1. automotive and vehicles
2. boats and watercraft

Bio-Diesel
Fueling the Environment
page 10
Bio-Diesel
Fueling the Environment
page 10
Boating
ESSENTIALS
200 Years in the Making
Key
West's
Seaport
Key West's
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Budget-Friendly
Boat Maintenance Tips
Power play: new engine lineup
April 2015
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this issue
8
Essentials: Boating Gadgets & Gear
10
Local Flavor: Biodiesel: Fueling the Environment
14
Rewind: Key West's Historic Seaport
25
Island Charm: Boat Maintenance Tips
28
Product Profile: New Engine Lineup
34
Essentials: Boating Basics
Experience the Best in Boats
and Service at Caribee
Publisher’s note:
The water. It’s what defines the Florida Keys.
Boats. They’re what get us around these pristine waters.
This month we bring you our first “Boating” edition of
unwind magazine.
Both the tourism and fishing industries require a healthy and
thriving underwater world, so in this issue we talk about how
locally produced biodiesel can be a smart alternative in diesel
boat engines.
We also highlight several of the 2015 outboard engine
options that were unveiled at the Miami Boat Show. We provide
simple DIY (Do It Yourself) tips for keeping your boat in tip-top
condition. And finally, we take a look at the Key West Historic
Seaport and how it’s changed over the past 200-plus years.
Enjoy this edition, and remember to always find time to
unwind!
THE FLORIDA KEYS
A Special publication produced by the
Keynoter Publishing Company
Publisher: Richard Tamborrino
Creative Director: Emily Pulis
Sales & Business Development Manager: Valerie Serra
Advertising Coordinator: Joanne Pulis
Production Manager: Todd Swift
Contributing Writers: Susan Cocking, Mike Makowski,
Marlin Scott
unwindFloridaKeys.com | 305-743-5551
P.O. Box 500158, Marathon, FL 33050
Cover Photo: Schooner Western Union by Bert J. Budde, Sr., Key West
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unwind | April 2015
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Bio-Diesel
Improving the Environment, One Gallon at a TimE
there are upward of 40 different
ingredients, including soybeans, peanuts
— even palm oil, that can be used.
The inherent beauty that surrounds
This fuel is intended for diesel
the Florida Keys might lull most into
engines, not gas engines, and it's perfect
believing it will last forever and remain
for charter, dive, commercial and U.S.
pristine for years to come. But the
Coast Guard
reality is that
boats, and most
environmental
Biodiesel is biodegradable,
inboard engines.
deterioration
nontoxic & dissolves
“There is no
has manifested
faster than sugar.
better fuel for
itself in a variety
boats,” Lillie says
of ways the past
emphatically. Biodiesel is biodegradable,
few decades, whether it's our delicate
nontoxic and “dissolves faster than
reefs, the fish population or even the
sugar.” It cleans your engine and acts as
air quality.
a good solvent. Because it's not carbonThis gradual eco-erosion has
based, there are no residual particulates
been contributed to by visitor impact,
population growth and, in some
cases, neglect. But when semi-retired
commercial fisherman Jeff Lillie of
Marathon Bio-Diesel talks about
ways to improve the ecosystem, his
passion centers on the use of biodiesel
for boaters.
Biodiesel is a natural petroleumbased substitute. As such, it is processed
primarily from vegetable oil, although
WRITTEN BY Richard Tamborrino
10
unwind | April 2015
or emissions released after it burns,
good for clean air and water.
So why don't people use it?
“Education is the main thing,” Lillie
says. “The general public does not have
great understanding about the fuel. Add
to that the overall lack of availability and
you have to rely on consumers to seek it
out, which isn't happening to any great
degree yet.”
In addition, many marinas are
reluctant to sell biodiesel. Lillie says
he feels that's partly due to iron-clad
arrangements marinas have with oil
companies. And to a lesser degree, but
just as baffling to him, has been the
lack of government and local political
PROUD PRODUCER
Jeff Lillie, President
of Marathon BioDiesel is a staunch
believer in biofuel
and it's benefits to
the ecosystem.
