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30% of Floridians have not assembled a basic hurricane survival kit, with extra flashlights, batteries, first aid equipment, food, etc. 26% don't have a family disaster plan (a strategy that lays out, if they were to evacuate, where they would go, who they would contact, and how they would get there.) 15% plan to defy evacuation orders (this is down from last year's 20%).

The numbers are scary, but who's to say that we're not all a little guilty of complacency? Some of the forecasters are saying that New England is the place that is going to get hit the hardest this season, but that doesn't mean we're out of the woods in Florida. What this does mean is that folks all up and down the coast need to have a plan, because there is no way of knowing exactly what is going to happen. At Bluewater, part of our "hurricane plan" is to help mariners prepare for the season by providing the things they need: tracking charts, weather books, instruments. We've beefed up our supply of Weems & Plath oil lamps and battery-free flashlights, so call for details.

If you weren't able to make Hurricane Expo on June 3, look for a review of the event in our newsletter. Also, you can purchase books by the speakers, Chris Parker, Marti Brown and Bob Adriance, in our store or online.

Of special interest to our northbound readers, we've been notified that the New York State Canal System is waiving all recreational tolls for the 2006 Navigation Season, which means that recreational boaters who have had to purchase a canal pass in previous seasons will not have to do so this summer. This is great news, as it makes a beautiful part of the world even more accessible to boaters. For more information, visit the New York State Canals web site For more about cruising the New York Canals, Skipper Bob has a great book called Cruising the New York Canal System.

The Centennial Newport to Bermuda Race will leave Newport Harbor on June 16, so if you're in the New England area you may want to check out some of the boats that are participating. Newport Harbor will be bustling with activity in the days leading up to the race, and Armchair Sailor, our sister store, is a good place to stop for more information on the day to day preparations. You can track the progress of the different boats online by visiting the official race website.

Remember to take your kids boating this summer! Now that school is out in most places, the kids are going to be looking for something to do. You don't want them to spend the summer indoors. Bluewater offers a great selection of kids' books and movies to get them interested in boating, so look online or call for details!

John Mann

In this issue...

Anchoring along the St. Lawrence River
Cruisers Jim Hawkins and Ellie Adams share some great tips about where to go along the St. Lawrence River. Who says that there's no place to anchor on this scenic stretch of water? Summer is the best time of year to cruise up north, so let this article entice you...

The Maritime Art of John Stobart
Artist John Stobart is best known for his amazing oil-on-canvas paintings of the seaports of America during the age of the great clipper ships. His life, so far, has been as colorful as his paintings. Bluewater is proud to announce that limited edition prints of his work are now available in our Fort Lauderdale Store

Dining by Boat
Wherever you go on the water, you're bound to find great waterfront restaurants that will offer you a free place to dock while you dine. A series of books from Cruising Guide Publications highlights some of these places.

Chub Cay Scheduled for Re-Opening
The Chub Cay Marina and Resort in the Bahamas is scheduled to re-open on June 15, with plans for accommodating up to 200 yachts once the renovations are complete.

Editorial: Jealous Boat
If you don't think that boats have personalities, then you need to read this.