Memphis Yacht Club

The Memphis Yacht Club (MYC) was founded in 1906 as the Memphis Canoe Club. Since then, it has grown to have more than 100 members, some of whom are sons of the founding members. The club is a small affair with no restaurant or bar, but members make up for it with warm Southern hospitality and the club’s close proximity to the Memphis downtown.

Very close to the yacht club is a monorail that goes to downtown Memphis, where you can enjoy a wide variety of events, shopping, hotels and restaurants. During the summer months, Memphis hosts many parties and festivals. Two highlights take place in May, when both the Beale Street Music Festival and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest take place. Throughout June is the Carnival Memphis, and in September there’s Cooper-Young Festival, an arts festival. But this is only a small sample of the many events take place throughout the year.

Each October members of the MYC cruise with boats from neighboring marinas 75 miles to Helena, Arkansas, for the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, where they enjoy a weekend of good music. The club also holds a fishing tournament each fall.

The MYC offers the only fuel service for nearly 200 miles in either direction on the Mississippi River that caters to larger vessels up to 150 feet in length. Both gasoline and diesel are offered for tanks up to 1,500 gallons. Tanks even larger can be accommodated if you call ahead and give notice at least 24 hours prior to arrival. An independent mechanic works on-site to service vessels that require repair. There is also a dry dock for boats up to 100-feet long.

The marina store offers convenience items and shower facilities, and is open every day of the week from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Transients may enjoy many other services; packages can even be received and held ahead of dockage. You can also get your boat washed with the pressure washers. The MYC doesn’t even charge a docking fee for boats without motors. For anyone cruising down the Mississippi, the MYC is a welcoming club with ample amenities and with easy access to anything that isn’t on-site.

memphisyachtclub.com

Boat Care & Feeding

Eco-Friendly Boat Hull Cleaning

Under an agreement with the ArmaKleen Company, SodaBlast Systems, manufacturer of eco-friendly boat hull cleaning systems, will use ARMEX®, the baking soda-based blast media from the makers of Arm & Hammer® Products.

In the SodaBlasting process, a non-destructive stream of air-driven, specially formulated baking soda under high pressure is first used to strip the antifoulant paint and open the blister. Then, to prepare the surface for repair and repainting, the affected area around the blister is feathered by split-second, swirled “micro-blasting.” This finishes the surface in preparation for repair. The entire process can be accomplished in one-tenth the time as traditional techniques, resulting in a properly prepared surface that is ready for blister repair and painting.

The SodaBlasting hull cleaning service is available from a network of over 160 company-trained, preferred SodaBlasting contractors worldwide.

sodablastboats.com // (800) 216-7632

Marine Metal Polish

The new YCP® - Marine Metal Polish contains a powerful yet eco-friendly formula that produces a big shine but doesn’t adversely impact the environment.

This new Marine Metal Polish has a silicone-free, semi-cream paste that polishes, protects and preserves all metals on boats.

It’s made from micro-fine, premium-grade oxide powders and environmentally-friendly ingredients that are blended into a semi-cream paste without the use of waxes or harmful petroleum distillates, making it safe for the waterways. The polish is uniquely packaged and heat-sealed to maintain its purity and consistency, ensuring that each jar remains fresh.

Marine Metal Products has teamed up with Amazon.com to sell YCP® - Marine Metal Polish online.
A 12-ounce container retails for $14.99.

yachtclubproducts.com // (888) 457-4463

Carbon and Glass Tapes Add Strength

Spars, centerboards and rudders are just a few of the places where WEST SYSTEM® Episize Unidirectional Carbon Tapes and Glass Tapes can be used to add strength and stiffness.

Carbon fiber tape provides stiff reinforcement while boosting tensile and compressive strength. It weighs 11.1 ounces, has a thickness of .015 inch and contains 144,000 fibers per inch of tape width. A polyester fill thread holds fiber bundles in place for easy handling and wet out.

Glass fiber tape is best used for epoxy projects where a little less rigidity is needed. Consisting of E-glass fiber, this tape isn’t as stiff as carbon tape, but is just as easy to handle and wet out. Average tape thickness is .0125 inch.

Episize Unidirectional Carbon Tape is available in 1.5- or 3-inch widths and in 12- or 50-foot lengths. Twelve feet of 1.5-inch width tape is $49.40 and 50 feet costs $128.10. For a 12-foot length of 3-inch width tape, the price is $60.90, while 50 feet costs $169.05.

Episize Unidirectional Glass Tape comes in 3-inch widths with a choice of 12- or 50-foot lengths. Twelve feet of glass tape costs $32.35 and 50 feet is $75.75.

westsystem.com // (866) 937-8797

Winterize Your Water System

By Nicole Gorsuch

For owners of seasonal equipment such as boats, some routine water system maintenance this fall could mean the difference between immediate enjoyment next spring and a big repair bill for burst or damaged pipes. There are some steps you can take to prepare your potable water system for freezing winter temperatures safely, effectively and with the lowest environmental impact.

