April 2009

Spring is here! As I get older time goes by a lot faster. It seems like winter flew by in a flash but that doesn’t hurt my feelings—I’ve always preferred warm weather to cold weather. We exhibited in 3 boat shows this spring (and deeply missed the Washington, D.C. show which did not run in 2009) and although people aren’t exactly beating down our doors they are still buying boats. Congratulations to Mike and Cathy Markovich, our first new boat owners of the season! This is their second boat with Hoffmaster’s and they are just tickled pink!

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Safety Courses
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary kicked off its first (of which we hope will be many) course entitled “About Boating Safely” on March 30th.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This beginner boating class will give you the knowledge needed to obtain a boat license or safety certification in many states. Many boat insurance companies will offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete “About Boating Safely”.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

• Introduction to Boating—Types of power boats; sailboats; outboards; paddle boats; houseboats; different uses of boats; various power boating engines; jet drives; family boating basics. * Boating Law—Boat registration; boating regulation; hull identification number; required boat safety equipment; operating safely and reporting accidents; protecting the marine environment; Federal boat law; state boating laws; personal watercraft requirements.
  
  
• Boat Safety Equipment—Personal flotation devices (“life jackets”); fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; dock lines and rope; first aid kit; anchors and anchor lines; other boating safety equipment.
  
  
• Safe Boating—Bow riding; alcohol and drug abuse; entering, loading, and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather and tides; using charts; choosing and using an anchor; safe PWC handling; general water safety.
  
  
• Navigation—The U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules (sometimes referred to as right-of-way rules); avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWC “tunnel vision.”
  
  
• Boating Problems—Hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; strainers: emergency radio calls; engine problems; equipment failures; carbon monoxide (CO); other boating and PWC problems.
  
  
• Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat—Types of trailers; trailer brakes, lights, hitches, tires, and bearings; loading, balancing, and towing a trailer; towing (and backing) a trailer; boat launching and retrieving; boat storage and theft protection; launching, retrieving and storing a PWC.
  
  
• Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing and River Boating—Carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat; fishing from a boat; water-skiing safety guidelines and hand signals; water-skiing with a PWC; navigating rivers, and other boating tips.

The next session of “About Boating Safely” will begin April 27th and will run Monday and Wednesday for 4 nights from 7:00-9:00 PM. Class size is limited to 16 people and is filling up fasst. COST IS $35. Sign up by emailing the instructor John Fraber at johnfraber@comcast.net or me at joe@hoffmasters.com.

Hoffmaster’s Marina is pleased to offer 2 sessions of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s “Suddenly in Command”.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The captain becomes incapacitated or falls overboard; you purchase a new boat and step aboard for the first time. You are Suddenly In Command.

This 4-hour boating safety primer is designed for those not generally at the helm, and will help you to “be prepared” with the basics in case of an emergency. You will learn about your vessel, including nomenclature and operating principles including starting the engine. Also included are descriptions of what causes boating mishaps and how to minimize them, basic boat handling and what equipment should be on board. Literature contains many horror stories about a passenger, who does not know how to start the engine or operate the radio, watching in horror as a strong wind blows the boat away faster than a captain who has fallen overboard can swim. Misfortune occurs in seconds, and you have the rest of your life to be grateful that you knew what to do because you were prepared.

Session 1 of this course will be taught Saturday April 11th and we still have 4 spots open. Session 2 will be held May 16th and we have 6 spots available. Because we have a sponsor for Session 1, the class is free of charge. We are lining up a sponsor for the May 16th class. Sign up by emailing John Fraber at johnfraber@comcast.net or me at joe@hoffmasters.com.

Those Varmints!
We are having a big problem with varmints scattering the weekend trash. We regret to announce we will have to go back to asking our customers to take their trash to the two dumpsters. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Pier Work
Since we are using a smaller crew this year, look for pier improvements to start this month and go into June. We will be addressing the covered slip roofs; A pier decking; and lighting on B, C and D piers.

Calendar of Events
Be sure to keep checking the Calendar of Events page. It’s going to be a great year!

HOFFMASTER'S MARINA, INC.
Welcome to the Family—Growing Since 1954
1214 Swan Point Road • Woodbridge, VA 22192 • Phone 703/494-7161 • Fax 703/494-8786

HOURS OF OPERATION
Sunday, 12 p.m.– 4 p.m.; Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m.– 4 p.m.

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