The criticism has come in many forms, from those who know a bit about sailing that Abby should not have been sailing through the Indian Ocean when it is winter there, and heavy storms are prevalent to the more generic “how in the world could anyone let their sixteen year old daughter…”

Would we allow our teenaged children to take on such a dangerous voyage? Who knows. Most of us have enough trouble just getting our teenagers to have enough ambition to take on Algebra. And yet, the fact is that just about every one of us allows our children to get into dangerous situations every day. The average teenager behind the wheel of a car has had far less experience with his vehicle and poses a much greater risk to himself and to others than Abby ever did in Wild Eyes.

Abby Sunderland is a very seasoned sailor for her age. Her older brother had already sailed around the world. Funny, no one was hollering about how irresponsible the Sunderlands were then. It’s only when plans go awry that bandwagon jumpers seem to rise up to wag fingers at those who dare to believe their kids are capable of accomplishing greatness.

We wouldn’t worry about Abby. She knew what she was doing, had a vessel that was well equipped for the voyage, and when things did go wrong, knew what to do and handled herself admirably. All of the clamor aside, we can’t imagine any parent who wouldn’t be proud of their kid for the way she handled herself in a very difficult situation.

Of course, many have pointed out that the international rescue effort was frightfully expensive. But let’s keep in mind that the costs would have been the same for a sailor of any age. That, and nobody objects when public resources are used to pull teens out of the wreckage of a totaled car.

OK, there are some extra zeroes involved. We get that. But the fact remains, Abbie had an opportunity to attempt something that only a handful of people have done successfully, and she gave it a shot. We wonder if more of us encouraged our children to take risks like that what kind of a world we could create in the next generation. We don’t know, either, but I suspect getting kids excited about taking chances like that is better than having them on the streets exposed to drugs, gangs, and who knows what else.  So, give the Sunderlands a break. And if your kid ever attempts to sail around the world, make sure the boat insurance is paid up.

Photo via RiRi Trautmann

BP does have a hotline set up for those boaters who are uninsured, but how is that right? Those of us who keep our boat insurance paid up shouldn’t have to put in claims on our policies for damages that were clearly caused by the oil spill. Now, we have no desire to kick a company while it’s down, but in this instance, it’s very clear who should be picking up the tab, and it shouldn’t be our insurance companies or (worse) us.

You might ask what difference it makes as long as the damage to our boats is fixed. Well, for starters, there are deductibles to be paid on insurance claims. We don’t know about you, but shelling out $500 or $1000 or more for damage we didn’t cause just doesn’t set right with us. Especially when it’s crystal clear who did cause the damage.

But it’s more than just the deductibles. In the end, the deductibles are like the little tar balls floating around in the Gulf, just a small part of the real problem. Here’s the thing. If our insurance companies have to pay out for damage claims to boats on the Gulf Coast, that means they’ll have to pay out a lot of claims. To the tune of millions of dollars.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re not crying for the insurance companies. They accept the premium payments realizing there’s some risk that they will have to pay out for damages. But when something this big that potentially affects this many boats all at once hits, the costs can be staggering for insurance companies.

Insurance companies are no different than any other kind of company. At the end of the day, it’s about taking in more than you pay out. That’s what any company needs to do to keep itself in the black. And you can rest assured insurance companies will keep themselves in the black. Unfortunately, one of the ways they may have to do that is by raising premiums. On boat owners. I wonder, while BP is handing out checks, if they’ll consider covering the difference.

Photo via DVIDSHUB

Of course, the most important thing, for her parents and boating enthusiasts in general, is that she is safe and sound back on terra firma. Circumnavigating the globe is no small feat, especially for a young person. Had she completed the journey, Abby would have been the youngest person in history (at age 16) to circumnavigate the globe by herself.

Sailing around the world isn’t exactly a new thing. It has represented a kind of Holy Grail of sailing since the time that sailors figured out that the world was round. Of course, back then, having boat insurance was likely the least of your worries. With no satellite radio to call for help, you were pretty much on your own once you were out of port. While Abby didn’t quite make it this time around, here are a few notable sailors who did:

1. Juan Sebastián Elcano. Most people aren’t familiar with this name, but he was actually the man in charge of the first expedition to successfully sail around the world, finishing in 1522. What? You thought it was Ferdinand Magellan? Well, that’s partly true. It was Magellan’s voyage, and his idea, but the good Captain died enroute, during a battle with natives in the Phillipines. Elcano led the 18 survivors back to port.