CLEAN OIL
The processing stages
in transforming waste
vegetable oil (on
the far left) into the
finished biodiesel
(far right).
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VERY POLISHED
Sawdust is used
as a polishing
agent during the
production process
of biodiesel.
IT'S A PROCESS
Washing the fuel
and removing the
glycerin takes place
in these large tanks.
NAMASTE
Jeff Bowman
of Namaste sailing
in the Lower Keys
is a long time
proponent of
biodiesel and a longterm customer of
Marathon Bio-Diesel.
12
unwind | April 2015
some time and supports its use. He
support for a movement that would
says he “would love to just sell biodiesel
have clear environmental benefits for
because it's good for the environment,
the Keys over time.
good for my employees,” but that
Since his local biodiesel is produced
the price and margins makes it less
primarily from used cooking oil, Lillie
attractive to him as a business owner
says, “It's safe and is generally very
than regular diesel fuel.
plentiful” in the Keys. To illustrate that,
Lillie also has staunch local support.
Lillie has made arrangements with
Jeff Bowman, captain of Namaste
upward of 33 Keys restaurants that
Sailing and Keys Eco-Tours out of
willingly donate their used cooking oil
Stock Island, swears by biodiesel.
to his operation for production into
Since his charter is marketed as an
biodiesel.
ecologic discovery
Lillie has a
excursion, it only
deeper vision for
More than 30 Keys
stands to reason
his movement; he
restaurants donate their
he supports the
concentrates more
used cooking oil for
use of biofuel.
so on a “full circle”
production into biodiesel.
He particularly
effect that involves
marvels at what his
encouraging both
customers say when they are burning
locals and tourists to dine at restaurants
it on trips to the reef. They often ask,
that are contributing their waste oil
“Where's the Chinese food?”
toward creating biodiesel. His feeling is
Bowman marvels at Lillie's passion
that eco-conscious consumers might
and his technical attention to the
think twice before dining out, knowing
processing. Bowman says, “The quality
their decisions have a direct impact on
of Lillie's fuel is better than anything
the entire process.
else we've burned,” noting his charter
Randy Kroeck, general manager
business has been running for more than
at Burdines Waterfront Marina in
a decade, almost exclusively on biofuel.
Marathon, had offered Lillie's fuel for
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Marathon Bio-Diesel & Namaste Sailing and Keys Eco-Tours
Lillie is primarily a one-man
operation, but does employ drivers
to pick up the waste oil from the
restaurants and deliver the biodiesel. It's
a labor-intensive process.
All the processing is done locally at
Lillie's Marathon refinery on Coco Plum
Drive, which is capable of processing up
to 400 gallons a day.
“Biodiesel produced by big
manufacturing is wrong — it should
be produced on a community scale,”
he says. He adds that “if biodiesel was
in greater demand, the plant could be
easily expanded to increase production.”
A study done on behalf of the Great
Lakes Regional Biomass Energy Program
identified the Keys as one of two regions
in the country to have successfully
launched biodiesel production, along
with the Chesapeake Bay area. Lillie
hopes this is just the beginning.
“Biodiesel is good for our sensitive
environment, plus have so many other
positive side effects. Why wouldn't the
marine industry adopt it?”
Learn Why
Ethanol & Boats Shouldn't Mix
There's no other way to say this: An
ethanol-blended fuel is bad for your
gasoline boat engine. This applies to
any fuel that is 10 percent or more
ethanol, and includes the newly
created E15 fuel, which is prohibited
by law from being used in a marine
engine. Unsuspecting or uninformed
boat owners who trailer their boats
and fuel up at a retail gas pump
might mistakenly select an ethanolblended gasoline because of price.
But everyone who owns a gas engine
should know this fuel has inherent
long-term risks for your motor.
Here's the science of why ethanol
is bad for your boat, according to
Nicole Wood, program manager for
government affairs at BoatUS:
Ethanol loves to bond with water
molecules. Once it binds in your fuel
tank, it separates from the gasoline
and sinks to the bottom of the tank
as a heavy compound. Over time,
that creates sludge in the tank that
could choke your engine if it makes
it through the fuel lines. Additionally,
ethanol breaks down rubber in hoses
and gaskets and runs much hotter than
regular gasoline, so the side effects
extend to many parts of a boat engine.
