End-of-year donations benefit boating - At Your Service

In the past five years, the nonprofit BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has given away over 10,000 life jackets for its Kids' and Teens Ufejacket Loaner programs. The Foundation also awards nearly $55,000 annually in grassroots boating safety and clean water grants to local groups needing funding.

Almost all of the funding for these programs comes from charitable member donations.

With tax-planning season upon us, now is the time to consider making a taxdeductible contribution that will save lives and help improve the environment. You can send your contribution to: The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, 880 South Pickett St., Alexandria VA 22304. Donations can also be made on your membership renewal form or online at BoatUS.com/foundation.

Stay Connected with eLine

Can't get enough association news? Try eUne, an online newsletter distributed bimonthly between issues of BoatU.S. Magazine, for those looking for updates on seasonal issues, friendly reminders and news about member services and programs.

Recent issues have featured tips on hurricane resources and tracking tools, seasickness remedies, fuel saving suggestions, online boating safety courses, tax tips, women's boating opportunities, and more.

If you're interested in staying connected with the latest information from eLine, drop us an e-mail to membership@BoatUS.com.

Give the Gift of Boating

Looking for a valuable, yet affordable, holiday gift for your friends down at the marina or boat club? BoatU.S. has a practical gift idea that will keep the recipient thinking of you long after the holidays are over--a BoatU.S. Gift Membership. Signing up your friends to a world of discounts, services and representation is easy. All you need is your friend's name and address and we'll take care of the rest. Once you sign them up for the special annual membership rate of $14, we'll send them a letter acknowledging you as the gift giver. And to make this holiday gift special for you, you'll also get to select a gift from us as our holiday present to you. To start spreading some boating cheer, go to BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628 or use the bind-in card contained in this issue of the magazine.

Where's Your Favorite Boating Spot?

Found your own slice of boating heaven that you would like to share with fellow members? In the upcoming year BoatU.S. Magazine is going to feature some of America's best boating travel destinations--places where members can travel to and get on the water through chartering or renting. But we need your help in selecting the right places.

It's not a popularity contest. It could be your vacation spot or right in your own backyard. Bayou or bay, creek or coastal sea, just tell us what makes this destination special to you and why it's worth a trip. Keep in mind the focus is on U.S. waters, and there needs to be a charter or rental opportunity. Send your suggestions to scroft@BoatUS.com.

Electronic Charts On Demand

You spoke and we listened. As of Nov. 1, every one of the BoatU.S. Marine Centers now have an innovative new service no other marine retailer can claim: we can custom program chartplotter data cards and cartridges for any cartography in the U.S. or Caribbean. No more waiting for a specially ordered electronic chart to arrive or having to buy an entire region when all you want is one section. The service includes data cards for the most popular Garmin, C-Map and Navionics brands. Custom data cards will be prepared for boaters while they wait.

Romance at Sea?

If you have any boating related love stories, or if you met your spouse or sweetie because of boating, we want to hear from you. Our January issue will feature some of your greatest romance at sea stories, and if yours is selected, we'll give both you and the object of your affection a $25 gift certificate for a BoatU.S. Catalog or marine center purchase. And not to mention, your story in print could be the best Valentine's Day gift of all! (250 words maximum, please.)

RELATED ARTICLE: The Shirt Off Your Back

Did you know that since 2000, all BoatU.S. Marine Centers have carried unique, patriotic, Fourth of July tee shirts? BoatU.S. members var and Diane Peterson do; they've been purchasing the annual tee shirts from the Minneapolis, MN, BoatU.S. Marine Center for several years, and the trend has finally caught on with other members of their yacht club. In fact, so many club friends asked the Petersons to pick them up a tee shirt this year that they bought out the entire stock and had to get the remaining shirts from another marine center in New York!

Pictured here are some of the Leech Lake Yacht Club members sporting the BoatU.S. Fourth of July 2002 tee shirt.