For the cruiser over 30', the 3-blade MP propeller has the blade area to get the job done. The thrust provided not only produces cruising performance when the sails are down, but also offers excellent maneuverability while docking.
Our 2-blade and 3-blade fixed pitch propeller series for sailboats are available in diameters of 10" - 24", in a wide range of pitch. Custom sizes are also possible. The typical material is Manganese Bronze Michalloy K, although NiBrAl Michalloy XX (Nickel, Bronze, Aluminum) material is also available.
0.53 E.A.R.
Diameter range: 9" - 18"
Buy Michigan Wheel MP3 Propeller
The M-500 is selected by many operators for new boat construction, repowers, and upgrading of propellers. The excellent design and increased blade area provides superior and higher performance without increasing propeller diameter, which may be impossible to due to clearance or tip speed consideration.
The M-500 is the top choice on installations where heavy vee-struts, dead wood, or other hull appendages are agitating the water flow to the propeller. In addition, the M-500 is the choice where vibration caused by resonance is a problem. The blade design reduces vibration caused by the propeller, achieving smoother and quiet cruising.
Available in NiBrAl (Nickel, Bronze, Aluminum) & Manganese Bronze.
0.86 E.A.R.
Diameter range: 22" - 44"
Pitch range: 0.75-1.3 dia/pitch ratio
Buy Michigan Wheel Inboard Propellers
The Dyna-Quad design is as popular as the three blade Dyna-Jet, but generally suggested for vessels larger than 40' requiring greater blade area due to the added weight and thrust requirements. The four blade gives extreme smoothness, superb manueverability, plus the speed and "dig" of a three blade. This is also an excellent choice for the performance minded commercial boat operators.
0.69 E.A.R.
Diameter range: 17" - 46"
Pitch range: 0.7-1.1 dia/pitch ratio
The Dyna-Quad starts at $565.00, and is one of the best props out there.
Buy Michigan Wheel Dyna-Quads On-line and save
The Hung Shen EP-4B is a 4 blade propeller of exceptional quality. This Hung Shen propeller is designed for optimal efficiency. This type of propeller has high damage resistance due to the thicker leading edge. They are widely used by pilot boats, general pleasure crafts, police launchers, patrol boats, and similar vessels.
In addition, the Hung Shen EP-4B provides relatively low vibration lowers due to the 4 blade, and is highly suitable for high performance pleasure crafts.
The Hung Shen EP-4B starts at $502.00, and is a great propeller.
Buy Hung Shen Propellers Now
Suppressing corrosion with sacrificial anodes of zinc
Zinc anodes of various shapes and sizes are used on boats to protect other metals from galvanic corrosion. Dissimilar metals suspended in an electrolyte such as seawater form an electric cell when they’re connected by a conductor, and galvanic corrosion eats away the anode—the active electrode— which is the less “noble” metal.
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Zinc anode varieties. |
In fact, zinc is one of the least noble metals of all and readily sacrifices itself to protect important structural components made of bronze, copper, and steel, such as propellers, shafts, and through-hull fittings.Zincs installed on the hull or inside the engine should always meet military specifications or better. The standard is Mil-A-18001 J, but if the final letter is higher, it’s better. If your zincs are of lesser grade, they might fail to give the much-needed protection.Never paint over zincs on the hull—not even with copper-loaded antifouling paint—or you will destroy much of their efficiency. Replace them every year, at least. If they’re doing a proper job, they should be at least half eaten away in 12 months; if they’re not, make sure they’re well connected to the metal they’re supposed to protect, either by direct physical contact or by establishing contact with a copper wire.
Buy Shaft Zinc Anodes
Buy Single Bolt Clamp Rudder Zinc Anodes
Buy Nut Zinc Anodes Propellers and Bow Thrusters
Buy Round Plate Zinc Anodes
Buy Weld On Plate Zinc Anodes
Buy Bolt On Plate Zinc Anodes
Source: Boating Encyclopedia. The Practical Encyclopedia of Boating. Copyright © 2003, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, 1976, 1974 byMcGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Incredible and award-winning, exclusive Broadband Sounder digital technologies is now inside all HDS sonar models for the best Lowrance fishfinding ever! As the vital link between the transducer and your HDS display, Broadband is proven to find more fish with greater sensitivity, higher definition and more display clarity with superior target separation in all cover, in thermoclines and in all water conditions.
