Jewel of Portland

I was pulling the pictures of the HelmsMate Outboard Extension Handles off my camera, and ran across a shot I took of the Willamette River in downtown Portland, Oregon a couple weeks ago. Tom McCall waterfront park starts just to the left and the odd little building on the dock to the right of the marina is a seafood restaurant with dock side drive up service. Across the river, under the first arch of the bridge is OMSI and moored outside the museum is the submarine USS Blueback.

New Product Review - New HelmsMate T & TE Model Outboard Motor Tiller Extension Handles

If you troll with a kicker or trolling motor, you may have discovered that it is a stretch to steer from the best seat. If you sit clear in the stern, you may throw the boat out of trim, or develop a back kink from twisting and leaning to reach the tiller. If so, an outboard tiller extension handle may be just the ticket. They are designed to attach to your existing outboard tiller giving you the extra reach you need.

We carry the HelmsMate Extension Handles by Ironwood Pacific, and were pleased to evaluate and add two new handles to their line-up. The New Models -dubbed T and TE are much shorter than any of the previous Ironwood handles, measuring in at a fixed 18" for the T model and an adjustable 17" to 23" for the TE model. These are a welcome addition to this line-up as we've talked with a few customers who had purchased the longer versions and sawed them off to get to these kind of lengths.

In addition to the anodized aluminum shaft, the two new HelmsMates share other qualities with their big brothers. They utilize the same universal clamp as the longer models, which is really universal. It consists of a marine grade nylon clamp which you shouldn't mistake this for ordinary plastic because it is really tough. I took one of my samples out, laid it on a cement floor, and stood on it with all my weight (200 lbs.) on one foot, then bounced up and down a few times. It flexed and deformed a bit , but sprang right back and there was zero sign of cracking or distress.

The universal clamp comes with a 1/8" thick heavy rubber sizing sleeve that fits many tiller handles perfectly. If your handle is a little thicker, you can slide the sleeve out and if youn eed even more room, just grab the clamp ears and spread it open wider. for some of the smaller motors with a really thin handle, Ironwood Pacific provides what they call a second sleeve. It is a sheet of rubber that you can wrap around the handle from a partial turn to several turns to get the exact fit you need. It doesn't come included, but they will send yo one for free if you find you need it. As you can see from the picture above, there is a big cut-away that allows easy access to the kill switch.

The Helmsmate T Model is a fixed 18" length, but the Helmsmate TE is extendable from 17" to 23". I like the fact that there is a positive lock system consisting of a spring loaded metal button that locks into one of a series of holes in the outer shaft. It took me a couple tries to get the hang of it, but once I did it was very simple and it stays where you put it. This system means that I have to adjust in abut 2 1/2" increments, but I don't picture ever needing more fine control than that. It is a real contrast to the cam-lock systems used by some of the other tiller extension handles I've tried. On the most recent cam lock version I tried, it didn't take opening and closing the mechanism more than a handful of times before it got a little loose. Imagine twisting the throttle, only to have the cam slip and suddenly you lose throttle control and your length setting is lost. I'll take the positive lock over the cam any time.

In summary, these two new handles have all the features that have made the Ironwood Pacific HelmsMate one of my favorite trolling motor extension handles. They fit well on a variety of gas outboard motors and electric trolling motors, they are made in the USA, and they have a very attractive price. We are able to offer the T model at $14.95 and the TE at $18.95.

Dock De-icer Offerings Expand Again With Addition of Pyramid Oil-Free Dock De-icers

Our goal is to offer the most comprehensive offering of dock de-icers anywhere on-line. If you've visited SavvyBoater.com, you may have seen that we offer the entire catalog of Ice Eater Dock De-icers by Powerhouse, including all 4 de-icer models in both 110V and 220V with the full range of cord length options. We also carry all of PowerHouse Ice Eater's de-icer accessories and de-icer replacements parts.

We also offer a wide selection of Kasco Dock De-icers and de-icer parts and accessories. People have been putting their trust in Kasco Marine de-icer for over 40 years, and Kasco has leveraged those years of experience to produce a efficient, durable de-icer, that will stand up to the harshest environments.

We are pleased to announce that we have added the Pyramid Oil-Free Dock D-icers by Pyramid Tech. Why another line of Dock De-icers? We feel that the unique design of the Pyramid oil-free de-icers has a real appeal for users that are interested in protecting the environment or anyone who needs to de-ice a sensitive aquatic area. While standard Dock de-icers may contain a gallon of oil, the oil free de-icer uses only an ounce or two right at the seal. In addition, a higher starting torque motor allows them to use a tighter seal, further reducing the potential for a leak. The Pyramid Tech dock de-icers are very competitively priced, offering an environmentally friendly option, without having to pay a premium.

