Operating Your Boat With a Joystick

With many different types of engines and controls on the market and new ones popping up each year I wanted to take a moment to discuss boating using a joystick. I know it seems as if all those hours playing games during your childhood have now finally come into some use with your adult life with using a joystick to operate your boat.

Joystick controls allow you to preform maneuvers that would never have been possible with conventional controls. One of the most obvious new ways is the ability to move your boat sideways. This maneuver makes it easier to dock but only once you have practiced for a bit first. The boat tents to lean away from the direction that it is moving and when you lay off the joystick, the boat rocks back toward the opposite direction. If you keep the boat moving until you have completely reached the dock, you run a risk of dinging the side of your boat when it settles.

Another maneuver is the ability to keep a boat in place while spinning in a circle. This makes moving around is tight spaces a breeze. Just as before, you can't just hop in a joystick operated boat and be able to flawlessly navigate. You will need to practice, practice, and then practice some more.

Joystick controls have their advantages, my favorite being the ability to hold fast. Meaning, with the help of control system with built in GPS, you now have the ability to keep the boat in one solitary position with the push of a button. Potential uses, waiting in line at the boat ramp & gas dock or seeing if you have found the perfect fishing spot. Your boat will keep itself stationary.

Even with the new maneuvers that you can do with a joystick operated boat; you will not be able to hop in and be proficient. Take your time; there is a learning curve as with anything new. Don't give up and keep practicing.

Let's Try Fishing PT. 2

Last week we talked about fishing as a way to help pass the time until it is warm enough to go back out on the water and start landing new tricks. We started with the basics of fishing, the hook. This week we will continue on the topic of beginner fishing to help you find the perfect fishing rod out of all the ones you see sitting in the store.

Picking a rod is an important process in fishing and it can seem overwhelming with all the different options. Let us help you to narrow down your selection. What you are trying to catch plays a huge role in the fishing rod that you end up with. There are five different categories of rod/reel combos. They are, spin casting, spinning, bait casting, trolling, and fly casting. The first decision you have to make is what kind of fish are you looking to catch?

Once you know what type of fish you will be looking for in the lake, you can decide on the length of your rod. The longer the rod the longer the cast, more control over the line, and more accuracy. A shorter rod will give you the power and heaviness that a longer rod cannot provide. For the beginner fisherman I would suggest a nice mid weight, mid length rod. Nothing to fancy, remember you are just learning.

The next step would be to choose a reel. For us first time anglers, a spinning reel is suggested for use. Of the five different categories mentioned, spinning reel holds the line in a spool and the line is cast off one end.

Your last decision in picking your new fishing pole comes down to how much you are willing to pay. They can cost from $10 to thousands of dollars. Once you think you have found the rod you want pick it up and handle it in the store. Don't worry, you won't look stupid. It is best to get a rod that you feel is comfortable in your had. Give it a good once over to check for cracks or defects.

Finding the right rod can seem like an impossible task, but hopefully with this help, you are able to find the one that will help you learn how to fish.

Let's Try Fishing PT.1

It's winter. Yes I know it isn't the best season to be a boater but that doesn't mean that you have to give up spending time on/by the water. Fishing is a great all season sport, one that you can enjoy even during this time of year. It's OK if you haven't gone fishing before we can help you. Let's start with the basics, the hook.

What is a hook? A fishhook is a device used in catching fish; in fact it is what catches the fish. It does so by hooking the fish by the mouth. Hooks come in many different shapes and sizes. The hook is attached to the pole by fishing line.

You would think by looking at a hook that it is just a simple piece of metal in the shape of a J. In fact, the hook is made up of a few different parts. It starts at the top of the hook with the eye. The eye is where you tie on your fishing line to hold the hook in place. Following the eye is the shank which is the long part of the hook. The shank flows into the bend which in turn takes you out to the point of the hook.

The point of the hook is where all the action happens. The point is where you hook your fish onto the line. Attached to the point is also a piece of metal called the barb. The barb is there to prevent the hook from coming out of the fish's mouth.

