Friday, January 31, 2014

Welcome Tige Boats






We are proud to be one of the newest dealers for Tige boats for the 2014 boating season. Now I’m sure you’re wondering about this new line of boats. What is Tige Boats?


Tige boats are surf/wake boats that allow the rider to enjoy a deep wake to work on landing killer tricks. Tige has over 20 years in the boating industry. Over that time they have acquired a wealth of knowledge about boat, how to design them, how to power them, and how to continue to implement new technologies into their models. Tige boats have attracted master craftsmen from around the work with their freedom to innovate.


Over the years, Tige made sure to listen to their customers’ needs and their own design instincts. Doing so has resulted in a brand that is sure shock and awe. The features that Tige Boats offers make their boats unlike anything else on the water.  Come in and see what Tige is all about.



Tuesday, December 31, 2013

What Tows You?






We know what a boat is, and we know that there are many different styles of boats. Do you know what turns a regular power boat into a ski/wakeboard boat? We will go over what extras make a 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 to get height off the water to preform tricks while 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?



Saturday, November 30, 2013

Beer and Brats Customer Appreciation Party







Boy do we have a wonderful day planned for you. Yes you. We are planning to throw you a party. This party is to show our appreciation for all of our Marine Specialty customers and friends. On December 14th from 1-10PM come and join us for your party.


At the Beer and Brats Customer Appreciation Party we will provide food and drinks and from 7-10PM we will even have a DJ for your entertainment. This is great event for the whole family to enjoy. So pack up the kids and come out to help us celebrate you.



Wednesday, October 30, 2013

How Do You Stay Safe While Fishing






Fall is a great time of year to go fishing. In fact, some might even argue that it is the best time of year to go fishing. We want you to continue enjoying the sport. When it comes to fishing, safety is what either makes a great fishing trip or the lack of safety procedures could end the trip with someone getting hurt. Use these safety rules your next time on the water to you keep you and your crew safe. 
Fishing safety starts before you even leave home. You first need to prepare for your fishing trip. Preparing starts with checking the forecast. Just because the weather looks good right now doesn't mean that it will be like that all day. Keep an eye on the sky and the weather app on your phone. Being prepared also means dressing appropriately for the day. Dressing in layers and ending with a water/wind protection layer. Appropriate foot gear is required for safety. No sandals or bare feet allowed. Your goal is to stay dry and warm. 
Another way to prepare yourself before departure is to pack the extra item that you will need on board including water, flashlights, maps, insect repellent and cellphone or radio. Keeping these extra safety items in the boat are helpful in emergency situations. Another important safety tip to remember is to always keep your fillet knives sharp. You wouldn't want to be out on an unstable boat trying to sharpen a knife or worse trying to hack away at a fish with a dull one.
When you are on the water, make sure to wear your life vest at all times. Having it within reach does not count as wearing it. during an emergency you will not think or be able to grab it before hitting the water. Put it on before leaving shore. Once out on the water, use caution when you bait or remove hooks. They are sharp and the boat is constantly moving so make sure to handle the fish carefully. Because of those reasons, you should always use safety glasses when you are casting. 
One of the most important tips to remember is do not fish in areas where it is not permitted. They are off limits for a reason, usually to protect wildlife, vegetation, or for your safety. When you choose your fishing spot, always consider safety factors. 
With these tips you can help to ensure the safety of you and those around you while fishing on the water. From your experiences on the water, would you have any other fishing safety tips to add? Let us know.


Sunday, September 29, 2013

Fire Safety and Your Boat






When you are a boat owner there are a lot of fears that roll through your mind when you go out on the boat. One that I am sure crosses all of our minds at one point is the threat of a fire while on the water. If for one reason or another your boat catches on fire, do you know what you can do to help prevent an on board fire?


There are two main types of boat fires that can happen, the first being a fuel fire. Fuel fires out number other types of fires 2 to 1. These types of fires are also the most avoidable. Make sure to follow these guidelines from the U.S. Coast Guard when fueling your tank.



·         Close all hatches and other openings before fueling

·         Put out anything that produces smoke

·         Turn everything off, engine, appliances, radios, etc.

·         Make sure everyone is on land

·         Keep the fill nozzle in contact with the tank and wipe up any spilled fuel

·         When finished, open up all hatches to ventilate

·         Run your blower for a minimum of 4 minutes

·         Use your nose to check for fuel vapors before starting the engine



Just following these simple steps will help to drastically cut down on the probability of you having to deal with a fuel related fire.

The second most common type of fire is an electrical fire. Sadly many result from those boaters who decide to be a do it yourself boater. If you are going to install or fix things yourself, make sure you do it right. Electrical tape should not be found anywhere on your boat. Make sure to use waterproof materials.

Another way to prevent this type of fire is to regularly check your electrical system for signs of corrosion.

Keeping a regular maintenance schedule will help you to keep any potential problems in check. Also, a good idea would be to keep double the amount of recommended fire extinguishers on board your boat.

Fires can be a scary nightmare but as long as you are prepared and are doing everything you can to help prevent an onboard fire, that nightmare will hopefully never become a reality.



Friday, August 30, 2013

Wilson Lake






Our favorite body of water gives the joy of being able to go fishing, swimming, boating and so much more. Some of us remember a time before the lake while others; this is all we have known. Do you know how our beautiful lake was made?


Our great lake was completed in 1964 with the completion of the Wilson Dam. The dam was built in the Saline River with a primary use for flood control. Since its completion, people have been enjoying the lake and its surrounding areas as a way to spend time outdoors.


Wilson Lake is said to be the clearest lake in Kansas. With over 100 miles of shoreline and 9,000 surface acres of water there is much room to enjoy all that this lake has to offer. In fact, our lake is considered one of the most scenic and better fishing areas in Kansas.


Our lake is the leading recreational resource for many surrounding communities and is recognized for its outdoor activities. It is also noted for its premier striped bass and smallmouth bass fishing. How do you enjoy Wilson Lake?



Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Boating After Dark






You are sitting back with your friends on the boat hanging out, having a good time when you realize the sun is almost set and you are still a ways away from the dock. It will be dark in a matter of minutes and you are just pulling up your anchor. What do you do?


Boating at night is a little more challenging, but it can be done. There are 4 main steps to keep you and everyone on board safe and get you back to the dock.


Slow Down



Most places have a lower night time speed limit any ways, but you will want to slow down so that you will have time to react to obstacles in your way. Also, familiar landscapes have a way of changing or disappearing all together at night.


Minimize Distractions



Shut off all interior lights and turn down the radio. The extra lights make it harder to see thing out on the water. You need to focus on reading the subtle clues that the water is giving you.


Careful With Your Lights



Most think that headlights are the answer, but most boats don’t have headlights. Boats come equipped with docking lights that are only good for close quarter maneuvering only. If you have a spot light, that can be useful. Just remember to be care and not shine it directly into anyone else’s boat.


Learn The Lights



On the top of most of the bigger boats, there are different color lights. Depending on what color combo you are seeing can tell you the position and direction of another boat.


Always remember, if you get stuck out on the water after dark, stay calm and just take it slow all the way home.