If you own a boat, you need a good mechanic. Of course, you can have your boat serviced at the dealership (if purchased locally) but the parts & service departments at boat dealerships can be expensive and impersonal. It has always been my preference to have a good working relationship with a honest, independent mechanic.

John Swift of Swift Propeller in Woodbridge, VA is a very knowledgeable boat mechanic that I can personally recommend. Don’t let the name fool you, the expertise of John & his staff extends well beyond propeller replacement and repair. I have had my boat at his shop for gel coat repair, winterization, barrier & bottom paint application, in-dash chartplotter installation and more. I have always been pleased with the work performed by Swift Propeller and the prices have always been reasonable.

Finally, spring is in the air. If your boat is in need of some TLC, get it in the shop now so it will be ready for fun once June gets here! If you have questions about boat service, repairs or pricing, give John a call at 703-494-7767 to discuss your options.

The Peak Bloom Period prediction for the beautiful Cherry Blossom trees that encircle the Tidal Basin in Washington DC has been revised to April 1 – 4, 2009! The peak bloom date is defined as the day in which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) trees are open. The entire blooming period prediction spans from March 28 to April 11.

The blooming of the cherry trees has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation’s capital city. The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal Washington’s rite of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms. Thousands of city residents and visitors from across the nation and around the world come here to witness the spectacle, hoping that the trees will be at the peak of bloom for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

One of the most popular activites is to rent a paddle boat and peddle around the Tidal Basic. Reservations are recommended. Now you can make them online. Of course, if you have a boat and live in Occoquan, your best option is to dewinterize and head north! It only takes about 30 minutes to reach the spot in between the Key Bridge and the 14th Street Bridge, where you’ll discover the best vantage point.

Looking to head up to DC as part of an armada? Check out the Potomac River Party Boaters Association to see if you can find any takers!

The largest boat show in the region takes place this weekend at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. If you’ve got spring on your mind, you should cruise by to check out the 85 exhibitors. Almost all of the major boat manufacturers will be represented.

Here are the boat show hours:
Friday, March 13, 2009:     12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, March 14, 2009: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday, March 15, 2009:   11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Prince William Marina and Hoffmaster’s Marina will both be onhand with large displays of new models. Boat manufacturers usually team up with dealers to offer special incentives during boat shows, so it can be a favorable time to buy a boat. If you are thinking about buying, maybe now is the time!

Last summer, I loved using my iPhone to navigate and check weather while out at sea. I was using the Google Maps app and I thought it was amazing at the time. Now it looks like there is a whole new slew of apps geared towards boaters. Check out this video review of some of the most promising (including iNav):