We have a rising problem happening in our waterways and it is up to us to keep it from getting worse. That problem is Zebra Mussels.
Zebra Mussels are small freshwater mussels that originated in the southern lakes of Russia. How did they get here? They have been accidentally introduced to other areas all over the world. They made their first North American appearance in the Great Lakes in 1988 and have spread rapidly ever since.
Our lakes and rivers are now under attack from this invasive species. The problem with Zebra Mussels is they grow right on top of each other. They start to stick on anything they can latch onto and then start latching onto each other damaging their environment, their neighbors in the water, and our boats.
You know where the Zebra Mussels came from and why they are bad. Now, what can you do about it? Do your part to help stop this invasive species from spreading. How do you do it? Each time you get out of the water give your boat in inspection. If you see any mussels, you need to take your boat into a certified cleaning facility and have them removed. Making sure that you are not spreading the mussels to any more lakes is the biggest thing that you can do to help.
Our great state of Texas is also doing its part to protect our waterways from Zebra Mussels. It is now illegal to possess or transport zebra mussels knowingly or unknowingly. In addition, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved a statewide rule requiring boaters to drain all water from their boats before leaving or heading toward the water.
Don't be a carrier just remember to Clean Drain, Dry!
Clean- Remove any dirt or object from your boat and trailer after each excursion.
Drain- Drain all water from your boat and gear.
Dry- Dry your boat out for a week or more before heading to another body of water.
If you want more information on Zebra Mussels please click here to learn more.
We at Austin Boats & Motors enjoy rewarding our loyal customers which is why we have launched the Austin Boats & Motors Loyalty Rewards Program. It is our way of saying thank you for being our loyal customer.
Now every time that you make a purchase at our dealership you will instantly receive Loyalty Rewards Points which you will be able to use to purchase store gift certificates! What really makes our program awesome is that it’s completely automated. That means no pesky cards to carry around in your wallet or taking up space on your key ring. Once you make your purchase you will receive an instant email letting you know the total points you have earned and instructions on redeeming those points.
How it works:
It’s easy to get started! All you have to do is make a purchase with us and you will receive an email from our loyalty system with points earned and how to redeem them. The only thing you will be required to do to participate is to make sure that your email address is on file with us. Not sure if we have your email or not? Just ask! Come in or give us a ring.
Are you ready to redeem your points? That is great! Simply login to your secure personal private loyalty portal, which is located through our website. Click on your point total and select the gift certificate you wish to purchase. You have the option to print the gift certificate or send it to your mobile phone to redeem at our store. Also on your web portal you are able to view your purchase history and keep track of your accumulating points.
Our loyalty reward program works with both iPhone and Android smart phones. You will be able to view your points, purchase your gift certificate, and redeem your gift certificate at Austin Boats & Motors all from your mobile phone. No cards, coupons or paper required!
If you are not interested in the Austin Boats & Motors Loyalty Reward Program it is simple to opt out. You have the opportunity to opt out when you receive your first welcome email or at any time through your personal private web portal. Just select disable your loyalty rewards account.
We look forward to rewarding you and saying thank you for being an Austin Boats & Motors customer. If you have any questions leave a comment, give us a call, or just pop in. We will be happy to help YOU!
It is that time of year that we all look forward to; boat show season. Why do we love it? We have all been without out our boats for the past couple of months and we still have a couple of months to go before we are hitting the water again. Boat shows help to break up the long winter and keep boating on our minds.
The Austin Boat and Travel Trailer Show is starting today (January 16) and running through the 19th. The show attracts more than 9,000 guests and this year the show has been expanded to include more exhibits. Parking is easier than ever with valet parking provided by Central Texas Valet available on Trinity Street close to 4th Street Friday evening, All Day Saturday, All day Sunday. The price is $16. There are also 2 city garages within one block.
Tickets for the Austin Boat and Travel Trailer show are:
Adults- $10
Seniors & Children 7-12 - $5
Children under 7- Free
Come on out this weekend; we will be waiting for you at the Austin Boat and Travel Trailer Show.
When you catch that beautiful fish that you are excited to stick on the dinner table that night, you don't want to mess up that beautiful piece of meat when you fillet it just because your knife isn't sharp enough. Here we will talk about how to keep that fillet knife sharp so you will always have a perfect cut of meat.
Getting The Burr
The burr is a wire edge that forms across the blade opposite of what you are sharpening. Your job is not finished until you can see or feel the burr.
The Edge Bevel
Most kitchen knives have a 20-degree edge bevel. For filleting, an edge bevel of 12 to 15 degrees per side provides a clean easy cut and reasonable resistance to dulling. If you don't cut bone, monofilament or bait with your fillet knife, a 15-degree bevel will be okay for you to use.