Less Noise, More Targets
With Lowrance Broadband digital signal processing software, noise goes way down and sensitivity goes way up. The result: Ultimate target discrimination with incredible high-definition separation of those distinctive Lowrance “fish arch” targets from structure and other fish!
Crystal-Clear Clarity
With advanced digital filtering, Broadband vastly improves at-a-glance display clarity, sharpens bottom images and paints a much cleaner picture of targets that others will miss or show poorly.
Greater Shallow-Water Coverage
To cover even more water, Broadband automatically adds 83 kHz operation to a Lowrance 200 kHz single-frequency transducer. At 83 kHz, you get full 120-degrees of wide-angle coverage with greatly enhanced definition of fish arch targets.
Incredible Deep-Water Performance
Broadband sounding is serious electronics when the hunt is on for fish in any deep water weather condition. Even at higher boat speeds, Broadband keeps a bottom lock at depth, with exceptional targeting of fish arches on the bottom, around wrecks and other seabed structure. And when used with a high-power transducer, strong bottom locks and water column detail reach down thousands of feet!
Expandability at No Extra Cost
For added value, HDS Broadband-equipped models can turn an HDS GPS Chartplotter (or GlobalMap® chartplotter with yellow ethernet connector) into a powerful combination fishfinder/chartplotter with complete sonar graph control when networked by Lowrance Ethernetworks.
 
Fantastic New High-Definition Insight Charting 1
Only Lowrance offers a stunning new world of cartography options that go to greater depths, and heights, in dimensional GPS navigation reference and guidance.
A Charting Revolution in Detail and Resolution
Insight delivers unprecedented inland mapping and coastal charting detail with lightning-fast screen display updates. Amazing contour shading lends life-like perspectives to bottom structure as well as topography. HDS Insight mapping choices include:
NEW Lake Insight™ U.S. inland mapping (for HDS-5) includes nearly 5,000 freshwater lake maps with life-like perspective of bottom structure and topography. Coverage includes the Great Lakes and more than 500 Fishing Hot Spots® Lakes – a $400 value!
NEW Nautic Insight™ (for HDS-5) offers a superior like-like view of coastal bottom structure with detailed coastal and offshore depth contours, plus nav aids, for the entire U.S. coastline.
Insight USA™ (for HDS-7, -8 and -10 models) combines inland and coastal coverage ares of Lake Insight™ and Nautic Insight™.
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Lake Insight
Amistad Reservoir, TX |
Lake Insight
Lake Michigan, MI |
Nautic Insight
Puget Sound, WA |
Nautic Insight
Nantucket Sound, MA |
Expanded Basemap Marine Detail 1
HDS models with Enhanced U.S. Basemap offer the same geographic coverage area as Insight, with over 100,000 bodies of water and nearly 5,000 enhanced U.S. lakes with high detail lake shorelines and contours.
HDS Charting Options Go All-Platinum *
Your trusted favorites in Lowrance 2D mapping choices, like Fishing Hot Spots® PRO and LakeMaster® ProMaps are fully functional with HDS. Lowrance HDS expands your world of high-detail, high-definition 3D charting options with total compatibility for all 2009 (and earlier) Navionics® chartcards.
Platinum+ and Platinum* – Revealing 3D views of bottom structure, and incredibly detailed satellite imagery, for the ultimate enhancement to navigation and fishing.
HotMaps Platinum* – Fantastically detailed 3D lake surveys with fishing points of interest give marked advantages for the serious angler and tournament competitor.
Exclusive TurboView™ Advantage – This exclusive HDS built-in graphics engine delivers seamless zooms and 2D-3D chart displays, real-time 3D map nav data overlay, striking depth views in 2D and 3D, plus high-speed panning/zooming with detailed aerial views for all Platinum chartcards, and seamless zoom for Navionics® Gold.
Plays Favorites – HDS is also fully compatible with your library of Navionics® Gold, Silver, Classic and HotMaps chartcards.
