Boat Security & Theft Prevention January 2nd, 2020

By: Germaine Marine

It doesn’t matter if you’re storing your boat for the winter or only for a few days or weeks— security should be at the forefront of your mind either way! Your boat is a valuable item in your possession, which means that it’s vulnerable to damage caused by weather, pest infestation, and thieves, who are always looking to make a quick buck.

Keeping your boat secure and preventing theft can be a challenge, but we can help you! Germaine Marine, with locations in Utah and Arizona, is proud to be your local boat dealer. Read on to learn the best ways to keep your boat safe and secure this winter and all year round!

Locate Secure Storage

First, you’re going to need to determine where you can store your boat safely. You don’t want to ever leave it out in the open like on a trailer in your driveway! Thieves can easily drive by or walk by and see what you’ve got, then come back at night and tow your boat away. If you can’t store your boat inside a locking garage or shed on your property, then at least pull it behind a tall fence so it’s not within view of the street.

Another good option for those who don’t have the space on their property to store their crafts is marina slip rentals or dry boat storage. You’ll want to do some research on the options available in your area to make sure that they’re secure enough so that your boat is constantly being monitored.

Invest In A Cover

Keeping your boat covered is a good way to prevent theft as well as to reduce the chance of pest infestation or weather damage (if stored outside). Invest in a good-quality, water-resistant cover that is snug-fitting but breathable enough to not cause condensation to form. A cover can even help to prevent theft simply because it’s difficult to remove and it masks the type of boat you have, so thieves are more likely to look for a less secure target instead of going after your craft.

Remove Valuables & Paperwork

Remember how parking garages often have signs warning you to remove valuables from your vehicle? The same principle applies to your boat, especially if you leave it in a public marina. If thieves can peek in and spy valuable items, they may not take your boat, but they might smash a window and take whatever they can carry instead.

Before you store your boat, make sure you remove all valuable items from it, like GPS units and other electronics, binoculars, cameras, fishing gear, tackle boxes, watersports equipment and anything else of value. You should also remove all paperwork for your boat, like logbooks, journals, registration, proof of insurance and licenses. A boat thief could make use of these items to pass off a stolen craft as their own!

Add Security Measures

To further protect your boat, you can also invest in security measures that will drive away thieves. These include alarm systems that are motion-activated, security cameras, GPS trackers, locks and chains. What you get depends on how much you want to or can afford to spend; just make sure that you’re looking at marine-grade items that can withstand wet and humid environments.

We hope our guide to boat security helps you to keep your beloved vessel safe. Visit one of our dealerships to take a look at our full stock of new and used boats for sale. Germaine Marine proudly serves the cities of American Fork, UT, and Mesa, AZ.

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Arkansas Marine: We Sell Fun On The Water For 2020

By: Arkansas Marine

WELCOME TO ARKANSAS MARINE BOAT SALES

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Mission 2020

By: agfc

Date Title

Jan. 27 Lake Columbia Fisheries Management Plan Meeting | Magnolia
Jan. 28 The Art of Fly-Tying | Yellville
Jan. 29 BOW Women's Duck Hunt | Blue Mountain
Jan. 30 CWD Public Meeting | Batesville
Jan. 30 Grand Lake Fisheries Management Plan Meeting | Eudora
Jan. 30 Catching Rainbows, Trout Clinic and Fishing Derby | Little Rock
Feb. 1 Trout Day | Fort Smith
Feb. 1 Groundhog Day, More winter on the way? | Little Rock
Feb. 2 Bluebird Basics | Little Rock
Feb. 4 Learn to Burn Intro to Prescribed Fire for Landowners | Jonesboro
Feb. 9 Turkey Hunting Basics | Little Rock
Feb. 10 Women's Outdoor Network | Little Rock
Feb. 14 BOW Squirrel Camp | Casscoe
Feb. 19 Monthly Commission Meeting | February 19-20 (Little Rock)
Feb. 22 Intro to Fur Handling | Fort Smith
Feb. 22 Buy, Sell and Swap Outdoor Gear
Feb. 29 Intro to Turkey Hunting | Jonesboro
March 3 Beginning Fly-Fishing | Fort Smith
March 18 Monthly Commission Meeting | March 18-19 (Hope)
April 22 Monthly Commission Meeting | April 22-23 (Little Rock)
May 20 Monthly Commission Meeting | May 20-21 (Little Rock)
June 17 Monthly Commission Meeting | June 17-18 (Harrison)
July 31 BOW Fish Camp | Casscoe

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What Are The Differences Between A Catamaran And Pontoon Boat?

By: Pontoon Boat Review

Pic By: Dream Yacht Charter

Some of these differences are observable while others are not. Catamaran and Pontoon are both made up of two hulls or pontoons (usually of the same size else you would be having an outrigger or a proa) connected with a wing-like structure.

Some folks consider both as basically the same and suggest catamaran is just a type of pontoon and some think their differences are basically on their usage and a pontoon would technically be called a catamaran.

The name “Catamaran” was derived from the word “Kattumaram” which in Talim means “tied wood”. The ancient vessel from which we got so many derivatives was just two logs of wood connected by smaller logs of wood and accommodations were made on the smaller logs above the hulls.

The modern catamaran and pontoons come with different designs. The sophistication of modern engineering is so evident in the production of these boats. While the pontoon might be as simple as a deck placed on two pontoons to a bit more complex designs, the catamaran has pontoons which are usually a part of the structure of the boat with different spaces.

 These spaces can be used as residence or for storage. Most of the catamarans also have a mast with a canvas in between the pontoons. Catamarans come with different complex designs that will best suit the desired use.

Simple pontoons are usually used for pleasure cruise or fishing in smaller water bodies like rivers and lake. The water surface shouldn’t have high water current and is not dramatically affected by a change in weather conditions. The use of pontoons in open seas and ocean is highly prohibited because it is not structurally designed for such an environment. 

The pontoon shape does not cut through waves. Its wave handling capacity is poor. They cannot maneuver effectively in rough water bodies. Meanwhile, catamarans can sail the seas or oceans because they are designed to handle such an environment and they can cut through waves.

The pontoons are usually not large. Most pontoons are between 15-40 feet and 8-12 feet wide with the outboard motor placed behind. While the Catamarans are usually very large and their motors are usually in the pontoon tube.

There is also an observable difference in the speed of both the pontoon boat and the catamaran. The feature is also related to their intended use with the different types of water bodies. A pontoon boat can attain a speed of about 26 miles per hour while a catamaran was designed to move faster, up to about 50 miles per hour.

A buyer who is interested in getting a pontoon can purchase one between $12,000 to about $75,000 while a catamaran can go for a price ranging from $60,000 to above $2 million.

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