An alternative to any ethanol blend
is REC-90, which is an ethanol-free, 90
octane unleaded gasoline blend. It's
more expensive than an ethanol blend
but is far gentler on your engine and
available at most retail fuel locations
in the Keys.
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REWIND
SHRIMPERS
The shrimp fleet
at the docks in Key
West Bight, part
of the historic Key
West Seaport. Circa
1960.
A DIFFERENT TIME
Here, Green Turtles
are being prepared
for shipment to New
York. Circa 1900.
PINK GOLD
The Key West
shrimp industry was
thriving throughout
the 60s and 70s as
this 1965 image from
Fischer's Sea Food
illustrates.
Historic
Historic Key
Key West Seaport
Seaport
The Key West Seaport
fueled the Southernmost
City’s growth
WRITTEN BY Marlin Scott & Richard Tamborrino
If Key West were a person, its Historic Seaport
would unquestionably have served as its heart
nearly 200 years ago when first established. As
the quasi-economic and cultural epicenter of
Key West, it has fueled its evolution to this day.
Key West by its location alone afforded
mariners a well-positioned, large, deepwater
harbor as far back as the late 1700s; it wasn't the
Spaniards who utilized the port because they
had established Havana as their primary hub.
Rather, it was the British, who operated
considerable trade out of Nassau and enjoyed
Key West's proximity to the shipping routes
of that time, who were its earliest maritime
visitors. Key West provided a natural stopping
point for mariners due to the safe anchorage
and an ample supply of fresh drinking water.
The diverse yet equally abundant supply of
marine life also made the seaport attractive.
Shrimping, commercial fishing, sponging and
turtle harvesting emerged as byproducts of the
14
unwind | April 2015
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Monroe County Public Library
April 2015 | unwind
15
REWIND
PROUDLY HAILED
The Conch Republic
flag, which has
flown throughout
the Keys since 1982,
signifies its inherent
connection to the
Seaport.
TURTLE CRAWL
This Depression-era
postcard shows
the enclosures, or
crawls, that held
turtles prior to
shipping to distant
destinations.
MARINA STROLL
Turtle Kraals
Restaurant is one of
many unique dining
options available at
the Seaport today.
16
unwind | April 2015
for extended periods, which made
shipping to distant destinations far
more feasible.
The Key West seaport also became
a hub for sponge harvesting, which
in the early 1800s was important to
commerce and became a high-demand
export. At its peak
in the late 19th
Early years
Shrimping, sponging,
Century, more
Although
than 100 vessels
maritime trade and
commercial fishing &
with almost
shipping routes
turtle harvesting drove
1,000 fishers and
impacted Key
its gradual expansion.
shoreside helpers
West initially, it
were connected to
was the growth of
the industry before the sponge supply
commercial fishing that shaped the
was eventually depleted by the turn
seaport and its early history.
of the century and its presence at the
The sea-turtle fishery was
seaport diminished.
perhaps the first and longest-lasting
Beginning in 1949, the shrimp
commercial fishing emphasis in the
industry began to emerge when vast
mid 1800s. The most edible turtle
amounts of pink shrimp — now known
species at the time, the green turtle,
as Key West pinks — were discovered
was generally easy to capture in Key
in the waters off Key West. What soon
West waters and could be preserved in
followed was a significant convergence
shallow-water pens, also called crawls,
area and drove its gradual expansion.
That seemingly limitless supply of
Florida Keys sea life opened the doors
to investment and opportunity starting
in the late 1800s, creating a commercial
fishing industry that still serves the
region today.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Monroe County Public Library, Pat Croce & Co. & Capt. Marlin Scott
April 2015 | unwind
17
LIVING IN PARADISE
REWIND
Florida Keys Real Estate Professionals
BOATS SLIPS
Over 150 boat slips
are available at the
marina, with the A&B
Marina managing a
third of those.