There are different types of hooks out on the market. The first being the traditional J hook. It gets its name because it looks like a J. This hook is best used with natural bait, meaning live or dead bait. J hooks are the most common as well as the oldest hooks that are offered. It is the hook that all other hooks come from.

The next type of fishing hook is the treble hook. This hook actually has three different points attached to one shank. You will usually find these attached to artificial baits that you  find in your tackle shop.

The final type of fishing hook is called a circle hook. It looks similar to the J hook but the point goes further in pointing toward the shaft, making it look like a circle. For all of us beginners, this is the hook to use. There is little to no work when catching the fish on the hook.

With all the different styles of fishing hooks you are bound to find the one that excites you the most. Stay tuned next week and we will talk about the fishing rod and how to pick yours out of the hundreds that you find in the fishing isle.

Boat Show Season

Depending on where you live determines how you celebrate the Christmas season as a boater. Some people go all out and decorate their boats in Christmas lights and throw boat parties and cap everything off with a parade. Those are the people that we envy this time of year because for most of us our boats are tucked away until spring commissioning.

So what can we do to keep boating at the top of our minds during this non boating season? That is the hard part; which is why there was such a thing called boat show season. This season starts the beginning of January and usually goes through March and it is when most of the major boat shows happen. What can you do to prepare for the upcoming boat show season? I would start by first finding all the shows that you would like to attend. You can do so by using this tool from Discover Boating. Mark those dates in your calendar and start getting excited.

One of the most important ways that you prepare for a boat show is to get your budget in order before you head out. You don’t want to be at a boat show and have that discussion with your significant other once you have fallen in love with a boat that is way out of your price range. Of course, you don’t have to buy a boat when you go to a boat show. But know what you want to spend whether it is $20 or $200,000.

Now that you are well on your way to enjoying boat show season you can keep boating at the front of your mind all throughout the off season. Leave us a comment letting us know which boat show you are most excited to attend.

Waxing Your Boat

Wax on, wax off. Wax on, wax off. No, we are not in a Karate Kid movie, even though that would be pretty cool. I am talking about waxing your boat. Waxing your boat is not something that you should just forget about. It is one of the easiest ways to keep you boat looking like it just left the showroom floor. It might be a little time consuming, but the payoff is worth it.

Why Wax

When we pick up our boat off the showroom floor, it has a bright mirror like shine that we can look into and see our smiling face looking back. That’s a great feeling right? Now, how do we keep our boat looking like that? Waxing! A boat that is used, which it hopefully yours is, is exposed to the elements, water from the lake, and other people. The Sun is one of the biggest reasons that our gel coat begins to fade. Waxing helps to restore the luster and shine of the boat surface, as well as making future cleaning easier. Waxing also helps to protect your boat from the damaging UV rays that can fade your paint job.

How To Wax

Waxing your boat is not as simple as just walking out to the dock and rubbing wax on the boat. There are a few steps to follow in order to be successful. The first one, clean your boat. Go out, rinse it off and get all the really dirty spots cleaned off. If you wax without cleaning, you will seal in all the dirt under the wax making it very difficult to get clean. After you finish giving your boat a bath, wipe off all the water spots for the same reason.

Now that she is clean, let’s get her sparkling clean. It is time to break out that wax. Specific directions vary by brand but generally, you will use a sponge or cloth to apply a layer of wax in a circular motion. You will want to let the wax sit until it “hardens.” Once it has that hazy look to it, (about 10-30 mins) you can wipe off the excess wax using a bath towel.

Once all the wax has been buffered off (What you did using the bath towel), make sure to go back and clean up any of the wax that might have gotten on any stainless steel or wood finishes on your boat. That’s it, you have just done your part to extend the life of your boat and keep her looking at her best. In order to get the full benefits of waxing, it is best to do the job 2-3 times during your boating season.

How Do You Spend Your Off Season?

As the weather is cooling off and the boats are tucked away for the time being. We are sitting and wondering now what? This time of year may not be a favorite among boaters but there are some things you can do now to make your next boating season a great one.