1. Jessica Watson. While there has been much hype about young Abby Sunderland’s attempt to break the record, it has almost been forgotten that another 16 year old, Jessica, recently set the world record for solo circumnavigating the globe.

1. Francis Joyon, a Frenchman, who holds the record for the fastest solo circumnavigation, completing the voyage in 57 days.

1. Joshua Slocum of Nova Scotia, who was the first person to sail around the world by himself, finishing the journey in 1898. He didn’t fare so well in later voyages, and was lost at sea in the Caribbean in 1908.

1. Bernard Moitessier, who took things up a notch in 1968-69 when he sailed around the world without stopping.

1. Harry Heckel, who became the oldest circumnavigator. He did take a few stops, but at 89 years old, who can blame him?

Photo via Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the BPL

2009 was an especially rough year in the boating world. Many manufacturers halted production, and tons of retailers went out of business. According to one industry journal, as many as half of retail boat dealers may have disappeared over the past few years.

Still, there may be good news. There are many folks that are optimistic that the rebound that’s taken place in 2010 in the auto industry may spread. There are already signs that the motor home industry is coming back, signaling that consumers are more willing to spend money on recreation than they have been in the past few years.

Take, for example, Wilson Marine in Brighton, Michigan. Its owner claims that boat sales are up by about 20 to 30 percent this year over this time last year.

Of course, some of this news is regional. Boat dealers in the Gulf states, which have been so focused in recent weeks on the BP oil spill, probably aren’t seeing the same kinds of positive results.

One trend worth noting is that more and more consumers are moving toward all-purpose crafts. Ski boats and cruisers aren’t selling all that well, but pontoon boats are moving very well. Pontoon boats serve not only as floating party barges, but as portable craft for swimming, fishing or just enjoying a trip down a river.

Another noticeable change from the past is that boat financing seems to be increasing in popularity. There are marine lenders offering 10 year terms, and interest rates comparable to car loan rates.

Whether the buying trend continues remains to be seen. For those of us who enjoy our water sports, more interest means more choices in the marketplace, so it can really only be seen as a good thing.

Photo via Joãomagagnin

Here are some of the fastest sailboats on the market today:

• L’Hydroptère. L’Hydroptère is a big ol hydrofoil tri. The top speed that this sailboat can achieve is upwards of 47 knots. This ride will hold it’s own in the mile stretch with speeds approaching 42 knots. That is right up there with what wind surfers can achieve. Sure, it is not the 200 knots that a speedboat can do, but this won’t cost you a small mortgage to fill up at the pump.
• Groupama 3. The Groupama 3, by Frank Cammas, holds two records. The first record is the fastest 24-hour record. The Groupama 3 managed a staggering 794 nautical miles in a mere 24-hour period. The average speed for this trip was 33.08 knots. The second record is making the trek from Ambrose Light to Lizard Point. The Groupama 3 managed this trip in 4 days 3 hours 57 minutes. The Groupama 3 has attempted an around the world trip as well. A cracked pontoon put this trip to an end. Groupama 3 will see some strength training and try this trip yet again.
• Mari-Cha IV. Monohulls have a bit to prove as well. Robert Miller took the Mari-Cha IV on a cross Atlantic trip. This feat took all of 6 days 17 hours 52 minutes. The Mari-Cha IV was able to do this because of its construction. The Mari-Cha IV is mainly composed of carbon fiber. This brings this 140-foot boat to a staggering weight of only 55 tons.
• Orange II. So, you want around the world records? How about a record for not having to stop during your trip around the world? The Orange II was able to pull off just this record. The Orange II went around the world in 50 days and never had to stop for fuel. Bet there were no kids on this trip asking if they were there yet.
• IDEC. While the Orange II was able to go around the world with a crew, the IDEC did this with one man. Francis Joyon piloted the IDEC around the world in a matter of 57 days. Think about that for just a moment. Not only did he get around the world on a sailboat in 57 days, but he also did it with nobody to yell at.

