Plastiki - A Boat Made From Recycled Plastic Sets Out To Help Protect Oceans

USA Today reports on the upcoming voyage of Plastiki, a 60-foot catamaran made entirely out of recycled plastic bottles.

According to the USA Today story, Plastiki took two years to create and is set for a 11,000-mile next month across the Pacific from San Francisco to Sydney.

Plastiki was created by David de Rothschild, who wants to raise awareness of the problem that plastic waste causes for the world’s oceans.

USA Today also features video of Rothschild explaining the design and construction of Plastiki.

You can learn more about Plastiki at the offical site for The Plastiki Expedtion



Source: The Plastiki Expedition and USA Today

Caterpillar Launches Cat C9 ACERT Engines with Zeus Pod Drives

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems has announced that the Cat C9 ACERT marine engine is now compatible with the innovative Zeus Pod Drive.

According to Caterpillar, because the Cat C9 ACERT engine is perfectly balanced with the pod drive, customers will notice smoother and more accurate maneuverability from the independent joystick control.

Photo Credit: Caterpillar Marine Power Systems

Another advantage is that the aft-facing pod drive results in greater efficiency, without sacrificing safety because the propellers are protected by the pod’s gear case and a skeg should the drive encounter underwater debris.

The Caterpillar C9 ACERT – Zeus Pod Drive System combination was tested with different yachts under a variety of conditions, including a 44-feet Sea Ray yacht that completed a demo tour along the eastern seaboard of the United States. Regular deliveries of the package began in summer 2009, following great interest expressed by well-known yacht builders world-wide.

Photo Credit: Caterpillar Marine Power Systems

“Engineering the Cat C9 ACERT engine together with the Zeus Pod Drive System reflects the desire of our customers for additional power, control and safety,” said David Shannon, Manager Global Pleasure Craft, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems. “With Cat C-series marine engines already regarded as a gold standard for performance in pleasure craft, they will now also become recognized for unparalleled enjoyment in pleasure craft!”

Source: Caterpillar Marine Power Systems

Gen II 3 Series Lights Offer Double The Output

Photo Credit: Aqualuma Underwater Lighting

Aqualuma Underwater Lighting offers its Gen II 3 Series Lights, aking the boating experience more illuminating and colorful.

According to Aqualuma Underwater Lighting, innovations from the Gen II range include more than double the light output for the 3 Series.

Another upgrade is Aqualuma's exclusive one-piece, non-corrosive housing, which now features a new tint for enhanced clarity and is resistant to chemicals. This housing enables Gen II lights to be fitted with any sealant approved for below water applications.

Photo Credit: Aqualuma Underwater Lighting

The lights are offered with a standard beam of 12˚ or a wide-angle, elliptical beam of 12˚ x 50˚. They draw less than 0.5 amps at 12V or less than 0.3 amps at 24V. If necessary, the exclusive one-piece housing allows the three LEDs' driver and LEDs to be serviced without hauling out the vessel.

Available in Ultra Blue, Ultra Green or Brilliant White, Aqualuma's Gen II 3 Series Lights come with 12' of tinned cable and a three-year warranty.

Source: Aqualuma Underwater Lighting

The 450 Sea Ray Sundancer

Photo Credit: Sea Ray

Sea Ray recently introduced the new 450 Sundancer, equipped with features like standard Axius propulsion system with joystick control, a fiberglass hardtop with retractable sunroof, a cockpit entertainment center with optional grill and TV, and a designated “media room” in the cabin.

Photo Credit: Sea Ray

According to Sea Ray, the 450 Sundancer builds upon the versatility of its Sundancer siblings with a seamless hardtop and bonded-in windshield that provide unsurpassed climate control thanks to a forward vent, sunroof, and optional cockpit air conditioning/heating. The benefit is comfortable boating in all kinds of weather. Two, doublewide benches with flip-up bolsters and armrests serve the helm and port console.

Photo Credit: Sea Ray

The helm itself comes with a full complement of driving and navigation aids to make operation easier than ever, from the SmartCraft VesselView display, to the Axius or Zeus joystick control, to the amazing Skyhook station-keeping feature. Twin diesel Zeus® pod drives are also available either with the QSB 380’s or the QSB 480’s, allowing customers to personalize their power depending on how and where they boat.

Photo Credit: Sea Ray

Leisure possibilities abound at the large, U-shaped cockpit lounge with removable table. The aft-most backrest of this seat is split, and the two sections pivot open to create an extension of the sun pad, which has abundant storage below for lines, fenders, and other necessary items. On the starboard side of the cockpit, a big, L-shaped wet bar with icemaker will keep everyone hydrated, and owners can choose to add an optional grill, refrigerator, and removable 19” flatscreen TV to create an “outdoor galley” atmosphere.

Photo Credit: Sea Ray

Under the sleek exterior of the 450 lies a classic-contemporary interior, with top-of-the-line cabinetry from Sea Ray’s Cape Canaveral Woodworking & Finishing Facility, Ultraleather seating, brushed chrome accents, and optional wood floors. Ambient light from the oversized hull windows and skylight gives a natural glow to the earthy materials used in the cabin.

Photo Credit: Sea Ray

The forward stateroom features a full-size island V-berth with memory foam mattress and electric extension and Posturepedic backrest, plus a Shoji-style sliding door and separate head and shower compartments with tile floors. The main cabin houses a spacious galley with stainless-steel appliances and loads of storage along the port side; to starboard, a dining area with folding table easily coverts to a sleeper. The Sony stereo located here comes fully outfitted with an iPod docking station, CD player, Sirius satellite receiver, amplifier, subwoofer, and more.

