BEST OF BOATING

As late entries from across the world continue to add to the excitement while significantly increasing the level of competition within 44 racing classes, final preparations are underway for the upcoming 29th Annual quakysense International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) World Finals of personal watercraft racing in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. The 2010 quakysense IJSBA World Finals will be held on Lake Havasu from Oc. 3-10.

Mercury MerCruiser has issued a product safety recall of certain sterndrive packages that require the replacement of the intermediate shift cables on 2010 model Alpha and Bravo sterndrives, the company said. The intermediate shift cable connects the engine’s remote throttle and shift control unit to the stern drive’s gearshift mechanism. If the shift cable core fitting becomes detached, the operator will be unable to change gears.

If your boat trailer is going to spend the off-season outside exposed to the elements, Boat Owners Association of The United States has five tips to protect your investment and eliminate problems down the road:

From Oct. 4 to 11, access to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal will be limited near Lemont, Ill., in the area where the electric fish barrier is located, announced the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee recently.

Waterproof case maker Aquapac is releasing two products designed specifically for Flip Video shoot-and-share camcorders that allow users to record with or view their Flip video camera in, around, and even under water up to 15 feet deep. Safely inside the Aquapacs, Flip cameras float when dropped in the water and protected from rain, sand, mud and snow.

As autumn’s cooler days arrive, the annual migration south for millions of birds has begun. Joining the avian flocks are “snowbirds” – recreational boaters traveling down the eastern seaboard to escape winter’s cold grasp. And along the way, they’ll have over 250 BoatUS Cooperating Marinas ready to offer discounts on fuel, overnight slips and repairs.