Pyramid Tech Dock De-icers are available for 110 volt power in the following sizes:

• Pyramid Model 6205D Dock Deicer - 1/2 HP clears roughly 40'-50' of ice.
  
• Pyramid Model 6208D Dock de-icer - 3/4 HP dock de-icer clears approximately 60'-75' of ice.


• Pyramid Model 6210D Dock De-icer - 1 HP dock de-icer which will clear about 80'-100' of ice.

Note: Ice clearance is approximate and depends on a wide variety of local variables including water depth in the de-icing area, overall size of the body of water, temperature and weather conditions. These figures are provided by Pyramid Tech and are based on dock de-icer installations in mid-state New York.

If you are interested in reviewing the full specifications for the Pyramid Tech Oil Free Dock De-icer line, visit our product Pyramid Tech De-icer Product Comparison and Specifications page.

To aid you in your de-icer decision, we have also developed a Powerhouse Ice Eater Dock De-icer Comparison and Specifications page and a Kasco Dock De-icer Comparison and Specifications page.

IBEX Redux

A couple weeks back, I had the opportunity to spend a few days at the IBEX (International Boat Builders Exposition ) in Miami Beach, Florida. It was an awe inspiring site to see all those boating related manufacturers in one place. They had multi-ton lifts and ramp systems for your mega-yacht. There was a robotic milling machine that could carve huge mold forms, and apparently from their video, also be programmed to clean and sanitize a toilet as well?!? If you wanted to cut sheets of fiberglass or canvas into custom forms, lay a teak deck or purchase tanker loads of resin, it was all there among the acres of stainless steel fittings.

While it is a boat builders show, There were a large number of marine supply manufacturers represented as they work to develop OEM sales. Yeti Coolers was there, and I had the opportunity to take some video of both their Yeti Sherpa Coolers and their Yeti Fiberglass Coolers. We are in the process of editing to give you a new perspective on these coolers.

One of the canvas supply companies was offering Ironwood Pacific's Top Snapper Tool, both for boat and canvas builders and as a possible OEM addition to boats. It is such a great tool that it really ought to come with every boat with canvas snaps. I've heard some manufactures are including it, but until everyone does, you can pick yours up at SavvyBoater.com

New folks I met include Dive Dog with their line of Boat & Swim Ladders as well as Aqua Performance with some innovative retractable boarding ladders.
Look for these as possible additions to our Boarding Ladder Category in Spring of next year.

I also had the chance to talk with designers and engineers from Milsco, manufacturers of OEM boat and automotive seats. I had never heard of these folks before (because they generally don't sell you you and me - just manufacturers) but the look and feel of their boat seat line-up caught my attention from across the room. The lines and designs have a very sleek, eye candy look, like they came out of a high end custom sports car. Milsco hasn't sacraficed comfort on the alter of style though, as the seat feel as good as they look, offering good support while sort of scooping you in. While they are an OEM manufacturer, they are in my rolodex and I'm going to see if we can work out a way to get them into your hands aftermarket.

Of course the electronics manufacturers were well represented, showing off their latest and greatest gear. My "wouldn't that be cool" list included the Garmin GPSMAP products - GPS chart plotters integrated with your radar, sonar and other gear on a big, touchscreen LCD display. Advanced graphics chips allow for overlay of satellite imagery over the charts, and toggle to a "point of view" display both above and below water that allow you to see the terrain that should be ahead of you and below you. These items have come a long way since the sonar, radar and loran C systems we used when I was commercial fishing.

Another very cool electronic "gadget" I got to play with was FLIR's Navagator infrared night vision video cameras. Check it out at http://www.cvs.flir.com/maritime/products/navigator.cfm. It hardly does it justice, though. The manual or remote controled infrared camera shows you everything with a heat signature on your monitor - very special OPs.

While there I also got a chance to knock around South Beach, eat some great seafood at CJ's Crab Shack somewhere around 13th & Ocean, and look at some amazing boats. They are very different than what we normally see in the Northwest. The amount of money invested in major and mega yachts was astounding, and the cruisers were a treat. Driving down the freeway and looking to the side to see 35' cigarette boats on cradles, and little flats boats with 300 HP strapped to the back end flying down the labrynth of waterways was a lot of fun. Overall I had a great time visiting Miami and look forward to heading down again next year.

New Product Introduction - Boater Sports Keel Protectors

While meeting with our friends at Boater Sports during the IBEX Show in Miami earlier this month, we learned about a new Boater Sports Keel Protector they have just launched.