Photo Credit: Sea Ray

At the heart of its entertainment-ready interior, the new 450 features a unique media room abaft the salon that comes complete with theater seats, accent lights, and an entertainment system boasting a gaming system port, MP3 port, DVD player, and a 32-inch TV. If it's true surround-sound feel you're looking for and a large-screen experience, select the optional entertainment package that offers the Bose 3-2-1 System and 37-inch flatscreen.

Photo Credit: Sea Ray

A long list of options allows the owner to rig the new 450 Sundancer with advanced electronics, generators, teak exterior decking, a foredeck sun pad, hydraulic-lift swim platform, rod holders, and several choices of upgraded stereos and TVs throughout.

Source: Sea Ray

Boat Trader Releases iPhone Application

Boat Trader has released a free iPhone application on iTunes offering more than 100,000 new and used boats, yachts, sailboats and personal watercrafts at shoppers' fingertips.

The Boat Trader application is GPS-sensitive and shoppers can find a dealer in their vicinity or search for boats by type, new/used condition, price range and model year - in a specific zip code or by location! Users can also view multiple boat and dealer locations on enhanced Google maps and quickly access driving directions.



You can download the Boat Trader app from the iTunes Official Store.

Source: Boat Trader

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Turns 50

Photo Credit: Show Managment

TCpalm.com reports on the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, running October 29 to November 2, 2009, and the hopes for a rebound in the boat market.

Photo Credit: Show Managment

According to the site for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the world's largest boat show is turning 50 this year and will celebrate with an extravaganza of more than $3 billion worth of boats, yachts, superyachts, electronics, engines and thousands of accessories from every major marine manufacturer and builder worldwide.

Photo Credit: Show Managment

The show encompasses more than 3 million square feet of space, both on land and in water, at six sites and are all connected by the official Show Transportation Network.

Source: TCPalm and The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

Breathe - Maximize Your Baitwell’s Efficiency

by Steve Dougherty

It was a steamy dawn along the mainland of Mexico as I boarded a rickety panga in hopes of battling the Pacific’s most powerful pelagics. We pushed the wooden skiff off the beach and battled the shorebreak en route to the local bait boat.

We dumped two 5-gallon buckets of seawater into the front bulkhead and with the addition of a dozen frisky goggle-eye we were on our way. An occasional bucket of fresh saltwater dumped into the makeshift baitwell and our baits seemed as happy as could be, that was until the early afternoon sun finally took its toll on the susceptible scad.

This rudimentary livewell system is still widely used in many impoverished countries, however since the introduction of live chumming, kite-fishing, and release tournaments where anglers are required to weigh their catch alive, the technological advancements onboard baitwell systems have received, and the extent some fishermen go to keep their baits in prime shape, are quite impressive.

It’s no secret that baitfish need clean, cool, oxygenated water to survive. If removed from their natural environment and placed in less than ideal conditions, their chance of survival decreases by the minute. This explains why it’s a challenge to find any new boat that isn’t outfitted with at least one well-plumbed baitwell. The fact of the matter is that the ability to keep baitfish alive throughout the entire day is an essential factor to any angler’s overall success, inshore or off.

An effective baitwell essentially accomplishes three things. It provides life-sustaining oxygen, prevents the accumulation of harmful waste products, and keeps offerings frisky and stress free. Generally, high-powered pumps that provide a constant exchange of saltwater provide plenty of cool and clean water, but under certain circumstances you may need to increase oxygen content. Items such as The OXYGENATOR (www.keepfishalive.com) utilize a scientific process that splits the water molecule into separate elements – hydrogen and oxygen.

The oxygen bubbles quickly dissolve into the water while the lighter and larger hydrogen bubbles rise to the surface where they dissipate back into the atmosphere. Lets not overlook the fact that warm water holds less dissolved oxygen than cool water, so if you believe your precious baits are succumbing too quickly, during the blistering summer months you may well require the benefits of an oxygen infusion system.

Chemical additives that greatly improve water quality are also available and highly regarded among tournament professionals. Additives are beneficial in removing ammonia, detoxifying nitrites, maintaining PH levels as well as promoting the healing of slime coats and damaged scales.

It may come as a surprise, but the type of lid you utilize and interior color of your baitwell also affect your guests’ comfort level. Some species of baitfish seem to live a more stress-free life when they have light in the baitwell. This can be accomplished by adding an LED light, or with the addition of a clear lid. I prefer the natural light that’s provided by a clear lid, as the ambient light acclimates the baits to their natural environment. Another thing you can do to reduce stress levels is paint the interior of your baitwell blue. The soothing color helps to reduce shadows and therefore keeps baits more relaxed.

When standard in-deck livewells are insufficient to maintain a day’s worth of tournament offerings, veterans add an additional above-deck livewell. When choosing an additional livewell make sure you select the appropriate tank for the species you plan on storing. Threadfin herring, menhaden and Spanish sardines are particularly susceptible to die-off from stress and poor water quality. Any type of well without rounded corners and adequate water flow will provide less than ideal conditions for these not-so-hardy offerings.

If you find yourself contemplating why so many of your precious baits are floating belly up, don’t jump the gun and blame the baitfish. It may be that your baits aren’t getting enough clean, cool and oxygenated water. Whatever the case, keeping your offerings fresh, healthy and active will greatly increase your success no matter where you ply your craft. After all, sensational fishing starts with sensational bait. – Steve Dougherty