This time of year is perfect for doing all those little projects on your boat that you never got to over the summer. You know which ones I'm talking about. Upgrading your navigation system, doing those minor repairs to keep your boat running in like new condition, and doing all those checks to make sure that your equipment and all your boating accessories are working properly. Getting these little things, or maybe even a couple of big things, accomplished over the winter will give you more time in the spring to spend on the water.

Maybe you were growing tired of your boat last season. It could have been it was just getting older or your boat wasn't giving you what you were hoping to get out of. Whatever the reason, this time of year is actually a great time to research and buy a new boat. Take your time to do your research and find the perfect boat for you and your needs. Then during boat show season (Jan-March), you can make your purchase. You will never find a better price on a boat than at a boat show.

If neither of those fit your fancy for the off season, you can always take your boat and head south for the winter. There are places where the boating season never ends and boaters are always welcome. Whatever you choose to do with your off season, we will be there to help you.

Changing Your Spark Plugs

With today's modern fuel injection changing your spark plugs is few and far between, that day will come that you will need to know how to properly change a spark plug on your boat. That is where we come in. Here are some tips and tricks for changing your spark plugs.

Choose The Right Plug

A tad short or not the right heat range won't fly. Close enough will not work when installing spark plugs. The best way to figure out the right spark plug is to contact the manufacturer.

Using The Right Wrench

Spark plugs have a porcelain tip on them that is protected by a foam cover. Using a standard socket wrench could crack the porcelain. You will need a steady hand, socket extension and tight griping socket.

Using The Right Torque

Over tightening is one of the biggest mistakes. If you overtighten the spark plug when reinstalling it, your could strip the cylinder which would be costly to remove and have it re-threaded. The average torque wrench setting should be between 18-20 pounds per square inch. Make sure to check with the manufacturer before use.

Using The Right Gap

The gap is the distance the spark has to jump. If you have a gapless engine, then this is one step that you do not have to worry with. If your sparks need to be gapped, I would suggest investing in feeler gages. The gap setting can be found on the emissions plate of the engine or in the owner’s manual

Quick Tip: As you are changing your plug, check the others. Look for water droplets, aluminum bits, or a white substance on them. If you find any, take it to your dealer before you head out again.

Now that you know how to change your spark plugs, don't let the fear of what might go wrong stop you from enjoy a day relaxing on the water. If you are looking for some more tips on the subject, check these
out.

How To Keep Your Gear In Like New Condition

We love our watersport and hate when the boating season comes to an end and we can no longer spend every weekend enjoying our time on the water. How can we keep our gear looking like new year round? How you store your gear has a big impact on its lifespan. It really doesn't take much to keep your gear performing like new.

Your Wakeboard's edge is critical not only to how it performs, but how it ages. You don't want to stand it up in a corner on a hard surface. That is an easy way to crack the joint where the top and bottom of the board come together. If that happens, you board will come apart. Always place your board binding side down. You could even go one step further and entirely remove your bindings to dry separately from the board.

If you are anything like me, your rope gets pulled into the boat and laid on the floor in a heap after use. Make sure to take the time to coil the rope after each use being careful to loop it in 1-3 foot long sections. To make coiling easier, give your wrist a little half twist as you are coiling. It will make the rope want to wrap around itself.

After your adventure on the water, your wetsuit needs drying before it is stored. The proper way to do this is to lay it inside out on a flat surface out of direct sunlight. doing this will maintain the seams and material. Once it is dry, you can hand it up on a hanger like a normal suit. Better yet, find an actual suit hanger with broader shoulders to help hold the shape of the suite better.

The last piece of gear is your life vest. Did you know that drying your life vest in direct sunlight can actually break down the fibers in the vest drastically reducing its life span? You also do not want to just stick in a storage compartment to dry. Doing this will create some not so pleasant smells and mildew problems. The best way to dry your vest is letting it drip dry in a cool dry area making sure it is vertical to allow the water to drain from the bottom.