Set The Bevel
The easiest way to figure out what angle to set the bevel would be to stack two quarters high. Using this method is not exact, but it gets you pretty close.
To Push or To Pull
We each have those friends who swear by pulling the knife across the stone, and those who swear by pushing. Quite frankly, it doesn't matter. Both ways are just as effective. What does matter, is that the spine moves ahead of the edge. So, just make sure to angle it.
Sharpen
Draw the blade across the stone, sweeping it from heel to tip as you go. Once you have a full-length burr, sharpen to create a burr on the other side. Finish with blade-first strokes, like slicing a sliver from the stone, until the burr disappears.
Keeping your fillet knife sharp is important and now you have the tools and know how to do it saving you time and money.
As the weather is cooling off and the boats are tucked away for the time being. We are sitting and wondering now what? This time of year may not be a favorite among boaters but there are some things you can do now to make your next boating season a great one.
This time of year is perfect for doing all those little projects on your boat that you never got to over the summer. You know which ones I'm talking about. Upgrading your navigation system, doing those minor repairs to keep your boat running in like new condition, and doing all those checks to make sure that your equipment and all your boating accessories are working properly. Getting these little things, or maybe even a couple of big things, accomplished over the winter will give you more time in the spring to spend on the water.
Maybe you were growing tired of your boat last season. It could have been it was just getting older or your boat wasn't giving you what you were hoping to get out of. Whatever the reason, this time of year is actually a great time to research and buy a new boat. Take your time to do your research and find the perfect boat for you and your needs. Then during boat show season (Jan-March), you can make your purchase. You will never find a better price on a boat than at a boat show.
If neither of those fit your fancy for the off season, you can always take your boat and head south for the winter. There are places where the boating season never ends and boaters are always welcome. Whatever you choose to do with your off season, we will be there to help you.
There are some of us who fish to put food on the table and then there are some of us who fish just for the fun of fishing. If you are the latter, catch and release tactics are important to ensure that you are not sending a hurt fish back into the water. We will cover a few tips to help perfect your catch and release fishing game.
The first thing to remember is to always handle a fish with wet hands. This well help to reduce the damage to the fish's protective mucous coating. This mucous helps to prevent disease to the fish and makes glide smoothly through the water.
Our goal is to provide protection to the fish while we are fishing, one of the ways to accomplish that would be to use a rubber net rather than a knotted nylon one. Doing this will help you to prevent abrasions to the fish. When you are handling the fish, always use two hands to support the weight if it is over 5lbs. If it is a smaller fish, you can hold it vertically by the lower jaw.
Once you have finished with your photo shoot it is time to release the fish. You will want to gently lower the fish into the water until it begins to swim away. You may have to slowly swish the fish back and forth to encourage him to start swimming.
The biggest tip to ensure that you have a successful catch and release day would be to plan ahead. Take along a de-hooking tool or needle nosed pliers to assist in removing the hood as quickly and safely as possible.
Now we have covered the basics for a catch and release fishing trip you can learn more here. Go out and practice your newly discovered catch and release tips and make sure to send us a picture with your catch! Let's go fishing.
We all have our own boating stories that are very special to us to tell. Some are exciting, some, “The Norm.” One of my favorite stories that i love for people to share with me is how they discovered boating. Hearing their tails from childhood, or talking about their buddies in college, or even if they were a late bloomer and didn't discover boating until they were older. Those stories are the best. The story teller always has an emotional connection to the story and they always end in a smile.
One of the most common birth of a boater story is I was born and bred into this great lifestyle. We know it, we have heard it, and for most of us, we have lived it. We were born into a family of boaters. Mom and dad or the grandparents had a boat and we would spend our summers and weekends enjoying every second we possibly could on the water. Once we were old enough, we bought our own boat, had a couple of kids, and carried on the family tradition.
Another common discover boating story, which sometimes can be a little more entertaining, is the while I was at college story. This one has a little more variation, but the essence of the story is still the same. You meet a lot of new friends during your college years and one of those friends happens to be one of those people we mentioned earlier about being born into boating. They talk to you about it and then you finally agree to go out on their boat. That one trip is all it took; you were a boater for rest of your life.
The third most common boating discovery story is the person who doesn’t find boating until later in their life. Maybe they have a work colleague who shares with them how they unwind after a long week at work. Maybe it is a friend, neighbor, or even their own kids who say that boating is good for the soul. Whoever does the introduction, the ending is always the same, one happy new boater.
Everybody’s stories are different. We all come from different backgrounds, have different experiences in our lives, but we all have one thing in common; our love of boating. Now it is your turn, we want to hear your story. Tell us, how did you discover boating?
