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I was standing there discussing the virtues of boat ownership with buddy Buc Scales when his brother-in-law Max Grommet hollers out, "He Buc! Ya got gypped! There ain't no brakes on this thing!"
Buc just rolled his eyes, gave out a deep-growling hmmm and said, "Jim you've gotta excuse Lucy's brother sometimes. One of his edges isn't too sharp, if you know what I mean."
Buc's new Triumph 150 CC does have a dashboard, steering wheel, upholstered seats and a few of the other amenities that Max might have been looking for but no, boats don't have brakes and there are a few other safety features boats are void of in comparison to a vehicle, which is what I'm sure ol' Max was looking for. After a little more discussion with Buc we decided his first article would point out some of the safety requirements worth looking at, not only for the passengers but also for the boat.
Buc recalled the article by Columnist Tom Pollack (May 2005 Pollack's Pointers, Lost and Found.) "I remember Tom writing about his boat being swiped and stripped and left for dead," Buc said, "and I sure don't want that to happen to my new little jewel. I've got a lot invested in this baby and a few more dollars for it's security sure won't hurt anything."
He started out with buying an insurance policy before actually taking delivery and then backed that up with a little insurance of his own. For the front of the trailer he put Master Lock locking ball mount and ball, coupler lock and their receiver lock. "I understand those slimy thieves are actually removing the couplers and replacing it with their own sometimes. This won't stop them from that but it sure makes it a lot harder!" Buc said.
He went on, "Since my "boat-barn" isn't attached to the house it has no electricity and Lucy didn't want me to drill holes through the new siding for lights. I took the next best step and went with solar power. Brinkmann Corporation out of Texas (www.brinkmann.net) makes the Solar Home Security SL-7 Motion Detector light. It's a outdoor solar rechargeable motion sensitive security light with two flood style adjustable bulbs and a remote solar panel. The motion sensor is adjustable up to 75 feet away and will turn on up to 120 times per charge. Although it doesn't put out as much light as some hard-wire ones, it costs about the same. Easier for me to install and harder for the jerks to steal stuff. I like that alot!"
"Okay Buc," I said, "Sounds like you've done the best you can on the boat security. Now how about a little security and safety for the people in the boat? Remember, there ain't no brakes?"
"Jim, I'll get to that brake thing in a minute. There's more important stuff to think about here. First of all remember the Triumph is a "floater." This Roplene material won't sink, but people will. Before the first ride I bought life jackets, life vests, PFD's or whatever you wanta call 'em. Went with the next best step on that too – straight to Mustang Survival in Bellingham (www.mustangsurvival.com) Picked up the best thing I could afford and it wasn't cheap, but then, funerals aren't cheap either. Bought the MD3083 model that inflates when you hit the water or can be manually inflated by pulling the "Jerk" tab (a great idea for Max,) or can be orally inflated and it has a safety inspection window to check when/if the CO2 needs to re-armed. I was surprised how comfortable the darn thing is. Hardly know you have it on! The U.S. Coast Guard has a lot of regulations for boating safety and I suggest our readers check them ALL out, and adhere to them!"
Max went on to explain more of the Coast Guard approved safety devices which include things like spare PFD's (including a throwable one,) signal flares, horn, fire extinguisher, paddle and whistle. "I attached a Scotty Lifesaver Safety Whistle to every one of Mustang's PFDs" Buc said. "Also got their Scotty watertight emergency equipment container to keep things like paperwork, matches and other things dry, their small vessel safety equipment kit, watertight first aid kit and a SEA-light. Topped that part of it off with the Scotty Gaff/Bonker to use on Max in case he falls in. I'll decide at the time to use the gaff or the bonker."
"Well Buc, sound like you've pretty much got all of that security and safety stuff covered, I said.
"Yep," he responded. "Kinda went overboard, so to speak, but what the heck. The way I've got it figured you buy the best stuff you can afford, which hopefully is the best product on the market. That doesn't mean it has to be the most expensive. Shoot! That's what the next best step is all about!
"Oh yea. Almost forgot. Got the brake thing figured out for Max too! Ya see the Mercury 60 has a lanyard stop switch. The purpose of the switch and the attached lanyard cord is to turn off the engine when removed or the operator moves far enough away from the operating position. In my case, that's the dashboard. Since Max isn't allowed anywhere near the dashboard but will be sitting in the front of the consul, I'll just attach it to his collar and we'll be good to go! If he takes a dunkin' the "brakes" will be put on and I'll grab the bonker, er, gaff, er, whatever. And he had darn well better let go of the Lamiglas rod before hitting the water! 
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