With these tips your gear will continue looking and acting like it did the day you bought it. Do you want to learn more about keeping our gear like new? Click here. Also, don't forget to leave a comment telling us your tricks to keeping your gear like new.

Do You Store Your Boat At Home?

It is the time of year that most boaters start to get a little depressed because the boating season is winding down. Winterization and storage options occupy our minds. There are my options for your winter storage needs ranging from having the boat here at the marina to storing it yourself at your house. If you choose to house your boat in your driveway, then you will need to know the basics for the use of a tarp. That is where we come in.

There are many reasons to store your boat at home, the biggest is convenience. You can work on your boat whenever you have a free moment. No need to spend time driving to and from and no more frustration if you left something at home. There are some challenges to storing your boat at home over the winter months. The first being how do you keep it out of the elements? A tarp.

Using a tarp can be tricking and here are a few tips to make it easier for you.

Sharp Edges

On your boat you have sharp edges that no matter how many times you’ve tried to cover your boat with a tarp they inevitably rip the tarp. How do you prevent it? When you are covering your boat, first put old pieces of carpet or rags over the sharp edges and secure them with duct tape. The carpet rounds the edges which will protect your tarp.

Securing the Tarp

The best way to secure your tarp would be to wrap the bungee cords around the bottom of your boat. Doing that would make it very difficult to get in and work on your boat during the off season. The easiest way would be to fill a few milk jugs with rocks and water and tie them with rope to a few points of the tarp to hold it in place. When you want to get in the boat, you just need to undo a few jugs and not have to worry about exposing the hole boat.

Tarp Support

You will need to support your tarp at its low points or it will collect water which could completely compromise the tarp. The easiest way to do this would be to place a step ladder on the deck of your boat to keep the tarp supported.

You now have the knowledge to better prepare your boat for winter storage at your home. Just remember to get proper ventilation under the tarp otherwise; you could end up having a mildew problem on your hands. Would you like more information on tarp tactics? Click here.

What Makes a Ski/Wakeboarding Boat?

We know what a boat is, and we know that there are many different styles of boats. Do you know what makes a regular power boat a ski/wakeboard boat? We will go over what extras make a regular power boat a ski/wakeboarding boat.

Ski/Wakeboard boats have an inboard propulsion motors which deliver power to the rider on the water. That power translates into speed that the can be used to make tricks and land jumps. Even though ski boats and wakeboard boats look similar, the riders have opposing goals that they require from their boats.

As a waterskier, you want acceleration and as little wake as possible. What gives the skier the ride they are looking for, is what goes on underneath the water. The shape of the hull and the placement and configuration of the engine, drive shaft and propellers is what cause the inboard ski boats to have very little wake.

A wakeboarder on the other hand wants as big a wake as possible as while you cross from right to left following behind the boat. How do they get the big wake? The wide, deep hull and the V-drive engines set close to the transom allow the boat to carve steep wakes.

You can turn any power boat into a ski/wakeboarding boat, but you can also get the most out of your watersport experience by having a boat that was built just for your specific enjoyment. Now we want to know. What tows you on the water?

Welcoming Nautique Boats to Lacey's

This week has been a very exciting week for us. We are proud to announce that we are now Arkansas's home for Nautique Boats. That's right; you can now come to Lacey's boating Center and Lacey's Narrows Marina to discover your next tow boat.

What is Nautique? Nautique is a premier tow boat manufacture with 7 different variety boats to choose from. You can find a boat to fit your lifestyle and your needs. Nautique boats have been making boats since 1925. That means that they have many years of experience to perfect and manufacture their boats.

Join us in welcoming Nautique boats to the Lacey's family. We are proud to be taking on one of the top lines of wakeboarding, wakesurfing and ski boats in the world. We will begin having the 2014 models arriving as early as the beginning of December.  Are you ready to have the Nautique experience?

Keeping Safe While Enjoying Watersports

We all enjoy the water, and we all enjoy our different water sports, but do you know how to enjoy those water sports safely? We will discuss tips to keep you safe while enjoying the water sport that you love.

