Argonaut On The Chesapeake

Chesapeake Bay Boaters

2009-08-28T14:23:00.004-04:00

It is hard to find a gift for boaters. Well, not really hard to find, but hard to decide which one to get. There are so many things that a boater needs. With Xmas coming just around the corner, it's better to start thinking hard.

The best thing to do, is to get a gift certificate! Your boater family member or friend most likely shops at Amazon. Why not make it easy for both of you with a gift certificate that lets the gift recipient make his/her own choice.

Argonaut Not Just On The Chesapeake

2009-08-26T18:20:00.008-04:00

Our friend, who took the trip from Ft Lauderdale to the Chesapeake Bay on our Argonaut, got a chance to experience what it is like to own a boat much bigger than his. He came to the conclusion that since he is not too mechanically inclined, he should not buy another boat more than 2 feet longer (that would be 22'), without first getting prepared with some mechanical knowledge, to say the least. the trip wasn't easy. A 42' Trawler takes a lot of know-how and it helps a lot to know at least the essentials when it comes to mechanical problems that may arise, even if just trawling on the Chesapeake bay.

Here are a few suggestions:

What does Argonaut mean?

In Greek mythology, the Argonauts (Ancient Greek: Αργοναύται) were a band of heroes who, in the years before the Trojan War, accompanied Jason to Colchis (modern day Georgia) in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. Their name comes from their ship, the Argo, which was named after its builder, Argus. "Argonauts", therefore, literally means "Argo sailors". They were sometimes called Minyans, after a prehistoric tribe of the area.

Boat, Fish And Eat - All Take Precaution (Advise for Boaters Below)

2009-08-19T09:43:00.004-04:00

Whenever we need to find anything that we are looking for related to our boat, we look no further than Amazon. Las time my husband needed to find a special oil, he found it at Amazon.

If you are a new boater or experienced boater and are planning to fish, this information will come in handy.

Seafood
If you are planning to fish, check with your fish and game agency or state health department to see where you can fish safely, then follow these guidelines:

Finfish:
· Scale, gut, and clean fish as soon as they’re caught.
· Live fish can be kept on stringers or in live wells, as long as they have enough water and enough room to move and breathe.
· Wrap fish, both whole and cleaned, in watertight plastic and store on ice.
· Keep 3 to 4 inches of ice on the bottom of the cooler. Alternate layers of fish and ice.
· Store the cooler out of the sun and cover with a blanket.
· Once home, eat fresh fish within 1 to 2 days or freeze them. For top quality, use frozen fish within 3 to 6 months.

Shellfish:
· Crabs, lobsters, and other shellfish must be kept alive until cooked.
· Store in live wells or out of water in a bushel or laundry basket under wet burlap or seaweed.
· Crabs and lobsters are best eaten the day they’re caught.
· Live oysters should be cooked within 7 to 10 days.
· Live mussels and clams should be cooked within 4 to 5 days.
· Eating raw shellfish is extremely dangerous. People with liver disorders or weakened immune systems are especially at risk.

Cleanup
Cleanup on the boat is similar to cleanup in the wild. Bring disposable wipes for hand washing, and bag up all your trash to dispose of when you return to shore.

General Rules for Outdoor Food Safety
Plan ahead: decide what you are going to eat and how you are going to cook it; then plan what equipment you will need.
· Pack safely: use a cooler if car-camping or boating, or pack foods in the frozen state with a cold source if hiking or backpacking.
· Keep raw foods separate from other foods.
· Never bring meat or poultry products without a cold source to keep them safe.
· Bring disposable wipes or biodegradable soap for hand- and dishwashing.
· Plan on carrying bottled water for drinking. Otherwise, boil water or use water purification tablets.
· Do not leave trash in the wild or throw it off your boat.
· If using a cooler, leftover food is safe only if the cooler still has ice in it. Otherwise, discard leftover food.
· Whether in the wild or on the high seas, protect yourself and your family by washing your hands before and
Search Amazonian Boatique everytime you are in the market for your boating needs!
Argonaut is the name of our boat on the Chesapeake Bay.

