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By Debbie Schwartz
Published: July 3, 2008
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The 4th annual Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and SAILFEST returns to the Downtown Norfolk waterfront, September 12-14, 2008. As the state’s largest in-water boating exhibition, this growing event caters to every boating enthusiast, who along with their friends and family can enjoy a wide selection of the newest boats and cutting edge marine products and accessories, all in one place for the best deals all year round.
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By daybreak
Published: June 20, 2008
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Marine Advisory Program offers boaters tips to conserve fuel, save money.
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By daybreak
Published: May 3, 2008
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new Small Vessel Security Strategy.
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By daybreak
Published: January 2, 2008
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The 54th Baltimore Boat Show is bigger than ever before, with more boats, more gear and accessories, more seminars, and more entertainment and family activities – and more reasons to visit!

From Wednesday, January 23 through Sunday, January 27, 2008 – five days! – the entire Baltimore Convention Center in downtown Baltimore will be filled with over 750 boats to fit every lifestyle and budget.

An expanded powerboat section will include aisle after aisle of personal watercraft, fishing boats, bow riders, performance boats and luxury yachts up to 45 feet long. The nation’s top accessories manufacturers will offer all the gear and supplies you need, and the new Accessory Center will feature everything from marine electronics to specialty fishing lures.

In addition to shopping for your next great boat, the Baltimore Boat Show offers plenty for you and your family to do on a cold January day. Experts will offer helpful tips and techniques at more than 60 seminars and demonstrations. You can race against the clock as you navigate a remote-controlled boat at interactive stations. Kids and adults will enjoy the Interactive Game Experience (IGX) Virtual Waterway and the newest videogames from Xbox, Sony Playstation, and Nintendo in a 17-screen arcade. There will also be appearances by Baltimore professional football players, specialty boats on display, lots of contests and giveaways…and loads of family fun.

The 2008 Baltimore Boat Show will host a Special Preview Night Benefiting Living Classrooms Foundation on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 from 6 - 9 p.m. You can be among the first to experience the all-new 2008 Baltimore Boat Show – the $40 ticket includes hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, live music and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Living Classrooms Foundation. Business/cocktail attire is requested.

Regular admission to the Baltimore Boat Show is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 13-15 years old, and free for children 12 years old or younger. A two-day adult pass is available for $16. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.BaltimoreBoatShow.com.

The 2008 Baltimore Boat Show will be making waves Wednesday, January 23 (Special Preview Night Benefiting Living Classrooms Foundation) from 6 - 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday, January 24 and 25 from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday, January 26 from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., and Sunday, January 27 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
The Baltimore Convention Center is located at Charles and Pratt Streets, two blocks from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Free parking is available in Lot C at Camden Yards with free shuttle buses to and from the show.

For complete show information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.BaltimoreBoatShow.com and check out the Baltimore Boat Show blog at www.BaltimoreBoatShow.blogspot.com.
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By daybreak
Published: July 20, 2007
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NOAA Research Vessel Fleet Modernization

NOAA has major vessel construction projects underway. The agency's fleet modernization program that will provide users with improved information gathering capabilities.This comes at a critical time as the 2006 average fleet age has grown to 27 years. By comparision, the 2002 average age of NOAA's fleet was 41 years.

NOAA has set a goal to reduce the average fleet age to 20 by 2009. The younger fleet of ships will be managed and maintained by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. Vessel names  were chosen through a NOAA regional student ship-naming contest sponsored by NOAA's Office of Education.

R/V Henry B. Bigelow was commissioned on July 16 in Norfolk, VA. Exceeding tough international acoustic-quieting standards, the ship's dramatically lower background noise levels will greatly enhance NOAA's ability to count fish and assess the size, health and behavior of stocks. NOAA and the U.S. military lead the world in operating quieter ships, providing a model for other marine-related industries. There is scientific consensus that underwater sound affects the behavior of marine species that depend on sound as a primary means of navigation, feeding and other essential activities.

R/V Bigelow is another new NOAA research vessel. The boat will conduct surveys in support of the Northeast Science Center in Woods Hole. A similar boat, R/
V Oscar Dyson is stationed in Alaska, serving the Alaska Science Center. These ships are part of a series of four new, acoustically quiet, modern, research vessels.

R/V Pisces will be the third of four fisheries vessels. Curently under construction, the Pisces will provide additional capability to NOAA in the Gulf and South Atlantic.

In 2007, NOAA and Halter Marine, the shipbuilder, celebrated the keel laying for the Ferdinand R. Hassler. The boat is a twin-hull coastal mapping vessel. R/V Bell M. Shimada is the last of the four new NOAA fisheries research vessels.

The Bell Shimada will support the NOAA Fisheries Service Northwest and Southwest Science Centers. R/V Hassler will map Atlantic, Gulf Coast, Caribbean, and Great Lakes waters.

The new vessels are said to feature state-of-the-art technologies which will help NOAA more efficiently chart ocean waters and acess fish stocks.

For more information, visit: www.omao.noaa.gov.


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By daybreak
Published: July 9, 2007
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Norfolk, Va., (June 2007) - - If you are seriously thinking of buying a boat, or just pondering the idea, the Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and Sail Fest, September 14 - 16, 2007, will more than meet your needs! Returning for its third year on the Downtown Norfolk waterfront, the three-day event will display the newest and largest selection of boats and boat related products and accessories.  This growing event which caters to boating, sailing and water-sports enthusiasts, along with their friends and family will enjoy the large selection of boats and marine products.

