To make sure your vessel is properly covered review the following tips on winterization and always check with your agent on specific requirements for your carrier.

1. Check your policy to see if you can do the work yourself or if another party is required.

2. Get an estimate on winterization maintenance at nearby marinas.

3. Take a look over your owner’s manual on how your specific vessel and engines should be decommissioned.

4. Winterization Checklists can be found on reputable sites such as Trade Only Today at: http://www.soundingsonline.com/news/dispatches/78/242272

5. Read over the list of winterization don’ts at: http://www.theensign.org/uspscompass/v5n10_winterize.htm

6. Find out how your vessel should be shrink wrapped at: http://blog.boattrader.com/2011/10/how-to-shrink-wrap-a-boat.html

In order to best protect yourself and your vessel, always check with your insurance specialists and read your policy before beginning any winter maintenance. You can reach Global Marine insurance experts at 800.748.0224.

Just as Yatch World is a trusted name in the yacht industry, Global Marine Insurance is the trusted name in yacht insurance, boat insurance and commercial marine insurance. Our reputation for superior customer service is what has lead to the unique opportunity we would like to highlight.

Yacht World’s website provides a service allowing those seeking to finance a boat purchase to apply for boat loans. Individuals who have completed an application will be given the opportunity to also receive information on boat insurance from Global Marine Insurance. All they have to do is check the “opt in” box on the application. From there a Global Marine Insurance representative will contact them to discuss boat insurance options.

So if you’re looking to purchase a boat from the largest selection of brokerage boats for sale and purchase insurance from the trusted name in boating insurance, you can now do it from one location!

Of course, if you already own a boat and are looking for boat insurance options, check out our website GlobalMarineInsurance.com, or get an online quote!

Side note — I just read that this guy literally jumped a shark, and no it wasn’t The Fonz either.

Just when we thought this summer couldn’t get any more exciting, along comes the WWA Wakeboard Nationals! Check out this video featuring some of the action from the event:

The WWA Wakeboard Nationals is a part of the King of Wake series which includes the Wake Games, the WWA National Championships, the WWA World Championships and all five stops on the Pro Wakeboard Tour.

The tournament features some of the top ranked athletes, where they compete for points, and you guessed it—the person with the most points wins!

The action was streamed live on King of Wake’s Facebook Page today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST. If you missed out on watching the live event, be sure to bookmark the page to catch more live events in the future!

The local community and atmosphere is infectious! One of the largest events locally is taking place as we speak! The National Cherry Festival!

If you’re not familiar with the Cherry Festival, take a quick peek at this time-lapse video by a local photographer, which demonstrates just how big this event has become!

If you aren’t from around the area, we encourage you to stop by and pay Traverse City a visit— you won’t regret it! You can find a whole slew of resources about the National Cherry Festival on the official site.

Did we mention that on top of all the amazing entertainment there will be $40,000 in PRIZE MONEY to be won?!

“Global Marine Insurance is proud to be back as the title sponsor of the Global Invitational,” says Jim Stanley, Global Marine Insurance Marketing Manager. “We had such a great response from the inaugural Global Invitational that Global Marine Insurance was pleased to return again for this year’s event. Fans won’t want to miss it.”

Take a look at this video to see all the fun we had during last year’s 2010 Global Invitational.

See TheProSkiTour.com for more information on the event.

We hope to see everyone there!

So what is a hurricane plan? Well, it should be unique to the type of boat, its location and the severity of the forecast. But here are some general guidelines you can follow to help save your boat from damage:

1. If it is practical to get your boat out of the water and moved to higher ground, you should do so. Rain and wind will still be an issue, so remove all equipment and store in a safe place.

2. “Hurricane Clubs” provide a good solution if provided by a reputable marina with the facilities to haul, tie down securely and seal your boat. Many provide up to three haul outs per season for reasonable fees. If you store your boat in a stack storage building, make sure the building is hurricane rated. Many are not, and it could be better to have the boat outside on the hard tied down.

