News.Romps.com

Turn Blue into Green!

We have heard a rumor that we charge to recycle shrinkwrap.

It isn't true.

Every boater in the marina can simply bundle up the shrinkwrap and put it under the bow of their boat and we will collect it and make sure it gets recycled at NO CHARGE. It is part of the Clean Marina program that we participate in. We have been a clean marina for over two seasons and strive to be a GREEN marina. The River and Lake are very important to us as a business and we are very proactive in implementing polices that protect those assets for our own good and the good of the community.

So please bundle up your shrinkwrap and place it under your bow, we will be happy to make sure it ends up recycled.

Steelhead Stocking This Friday at 10am.

The Vermilion River Fish Drop takes place on April 25 at 10 am. 50,000 fingerlings are poured into the wild Vermilion River. Join the crowd at the South Street Launch Ramp to see this phenomenal event, then relax and enjoy our friendly little town.

The Division of Wildlife annually stocks five Lake Erie tributary streams with 6-8" yearling Little Manistee River (Michigan) strain of steelhead. These fish migrate out into Lake Erie and spend the summer in the cooler part of the lake, before returning to streams during the fall through the spring. The Vermilion River is scheduled to receive 55,000 steelhead.

The stocking will take place at the Vermilion Public Ramp and will be attended by representatives from the Dept of Wildlife, ODNR, Vermilion Port Authority, and local officials.

More fromVermilionOhioNews.com

Dairy Dock Gear Now Online

For Ice Cream fanatics everywhere Romp's Dairy Dock has opened an online store at:

http://Cafepress.com/dairydock

Now you can get hats, t-shirts, buttons, teddy bears all with the Dairy Dock "Peace, Love, IceCream" motto. Show everyone how you stay cool when it's hot. Wear official Romp's Dairy Dock gear this summer.

Survey by Leading Boat Insurer Reveals Boaters Are Happier (Yahoo Finance)

Survey by Leading Boat Insurer, Progressive, Reveals Boaters Put Their Vessel Ahead of Major Milestones in Their Lives and Are Happier for It

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio----Are you worried about the value of your home or the cost of your daily commute? Well, maybe its time to rethink your priorities. A recent survey of more than 1,000 boat owners conducted by Progressive, a leading boat insurer and the number one seller of personal watercraft insurance in the country shows some pretty happy boaters. While some may believe a “boat owner’s two greatest days are the day he buys his boat and the day he sells it,” most boaters surveyed (38 percent) disagree. In fact, 66 percent of boaters say they “love boating” and describe their overall experience as “smooth sailing.” One in four boaters surveyed even said their biggest worry was simply finding time to use their boat. In , nearly half of boaters surveyed said they bought their boat before ...

The Secret Priorities of Boaters (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)

Red Clay Kickoff Party Tonight

Red Clay on the River will celebrate it's annual Put In Party on Wednesday, April 16th with an outside grill, limited menu and entertainment featuring Colin Dussault at 7 pm. Boat rides will be provided by the Mystic Belle from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Guest are asked to park at the South Street Boat Ramp. A free shuttle will be provided, both ways, starting at 6 pm. The shuttle will continue until all guests have gone. Service will be provided by Crusin City Taxi, tips accepted.

Crusin City will also pick you up and drop you off at home. Please call them direct to make these arrangements at 440-242-7833.

Red Clay is located at 5150 Liberty Avenue, Vermillion, at McGarveys Landing. 440-967-0313.

WWW.REDCLAYONTHERIVER.COM

REDCLAYONTHERIVER@YAHOO.COM

All you need is BOAT (VON)

From VermilionOhioNews.com

Boating: Affordable & Fun

Boating is affordable and there’s a boat for every age, lifestyle and budget. Most people don’t realize how affordable boating is: in some instances, you can buy a brand new boat financed for around $250.00 a month, like a car. Boats provide tax deductible and cost effective second homes. Interest on a boat loan can be deducted if the boat has a galley, berth and head.

Average boat prices in 2006:

• Average price of a new boat was $13,035

• Average price of a pre-owned boat was $10,491

• Average price of a new outboard engine was $10,790

• Average price of a pre-owned outboard engine was $3,776

• Average price of a new outboard boat, motor and trailer package was $26,085

Fuel:

• The typical boater only operates his or her vessel about 75 hours a season.