Source: http://www.lowrance.com
Buy Lowrance High Def Plotters/Fishfinders at Deep Blue Yacht Supply
Not to be confused with the Miami Boat Show, The Yacht and Brokerage Boat Show in Miami Beach is a multi-million dollar presentation of yachts including the world's most extraordinary and uniquely designed yachts and superyachts from the world's foremost custom boat builders. See docks lined with the newest from Azimut, Bertram, Christensen, Fairline, Ferretti, Hargrave, Hatteras, Marquis, Moonen, Ocean Alexander, Riviera, Rodriguez, San Marino, Sessa, Sunseeker, Viking, Westport and many more. The in-water-only display presentation covers more than 1.2 million square feet of space over a mile-long strip of Indian Creek Waterway, featuring over 500 new and pre-owned vessels valued at more than a billion dollars. The Yacht & Brokerage Show is in the heart of beautiful Miami Beach on Indian Creek Waterway at Collins Avenue (S.R. A1A) – from 41st to 51st Streets. Admission is free. See this website for lists of boats, directions, parking information and more to assist you in finding the yacht of your dreams.
SCHEDULE
Thurs. Feb 12, 10am - 7pm
Fri. Feb 13, 10am - 7pm
Sat. Feb 14, 10am - 7pm
Sun. Feb 15, 10am - 7pm
Mon. Feb 16, 10am - 6pm
ADMISSION
The Yacht and Brokerage Show on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach is FREE boat show to the public.
The Show offers free shuttle bus service to-from Miami Boat Show’s Convention Center and Collins Avenue and from Collins Avenue to to-from the Sea Isle Marina site.
Discount Inboard Propellers for Yachts of all sizes
Here are ten helpful tips you should know to enjoy a day of winter flats fishing in the Florida Keys or most anywhere.
1. Dress warm. Yes, it does get cold in Florida! Maybe not Canada cold, but when you start out in the chilly, wet morning and add some wind, all of a sudden it feels like the thermostat is broken and the cold air blows right through your core for 45 minutes. Layering is the answer. Bring raingear, a light jacket or sweatshirt and long pants. You can even get the long pants with the zip off shorts if the weather gets too hot to wear the full length pant.
2. Bring polarized sunglasses. Can’t catch what you can’t see. This isn’t so important if you’re going to be “blind casting” most of the day, but still, c’mon, get some polarized sunglasses. You don’t have to spend a fortune. Most sporting goods stores and even some gas stations will carry some kind of polarized sunglass.
3. Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be standing for most of the day and you’ll want to protect your feet from the sun and from the hard deck of the boat. It’ll also help your back. Leave your wading boots behind unless you plan to get out of the boat.
4. Wear a hat. Don’t bring your favorite “lucky” hat. Bring it of you don’t mind it getting wet, lost, or fishy smelling. Hats reduce glare, protect your noggin from the sun and keep you cool.
5. A good attitude. Even if the weather gets you down, don’t frown. The bite may be on or it may take some time, but you’ve got to be ready when it happens. If you’re bummed because the fishing is slow and decide to make a few calls or write some text messages, that’s when the fish decide it’s time to strike.
6. Bring a camera. No, it’s not bad luck. A camera captures the memory and keeps the fish alive. Video is cool, too. Some folks have underwater housing and take some exotic photos, while others just keep the camera dry and whip it out for the release shot of a lifetime. Make sure the batteries are charged before you leave for the dock. Camera phones work too.
7. Food and drink. I usually have an assortment of refreshments on ice, but bringing along your favorite drink like a frapaccino-latte-mocha-whatever, Gatorade or a Redbull might be the ticket to keep you going. Think easy packaging too. While a green salad sounds like a great idea, it might blow away if you try to eat while the boat is moving. Stick to heartier and easier to handle foods like tuna salad, ceviche, egg salad, or deli sandwiches, fried chicken, beef jerky, trail-mix, power bars or anything you like to munch on.
