DockSide

What would you like to see in DockSide?
E-mail us and let us know!
If you know of a recreational water event, contact us at the e-mail link above and we will post it for free.


Local Weather Information

New York State Weather Warnings

Local Doppler Radar

 



Lifejackets Save Lives!

Today’s life jackets may not be what you think – many are lightweight, easy to move in, and come in many sizes, styles, and shapes for every person and every sport. There are even ones for pets!

It is important to wear a life jacket at all times while boating.

Buy a lifejacket and save up to 15% off our already low sale price, yes off the sale price, not retail.



Join Rinker Boat owners from all over the world for information, fun and more.

Rinker Owners Site



Are you a Facebook fan? Use the link below to check out our Facebook site, or just search Knapiks Marine

Become a fan, write on our wall, join a discussion or rant and rave.

Our Facebook Site



Follow us on Twitter. Leave a comment or question and we will tweet back. Go to Twitter.com/knapiksmarine, or use the link below.

Our Twitter Site






Should I Wax The Bottom Of My Boat?

This question is debated all over the internet. In my opinion waxing the bottom of the boat does more for self satisfaction than good. With the friction of water plus what contaminants are contained, wax, if it did do any good, would not stay on long enough to be effective.

I can tell you information that was shared to me by a professional race boat driver. You should never wax the bottom of a boat. The reason is the wax does not allow the water to stick to the bottom surface and therefore only creates more friction during forward motion.

Here is how it works. When the bottom of a boat is either painted or left unwaxed the water is allowed to stick to the surface or "wet the surface".. Since water is now attached to the bottom surface, the water actually acts as slippery medium between the moving boat and the water that is basically standing still. According to what he said, water against water creates a lot less friction, compared to water against wax.

It is more important if you trailer your boat, to keep the bottom clean from road grime by washing with a good boat soap or Dawn. If you leave your boat in all season, bottom paint is a good idea, or a wipe on anti-fouling bottom coat that is some times referred to as bottom wax.



Here are some tips of courtesy to follow at marinas you may frequent during your boating excursions.

Marina Manners

 

Garbage in the water looks bad, and can cause problems for wildlife that mistake it for food and eat it. It is illegal to put any garbage into the water from a vessel that is on a lake, river, or stream. We urge all boaters to stash your trash and to dispose of it properly.

Be sure to Stash Your Trash!



The New York State Boaters Guide is now available. Stop in TODAY! For your free copy.



Model Year Look Up For
Evinrude & Johnson Product

In order to identify your model year on any Evinrude & Johnson products, use the link provided below.

Model Year Information

 

Evinrude Johnson Parts Lookup

We can help you with genuine parts for your Evinrude or Johnson product at competitive pricing. Call us at 518-842-8140

Parts Lookup

Evinrude Johnson  Parts Lookup



BigFish is the fishing site for you. State by state fishing information, forums, tips, videos and more.

If you love to fish, then you need to check out this site for the latest information.

Big Fish



15 Video Series
Tips, Safe Boating, How To's and more.

15. 05/13 Trailer Launch & Load
14. 04/13 Trailer Towing
13. 04/06 Trailer Basics Pt 2
12. 03/30 Trailer Basics Pt 1
11. 03/23 Boating Operation
10. 03/16 Boating Basics
9. 03/09 Childs Life Jackets
8. 03/02 Life Jackets
7. 02/16 Boat Terminology
6. 02/09 CO Warning
5. 02/02 Head-on Situation
4. 01/26 Overtaking Situations
3. 01/19 Crossing Situations
2. 01/12 Single Anchor Technique
1. 01/05 Single Engine Boat Handling





NY Trailering Laws

Maximum Speed Limit: 65
Maximum Dimensions for trailer:45'L x 8'6"W x 13'6"H
Minimum Weight requiring Separate Trailer Brakes:3,000
Safety Chains required
License Light required
Tiedowns required
Insurance not required but recommended
Wide Trailer Permit call 518-457-1155

 

Boat Registration & Titles

New York State requires that your boat be registered if it meets certain requirements. For information on boat registrations and titles, use the link below.

NYS Reg & Title Information



Starting Batteries vs. Deep Cycle

Starting batteries and deep cycle batteries may look the same but are very different in construction and recommended use. Use the link below for detailed information.

Starting vs. Deep Cycle



When you purchase a fishing license, you're helping to protect, preserve and enhance the sport of fishing for today and for generations to come.

