Sales Tax Law Reverts to 12 Month Rule
- By Bob Sherman
On the evening of September 30, 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 1452 effectively changing the sales and use tax law back to the 12-month test, effective immediately. For non-California residents, the 6-month test applies.

Boat buyers already under a "binding contract" to purchase, on or before September 30, are grandfathered in under the 90 day rule.

The "Repair, Retrofit and Modification Rule" applies as before, allowing work to be done in California during the test period, but with special conditions.

This proposal had been tabled indefinitely last June, and comes as a surprise to the marine industry. With California's budget deficit it is understandable, but it comes at a time when the marine industry is already struggling. Unlike September 2004, this time there is no window for Buyers to make their purchase before the law change. In 2004, there was a surge of boat buying activity prior to the law change on October 1.

Yacht Brokers are not qualified to advise you with certainty in these matters. Be sure to utilize the services of a qualified attorney. I refer my clients to two excellent attorneys in San Diego, who specialize in the area: Cris John Wenthur and Paul Trusso.

Editor's Note: Bob Sherman has over 21 years of Yacht sales experience and is the owner of YachtSource. He is also qualified to instruct on all vessel types, and has held 100-ton Captain's license since 1982. He is an avid sailor, and scuba diver. You can send an e-mail to Bob at bobsherman@BlueSkyNews.com

From the ECO-Detective - Drinking Water Purifiers, Your Achin' Back, Your Health, and the Environment
- By Russ Grandinetti
Years ago when I was a full time mega-yacht captain, I bought a water softener for my apartment. It took about an hour to hook it up under the sink, and the water it produced was great.

I didn't think about it much back then, but the reason the water it produced was so good is that a reverse osmosis system has filters that essentially only allow those pure H2O molecules to get through. They filter out any chemicals, solids, organic matter, and salts - even tastes and odors are eliminated.

Years later I had a drinking water purifier installed on one of my client's boats, and he was so happy with it that the word spread and the next thing I knew I was busy doing nothing but recommending water purifiers on other boats. The local rep even offered to put me on commission.

The main reason to put a drinking water purifier on a boat is that fresh water holding tanks on boats have a lot more impurities than the water from even your tap on land. This is true even if you have a watermaker. The Galley-Mate, which we recommend at Knight and Carver for example, will take stored water produced by your watermaker to less than 10 parts per million from 150 PPM.

But what I didn't realize was that another major reason those skippers were interested in having a water purifier on board was that it eliminated the need to schlep heavy plastic drinking water bottles on board, and then have to dispose of them later.

So interestingly enough, a water purifier can save your achin' back, give you sparking fresh drinking water on board, and move your vessel one step closer to green by eliminating plastic from the planet; not to mention more healthier water.

Russ Grandinetti is a noted megayacht captain with a background in marine sciences and oceanography. He is now the Green Products and Services Manager for Knight & Carver YachtCenter in National City, Ca. For more information about the product highlighted in this article or other eco-friendly products, e-mail Russ with your questions and suggestions.

Between the Sheets - Just a Simple Trip to a Fuel Dock
-By Richard Benscoter
Now I don't want anybody to think I've gone over to the dark side (power boats), but it didn't take much persuasion for me to accompany a couple of power boat friends of mine on an overnight trip to Ensenada last week for a little fuel; a great dinner; some sampling of local wine; and a return trip home the next day.

With passport in hand; sub sandwiches and chips and lunch fixin's for both ways, we three amigos headed about 70 miles South for the marina at the Hotel Coral just North of Ensenada, Mexico.


This trip was a great getaway. The setting at the Hotel Coral is fantastic - a beautiful pool and spa and fantastic food; not too close but not too far away. Of course, fuel at about half the cost of what it is here was no small attraction either.

There are fifteen tuna pens just to the east of the Coronado Island that extend from the island lea shore extending eastward a good half a mile. These pens show up on your radar as round circles and should be avoided.

Continuing South, the coast line is erupting with new high rise buildings as you approach the fuel refinery with Pt. Descanso off your port bow. As we passed the refinery there were three tankers laying at anchor and one offloading. These anchorages are not on any chart and this area should be transited with caution.

As you approach Pt. San Miguel you will see the new LNG receiving station under construction, and around the next point you'll arrive at the Hotel Coral Marina.
After tying up to the fuel dock we begin fueling and get cleared into Mexico. The marina staff performed these tasks in a matter of minutes, and we were assigned a slip for the night.

Dinner at the Hotel Coral exceeded my expectations with wonderful food, excellent service and the local wine was impressive.

The next morning we were greeted by pea soup fog. After visibility cleared to a quarter mile we headed North back home with our trusty radar as a guide. Almost three hours later, we emerged from the fog with our ears ringing from our boat's blasting horn.

After we left the fog behind, we encountered two pods of gray whales heading South in their annual migration.

Clearing customs back into the U.S. at the Shelter Island Police Docks was very easy and efficient; although I would suggest arriving during normal business hours to avoid delays due to off hours staffing.

One final note - Although I've portrayed this getaway as a whole lot of adventure and fun (which it is), If you decide you'd like to make this trip, here's a few precautions. Pick up a good chart of the area and a good cruising guide to Baja. Check the chart to make sure the Hotel Coral is shown on it, because even though the hotel has been there for several years, many of the Mexican charts have not yet been updated.