Hundreds of boats and watercraft, representing several dozen manufacturers will be for sale at the Expo this year – ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to well into the millions.  A Discover Boating exhibit will provide unbiased information for ardent landlubbers and the most experienced of boaters.  An Elite Fleet Club, featuring VIP lounge and accommodations will be located on-site.

The Boat Expo will take place September 14 -16, 2007 on the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront.   Hours will be Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Admission is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for military personnel and spouse, children 15 and under are FREE.  The Elite Fleet Club ticket is an additional $25 per person.   For advance tickets and show information, visit www.VirginiaBoatExpo.com or call 757-441-2345.

The Virginia In-Water Boat Expo is co-produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Norfolk Festevents.   NMMA is the world's largest producer of boat shows, and is the leading association representing the $37 billion per year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce over 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S. For more information about the NMMA, visit www.NMMA.org. Norfolk Festevents is a private not-for-profit organization dedicated to producing premier concerts, festivals, ship visits and special events for residents and guests of Hampton Roads.  Celebrating its 25th season, Norfolk Festevents has garnered international acclaim for its outstanding quality programming.  Norfolk Festevents is the official event marketing and production agency for the City of Norfolk.
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By By Samantha Clark
Published: January 19, 2007
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There are different types of inflatable boats made of different materials in the market today. One of the types of inflatable boats are the light boats made of sides and bow of flexible tubes, and a flexible, flat floor. You find a rigid transom on the inflatable boat to fasten an outboard motor. This inflatable boat is referred to as zodiac boat.

Then there are inflatable boats made of other flexible material of maybe rubber, neoprene or canvas where air can be contained at high volume and low pressure. These inflatable boats also have a frame to attach an oarlock mount and these frames are made of metal, wood or a combination of both. Inflatable boats are designed to be portable on deflation so that they can be packed into small bundles to be taken as life rafts.

Inflatable boats have varied uses as inflatable fishing boats and inflatable pontoon boats. These inflatable boats are usually high speed, maneuverable, stable and can be launched from a ship. The large inflatable boards have rigid boards in them which are driven by oars or outboard engines. It is important that these inflatable boats be inflated with the right pressure as with insufficient air, the inflatable boat folds in the middle.

There are many stores selling inflatable boats. You can find inflatable boats both in online and offline sports stores. It is sometimes better to buy your inflatable boat from a store that sells wholesale inflatable boats as these inflatable boats can be bought at a discounted or cheap rate. You can buy inflatable boats according to your budget; inflatable boats are available between the price range of $25 to $2,800 and covers 8-foot yacht tenders, fishing boats and 14-foot inflatable sail boats.

Inflatable boats are mainly used for its portability. When inflated, inflatable boats are rather light and can be manually hauled to required places. There are numerous brands of inflatable boats available today. However, choose the inflatable boat that is about eight feet long, holds three people, uses a motor and does not have a wooden floor or heavy parts.

About the Author: Samantha Clark heads consumer reviews at http://www.dealsdepot.com.au. One of the web's most popular Online Shopping sites.

Source: www.isnare.com
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By By John Miller
Published: January 19, 2007
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As many people are already aware, inflatable boats are becoming very popular today. Inflatable boats come in several distinct groups designed for specific uses and are therefore equipped with different components and equipment.

When shopping for a small boat to ferry people and stores from the ship to the shore, a typical inflatable boat is the often the best answer. If a medium sized boat for diving or swimming is what's needed there are many inflatable boats designed to serve in that area as well. For recreation or rescue work, there are large inflatable boats available that perform admirably.

Dealer Locations

Since travelling a great distance simply to buy an inflatable boat is undesirable, the location of a reputable dealer is very important. Whether parts, repairs, or just technical support is needed, a close dealer will be a great asset. New boat own+K47er may have questions, need to file a claim on the warranty, or just have regular servicing done. Regardless of how it's viewed, a close dealer is always better than having to travel.

Pricing

It used to be that inflatable boats were the most expensive types of boats of their size, meaning that only a small amount of people could even afford them. The use of exotic materials and the requirement of the numerous hours of hand labor that went into their construction drove the prices sharply upward.

Today, however, machines are used to do the majority of the construction work. For example, thanks to technology Zodiac and its sister company Sevylor are the leading low cost producers today. It is even possible to finance an inflatable boat if needed, making them affordable to almost every budget.

Warranties

Competitors in every industry have long struggled with one another and in the process made many claims regarding warranties--some absolutely ludicrous. A few years ago there was a company offering a lifetime warranty. Unfortunately for the customers who believed this, the company disappeared shortly thereafter. Some manufacturers will actually use an attractive warranty as a substitute for quality or even proper boat design.

It is important to keep in mind that the company the boat is purchased from must be around long enough to deliver on their warranty. Zodiac, for instance, has been building inflatable boats for over 50 years and offers a limited 5-year warranty on their inflatable boats. This is a winning combination of realistic warranty and proven company history, making Zodiak one of the best options for inflatable boat purchases today. It's no surprise they are the primary supplier of inflatable boats for the U.S. Military.

With inflatable boats, as with any boat, a buyer should know which type is wanted before one is purchased. It's advisable to look around and see what each dealer offers; planning the purchase accordingly once as much as possible has been learned. An inflatable boat is a fantastic resource to have available, particularly for the owners of big ships and vessels. Given how many different applications they're good for, it's hard to go wrong with these boats, too.

About the Author: John Miller is a writer for several well-known online magazines, on product tips and shopping and products topics.

Source: www.isnare.com
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