November 2021
Preparing Your Craft for Winter Storage
Boaters in northern climates—particularly where the water freezes or storms rage—store their crafts for the season. But proper storage brings up lots of questions. Which is better—wet storage or dry storage?

Wet storage, or keeping your boat in the water, requires safe dockage away from storms that could gash your boat against the dock or, worse, throw the craft onshore. You have to be in a climate where the water can’t freeze (which would crack the hull), and the hull needs to be impervious to water so that the hull material doesn’t blister. Additionally, wet storage in saltwater can result in barnacles and seaweed growing on the hull and damaging its surface unless sophisticated cleaning takes place.

Most boaters prefer dry storage in sheds, on racks, or in open-air lots. Dry storage allows for inspection of the hull and gaskets, cleaning and repainting. Fees depend on the size of the boat, but many facilities can stack (one atop the other on racks) boats up to 80 feet in length. The critical issue in dry storage is structural support. Either custom cradles or boat stands should be crafted to support engines, bulkheads and the keel. 

For a winterization checklist and more pros and cons, continue reading>
Understanding Sonar
According to NOAA’s National Ocean Service, sonar—short for sound navigation and ranging—is helpful for exploring and mapping the ocean because sound waves travel farther than radar or light waves in the water. NOAA’s scientists primarily use sonar to develop nautical charts, locate underwater hazards to navigation, search for and map objects on the seafloor such as shipwrecks, and map the seafloor itself. 

Watch this video about how sonar is used and how it helps keep mariners safe at sea. 
Safety at Sea
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary says that even experienced boaters should get vessel safety checks (VSC) to ensure their boats meet safety standards and are properly outfitted with emergency equipment.

Items addressed in a VSC include:

  • Life Jackets
  • Registration and numbering
  • Navigation lights
  • Ventilation
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Distress signals
  • Battery cover and connections

Did You Know?
In 2000, NOAA sought a partner who could develop an improved system for printing and distributing up-to-date nautical charts “on demand.” After being awarded a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) from NOAA, OceanGrafix was founded and became the partner that NOAA was seeking. Today, OceanGrafix continues to create and distribute navigational publications and products that help keep boaters safe.