If you are not familiar with Keel Protectors, they are typically a protective strip that bonds to your boats keel, forming a protective pad for several inches on either side of your keel. The purpose is to provide protection from abrasion or dings when you beach the boat, or come in contact with shallow structures or debris.

Like many of the other products Boater Sports offers, these are focused on utility at a very nice price point. Similar to competing keel protectors like the Keel Shield or Keel Guard products, the Boater Sports Keel Protector is made from PVC with a special 3M marine adhesive to bond it to your keel. The product is designed for you to install it yourself in an afternoon. It requires some prep work to get the keel surface ready for the adhesive, and a little care when actually putting it into place, but it is well within most boat owners capabilities.

The Boater Sports Keel Protector is available in Black or White in 6, ft., 7 ft. and 8 ft. lengths. Each kit comes with the protector, a pair of rubber gloves, 4 tubes of 3M primer to prepare the surface, a special scouring pad and an application squeegee.

Length - Savvy Price
6 ft. - $109.95
7 ft. - $124.95
8 ft. - $139.95

Compare those prices to any other Keel Protector on the market and you'll know why we are so excited about this product.

We are also very pleased to offer Keel Shield Keel Protectors, the industry leader in Keel protection. While they cost a bit more than the Boater Sports Keel Protectors, they are available in a much wider range of colors and sizes. We currently offer 4 sizes and up to 5 color shades, but as a special order we can get the entire range of Keel Shield Keel Protectors from 5 ft. to 12' in up to 14 colors. If you need a size or color we don't offer on the site, give us a call toll free at 866-560-1330 for pricing and availability.

Kasco Marine Deicers Added to the SavvyBoater.com Deicer Line-up for 2007-2008

While I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around marine deicers at the moment (I just got back from Miami and the Bahamas, and it was 70 here in Oregon yesterday), the time is here to start thinking about protecting your boat and dock from ice damage.

We had so much interest in the Powerhouse Ice Eaters last winter that I decided to expand our offerings for 2007-2008. I think we now have about the broadest offerings of dock deicers anywhere on-line. As noted earlier, we have added the entire catalog of Powerhouse Ice Eaters de-icers this year as well as helped several customers acquire specially built units. We've also added specifications and comparison charts for the Powerhouse Ice Eater line.

We are now offering the popular Kasco Marine Deicers in our line up. These units are available in a variety of configurations including:

• The 1/2 HP model 2400D deicer with 25' 50' or 100' of cord.
  
• The 3/4 HP 120 volt model 3400D with 25' 50' or 100' if cord. The 3400HD is for 240 volt power sources and is available with a 50' or 100' cord.


• The 1 HP 4400D 120 volt deicer is available with a 25' or 50' cord while the 240 volt 4400HD features a 50' power cord.

In addition to the units, we are also offering the many Kasco Deicer Accessories that will allow you to customize your installation. their dock mounting and float mounting kit, deicer thermostat and thermostat/timer units as well as the basic replacement parts you'll need for routine maintenance which you can replace yourself.

Technical specifications and typical deicing poswer for these units is available on our new Kasco Marine De-icer Specification and Comparison page. In addition to a great selection of Kasco models and competitive deicers, I think you'll also find we offer very competitive prices.

ACATS 2007 Classic Catfish Tournament

The river conditions weren't optimal, but 15 teams met at Henderson, Kentucky, on the Ohio to give it a go. Despite temperatures in the mid 90's high humidity, low water and no current, every team caught fish and a total entry weight of 607.2 lbs were logged.



Winning Results were:

• 1st Place - Audie Hammond & Brian Vohol with 134.0 lbs


• 2nd Place - Bill & Robin Basham with 125.2 lbs


• 3rd Place - Dale Kerns with 98.8 lbs.


• Big Cat was 33.2 caught by the team of Ken & Elzie Lewis.

If you would like to learn more about fishing for BIG catfish, or how you can compete in the 2008 tournaments, visit http://www.catfishangler.com/start.html.

Mike Parr and the other folks at ACATS are looking forward to a lot of growth for next year. Their enthusiasm and hard work has just added 4 new chapters, and word has it that there are a several more in the works.

To get great deals on catfish angling recommended by the Pros, visit SavvyBoater's Catfish Angling Gear page. we've got hard to beat prices on Ironwood Pacific's anchorLift system and other products to help you fish more efficiently .

Complete Catalog of Ice Eater De-icers, De-icer Accesories & Parts for Winter 2007-2008

As part of our boat winterizing category, SavvyBoater.com carried a basic selection if the Power House Ice Eater Dock De-icers last year. The response was great, so we have added their entire catalog for 2007-2008.

