Measuring to Get the Correct Bimini Top For Your Boat.

If you're thinking of buying a bimini top, take a few minutes to measure before you start shopping.

There are a number of Bimini Top Finders on-line, designed to recommend a bimini top based on the make, model and year of your boat.  They provide a good way to narrow down the options, but the best way to be sure of a good fit is to take your actual measurements..

Figure out where you plan to mount your bimini top.  Remember that the mounting point will be in the center of your top, so if you have an 6' long top, you'll have 3' of cover forwards and 3' backwards from your mounting point.  Mark that spot with a piece of masking tape.

Width is the most critical factor on getting the right size.  Measure in a straight line between the two mounting points you marked.  Bimini tops are adjustable in width so you'll want to select one with a width adjustment that will accommodate your measurements.

To get the correct height, measure up from your mounting point in a straight line.  The total clearance of you top will be the height from the deck to your mounting point and from the mounting point to the height of your selected top.  For example, if you mounted your 46" Bimini top on the gunwale where it is 24" above the deck, the total height would be 70" or 5'8" above the deck.  Make sure this will give you ample head room to move about under your cover.

With a good idea of the Width, Height and Length you'll need, you be quickly able to select the Bimini Top that is correct for your boat.

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After you've made your measurements, check out our full line of quality bimini tops for your boat by Carver.  These Biminis feature double walled aluminum main bows for strength, and Sunbrella fabric, the best bimini material on the market.  standard fittings are marine grade nylon, or you may choose to upgrade to stainless steel fittings.  We offer Free Shipping on all Carver Bimini Tops!

Tips on Towing

I ran across an interesting site on hitches and towing today.  Hitchinfo.com is an informational site offering a lot of good information on hitches, towing and related topics.  They include, guides, articles and a towing related blog.  There is a Message Board tab, but it doesn't appear to be live yet.  While they are not directly selling anything, they also offer email and live chat to discuss hitch questions and issues with an expert in the field.

One of their articles, Trailer Maneuvering Basics offers tips on handling your boat like a pro on the ramp.  It also includes videos How to Launch a Boat and Boat Launch Manners.

All told, this site has a lot of great information for anyone towing or using a hitch mounted cargo application, and it looks like we can expect a lot more from it.  It's on my bookmarks list.

Check out my adventures in outfitting our new Nissan Xterra to handle our kayaks and gear.  I'm now waiting for a Boat Roller system to arrive so loading up our canoe will be less of a chore (and less of a menace to the Xterra too). It will also accommodate a car toppable punt we are thinking about adding to the armada.  The boat rollers should arrive Friday and I'll keep you posted on how it works after I've had a chance to try it out. (Hopefully with a fishing trip to Hagg lake this weekend if the weather permits.)

April Boating Sale at SavvyBoater.com

Check out our specials on marine supplies this month. 

• Save 5% on Dive N Dog stainless steel boating gear including boat ladders, bow roller and windlass chain stops.  Use coupon code DIVE45 during the month of April for automatic savings.
• Save 5% on the popular high performance marine ice chests.  Use coupon code APRILCOOLS when you check out.  this offer excludes portable Electric Fridge Freezers, but we've got you covered there too, with Free Shipping on many models.
   
• Save 5% off our already low prices on Polyform buoys and boat fenders with coupon code SAVEONPOLYFORM.
   
• Buy any Carver Boat Cover or Bimini Top over $100 and we'll ship it to you for free.  Free shipping is via UPS or FedEx ground in the continental USA (Excludes Alaska, Hawaii and US territories and protectorates. 
• We are featuring Free Shipping on Solas Propellers over $100.  Free shipping is via UPS or FedEx ground in the continental USA (Excludes Alaska, Hawaii and US territories and protectorates.

SeaRay & Purina Launch PAWS (Pets and Water Safety) Web Site

I just saw a press release today that announced a new web site launched by SeaRay and Purina pet food titled Paws - Pets and Water Safety - http://www.petandwatersafety.com/index.html .

The site is dedicated to sharing water safety tips for when you take you 4 footed pals boating.    It very inclusively lists cats (and notes that they should have a life jacket, particularly if they will be going into the water), as I'm sure that there are plenty of ships cats out there.  

Being a Dog Person myself, it was interesting to see their tips, which go way beyond the basic life jackets.  It's worth a visit if you take your pup (or cat I suppose) out on the boat, whether it's for a paddle down the slough, or a month of cruising.  Our black lab Makai loves the water.  Whether it is a water bowl, puddle or lake, if it is wet, she'll be in it.  She's a great swimmer, but even so, we have a life jacket for her when we go out as she isn't always the best judge of when to call it quits and climb back in the boat.  We haven't gone as far as the brimmed hat or dog sun glasses they suggest for protection against the sun, but it would probably be a great idea if she were a little more sedate.

Stop by the site and see what you think, it's a nice service.

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If you're looking for dog life jackets, or a dog boarding ladder, stop by SavvyBoater.com.  We offer a great selection of life jackets for pets and people too.  There are still a few days left to take advantage of our March Boat Ladder Sale - Save 10% off all ladders including Dive N Dog with coupon code MARCHLADDERSAVINGS.