Imagine this; you are walking into your local sporting goods store because you have decided to take up the sport of fishing. You walk over to the fishing isle and you stand in front of what seems like a mile long display of different types of fishing rods. You are about ready to throw your hands up in the air and say I’ll just go buy some fish. Well, hang on a second before you give up. Yes, it can be overwhelming but let me help you to make it a little more manageable.
Picking a rod is an important process in fishing. I mean without a rod how are you going to catch anything? Now, back to the mile long display. What you are trying to catch plays a huge part in the rod that you choose. There are 5 different categories of rod/reel combinations. They are, spin casting, spinning, bait casting, trolling, and fly casting. The first decision you have to make is what kind of fish are you looking to catch?
Once you know what you are looking to catch, that will help you to decide the length of the rod that you will need. The longer the rod the longer the cast, more control over the line, and more accuracy. A shorter rod will give you the power and heaviness that a longer rod cannot provide.
Congratulations, you are shortening that overwhelming rod isle. The next step would be to choose a reel. For us first time anglers, a spinning reel is suggested for use. Of the five different categories mentioned, spinning reel holds the line in a spool and the line is cast off one end.
Your last decision in picking your new fishing pole is down to how much you are willing to pay. They can cost from $10 to thousands of dollars. Once you think you have found the rod you want, pick it up and handle it. Give it a good once over to check for cracks or defects. Once you are satisfied with your choice, it is time to hit the water and begin enjoying the sport of fishing.
Minimize damage with fenders. Especially if you're still getting the feel for docking your pontoon, there's no harm in tying on 2 or 3 fenders to, well, fend off the dock. We'd rather have fenders hanging out than scratches from the dock, wouldn't you?
Come in at an angle. Even just knowing this is what you should do will make your docking life easier. More often than not, it will be impossible to line up straight to the dock. So don't put that pressure on yourself! Once you get closer, straighten up and aim for a spot on the dock.
Slow and steady. Don't race into the dock. Go as slow as possible, preferably spending most of your time in neutral and bumping it into gear for a moment every so often. The best way to execute a sharp turn is with the lowest amount of power possible to minimize skidding.
Use reverse. Don't be afraid to knock the engine into reverse! That's actually the best way to slide up next to the dock. Once your front end is close, turn the wheel all of the way and slide into reverse for a moment (give the throttle a good little push) so that the rear slides into place.
Practice makes perfect. Every boat handles differently, so it will take awhile to learn exactly how to handle your boat in order to dock it gracefully. (Remember how long it took to learn how to back the trailer down the ramp?) Just remember: don't use excessive speed. That can cause a little mistake to turn into a big problem.
How often do you practice docking? Are you comfortable with your pontoon yet?
Winter time is slowly bleeding into spring and this means in the bass fishing world that the pre-spawn and spawn is upon us. It’s the time where these bass will start moving up from depths in the hopes for a mate. Prior to the spawn, these fish will start gorging themselves on heavy protein prey. Crawdads, bluegills, and other indigenous bait fish are on high alert this time of year hoping not to be next for lunch. You can often see the smaller males cruising the shallows looking for their prime mating location in the hopes for landing a large female for the spawn season. The larger female bass will often hang just outside in deeper depths waiting for the right time and partner to begin their ritual.
Now is the time to un-winterize your boat and hit the lake. With a warmer than average winter, these bass will more than likely be ahead of schedule. Don’t let it pass you up, your double digit bass is closer than you think!
-Tom
Regardless of skill level of experience, all boaters can learn from the Boater’s Pocket Reference, an app chock full of information like navigation rules, tips on boat handling, how to tie knots and more. When your boat is out of the water, you can refer to this app for information on trailering and maintenance. Like pictures instead of words? There are a variety of charts, graphs and illustrations in the app that make everything easy to understand. While the app isn’t free – it’s $4.99 – it is highly ranked by iPhone users and includes a search function so you can quickly and easily find the information you need, right when you need it. 
Turn off your VFH radio and stay updated on current weather and tide forecasts with the NOAA Buoy and Tide Data app, which accesses data from NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center. You can search for buoys by name or location and view a range of weather data, including wind speed, gusts and pressure. Tide predictions and moon phases are included as well. The app is $1.99. 
If something goes wrong on your next outing, the free Sea Tow app can come to your rescue. You can contact their 24 hour dispatch center through the app, a handy feature if your radio is on the fritz. In addition, the app contains tide and forecast information, and you can save up to seven locations for continued weather monitoring. Finally, the app features a compass and speedometer so you can pinpoint your location on a map. 
