From the Helm
From boat maintenance and repair tips to updates on the Black Watch Project, this blog will feed the need for boating enthusiasts in the Northeast.
April 03, 2012
More than 100 Sea Tow Automated Radio Check Stations Now Operational
Sea Tow Actively Seeking Hosts to Expand this Vital Boating Safety Service Southold, NY—March 28, 2012—Sea Tow Services International, Inc., the world’s leading professional marine assistance provider, announces that the number of stations transmitting its free Automated Radio Check service in coastal and inland boating areas across the U.S. has broken 100. Today, there are … Read More
February 27, 2012
Lowrance Fishfinder Kayak Installation
It used to be that kayak fishermen had other choice but to get creative when it came to rigging up their craft with accessories for fishing. Now, a number of manufacturers are are producing kayak-specific options for adding everything from rod holders to camera pods to chartplotters. In the March 2012 issue of On The … Read More
February 22, 2012
The Boats are Back – MTANJ Boat Sale and Expo
Manasquan, NJ – The boats cruise back into the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in Edison for the New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo on February 23-26, 2012.
February 13, 2012
Boston Whaler Joins Sea Tow’s Sea Care Program
EDGEWATER, Fla., Feb. 13, 2012 – Boston Whaler and Sea Tow — the world’s leading professional on-water assistance organization — are proud to announce a new partnership that features Boston Whaler’s participation in Sea Tow’s popular Sea Care program. As part of joining the Sea Care program, Boston Whaler will extend a complimentary 95-day Sea … Read More
August 24, 2011
Sea Tow Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Boaters
Sea Tow, the nation’s leading marine assistance provider, advises boaters in coastal and inland areas where hurricanes and tropical storms are a threat to be prepared. First, review your insurance policy – with your provider, if possible. Boat owners whose marine insurance requires them to relocate their vessels out of a hurricane zone should do … Read More
August 17, 2011
High-Def Sonar
Check out these screenshots from the new Simrad BSM-2 module and NSO Chartplotter. The BSM-2 uses advanced Digital Signal Processing to trasmit fish and bottom structure in incredible detail. These shots were taken by a Captain looking for swords in deep water off the Bahamas while running!
July 11, 2011
Getting Close…
The boat is nearing completion in Bristol, RI at C&C Marine. Just waiting on the hardtop to come out of the mold. Land or Sea Fabrication will be doing the legs for the top. We’ve got an Edson Vision series electronics mounting system going up there on the top. Bayside Navigation will be doing the … Read More
June 01, 2011
21-Foot Center Consoles
After reading the “From The Helm” column in the June issue my mind started wandering to 21-foot boats. That’s the next step up in boats for my wife. I want to move her up to that 21’ range so her forays over to Nancy’s on the Vineyard and The Raw Bar in Falmouth are a … Read More
May 25, 2011
Welcome to From The Helm!
Welcome to “From The Helm.” I’m excited to be able to have this forum to ramble on about one of my major passions for anyone out there who wants to listen. Any of you who have been reading my “Restoration Files” feature on the OTW Black Watch knows that I love this stuff. I … Read More
April 19, 2011
Lighting Up the Blackwatch
Nowhere has there been more advancements in the marine industry in the last five years than in marine lighting. LED’s and underwater lighting have been the rage in recent years. LED lighting offers longer lifetimes. LED lights are estimated to last around 40,000 to 50,000 hours, whereas fluorescent lamps are rated 10,000 to 15,000 hours … Read More
April 11, 2011
Entertainment on the High Seas
While fishing is always going to be the primary function of the Black Watch, having a high quality sound system and even satellite TV would make the boat a bit more family friendly and make those fishless days a bit more bearable. Bose Speakers Bose quality always speaks for itself. I like to work with … Read More
January 28, 2011
Getting the Gear
In the Restoration Files: Part II, featured in the February Issue of On The Water Magazine, you’ll read how Neal Larsson decided on which items would make the Black Watch one of the baddest fishing vessels in the Northeast. After discussing our project with companies such as Bose, Clarion, ITT/Jabsco and ShadowCaster, they helped us … Read More
August 08, 2010
The Project List
Ok… I wasn’t going to bore you with the details, but I thought, just in case you’re all boat junkies like me, you’ll want to see “The List.” So here it is, in its full unedited glory… Blackwatch Project list For splashing we need to do the following: Hull exterior Fix stringers (dry out/replace or … Read More
July 21, 2010
Making “The List”
As I was saying… We painted the bottom with Epaint. Great stuff. Check it out at http://www.epaint.com. The ePaint kept the bottom of the blackwatch nearly free of “fur,” yet wasn’t harmful to the environment. I stole the following from their web site because I can’t do it justice with my description. The main mechanism … Read More
July 07, 2010
Bottom’s Up
The following spring came quickly, and, as usual, work came first. So rather than a total refit we decided to restore the Blackwatch by tackling one project at a time. In year two of owning the boat, we took care of the undercarriage first. It was time for a soda blasting and bottom painting. Soda … Read More
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