• Nearly 95 percent of boats on the water today are under 26’ in length. These crafts do not require exorbitant amounts of gas, so any impact would be negligible.

• In fact, 64 percent of boaters say they purchase less than fifty gallons of gas per season—roughly two trips to the gas station to fill up your SUV or Minivan. (NMMA/RMRC, July 2005)

• Boating isn’t an activity like driving where you are using gas all the time. In fact, when a person is boating, they may be fishing or swimming and not using the motor at all. If you own a sailboat the motor is used even less.

• Higher fuel prices present a marginal increase in the operating cost of your boat. For owners of $500,000 boats that use 100 gallons in a weekend, a 50 cent increase in gasoline means that a weekend of fun on the water will cost $50 more, while owners of smaller boats that use 20 gallons of gas will end up spending $10 more on gas. The small increase in operating cost isn’t expected to limit boaters’ time on the water.

Insurance:

• Boat insurance costs vary by boat length and type, cost of the boat and level of coverage.

• Consult your insurance agent for quotes or compare rates online. Some smaller boats can be insured for a nominal sum as a rider on a homeowner’s policy.

• You can reduce the cost of marine insurance premiums by taking a boater’s education course.

Maintenance:

• Boat, trailer, and motor maintenance can be as simple as a freshwater wash down after each use and keeping them covered between adventures, helping to keep maintenance costs at bay.

• Costs for routine maintenance vary by region, but for more involved services, such as oil changes and winterizing, expect to pay what you would for your car on an hourly basis. Pre-owned boats can require significantly more maintenance.

Storage:

• You have several options depending on the size of your boat. You won’t find a less-expensive way to keep a boat than storing it on a trailer in your driveway or backyard. Another alternative for smaller boats is rack storage. A typical rack storage facility keeps your boat in a covered shed with trailer-like cradles.

• For owners of larger boats, and owners of small boats who crave convenience, a marina slip is the best way to go. Costs vary by state/region as well as by the size of your boat.

Spring Boating Tips (VON)

From VermilionOhioNews.com

Warm days after a long winter are alluring to everyone who enjoys the outdoors, especially boaters. Whether taking advantage of early season fishing, navigating fast-moving streams pumped by spring rains or water releases, sailing at the will of good spring winds, or just testing out the boat after a long hibernation, many boaters find their way to the water this time of year.

While the air warms quickly, water temperatures stay colder longer. If a boater is unprepared for an accident this time of year, events that might be minor incidents in warmer weather can quickly turn to tragedy.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft offers the following safety tips to keep that spring boat outing safe and enjoyable:

Prepare your boat for the water again. Plan ahead to check out the condition of your boat and its equipment before you decide to go boating. Are your decals current? Are the life jackets still in good condition? Is the motor ready to run?

Check the latest weather forecast and keep an eye to the sky. Prepare for the possibility of encountering bad weather on every boat outing. Strong winds and waves or high fast-moving water brought on by bad weather increase the risks of a boater ending up in the water.

File a float plan. Tell family or a trusted friend the general area of the waterway you plan to use, whom you are taking with you, when you are leaving, and when you plan to return. Include information about your vehicle, boat, and watercraft registration number. Remember to let that person know when you have returned safely.

Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. While the days may be warm and sunny, water temperatures stay cooler longer. One of the major causes of boating fatalities is hypothermia, the rapid reduction of body temperature, which occurs when boaters fall into cold water. Consider wearing a wetsuit under your layers or a U.S. Coast Guard-approved "float coat" with built in flotation on top of your layers.

Do not overload a boat. An overloaded boat sits lower in the water, which increases the chances of swamping or capsizing by waves. Do not exceed the carrying capacity in passengers or total gear. Keep as much weight as possible in the middle of the boat. To keep the boat riding high in the water, limit the load to only essential items.

Always wear a life jacket. A life jacket keeps a person afloat even after the shock of falling into frigid water. Additionally, life jackets provide excellent insulation against cold, wind and rain. Ohio law requires that all watercraft be equipped with a Coast Guard-approved, wearable lifejacket for each person on board. Lifejackets must also be worn at all times by children under 10 years of age on boats less than 18 feet.

