Joe Coons
Each year at this time I set aside my usual column format to suggest holiday presents for the boater. Since many of you comment on this column each December, I will not make this year an exception!
First and foremost, I would suggest that a great Christmas present would be a paid-up annual membership in our Club! Call the office at 733-7390 to make arrangements to pay some or all of your member's dues. This is no time to miss out on our newly re-organized and more-dynamic activities!
If your giftee has a computer at home or at work, you might want to call "Captain Jack's Software" at Port Ludlow, and ask them to ship you the wonderful Neil Rabinowitz Screen Saver package (for Windows only) at $19.95. He's the best marine photographer there is. 1-800-CAP-JACK.
If your lucky loved one has a laptop computer, and has an interface-able GPS already, you might also check Captain Jack's "Bundles" of software ranging from $369 - $779. These are all based on the new full-color CD charts (a CD is included in each package).
If you don't have a GPS on the family boat yet, this has got to be the year! You can buy them for as little as $199. They are a great safety tool, and will make your boating more fun at the same time. The new models are easy to use, too. Shop the local stores - - - I like Jerry and Mary Writer (Club members) at San Juan Electronics.
Here's a project for the youngsters ages 10 and up to give to the boater: Pick up some carpet remnants, and cut them to fit the floorboards of the boat's dinghy. They'll keep the boat shipshape much easier: to clean it, just take the carpet out and shake it! Or, from Costco or Wal-Mart, a bundle of hand towels to use for miscellaneous cleanups around the boat. Or, how about a "gift certificate" from the kids for a couple of boat washes, or even a wax job! They can make a deluxe "certificate" on a school computer, or buy one at an office supply store.
If you're serious sailors, especially, or have a smaller powerboat, you really should all pitch in and have a "group gift" this year: one of the new, inflatable, Coast Guard approved lifejackets. These are so comfortable and light, you can wear them whenever you're above deck on your craft. There is a hitch: The U.S. government, in their infinite wisdom, still is delaying the final approvals! Nevertheless, you could give yourselves IOU's for matching new vests. Both Stearns and Mustang, among others, are making them; at least one of the manufacturers says they'll be on sale by the Seattle Boat Show. They'll be around $120 each, type approved, I'd guess.
Is there anything worse than being stuck on a boat in a summer downpour when you're cruising? Judy and I pick up a game every couple of years to add to the inventory. BYC members Tom and Linda Selman introduced us to Spinner, a neat game similar to dominoes, available at the Biaggio store at Bellis Fair. About $20.
And finally, I'll repeat the titles of two excellent books, all available at LFS: The Burgee, which has harbor charts and yacht club information from Olympia to Nanaimo, about $20; The Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual by Nigel Calder, about $35. To give your skipper and mate a great resource, consider a subscription to The Practical Sailor (sailboats) or Powerboat Reports, for power boaters. These are monthly consumer's guides, carry no advertising, and will more than save you their rather high price of $78 per year. See if they have an introductory deal by calling (800) 829-9086. And if you have a trawler, there's a wonderful new magazine out called Passagemaker. You can order a subscription by calling (908) 766-4105 or faxing your credit card order to (908) 766-0070. It costs $17 for four issues per year.
Well, I've exhausted my budget, and probably yours, but that's what boating's all about, isn't it? Have a wonderful holiday season, and a safe new year!
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Last updated 9/12/97 by SCR