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Our Guide to Holiday Boating Gift Guides

December 9, 2024 By EJ Vongher

With the Holiday Season upon us (where did the year go?!), it’s time to celebrate your favorite boater (or give hints to your favorite crew members on gifts for the captain). With that in mind, we thought we’d share links to some of our favorite boating-oriented gift guides.

The season of light is upon us – these gift ideas will brighten any boater’s holiday.

Sail Magazine Books and DVDs – Sail Magazine has pulled together a list of books and DVDs that represent a mix of fact, fiction and boating with furry friends. We’re personally looking forward to reading “The Ship Beneath the Ice”, providing firsthand detail on the Shackleton Expedition. See the list. 

Boating Magazine Gift Guide – a broad mix of fifty nifty gift ideas for both sailors and powerboaters, representing a wide range of price points. Everything from flashlights to coolers to sunglasses are represented in this collection of practical ideas. Learn more here. 

Discover Boating Gifts for Sailors – As we all know, sailors are a special breed. This guide includes practical gifts like noise-cancelling headphones and headlamps, gifts to gain knowledge as well as a fairly robust collection of marine electronics ideas. Read more here. 

Popular Mechanics Boating Accessories Guide – while not a Holiday Gift guide in the traditional sense, this guide provides ideas about a range of gifts that every boater might need, from portable trash cans to buff-out pads to waterproof decks of cards. See the guide. 

YachtWorld Holiday Gift Guide – the YachtWorld guide is a mix of the practical (Magma grills or 4 gallon solar showers) and the profligate ($200 video-enabled fishing lures or $20,000 James Bondian motorized snorkeling scooters). See the complete YachtWorld guide.

We hope one of these guides will help provide a hint for the perfect boating-oriented gift that will brighten the holiday season for your favorite captain or ship’s crew.

Filed Under: Boating Life Tagged With: Marine Internet, Mobile Broadband

Internet Connectivity Solutions as convenient as they are robust, whether in the marina, on the hook, or underway.

April 28, 2022 By EJ Vongher

While most boaters daydream of throwing off the dock lines and escaping from the hustle-bustle of their daily lives for a day, a week, or a year, the fact remains that connectivity in the form of convenient, reliable high-performance marine broadband solutions is as important as any other system on a boat these days.

Fast, reliable mobile broadband makes remote work on your boat more convenient and productive.

Robust internet connectivity is central to many of life’s leisure, productivity and remote work activities these days and this extends over to the time boat owners spend on their vessels, whether in the marina, on the hook or while making passages. Boat internet connectivity solutions offered heretofore involved satellites, amplification of cellular signals, or marina wifi and each of these, whether it’s cost, bandwidth, or competing users, can have drawbacks. 

In response to this, Marine Special Products Group has developed strategic partnerships with three mobile broadband industry leaders to create solutions that offer reliable cellular connectivity services to satisfy the needs of even the most data-hungry boat owners. So whether you are working remotely on your boat, have a Gamer Grandchild to keep entertained, or just want to stream Captain Ron without any buffering, you should consider a marine mobile broadband solution from MSPG. 

The key elements of our marine internet connectivity offering include:

  • Pepwave Max BR1 – an industrial-grade router including a compact MIMO antenna, this component creates a high-speed 4G hotspot to satisfy the data needs of any device onboard. 
  • InHand Network 5G InRouter600 – especially for remote workers needing ethernet connections and VPN security, this series of high-speed 4G and 5G LTE cloud-managed edge routers deliver fast and secure connectivity for enterprise-class marine internet access.  
  • Poynting Antennas – designed specifically for marine and coastal applications, these antennas cover the range of LTE and 5G reception at sea, as well as functionality to provide dual-band Wi-Fi distribution while in the marina or underway.
EnHand ER805 Cellular Router Speed Test

A real-world speed test using an InHand ER805 Cellular Router on a vessel moored on the Connecticut River near Portland, CT.

In addition to specifying and installing solutions created with these components, we also provide systems administrator services, including remote system administration. Should you have an issue and need help post-installation, we may be able to address it without needing to come to your vessel – regardless of where it lays.

If you are interested in learning more about vessel internet connectivity solutions or would like to book us for a consult, please contact DG Fitton. DG would be happy to talk about upgrading your current mobile broadband system or specifying a new remote internet connectivity solution for your vessel. 

