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From the Bridge
by

The Newport Boat Show is the kickoff fall show on the East Coast, and usually sets the tone for the fall Boating Season. The mood was surprisingly upbeat despite high fuel prices and an overactive hurricane season. While the crowds were a bit smaller than prior years, many serious cruisers were at the show Thursday and Friday, making their plans and purchasing for the annual migration down the ICW. I really enjoy the Newport Show, as it is not too big and gives me an opportunity to talk with longtime Bluewater customers and meet the new cruisers.

The fall Boat Show schedule follows the cruising circuit south, concluding with the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which runs from Oct 27 to Oct 30. In addition to our own Bluewater Booth at Bahia Mar, we invite you to visit the new store. We’ll be open each day during the show, including Sunday. We’ll have lots of new products, including many new releases in electronic charts and software. You can see them all demonstrated in our Electronic Navigation Center at the store. Lots of new nautical titles are arriving, and our passage planners have been updated to help you plan your cruise to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Hollywood, FL, just a few miles south of Bluewater’s Ft. Lauderdale store. We were fortunate to escape any major damage on the 90 mph. winds. Many of our crew lived without electricity for days, but we feel fortunate given the impact that Katrina made on the Gulf Coast. Bluewater’s crew had a unique opportunity to help the rescue and relief effort on the Gulf Coast. You can read about this in the article titled "OceanGrafix Charts Play Key Role in Hurricane Relief."

John Mann

In this issue:

OceanGrafix Charts Play Key Role in Hurricane Relief
A member of Bluewater’s Chart Department is given the opportunity to offer expert advice for a hurricane relief project.

Two Months, Two Exciting Events
Get ready for the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show and the SSCA Annual Gam. Bluewater Books & Charts will see you at both events.

Weather Lessons in Bimini
Your editor learns a lesson about sailing to the Bahamas during hurricane season.

West Coast Cruising
Join Jan and Don Cosby as they continue their adventure up the Inside Passage to Alaska and share breathtaking pictures and lasting impressions.

What’s New in E-Charts
Bluewater uses new plotters to demonstrate cartography from Navionics, and C-Map adds Explorer chart data to some popular regions.

Back to School with Bluewater
Bluewater and South Broward High School team up to provide a unique opportunity for two students in South Broward’s Marine Magnet Program.

Book and Film Picks along the ICW
Author Diana Doyle shares her reading and viewing suggestions for the southern half of the ICW.