The first way to keep you safe is to learn how to swim. This may seem like common sense, but I have run into a lot of boaters who actually do not know how. Once you know you can swim, it will make you more comfortable on the water. Once you are comfortable with swimming, that doesn't mean that you can just head out on the water. You will need to first prepare for your departure.

When preparing for your day in the sun, there are a couple of things to remember. First and most important, make sure that you have a good fitting life vest that is comfortable. No matter how good a swimmer you are, you need to always wear your life jacket. Another way to make sure that you are prepared will be to have your crew with you. Water sports are not something that you enjoy alone, you will always have other people with you. It is best to have more than just you and the driver, you will need that third person to communicate between you on the water and the driver.

On the water fun can be ruined by bad weather. Your best bet to make sure that you don't run into bad weather is to keep on top of the forecast. Check the weather before you head out on the water and continuing to check it throughout the day. Boating in a storm is dangerous business, if you see one approaching, play it safe and head for shore.

Using these tips will help to keep you and friends safe while enjoying your favorite water sport. If you are still looking for ways to improve your on the water safety, click here.

Do You Know How To Wakeboard

Have you been promising yourself that this will be the boating season that you will learn how to wakeboard and you haven't yet? Well I hate to tell you, this season is winding down. You are at the now or next season point. So, why not now? Here are a few tips to make your first day a little easier.

Whenever you choose to go wakeboarding, there are a couple of things you want to always have with you. The first is a properly fitting life jacket that you will wear the entire time you are on the water. The second is a spotter. The spotter's job is to be the middle man between you and the driver. He will alert the driver about your position on the water, any other boat traffic, or any information that he would need to know.

Once you have your gear, you need to figure out how to put your feet. There are two choices. You are either regular or goofy footed. The difference, between the two is which foot you lead with. How do you choose which foot goes forward? Whichever foot you instinctively put forward when you go to kick a ball or start running is the foot you will lead with on the board.

For all of us beginners, using a shorter rope will make it easier to get up on the water. Once you are connected to the board and in the water, grasp the rope handle in both hands and wait until the driver has driven far enough away to eliminate slack from the rope. Position yourself as if you are sitting in a chair. Hold onto the rope and keep the board edge above the water as the boat accelerates to pull you up.

Using these steps, you can start your journey to becoming the next superstar wakeboarder. Okay, maybe not a superstar, but you will at least get to cross learning to wakeboard off of your bucket list. Let's hit the water and go wakeboarding.

Toddlers And Boating

Are you ready to bring your little one on your boat for the first time? Don't spend too much time stressing over whether he will be safe or not. Bringing a child on a boat is similar to having them in the car. Just use these tips for toddlers and boating and you will be just fine.

First things first, before you even head to the boat with your little one, make a trip with just yourself and a few pieces of safety equipment. You will want to child proof your boat just like you would your home. Stow things away from little hands and make sure that all doors and cabinets are secure. Also, make sure that you have a well-fitting life jacket for your little one waiting for when they step on board.

The next steps are all how you prepare at home for the trip, what you need to bring. First, make sure that you have packed plenty of fluids and the sippy cups to put them in. You will want to make sure that you bring extra cups because you know how kids can be and the next thing you know the cup goes flying over board.

You have the drinks, now what about the snacks. When you are packing your snack bag, make sure to stay away from foods that are too salty or too sweet. Those could upset your little ones stomach being out in the sun all day. If your little one does get nauseous, ginger snap cookies are good to keep on hand to settle their stomachs down.

When you are packing your diaper bag, there really isn't anything out of the ordinary that you would need to bring. Just remember to bring an extra one of everything that you usually keep in the diaper bag. An extra outfit, extra diapers, extra lotion, and lots and lots of sunscreen are some things to keep in mind.

Finally, when packing for your adventure, make sure to bring some water proof toys or crayons and paper. Your baby might not be as interested in the beauty on the water as you are, so you will need to make sure that you will have something to keep your little one entertained.