The next time you think of speed on the water, keep these wind powered rides in mind. You will most likely need some special boat insurance when you attempt to break the 57-day around the world record. You may also want a teddy bear to talk to while you are on the water.

Photo via clementpetit2

Fewer boats being sold

People have become weary of making bigger purchases. With high unemployment, a shaky stock market, people are more cautious now than they ever were before. Purchasing a luxury items, like a boat, are one of the first things people cut.

Potential boat buyers face new obstacles as well. Lending institutions are not as willing to lend out money to new boat buyers. Even if a buyer is a prime candidate, the hassle of getting lending is turning people off.

The hardest boats hit are yachts. Not only has the economy down turn pushed potential buyers away. However, a 10% luxury tax that now rides on these floating marvels is like slapping a purchaser twice in the face.

More docking spaces are available

Another area hit by the downturn is port. Some ports used to see upwards of ten to twelve new boats a year. Now increasingly docking slips remain empty. The biggest people to skip out on docking their boat are the middle class.

The working class consisted of people driving boats in the 20 – 30 foot range. You may also know these folks as the day-trippers. This class consisted of the families who came out to spend a day on the water, or the folks coming out to do a bit of fishing. This group has dried up substantially and docking slips are a key indicator of this decline.

New boat registrations have declined

One of the easiest places to see the downturn comes in boater registrations. December of 2009 saw 171,185 boater registrations. This number is down from the 174,207 boater registrations from 2008.

Layoffs hit boat manufacturers as well

Like many industries hit hard, the boating industry has had to do its share of cutbacks as well. Boat sales are on the decline. This cuts out on company profits. Companies do what they do best and lay people off. The U.S is currently in this sad state.

There is good news though. With the slow economic recovery, more boats will start seeing the light of sales. As manufactures see more sales, they will ramp up production again. More production will bring in more jobs. This is a win for everyone.

Therefore, what can you do to help this down turn? Keep your boat insurance renewed. Keep your boat registered and tagged. Support your local boating stores if you can. Better yet, introduce new people into the boating sport. The economy is slowly picking up. The more people who are excited to get into boating the better the industry will recover.

Photo via donjd2

Yes, we know that this sounds like the plot to a really bad sitcom. (Or maybe even a good sitcom that’s having a bad week because it’s regular writer is home sick, and the “b team” isn’t nearly as talented.) At any rate, we really couldn’t make this stuff up. It actually happened.

A Texas fisherman by the name of Robby Jones was recently given a sentence of 15 days in jail plus an additional five years probation for trying to cheat in a fishing tournament.

What did Jones do to try to rig the tournament? Did he go out days before and catch the largest fish he could, and then plant it somewhere in the lake, with a friend wearing SCUBA gear at the bottom ready to attach it to his hook?

No, Jones’ plan was much more basic. He made his catch in the tournament, and then proceeded to stuff a lead weight inside the fish.

That’s right. He stuffed a lead weight. Inside of a fish. To win a tournament.

Now, to be sure, the Bud Light Trail Boss Big Bass Tournament that took place on Lake Ray Hubbard near Dallas last October wasn’t just any old tournament. The grand prize in this tournament was a brand new boat with a retail price tag of $55,000. (It isn’t known how exactly Jones was planning on paying for his boat insurance after winning the prize.)

Unfortunately for Jones, this means that his cunning ruse was more than just a silly little prank or a misdemeanor. No, stuffing lead weights inside of a fish is actually a felony, at least when there’s a prize of such a high value on the line.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department investigated the situation, and when they confronted Jones about the situation, he came clean.

In addition to the time served in jail and time on probation, Jones will also lose his fishing license during the time that he’s on probation.

Photo via Yellow.Cat

Instead, All American Marine has been building low wake, environmentally friendly passenger ferries. It’s been more than eight years since All American Marine made a commercial fishing vessel. The good news is that the company is now taking orders for its new 32-foot Bristol Bay Sternpicker.