Also, even if you don't plan to fish on the way, if you have any fishing equipment (even a piece of string in the bottom of your toolbox), the Mexican authorities will be upset if they pull you over. To be safe, get a Mexican fishing permit for everyone on board at your local tackle shop before you go. Also, a passport is now required on both ends of the trip.

That's it for me this month - See you on the water.

Editor's Note: Richard Benscoter is a long time avid sailor. He's a member of the Silver Gate Yacht Club and owner of the Mariners Woodshop. If you have a sailing question for Richard, send e-mail to richard@BlueSkyNews.com.

Desktop Photo of the Month
Our thanks to Will Shelton who caught this fantastic high resolution desktop photo at the Chula Vista Marina.

It answers the age-old question - What's at the end of the rainbow? Answer - Of course! - Boating!

Click here for easy to follow instructions to download this or one of our other fantastic high resolution free desktop photos.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Tip of the Month - Which Flares Do I Really Need?
Technically and legally you need three day/night flares that are current if your pleasure boat is 75 feet or less. They can be pyrotechnic or hand held. Flares have an expiration date printed on the side that indicates the month and year they go out of date; usually three years after you buy them.

Now in reality, what should you have for boating in Southern California? If you are strictly a bay cruiser, the minimum standards are probably O.K., but if you go offshore fishing or cruising, you should consider going beyond the minimum legal standard. Some day your flares might be your last hope of rescue, so "minimum" really is a direct reflection on how you feel about you, your family, your friends, and your boat.

When I do Vessel Safety Checks for the Coast Guard Auxiliary, I recommend a couple of Orange Smoke flares be added to your emergency kit. The orange smoke is visible for miles during daylight as opposed to the regular flares that do not put out smoke, and they are more suitable for night.

For larger vessels, I recommend at least one parachute flare - they are incredibly bright, and can be seen for miles at night. They reach a height of 1,000 feet and theoretically have a visibility of 41 miles!

Many of the popular flare kits have the small 25mm flare gun with three shells. It is very important to remember that these flares go up about 300 feet and come right down in less than six seconds. Unless someone was looking directly in your direction, they probably wouldn't notice them, so use them when you have your rescue vessel in sight and they are facing you.

SOLAS emergency equipment is what is required for larger and commercial vessels. These flares are of superior quality and brightness and are considered the highest benchmark for safety internationally. They are more expensive than the safety equipment usually used on pleasure boats, but if you are venturing far offshore you should definitely consider this upgrade.

What to do with out of date flares is always a question. Should I keep them on board? I recommend that flares are probably O.K. for three years after their expiration date, but should then be disposed of at your local fire station. We have had a problem with some out of date flares suddenly burning from both ends or splitting, which are obviously both very dangerous situations. The striker on your flares should be inspected annually to assure no condensation has accumulated under the black cap. Blotting it with Kleenex and allowing it to dry usually suffices.

Happy and safe cruising to you - See you here next month!

Editor's Note: Bob Simons has been in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for thirty years and owns a small sailboat as well as a small powerboat. He teaches classes in Boating Safety & Seamanship as well as Basic and Advanced Coastal Navigation. Bob is also the co-owner of Seabreeze Books and Charts in Point Loma. You can send an e-mail to Bob at bobsimons@BlueSkyNews.com.

e-letters to the Editor

Dear Mr. Simons: I enjoy reading your Coast Guard Auxiliary column. I am interested in becoming a member of the Auxiliary, and would like to make my 26' Grady White a USCG "facility."

My brother-in-law has been in the USCG Auxiliary in Tampa/St Pete FL for many years and he suggested that I join.

Can you send information for me to get started with training and what ever other requirements there are in place? Thank you.

Sincerely - Richard C. - La Mesa

Dear Richard - Thanks for your interest in joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Your 26' Grady-White is the ideal size for a Coast Guard Auxiliary Operational Facility. The additional equipment required to be Operational is usually not to much more than a prudent boater would already be carrying. We can also obtain special pricing for you on these safety items.

The additional training you would receive in First Aid, Seamanship, Navigation and Communications is useful in whatever you pursue. For instance, should you ever want to pursue a Captain's License, all our hours on the water are documented with the Coast Guard.

When using your personal vessel on patrols, you will be reimbursed for fuel, oil, ice and food for your crew. Depending on your activity, there is also a maintenance fund for which you might qualify. When on patrol, you and your vessel would be covered by Coast Guard Liability Insurance.

As I'm sure your brother-in-law has noticed, there are many other benefits that are encompassed by being in the Auxiliary. We are part of the military and as such many companies appreciate our service and provide benefits and discounts. Possibly one of the problems with being in the Auxiliary is that suddenly you are expected to know about boat safety and the rules and regulations. In a short time you will feel comfortable with this newfound knowledge.

When I look at the above points, I see that they are all equally important as to why it would be good for us to have you join our Flotilla.

Since its creation by Congress in 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (the Auxiliary) has served as the civilian, non-military component of the Coast Guard. Today, the 30,000 volunteer men and women of the Auxiliary are active on the waterways and classrooms in over 2,000 cities and towns across the nation.

Each year, Auxiliarists save almost 500 lives, assist some 15,000 boaters in distress, conduct more than 150,000 courtesy safety examinations of recreational vessels, and teach over 500,000 students in boating and water safety courses. Richard, we refer to this as the "warm fuzzies" of the job because we are appreciated for our work.

Thanks again for your interest in joining the Auxiliary - I'll contact you shortly about taking the next step.

- Bob Simons