clients avoid boat damage and loss
due to accidents). A few days later he
called me and said he’d reviewed the
materials. He asked if Seaworthy was
part of my policy. I said yes, absolutely.
He then said the BoatU.S. policy would
continue to be covered by the umbrella
policy. I asked what changed his mind.
He said two things: 1) His company
did not include pollution coverage, as
BoatU.S. does, and 2) his company has nothing like Seaworthy for
its policyholders. He said he was a boater and he learned a great
deal of very practical safety and maintenance information from just
that one issue. I’m still with that same insurance company for the
autos, home, and the umbrella policies, and there have been no
further issues from them about the umbrella covering my boating.
Frank Kapsch
Minneapolis, MN
Editor’s Note: As many of you know, Seaworthy, our popular quarterly,
has returned to print and is e-mailed free to all members. If you’re not
insured through BoatU.S., an annual paper subscription is $10. Call
800-262-8082 to subscribe. Call 1-800-283-2883 for an insurance quote.
TAKES LOTS OF GREEN TO GO GREEN
I’ve been following the development of marine hybrid power, and
was interested in the article, “Run Silent, Run Green” (April/May
2012). For small boats and day-sailing, electric-drive technology
may be viable, but for larger boats and cruisers, I see two significant
problems: range and cost. Cruising boats generally have a range
under power of 200-400 miles. Range on battery power is 10
percent of that. To approach the range of an internal-combustion-engine-powered boat, you have to add a generator, which eliminates some of the benefits of going electric. But the biggest hurdle
is cost. All of the systems I’ve researched cost double or triple the
price of a complete repower with diesel. Until the cost of electric
becomes more competitive, it will only be an option for wealthy or
niche segments of the market. Skip MacElhannon
Gainesville, FL
THE BROTHERHOOD OF BOATERS
This past summer, driving across the bridge that passes over North
Carolina’s White Oak River, a rugged, sweet looking sailboat
anchored off the Swansboro waterfront caught my eye. I kept glancing back and forth between the boat and the road. About 30 feet,
gaff cutter, plumb bow, outboard rudder, and a few rust streaks. I
wondered if that was the Zartman’s Cape George 31, Ganymede?
For those who may not know, Ben and Danielle Zartman have
been sailing for at least 10 years. Ben is a regular contributor to
the top marine magazines. Recently, in BoatU.S. Magazine, Danielle
wrote “How We Hooked the Kids” (August 2011), and Ben wrote
“They Wished Upon A Star” (August 2010). I’d always admired
Ben not only for his willingness to forge ahead regardless of
obstacles but also for his humorous and self-effacing writing style.
It was scorching hot on the Carolina coast in August. Knowing
they have three small kids, I did what probably any boater would
do. I turned around and headed back over the bridge and into our
little town, and spotted them walking back from the local Piggly
Huddle For Laughs: “This is a picture of our grandchildren
(nicholas 14, lindsay 11, Matthew 11, Jack 8, and emily 6) after
spending a day on Misery Island in Salem Harbor, MA,” says
proud grandpa Peter Michaud. “They love spending time with
nana and Pere on the Misty O and we love having them. It’s
hard taking a picture of five, with smiles on their faces, but we
never have a problem with smiles when we’re on the Misty O!”
Howling At The Water:
Felix Hernandez and his
grandson Jayden like
to embrace their inner
werewolf when they’re
enjoying a day on
the water. “Here I am
going through Angle
Fish Inlet in north Key
largo, Florida, with my
2 1/2-year-old grandson.
He caught two blue
runners and can’t stop
talking about it. When
he starts howling, I join
him! My son took the
picture.”
Even A Big Ship Needs Help Sometimes: I came across
the sailing vessel Friendship, whose home port is in Salem,
Massachusetts, while cruising off the coast of Marblehead,”
Chet Mazer tells us. “I noticed she was under the watchful eye
of TowBoatu.S.!”
June | July 2012