Filed Under: Boating Life, Marine Electronics Tagged With: Marine Internet, Mobile Broadband

Our Favorite Shoreline Dining Spots in Western CT

May 19, 2021 By EJ Vongher

Seafood Dining in Connecticut – is there anything more mouthwatering? When you are trapped in your car on I95 trying to get to your favorite restaurant, that can be frustrating. But – we’re boat owners! We can just drop the hook, hop in the dink, and paddle up to the dock.  To this end, we’ve created a Facebook Group where thoughts on this topic can be shared. While this new group ramps up, we thought we’d share some of our favorite Dock and Dine restaurants close to the marinas in which we work along the Connecticut River and western Long Island Sound.

What says Connecticut Shoreline more than a hot lobster roll with corn on the cob on the side?

The Griswold Inn, Essex – Our hometown of Essex has a rich maritime history and has welcomed mariners for centuries. Today it offers anchorage, marinas, and The Griswold Inn. Known the world over for excellent dining and historic accommodations, The Gris is just a one-block walk from the water’s edge. The Tap Room is a must-visit.

Black Seal Seafood Grille,  Essex – Recently re-opened after an extended closure due to fire and smoke damage, great food in a casual environment can once again be found at the Black Seal. A pleasant three-block walk up Main Street from the local marinas, The Black Seal is a salty sailor’s choice with decor to match.

Carlson’s Landing, Essex – A transient slip at an Essex Marina, such as Dauntless Marina will provide access to Carlson’s Landing. Overlooking the Connecticut River and the River Museum, Carlson’s Landing – opened in 2019 by Cafe Routier founder Robert Rabine – offers seasonally and geographically inspired seafood, steaks, and farm-to-table American cuisine. 

Siren Kitchen and Bar, Essex – Located on Essex Island, and one of the shortest ferry rides you’d ever take from Ferry Street, Siren is new but destined to become a mariner’s favorite. Casual seaside favorites, salads, chowders, and frozen custard. The corn fritters are worth the price of admission. Boaters can easily access Siren from Safe Harbor Essex Island marina.

Be it New England or Rhode Island (pictured), clam chowda is the official soup of a Connecticut Summer.

The Blue Oar Restaurant,  Haddam – A favorite stop for Connecticut River boaters, the Blue Oar – located within Midway Marina – offers shaded outside dining, a wide variety of superb deserts, a short-order menu that delights, and a signature Mandarin salad worth the boat ride in and of itself. It’s a BYOB stop so bring your favorite beverage or wine, and fancy table settings to make it a memorable occasion. 

The Gelston House, East Haddam – Stroll across the East Haddam Swing Bridge from Andrews Marina to find The Gelston House, where New England meets the Mississippi Delta. Highlights include Chorizo Baked Oysters, Parmesan Cod, and the New Orleans Shrimp and Grits. Weekend brunch on the patio is also amazing. 

Rustica Ristorante, Chester – Docked or Moored in Chester – perhaps at the Chester Boat Basin – and looking for a nice Italian dinner? Then Rustica Ristorante is right up your alley. You’ll find all the traditional Italian favorites here, featuring poultry, beef, pork, and seafood options. The sauteed shrimp and clams casino appetizers are personal favorites. Be forewarned – if you are on a boat, you will need to arrange a ride to get to this place. 

Fresh Salt,  Old Saybrook – Located in the Saybrook Point Marina, this upscale spot at the mouth of the Connecticut River offers wonderful views of Fenwick and the Long Island Sound. A local favorite, their menu – driven by locally sourced farm and fish ingredients – changes with the seasons. Our favorites include the Monir’s seared scallops and a cioppino that transports one to the Med. 

Baked Stuffies – price of entry for a Connecticut shoreline restaurant.

Liv’s Shack, Old Saybrook – Located in Harbor One Marina, Liv’s Shack is an additional summertime location of the famous Liv’s Oyster Bar in downtown Old Saybrook. They specialize in Hot Lobster Rolls, Fish Tacos, great burgers, and, of course, a variety of local oysters. Their Old Bay french fries are also amazing.

Bill’s Seafood, Westbrook – For many boaters, Bill’s is a summer mecca here in Connecticut. For year-round residents, it’s a go-to seafood spot that never disappoints. The seafood bisque is unparalleled and if you favor fried fish – this is the spot. Great live music and the daily happy hour keeps the place packed between lunch and dinner. 

