Boating Tips

Join Sterling Associates’ Marine Finance Representative Cindy Lewis as she helps you navigate financing your dream boat on the Great Loop Radio Podcast! Marine Lending Basics – Key Moments in the Video About Cindy Lewis: Cindy Lewis has been in the marine industry for over 45 years. Early in her career she worked for a […]

December is all about the holidays, but the end of the year also means it’s time to start thinking about taxes. New boat owners, particularly, will likely have questions for their tax advisor about whether interest on boat loans or owning a boat is tax deductible. While the folks at Sterling Association can give you […]

Every recreational mariner knows boating is not always fair sailing and calm seas. If the boat’s a-rockin’, you or your passengers might be reeling … from seasickness. When you’re looking forward to getting out on the water, there’s nothing worse than feeling nauseous and dizzy, but fortunately, you can avoid motion sickness. Here’s some tips […]

The beginning of June is a magical time for boaters, as it means the boating season is officially underway. But for East Coast boaters, it also means the start of the hurricane season. While hurricanes don’t occur as often in the Northeast as they do in the Southeast, these powerful storms are wildly unpredictable. When […]

You’ve bought your first boat, and you’re imagining all the great times that are in store for you – the fun days with the family, fishing trips, entertaining friends, relaxing sunset cruises. That all awaits you. But first comes the task of learning how to operate your boat. If you’ve never boated before, captaining your […]

Spending quality time with your children is likely the most important thing you do. When that time with your children is spent on a boat, it’s an even better time. Boating with kids is a wonderful opportunity to bond with them, share fun times and make memories they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives. […]

No boater wants to cruise, swim or wakeboard in waters that are filthy and polluted, or explore a coastline littered with trash. That’s why a clean, healthy environment is as necessary for a good day of boating as water and a boat itself. Here are five things boaters can do to help keep the waters […]

If your boat’s propeller suffers any damage it can cause you big problems, from being a drain on your boat’s fuel tank to even leaving you stranded. Thankfully, most prop problems are easily avoided as long as you keep up with routine maintenance and are properly prepared when you leave the dock. Here are a […]

That smartphone in your hand is useful for more than just surfing for cat videos and posting selfies on social media. For boaters, it’s also a gateway to an enormous amount of helpful boating information thanks to the many wonderful boating apps available to download. Here are a few of the best boating apps. Boat […]

Do you have a boater on your shopping list this holiday season? If so, consider yourself lucky. That’s because there are plenty of wonderful gift ideas out there you can choose from. Here are a few of the best. Boat Shoes – A good pair of comfortable boat shoes are a must-have for any respectable […]

Winter can be a depressing time for recreational boaters. But smart boaters know the cold, dark winter months are the best time to tackle boat work that they don’t want to do during the summer. Here are a few boating projects you might want to do this winter. Change your impeller. A boat’s impeller can quickly […]

It’s always a sad day when the boating season comes to an end, and the process of winterizing your boat is sure to bring a frown to every boater’s face. But while winterizing your boat might be a joyless task, it’s an important part of being a boat owner. If you take the time to […]

You love your dog. So why would you leave your pooch home on a gorgeous boating day? Let your dog in on the fun by being one of the many boaters who bring their dogs boating. Here are a few tips that will make your day of boating with your dog enjoyable for the both […]

Every boater has imagined finding an anchorage in some quiet, secluded cove where they can relax, swim or watch the sunset and the stars come out. But you can’t just drop a hook wherever you want. There are a lot of factors to consider. Here are a few tips on choosing a good anchorage. Do […]

Most boaters look upon the end of summer with a sense of sadness, thinking it means the end of the boating season. But a few boaters get excited at the arrival of autumn, because they know fall offers some of the best boating days of the year. With cool, crisp days, great fishing, no crowds […]

Just as in virtually every area of our lives, advances in technology have had a tremendous impact on the boating industry. These advances have vastly improved the boating experience, whether you’re on the water or on the dock. Here are a few that just might make your head explode. Baby, You Can Drive My BoatOr […]

Center consoles are extremely popular in the small boat market, largely for their versatility and their maneuverability. They are adept in a variety of conditions, and they offer numerous storage capabilities. Here are five reasons boaters are drawn to center consoles. DesignWith the helm and the controls mounted on the console, you have plenty of […]

The boating experience is constantly evolving as technology improves and personal tastes change. Just as it is in the fashion world, there are trends in the boating industry. Here is a look at what’s hot as we head into the 2018 boating season. Fishing According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, 70 percent of boats […]

In April , we took the time to help prospective buyers select the right boat for them. In a previous blog, we looked at bowriders, cruisers, freshwater fishing boats, runabouts and sailboats. For this blog, we’ll tell you a little about saltwater fishing boats, speed boats, pontoon boats, trawlers and watersports boats. Saltwater Fishing BoatsThere […]

Whether you’re a beginner boater or a veteran on the water, choosing the right boat can be a complicated process. Although there are dozens of types of boats, one of 10 is likely to suit your needs. This month, we’ll look at five options, and then explore five more in April. BowridersThis versatile design can […]

Determining the best time to buy a boat is a little like trying to time the stock market; if it was easy, everyone would be rich. Although bargains can be found throughout the year, the general consensus is that fall and winter are the optimum times to do your boat shopping. Dealerships want to clear […]

Purchasing a new boat is exciting, even for experienced boaters. It’s also a major investment that requires thought and research. Here are some questions every boater should ask themselves before making a decision on a new boat. How will you use the boat?If fishing is your primary objective, will you be remaining inshore or heading […]

Author: Cindy LewisMarine Finance RepresentativeSterling Associates – Mid Atlantic Officecindy@recreationfinance.com410-903-6611 Imagine being a modern day Huck Finn, discovering the waterways, lakes, inlets and rivers that our forefathers transited while mapping out this country, and traveling the same routes that continue to be major supply routes for businesses today.  Books have been written about the trip, […]