Top Recommended Places For Boating and Leisure Activities on The Treasure Coast - Florida

The Treasure Coast is considered a boater's paradise as the area offers fantastic opportunities to spend time with family and friends while you enjoy sailing on your yacht. If you want to dock up for drinks, dinner and a vibrant nightlife you will like to drop anchor in the great Florida Treasure Coast.

1. Peck's Lake – Stuart, Florida 

It is located right off the Intracoastal Waterway in Stuart, Florida. Part of the charm of this location is its privacy, there are no facilities, so make sure to pack everything you'll need to comfortably spend time on the virgin white sand beach, it is a passive destination for a seaside retreat where boats of all sizes can anchor up. For more fun activities, you can bring your paddle boards, kayak, and fishing rods. 

If you are making a day trip to Peck's Lake from the south, you'll have a stunning ride up. The manatee zone between Hobe Sound and Peck Lake will slow you down and it will give you more time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. 

2. Pirate's Cove Resort and Marina - Port Salerno, Florida

This energetic waterfront resort is located in the Manatee Pocket, it’s the perfect place to dock up and have a little fun in the sun. After you get off your vessel, most people  head to the waterfront Tiki Pirate Bar. There you can kick back, have some food and drinks in a casual beach setting, enjoy live music, enjoy drink specials and some others activities. Whether you are spending some time with the whole family or in a romantic date, take in the beautiful waterfront views of the Manatee Pocket.

3. Historic Downtown Stuart – Stuart, Florida

Sunset Bay Marina and Anchorage is an exceptional spot to dock your boat for the day or evening in Stuart. The large marina has 198 slips, many of which can accommodate yachts up to 150 feet in length. Once you dock, you can take advantage of the marina club house which offers customers a range of services and amenities. Docking your vessel at Sunset Bay Marina will give you an easy access to Historic Downtown Stuart, a charming portion of Stuart that exhibits a laid- back old-Florida atmosphere which it is completely pedestrian-friendly.

The Atlantic Coast city of Stuart was recently voted as the number #1 “happiest shore town” by Coastal Living Magazine. That ranking should be enough motivation for you and your family to cruise through Stuart, Fl. for a joyful visit. 

4. Manatee Pocket - Port Salerno, Florida

If you're a boater looking for the ultimate bar-hopping opportunity, you will find it at Manatee Pocket - Port Salerno, Florida. On its beautiful protected waters, you'll find a sweet set up of three enthusiastically popular, ideally located dockside restaurants. Whether you visit, during the day for lunch or at night for a little extra fun, these establishments in the Manatee Pocket area are sure to deliver a good time.

5. Fort Pierce City Marina and Main Street – Fort Pierce, Florida

The floating docks at Fort Pierce City Marina have wet slips that can accommodate vessels up to 160 feet depending on draft. In the more northern region of the Treasure Coast off, at the Indian River Lagoon is the historic seaside town of Fort Pierce, another ideal location for a yachting day trip.

Once you’ve secured your ship, the opportunities for enjoying your day here are endless. A variety of markets, restaurants, shops, boutique, live music, and beautiful colonial Spanish architecture await you as you make your way into town. Fort Pierce's Main Street was voted as one of the 50 Best Small Towns by Top Value Reviews as it has so much to offer. 

6. St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park – Port Salerno, Florida

On the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway side, there is a dock with many available slips to dock boats up to 32 feet in length. A boardwalk will take you across forests of mangroves and hammocks of live oaks to a nicely preserved quite Atlantic beach. Just at 2.7 miles away you can find a white sandy beach available to you while you enjoy your day trip or weekend getaway. 

One of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s east coast, the St. Lucie Bay Preserve State Park, is accessible only by boat and totally worth the ride. Visitors come here to swim, sunbathe, kayak, surf fish, or picnic at the beach tower. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also popular activities at this state park. 

Important fact: There is a lot of shallow water in this area. Be sure to head out of channel right by the big dock sign that reads "St. Lucie Inlet Preserve Park."

While you are boating through any of these beautiful places, remember the importance of having Whiticar Boat Works phone number handy, in case you need assistance or service for your boat.

• Whiticar (Stuart) 772-287-2883

• Whiticar (Fort Pierce) 772-460-0660

• Shearwater Marine & Industrial 772-781-5553

Whiticar technicians have extensive knowledge and training to assist you with any of your boating needs.

Whiticar has 2 full service boat yards and they also offer the following Mobile Services:

• Main Engine and Generator Service

• Marine Electrical

• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

• Plumbing Systems/Pumps and Strainers

• Hydraulic and Steering

• Stabilizers

• Electronics

• Carpentry Services

Boating Lifestyle at Fort Pierce

Thinking about fishing and boating at Fort Pierce? There are many reasons why Fort Pierce, located on the central east coast of Florida, is considered to be one of the best fishing and boater friendly spots in the country. 