ALL SHAPES
and SIZES
Boats of all kinds can
be seen almost any
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PHOTOS BY Fotoluminate LLC / Shutterstock.com
Patti Stanley
Broker Associate, Top Sales Agent
305.393.4433
patti.stanley@me.com
on the area by opportunistic
fisherman. There was so much shrimp
to be harvested and so much money to
be made that the era was coined the
Pink Gold Rush.
It was then that the seaport
was dredged and expanded to
accommodate shrimp boats and the
increased boat traffic. This marked
another high point in the seaport's
growth, as the shrimp industry
attracted fishermen, new residents and
entrepreneurs.
By the early 1970s, as Key West
began to transition into more of a
tourism destination, commercial
fishing operations at the seaport began
to be replaced by sightseeing tours
and watersports ventures. Commercial
fishing boats gradually relocated
to Stock Island with only a handful
docked today at the traditional seaport.
This completed the shift of the seaport
from a primarily commercial dockage
to a new and growing tourism area
that remains alive today.
includes loading ice and chum brought
over by the forklift. Each crew member
has specific duties for the smoothThe seaport today
running operation that's visible to the
Today, the Historic Seaport
public. There's nothing hidden here.
sports a 150-slip marina, an array
Later in the day, usually at happy
of watersports and a bevy of local
hour, an unloading of fresh seafood
restaurants and shops. The seaport
charms the boardwalk audience and
is the primary departure point for
early-bird diners.
high-speed ferries to Fort Jefferson
Just off the bow of the Fryde Conch
in the Dry Tortugas. The seaport also
is the unmistakable green hull of
features the Harbor Walk, where a
a tall-masted sailing vessel called
leisurely stroll can connect you to both
the Jolly 2 Rover. Capt. Rio O'Brian
the rich history of Key West as well
has the authentic
as many shops and
swagger of an early
restaurants.
There was so much
Key West captain
As you stroll the
shrimp that the era
coupled with youth
marina, you're likely
and enthusiasm. He
to see the Fryde Conch
was coined the Pink
plays the part well.
and the M&M Too raft
Gold Rush.
The Jolly 2 Rover,
together with their
along with several
transoms only inches
other sailing vessels operating out of
away from the walkway below the
the Key West Historic Seaport, operate
restaurant tables along the waterside
sunset and reef cruises daily. Climbing
of the Conch Republic Seafood Co. The
aboard and setting sail just before
early-morning ritual for both vessels
April 2015 | unwind
19
REWIND
WATERING HOLE
The Half Shell Raw bar, one of the
oldest in the Seaport, is one of 6 Key
West establishments in the Croce fold.
VISITOR DRAW
The Seaport’s
Harbor Walk, with
its shops and
restaurants, attracts
tourists from all
around the globe.
Investment in the Seaport
Directions
Depending on where you want to
park, both Front Street and Margaret
Street end at the Key West Historic
Seaport with city parking available for
a fee. Everything is accessible once
you're there. The best time for a quiet
walk or run is in the morning, when
the tranquil calm of sunrise engulfs
the Seaport. Evening sunsets are a
stimulating experience. But the seaport
shines, regardless when you go.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Capt. Marlin Scott & Pat Croce & Co.
sunset adds to the experience.
One of the more iconic images
at the seaport is the last tall ship
built in Monroe county, in 1939, the
Schooner Western Union. Donated
to the volunteer Schooner Western
Union Preservation Society in 2007, it
originally served as part of a picket fleet
protecting the island's commerce from
Nazi u-boats during World War II.
So while the transformation of
the seaport over the past 200 years
has been profound in many ways, in
one way it has remained magnificent
— the beauty of a striking, sinking
sun illuminating the water is just as
climactic today as it was then.
Pat Croce's
You would never know it was him
as he ran along the docks bordering
the Key West Historic Seaport. His
starting point
for the route
was the sign at
the A&B Marina
toward the end of
Front Street. He
continued past
the A&B Lobster
House, passing
behind the
fishing charter
vessel Premium
Time. Then it
was on toward the Shrimpboat Sound
Studio, taking a left turn and then
running all the way past the sunset
sailing vessels and finally coming to
an end at one of his restaurants,
the Half Shell Raw Bar next to Conch
Harbor, or sometimes another of his
restaurants, Turtle Kraals.