One of the things we find appealing about the Ice Eater Deicers by The Power House is the fact that they are available in a wide range of configurations to meet your specific needs. The powerful Ice Eater P1000 Deicer offers a full 1 HP for your larger scale or tougher jobs, while the super efficient Ice Eater P250 Deicer sips power with a 1/4 HP motor when you need to keep water open in less extreme conditions. The 1/2 HP P500 Ice Eater Deicer is one of the most popular models, offering a good balance of power and efficiency. The Ice Eater P750 3/4 HP Deicer is a work horse, offering powerful de-icing for moderate size boats and docks in fairly extreme conditions. All the Ice Eater models come with the option of 115 volt or 230-volt power and can be purchased with 25, 50 or 100 ft. cords. The P1000 is also available in 230-volt 3-phase power as a special order.

In addition to offing great prices on all of the available Ice eater models, we also have the new KP16110 thermostat, screens and other accessories that allow you to further customize your de-icer installation.

While Ice Eater De-icers are durable, sometimes you may need replacement parts. For your convenience, we have added the complete line of Ice Eater replacement parts, from zincs and props to brackets and shrouds and more. Stop by the Parts page for a complete listing.

One of the challenges of offering such a flexible product, is deciding which model is right for your application. We've added an Ice Eater De-icer Specifications & Comparison Guide on the Ice eater De-icer models to help you decide which one is right for you.

Added to Boating Directories

Just a note, we have been added to the Boatinglinks Directory. Boater Boating Directory and
Websaurus Boating and Fishing Directory:One of the web's largest boating and fishing link directories. Whether your sport is canoeing, kayaking, bass fishing or fly fishing, you'll find plenty of sites here. Looking for a lodge, guide or charter? Look no further.

My Intro to Catfish Angling

It has been interesting getting to know a little more about the world of competitive catfish angling, and seeing the magnificent fish they bring in. The sum of my catfishing experience has been a few attempts to hook "bullheads" and unidentified catfish in small lakes and ponds near where I grew up. The only competitive aspect was whether I'd catch one and my buddy wouldn't. More often than not it degraded into a rock skipping contest or driftwood swordfight.

Living out West, I've had the opportunity to fish for sturgeon on the Columbia river and I have to imagine that catfish angling the big rivers of the Midwest is a similar experience - peacefully watching the river roll by until suddenly the rod tip jiggles, you set the hook and realize you are into a massive, powerful fish. The adrenalin surges and if all goes well, the whole experience ends with the catch and release of a spectacular fish.

Since I joined SavvyBoater.com, I've had the opportunity to talk with a number of serious catfish anglers from the Midwest. We've got great prices on some of the anchoring and anchor retrieval gear they regularly use, which has led to a number of great discussions and learning sessions. We've pulled together some of the gear recommended to us by the pros in a Catfish Angling Gear page. It has also allowed me to learn a little more about the fishery from some very serious anglers such as "Doc" Lange of http://www.hookedoncatfish.com/. (Note: he was also willing to share his experience with the AnchorLift Anchor Retrieval System) It has also led to SavvyBoater.com sponsoring both DuraCats 2007 Championship Catfish Tournament (October 27 & 28, 2007) and the ACATS Catfish 2007 Catfish Championship (September 21 & 22, 2007)

Another thing that has impressed my in talking with these competitive catfish anglers is their dedication to protecting the fishery. Like sturgeon, growing really big catfish doesn't happen overnight, so it is a shame to only catch them once. Proper care and release of caught fish means that they are there to be caught again, and to contribute their exceptional genetics to the next generation.

While I haven't had the chance to fish with any of these folks, I hope to get the chance to get out that way one of these days and see how it is really done. If you have an interest in catching big catfish, or think you could be a competitor, I'd urge you to visit one of the upcoming tournaments to learn more or join DuraCats or ACATS and give it a try.

I also noticed that ACATS has launched ACATS Radio a series of streaming audio shows about catfish angling featuring discussions with ACATS Tournament Winners, ACATS members and other catfish angling notables.

MAATS 2007 Marine Products Show in Las Vegas

Well, I'm finally getting around to mentioning it, but I had a chance to attend the MAATS show - (Marine After-market Accessories Trade Show) in las Vegas last month. While it was a whirlwind 1-day trip, I had a chance to talk with a number of our suppliers and brand representatives.

