West Marine's New Year's resolution: go boating more in 2005!

We all know what it's like to make a resolution and not keep it. That exercise bike still languishes in the garage--right next to the unicycle you promised to learn to ride. This year, why not make a resolution you can actually keep?

Boating and watersports can improve your life, bringing fun, relaxation, family time, exercise, stress relief and closeness with nature--we think everyone should do more of it. We've got solutions to every obstacle (or excuse): boating's too inconvenient, too expensive? New products and technology are available to solve all that.

Step 1: Make Boating Easier

Aspects of boating can be a pain in the stern. Here are a few of the newest products to boost convenience and minimize the hassle.

Marine technology is getting smaller and smarter--there's no better example than the Mystic Handheld--a GPS and a VHF radio all in one. For small boats, the skipper wants to communicate and check coordinates, but may not have the space for separate fixed- mount instruments. Juggling two handhelds is worse--one of them will end up in the drink. With Mystic you only need one unit--glance at the large LCD display for graphical chart info and speak into the DSC-enabled VHF radio. Easy.

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Powerboaters' lives will be made easier by the Ringprop the ingenious new ring-enclosed propeller with no exposed blade tips--preventing weed fouling, rope wrapping, dings and damage from rocks and reefs--not to mention added safety for your hands and feet. And the manatees will thank you, too!

Step 2: Make Boating Safer

It's a blast to have the kids aboard and 2005's line of safety products help make that a worry-free reality.

Life jackets can be uncomfortable, restrictive and, potentially "uncool" looking. But we all need to wear them--that's where the Float Tech Inflatable Jacket shines. It looks and functions just like a foul weather jacket with rip-stop breathable nylon and waterproof shell ... but concealed inside is an automatically inflating PFD. The result is safety with style!

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When activated, the AquaFix[TM] 406 GPS Personal Location Beacon broadcasts your GPS location to rescue services, shaving off valuable hours from rescue time. The optical GPS interface gives you access to key information and the unit will transmit for 24 hours in temperatures as low as -4[degrees]F. The rugged polycarbonate housing is waterproof and floats. Protective holster mounts easily on belts, webbing, PFDs or clothing.

Step 3: Make Boating More Affordable

Costly repair, replacement and maintenance can put a hole in your wallet that drains the fun right out of boating. West Marine's new fleet of products is built to be more affordable and last longer without replacement or repairs.

West Marine LED Trailer Lights cost a bit more than standard bulb lights initially, but last years longer. Long after standard lights have been replaced once, twice, even three times, these LEDs will be burning bright to save you big bucks.

Fixed-Mount VHF radios are an essential piece of safety gear on any sea-going vessel these days--but they can get pricey. Exclusive West Marine models, the VHF500 DSC and the VHF600 DSC (with Wireless Remote Capability) can save you as much as $100 over comparable products. With JIS-7 waterproof certification, you'll save money on costly replacement.

For boaters, a big expense can be shore transport. Imagine you land in a port somewhere and want to go into town for groceries and sight seeing. Hire a taxi? No, take our new Docksider Folding Bike--save cash, get exercise and get where you want to go.

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Step 4: Make Boating More Fun

Sometimes it takes some extra perks to get the whole family to go boating--this year's line of great "toys" will do the job.

You'll have to see it to believe it--the Manta Ray towable launches out of the water and hovers, making possible heart-stopping aerial maneuvers! Innovative wing design provides lift like a kite so a rider of suitable weight can get airborne and actually glide over the waves!

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The Pioneer AM/FM/CD/DVD/LCD System turns boring evenings aboard into entertainment heaven. It's a full stereo source unit with tuner and CD player with CD-RW/MP3 compatibility--combined with a DVD player and built-in 6.5" LCD screen to turn your boat into a floating digital theater.

It's new year with 365 days of potential boating--West Marine is here to help you enjoy as many of them as possible with reliable products and unbeatable value. All the great new stuff mentioned here is available at West Marine stores, online at westmarine.com or by calling 1-800-BOATING.

By Chuck Hawley, Vice President of Product Development, West Marine

COPYRIGHT 2005 Boat Owners Assn.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group