Where does the name Argonaut come from?
Here is what I found ou:

In Greek mythology, the Argonauts (Ancient Greek: Αργοναύται) were a band of heroes who, in the years before the Trojan War, accompanied Jason to Colchis (modern day Georgia) in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. Their name comes from their ship, the Argo, which was named after its builder, Argus. "Argonauts", therefore, literally means "Argo sailors". They were sometimes called Minyans, after a prehistoric tribe of the area.

argonaut, argonaut, argonaut, argonaut, salvado, salvado salvado

Amazonian Boatique For Boaters

2009-08-18T10:23:00.006-04:00

Whenever we need to find anything we're looking for Argonaut, we look no further than Amazon. Last time my husband needed to find a special oil, he found it there.

Search Amazonian Boatique every time you are in the market for your boating needs!
Argonaut is the name of our boat on the Chesapeake Bay.

Argonaut salvado, argonaut

Kinkle Good For Boaters

2009-08-18T09:55:00.003-04:00

The one thing us boaters find is that, there is no space for the many books and/or magazines we would like to keep on our Argonaut. That's why, as an avid reader, I decided to purchase a Kindle. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made!
It is perfect for those chesapeake bay boaters who like to read while docked or anchored. (just dont drop it in the water like you did the cell phone!)

Lippincott Is The Best Marina!

2009-08-17T11:17:00.002-04:00

Visiting the different Marinas on the Chesapeake bay is fun and the people are all very friendly, however, which one you choose to stay on a permanent basis, makes a great deal of difference.

For many of us, when choosing a Marina, we think of quiet yet active place we can enjoy our, most of the times, short vacations. For us, every weekend is a short vacation. The good thing about Lippincott is that it is very quiet, friendly and it's close to everything. A short walk to the restaurants such as the most popular "The Jetti" will have you eating good while enjoying the live bands, on a given night that you feel like partying.

The best thing is that when the party is over, and you get back to your boat to sleep, the quiet that you might require is there waiting for you. The music is nowhere to be heard. Your neighbors will probably be asleep or quietly sitting out on their boats. It will not be the case, if your marina happens to be right in the middle of the entertainment district, and you will not have a choice of having a noisy or quiet night!

Advise from the USDA For Boaters

2009-07-31T09:54:00.001-04:00

If you are a new boater and are planning to fish, this information will come in handy.

Seafood
If you are planning to fish, check with your fish and game agency or state health department to see where you can fish safely, then follow these guidelines:

Finfish:
· Scale, gut, and clean fish as soon as they’re caught.
· Live fish can be kept on stringers or in live wells, as long as they have enough water and enough room to move and breathe.
· Wrap fish, both whole and cleaned, in watertight plastic and store on ice.
· Keep 3 to 4 inches of ice on the bottom of the cooler. Alternate layers of fish and ice.
· Store the cooler out of the sun and cover with a blanket.
· Once home, eat fresh fish within 1 to 2 days or freeze them. For top quality, use frozen fish within 3 to 6 months.

Shellfish:
· Crabs, lobsters, and other shellfish must be kept alive until cooked.
· Store in live wells or out of water in a bushel or laundry basket under wet burlap or seaweed.
· Crabs and lobsters are best eaten the day they’re caught.
· Live oysters should be cooked within 7 to 10 days.
· Live mussels and clams should be cooked within 4 to 5 days.
· Eating raw shellfish is extremely dangerous. People with liver disorders or weakened immune systems are especially at risk.

Cleanup
Cleanup on the boat is similar to cleanup in the wild. Bring disposable wipes for hand washing, and bag up all your trash to dispose of when you return to shore.