March Specials on Boating Gear at SavvyBoater.com

Boat Ladder Sale

If you've been thinking of replacing the ladder on your boat, now is the time with an additional 10% off our already low prices.  Use coupon code MARCHLADDERSAVINGS and take 10% off of any of the boat ladders in our broad ladder selection.  Whether you are looking for a value priced Boater Sports ladder, a reliable standby like the Detmar or Garelick designs, or one of the innovative stainless steel  ladders by DiveNDog, we've got what you need.

Polyform Buoy and Fender Event

We offer the full range of Polyform buoys and fenders, from the popular G fenders and HTM Series boat fenders to the commercial grade F Series fenders.  Find any of the round inflatable A Series buoys from the 11.5" A-1 buoy to the massive 42" A-7 Buoy, or the low drag LD Series buoys at unbeatable prices.
Use Coupon Code SAVEONPOLYFORM to save 5% off any Polyform Fenders or Buoys.

Trolling Plates at Unbeatable Prices in March

We've rolled back prices on the popular Happy Troller Trolling Plate and the EasyTroller Trolling metal trolling plates to $99.95.  Or get the automatic nylon Trol-A-Matic trolling plate for only $79.95.  Compare those prices anywhere and you'll know why we are the savvy angler's choice for trolling plates.

Engel Portable Fridge Freezers

We are currently offering FREE SHIPPING on most of Engel's legendary line of portable electric fridge freezers.  Make sure you check out the MR040 40 qt. Marine Cooler Freezer and the newly redesigned MD14F 14 Quart Electric Travel Cooler.  the new 14 quart cooler now features the latest generation compressor for improved efficiency and quieter operations.

Boat Covers and Bimini Tops by Carver

We are offering a FREE SHIPPING Special on Semi-custom and Custom Boat Covers by Carver.  Made in the USA of US manufactured materials, these covers are the tops in fit and quality.  Order in March for free shipping on any Bimini Top or Custom Boat Cover over $100.

Solas Boat Propellers

In the world of boat propellers, the Solas brand stands out for the depth of their offering and the quality of their props.  SavvyBoater offers over 300 Solas Props in stainless and aluminum, and through our connections with Solas, we can find  you any Solas prop that is currently in stock anywhere in the United States.  Shop our extensive selection of Solas Props and get FREE SHIPPING on any boat prop over $100.

You can View all of our boating gear sales by visiting our Current Specials page.

Dreaming of Fishing

It's still winter, as the heavy snow snarling parts of the country will attest. However the first signs of spring are arriving, foremost of which is that I'm getting anxious to get the fishing rods and kayaks out.  I'm not the only one.   Last week my 10 year old nephew started asking me when we could go fishing again.

It is a good time to start thinking about fishing, particularly if you have youngsters as fishing buddies. There are a number of organizations that have great web sites, activities and books to help us all hone our skills.

Here'se a list of a few good resources for teaching kids good fishing skills.

• Future Fisherman Foundation - Home page of the FFF, dedicated to helping introduce America's youth to fishing.
• FFF Resources - Books for kids and fishing instructors by the FFF
• Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation - Home of the RBFF
• RBFF - Passport to Fishing & Boating
• RBFF Little Lunkers
• Missouri Department of Conservation - Introduction to Fishing - a nice little introduction to fishing wherever you are
• Safe Boating Sidekicks - Go Fishing - a collection of fishing oriented games and activities for kids by the safe Boating Council.
• Backyard Bass - Fish shaped casting targets and plugs to hone casting skills in your backyard or gym.  Also offers a variety of resources for teaching fishing skills.

Spend a rainy (or snowy) weekend finding some fun fishing activities and get your whole crew ready to go fishing come Opening Day! 

Let me know if you find other great fishing sites out there.  We would love to hear about them and share them with others.

Loren

New Boat Ladder Launch

We've just complete a major renovation of our Boat Ladder category.  You'll find a wide selection of ladders in stainless and aluminum for just about any boat.  Our line up includes excellent deals on quality boat ladders by Garelick, DiveNDog, Detmar, Boater Sports and Crones Marine.

Our Recreational / Ski Boat Ladder section includes a broad selection of transom and swim platform mounted ladders as well as gunwale and bow mount ladders.

Our Pontoon Boat Ladders selection includes fixed and removable ladders for the front or read deck as well as side gate ladders.  One of our most popular pontoon ladders is the Crones Pontoon Ladder that mounts under the deck where it is totally out of the way.  We're also excited about the additon of the DiveNDog Boarding Staircase. (right)

If you have a Larger boat or Sail Boat and are looking for a ladder, we've got 20 styles and sizes up to 6 steps and 67" in length.  These include DiveNDog's innovative Boarding Staircase, their in-water Platform Ladder gives you a place to rest at the bottom of the ladder and their triple walled Prestige Series.

We are also offering a selection of Dock Ladders, Dive Ladders and Dog Ladders to round out our offerings.