When you trailer your boat to a launch, there's only one thing between you and the water — a boat ramp!

Some people make boat launching look easy. But it's a touchy, tricky business, especially for new boaters. If you've struggled in the past, don't give up in frustration. Practice makes progress!

Here are eight tips for getting your boat back to its natural habitat!

Practice, practice, practice.

With experience comes confidence. Instead of getting this experience at a crowded boat ramp with an overabundance of impatient, opinionated spectators, consider going to an empty parking lot—you can practice by backing the trailer into a parking space.

Nonverbal communication is key.

Sometimes the sounds of engines, stereos and other noises drown out verbal directions from your co-captain. Avoid this frustration by agreeing on a few common hand signals for "stop," "left," "right," "start over" and "perfect."

Slow and steady is the way to go.

Take a deep breath and disregard the pressure to move fast. This will only lead to mistakes. Take it slow—there isn't a time limit—and control the majority of vehicle movement with your brake pedal.

More brake, less gas.

Backing down a ramp requires only a little gas. Instead, focus on using your brakes and checking your mirrors. For optimum maneuverability, make adjustments with your brake applied—hold the brake, turn the wheel to where you want it and then release.

Consider 8-4 instead of 10-2.

Backing up with your hands in the traditional 10-2 position is OK, but many prefer switching to 8-4 instead. With hands at the bottom of the wheel, you push in the direction that the trailer moves, which can feel more natural.

Get used to different trailer sizes.

Recognize that not all trailers and boats behave the same when being towed. Generally, a longer boat trailer is easier to back up and harder in forward turns; a shorter boat trailer is the opposite.

Try correcting a jackknife before restarting.

While holding the brakes, turn your steering wheel all the way in the opposite direction of the jackknife. Then pull forward slowly—if effective, your tow vehicle and trailer will realign.

Don't forget the guide poles.

Placing guide poles on your trailer will increase visibility, making it easier to maneuver. Try using them and see if they give you the confidence of a boat-launching pro!

Source: foremost.com

Before buying a boat, there are some things to keep in mind. Whether you're buying a fishing boat, cabin cruiser, pontoon or speed boat, different components like cost, horsepower, weight capacity or onboard storage may prove to be more important to you than others.

Answer these questions before going boat shopping:

What are you hoping to use your boat for?

All boat styles have a different design tailored to the use. Speed boats may be better for tubing and water skiing, but wouldn't hold as many people or be as fish-accessible as a pontoon or fishing boat. Maybe you're in the market for a sailboat, or leaning towards a houseboat. There are so many different varieties of boats, so make an informed decision on which one is right for you (information provided by Discover Boating).

What's your budget?

This may help decide whether to purchase a pre-owned boat. According to Discover Boating, new boats depreciate anywhere between 25%-33% immediately after leaving the dealer's lot. So if you buy a pre-owned boat, someone else has already paid that depreciation cost - more boat for fewer dollars! However, buying a new boat will offer a warranty, the newest technology, and that nice shiny look as you move across the water - the choice is up to you!

How many people are you hoping to go on your boating excursions with?

The capacity on personal fishing boats is generally smaller than a pontoon boat, which are made to hold anywhere between 8-15 adults comfortably.

What type of equipment will you want onboard?

Here's some suggestions:

• Trolling Motor
• Light
• Depth finder
• Live well
• GPS
• Canopy/bimini
• Stereo
• Tables
• Emergency survival kit
• Fire extinguisher

Will your car be able to tow the new boat?

According to Auto Bytel, the average 21-foot boat trailer weighs between 500 and 1,000 pounds, while most boats in this size range hover in the 4,000-5,000 pound range. This means that you'll want an SUV or truck that is rated to tow between 4,500-6,000 pounds in total.

Where will you boat be stored?

Will your new boat fit in your garage during the off season? Alongside your garage? In a separate storage space?

And a few other components to consider…

• Horsepower
• Engine Type
• Hull (Deep V, Modified V, Pontoon, etc.)
• Storage Onboard

No matter what you decide, get out there, matey, and enjoy the open seas!