License fees help pay for fishery and hatchery management, habitat development and protection, endangered species programs, fishing and conservation education, lake maps and other publications, and many other valuable programs.

All anglers 16 years of age and older must have a valid fishing license in their possession while fishing in the state of New York. Fishing licenses are available at most town clerks' offices and many sporting goods stores.

Go to the link below for the latest information and fee's.

License Information and Fee's




Green Boating
 

Boating Is Affordable

Compare the cost of boating to other activities and discover how affordable boating really is.

Cost Calculator



New EPA Emission Regs for 2010 Stern Drive and Outboard Engines. Get the full story here.

The Truth About 2010

 

Read about the E10 fuel that has arrived at pumps across the country and causing problems for boaters.

The E 10 Story



Be sure to check out the photos of our facility, in our photo gallery.

About Us






For the latest information on toll passes and permits, click on the link below.

Toll Information

New York State Canal

New York State Canal

  That Guy

Don't Be...
That Guy?

Launch ramp etiquette



Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel

Twiggy always puts safety first. She never goes on the water without her little squirrel sized life-jacket and she is always sharing the importance of water-safety to all her adoring fans. Click the link below to check out Twiggy in action.

Click here to go to Twiggy's site



Here is a handy chart for determining the required shaft length for both transom and deck mount Minn Kota electric motors.

Minn Kota Shaft Guide



Let's go boating!

Boat Buying Guide

Our boat buying guide has been put together to help make your boat buying experience enjoyable both during and after the sale. Check it out at the link below, and be sure to share it with a friend.

Boat Buying Guide

 

My Boat History, is a FREE service for BoatTEST.com Members. Here, you can enter all of the maintenance and service records for your boat. When its time to sell or trade your boat, or to simply track your service records, you can easily print out a service record report.

BoatTest.com



Hey... Learn them knots!

Boating fun just isn't complete without frequent stops for food, beverage and fun. These stops generally require some dock tie up techniques that sometimes present a knotting experience. Here are some tips to make tie up easy and secure.

Mooring Tie Up Tips

Basic Navigation Review

Now is a great time to review some basic navigation rules and aids. We have provided three links to simulators so you can review running lights, rules of the road, and aids to navigation. These simulators are provided by BoatSafe.com, and require Flash, which most current web browsers support. If these simulators won't run on your browser, you can install Flash here.

Running Lights
Rules of the Road
Aids to Navigation



The Fishing Equipment & Fishing Tackle Superstore, one of the Northeast's largest fishing tackle retailer and authorized downrigger sales and service center. They carry a huge selection of everything you need to fish.

FISH307.com



Everything you wanted to know about propellers. Click below for Propeller Basics.

Propeller Basics



If your into scuba diving, or looking to get into scuba diving, then a local club is your best source for help and information. Here is a good place to start.

Albany Aquanauts

Let's Go Diving!



Catch some air!

For those into wakeboarding, we have found a great site with information on this hot watersport.

WakeBoarder

 

38 Off!

WaterSki

This is a great site to keep up on all the latest waterski equipment and techniques.



Fishing Software For Your PC

Fishing Expert contains an intelligent data base for bass, trout (brook, brown, rainbow trout), musky, walleye, crappie, and bluegill which asks you questions about the conditions you go fishing under and then provides one of over 400 proven fishing methods or patterns.

Fishing Expert

Go Fish...



Net Knots

Looking how to tie some great boating knots? Check this site out for knots with illustrations. The link will take you directly to the boating knot page.

Net Knots

 

It's time to laugh!

Nautical Humor

It's time to laugh with some nautical humor. Nautical terms and lore your parents never told you about.



Justy-Joe Sport Fishing Charters

Captain Joe Greco, a good friend of ours, offers professional charters on Lake George, and Lake Champlain. You can get all the information about his "Fish Guaranteed" fishing charters at his web site by clicking on the above link.

Captain Joe Greco



Sacandaga Graph

Looking for the latest Sacandaga levels? Go here to see a graph of current lake levels along with past year data. Click on Year to date elevation, when you get to the page.

Sacandaga Level Graph



Links

Looking for equipment specifications, or help? Check out the Manufacture Links for a quick link to the information you need.

Manufacture Links

Lighthouse
 
Favorite Links

ENCON fishing information
Great Sacandaga Lake Association
Lake George Area
N.Y. Canal System
N.Y. Parks & Recreation
U.S. Coast Guard Aux.
U.S. Power Squadron

Email Knapik's Marine
Return Home