CharlestonFishing.Com's FREE Weekly Newsletter

Dolphin Tagging Study May Report
Charleston is privileged to be the home of a great dolphin tagging study. This program was once funded by Government and then had funding cut is alive and well thanks to donations made by individuals and corporations and a lot of hard work by Don Hammonds. Here is a copy of this month’s news letters and information on recent findings. Each year the program captures more information thanks to fishermen that are willing to take the extra step to tag and also turn in tags when they catch a tagged fish. There is also contact information available on the newsletter if you would like to help sponsor this program.
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Why Boats Sink In The Springtime And Can Wreck Your Entire Boating Season - From BoatUS
With the return of warm weather, boaters are once again cruising America's waterways. But some may be in for a rude surprise when they find their boat sinks at the dock just after being put in the water.
According to the April 2007 issue of Seaworthy, the damage avoidance newsletter from BoatUS, spring brings its own unique challenges to preparing and maintaining a boat in seaworthy condition. "While not widespread, sinkings at the dock this time of year are easily avoidable," said Seaworthy Editor Bob Adriance. "However, a spring sinking can ruin a boating season since repairs may well have to wait because marinas and boatyards are very busy outfitting and launching boats." After combing through the BoatUS Marine Insurance claims files for the most common causes of springtime sinkings, Adriance has the following tips for boaters:

Hose clamps: Winterizing an engine in the fall often requires the removal of coolant hoses. But sometimes boaters are in a rush and the hoses aren't reattached and clamped properly. Adding to this, cramped engine boxes mean that the hoses and the clamps holding them sometimes can't be visually inspected easily. In the spring you'll need to ensure all of the hose clamps are securely tightened in place.
Hoses: During the winter as the water inside them freezes, some hoses can lift off their attached seacock (valve). However, with spring's warmer temperatures the water now returns to a liquid, and if the seacock was left open last fall, water can pour into the bilge (boat bottom). Double clamping with marine-rated stainless hose clamps, inspecting hose attachment locations, or keeping seacocks closed can all save you from a spring sinking.
Spring rains: Combine heavy rains with poorly caulked ports, deck hatches, fittings, chain plates and even scuppers clogged by leaves from last fall and you have a recipe for a sinking. Just 100 gallons of water weighs over 800 pounds so a boat with a low freeboard only needs to sink a few inches before cockpit scuppers (drains intended to remove water) submerge and water starts to enter the boat. Larger boats with cracked or improperly caulked fittings that are located just above the waterline can also inadvertently let water in when they become submerged. Ensure that rain rolls off the boat and not into it.
Sea strainer: For inboard/outboard and inboard powered boats, if not properly winterized the intake sea strainer can freeze over the winter, cracking or bending the inspection bowl. And if the seacock was left open the boat will sink as soon as ice in the strainer thaws or the boat is put in the water. Always inspect the strainer for cracks or other damage.
Stuffing Box: On powerboats or sailboats with inboard power, if the stuffing box's packing material that seals the prop shaft is not tight, a steady drip will slowly swamp a boat. Also remember that no stuffing box should leak when the prop shaft is not moving. Stuffing boxes need to be inspected routinely, regardless of the season.

Fishing this week has been pretty much non-existent while the coastal storm become sub-tropical storm, Andrea, dragged along our coast and kept the wind and waves high for most of the week. The offshore fishing should still be red hot once everyone can get back out there and the inshore fishing should be very good as well. Hopefully the weather will settle down for the weekend and everyone can get back to some great May fishing.

Tight lines…
Andy Pickett
CharlestonFishing.Com