3. If your boat is in the water and in a harbor/marina, then the following actions should be taken depending on the severity of the storm forecast:

• Ensure your boat is secure with fenders in place.
• All dock lines need to be in good condition, doubled (with chafe protection) and adjusted properly.  Remember to allow for the storm surge and wind direction.
• Life lines should be open and tied down.
• All loose items on the boat and dock need to be tied down or removed.
• Ensure your batteries are charged, and test bilge pumps and float switches.
• All portlights and hatches need to be closed, and companionways closed and locked. Cowl vents should be removed.
• Shore power should be disconnected and power cords stowed.
• If you have a dock box, and a surge in excess of 1 ft. is forecasted, you should move it to higher ground and lock it.
• Windage is a big issue, so reduce the amount of surface area the wind can act on.
• Remove canvas/isinglass off Biminis and dodgers.
• Remove all sails and tie down booms.
• Dinghies should be taken ashore if possible, and tied down securely. If they are left on the davit, they could fill with water and break it.

4. Do NOT leave your boat on a boat lift, because boats can only be lifted a few feet, and therefore, may be washed away during a storm surge—or fill with rain water and collapse the lift.

5. “Hurricane Holes” are an option, but the problem with anchoring your boat there is that other boats around may break loose and can start a chain reaction—leaving all of the boats in a pile at one end of the hole. If that happens, it is considered an “act of God” and everyone pays their own deductible (even though one boat may be identified as the lone culprit).

6. Timing is everything!  If NOAA posts a named storm warning, act quickly to work your plan. If the storm doesn’t hit, some of the expenses you incurred may be covered by your insurance policy under what is termed “Hurricane Haul Out Expense.” But even if it isn’t, it’s a small price to pay to save your pride and joy and protect your investment.

As fun as boating can be (and we all know how fun it is), it’s important to remember the basic safety rules. For example—wearing a life jacket.

Below, television actress and mom of three, Christa Miller, promotes the importance of wearing a life jacket and talks about why she and her family always “Wear It!”

Please take a moment to navigate to http://www.uscgboating.org/ and read through some of their boater safety articles.

What are some practices that you, or your family, have adopted to stay safe on the water?

Sycara V

BEST DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHT OF 1,300GT TO 2,999GT

Exuma

Joint Winner: MOTOR YACHT OF THE YEAR

Eclipse

Joint Winner: MOTOR YACHT OF THE YEAR

Zefira

SAILING YACHT OF THE YEAR

Dione Sky

VOYAGER’S AWARD

The Dione Sky circumnavigated the Americas, including the Northwest Passage and the Antarctic.

Many other yachts were presented with awards that are not listed above, but you can read about them here: The 2011 World Super Yacht Award Winners. If you’re a yacht owner or looking to become one, learn more about Global Marine Insurance options here: Global Marine Yacht Insurance.

If you could choose to own one of the yachts that received an award this year, which would you choose? Let us know in the comments below!

Quadski – ATV and Jet Ski In One!

While I’m not exactly sure how one would classify the personal watercraft insurance for this creation, I can see this hybrid being very convenient in certain situations.

Jet Ski Surf

Here’s a short video of some jet skiers taking full advantage of the beautiful surf. Check out the camera angles towards the end. This video puts you right in the driver’s seat!

Jet Ski Double Backflip

This is just incredible to watch— a double backflip on a jet ski! A new goal for you this summer perhaps ?

How It’s Made— Personal Watercraft

If you’re a “How it’s Made” geek like me, you’ll love this next video. They piece together a jet ski, and explain the process step-by-step. Very interesting!

Jet Ski Safety

Jet skis are one of the most exciting rides on the water, but unfortunately many get injured every year due to careless maneuvering. This video covers some safety tips that will help you remain safe on the water.

Protect yourself by driving safe and following the suggestions in the video above. But don’t forget to also protect yourself with jet ski insurance from Global Marine Insurance.

Are you as excited about jet skiing this summer as we are? Let us know what you think about these videos, or anything jet ski related,  in the comments below!