Well we might have gotten a little ahead of ourselves, because before you can use these, you need to get your boat into the water. That’s where Boat Ramps comes in. This free app allows you to search for ramps near your location, by zip code or by city. Once you’ve chosen a ramp, the app will provide you with directions. Reviews for the app, however, lament that it doesn’t provide more information about ramps, like fees (or lack thereof), restroom facilities or bait shops.
This group of dealers truly represents the elite of the boating industry, companies that are excelling in customer satisfaction, service and overall business success. From thousands of dealers in North America, these 100 companies stand out as the best of the best.Thank you to all of our amazing customers, colleagues and supporters for making Austin Boats and Motors such a great place to be!
Boating Industry magazine
November 15, 2012
Press Release
Legendary Marine named Dealer of the Year
Orlando, Fla., November 14, 2012 – Boating Industry magazine, the leading trade publication for marine dealers, has announced its annual list of the Top 100 Boat Dealers in North America at a gala event here tonight.
“This group of dealers truly represents the elite of the boating industry, companies that are excelling in customer satisfaction, service and overall business success,” said Boating Industry editor in chief Jonathan Sweet. “From thousands of dealers in North America, these 100 companies stand out as the best of the best.”
Topping the 2012 Top 100 list, earning the coveted Dealer of the Year award, was Legendary Marine of Destin, Fla.
“When evaluating Legendary Marine, we were impressed by the company’s rapid growth, strong financials and heavy investments in marketing, education and service,” Sweet said. “It’s clear that Fred Pace and his team have made the right choices to guide Legendary through the recession and into the recovery.”
Boating Industry also recognized eight other dealers with Best in Class Awards.
Along with the Top 100, Boating Industry inducted a new company into the Top 100 Hall of Fame: Prince William Marine Sales, Woodbridge, Va. Prince William joins the two previous inductees, Galati Yacht Sales and MarineMax. Companies are inducted into the Hall of Fame after twice being ranked as the top dealer.
The complete Boating Industry Top 100:
The Top 100 will be featured in the December issue of Boating Industry and online at www.BoatingIndustry.com.
Now, what’s in your tool kit? Here are a few basic tools you should keep in your tool kit onboard at all times.
Canvas Snap Tool: Easily align and fasten inside and outside snaps. Ideal for unsnapping snaps without damaging the canvas. (pictured below)
Duct Tape: Because everyone knows that Duct Tape can fix anything! Electrical tape is another good thing to keep handy.
Manuals: Chances are, if you need your tool kit, you’ll also need your manual – whether for your engine, plumbing, ventilation, or just your boat in general. You should keep these manuals in your tool box with your tools so that you don’t have to search for them when you truly need them. Make sure you keep these in a large plastic zip lock bag so that they don’t get wet.
Wrenches: Make sure you have several different sizes with you if you aren’t quite sure of the exact sizes that you’ll need.
Screwdrivers: Pick up one of those handy dandy 11-in-1 screwdriver sets at your local hardware store – you’ll thank yourself later.
Canvas Repair Kit: This kit should include small pieces of canvas, needles and string.
Super glue: Because just like Duct Tape, it can fix anything when you’re in a pickle.
Multi-tool: Having a small multi-functional tool on board, such as Swiss army knife, can definitely come in handy. Many of these tools include small screw drivers, scissors, knives of all sizes, etc.
Socket set: If you have the room for a complete set, perfect. If not, find out the sizes you need and keep them on board at all times.
Spare Flashlight: with fresh batteries. Make sure your flashlight is waterproof and floats in case of an emergency.
Make sure you keep your tool kit in a place where you can easily access it, especially in a time of emergency. If you have to use something in your tool kit (such as a spare part) or if something in your tool kit breaks, be sure to replace it as soon as you get back to dock. Remember, keep calm and carry a tool kit. Happy boating!
Gorgeous shimmering water, a clean sleek boat, sun rising over the horizon – every boat lover wants that perfect picture of their boat. But capturing that ‘perfect picture’ is easier said than done.
First, consider what exactly you’re looking to take a picture of. Your boat, obviously. But do you want to take a picture of it while docked or do you prefer a friend on another boat take a photo of you driving offshore? Maybe you want both. Either way, once you’ve established a plan, there are some other very important things you need to consider.
Lighting is everything
The best time to take photos of anything, especially a boat in glistening water, is in the early morning or late evening. In the summertime this is usually around 7-7:30am and 6:30-7:30pm. You can take semi-decent photos at anytime if there is overcast. If you think you’re going to defy the laws of the sun high in the sky at lunch time though, you are sadly mistaken, my friend. Once the sun has risen it creates harsh light and shadows. It also reflects off of the surface of the water which creates many unwanted shadows across your boat.