This salty meander is not an
insignificant part of the daily
exercise routine of motivational
expert and health guru Pat Croce,
an entrepreneur and former
president and minority owner of the
Philadelphia 76ers NBA team. He and
his family could live, run and invest
anywhere in the world they choose,
but they've chosen Key West.
Why has Croce taken such a
large stake in the Key West Historic
Seaport? The history has something
to do with it, as his recent purchases
of Turtle Kraals and the Half Shell
Raw Bar at the end of Margaret Street
confirm. The seaport's connection to
both the turtle processing industry
and the Half Shell are both legendary
as a watering hole for watermen and
women. Both restaurants are bathed
in a salty history.
All told, the Pat Croce & Company
group owns and operates six
restaurants in Key West, including
Island Dogs, the Green Parrot, Charlie
Mac’s and the Rum Barrel, all of
which are within a conch's throw of
the waterfront. The Croce family has
become one of Key West's largest
restaurant owners and the seaport area
holds particular value to its hospitality
vision in the Southernmost City.
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Whether you’re looking for a new state-of-the art system or just want your current
heating and cooling system to perform at its peak, there’s only one person you need to
know: your Carrier dealer. He (or she) knows how to deliver the comfort and efficiency
you need, regardless of your current system or budget for a new unit. So make the
most comfortable decision from the start. Call your Carrier dealer first.
©CARRIER CORPORATION 2/2014. A unit of United Technologies Corporation. Stock symbol UTX.
Key Largo
Islamorada
Marathon
305-451-1500 305-664-4637 305-289-5670
Key West
Big Pine
Sugarloaf
305-735-4322 305-745-1856 305-292-2923
www.houstonair.com
Licensed and Insured CAC 1815697
305-453-6332
305-852-2960
Call Houston Air for all your air conditioning needs, from service to
replacement we can do it all. Ask about our healthy air options.
www.c21Schwartz.com
Franchise Owned
and Operated
Jamie Atkins
First Professional Centre
5701 Overseas Hwy Suite 5
Marathon, FL 33050
Over 25 years of experience and
50 years of wearing hearing aids
All size hearing aid batteries
3 packages for $10.00
We gladly service (VA)
hearing aids at no charge
We repair all make and
model hearing instruments
We offer a 60 day trial 100%
money back if not satisfied
$3000 OFF!
The purchase of a pair
of ME-1 or ME-2
Solution Hearing Aids
Expires May 31, 2015
ISLAND CHARM
Where is the only place to shop in
Marathon for cool, hip stuff?
Top 10
DK’s Style Hut of course!
DK’s Style Hut is Marathon’s one stop
boutique for clothes, bags, jewelry and
accessories. Let Donna and Mia guide
you through our maze of the latest
fashions, or explore your own world.
There is something hip and stylish for
everyone at DK’s Style Hut, Marathon’s
clothing and accessory boutique.
Budget Friendly boat maintenance tips
WRITTEN BY Captain Mike Makowski
A fun, hip, stylish
little boutique jammed
packed with fashion
forward clothes
and accessories.
Open Daily at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays at noon
U.S. 1 at 84th Street • Marathon • (305) 440-2738
Next to Stout’s Restaurant, across from the Airport
Welcome to the
LOR •E• LEI
If you own a boat then you have heard the terms, “Broke Or About To Be”
and “Break Out Another Thousand.” Boat ownership definitely requires constant maintenance so here is a list of
lesser-known tips that can help with simpler jobs and keep your craft in tip-top condition year-round.
Restaurant & Cabana Bar
Beach/Waterfront Dining: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Featuring the best Seafood, Live entertainment
nightly and Full Bar Service until Midnight
1
2
Breathtaking views
for the nightly
Sunset Celebration!
Look for the Mermaid! MM 82, Islamorada
305-664-2692 | loreleicabanabar.com
3
4
When pliers or other tools kept on your boat seize
up from rust, simply soak them in white vinegar
for a few days. This will remove some of the rust
and free up your tools.