Source: foremost.com

Boat sales continue to soar while we are still in a pandemic, and as we approach summer 2021 — this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the sale of boats and marine products reached a 13-year high in 2020, and they expect it to remain at historic levels for 2021. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take advantage of this market, start right now with Foremost Choice Marine!

Contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance for more information on boaters insurance.

Warm weather is on the way!

If you are struggling with the pre-launch boat preparation, here are some great tips to help get that ride out as soon as possible.

• Inspect the fuel system for any leaks or damage. Ensure the engine, exhaust and ventilation systems are all functioning properly. (You may want to run the motor out of the water first.) Also, it's recommended to change the oil before your first run of the year.
• Check the belts, cables and hoses. They can become brittle and may crack or swell during the winter.
• Inspect electrical connections for cleanliness or tightness. Charge your battery and have it tested to ensure it can hold a charge. Electrical systems should be regularly inspected by a qualified technician.
• Check all fluid levels; change the engine oil, oil filter, and drive lubricants, if these tasks were not done prior to winterizing your boat.
• Inspect propellers for dings, pitting, cracks and distortion. Be sure to clean the hull, deck and topsides and make sure the drain plug is securely in place before every launch.
• Check your safety gear! Make sure your life jackets are in good condition and that there are enough on board for all potential passengers. Be sure on board fire extinguishers are the correct class and are fully charged.

A couple hours before your summer launch could save you huge headaches later. A lot of boat owners say to have extra plugs on hand, just in case. Also, brushing up on a boater's safety class is always a good idea.

Get prepared to enjoy this boating season and leave the rest to the water.

Source: foremost.com

It's finally Spring. Looking for things to do? This Bucket List should help!

Hot Wheels Ultimate Drive-Thru 3/19- 4/18

The unique, contactless, kid-focused drive-thru experience offers fans a rare opportunity to travel through the largest life-size collection of Hot Wheels vehicles ever including Hot Wheels Twin Mill®, Rip Rod®, Loop Coupe® and Bone Shaker®. Also starring in the lineup will be the original Monster Truck, BIGFOOT® and its extraordinary fleet featuring the popular BIGFOOT® #5, the world’s tallest and heaviest monster truck! Other fan favorites include Tiger Shark, Demo Derby, V8 Bomber® and many more! Click here for more information

Click here for more information

Cambridge Science Festival- Free 4/1- 4/30

Celebrate STEAM virtually this year with Cambridge Science Festival — learn something new every day from amazing science our contributors are sharing.

We supply the prompts, you bring your curiosity! Share what you learn, ask questions and join the conversation with #30DaysOfScience. Click here for more information

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Zoo New England’s First Virtual 5K Series 4/1 - 4/30

Run wild with Zoo New England's first virtual 5K series! Join the pack and set out for a run, walk, or stroll on a route of your choosing. Click here for more information

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Shen Yun 2021 4/10-4/18

A global sensation returns! Shen Yun is back with a brand-new production. Watch ancient legends, heavenly realms, and modern tales of courage spring to life through classical Chinese dance. See ethnic dances, dazzling costumes, and powerful flips fill the stage with color and energy. And let the orchestra’s exquisite melodies, the singers’ soaring voices, and the dynamic animated backdrops uplift your spirit and transport you to another world. Click here for more information

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Project Bread’s Virtual Walk for Hunger- Free 5/2

You can help families facing hunger by starting a personal fundraiser or fundraising team today to enable COVID-19 hunger crisis response. Click here for more information

Registration Click here for more information

New England’s Greater Boston Expo- To-Go (gluten free) 5/8

Created in an effort to help folks locate gluten-free resources, products, and dining. NO EXPO? NO PROBLEM! Drive through and we’ll toss a bag of gluten-free samples and coupons right into your trunk! Click here for more information

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Zootopia 5/8 (Adults only)

Zootopia, Zoo New England's annual fundraising gala, will virtually bring the Zoos to you for an inspiring evening this spring, featuring a special video message by E. O. Wilson Living the Mission Award honoree Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & U. N. Messenger of Peace. We invite you to join us as we celebrate the natural world with animal appearances, insider updates and a silent auction! Click here for more information

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Newport Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival (All ages) 5/22-5/23

Food Truck Festivals of America is bringing the 2nd Annual Newport Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival back to Rhode Island. Click here for more information

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Thank you all! Once again Lallis & Higgins Insurance has made it to the finalist round in the Best of the South Shore 2021 for both Best Insurance Agency-home & auto, as well as Best Insurance Agency-life.