The company believes that the market for commercial fishing boats is starting to come back up. Fishing boats out on the water today are ready to be replaced, and in many cases it’s becoming prohibitively expensive to buy boat insurance for those older boats because of the risks involved. Add to that the bounce back that’s happening in the commercial fishing industry, as well as lower prices for aluminum and the company is pretty confident that the new boats will be well-received.

This new commercial fishing boat may owe some design themes to the older versions, but the new one should prove to exceed the expectations of those that buy it. The capacity of the vessel has been improved, and it can now hold 10 tons of fish. Add to that a refrigerated seawater system and you’ve got a knock-out product.

All American Marine will continue to produce its passenger ferries, as well. In march, it launched the Kitsap Transit. The Kitsap Transit is an ultra-low-wake passenger ferry. The boat will undergo a six-month study in 2011 to look at its environmental impact, which is expected to be relatively low.

The commercial fishing vessels will help the company through the fall, which is very often a slow period for boat manufacturers.

If you’re interested in your own commercial fishing boat, give All American Marine a look.

Photo via smaedli

The money from the permit is earmarked for a specific purpose. In fact, the permit even has a friendly-sounding name that makes the boat owner feel as if they’re somehow doing a world of good for the waterways of Oregon: the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit.

While the name might bring to mind dramatic speeches from Bill Paxton about how we’re not going to just go quietly into that goodnight, or images of Will Smith dragging an alien body across the desert, it’s nothing so interesting. The fee is to prevent non-native plant and animal introductions into Oregon.

It’s required that one of these permits is carried on each and every boat on public waterways. There aren’t any restrictions on the name for the permit holder, or whether or not its transferrable. Also, boaters that are under the age of 14 years old are exempt from having to have one.

The rules for this permit were put in place this year, after the legislation from the Oregon Legislature went into effect. To date, over 4,400 permits have been sold. The Marine Board’s director expect to get compliance somewhere around 80 to 85 percent this summer.

As far as the next month or so goes, marine patrols are still only given warnings that boaters must have one of these permits. After Memorial Day rolls around, however, the “friendly education” approach will end.

The law that went into effect actually creates a charge both for motorized boats and for manually powered boats. The funds go to regional inspection teams, as well as efforts within the state to further aquatic invasive species prevention efforts.

Those that own or operate motorized boats don’t have to buy a separate invasive species permit, however. The fee for those in that situation is rolled into the regular registration fee for motorized boats. The regular motorized boat permit process has produced nearly 60,000 registrations this year so far, and promises to produce many more.

If you’re interested in learning more about the program or the permits, you can visit the Marine Board Web site at www.boatoregon.com.

Photo via lightcap

Yet, that’s exactly what scientists uncovered a few years back. This boat is older than the United States. It’s older than ancient Greece. Heck, by most estimates, it predates the Bible. This bolt is even older than Dick Clark.

The boat, which is estimated to be around 7,000 years old, is made of tarry, bitumen-covered slabs. Bitumen is still used today in the Middle East to build boats. It’s crushed with coral and fish oil, and it’s used to create a waterproof seal for boats made from reed bundles. While such technology probably isn’t sufficient to get you boat insurance today, it may have been enough to get the ancient residents of the site where it was found from one end of the known world to the other.

When it was discovered, the side was covered with barnacles. The other side of the boat had impressions of reeds on it. The boat was held and discovered in a stone building at a dig site known as As-Sabiyah.

Prior to this discovery, the oldest boat on record was one found in an Egyptian tomb. That boat was built around 3,000 B.C. There is evidence that other water-going vessels made of logs, much like a log canoe or raft, were built as long as 8,000 years B.C.

The speculation is that these kinds of boats like the one in As-Sabiyah were used to transport both goods and passengers between Mesopotamia, the Central Gulf area, and the dig site itself, which may have been a peninsula on the Tigris and Euphrates at the time.

This theory also explains why pottery made by the ancient Mesopotamians shows up on the western shores of the Persian Gulf. The residents of As-Sabiyah may have been a mixed race of peoples from both Mesopotamia and the Arabian Peninsula.

The kinds of good traded and transported on those boats would have included things like pierced pearls that were used to make jewelry, as well as pottery, bead necklaces, and flint and obsidian stones, as well as livestock and probably fish.

Photo via Dale Gillard