If you can’t start your engine, remember to always
check that the throttle is in neutral and your kill
switch is not on before calling in a mechanic.
This will save you both the embarrassment of an
unnecessary trip to a mechanic and an equally
unnecessary bill.
Use Q-tips to swipe the inside of the guides on
your fishing rods every so often. This will let you
know if you have any chipped or cracked guides
before you lose the big one.
After cleaning your boat’s battery terminals, coat
the terminals with petroleum jelly to prevent
further corrosion.
5
6
7
When drilling holes into fiberglass always place
masking tape around the area you intend to drill
into. This will prevent chipping.
If you intend on going out on the local waters
check out the web site www.windguru.com.
This has been a great resource for backcountry
guides. This site will give you wind direction and
intensity, wave direction and height, temperature,
and cloud cover. It also forecasts rain probability
for the next 12 days. It is very accurate. Take it
from a guide.
If you have stubborn stains on your deck try using
a product called FST, also know as fiberglass stain
remover. It may take a few attempts if it is a bad
stain. Only use soft scrub with bleach as a last
resort as it has the potential to damage your deck.
If you have to use it, immediately rinse the deck
and scrub the entire area with a cleaning agent
April 2015 | unwind
25
ISLAND CHARM
that has wax in it. Let it soak in for a few minutes
before rinsing the area.
8
9
10
Having problems with flies around your cleaning
table. Just hang a clear plastic bag filled with
water somewhere where the sunlight will hit
it. The light reflecting off the water in the bag
disorients the flies discouraging them from
visiting. Also put a penny in the bag of water to
help prevent algae from growing in the bag.
For boats with gasoline engines housed in
compartments, always run the blower for five
minutes before turning the ignition key, to clear
any potential gasoline fumes.
Always carry a manual bilge pump on board in
case the automatic bilge fails. I’d rather have it
and not need it than need it and not have it!
Captain Mike is a true South Florida native with a
deep passion for fishing and a flare for local history. He
runs Blackfoot Charters out of Dove Creek Lodge in Key
Largo. Learn more at http://www.blackfootfishing.com.
PRODUCT PROFILE
new, but it is now available for the
first time for quad engines typically
installed on center console boats
over 40 feet (this technology has
been available for dual and triple
engine set-ups for a couple of years).
Docking a large vessel without
bashing into neighboring boats or
piers can be challenging if the wind
and current is working against you,
but it’s easy using Helm Master. The
low-speed joystick control allows the
skipper to move the boat forward, aft,
port and starboard and it will even
turn the boat and hold it in position.
Push a button and Helm Master
Engines that Roar (& More )
integrates throttle, shift, steering and
trim for optimum performance and
fuel economy.
Ultra-SoniTec Anti-fouling System
This technology has been around
in one version or another for several
years and improvements continue.
Boats from 18-foot runabouts to
250-foot mega-yachts stay clean
of barnacles, algae and other
undesirables that attach to their
undersides due to ultrasonic waves
that disrupt growth, according to the
company. One or more transducers
are mounted on the hull (depending
on the size of the boat) and
connected to a low-voltage control
module that makes life unpleasant
for marine organisms. No need to
hire a diver to clean the bottom or
use toxic anti-fouling paint. The
system carries a two-year warranty.
Yamaha Marine F150
Yamaha Marine also unveiled an
updated version of its most popular
outboard model, the 2.7-liter F150.
They have improved the shifting
mechanism by adding a new pan
and cowl styling with an eight-tooth
clutch dog that shifts even more
smoothly than before. They also
added a sound-dampening system
that provides better reliability, is
quieter and has less of a clunking
noise. The updated F150 will be
available in models
with a 20-inch shaft
and a 25-inch
shaft as well as a
25-inch left-handrotating model
and a jet model.
Yamaha V MAX SHO®
Yamaha has also
released four
additions to the
V MAX SHO®
outboard family,
all of which are
102401 O/S Hwy. Key Largo | 305.451.4665
Fresh seafood
WRITTEN BY Susan Cocking & Richard Tamborrino
IT'S A JOY
Joystick navigation
for docking and
maneuvering vessels
is all the rage.
