The Granary Restaurant Reopens on Sassafras River

Located on the upper Chesapeake Bay on the Sassafras River, The Granary Restaurant welcomes boaters back with new owner and tasty menu

New owner / operator Dave Anderson reopens The Granary Restaurant
and Sassafras Grill on the Chesapeake Bay

Upper Chesapeake Bay boaters will be pleased to know that The Granary is open and back in business for the 2013 boating season... and possibly better than ever!

Long before we docked our boat on the Sassafras River, The Granary Restaurant was always our favorite place to dine on the upper Chesapeake.

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Pocket Hose for Boats - Video Demo Review

Boaters demonstrate how to use the Pocket Hose on a boat, showing how it offers quick and easy wash-downs in a lightweight, compact size ideal for transient boaters [VIDEO DEMO]

When we heard our boater friends rave about how much they love their "pocket hose", we knew that it was something worth sharing.

Recently our friends embarked on a two week Intracoastal Waterway Cruise and began talking about how great their new Pocket Hose has been for them on their cruise.

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Boat Rentals by Owner?

How to lower the expense of boat ownership by safely renting out the use of your boat

Actual boat listed for rental in Placerville, CA

They say the average boat is only used 15 days a year… which leaves 350 days of the year to pay for the boat, storage, maintenance, and registration expenses. We all understand that boating is expensive and this is exactly why boat owners are tired of hearing the old and worn out joke: “What are the two best day’s in a boater’s life?”

What if you could rent out your boat for $300 to $600 a day and it was insured for damages? The boat owner earns supplemental income and the renter saves.

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Choosing Boating iPhone Apps for GPS Marine Navigation on Boats

New downloadable iPhone applications for boating enable portable GPS marine navigation that is convenient, cost-saving technology ideal for small boats

Apple iPhones have grown in popularity because of their ease of use and wide availability of applications that enable special features. The boating industry has recognized this trend and is introducing new boating iPhone apps, such as GPS marine navigation, that offer boaters conveniences on the water. Apps are also available to work on iPod touch and iPads.

More and more boaters are choosing downloadable GPS applications for Apple iPhones as a cost-effective and convenient portable navigation option on the water. Ideal for smaller boats, an iPhone app for GPS navigation can eliminate the need for more expensive hand held GPS devices.

Boaters should consider all of the conveniences and functionality when choosing to download a new GPS navigation application for an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

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Suction Handle for Boat Hull Cleaning or Boarding a Boat

Get a firm grip on the side of your boat while cleaning your fiberglass boat hull in the water or boarding safely with a Seateak Quick Grip boat suction handle

It's always a bit tricky to try to scrub the hull of your boat while in the water. Usually you are struggling to stay afloat while cleaning the water line.

We discovered this handy boat suction handle last season when we saw a boater using it as he scrubbed his boat hull while anchored out. Although I am sure it takes a bit of practice, this guy was practically sliding around the hull of his boat scrubbing the water line with one hand and using this boat suction grip to hold himself steady next to the boat and keep his head above the water (all while dealing with some wakes and anchored in fairly deep water).

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Kids Ear Protection for Watching Fireworks Shows on the Water

Protect your kids from hearing loss during loud fireworks displays on the Fourth of July and holiday events with noise reduction headphones, earmuffs or earplugs

Whether it is fourth of July, Labor Day weekend or another holiday or special event, watching a fireworks display light up the sky from your boat is one of the most enjoyable things to do on the water for the entire family. And luckily for boaters almost every river, lake and harbor offers spectacular fireworks shows to enjoy on the water every year.

But the loud explosion of fireworks can be both scary and harmful for young kids, especially noise-sensitive kids. We should be careful to provide proper ear protection for kids so that the holiday tradition doesn’t damage little ears... and they can continue to enjoy one of our favorite summertime traditions.

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Green and Eco-Friendly Boat Cleaners and Soap Products

These boat cleaning supplies are less harmful for the environment and are good choices for responsible boaters that want greener boating products

As boaters it is important for us to protect our most valuable resources – the environment and the water sources we enjoy. Choosing green and environmentally friendly cleaning products for our boat is one easy step we can take to keep our waters clean.

So what are green boat cleaning products and why are they important? Green or eco-friendly boat cleaning products are made of organic, phosphate-free and biodegradable soaps that will have the least negative impact on water, land and animal life. Boaters should try to avoid cleaners and soaps that contain toxins and chemicals because as you wash your boat (particularly in the water) the run-off goes right into the water. In addition to the negative impact on fish, birds and other wildlife, you also don’t want to fish or swim in water that is not clean.

The good news is that you do not need to compromise your desire to have a clean boat for your desire to boat in clean water. Many of today’s green boat cleaners and soaps are just as powerful as traditional chemical based cleaners. An increased awareness of green boating issues has made more eco-friendly product choices available for boaters.

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Blue LED Lights to Upgrade Boat Lighting

Adding low voltage, energy-efficient blue LED lights, LED rope lighting or underwater lights is an easy upgrade on a boat



Blue LED lights are an easy and dramatic upgrade to a boat.

Upgrading our cockpit lighting with blue LED lights was one of the most dramatic -  yet simple - updates we have made to our boat.

Not only are LED lights energy-efficient, but they give your boat a definite "cool factor" at night on the dock. With the new trend of blue LED replacement lights readily available on the marine market, you'll likely see more cool blue illuminated boat cockpits on your dock soon too.

This cool glowing effect can be achieved by installing simple replacement LED light bulbs or rope lights... or taken to the next level by installing blue LED underwater boat lighting systems.

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Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle Review

Review of eco-friendly, BPA free stainless steel bottle keeps drinks cold for 24 hours - even in the hot sun on the boat, by the pool or in car all day

Eco-friendly, BPA-free insulated
water bottles are perfect for keeping
drinks cold all day on the boat or in
the hot summer sun.

I have to admit that I wasn't too thrilled with my first try at eco-friendly water bottles. When I put ice water in them they quickly became dripping wet from condensation. The stainless steel shell was too cold to hold and it seemed to give the water a bit of a tin taste.

But with all the water we drink on our boat (typically a case a weekend in the heat of summer), we thought we should try to cut back on all those plastic bottles and try another drinking bottle style. Plastic water bottles are not only bad for the environment, but they could potentially leach BPA chemicals into the water when the water heats up in the bottle.

Well, the other week our new Hydro Flasks Drinking Bottles arrived from Amazon and I was simply amazed by the first time I used it that I had to write a review on Hydro Flask water bottles for boating.

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Sterns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jackets Review

Toddlers and kids learn to swim faster with Coast Guard approved Puddle Jumper Life Jackets

The Sterns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket

is Coast Guard approved and gives

kids the confidence to quickly learn

how to swim.

Our almost three year old daughter is practically doing laps in the pool this summer thanks to her Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jacket. It is one of the best ways for young kids and toddlers to quickly learn how to swim.

The puddle jumper design combines the security of "floaties" or "swimmie" arms with a floatation pad that goes across the chest and attaches to the floatation arms. They are fastened in the back with a secure clasp.

Because Puddle Jumper Jackets are Coast Guard approved, they are great for young kids learning to swim in the pool, on the lake, in the river or out on a boat.

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