Just remember, boating is a way to relax. Having your little one on board should be an enjoyable experience. If you are not ready to bring them, don't be pressured by friends and family to do so. If you are ready to introduce your child into the wonderful world of boating, then use this to help make that first day go just a little bit more smoothly.

Just Relax

If you are like the rest of us, you are stressed. There are the stresses of the kids, your job, your spouse, and just finding the time to get it all done. Well I am here to tell you, for the sake of your health, go boating. 

Boating is a way to put all of those different stresses behind you. You can pack up your kids, your spouse, and your dog and make your way over to Greers Ferry Lake for a day of fun on the water. Just the act of boating can help you to relax and let go. There is just something about feeling the wind in your hair standing at the helm of your boat that seems to instantly calm us. 

Once you are out on the water there are many different activities you can choose from in order to de-stress. There is fishing, if you prefer to have a more laid back experience. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, there is wakeboarding. There is even just sun bathing on the deck. So the next time that you are feeling just a bit over worked, under appreciated, or just plain tired of the norm; go boating.

44th Annual Greers Ferry Lake & Little Red River Shoreline Clean-up

It is almost time again for the 44th Annual Greers Ferry Lake & Little Red River Shoreline Clean-up. This annual clean up started back in 1970 after Greers Ferry Lake had been filled for six years. During those six years, millions of people used the lake for boating, fishing, camping and other sightseeing adventures. The people enjoying the lake left unsightly litter all along the shore line. Unfortunately, there was no money in the budget to pay a company to come in and clean up our lake. Resident engineer Carl Gamer came up with a solution.

On a Saturday in September of 1970, Carl Gamer and a group of volunteers joined together to clean up the 300 miles of shoreline on our 40,000 sq mile lake. From that first volunteer clean up, a year round campaign has sprouted to educate the local community to get the community involved in the continuous cleaning of the lake and instill a sense of pride in our lake and the Nations waterways and public lands.

This year, the annual clean up day will happen on Sept 7. You can join us to pick up the shoreline of Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River. After the work is done, this years volunteers will be treated to a picnic lunch and be able to enjoy live entertainment. This years entertainment will be Harding Concert Choir and the group Sister Rock. If you would like to help us in this years clean up, you can learn more here.

Photo Credit: Lawrence G. Miller

 

Your First Launch

Have you recently joined in on the boating lifestyle and bought yourself a new boat? Now you have your boat sitting on a trailer in your driveway and you are ready to take it out on the lake. Do you know what to do?

Before you put your boat in the water, there are things you need to do to prepare your boat, trailer, and you for the launch. The first thing you will need to do in order to have a successful launch is to familiarize yourself with the ramp. Park your boat and truck in the parking lot and walk over to the ramp. Check to see if there are designated lanes for launching and retrieving and walk to find the end of the ramp so you know how far back you can go.

When you get back to your truck, use this time to pack your boat. You don't want to hold everyone up doing this on the ramp. The time has finally come that you are ready to launch. When backing up, make sure that you pick just one lane. Don't go down the middle of two lanes which could hold up traffic.

Have a boat buddy stand outside by the trailer to help you with direction and distance. Roll down your windows, mute your radio, and slowly start to back your boat down the ramp and into the water. Keep your speed low and try and say straight. If you find yourself making an error, it is best to pull yourself back to the top of the ramp and start again.

Once you get your trailer and boat where it needs to be in the water, put your tow vehicle in park with the emergency brake on. Walk back to the boat and disconnect the winch cable from the bow eye. Lower your outdrive/outboard, double check your drain plug is closed and push the boat off the trailer into the water. Have your boat buddy ready to use a tow line to pull the boat over to the dock where you can have everyone else hop on board.

Go park your truck and empty trailer and head over to the boat. Get on board and get going to open water to enjoy your day in the sun.

How Did You Discover Boating?

We all have our own boating stories to tell. Some are very exciting, some more “The Norm.”  One of my favorite stories to ask of people is how they actually discovered boating. Hearing their tails from childhood, or talking about their buddies in college, or even if they were a late bloomer a friend or a loved one finally got them on a boat. Those stories are the best. They always end in a smile.