Keep a proper lookout. Not heeding this basic navigation rule is a leading cause of accidents. Always be aware of your surroundings before changing course or speed.

Boat sober. Alcoholic beverages and boating do not mix. Alcohol affects balance, vision, judgement, and coordination -- all factors of safe boating. Research has shown that when combined with boating stressors such as sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion, alcohol can impair a person on the water much faster than on land. It is illegal to operate a watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Operate at a safe speed -- another basic navigation rule that can cause problems when ignored. Boats don't have brakes, so always operate your boat at a speed at which you are sure you can avoid a collision.

Get your official Romp's Gear available online

Looking for Romp's gear? Look no further now you can buy it online at our new online store.

Visit http://www.cafepress.com/romps

You'll find hats, t-shirts, hoodies, kids clothes, coffee cups and more. Something for everyone with the Romp's logo.

So show people where your boat spends the summer.

Diary Dock opens..all is right with the world

Every fall with the cool air of autumn sweet tooth enthusiasts get a feeling of emptiness when Vermilion's long time Ice Cream hotspot, Romp's Dairy Dock, closes for the onset of winter. Kids go back to school, life seemingly shifts it's focus from boating, warm weather, sunny days on the beach, and a Dairy Dock ice cream cone in the shade to a period of waiting, and wanting. Oh the wanting.

Today the waiting is over. With Spring comes a sense of renewal and also a chance to get your brain freeze on. Whether it's orange, vanilla, chocolate or a swirl combination with nuts (or other toppings), the thought of a sugar fix on a April afternoon watching the Vermilion River roll by is a part of the fabric of living in Vermilion. Soon little leaguers will start to appear in mass, then bike riders, boaters, soccer moms, baseball dads and all will be right with this small piece of the world.

Don't let todays soggy start stop you from what's important in life, PEACE.. LOVE... AND ICE CREAM!

Weekend Update

Launch Season is almost here! Launch orders are going in the mail today so everyone will have there orders early next week. We ask that you make sure to fill the order out and return it at least a week prior to your launch date. The docks are in the water and electric is on dockside. Dockside Water will not be turned on until the threat of freezing subsides. With all the snow, then rain, the grounds in the marina are very soft, so please make sure to keep on the paved drive until things dry out a little.

We will be open Saturday (and possibly Sunday depending on weather) for those interested stopping by and checking on dock availability

We have some minor spot dredging to do so the river and gas docks will not be put in until next week. Ice Cream fans will be happy to hear that the Dairy Dock opens early this year on April 4th. So get your sweet tooth ready. We hope to see you soon.

Outdoor Flea Market This Saturday

The 2nd Annual Vermilion Outdoor Sports Flea Market is coming to Germans Villa this month. On March 29th outdoor enthusiasts will be able to browse from fishing, hunting, and camping displays all tailored for the outdoor lifestyle. Among the many exhibitors are dealers of Fishing Tackle, Charter boat information, boating, hunting, and camping supplies, knifes, guns and other new and used item usually sold at deep discounts. Admission is $5, Children 13-16 years old are $2.00 or free with a canned or boxed food donation. This show was so successful that it had to be moved to it's new larger location at Germans Villa. So join your fellow outdoor sportsman as springtime in Vermilion kicks off in grand fashion at the Vermilion Outdoor Sports Flea Market.

Vermilion Outdoor Sports Flea Market is Back!

The 2nd Annual Vermilion Outdoor Sports Flea Market is coming to Germans Villa this month. On March 29th outdoor enthusiasts will be able to browse from fishing, hunting, and camping displays all tailored for the outdoor lifestyle. Among the many exhibitors are dealers of Fishing Tackle, Charter boat information, boating, hunting, and camping supplies, knifes, guns and other new and used item usually sold at deep discounts. Admission is $5, Children 13-16 years old are $2.00 or free with a canned or boxed food donation. This show was so successful that it had to be moved to it's new larger location at Germans Villa. So join your fellow outdoor sportsman as springtime in Vermilion kicks off in grand fashion at the Vermilion Outdoor Sports Flea Market.

