I went through the normal procedures to get the boat ready for the day's sailing adventure. Open the through hull valve - check. Review battery charge levels - check. Start the engine and let it warm up while I go through the remaining check list - check. Observe water coming out of the exhaust manifold - check. Everything looked good.

Our guests arrived all excited about the day on the water. We made our way out of the marina and made the turn to head north up the Intercoastal Waterway. We had gone a few hundred yards when the engine overheating alarm came on. I immediately looked to see if water was still coming out of the engine but nothing was coming out now. I immediately came about and headed back to the marina since we were still a short distance away.

The next day I went under the boat and realized that when I had made my monthly cleaning of the hull I had never tried cleaning the through hulls. We’re talking 3 years! Yes there were some barnacles in the through hull, a bunch of them. Probably enough blockage to have caused the stoppage in the water intake. It is worth a mention that a plastic bag or similar item can get caught in the intake and block the water from coming in. In hind sight, I would now put the boat in neutral and shut the motor off for a moment. If after restarting the engine there continued to be signs of a blockage then I would try to get back into the marina under sail if I had been any further away.

The cleaning of the through hulls did appear to work. I have not had a problem since that day. And yes, I will remember to make sure that this is added to the list when it comes time for the next hull cleaning.

As we head into 2010 I wish all a happy new year and decade!  Let's make sure that we keep our selves healthy and renew our commitment to keeping our planet a healthy place to live for ourselves and our loved ones.  Good sailing!

You should come away from this video with the following points:

• identify where the backstay is located
• how this affects the shape of the mast and sail
• when you might want to add tension to the backstay

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Thirteen-year-old Laura Dekker wants to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, and her parents think that's a great idea.

But the Dutch Council for Child Protection is so concerned about the dangers of the marathon voyage it has asked a court to grant it temporary custody of Laura so it can do what her parents refuse to: Halt the trip.

"Laura has divorced parents and it is very normal for a child of this age to be very loyal to the parent (he or she) is living with," Child Protection spokesman Richard Bakker told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "How much does she identify herself with her father, who is a good sailor?"

In an editorial Tuesday, the Dutch daily De Volkskrant warned that the young sailor was unwittingly putting herself in significant danger.

"She simply does not have the experience to anticipate the problems and possible crises that await her," the paper wrote.

What do you think?  Can a child of 13 have the experience to accomplish such a feat?  I know at 13 I was not equipped to handle this.  She must be an amazing kid to be attempting a circumnavigation!

Besides being fashionable it now makes economic sense  for the short and long term to invest in our future by utilizing green strategies. The following is a list that will get you on your way towards greener boating.

1. Keep up with regular engine maintenance and you can boost engine efficiency by about 4 percent and reduce fuel consumption.
2. Watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce an engine's fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.
3. Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
4. When your boat is moored at the docks do you leave the air conditioning on to prevent mold and mildew?  Turn the air conditioning off and use a device such as the Stor-Dry Air Dryer.
5. Avoid the use of finishes, adhesives, and compositions that may give off toxins into the environment.
6. When using bottom paint for your boat try a high-copper modified epoxy paint or one of the newly formulated no-copper alternative such as Interlux Pacifica and Pettit Vivid Free. Both utilize a zinc pyrithione biocide.
7. For washing dishes, clothing or bathing try using Sun Shower Soap.  I've found it to be very effective and it is environmentally friendly.
8. Have you ever started washing your boat and watched the runoff empty into the water?  There are several environmentally friendly products available for cleaning your boat including the Simple Green Family of cleaning products such as Simple Green Marine and Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner.
9. Use solar panels to supplement some of your electrical needs.
10. Replace your power boat with a sail boat.  Enough said!

Four people are confirmed dead aboard a capsized sailboat found off the Bahamas during the weekend.

The Coast Guard told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel its planes were searching for an overdue sailboat out of Fort Lauderdale when it spotted the overturned hull Sunday.

A nearby civilian dive boat went to the scene and discovered the victims in and around the boat.

The local Coast Guard Auxillary will come out and do a vessel safety check for free and make recommendations if needed. Contact your local auxillary or check out the Vessel Safety check website for more information.