My kids are still too young to SCUBA, but they?re both itching to try. On a few occasions, I?ve rigged my tank and regulator, inflated the BC, and tossed the whole thing into the pool so that it floats on the surface. The kids love to swim next to the floating tank, each one with a regulator in his mouth, swimming along the surface and dipping down the two feet that the length of the air hoses will allow.

So recently I started thinking about purchasing a 40 or 60-foot hose (maybe longer) and creating my own Snuba rig -- both for the kids in the pool (after the proper training, of course), and for me on the boat. This sort of setup would be perfect for much of the shallow-water reefs and secret lobster spots in South Florida.

Has anyone else tried this?

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snuba
http://www.keeneeng.com/pamphlets/introHooka.html
http://www.airlinebyjsink.com/scubagear.html

Dang, another hurricane threat in South Florida! As I write this, the storm trackers are busily plotting their colorful "cone of death" charts, and warning us all to get ready for Ernesto. For most Floridians that means a trip to Home Depot, waiting in line at the gas station, and fighting with their unwieldy aluminum or plywood hurricane shutters. But for the boat owners, a hurricane threat means even more worries.

What should I do with the boat? How do I secure it? Should I leave it on a trailer, or keep it in the water at the Marina?

Fortunately, the great folks at BoatUS.com have posted several great articles that answer all of those questions and more. They maintain a great Hurricane Tracking information site, where I found this extremely informative PDF document on how to secure your vessel.

• The Boater's Guide to Preparing your Boat for a Hurricane