It's that time of the year again when many of us yank the cover from our boats and drop them in the water!
One of the best ways to enjoy Coastal Georgia living is by having a boat. You really don't need a large one either to get the best that St. Simons Island and the Golden Isles has to offer. In 2004, I bought a 19 foot Center Console Seaboss. I chose this boat because I wanted something that I could trailer behind my Jeep Wrangler and was able to pull into a regular car wash to clean up.
I bought my boat at Ellis Marine in Brunswick. Any of the, so far, minor issues I have had with my boat, I have taken to Ellis Marine to be worked on. I really cannot complain though. In the 8 years I have owned the boat, I have only need a few things repaired including the live well pump twice (my own fault for leaving it on), oil changes, a stearing linkage and the bearings replaced on the trailer. Considering many believe BOAT stands for Bust Out Another Thousand - I've done pretty good. One piece of advice that has served me well was a longtime boater telling me to buy a good boat cover. I keep my boat covered whenever not in use and that has really helped protect the decking from the blazing sun down here. Buy a good cover and use it and you'll be paid back tenfold. I also run my boat through the self serve car wash and give a good washdown after each use. This keeps salt from building up and damaging the fiberglass and stainless steel. Good cleanings should be a part of your routine too.
A 19 foot center console is perfectly sized for getting around the marshes, back rivers and out in front of the islands. I've had mine as far out as about 10 miles or so but only on very good days. I have a very healthy respect for the ocean and how quickly 'she' can jump up and bite you if you aren't prepared or on guard. For this reason, I keep my boat geared up with all the Coast Guard AND Georgia DNR mandatory equipment. There really are not alot of items that have to be on board and I just keep them in a single bag. They include: Signal flares both day and night, a whistle, fire extinguisher and registration documents - each vessel must also have enough Coast Guard approved PFD's for each passenger. I also keep navigational charts, compass, GPS, first aid kit and a Marine radio on board along with my Sea Tow membership documents. I also have two anchors, one for bow and one for stern. The currents and tides are enough that using two anchors will keep your boat from swinging..... often times into shallow water which can strand you until the tide comes back in. This happened to me the first time I took the boat out - I had to call Sea Tow to come pull me off of Jekyll Island!
I would also suggest that anyone buying a boat or operating one should take the U.S. Power Squadron's "America's Boating Course". Boating can be dangerous and having a good working knowledge of navigation and boating can keep you and your family safe. This was one of the best classes I took before becoming a full time boater.
Boating can be alot of fun whether you take the kids out in the summer or you're going after redfish in the fall - Coastal Georgia offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy boating!
One of the best ways to enjoy Coastal Georgia living is by having a boat. You really don't need a large one either to get the best that St. Simons Island and the Golden Isles has to offer. In 2004, I bought a 19 foot Center Console Seaboss. I chose this boat because I wanted something that I could trailer behind my Jeep Wrangler and was able to pull into a regular car wash to clean up.
I bought my boat at Ellis Marine in Brunswick. Any of the, so far, minor issues I have had with my boat, I have taken to Ellis Marine to be worked on. I really cannot complain though. In the 8 years I have owned the boat, I have only need a few things repaired including the live well pump twice (my own fault for leaving it on), oil changes, a stearing linkage and the bearings replaced on the trailer. Considering many believe BOAT stands for Bust Out Another Thousand - I've done pretty good. One piece of advice that has served me well was a longtime boater telling me to buy a good boat cover. I keep my boat covered whenever not in use and that has really helped protect the decking from the blazing sun down here. Buy a good cover and use it and you'll be paid back tenfold. I also run my boat through the self serve car wash and give a good washdown after each use. This keeps salt from building up and damaging the fiberglass and stainless steel. Good cleanings should be a part of your routine too.
A 19 foot center console is perfectly sized for getting around the marshes, back rivers and out in front of the islands. I've had mine as far out as about 10 miles or so but only on very good days. I have a very healthy respect for the ocean and how quickly 'she' can jump up and bite you if you aren't prepared or on guard. For this reason, I keep my boat geared up with all the Coast Guard AND Georgia DNR mandatory equipment. There really are not alot of items that have to be on board and I just keep them in a single bag. They include: Signal flares both day and night, a whistle, fire extinguisher and registration documents - each vessel must also have enough Coast Guard approved PFD's for each passenger. I also keep navigational charts, compass, GPS, first aid kit and a Marine radio on board along with my Sea Tow membership documents. I also have two anchors, one for bow and one for stern. The currents and tides are enough that using two anchors will keep your boat from swinging..... often times into shallow water which can strand you until the tide comes back in. This happened to me the first time I took the boat out - I had to call Sea Tow to come pull me off of Jekyll Island!
I would also suggest that anyone buying a boat or operating one should take the U.S. Power Squadron's "America's Boating Course". Boating can be dangerous and having a good working knowledge of navigation and boating can keep you and your family safe. This was one of the best classes I took before becoming a full time boater.
Boating can be alot of fun whether you take the kids out in the summer or you're going after redfish in the fall - Coastal Georgia offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy boating!
My 19 foot Sea Boss
Perfect for fishing and family fun!
Swim call!
Information on the US Power Squadron Class
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