Dad’s Restaurant, Niantic – For over 50 years, Dad’s Restaurant – located adjacent to Port Niantic marina – has been serving typical New England seafood favorites to boaters and beachgoers alike. This seasonal spot is great for families, fried seafood, and casual indoor and outdoor dining. They serve both Connecticut (warm buttered) and Maine (cold with mayo) lobster rolls. 

Captain Scott’s, New London – Located in Shaw Cove, across from Crocker’s Boat Yard, Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock – owned by a former lobsterman turned restaurateur – has been offering Hot Buttered lobster rolls, both New England and Rhode Island clam chowder, clam fritters and other seafood favorites for over two decades. Casual and comfortable Red 36/Mystic

Red 36, Mystic – Located directly on the Mystic River (dockage available) and across the river from Fort Rachel Marina, Red 36 is an upscale “New England Coast” restaurant offering fresh seafood, an extensive raw bar, flatbread pizza, and burgers for hungry mariners. We love the happy hour “buck a shuck” oysters, street tacos, and seafood paella.  

One final word – as with all Connecticut Shoreline restaurants, reservations are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED on the weekends so call ahead so as not to be disappointed. Tell us about your favorite Connecticut Shoreline restaurant.

Filed Under: About MSPG, Boating Life, Essex, CT

Get your winter boating fix at The Hartford Boat Show

February 1, 2017 By EJ Vongher

Get your winter boating fix at The Hartford Boat Show

If you’re like us here at Marine Special Products Group, by this time of winter you are deep into boating withdrawal. Some odd behaviors are telltale signs: looking for cleats when you pull into a gas station, throwing on foulies before you take a shower or fighting an urge to keep stop lights to the right are all good indicators you may be suffering from Amarinus Extremus.

Doctors say it’s technically an extreme void in marine activities. We say it’s a lack of fun! So how do you cure it? Well – start thinking about the upcoming boating season. One way to do that is to put together a checklist of upgrades you might be considering for your vessel next season (get some ideas here).

Another way is to get up to the Hartford Boat Show running from February 9th to the 12th at the Connecticut Convention Center. We can help you here too. If you plug in the code MSPG123 when you purchase your tickets, we can save you $2 per ticket.

Finally, if you need some heavy-duty boating immersion therapy, stop by our booth at the show. We can talk you off the Amarinus Extremus plank with some thoughtful conversation about Marine Electronics, Boat AC and Heating or Marine Sanitation Systems. What’s more, if you own a boat you’ll be able to register for our raffle and win some very boaty prizes including a Dometic Air Purification system or an afternoon in our hometown of Essex featuring lunch provided by Olive Oyls and tickets to the Connecticut River Museum.

See you next week.

Filed Under: Boat System Upgrades, Boating Life, Marine AC, Marine Electronics, Marine Sanitation, Uncategorized Tagged With: Boat AC, Boat Maintenance, Marine Electronics, Marine Sanitation

PFDs only work if they work!

June 27, 2016 By EJ Vongher

Since 2010, the National Boating Safety Week campaign has centered on a pretty simple concept for boating safety: wear a PFD. Whether you call them personal flotation devices, life jackets or life preservers, donning a PFD dramatically increases the likelihood of a positive outcome to most mishaps on the water.

Wear It ArtHowever, making sure that PFD is functioning properly is critical to this approach. We all go through a variety of “checklists” to make sure our boats are in working order every spring; doesn’t it make sense to take a moment to do the same thing for the most important piece of gear on your vessel?

Whether you have a foam life vest or an inflatable one, the steps below represent accepted best practices to ensure that vests are properly fitted, maintained and in good working order.

We’ll Start with Inflatable Vests. First step is a visual inspection. Open up the vest and visually inspect the bladder; make sure that there are no rips, tears, excessive abrasion or holes and that all seams are securely sewn. Don’t forget to inspect the outer cover, adjustment straps and any integrated harness strapping to make sure they are sound and in good working order. If the cover, straps and harness are not working properly, further damage to the vest through normal use can become accelerated. Or worse, prevent the vest from working as it optimally should when you need it the most.

