location quicker and easier?
  5. If it’s daylight, make sure you put on sunscreen and stay hydrated. There’s nothing worse than getting burnt to a crisp, or worse, passing out from heat exhaustion or dehydration. Put cool rags on your neck or face to cool your down if you are in an extreme heat situation.
  6. Put your life jacket on. You never know what else could go wrong. And you should already have it on anyway!

Adding to these tips and to help you plan for a boating trip, always make sure you give a friend or family member a copy of your float plan. Your float plan should include your course, how many people are aboard, your vessel description, and places that you may stop. You should also let them know a time that you’ll be back from your journey, and that if you aren’t back by a certain time, they should call for help. If you are delayed, make sure you contact them and make them aware. Have nautical charts of the area that you are boating in (stop by - we’ll help make sure you have the right one), a global positioning device (GPS) and a reliable way to communicate on board (VHF Radio, Cell Phone & Charger). These are all things you can do in advance that could potentially save your life. Happy Boating!

Source: hagadonemarine.com

Craig is Crossing the Coeur d’Alene for Charity

I will do just about anything for charity! I know may of you are fond of your own personal ways to give. This is a great cause for three charities that need assistance on many fronts of their organizations. My goal is to raise $10,000. Please click here and the system will walk you through very easy steps to donate. Thank you in advance for your kind generosities to help these great people.

In addition, you can purchase spectator tickets to watch from a Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruise boat. They will go on sale next week for $15.00. If you are interested in joining me or learning more about the event, visit www.cdacrossing.com.

Best Regards,
Craig Brosenne

Source: active.com

5 Tips to Finance Your Boat

There are several things to consider when you’re thinking about buying a boat. Being financially able to own a boat and making sure that you have the time for a boat are two major things to consider. Once you’ve decided that you’re officially ready for the new responsibility, there are a few important things you should know. 

Shop local at Hagadone Marine Group

Shopping at your local boat dealership will be a definite help for you. Your local dealership will be able to help you find the best type of boat for your needs, and they’ll be able to help you choose the loan that best fits your budget. 

Don’t pull my credit score! 

When shopping around for your new shiny vessel, make sure you don’t allow every single business to pull your credit score. Many people don’t realize that pulling their credit score over and over again will, in fact, lower their credit score every single time it is pulled. If a dealership pushes you to pull your credit score to see what the ‘best deal’ is that they can offer you, simply say, “Thanks but no thanks, I’m just shopping around right now.”

Financing your boat

Ask the dealership that you visit if they finance boats. Financing directly through your dealership has several advantages. A dealership can offer extended warranty programs, manufacturer and dealer incentive programs, year-round service departments, access to multiple finance sources, special manufacturer and dealer finance programs, and so much more.

What you need to bring

The application and underwriting processes might take a little while, but there are some documents you can bring with you in order to speed along the process once you find that perfect boat to invest in. Some dealerships require you to come to them to fill out the application, others will start the application process over the phone or some have a form you can securely fill out online. Depending on the size of your loan, you may need to provide copies of tax returns for the past two years. You might also be asked to bring a personal financial statement, which is simply a statement that shows your net worth (assets, liabilities, etc). You should also bring the boat information, just to be safe. Such as the year, make, model, power, optional equipment and upgrades are necessary for the application. You will need to identify the total cost of the boat, which includes the purchase price, sales tax that will be paid at the time of purchase, equipment upgrades or additional accessories you’re considering, and the registration, title, or documentation expenses. Don’t let this overwhelm you, we’re here to help make the process as simple as possible.

Tax Breaks for Boaters

There’s nothing better than buying a new boat and finding out that you may be able to legally deduct your boating costs every year. Many boaters don’t realize that these tax deductions are even available, so listen closely!

  • Boats that are able to be lived in can be deducted off of your taxes as a ‘second home’. Boats with at least one berth, a permanent stove/grill (to cook), and a head (even if it’s just a porta-potti) qualify.
  • If you use your boat to entertain clients and/or potential customers, you can deduct 50% of those outings off of your taxes.  This does not include regular maintenance or depreciation of your boat. Food, drinks, fuel, fees, etc., are obvious deductible products when conducting business on your boat. The IRS is very strict about this deduction, so make sure you keep a record of everything that was used and spent on these particular events.  
  • Maybe it’s time for you to upgrade – instead of selling, donate! Donating your boat to a charity is tax deductible. In many situations, you can get more out of the boat donation than you can by selling your boat outright. 
  • Using your boat as a business (tours, fishing, and educational purposes) allows you to write off the depreciation, maintenance, equipment, fuel and mooring costs. You’ll need to keep a detailed record of times that you use your boat as your ‘side’ job since most people don’t strictly use their boats for ‘work’ purposes. 

For more detailed information about these tax breaks, read Discover Boating’s “Tax Breaks for Boaters” article.

After you have taken in all of this information and gone through all of the processes, you very well may need a vacation – perfect timing to test out that beautiful new boat.

Source: hagadonemarine.com

The Effects of Current While Boating

It’s easy to lose track of currents while you’re fishing, swimming, or just having fun on your boat with your friends and family – but watching the current is a very important part of boating, for multiple different reasons.

First, let’s better understand what a current is. Most boaters already understand currents, but it’s good to refresh your memory every once and awhile. Currents are the horizontal flow of water in a downstream direction. Ocean, lake and river currents respond to the push of prevailing winds. Ocean currents are also affected by variations in water density, resulting from the different levels of salinity and temperatures. Currents that are intermittent and respond to the movement of the sun and moon are called ‘tidal currents’. Tidal currents are the actual rise and fall in the water level as they force mass amounts of water alternately against and away from shore.  How’s that for a brief science lesson?

Now that you’re up to speed, let’s talk about the safety aspect of paying attention to the water’s currents. Currents are much stronger during high and low tide, which means they can easily pull a swimmer away from the boat, or even under water, with little to no warning. Always make sure you keep track of the high and low tides for this very reason. Don’t allow your passengers off of your boat and into the water unless you know for sure that you’ve been following the current and can observe when the tides are high or low.

Let’s face it, you’re eventually going to face some sort of trial when it comes to your boat, but the one thing most boater’s fear the most is running aground. Observing the current and maneuvering accordingly can help you prevent your boat from doing just that. Should you lose an engine, a strong current can cause your boat to run aground, leaving you in a desperate and possibly life threatening situation. Keeping track of the current is a definite safety precaution that all boaters need to take.

Currents aren’t always a bad thing. In fact, they can help you conserve fuel, whether you’re running low or just trying to save some extra bucks. Running with the current will help you conserve fuel. There’s nothing better than saving a little money while doing the thing you love the most!

Current can have a major impact on your boating adventure (be it good or bad), so make sure you watch tide charts or listen to the reports in your area before you head onto the water. Always be safe, especially when you’re in doubt. It’s better to be safe than sorry. And it’s especially nice if you can take advantage of nature’s currents and help yourself out in the process!

Source: hagadonemarine.com