When taking a photo of your boat, make sure the sun is always positioned behind it or at an angle from the boat. This illuminates your boat and also guarantee’s that it isn’t in a direct sunlight position (again, harsh light is the worst when taking photos). This is also true for when you’re taking photos of people on board – always make sure the sun is behind them. Avoid using a flash if possible as it can cause a glare on the side of your boat.
If you’re shooting with a DSLR camera (not a point and shoot), make sure your photo isn’t overexposed by checking the histogram. It’s better to make your photo darker than lighter – you can fix underexposed photos easier than you can fix extremely overexposed photos. Also, make sure you know how to use your camera. Learning how to shoot in manual mode before you try to take amazing photos of your boat will be quite helpful.
The Best Angle and Position
Don’t be scared to get creative and wild with the angle in which you’re taking a photo. Standing on a dock taking a photo of your boat head level isn’t going to cut it – you won’t be able to catch the details and the curves in the body. Try standing on a chair or ladder, or even squatting or lying down to get a few low photos of your boat by positioning the camera in a low position and pointing the camera upward (capturing the bottom to the top of your boat). Standing beside the boat at an angle (front to back) also creates a nice feel to the photo.
Don’t forget that there’s more to a photo than just your boat. Offsetting your boat to one side or the other in the viewfinder creates a dramatic effect and adds layers to the photo. You can also use this time to capture a beautiful sunset or other boats in the distance. There is beauty in depth.
Capturing Details
Don’t forget about the details on your boat such as the reel on your favorite fishing pole, the gauges on your dash, or even something as simple as an old rope lying in the corner. All of these things are part of your boat and your love for it. Detailed and abstract photos not only make unique hangings for your wall, they also help you capture memories. You’ll be able to look back and smell that salt water air, feel mist against your face, and remember the exact sunset on that evening….all by looking at the photo hanging in your den.
You can take perfect photos of your boat, whether you’re using a point-and-shoot camera or a more complicated DSLR camera. When in doubt, you can always hire a professional to do it (and they might even consider bartering a session for a boat ride). In any case, remember to get out of the ‘norm’ and shoot at different angles. Don’t shoot in harsh sunlight. Have a friend take photos of you in the middle of the lake while you’re cruising around with your family. Or capture the essence of that gorgeous memorable sunset in the background. Remember, you’re not just taking a cool picture of your boat, you’re taking a cool picture of your boat while making memories that will last a lifetime.
Do you have any pictures of your boat that you just love? Share them with us on our Facebook page.
Welcome to the 21st Century -- we have satellite capabilities on boats here.
Should I make the investment?
Having a satellite TV on a boat clearly isn’t for everyone. If you don’t spend a lot of time on your boat, you don’t need it. If you enjoy getting away from the noise of everyday life, it’s highly probable that you wouldn’t even turn the TV on if you had one on your boat. However, if you have a family, enjoy entertaining on your boat, or just want to kick back and relax, then satellite TV could definitely be for you.
Marine satellite TV systems are available at a wide range of prices – mainly depending on how much equipment you need. For just one TV and receiver, marine satellite TV can usually fit into a smaller budget. But if you want to have multiple TVs being used at one time or a large system, it can get pricey.
How it works
If you have decided that satellite TV on your boat is for you, then you’re in luck – the set-up process is fairly simple. Satellite TV on a boat isn’t much different than that on land. While satellite on land uses wires and cables, marine satellite TV receives transmissions directly from satellites.
First, you’ll need to contact a local marine TV retailer (that’s us). Or, if you are buying a boat and want satellite TV as an add-on, make sure you tell your salesperson so they can make the changes accordingly. Either way, we’ll be able to make sure you get all of the proper equipment and can help you with the set up. If you’re confident in knowing what you’re doing, you can just order the equipment from our parts department. However, we highly recommend having our trained and professional technicians install your new satellite TV.
The above picture is the inside of the dome on a satellite TV.
Now, you’ll need a TV. Any TV will do really – however, LCDs, Plasma’s, and flat screens are the obvious choices. Flat screens on mounts also give you the ability to easily hide the TV or move it out of the way when you’re not using it.
Next, decide which satellite service provider you’d like to go with. You can even go with providers such as DirecTV and Dish Network. All satellite service providers have different channels and network packages to offer, so be sure to check out all of their packages. Premium movies and pay-per-view programs can also be purchased while onboard.
Once set-up is complete, you’ll be able to enjoy your satellite TV, and a few great boating movies, from just about anywhere. Simple as that!
Happy boating with your 48” LCD satellite TV!