One feature of the show is the New Products Awards. Congratulations to Mustang Survival for the selection of their Rescue Stick product. If you want to see more about these selected new products, check out the Boaters TV video review below:

BoatersTV17 MAATS Boat Product Awards Power & Motoryacht 100

Aside from the awards, the show was manned by hundreds of hearty souls braving the 106 degree heat to show us all the new toys we should have. Some are old SavvyBoater friends and other became new acquaintances as they pitched their new products.

As you may have figured out, I'm a fan of Boater Sports products. They produce a number of solid products at very competitive prices and our SavvyBoater customers have made it clear that they appreciate this. I had a chance to meet with Keith (right - Keith at the Boater Sports booth at MATS 2007) and the other Boater Sports reps, and after our discussion, there are a number of new products we'll be adding to the SavvyBoater line-up in the coming months.

We had a chance to talk with Marine Dynamics, manufacturers of the StingRay Senior Hydrofoil Stabilizer series. My first question was, "We could sell lots more of these if we could just get our hands on them - What's going on?"

If you've had a chance to look at the product, you'll realize that complex molded plastic components are integral to the design. According to the Marine Dynamics representative, changes in their major supplier caused them to have to set up with a new supplier. Things didn't go as smoothly as planned with the transition at the same time demand for the innovative StingRay XPRIII Hydrofoil Stabilizer with no-drill mounting was really taking off. It looks like they have things working smoothly again, so I'm hopeful we'll see a steady supply of this popular product.

Polyform was there of course and we had a chance to talk with our representatives there. The SavvyBoater.com offerings of Polyform fenders & buoys have been very popular this year. We are carrying a broad selection of the Polyform's popular G-Series boat fenders, the rugged HTM-Series Fenders and the signature A-Series Polyform buoy as well as their stainless steel True Fit Fender Holder system. While we didn't run across anything really new, it was good to confirm that we've got the full selection of boat fenders and buoys that are geared towards the recreational boater and fisherman.

Among the new companies I met were the folks at BulZeye Boat Cradles - While it is a little large for on-line retail, it is a very interesting guide system for docking and lifting or trailering your boat.

Aqua Lantern has developed a line of solar powered lighted marking and regulatory buoys. We are currently working with the manufacturer to add AquaLantern to our buoy line-up.

We also met with KS Marine and got a chance to look at their KeelShield keel protector products. I know - they aren't really new, but they are new to me, and were kind enough to give us a bit of an education. Since then, we have added the Keelshield keel protector product as well as the TransomShield transom protector to our offerings. They are available either in our Anchoring & Mooring - Beaching Category or our Boat Maintenance - Keel and Hull Protection Category.

I could go on a lot longer as I was able to cram a lot of research and visiting into one day, but I'll wrap up for now. I'm looking forward to attending the IBEX show in Miami in October, with plans to hit the Bahamas after words for some fishing, diving and recreation.

The SavvyBoater.com Trolling Plate Category Has Expanded

If you fish for Walleye, Salmon, big Lake Trout or a variety of marine species, you are probably aware of the importance of slow trolling. Getting your boat down to that perfect speed can be a challenge, which means that anglers usually have to turn to some specialized gear to help them out.

Many anglers add a small electric or gas trolling motor to push them along with a little less force. However that brings with it the challenges of buying, maintaining and mounting two motors, plus they may need an separate steering system for their trolling motor.
The other alternative is to run their regular outboard or stern drive at an idle, but in many cases, even that isn't slow enough. That is where trolling plates and drift socks come in.

A drift sock is basically small sea anchors - sort of a windsock for the water. They work by creating drag opposite the boats direction of travel. When trolling, this can be enough to slow you down and it can aid in maintaining steering control at slow speeds. Drift socks are also used when anchoring in a current to help stabilize the boat from swinging in the current. This is a favored tactic for catfish anglers who are working the big rivers and need to stay steady while drifting bait through deep holes and flow convergences. The challenge with a drift sock is to make sure you keep it our of your prop. we offer two sizes of the popular Minnkota Nylon Drift Sock and the drift sock harness designed for each.

Trolling Plates are pretty simple in theory. When in use they present a plate (metal or plastic) that drops behind the prop, deflecting the engines thrust. When not in use, the trolling plate swings up out of the way so that it has little or no impact on normal engine performance. Where it gets trickier is designing the plates to raise and lower reliably under pressure, and to survive accidentally being hit with the engines full thrust. It is inevitable that an angler with a trolling plate will forget to lift the plate before hitting the throttle to set up for the next track or head home. In the original models, that would almost guarantee that the trolling plate would bend or break. You don't do that to too many of trolling plates before you wonder if there isn't a better way. The most recent generation of trolling plates have come up with some pretty innovative ways to address this issue.