PERFORM AN INFLATION TEST

  1. Manually inflate the vest using the oral inflation tube.Inflation Test
  2. If you have another cylinder on hand, use the opportunity to test the manual pull tab inflator on your vest.
  3. You should inflate the vest until the bladder is firm to the touch. Then let the vest sit overnight; this will help identify any slow leaks or decaying seals. By the next morning, the vest should still be as firm as it was after you finished inflating it. If it is not, you have a leak and you should replace the entire vest.
  4. INFLATION TESTS SHOULD BE PERFORMED EVERY TWO MONTHS

Next, Ensure that every mechanical component of the inflator is in proper working order. Start with the CO2 cylinder; remove it by unscrewing it from the inflation mechanism. Inspect it to make sure there is no pitting or rust on the threads as poor threads can allow air to escape during the inflation process. Check the date on the cylinder; if your cylinder is within one year of expiring, it is best to replace it.

If you have an automatic vest that uses a bobbin to activate the inflation, a good rule of thumb is to replace the bobbin annually. However, if you do not have a replacement bobbin or believe the bobbin can last more than one season, at least make sure the bobbin still has all of its filler-material. In addition, make sure the filler CO2 Bobbin Inspectionmaterial has not developed a glaze which will increase its impenetrability causing a delay in inflation activation. During the season, a good practice is to inspect the bobbins every two months.

Hydrostatic inflators on PDFs offer reliable inflation in a low maintenance design that only automatically inflate when submerged in four or more inches of water, not inadvertently due to rain, spray or humidity. However, these units typically have a finite working life – usually five years from the date of their manufacture. So it’s critical to check the date on these inflators and if they are within one year of expiration it’s best to replace them.

Foam or Inherently Buoyant vests, similar to inflatable vests, require that their outer covers, seams, straps and any harnesses to be in good working order to serve their function. So, just as with an inflatable vest; begin with a visual inspection of the PFD. Make sure that there are no rips, tears, excessive abrasion or holes, that all seams are securely sewn and any buckles are securely fastened and working properly.

This is also a good time to make sure you are using the right vest for the type of boating activities you’ll be enjoying. Make sure it is properly rated and recommended for the activity. You will also want to make sure that the vest is properly rated and fitted for the person using the vest.

DETERMINING A PROPER LIFE-VEST FIT
A proper fit is essential to ensuring a PFD will function adequately when it is needed. It should fit snug but not overly tight, It should not restrict breathing or be uncomfortable in any other way (uncomfortable vests do not get worn, and an unworn vest is useless in an emergency). The United States Coast Guard recommends the following steps in fitting a life vest:

  1. Check the manufacturer’s label to ensure that the life jacket is a proper fit for your size and weight.
  2. Make sure the jacket is properly fastened.
  3. Hold your arms straight up over your head and then ask a friend to grasp the tops of the arm openings and gently pull up. There should be no excess room above the openings and the jacket should not ride up over your chin or face.

Kids PFD Fit GuideIf you will have children on your vessel take special note that to work properly, a PFD must fit snugly on a child. To check for a good fit, pick the child up by the shoulders of the PFD. If the PFD fits right, the child’s chin and ears will not slip through. Ask them questions about where it feels too tight or loose, make adjustments as necessary. While it may seem obvious, children grow and may need a new life vest every year or two. Be sure the child’s life-vest is the proper vest for their weight range. Standard Weight Ranges For Children’s Life Vests Are:

  • Up to 30 Lbs
  • 30 – 50 Lbs
  • 50 – 90 Lbs

Speaking of children and life vests, remember that PFDs are not babysitters. Even though a child wears a PFD when on or near the water, an adult should always be mindful of the situation. Another obvious point: remember that inflatable toys and rafts should not be used in place of PFDs.

When considering life jackets for infants, toddlers or non-swimmers, choose a model that has extra foam behind the child’s neck which will help the child right themselves if they fall into the water. Also, allow young crew members to experience their life jackets in a controlled settings such as a pool. This lets the child feel how the life jacket will float them when they are immersed in water, potentially minimizing panic in an emergency. It will also let you see how the jacket fits in an in-water situation.

One final word about children and life jackets – be aware that children are extremely perceptive and if you minimize the risk factors for wearing a vest, they will mimic your attitude. Handing down good safe boating habits is one of the best gifts you can provide a young crew member so wearing your lifejacket when you are boating with them will set a good example. Setting this precedent early in their boating life, especially as they approach pre-teen and teenage years will hopefully avoid any notions that wearing a lifejacket is silly, un-cool, or worse yet, for little kids and babies.