Votes for finalists can be cast now through April 5th. Don't forget, you can come back every day to vote!

To vote Lallis & Higgins Insurance for BOSS, click here.

Let the voting begin!

A burglary occurs approximately every 15 seconds in the United States. Home security has become an important issue for everyone, no matter where you live. While there's no foolproof way to stop every break-in, many burglaries are preventable. Keep in mind that burglars search for easy targets.

Here are some security measures that may force burglars to look elsewhere:

Use the right locks and solid doors

• Choose a single-cylinder dead bolt lock backed by a reinforcing strike-plate with three-inch screws. The dead bolt should be at least one inch thick and extend at least one inch into the doorframe when locked. Standard door locks may not be enough to deter experienced thieves. For example, a thief can open key-in-the-knob spring bolt locks by pushing back the lock bolt with a credit card or similar flexible object.
• Use solid core or metal clad entrance doors along with sturdy door frames firmly attached to your home. Many intruders enter residences by physically destroying lightweight hollow core doors and flimsy door frames.
• Be sure entrance doors have wide-angle peepholes or view grills so you can see visitors without opening the door. Ask anyone who comes to your door for identification before allowing them inside.

Secure sliding patio doors and windows:

• For best protection, use a bolt lock.
• Second choice would be a dowel or pipe in the slider track. This helps, but isn't perfect. Thieves can bypass them by lifting the doors or windows out of their slide channels. You can help prevent this by tightening adjustment screws to eliminate "play" in a door or window.

Protect your home with proper lighting:

• Keep entryways, pathways, stairwells, porches, yards and parking areas well lit.
• Mount lights up high so burglars can't easily unscrew bulbs.

Don't give thieves an easy way in:

• Keep shrubs trimmed away from your home. Prune back tree limbs, particularly from upper windows and porch roofs.
• Keep your garage locked, along with any storage sheds on your property, especially if they contain tools or ladders thieves can use to break into your home. Use a quality dead bolt lock here, too, if you can.
• Invest in a heavy-duty gun-safe if you have firearms in your home. This will keep guns out of criminal-hands, as well as away from children, friends and relatives who don't know how to handle firearms safely.

Source: Foremost.com

Whether buying a new fleet or upgrading an existing fleet to meet the growing demand, fleet managers need to choose a delivery vehicle that’s affordable, reliable, and practical for the needs of the driver and business. Here we provide a quick guide to help fleet managers sort out which delivery vehicle type is the right option to meet their retail delivery needs.

Box Truck (aka cube truck)

Box trucks have been the workhorses of the moving and retail delivery industry for generations. If your business delivers appliances or furniture, this is probably the right fit for your fleet. Box trucks are made by adding a larger cube-shaped cargo area to a chassis cab, making the cabin and cargo areas separate (some models include a smaller door leading from the cabin to the cargo area). Box trucks can usually carry a sizable load while still being able to maneuver crowded downtown areas or neighborhoods. The rear door is typically a roll-up door that provides easy access to the cargo. Box trucks can also be fitted with a stow-away ramp or a hydraulic lift making them ideal for delivering heavier retail items.

The downsides: Rear visibility can be challenging, but this is easily overcome with experience and the right mirrors. Since it’s a sizable heavy-duty truck, maneuverability in small areas can be tough for even experienced drivers. Their larger capacity requires a larger, more powerful engine which translates to higher fuel consumption.

Multi-Stop Truck (aka step van or walk-in truck)

If your fleet is regularly delivering larger parcels or a high volume of packages, a multi-stop truck can be a good match. These delivery vehicles are most notably recognizable as the bread-and-butter workhorse of FedEx and UPS. But they can also be a great option for small business fleets – food trucks, bakeries, and dairies to name a few. These taller style delivery vans allow the driver to stand up comfortably inside a cargo area that is spacious and easily convertible to suit business needs. The driver can also access the cargo area from the cab or from the rear of the vehicle. They are generally lower to the ground with steps leading to the driver seat and to the rear cargo area, thus the name step van.

