If this stuff really works as advertised, it’s going to be very very popular. The product is called Golden Shellback, and it claims to be…well…read for yourself:

Golden Shellback coating is a unique coating that protects critical operational equipment against damage and loss of function caused by exposure to weather and moisture. It is ideal for application in the electronics industry.

Golden Shellback coating produces a vacuum deposited film that is nonflammable, has low toxicity and has the ability to weatherproof electronic devices and other surfaces. It contains no volatile organic combustibles (VOCs). The clear, nearly non-detectable, uniform film is insoluble in solvents. When applied to clean, moisture free surfaces, such as plastic, copper, aluminum, metal, ceramic, steel, tin or glass, the coating is transparent with excellent weather proofing and anti-corrosion properties.

I have to say, it’s difficult to believe that it works, especially at the prices being discussed ($50-$75 for most phone/PDA devices) but people I take seriously say they’ve seen it with their own eyes, and it’s not a trick.

I’ll be keeping an eye on this. So will Ben over at Panbo.

Mad Mariner has just published the results of a poll that reveals the extent to which high fuel prices may be altering the choices recreational vessel operators make.

Three out of four boaters say that sky-high fuel prices are changing the way they go boating this season, encouraging them to get on the water less often, take shorter trips and make other accommodations.

I’ve got to admit that my boating habits have been affected. I’m in the midst of planning some August cruising, and one of my goals is make just one round-trip between Edmonds (my home port) and the San Juan Islands. I’m asking family and guests drive north to meet me in Anacortes. The boat will stay up there until we’re all done for the season.

And here’s another example: The high cost of fuel is one of the reasons I’m so keen on creating a more…um…“confidence-inspiring” anchor setup. See, I’m hoping to visit nearby destinations I wouldn’t otherwise, I’m hoping to save money on guest moorage fees, and I’m hoping to be able to spend more quality time ON the boat, but not necessarily RUNNING the boat.

How are today’s fuel prices affecting your boating?

An easy way to double the life of your anchor rode is to swap the rope part end-for-end when the rope-to-chain splice begins to show significant wear. This places the well-used outboard end inboard, where it won’t get as much use, and puts the relatively unused inboard portion out front where it will get used all the time. Obviously, if the rope is worn so far that you don’t trust it at all, you ought to replace it entirely.

In either case, your chain is probably fine, and you’ll need to splice the rope to the chain. There are riggers in every maritime town ready to do this for you.

Or, you can do it yourself, as I’ve done here. I splice eyes in the end of three-strand rope all the time, and I’ve done a few backsplices. This was my first rope-to-chain splice, and I was a little bit intimidated about it. Rope to chain…sounds difficult.

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Apparently, there’s something new under the sun in the world of celestial navigation. It’s the Cassens & Plath Horizon Ultra Sextant.

Actually, I don’t think this is all that new, but when Wired Magazine decides to write about an instrument most people assume is obsolete, one gets the impression that there’s something new happening here.

Regardless, it’s a beautiful instrument. And it’s important to recognize that there is still a place for it aboard any vessel heading offshore.

I wonder what portion of modern offshore sailors carry a sextant? Twenty years ago, that number would have been about 100%, I imagine. Nowadays, it’s got to be lower…but how much lower?

Thanks to gCaptain for the lead.

[I doubt I can make it, but I'm VERY curious to learn more about it. If any reader wants to attend the event and write up a summary, Navagear would be happy to publish your report.  —Tim]

SEATTLE – The Coast Guard will host a media availability in the Coast Guard Command Center at the Jackson Federal Building at 915 Second Ave here at 1 p.m. today.

The purpose of the press availability is to discuss the details of Tuesday’s emergency response to a call from a young girl calling herself Kelsey and to address the possibility of the call being a hoax.  Costs, risks and other important factors such as boating safety will also be addressed.

WHAT: Press availability to address “Kelsey” emergency call and discuss hoax calls and false reports.
WHERE: Coast Guard Thirteenth District Command Center, Jackson Federal Building 915 2nd Ave, Seattle.
WHEN: Today, 1 p.m.

It is a federal felony for anyone to knowingly and willfully communicate a false distress message to the Coast Guard or causes the Coast Guard to attempt to save lives and property when no help is needed. Penalties include up to six years in prison, $250,000 fine, $5,000 civil penalty, and possible reimbursement to the Coast Guard for costs of the search.  For example, a Florida man was sentenced to pay $597,000 after he made a false report during Hurricane Alberto in 2006.

The total cost in resources expended by the Coast Guard in this case was $38,711.

Further information on the proper use of emergency signals can be found here.

A breakdown of Coast Guard operating costs can be found at here.

[Seems like I'm doing a lot of news reporting lately. Well, "press-release-regurgitating", anyway. Don't worry, there are more "gear and gadgets" topics in the offing.]

So we wrote about this last week, you may recall. And it turns out it worked out OK for everybody, including the commercial operators. Anyway, here’s the press release from the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association:

Recreational Boating Industry Hails Congressional Passage of Clean Boating Act

Bill prevents imminent, unprecedented EPA regulations on boaters and protects water resources

Chicago, IL – July 23, 2008—Yesterday, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) hailed the passage of H.R. 5949/S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008, in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Passage of this legislation, which has been the top legislative priority for NMMA during the 110th Congress, will permanently and fully restore a longstanding, commonsense regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from the federal and state permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act designed for land-based industrial facilities and ocean-going commercial ships.

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Seattle – The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a six-year-old girl named Kelsey. The girl called the Coast Guard at 5:11 p.m. yesterday on the maritime distress frequency VHF channel 16, stating that someone with her, possibly named Kelly, was “in the water” and was “not waking up.”

The Coast Guard received the transmission on its radio towers in the southern Puget Sound, and conducted a thorough search of the area with an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., and a small boat crew from Coast Guard Station Seattle.

A search was conducted in the same area this morning by a Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft with no sightings or signs of distress.

Anyone who heard this little girl on the radio, or who can provide additional information, is requested to contact Coast Guard Sector Seattle at 206-217-6001.

To hear the radio call click here

SEATTLE – Audio of the radio call from a little girl to the Coast Guard in Seattle Tuesday evening. To hear the radio call click here

The Coast Guard is seeking the public’s help in identifying the source of a radio call they received earlier this evening [Tuesday evening] from a young girl who identified herself as “Kelsey.” The girl stopped transmitting before additional information could be gathered.

The girl, who said she was six years old, called the Coast Guard at 5:11 PM stating that someone with her, possibly named Kelly, was “in the water,” and was “not waking up.”

The Coast Guard copied the transmission on its radio towers in southern Puget Sound, and conducted a thorough search of the area with an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., and a small boat crew from Coast Guard Station Seattle.

Anyone who heard this little girl on the radio, or who can provide additional information, is requested to contact Coast Guard Sector Seattle at 206-217-6001

Olympic Boat Center is sort of a Puget Sound institution. Even non-boaters know the jingle: “We’ll make a boat nut out of you!” Heck, the URL is www.boatnut.com.

But alas…the economy, the price of fuel, and “consumer confidence” are conspiring to make it a VERY difficult year for boat builders and dealers.

According to The Seattle Times, “The parent company of Redmond-based Olympic Boat Centers, a seller of boats and yachts including Bayliner, Maxum, Meridian and Trophy, filed for bankruptcy protection along with several affiliates.”

You can read the whole story in the Seattle Times. It bums me out, and I’m not even a customer.

For readers from far away, Seafair is Seattle’s big summertime festival, with lots of events ashore and afloat. It’s a big deal around here.