In heavy duty metal trolling plates, the Ironwood Pacific Easy Troller Trolling Plate is one of our favorites. It provides good positive up and down locks and works smoothly even under some pressure. The Easy Troller also includes a patented hinge design that allows the plate to flex and disperse the energy if the engine is throttled up while the plate is locked in the down position. You won't go anywhere fast, but you won't ruin your Easy Troller either.

The Davis Marine Happy Troller Trolling Plate is another of the heavy duty metal trolling plates. The Happy Troller trollng plate has been used by thousands of anglers over the years and it is one of the best known names in trolling plates. Our only complaint about it is that Davis still relies on their tried and true "original" style. That means if I forget and hit the gas with the plate down, I'm liable to break or bend my Happy Troller and I won't be happy.

The T & L Trol-a-Matic Trolling Plate is a unique design that uses fiberglass filled nylon to make a light weight trolling plate. The Trol-a-Matic is spring loaded so that when engine speeds drop to a certain level, it will drop to the down position. It doesn't lock, but still disrupts the thrust enough to slow the boat to trolling speeds. If you apply power, the thrust overcomes the spring and automatically pushes the trolling plate to the "up" position. No bent plates and no worrying about raising and lowering it. The manufacturer notes that since it is always on, Trol-a-Matic can also aid in slow speed maneuvers like docking and it sits out of the way in the down position when the boat is moored.

If you are looking to get your boat's trolling speed down, stop by the SavvyBoater Trolling Plate and Brake Section and check out our great prices and the most popular brands of trolling plates and drift socks.

Time to Buy That Yeti Cooler!

If you've been thinking about getting one of Yeti Coolers high performance coolers, now is the time. September 1 marks the beginning of the new 2008 pricing and prices are going up. Prices on the Yeti Sherpa Cooler and the Yeti Lunchmate Cooler will be going up somewhat.

According to Ryan at Yeti Coolers, the Yeti Fiberglass Coolers have been redesigned for 2008 to add a second layer of fiberglass to make these coolers even tougher. I guess it isn't a surprise that the prices will be increasing more significantly for this line.

Regarding the recent backlog in Yeti Sherpa Cooler orders - it looks like Yeti will be ready to start shipping nearly all of the Sherpa Cooler line again beginning August 13, 2007. Their growing popularity among the boating and sporting community Was almost too much of a good thing. In talking with Ryan, it sounds like production has been scaled up to meet the increasing demand and availability shouldn't be an ongoing problem. I'm told that the most recent production run of the 100 Qt. Yeti Sherpa Coolers has already been sold out, so that size may continue to be scarce for awhile. The following coolers should be shipping next week.

Yeti Sherpa Cooler - 25 Qt.
Yeti Sherpa Cooler - 50 Qt.
Yeti Sherpa Cooler - 70 Qt.
Yeti Sherpa Cooler - 80 Qt.
Yeti Sherpa Cooler - 120 Qt.
Yeti Sherpa Cooler - 145 Qt.


The long and short of it? Order your new Yeti Cooler today to take advantage of current pricing.

Launching our New Boat Cover Finder

We've launched our new Boat Cover Finder to help you find the perfect cover for your boat and boating needs. Simply select your boat style, length and beam, then our finder will narrow the 800+ possible covers to the ones that will work for your boat.


We are starting our offerings with two popular brands of semi-custom boat covers. Carver Covers offers a heavy duty boat cover made of Saber Cloth, a 10.5 oz. polyester cover with a heavy PVC backing. These covers are fully trailerable when properly tied down and offer a lot of protection for your boat.

We are also offering Boater Sport's boat covers made from a light but durable 6.5 oz. Acrylic-coated Polyester. Available in 9 colors, they will look sharp while protecting your boat and gear. These semi-custom boat covers are fully trailerable if tied down fully.
Our Carver Covers selections are ready for your review, while our Boater Sports Boat Covers are being added now and will be fully available within a couple days. We've also added the Wolf Ultra-Heavy Universal boat covers we have on clearance to the finder. I wrote about these i a previous post and we still have a fair selection of these nice storage covers available at an amazing price.

Blowout Deals on Heavy Duty Storage Covers for Boats.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned finding a stash of clearance Taylor Made boat fenders. Well, we've done it again.


This time we found a fantastic price for Wolf Covers Mariner Universal Boat Covers. These are an ultra-heavy 12.5 oz poly-cotton canvas storage and mooring cover. I did a quick check this morning and found that the manufacturer is asking $146.99 and another on-line source has them priced at $189.99. We are offering that same cover complete with storage bag and manufacturer's 3 year warranty for only $89.95!