General Rules for Outdoor Food Safety
Plan ahead: decide what you are going to eat and how you are going to cook it; then plan what equipment you will need.
· Pack safely: use a cooler if car-camping or boating, or pack foods in the frozen state with a cold source if hiking or backpacking.
· Keep raw foods separate from other foods.
· Never bring meat or poultry products without a cold source to keep them safe.
· Bring disposable wipes or biodegradable soap for hand- and dishwashing.
· Plan on carrying bottled water for drinking. Otherwise, boil water or use water purification tablets.
· Do not leave trash in the wild or throw it off your boat.
· If using a cooler, leftover food is safe only if the cooler still has ice in it. Otherwise, discard leftover food.
· Whether in the wild or on the high seas, protect yourself and your family by washing your hands before and

Why You Have To Have Plenty Of Money To Own A Boat

2009-07-02T16:52:00.002-04:00

Have you heard the expression "owning a boat is like having a whole in your pocket"? It shouldn't have to be that way if the services were not so expensive.

It is bad enough that boats constantly need repair and tender loving care, but even worse is the fact that the owners get ripped off by the service providers, such as mechanics, marinas and of course, the makers and sellers of marine products. It should not have to be that way. Once the boat is paid off, having to repair it and paying through the nose for any little thing is what burns the whole in the pocket and that's why you have to have plenty of money to own a boat.

The poorer of the boat owners usually had the option to do the repairs themselves but now with the new "clean marina" excuse, it is no longer allowed in many places and worse than that, the marina must provide the services instead of an outside contractor. Where our boat is at, for example, painting the bottom of the boat, which is usually done to protect it from the elements before putting it back in the water, the marina employees are the only ones allowed to do the painting. This is an easy chore that anyone can perform, however, the boat owners must shell out hundreds of dollars to them or let the bottom of the boat rot. This is just one more burden placed on the boat owners. I have nothing against the clean marinas act, but taking advantage of it concerns me.

There is plenty of money to be made in the boating field and having more service providers would be a good competition to bring the prices down. There are not enough mechanics, electritians, and everything else to go around, and it is incomprehensive that not too many people (especially the young) are choosing that path. I wrote about it a few years ago and it just keeps getting worse. There is no recession for those guys.

Boat owners don't necessarily have a lot of money, but they can provide plenty of job opportunities if they are not eventually driven out of the sport!

Boating Season Brings Back Memories

2009-05-05T09:55:00.002-04:00

I wrote the following about our boat "Salvado I" on my Ocean City Condo Blog on February 2005:

From The Chesapeake To The Chincoteague Bay, Spring is almost in the air (nice today, but might be cold tomorrow). That means soon my husband (Carlos) will be preparing his boat to navigate the waters of the Chincoteague Bay and Ocean City. I don't know what it is about men that makes them so crazy about boating, and Carlos is a perfect example. No matter how much that boat keeps putting him through, he still loves it. He puts up with it better than he does with me. I have to admit, it has given us some of the greatest adventure stories of the Eastern Shores.

When he first got his boat, navigating it from the Chesapeake Bay to the Chincoteague Bay was one of the funniest (only because they lived to tell it) stories that circulated among our families and friends. First of all, and unfortunately, the bay has a lot of shallow waters. On top of that, in the spring, crab Pots are all over the place. Thus started the predicament he and my son got into.

Looking for gas, they got lost and somehow ended up somewhere stuck in the middle of crab pots, and had to spend the night. (that , of course, is a longer story, but I'm going to have to cut it short). The tow boat managed to pull them out the next day and so they went on to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (the one near Norfolk). They had been looking forward to seeing how it would look from the boat.

The experience of the night before was soon being forgotten and the sea had a welcoming feeling as they were cruising at a comfortable speed above 80 feet of water. All of a sudden the depth finder showed 2 feet and an alarm they didn't even know existed started buzzing. It sounded as if it was coming from the engine, so they took a look. It was completely under water! They were taking in water and had no idea where it was coming from. Luckily, there was a hand pump handy and Carlos instructed our son to start pumping.

Carlos had the idea to check at what speed the water was coming in the least and so kept the boat going at that speed. Land was nowhere to be seen. By now they had their brand new offshore jackets on.
Carlos couldn't see much in front of him, so our son had to be both pumping and looking for land. He finally saw, far away in the distance, and pointed to land which led them to a very small town called Willis Wharf. Over there they were welcomed with opened arms and a friendliness that they will for ever remember. (The Stuffing Box was the problem)

The whole story is really funny when told by them because they can tell you about the feelings, expressions and thoughts they had while it was happening. For example, my son says that when he saw the engine submerged in water, his first thought was that of jumping out of the boat!