One of the most common birth of a boater story is the born and bred tale. We know it, we have heard it, and for most of us, we have lived it. We were born into a family of boaters. Mom and dad or the grandparents had a boat and we would spend our summers and weekends enjoying every second on the water. Once we were old enough, we bought our own boat, had a couple of kids, and carried the tradition on.

Another common discover boating story, which sometimes can be a little more entertaining, is the one night at college story. This one has a little more variation, but the essence is still the same. You meet a lot of new friends during your college years and one of those friends happens to be one of those people we mentioned earlier about being born into boating. They talk to you about it and then you finally agree to go out on the boat. That one trip is all it took; you were a boater for life.

The third most common boating discovery story is the person who doesn't find boating until later in their life. Maybe they have a work colleague who shares with them how they unwind after a long week at work. Maybe it is a friend, neighbor, or even their kids who say that boating is good for the soul. Whoever does the introduction, the ending is always the same, one happy new boater.

Everybody’s stories are different. We all come from different backgrounds, go through different things in our lives, but we all have one thing in common; our love for boating. Now it is your turn, we want to hear your story. Tell us, how did you discover boating?

Our Favorite Lake, Greers Ferry Lake

Our lake, the lake we boat on, the lake we fish on, the lake we play on, Greers Ferry Lake. We all know where it is, but do you know where it came from? The formation of our lake, Greers Ferry Lake, was started in March of 1959 when they started to construct the Greers Ferry Dam. 

While the dam was being constructed, it brought tons of people to the area looking for work. They would pop they tents, plant their camper, and rent any vacant houses. Builders were rushing to complete houses so that all the people coming into Herber Springs would have a place to stay. The retail stores, grocery shops, and farmers all were struggling to meet the demand of the now larger population. The locals of Herber Springs hung on until the completion of the dam in December of 1962. Once completed, the influx of people left, moving on looking for the next job.

There is a lot of great history with our lake, one of my favorite pieces, the city of Higden. Higden was actually located under our lake. That’s right; in the 1800’s Higden was a city of farmers who were constantly troubled with flooding. The land was purchased, the cemeteries were moved, the people left, and the now abandoned city was allowed to flood. Don’t feel so bad for the people of Higden; they reestablished their city up on a nearby hill.

The really fun part about this story of a flooded city; it is said that there are still houses, building, and roads under the lake from the abandoned city. They say that you can follow a road right up to the shore line on one side of the lake and pick the same road back up on the other side. People have taken advantage of this and now are using the pre-existing roads as boat launching ramps. Old West Main St. is an example. What have you seen under the water?

Greers Ferry Lake is made up of two lakes connected by a water filled gorge called The Narrows. With a surface area of 63 square miles, and just over 340 miles of shoreline, there is plenty of fun to be had on the lake. It is often ranked in the top ten cleanest, clearest, and most pristine lakes in all of North America. So what are you waiting for, let’s go boating, or fishing, or swimming, or…

Joining The Boating Lifestyle

Hey you, yeah, you. I have a question for you. Why have you not gotten in on the boating lifestyle yet? Let me tell you, you are missing out. You think that boating is too expensive? Think you will get board after taking the boat on the water after the first couple of times? Not sure if you are boating people? I will take the time to answer these questions for you today, so we can get you over that fence you have been sitting on.

Boating is expensive, it is just a luxury. Friend, I am here to tell you, this is one of the biggest myths about boating. You can finance a boat just like you can finance a car. There are boats in any showroom that range in price so you are bound to find one that you love and that you can afford the payment each month. Now you’re thinking, ok I have the boat, but the maintenance will break my bank account. Again, this is just not true. Most of the maintenance you have to perform, you do yourself. Like washing down your boat after use, or making sure you have it covered when not in use. With the stuff you can’t do (oil changes, engine maintenance), expect to pay what you would for the same service to your car.