The downsides: There aren’t many downsides, but, like the box truck, multi-stop trucks can be tight in small areas and can have rear visibility issues.

Cargo Van

Smaller, but similar to the multi-stop truck, the cargo van is perfect for delivering small- to medium-sized parcels. Cargo vans usually have side doors and rear doors to access the cargo area. They can range in size from more compact sizes like the Ford Transit Connect to larger vans like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which is closer in size to a multi-stop truck. Cargo vans are very versatile, and their more reasonable size makes for easier maneuvering in tight spaces.

The downsides: They are less ergonomic than a multi-stop or box truck because loading and unloading can require bending or kneeling. Cargo vans typically do not come with a separation between the cab and cargo area, which can make hauling some retail goods without modifications to the cab impractical or even dangerous.

Light-Duty Truck

Like it sounds, the light-duty truck or pickup truck is used for more lightweight payloads – up to two tons. Light-duty trucks are perfect for smaller retail deliveries. Because of their size, they are much easier to maneuver and park. They can also be more fuel-efficient than any of the previous options.

The downsides: Their capacity is limited compared to box trucks and multi-stop trucks. They come standard with an open bed, which makes hauling sensitive cargo impractical without the addition of cover.

Once fleet managers identify the right option for their delivery fleet, the real work begins. Finding a delivery vehicle with a decent resale value, fuel economy, durability, and reliability will take further analysis. But performing thorough due diligence can help fleet managers to choose a delivery vehicle that will perform optimally and meet the increasing demands of retail delivery fleets in the 21st century.

For information on business auto coverage contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

wexinc.com

When it comes to motorcycles, there are few things as important as the tires. Tire maintenance is essential. It doesn't take a lot of time or effort to inspect a bike's tires and it will help the motorcycle achieve top mileage and performance.

Here are some tips that can help keep motorcycle tires performing in top condition.

Check for proper tire inflation pressure.

For peak performance and fuel economy, it's important that the tires are not over-inflated or under-inflated. Repeated under-inflation should be inspected because it could signal a slow leak that could cause a blowout.

Don't overload your bike.

Overloading places stress on the tires and can cause poor handling and excessive fuel consumption. Check your owner's manual to determine limits.

Look for wear.

Get in the habit of getting professional inspections to be sure the tires are in the best condition possible. Pay attention to tread wear indicators and keep an eye out for foreign objects, and cracks or grooves that would require replacement.

Break in new tires.

Brand new tires should be ridden very cautiously for the first 100 miles to allow the tires to be "scuffed-in." This provides the rider with an opportunity to get to know how the new tires handle and react.

Lallis & Higgins Insurance want you to stay safe this on your motorcycle at all times

Source: foremost.com

Small and local businesses are the lifeblood of the South Shore and we know, now more than ever, how important it is to support your favorite businesses like Lallis & Higgins Insurance. For our annual Best of the South Shore, we invite you to nominate Lallis & Higgins Insurance as well as the best restaurants, shops, services and other businesses in the region. This is a great opportunity to make sure your favorite business is the go-to spot for everyone on the South Shore. The results of BOSS 2021 will be promoted from Summer 2021 - Summer 2022.

Make sure your favorite business is featured on the Best of the South Shore ballot!

There will be two rounds of voting a nomination round and a finalist round. Nominations will be open from February 6th—February 28th. Help your favorite business become a finalist by inviting others to nominate them for BOSS.

To nominate Lallis & Higgins Insurance for BOSS, click here.

It's easy to do. Simply click the "NOMINATE" button and fill in your email address. Continue and complete the registration form (You MUST register to vote). Afterwards, you’ll receive a confirmation email which will contain a link that will allow you to auto login each day to vote again if you wish. For businesses with more than one location, please indicate the address of your #1 choice in the town field.

Let the nomination begin!