Fort Pierce offers one of the safest bays on the east coast and compared to other bays, Fort Pierce’s is one of the most beautiful and uncrowded. The scene entering and leaving the inlet isn’t chaotic with high-rise buildings and cruise ship traffic it’s a tranquil and tropical experience that will set the tone for your boating or fishing trip.

The inshore fishing opportunities are just as plentiful. Fort Pierce has a natural lagoon/waterway called the Indian River Lagoon – the most diverse estuary in North America, home to more than 4,000 species of plants and animals. The Indian River Lagoon is well known for producing large trout. In fact, the world record spotted sea trout – listing the scales at over 17 pounds – was hooked here.

The lagoon also offers anglers year around activity, with an enormous array of fish to catch. Snapper, tarpon, trout, jack, snook, ladyfish, flounder and reds are abundant during many times of the year.

The offshore waters off of Fort Pierce are also home to a wide variety of disposed fish, providing year around action. Jack, tarpon, permit, sailfish, dolphin, wahoo, snapper, grouper, swordfish and tuna are high-pitched in these parts at various times of the year.

Fort Pierce’s great weather and multitude of boat ramps and facilities make fishing, boating and kayaking a year around activity. And the abundance of preserved natural resources and beauty make it one of the best destinations for any outdoor fan. When visiting Fort Pierce, you will also see local business that leads on the water activity culture, providing a variety of service including: Dive shops, restaurants, hotels, marinas docking facilities, bait and tackle shops, marine services, boat dealers, private charters, all located near the waterfront.

Aspects to consider before boating 

Boating is a part of life at Fort Pierce that’s why safety regulation is taken seriously and creating good boating habits when preparing for departure will ensure a fun boating day. Consider the following tips before your adventure on the water begins.

• Complete the pre-departure checklist.
• Make a float plan
• Review the chart or map of the area you will be visiting 
• Check the weather forecast
• Check the local Tide chart 
• Check the fuel level and always have more than you expect to use.
• Check the boat equipment—electrical, mechanical, docking lines, life vests, first aid kit.
• Make sure you have communications equipment onboard - VHF radio, cell phone
• Make sure you have proper identification for everyone on board and fishing license for each angler
• Bring plenty food and especially extra fresh water.
• Bring extra clothing and foul weather gear
• Always prepare a pre-departure safety meeting and show your guests the location of life vests on your container and how to use them.
• Show them how to use the VHF radio and where your first aid kit is.
• All children should wear a life vest and the captain should wear one if boating alone.
• Perform a Vessel Safety check 

If you have any questions regarding your boat, need a reparation or just need an accessory/replacement/engine, we recommend to visit or call Whiticar Boat Works! We are a leader in the marine industry. We have various division in the state! For more information about us check out the website  http://whiticar.com/wp/ or call us (772) 287-2883 

WHITICAR STUART (Boat Yard) 

3636 SE Old Saint Lucie Blvd. Stuart, FL 34996

Office (772) 287-2883

SHEARWATER MARINE (Marine Shop)

4519 SE Commerce Ave. Stuart, FL 34997

Office (772) 781-5553

WHITICAR FORT PIERCE (Boat Yard)

2010 Harbor Town Drive, Suite K, Ft. Pierce, FL 34946

Office (772) 460-0660

Tool Buying Guide for the Cruising Sailor

One of the things we all love about boating is preparing and keeping the boat in perfect condition. Performing good maintenance to your boat minimizes the potential for serious breakdowns. You assume you will never have problems with your boat, but then reality hits. Things break, get blocked, oxidize, etc., etc., etc. 

Nowadays, boats are much more complex machines than they were a generation ago. Having a spare part aboard for everything that could break, is almost impossible, regardless of the size of your boat or the depth of your pocket.

Fortunately, an astonishing number of common repairs can be made with just a few basic tools.There are a few specialty items that will make fixes and routine maintenance so much easier.  In this article we will offer a short list of the most important tools to keep on board before heading out to open waters.  Having the right tools makes boat maintenance or repair jobs a lot easier and can make all the difference in your boating experiences. 

The following is a list of supplies we recommend you have to keep your boat in great working condition, and also in preparation for unexpected mechanical failures while out in the water.

1. FUSES

Blown fuses are a common problem.  It’s important to keep your spare fuses away from water, and safe from vibration or shock damage.

2. JUMPER/BOOSTER CABLES 

3. WRENCH SET

A set of wrenches (some metric and some SAE) that covers both systems with no overlap.These wrenches are invaluable for tightening nuts and battery connectors.