CENTERED
Large center console
boats continue to be
the most popular.
28
unwind | April 2015
The launch of a new boating season
— yes, there are boating seasons even
in the Keys — brings the introduction
of new models, new technology and
new efficiency throughout the marine
industry. Many of these new products
and engine enhancements integrate
a wide range of boating applications,
all geared toward catering to evolving
boater preferences for a better overall
boating experience.
The Progressive Insurance Miami
International Boat Show, which
concluded Feb. 16, is always a prime
showcase for the latest innovations
in boats, marine electronics and
accessories. Below is a sampling of some
of the new engine products you can
expect to see at your local dealerships
in the months to come, many of which
were introduced at the show.
Volvo Penta Forward Drive
Designed especially for the
wakeboarding and wake-surfing
markets, this new marine
propulsion system for inboards was
designed to pull a boat through the
water rather than push it, which
the company says creates more
fuel economy and better handling.
The system has two forward-facing
dual-counter rotating props with an
adjustable trim drive that allows the
skipper to customize and shape the
wave behind the boat. Volvo says
it reduces noise and vibration and
virtually eliminates fumes since the
exhaust is expelled underwater.
Yamaha Marine Group Helm Master
This joystick-operated control
system for outboard boats is not
from local
commercial fishermen
OPEN DAILY!
Lunch 11:30 am to 4 pm
Dinner 4 pm to 10 pm
Tropical Outdoor Patio
Indoor Dining & Live Entertainment.
Open for Dinner
5 pm to 10 pm
Closed Tuesdays
Reservations
RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR 305.451.0650
April 2015 | unwind
31
PRODUCT PROFILE
WAKE ZONE
Wakeboarding is
a dream with the
Volvo Penta Forward
Drive outboard.
DRIVE FORWARD
The Volvo Penta
Forward Drive
engine pulls a boat
through the water
instead of pushing it.
PROPANE POWER
Minimize your
impact on the
environment with
the Lehr 9.9 hp
Propane outboard.
compact, lightweight and capable
of performance typically associated
with two strokes, but with the
convenience, fuel efficiency and
quiet operation of a four stroke. This
includes The new V MAX SHO 115, a
shorter shaft motor for lake boats,
plus the 150, 175 and now a 250 with
a long shaft, all new products. The
new V MAX SHO 150 X-Shaft and the
V MAX SHO 250 X-Shaft are the first
members of that line to feature 25-
package for the 400R that allows for
up to seven different engine colors,
so boaters can make an even more
impressive statement.
as comparable gasoline engines,
and the 2.5- and 5-horsepower
Lehrs can operate either off a small
screw-on canister or a standalone
20- or 30-pound propane tank. The
9.9-horsepower model requires
a separate tank, and a 20-pound
container of propane will reportedly
power it for five hours at full throttle
or 14 hours at normal cruising speed.
inch shafts, making them ideal for
boats with large transoms.
says Bruce Popham, owner of the
Marathon Boat Yard Marine Center.
Edgewater & Yamaha 300 Step Hull
Edgewater is now using a Yamaha
300 step hull that employs cuttingedge hull design technology, is
lighter, more efficient and faster,
getting up to 30 percent more fuel
efficiency and topping out at 67 mph.
“The trend moving forward with
large center console boats continues”
Lehr 9.9-horsepower Propane Outboard
For boaters seeking to minimize
their carbon footprint, a propane
outboard may be a solution. Most
everyone knows propane burns
cleaner than gasoline, and many
may scoff at whether a propane
outboard is feasible. But Lehr’s new
9.9-horsepower model, introduced
this year, could win over a lot of
skeptics. This is not a conversion
engine; it was designed and built to
be powered by propane. The company
claims that fuel efficiency ends up
very similar to what the cost per
mile for gasoline is. It’s also the first
outboard available with electric start
that does not require an external
battery (there’s one tucked beneath
the cowling). All three Lehr propane
models claim to perform the same
Mercury Axius Joystick
Speaking of Verado, Mercury
has now adapted its Axius joystick
control system to outboard
use. Available only
on the 250- and
300-horsepower
Verados, the
system can
coordinate the
movements of
two, three or four
engines, providing
the same pointand-shoot
maneuverability
that pod- and sterndrive owners have
been enjoying
for years.