Why the great deal? A catalog company I know didn't have enough of these boat covers in stock to add them to their 2007 catalog, but they still had a few tucked away in the back of their warehouse. They gave us a really great price just to clear the space. We are passing those saving on to our SavvyBoater.com customers.


We have a limited supply of:

14 ft. to 16 ft. "V" Hull - Series C Cover
Maximum Length - 16 ft. 6 in. Beam Width - 68 in.
Grey 12.5 oz. Poly Cotton Canvas
Only $59.95

14 ft. to 16 ft. "V" Hull, Tri-Hull & Bass Boats- Series D Cover
Maximum Length - 16 ft. 6 in. Beam Width - 90 in.
Grey 12.5 oz. Poly Cotton Canvas
Only $89.95

16 ft. to 18 ft. Fish and Ski - Series E Cover
Maximum Length - 18 ft. 6 in. Beam Width - 94 in.
Grey 12.5 oz Poly Cotton Canvas
Only $79.95

17 ft. to 19 ft. Pontoon Boat - Series G Cover
Maximum Length - 19 ft. 6 in. Beam Width - 96 in.
Grey 12.5 oz. Poly Cotton Canvas
Only $199.95

As always with deals like this, availability is subject to stock on hand. They tend to move fast, so order now so you don't miss out.

Additions to our Marine & High-Performance Cooler Offerings.

If you've ever been camping or fishing and discovered that your ice had dwindled to a couple cubes floating in a sea of tepid water, you'll appreciate the value of a really good cooler. Not all coolers are created equal. While the normal cooler may suffice for the picnic or ball game, high performance coolers are what you need for hot temperatures, and extended use. What's the difference? It usually starts with more insulation- Up to two inches in top of the line models. Many also include improved seals and gaskets to help keep the cold where you want it. because there is more invested in one of these marine type coolers, they are typically built with extra durable shells and hinges to improve the durability and years of life.

Just in time for Summer fun, we've expanded our offering of marine and high performance coolers. You may be aware that we are a Yeti Coolers authorized Dealer. We offer the popular Yeti Sherpa line of coolers that range from handy 25 quart cooler to the ever super 145 quart model. The Sherpa's rugged shell protects 2 inches of foam insulation, which in turn keeps your food cold for days, even under extreme conditions. The personal sized Lunchmate Cooler" href="http://www.savvyboater.com/p-58-yeti-lunch-mate-cooler.aspx">Yeti Lunchmate offers the same great features in a 16 quart size plus an integrated stainless steel handle. Whether you are planning a day on the lake in high summer of are working oil fields or fire lines, the Yeti Lunchmate will stand up and keep up.


Yeti Cooler's Fiberglass Coolers range from 90 quarts up to the majestic 330 quart model. Built with unmatched quality , they not only perform, but their white fiberglass and gel-coat shells almost class them as a piece of art. they are designed as a fixed marine cooler and will meet your needs whether you are driving a flats boat, or an open ocean fishing yacht.

We offer the lowest prices on Yeti Coolers allowed by the manufacturer. You won't find a better deal at any legitimate dealer.


Our newest additions are the Coleman line of Xtreme and Ultimate Xtreme coolers from 36 Quart to 100 Quart sizes. These are Coleman's premium coolers. The xtreme line of coolers is rated to keep you ice cold for 5 days in temperatures of up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. the Ultimate Xtreme coolers have 2 inches of insulation and are rated to keep your ice for 6 days in 90 degree weather. the larger models offer the option of wheels to allow for easier transport of heavy loads. These are a "can't miss" cooler for a day long wakeboarding party or for an extended family camping trip. They'll assure that your last soda is as cool as the first.

We are also offering the Coleman Powerchill. The Powerchill is a combination cooler and portable fridge. It will operate off 12V vehicle power so it is perfect for your boat, camper or truck. You can also get the optional 120V converter that will allow you to plug it in to a standard socket as an alternative to the 12V standard power supply. The Coleman Powerchill will maintain a temperature 40 degrees below the outside air temperature.


Be sure to visit the SavvyBoater.com Marine Cooler section to see our full offerings and fantastic prices.

Great Deal on Taylor Made Super Guard Fenders

Sometimes you just stumble onto treasure. I was talking with one of our suppliers about boat fenders the other day and he mentioned that they had a bunch of Taylor Made Super Guard Fenders in the warehouse from a time when they regularly stocked them. The long & short of it - we were able to pick these fenders up at a really great price and we're passing those savings on to you at SavvyBoater.com.