Boating is a novelty; the fun will wear off quickly after purchase. This statement is far from the truth. The day you buy a boat, you are buying more than just a piece of machinery, you are buying a way to keep your family entertained every weekend, you are buying a way that you can de-stress after a rough day at the office on a Tuesday, you are buying a place that you can take your significant other and really feel like the only two people on the planet for a date night. It is more than just cruising the water, even though that is great too, there are many different activities to enjoy while boating. Fishing, water tubing, wakeboarding, personal water crafts, swimming, the list can go on and on with different things to do in order to keep your boat outing fresh.

Boating is not for me; I am not a “boat person.” My friend, there is no one type of person that fits into this lifestyle. Everywhere you go, you will find people just like you, and people who are completely different than you.  If you love the water, love relaxing & love boats, then it sounds to me that you are a “boat person.”

When you finally hop off that fence post and join in on the fun, you automatically enter into one of the coolest clubs on the planet. You immediately gain new friends who all enjoy boating too. And most importantly, you get to call yourself a boater. So my question to you now is what are you waiting for?

Moonlit Boating

Boating during the day when everything is completely visible, with the sun giving you all the light you need so that you can see everything around you, and where you can see directional buoys hundreds of feet away, there are still accidents. Now, imagine you take all that away. You can't see the boy's rocks in the water, how deep the water is, or the sun. We will teach you the correct guidelines for boating after dark.

Slow Down
Many waterways have slower nighttime speeds. This is a necessary precaution because the landmarks that you are familiar with can change or completely disappear at night which makes it easy to run off course. Debris big enough to damage your boat become invisible on the water. Play it safe, slow down.

Eliminate Distractions
Easy nighttime navigation can be done by reading subtle clues. To be able to read the clues, you will need make sure there is nothing that is distracting you. Lower your interior lights, lower your stereo, and pop your head over the windshield to reduce glare.

Careful With High Beams
You might think that headlights are the answer. Well, most boats only have docking lights which do not produce the power you need on the open water. If you have forward mounted, or spotlight flashlight, those can be helpful. Use them with care. They can confuse other boaters by overpowering your navigation lights, or blind an approaching captain.

Use A Compass
During the day make sure to note the heading on your compass when you are leaving your marina. It is easy to make sure you are going the opposite direction upon your return. As a reminder, never make a trip to unfamiliar destinations at night.

Learn The Lights
Every boater should know the combinations of red, green and white lights that tell you whether a boat is coming or going, and in what general direction. Make sure your own running lights are working properly.

With these simple guidelines, if you get stuck on the water at night, or you plan a nighttime cruise, you should be able to make it back to the docks safely.

Keeping Your Fillet Knife Sharp

When you catch that beautiful fish that you are excited to stick on the dinner table that night, you don't want to mess up that beautiful piece of meat when you fillet it just because your knife isn't sharp enough. Here we will talk about how to keep that fillet knife sharp so you will always have a perfect cut of meat.




The Edge Bevel

Most kitchen knives have a 20-degree edge bevel. For filleting, an edge bevel of 12 to 15 degrees per side provides a clean easy cut and reasonable resistance to dulling. If you don’t cut bone, monofilament or bait with your fillet knife, a 15-degree bevel will be okay for you to use.

Set The Bevel

The easiest way to figure out what angle to set the bevel would be to stack two quarters high. Using this method is not exact, but it gets you pretty close.

Getting The Burr

The burr is a wire edge that forms across the blade opposite of what you are sharpening. Your job is not finished until you can see or feel the burr.

To Push or To Pull

We each have those friends who swear by pulling the knife across the stone, and those who swear by pushing. Quite frankly, it doesn't matter. Both ways are just as effective. What does matter, is that the spine moves ahead of the edge. So, just make sure to angle it.

Sharpen

Draw the blade across the stone, sweeping it from heel to tip as you go. Once you have a full-length burr, sharpen to create a burr on the other side. Finish with blade-first strokes, like slicing a sliver from the stone, until the burr disappears.

Now you have the know how to keep that fillet knife just as sharp as when you purchased her. For more tips and pictures to go along, click here.