April 5, 2000
Course teaches the ropes, knots of boating
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
When Billie and Todd Clark bought a 23-foot Wellcraft powerboat last year, they knew that Billie, being a novice boater, needed to learn the basics of life on the water.
The Lake Ann residents decided that just having Todd know the ins and outs of boat safety, navigation, rescue and marine equipment was not adequate, especially since they often took their two-year-old son with them.
"Me being a new boater, I wanted to know the safety stuff in case something happened to Todd out on the water," Billie Clark said. "He was really well prepared as a boater and I needed to learn everything."
The couple enrolled in a Boat Smart class offered by the Grand Traverse Bay Power Squadron, a local power boating group that provides a variety of educational courses year round. The Boat Smart class is geared at novice boaters and in two four-hour sessions prepares them for a summer of legal, safe and fun boating.
The first session Saturday at the Coast Guard Air Station discussed the basics of navigation, safety, equipment and covered the legal requirements of safe boating at the national, state and county level. Students also learned the basic marine knots, including the figure eight, cleat hitch, bowline and half hitches, taking home their ropes to perfect their skills between sessions.
For the Clarks, giving up two Saturday mornings was an investment of time they were eager to make, looking ahead to future outings on Crystal Lake and Lake Michigan.
"We wanted to make sure she can take care of everything if I'm not there," Todd Clark said.
Getting up to speed on boating basics or getting a break on their insurance motivated the other 18 members of the class, which included a nine-year-old child and three teens.
"I have ridden in boats but never owned one," said Brian Crawford of East Jordan, who attended the course with his son, Jacob, 9. "There are a lot of rules, regulations, terms and common practices to learn and this course really helps. It also shows our son that boating is serious."
At the end of the second session next Saturday, participants can take a test to qualify for membership in the Power Squadron. This certificate of completion can also get boat owners a break on their insurance rates.
"We teach safety here and we want people to know how to be a responsible boater, whether it is on a sailboat, motorboat or personal water craft," said Dale Wentzloff of Benzonia, one of the instructors of Boat Smart.
A local unit of the nationwide United States Power Squadron, the Grand Traverse Bay Power Squadron offers the Boat Smart course in Traverse City three times a year and at least once in another nearby town. It also conducts numerous courses for members on topics including safe boating, seamanship, piloting and navigation. The 200 members locally are part of 60,000 members nationwide in more than 400 units.
"We are not affiliated with the government in any way," noted Bruce Trudgen of Acme, a member of three different units for 41 years. "We are a fraternal organization that performs public service and boating education. It is also a good way to get acquainted with other boaters in the area."
With the water levels so low this year, navigation and boating skills will be crucial, course organizers said.
"You have to think a lot more about the boat's draft," noted Doug Scott of Traverse City, one of the Boat Smart instructors. "You have to watch the charts and instruments more closely. It is a different game now, you are going to get into trouble much faster when it's so shallow."
For more information on future Boat Smart classes or other Grand Traverse Bay Power Squadron activities, contact Dale Wentzloff at 231-882-7229 or at wentzlof@benzie.com.