Best of all, we got to know the people of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. They are very, very friendly, helpful and hunger for company. That was a beginning of spring and the boating season.

Good Excercise, No Boating

2009-04-30T16:22:00.003-04:00

Well the most beautiful weekend just past us and we spent it cleaning Argonaut, since it is not yet in the water.the boat had suffered quite a few scratches coming up from Florida to Kent Island last year (it's a long story worth telling on another day), and some of those seemed as if a new coat of paint would be needed. Not so, after scrubbing hard with a pasty compound, it all came off and it is shining once again, looking as good as new!

The yard is still mostly full with more boats out of the water than in it, so we were not alone while we were busily compounding the hull and shining the chrome all around it. Also, I feel the pain on my muscles which I welcome specially around my almost too flabby arms. Killed two birds with one stone. Or make that three birds because we also saved money doing it ourselves. (Boaters always get ripped off, so get off your lazy A.. and start doing it yourselves. You'll get rewarded three ways too!)

Free Legal Advise

2009-04-29T14:24:00.003-04:00

(I received this from my sister. It's good for everyone))

ATTORNEY's ADVICE - NO CHARGE (Number 7 is the best)
Not A Joke!!

Even If you dislike attorneys...You will love them for these tips. Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday.. Maybe we should all take some of his advice!
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company:

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED.'
2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account numberon the 'For' line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.
4. Place the contentsof your walleton a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards. In case your luggage is lost, take another list in your carry on bag, especially if you are abroad and need immediate access to those numbers. Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thievesordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call.. Keep those where you can find them.
6. Filea police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc.., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)

7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.. Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line):> 1-800-269-0271

We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything.

If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.

Good Exersice, No Boating

2009-04-27T14:46:00.002-04:00

Well the most beautiful weekend just past us and we spent it cleaning Argonaut, since it is not yet in the water.

the boat had suffered quite a few scratches coming up from Florida to Kent Island last year, and some of those seemed as if a new coat of paint would be needed. Not so, after scrubbing hard with a pasty compound, it all came off and it is shining once again, looking as good as new!

The yard is still mostly full with more boats out of the water than in it, so we were not alone while we were busily compounding the hull and shining the chrome all around it. Also, I feel the pain on my muscles which I welcome specially around my almost too flabby arms. Killed two birds with one stone. Or make that three birds because we also saved money doing it ourselves. (Boaters always get ripped off, so get off your lazy A.. and start doing it yourselves. You'll get rewarded three ways too!)

Will Cuba Be a Friendly Island For Boaters, Once Again?

2009-04-22T16:26:00.002-04:00

The possibility that we will soon be cruising the waters along the island of Cuba is very exciting. If it prevents us from having to go across the Bermuda Triangle, is even better!

Argonaut was purchased with cruising the islands in mind. I am a bit apprehensive about leaving the Chesapeake Bay and finding myself in the middle of the ocean. Not even the Pirates will be around (hopefully). I don't really mind it much, as long as it is not dark. I imagine I should sleep with my eyes wide opened till the morning.

Well, hoping from Miami to Cuba and then to the Dominican Republic is the plan. For sure my husband will do it. I might just take an airplane and meet him there!

Advice For New Boaters

2009-04-21T14:50:00.005-04:00

Let's Go Boating!
Are you getting a new boat or will you be a new boater this season. Will you be ready to take the family and or friends on that first trip? Some new boat owners think that there is nothing to boating, and only think about what they should have done after finding themselves in a situation while out on the water. Your family and friends should also be prepared, especially if they are not used to boating, because a lot could go wrong out there. Being on a brand new boat does not mean you are one hundred percent safe from the elements and even from equipment malfunction.The most important steps you will take in getting ready for your new boat is start your library of books on boating.