4. RATCHETS AND SOCKETS

Should you need to change a fuel filter, or repair the hatch on your boat, these are always a good idea to have around.If you own a small boat, you’ll do just fine with an 11-piece set, which will still give you options, yet save space.

5. TELESCOPING MIRROR AND CLAW RETRIEVAL TOOLS

A telescoping mirror will help you fix what you can’t see, and the claw retrievals can help you reach deep and come back with the lost loot.

6. ASSORTED PLIERS

An assortment of pliers is also recommended to have on hand, including locking pliers and snap-on pliers. Pliers can solve most problems a wrench won’t.

7. ELECTRICAL TAPE: 

A few rolls of electrical tape can be used to make emergency repairs to wiring, as well as having many other uses.  Gaffer tape is stronger than electrical tape, but isn’t suited for use on wiring repairs.  This is why electrical tape is a must.

8. FOLDABLE KNIFE

9. A FEW LARGE, HEAVY TOOLS

Also recommended are a 3-pound sledgehammer, a set of 16-inch arc-joint pliers, and a giant screwdriver. If traveling afar, add a full set of 1/2-inch drive sockets (with a long-handle U-joint ratchet), and an open-end wrench big enough to fit the flexible mounts on your engine(s).  Remember, if you have a mechanic flying in, send him or her an accurate list so travel can be as light as possible.

Please remember to always keep these tools on board the boat, even for the shortest trips. It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.  Even if you are handy with the tools, an engine that is experiencing, electrical issues or some other major mechanical issue will more than likely require major surgery in a marine repair hop. Luckily, the increasing popularity of recreational boating has led to the widespread growth of specialized service centers along popular world cruising routes.

Whether you are on your way north, or sailing down south to the Bahamas, you can access our location at Harbortown Marina through the convenient and easy navigational Fort Pierce Inlet.You can rest at ease knowing you are leaving your boat in the hands of the only fully staffed, sail rigging department in the Ft. Pierce area. 

Can’t get to us? 

No problem. We will quickly come to you and safely deliver your boat to our top notch marine facilities.

Whiticar and Shearwater Marine also offers all of our professional services remotely. We will actually come to your dock or marina to service your vessel. We will provide, deliver, and install the quality OEM parts your vessel requires.

For larger repairs, we can remove engines, generators, or other miscellaneous systems. We will bring them back to our facilities for full repair, and then reinstall them to maintain the highest quality service for your vessel.

Our technicians have extensive knowledge and training to assist you with your boating needs.

For more information, feel free to contact Whiticar Boat yard at (772) 287-2883 or visit our website http://whiticar.com/

The Importance of Properly Addressing Leaks on your Boat

It's a fact that sooner or later most if not all boats will leak if not properly maintained. It's also true that as boats age, leaks tend to increase for the simple reason that sailing and all related weather conditions put a lot of stress on all vessels.  

Nowadays some of these problems with leaks accentuate as result of emphasis on speed and lightweight which lead builders to use laminates that are not as thick and work with hulls that are not as rigid as they used to be. 

As most boat owners know, leaks are not only inconvenient and aggravating, but also cause damage to personal gear and the boat itself. The source of a leak is usually hard to find and even harder to stop. On most occasions we find the water enters at point “A” but shows up at point “B”, which may be six feet away from point “A” where the owner spends weeks attempting to find the source in order to repair it. 

These are usually instances where inner liners work to distribute the leaks to points far from the source of entry, and are often the subject of many wry jokes. 

When a leak occurs many people take the easy way out ( at least they seem to belief so) and instead of assessing the damage, they put some caulking on the outside of an open seam, joint or ridge. This is something we see happen very frequently and most of the time leads into a bigger mess and a complete waste of time.  

When working on boats, in order to applying an effective seal, the caulk has to go between the two parts that are mated. This process is called bedding. Achieving this is not easy, but it is the only way to effectively stop leaks. Furthermore, with the way many boats are rapidly built today, parts are often never bedded properly from the beginning. If that is the case, then you have to go back and do what the builder did not do correctly. 

It is important to know that every material in contact with the sea and the weather elements has a certain life span and durability. At Whiticar we’ve mastered all the process related to proper leak maintenance and repairs.  Our team has the knowledge, expertise and we ensure that all maintenance and repair work is done correctly to have your boat ready as soon as possible and avoid unnecessary waste of time and money. 

Whiticar boat works is your one stop shop for all your boat maintenance, service and part needs. We stand behind the work of our professionals and courteous crew. 

For additional information, please visit www.Whiticar.com.

You can also contact us via email at info@whiticar.com or call us (772) 287-2883.

WHITICAR has 2 locations for your convenience:

- STUART: 3636 SE Old Saint Lucie Blvd. Stuart, FL 34996

- FT. PIERCE: 2010 Harbor Town Drive, Suite K, Ft. Pierce, FL 34946