We have the 5-1/2 x 20 in. and the 6-1/2 x 22 in. sizes of the Taylor Made Super Guard Fenders in a variety of colors. We've priced these at a very appealing $13.95 for the 20 in. fender and $21.95 for the 22 in. version. You could spend a lot of time shopping the web trying to find a better deal (We know - we did).

If you are interested, order now as these are limited to the supply on hand. With Father's Day just around the corner, they are moving pretty fast, but there is still a good supply of most colors.

Visit this product on SavvyBoater.com >> Close Out Taylor Made Super Guard Fenders

SavvyBoater.com Launches Live Chat to Assist Customers

SavvyBoater.com has added Live Chat to our site. Now we are only a mouse click away. If you have questions, need suggestions, or would like to share your feedback with us, just click on the Chat Live icon towards the upper right corner of the screen. While we are in, it will let us know you are there and the next available customer service representative will be able to help you. When we’re off-line, you’ll be able to leave us a message and we’ll get back with you as soon as we can.

This is just another way SavvyBoater.com is working to make your on-line shopping experience a positive one. We are striving to bring you quality marine supplies at a discount and provide the support you need to find just what you are looking for. Let us know how we are doing.

Polyform Buoy Update

We've just added new colors and sizes to our selection of Polyform Buoys. If you've visited SavvyBoater.com recently, you may have noticed that we offer a great selection of Polyform A Series Buoys at extremely competitive prices. Whether they are being used as mooring buoys, marker buoys, as part of anchor lifts or as heavy-duty boat fenders, nothing beats the Polyform A Series for durability.

We now stock the Polyform A2 Buoy and Polyform A3 Buoy in florescent Red, florescent Saturn Yellow, and White.

Due to the popularity fo the A3 buoys, we've added the Polyform A4 buoy to our line-up. This big boy is 28 inches in diameter, has a buoyancy of 187 lbs and is available in florescent Red.

If you're looking for Polyform A Series Buoys, check out Savvyboater.com. We shop our prices regularly and are confident you will have a tough time finding a beter deal than we offer. We also stock a great selection of Polyform Fenders including the G Series Guardians, the rugged HTM Series Hole through the middle bumpers. View our entire offering of Polyform products.

A Quick Introduction

Welcome to the SavvyBoater.com Marine Supply store blog. If you’ve visited SavvyBoater.com, then you probably know we are all about bringing you the best boating and fishing gear at extremely competitive prices. You may have noticed that our marine store is a little different than the other marine supply sites you may have run across. Our Mission –

• To offer you the best prices on the best gear.
• To make your shopping experience a pleasure
• To provide you with excellent customer service

Discount pricing and customer service? While they often seem to be mutually exclusive, we know they don’t have to be. Savvyboater.com has brought together a top-shelf team of employees and partners with deep roots in the marine supply industry and an eye for the cutting edge advantages today’s technology has to offer.

As a quick introduction, my name is Loren and I’m the Ecommerce Manager for SavvyBoater.com. While I was growing up, my dad fished a dory out of Pacific City, Oregon. I caught my first Salmon when I was three and could tie a salmon leader before I could tie my shoes. (That always baffled my mom, but I guess I just had my eye on the important stuff.) When I was in grade school, we moved to Missoula, Montana and I got a chance to fish Georgetown and Flathead lakes. We also made frequent ice fishing trips to Nine Pipes and I learned the rudiments of fly fishing.

After a couple years in Montana, my dad bought a shrimp trawler in Newport, Oregon and it was back to the coast. I earned pocket money splicing chaffing gear and helping maintain the nets. A couple years later we bought a Gulf Shrimper in Pensacola, Florida and had it retrofit in Mobile, Alabama. I got a chance to crew it down the coast of Central America, through the Panama Canal and up to Newport, Oregon. During my college summers I was a Puller on the 90' trawler as we roamed the Pacific Coast and Bering Sea fishing for Hake or Sole.

My commercial fishing days are well behind me. My father is retired and from time-to-time I get to join him as he chases Kokanee and big Browns in the lakes of central Oregon. My wife and I both enjoy fishing and boating, whether it's knocking around on a friend's ski boat, drifting for salmon and steelhead or flyfishing the Deschutes

For the past 10 years I’ve been assisting various companies in leverage the Internet to provide real value to their customers. When the President of SavvyBoater.com asked me to join his team, how could I say no?

Through this blog, the SavvyBoater crew and I will keep you posted on what’s going on at SavvyBoater.com, introduce you to new and interesting products we come across, and share what we learn from the manufacturers, marine industry leaders and fellow sportsmen with whom we're privileged to talk.