Finally, if you have any lights or peripheral equipment associated with your vest such as Spray Hoods, Whistles, Safety-Knives, PLB, AIS, or Tethers, now is a good time to inspect them as well. Make sure all peripheral equipment is properly secured and affixed to the life jacket.

Here at Marine Special Products Group, we are either on boats or in conversations with boaters every day. We realize people want to be comfortable and casual in their approach to boating life. Integrating safe PFD practices into everyday boating makes it a more comfortable experience for everyone involved. To learn more visit the USCG website on PDFs.

Filed Under: Boating Life, Boating Safety

Blessing of the Fleet Ceremonies: Serenity for some, Celebration for all

June 8, 2016 By EJ Vongher

Blessing the Fleet in Stonington, CTTracing their origins back centuries to Mediterranean fishing villages, annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies are based on a tradition meant to ensure a safe and bountiful season for the area’s commercial fishing community.  Over time, however, they have morphed into community gatherings as much about food and festivities as they are about acts to provide sea captains and their crew with feelings of safety and serenity.

Brought to our Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island shores by immigrants who held strongly to their religious beliefs, most Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies today go well beyond the Catholic mass and blessing to include parades, pageantry, dancing, feasting and, in a few instances, road races.

Whether one takes stock in the value of divine providence or view the ceremony as another opportunity to court good fortune, most Blessing of the FleetGreasyStraddle activities involve fun for the entire family and, in come cases, the ability to see grown men running along a greased pole (Gloucester, MA).

Here in Connecticut, the oldest Blessing of the Fleet ceremony is in Stonington, where this year’s events will mark the 63rd annual blessing. Of the Stonington observances, event co-chair Michael Crowley has said, “It’s so important to bless these boats and these fishermen, the ones that are still fishing, because the peril is still there.” Since records have been kept, it’s believed some 38 Stonington fishermen have perished at sea. In addition to the fleet blessing, most of the ceremonies also include an observation for those who have perished while working the waters so vital to these communities historic economic interests.

Owing to their religious heritage, it is common to hear biblical verses read at these ceremonies. Two of the most common are Psalm 104, versus 24-31 and Psalm 107, versus 23-32. An often-read prayer at many Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies is the following:  “Most gracious Lord, who numbered among your apostles the fishermen Peter, Andrew, James and John, we pray you to consecrate this boat to righteous work in your name. Guide the captain at her helm. So prosper her voyages that an honest living may be made. Watch over her passengers and crew and bring them to a safe return. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon this vessel and all who come aboard, this day and forever. Amen”

Should you be a boat owner seeking every avenue of protection against misfortune or someone interested in an enjoyable summer afternoon outing, A Blessing of the Fleet ceremony should prove interesting and enjoyable. Here is some information about local Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies:

City/State/Port
DateWebsite/Email AddressPhone
Montauk, NYJune 12marina@starislanddyc.com1 (631) 668-5503
Southport, CTJune 18www.southportconservancy.org/blessing-of-the-fleet.html1 (203) 255-2877
Milford, CTJune 19fleetcaptain@milfordyachtclub.com1 (203) 783-0060
City Island, NYJune 26www.tinyurl.com/CityIslandBotF1 (718) 652-3056
Stonington, CTJuly 31st.marychurchstonbor@comcast.net1 (860) 535-1700
Narragansett, RIJuly 30www.narragansettlionsclub.com1 (401) 783-7121

Filed Under: Boating Life, Boating Safety Tagged With: Blessing of the Fleet, Boating Safety

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Serving our Customers during the COVID-19 Connecticut Shutdown

On Monday, March 23th, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont took much-needed action to “flatten the … [Read More...]

Welcome to our website

Greetings! Thanks for stopping by our website. I am DG Fitton and Marine Special Products Group, … [Read More...]

Our Guide to Holiday Boating Gift Guides

With the Holiday Season upon us (where did the year go?!), it’s time to celebrate your favorite … [Read More...]

Internet Connectivity Solutions as convenient as they are robust, whether in the marina, on the hook, or underway.

While most boaters daydream of throwing off the dock lines and escaping from the hustle-bustle of … [Read More...]

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