Thoroughly flush and drain pipes and fixtures. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, so leave as little in your system as possible. Blow compressed air through the pipes, keeping the pressure less than 20 pounds per square inch to prevent system damage. A wet/dry vacuum on blower setting will work for smaller systems.

You may need to install a water heater bypass line to reduce the amount of antifreeze required and to protect only the parts of the system vulnerable to freeze damage. By installing a bypass loop with valves at each end, you will isolate the water system from the heater tank. This allows antifreeze to be pumped into the system without first filling the tank with antifreeze. This can save you several gallons of antifreeze. Also make sure your system is capable of accommodating the normal expansion of antifreeze, which occurs during periods of winter storage. Consulting a qualified plumber for assistance is never a bad idea.

Use specially formulated propylene glycol antifreeze. Choosing the right antifreeze product is important to ensure the safety of people or pets that might come in contact with and swallow spilled or stored liquid. The right type of antifreeze also can prevent harmful pollution of ground and surface water, in the event of a spill. Choose a propylene glycol mixture. These products can provide freeze and burst protection as low as -50° F, and are generally safe for people and the environment. DOWFROST RVR is specially formulated for use in seasonal equipment and is biodegradable to help protect the environment. It is safe for incidental contact by people or animals. DOWFROST RVR has the added benefit of reducing our dependence on petroleum-based chemicals, because it supplements the propylene glycol with renewable plant-based ingredients. Dow, the manufacturer of DOWFROST RVR, estimates this formulation could save nearly 250,000 gallons of oil each year.

Never use automotive antifreeze for water system winterization. Most auto antifreeze is made from ethylene glycol, which is more toxic than propylene glycol and can be more harmful to the environment. And don’t use windshield washer fluid, either, as it can freeze solid at subzero temperatures.

Flush your system thoroughly in the spring. When winter is over, drain and then flush all of the antifreeze from your water system using plenty of clean water. Capture the antifreeze and any contaminated water used to flush the system and dispose of the waste liquid properly. Once the system is thoroughly flushed, close the drains and recharge with drinking water.

These tips provide a general guide to successful winterization. But to ensure the most effective protection, be sure to follow any specific instructions provided by the equipment manufacturer.

dow.com

New Products

SeaComfort Marine Mattress

SeaComfort mattresses from Hickory Springs Marine Group are the only mattresses manufactured in compliance with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission mattress flammability standard.

Custom manufactured to fit your size specifications at the factory in Hickory, North Carolina, SeaComfort marine mattresses come in four models: Plush, Select, Premium and Ultra. The hinge option provides convenient access to storage and ease in changing bed linens. These mattresses are featured in three colors and include water-repellent and stain-resistant woven covers. The durable, tough, non-stick bottoms repel water and are mildew resistant.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price depends on size specifications, model and hinge option.

Sea-comfort.com // (828) 328-2201, ext. 4512


MiniCat Catamaran

The MiniCat Catamaran is an ultra lightweight catamaran that is small enough to be stored in a garage and light enough to be loaded in a car. This small yet full-bodied sailing boat can fit into a single bag. It offers an affordable opportunity to own a sailing boat without any storage or transport worries. Weighing only 81.4 pounds, the MiniCat can be assembled single-handedly in just 30 minutes.

The MiniCat is equipped with two inflatable floats made of reinforced “Valmex,” which is highly resistant to abrasion and very hard wearing. The keel fins attach under each float. Their design and shape allows the boat to be sailed in very shallow water without risk of damage.

The mast of the MiniCat, which measures 3.8 m (4.18 yards), consists of three sections of equal length that are slotted together. The MiniCat is available in three models, Standard, Super and Sport, and has five color options.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail “Sale” Price is $3,150 to $3,650, depending on options.

minicatamaran.eu

Board With Ease

The sturdy Step Platform from Slide Anchor makes it possible to board or alight from a boat with safety and ease.

Boaters simply hang the platform off any cleat or rail stanchion and adjust the rope to the desired height. Stabilizing rods with suction cups keep it in place on various hull shapes.

Holding up to 400 pounds, the durable stainless steel frame supports a non-skid diamond-plate aluminum or classic teak wood platform. A 12-inch fold-down ladder is included.

The user-friendly platform measures 22 inches (L) by 17 inches (W) by 16 inches (H). When not in use, it folds flat to a mere six inches tall and fits into a complimentary storage bag.

The 15-pound diamond plate aluminum Step Platform retails for $259.95 and the 17-pound teak wood model costs $289.95.

slideanchor.com // (928) 855-1108