LAKE ERIE COMMISSION SPONSORS 2008 “LIFE ON LAKE ERIE� PHOTO CONTEST (ODNR)

Deadline for submitting photos is July 19

TOLEDO, OH – Camera buffs and photo aficionados are encouraged to enter this year’s “Life on Lake Erie” photo contest, sponsored by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission. The 2007 contest is open to amateur photographers taking snapshots in and around the Lake Erie watershed. This year’s competition has no specific subject categories and may depict a person, plant, wildlife, activity or scene that captures the unique character of the region.

All photo entries must have been taken between August 4, 2006 and July 9, 2007. Black and white, well as color photographs, will be accepted. All contestants must be age 18 or older. No more than five entries will be accepted from one household. Individuals can win up to two times. To enter, send a 5 by 7-inch print and a completed entry form via U.S. Mail to the commission’s office at One Maritime Plaza, Fourth Floor, Toledo, Ohio 43604. Complete rules and entry forms for the 2007 “Life on Lake Erie” photo contest are available at the commission’s web site. The deadline for submitting entries is July 19.

Winning photographs will be exhibited at various points of interest along the lake as part of the Lake Erie Commission Photo Gallery. The Sandusky/Erie County Visitors Bureau at 4424 Milan Road, Suite A, in Sandusky is hosting the current gallery through the end of March. Phone 1-800-255-ERIE for more information.

The “Life on Lake Erie” photo contest is one of many events planned for Ohio’s Coastweeks 2007, which runs September 5 through September 22. Coastweeks is a nationwide celebration of America’s coastlines and waters. Ohio’s goal is to increase awareness of the value and fragility of Lake Erie and its shoreline as the state’s great natural resource.

For additional information on how to get involved in Ohio’s Coastweeks program, visit http://www.epa.state.oh.us/oleo or call 419-245-2514

Stiffer Penalties for Poachers (ODNR)

COLUMBUS, OH - Legislation raising the restitution value of wildlife taken illegally took effect today, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

"The new standard reflects the present-day value of Ohio's wildlife," said Jim Lehman, law enforcement administrator for the Division of Wildlife. "The monetary value of most of our wildlife can range anywhere from $20 to nearly $2,500, depending on criteria and weighting factors. Trophy deer are an exception; their value can range much higher."

The new restitution schedule stems from legislation (HB238) passed by the Ohio General Assembly last year. House Bill 238 revised provisions governing the restitution value of wild animals that are unlawfully held, taken, bought, sold or possessed. It is the first revision since 1994 and establishes a formula that reflects the current status and scarcity of various species.

SPECIES RESITITUTION VALUE

new old

walleye 50 10

largemouth bass 50 10

steelhead 50 10

ODNR hosts Lake Erie Navigation Course (Port Clinton News Herald)

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft invites boaters and friends for a nine hour Lake Erie Navigation Boating course 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, Monday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 12 at the Division of Watercraft, 1630 Sycamore Line, Sandusky.

ODNR to have Lake Erie Navigation Course (Port Clinton News Herald)

Ohio Registrations 5th highest in History

COLUMBUS, OH - The total number of registered watercraft hit 415,562 in Ohio last year, proving that boating remains one of the state's most popular recreational activities. The number is the fifth-highest registration total in the state's history, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft.

The 2007 figure represent an increase of 2,984 boats from the 412,578 registered in 2006. It is the fifth time Ohio's boat registrations topped the 415,000 mark. The state registered an all-time high of 418,701 watercraft in 2000.

"Ohio enjoys a variety of popular boating destinations, including Lake Erie, the Ohio River, more than 200 inland lakes and thousands of miles of inland rivers and streams - some with designated water trails," said Pamela Dillon, chief of the Division of Watercraft. "These many recreational opportunities keep us in the top 10 of boating states nationwide."

Trend data since 2000 reveals a continued decline in powerboat registrations, coupled with a sharp increase in hand-propelled boats such as canoes and kayaks, according to Division of Watercraft figures. Some of the decline in registrations seen in urban counties such as Franklin, Cuyahoga and Hamilton has been offset by increases in adjacent metropolitan counties such as Delaware, Lake and Warren - likely the result of suburban development.

Franklin County again topped the 2007 list with the highest number of registered watercraft at 26,376. Other counties with high registration numbers were: Cuyahoga - 24,391; Summit - 19,356; Hamilton - 17,903; and Montgomery - 15,512. Noble County registered the fewest number of watercraft - 600.