Mercury Verado 400R
The engine that arguably made
the biggest splash at the Miami Boat
show was Mercury's 400-horsepower
Mercury Racing Verado 400R
outboard engine. This engine touts
a “7,000 RPM rev limit for blistering
acceleration,” which “isn’t for the
faint of heart.” This engine has been
designed specifically for lightweight,
high-performance hulls, and
accomplishes the ultimate goal for
many boaters — speed. Interestingly,
Mercury offers a custom graphics
GET AWAY, GET IT ALL.
1-866-726-8259 • SantaMariaSuites.com
1401 Simonton Street • Key West, FL
BUILDING THE KEYS SINCE 1981
Local Knowledge and Expertise
SMS007 Ad 4C 3.5938x2.3282 1
6/26/13 3:18 PM
JOHN ESSLINGER
State Certified General Contractor
Cell 305-664-6665
Office 305-664-8900
john@IslandVilla.com
www.islandvillaconstruction.com
For a Purchase or Refinance,
Call Your Hometown
Mortgage Banker
A Keys Resident for 35 Years
Idania B. Lizano
Mortgage Banker
NMLS: 346368
UNRIVALED quality, commitment and satisfaction every time!
Cell: 321.914.5159
Fax: 888.222.2747
81681 Old Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036
idania.lizano@fembi.com
www.fembi.com
CGC #A57773
9300 S. Dadeland Blvd.
Suite 500
Miami, Florida 33156
ESSENTIALS
Boating
FLORIDA KEYS FULL SERVICE
BOATING & MARINE CENTER
Regulatory Marks
Boating, especially in the Florida Keys, can be exciting, adventurous and fun
as long as safety and preparation are part of your on-the-water plan. Safe navigation on the water contributes to a more
rewarding experience for every boater, from the novice to the experienced. Here are some helpful reminders for making
every boating excursion a success.
Green colors and lights
should be on your right
(starboard) side when
traveling out toward
open waters (seaward).
The numbers will be
odd and decrease as you
head out.
1
2
Red colors and lights
should be on your right
(starboard) side when
returning in from open
waters (shoreward).
These numbers will be
even and increase as
you proceed inland.
“Red, Right,
Returning”
Pre-departure tips
=
=
Danger
A diamond shape
alerts boaters to
hazards.
Restricted
Operations
Marks with a circle
indicate areas with
regulated operations.
=
=
34
unwind | April 2015
Danger
ROCK
no wake
5
MPH
Boats
Keep Out
Swim Area
Information
Marks with a square
provide helpful
information such as
directions, distances,
and locations.
• File a float plan with
someone you know. Tell
them where you're going
and when you intend to
return (and what to do if
you don't).
idle speed
Exclusion
A diamond shape
with a cross means
boats are prohibited
from the area.
• Check the weather
report and tides/
currents.
Gas
Dock
Boat
Ramp
Marks courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard; TIPS COURTESY OF West Marine
• Identify the location
and operation of the
following Coast Guard
required safety items:
life jackets, lifesling
or throwable flotation,
horn or whistle, fire
extinguishers, flares.
• VHF Radio; turn on
and select Channel 16.
Ensure that one other
person knows how to
transmit a Mayday.
• Ensure that one anchor
is ready for use and a
towline is available.
We are proud to offer quality boat sales by Edgewater, Parker and Mitzi Skiffs.
Choose from a great selection of offshore fishing & center console boats.
In Stock New & Used Boats Brokerage Sales
Factory Authorized Yamaha Dealer Dry & Wet Storage
Re-Power Specialist On Site Ship’s Store & Parts
State of the Art Equipment 60 Ton Travel Lift Fixed Price Work Orders
Paint Tent Finish On Time and Within Budget
2059 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL
(305) 743-6341
www.MarathonBoatYard.com
April 2015 | unwind
35