Refine your Boating Skills with books-

Boating is not as easy as it looks, and even well seasoned captains might encounter some type of mishap. So, most importantly, start by taking a boating safety course, then go boating!

Are The Lower Gas Prices Going To Hold Up?

2009-02-16T06:16:00.009-05:00

Soon the spring season will be upon us, and we will hurry down to the boat dock to prepare for the boating season. However, what will happen to the gas prices as it gets closer to the season ? Is Exxon Corporation and the like getting ready to stick it to us again and force some of us to turn our boats into a Dock Queens? Well, I guess we'll have to wait and see.
For me, it is not a problem to sit and enjoy the boat on the dock as much as it is for my husband, who is the real navigator. Last season, I spent those dock days, which were most of the season, writing my book. It has been published on amazon
Unfortunately, for those of you who can't read Spanish, I had to write it in that language because, I wrote it as a duty to my fellow Latins. But, if you happen to have a dear friend, or just someone you, like and are looking for a good gift, try my book. It is a book that everyone will enjoy reading, but some might think it is not for them because of the tittle.
Setting that aside, just wanted to tell you that next season, docked or not, I will be writing my next book which will be, of course, a boat story. By then, I hope to have published by second book, The Jackass.

And, of course, for those of you who might want to follow my blog in Spanish, please come see me there.

Let's Go Boating!

2008-12-06T08:53:00.002-05:00

Are you getting a new boat for Christmas. Will you be ready to take the family and or friends on that first trip? Some new boat owners think that there is nothing to boating, and only think about what they should have done after finding themselves in a situation while out on the water.
Your family and friends should also be prepared, especially if they are not used to boating, because a lot could go wrong out there. Being on a brand new boat does not mean you are one hundred percent safe from the elements and even from equipment malfunction.
The most important steps you will take in getting ready for your new boat is start your library of books on boating. Refine your Boating Skills
Boating is not as easy as it looks, and even well seasoned captains might encounter some type of mishap.
Most of all, start by taking a boating safety course, then go shopping!

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Gas Prices Too High, But I still Enjoy My Boat, Ha, Ha

2008-06-06T21:39:00.002-04:00

So we have slaved away most of our lives waiting for the day we could finally afford at least one little luxury. Just one boat is all we asked for. Finally our dream came true; only one problem, who can afford the Gas?

Unlike the oil Gurus who are, most likely than not, enjoying the blood they are sucking out of us on their Luxurious Mega Boats, (God forgive them),we have now joined many other boat owners who are just content with enjoying the movement of their docked boats. Aah, the swaying of the boat that puts us to sleep in spite of the squeaking noises caused by the ropes and the bumpers that protect them.

The sad part is, their is no relief in sight. What ever happen to the American Dream? Just like gas, it has evaporated!

With so many people in America, couldn't we just eat lots of beans and forget about those guys? I wish!!

What Is An Argonaut?

2008-04-23T12:49:00.000-04:00

We finally did it! After years of boating on either our 25'Chris Craft or our 20' Deck Boat, we got a 42'Trawler. It came with the name "Argonaut". I didn't know what the word meant, and I'm sure not too many people do, so I looked it up. One of the meanings is that it is 'a person who embarks in an adventurous and dangerous yet rewarding experience. Or 'one who takes risks'. I liked the name after I found out what it meant. But even if I didn't like the meaning, we would not have changed it. We found out it is bad luck to do so, and we found out the hard way when we purchased our used Chris Craft and changed its name. Needless to say, the trip didn't go well.

Traveling from the Washington D.C. Metro area, we often drove to the Easter Shores of Maryland and Virginia. Ocean City and the Chincotique Bay were our pleasure. Now we will be exploring the Chesapeake.

What possessed us to travel for 3-1/2 hours each weekend and holidays to enjoy the water, I'll never know. Chincoteaque and Ocean City are fine, but there is so much more to see and do all around the Bay, and it is closer for us to travel back and forth to our boat, that it makes it so much more exciting!

Follow the link to my Boatique