8. Make a plan. Decide what you want to fish for before leaving the dock. It’s always good to have a plan. And while things change, at least it gives you a strategy for the day. If you’re not familiar with the area or kind of fish you might encounter, you can let the guide decide what might be best for the day. It always makes good sense to call your guide the night before so he can be ready with the tackle and the strategy. A day of bending a rod and a day of catching bonefish are very different things but can be equally as fun and exciting. Your guide might have you in a good area for redfish, but far away from an area that’s productive for tarpon. Keep your options open but be aware that not all kinds of fish are in the same areas that you might be fishing in for the day.
9. Practice casting. The better you’ve prepared your ability to cast, the luckier you’ll be. Go to the park, backyard, parking lot or any open space where you can practice. Be sure to practice with the wind in various angles because the fish seem to know when you have trouble casting in a cross-wind.
10. Listen to your captain. Your guide is out there everyday and sees all situations. The more you act like a team instead of competitors, the more fun you’ll have and the more fish you’ll catch.
These tips and a conversation or two with your guide will ensure a great time on your next fishing charter. After all, it’s all about getting out on the water and enjoying the day. When you’re more prepared for what might happen, the luckier the fisherman you'll be.
Author: Capt. Steve Friedman of www.afishingguide.com
Buy all of your boating essentials and Marine Hardware at Deep Blue Yacht Supply - Propellers, Zincs, Stainless Shafting, Shaft Seals and More
Packing Box Maintenance
There are several different types of packing boxes, including the dripless because they are lubricated by water from the cooling system. Most other boxes are very similar. They form a sleeve or a chamber around the shaft that contain, as we call “packing”. Which water can’t flow through when it’s compressed; however, the packing allows the shaft to spin. The packing is compressed around the shaft by tightening the packing nut to the point at which it drips only occasionally and remains barely warm when in progress. This is the importance to checking the packing box whenever taking the boat out. Because when the packing is gone or disappears, allowing more than 12 drips per minute to penetrate the bilge while in progress, or allowing any water at all to enter when standing still, then you need to follow the next step. Try tightening the packing nut and it should solve the problem, but if it does not reduce the flow, then it causes the packing box to become more than warm to the touch. And that means it’s time to renew the packing.
How to Renew Packing Box:
1. First have to back off the locking nut. Water will flow into the boat when the packing nut is loosened, so be prepared or do this job when the boat is hauled. Position yourself so you can reach the packing box with two wrenches. Crescent slip-joint pliers with jaws to fit will be nice to have too. (Sometimes you may have to resort to a hammer and punch.) Each wrench handles should be moved toward each other to loosen, away from one another to be tightened. When the lock nut is loose, remove the packing nut.
2. Get rid of the old packing material with a pick of some kind. The best picks look like a corkscrew and have a flexible shaft, but you can make your own pick. Packing boxes have the packing inside the hollow core of the threaded sleeve. But be careful, sometimes you will find it in the packing nut instead of the sleeve. It doesn’t matter what kind, just make sure you take out all the old packing. Also make sure that there is no sand or grit left behind because that could score the shaft.
3. Cut pieces of packing material to the proper length to go around the shaft in a full circle. Typically, you can determine this length by using a fabric tape measure or a string. Be sure not to wrap the packing material too tight around the shaft because your rings won’t seal.
4. Wrap the rings of packing material around the shaft between the sleeve and the nut. The points at which they come together should be staggered, with layers. The three layers should be at four, eight and twelve o’clock, and with four layers at three, six, nine and twelve o’clock. Now push the packing nut over the rings so they enter the nut. The packing material must then be pressed into the nut tightly with a small screwdriver. (Screwdriver blade needs to be blunted so it will not dig into the packing)
5. When the packing is tightly seated, tighten the packing nut and then loosen it to see if the packing still looks consistent. Tighten it again with a wrench, but don’t apply too much pressure. Run the boat in gear and monitor the drip. Now tighten the nut until the drip decreases to fewer than 10 a minute. The following day, run the boat again and check the drip. If it’s in the three to six range, tighten the lock nut hard against the packing nut, using the wrenches as described in step 1.
Don’t forget that you need to check the warmth of the packing box whenever you take your boat out. Also you need to check the “packing” and make sure that it’s still there and has not dissolved.
Good luck!!!
This picture shows the shaft, packing box, packing nut, the homemade pick and the packing.
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