Best of Boating

Nevada: Lake Mead marinas adjusting to low lake levels

LAS VEGAS - The National Park Service is responding to the lowering lake levels at Lake Mead with at least two marinas being temporarily closed to make needed operational adjustments. The park service will keep launch ramps open with temporary extensions.

"The major impact our visitors summer will be at the launch ramps. However we have contingency plans in place for temporary extensions using metal pipe mats. Funding from entrance fees and the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act will be used to construct permanent ramp extensions," said Andrew Muñoz, spokesman for Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Florida: Miami wakeboarding festival in full swing through Saturday

 MIAMI, FL - The fourth annual Board Up Miami, South Florida's premier wakeboarding festival, is in full swing through Saturday at Miami Marine Stadium in Miami.

Board Up Miami is a pro-am wakeboarding competition that allows the world’s top professionals to compete against some of the sport’s top amateurs. This year’s prize purse will be more than $10,000, with competition for both male and female riders of all divisions. 

Georgia man falls overboard, boat found 130 miles away

It may go down as one of the most bizarre boating accidents the FWC has seen in years, but a 41-year-old Georgia man is recovering after falling overboard April 17 while cobia fishing off Panama City Beach.

The 24-foot Century boat, which was borrowed, ran out of gas and was found beached 130 miles away Sunday morning at Fort Morgan, Ala.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Jeff Gager said Michael Bursten of Roswell, Ga., was cobia fishing by himself Friday afternoon in rough seas off the western end of Panama City Beach in the Laguna Beach area when he attempted to climb down from the "ling tower." A wave hit the boat, pitching Bursten overboard.

U.S. Water Ski Racing Teams Selected

The National Water Ski Racing Association announced today the selections to the 2009 U.S. Elite Water Ski Racing Team, the U.S. Formula 2 Water Ski Racing Team and the U.S. Junior Water Ski Racing Team.  Athletes selected to the teams will compete in the 2009 Water Ski Racing World Championships, July 18-25, in Antwerp, Belgium.

Will James Fishing: Hunting skipjack tuna on Oahu's westcoast

By Will James

I went out with my friends on their charter boat yesterday. They’d been on a big pile of skipjack tuna, (which are going for $2.50/pound at the auction) for the last few days and needed a handle cranker who didn’t get seasick…..I qualify on both counts…so I rode along.

Conditions were “sporty” to say the least.  Twenty-five knot winds, huge seas, and we had to ride 17 miles out in the trough the whole way to get to the buoy where the fish were holding.

Idaho: Boaters must buy mussel sticker to launch in the Gem State

Idaho passed legislation this month that will fund programs to prevent the introduction of invasive aquatic species in Idaho lakes and waterways. The new law requires boaters, both motorized vessels and non, to contribute to the Idaho Invasive Species Fund.

Under the new law, any boat that is registered in Idaho or another state, and any non-motorized vessel (canoe, kayak, raft, drift boat, etc.) will be required to purchase and display IISF stickers in order to legally launch and operate in Idaho. Inflatable non-motorized vessels must be less than 10 feet in length to be exempted from this requirement.

Fastest boats in the world head to Havasu for Desert Storm Poker Run

LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ - The lakefront community on Arizona’s western border is preparing for a desert storm coming this April.

The 11th Annual Desert Storm Poker Run is set to take place April 23 and 24, with the second annual Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association’s Gran Prix taking place Sunday, April 25.

Connelly Skis renews USA Water Ski sponsorship for 2009

POLK CITY, FL - USA Water Ski announced this week that Connelly Skis has renewed its sponsorship of the national governing body of organized water skiing through 2009. In addition to its Official Sponsor designation, Connelly Skis will be recognized as a Bronze Corporate Member of USA Water Ski.

"We are looking forward to an exciting year of our continued partnership with Connelly Skis," said Steve Upp, USA Water Ski's director of business development and partnerships. "Connelly is totally committed to the products and programs our members care about and is delivering on some exciting new products."

Connelly Skis, based out of Lynnwood, Wash., is a manufacturer of water skis, kneeboards, tubes and accessories. Visit www.connellyskis.com for more information.

Boaters can look forward to lower gas prices this summer

Gasoline prices are expected to be relatively low this summer, which is great news for boaters if government projections hold true.

The Energy Information Administration said regular-grade gasoline is expected to average $2.23 a gallon during the April-through-September boating season, although it will likely fluctuate and could jump to more than $2.30 a gallon during the peak driving period in late summer.

But that's still a bargain compared with last summer, when gasoline cost an average of $3.81 a gallon. Much lower crude oil prices, which are projected to averaged $53 a barrel this year after soaring as high as $147 a barrel last summer, are the primary reason for the lower prices at the pump.

Weird Boats: Wood-carved Ferrari can be seen boating through Venice canals

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VENICE, ITALY - Master artisan Livio De Marchi is a genius when it comes to working with wood and glass.  A great example of his work is the wood-carved Ferrari that can be seen boating through the famous canals of Venice.