Boating deaths increase

Florida led the nation with 77 boating-related fatalities last year, a 10 percent increase over 2006. State law enforcement officials say the number of deaths could be reduced by as much as 25 percent, if mandatory boater education laws were enacted.

But a proposal to "phase in" boater education for the state's one million boaters over the next 11 years went nowhere during this year's legislative session.

Legislators said they believed it was the younger boaters who needed the education.  But most boating accidents and fatalities involve people 36 years or older who have more than 100 hours boating experience and no formal boating education.

In 1996, Florida began requiring boaters 21 years or younger to take a mandatory boater education course. Since its passage, the boater education law has reduced the number of accidents from greater than 21 percent to 14 percent.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission maintains that 15 to 25 lives a year could be saved if everybody took a safe boating class. That is why the FWC proposed phasing in mandatory boater education, in five year increments, over the next 11 years.

But at a Feb. 6 meeting of the House committee on Conservation & State Lands, the FWC proposal fell on deaf ears. Legislators balked at a proposal to expand the current regulations. read the full story in tomorow's St. Petersburg Times.

Free boats

Well, not exactly. But with the way the marine industry is going these days, it seems like dealers are practically giving boats away. Rising gas prices, a stagnant real estate market and uncertainty about the economy have rattled consumer confidence. As a result, would be boat buyers are thinking twice before adding another payment to their monthly bills.

This is bad for boat dealers, but good for consumers. Boat dealers have inventory on their lots that they have to move and they most are willing to make a deal.

I strolled around Tropicana Field yesterday as vendors were setting up for the Tampa Bay Boat Sale and couldn't believe the packed house. Every foot of floor space was taken up with cruisers, center consoles, ski boats and runabouts. I stopped and talked to a few salesman, each of whom was hoping to go home Sunday evening, minus the inventory.

The show opens today at 10 a.m. If you are in the market for a boat, get there early and walk the floor with with a pen and pad of paper. Take notes on what you see, paying close attention to those features that you can't live without and those you could take take or leave.

When making a major purchase such as a boat, some times it is best to sit back and watch the price. But it this case, it is possible to wait too long. Most dealers have brought boats they want to move. Wait too long and you just might lose the deal of a lifetime.

I talked to one dealer on Thursday who recently cut the sticker price by $30,000 (yes, five zeroes) and threw in a complete set of electronics just to make a sale. The move cut his profit margin in half, but he made a profit nonetheless.

You anglers may just want to head to the show to listen to some of the St. Petersburg Times Captain Corner correspondents at the Gulf & Bay Fishing School. Some of the area's best anglers will be offering around the clock advice on how to catch the big ones.

For more information go to the Tampa Bay Boat Sale.