BY SKIP ALLEN, SR.

Summer officially arrives this month and as you read this, we will no doubt be soaking up the rays, doing a bit of snorkeling, gunkholing our favorite secluded beaches, and catching a dolphin or two in our spare time. Hey, somebody’s got to do it!

At this writing we are completing our provisioning of the boat for our extended stay across the Stream. That done, we’ll head east happily anticipating catching up with our summer friends, hearing about the adventures the crop of sportfishing tournaments provides as well as spending some time ourselves enjoying the non-competitive (and edible) aspects of angling

This issue is teeming with a wealth of great information for our fishing readers from the newest boats to the latest gear and expert advice from the world’s top anglers, all aimed at making sure you get the most enjoyment out of your time on the water.

As many of you know–some first hand–June 1 signals the start of hurricane season. In this issue you’ll find timely tips from our friend Frank Lanier on inspecting your ground tackle and making sure your storm gear is ready for deployment.

Of interest to Florida resident boat owners is this information regarding clearing in and out of the country. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented the Local Boater Option (LBO) program as part of its effort to improve security at our nation’s borders while also enhancing travel for private boat owners. Enrollment in the LBO program will allow CBP to expedite the arrival reporting process for owners and is available to those operating boats in the Florida, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands area. For more information, call (800) 432-1216.

On another note, our 35th Anniversary is fast approaching with the September 2007 issue. It’s remarkable to look back over the years and see how much things have changed and also how many things have stayed the same. For instance, some columns such as Boating Log, Racing Roundup and Design of the Month, now Designer’s Choice, as well as our destination features have been part of Southern Boating since the inaugural issue.

As we approach this significant milestone, we encourage you to share what you feel have been the most significant changes in boating over the last 35 years. Perhaps to you that’s electronics, hull design or building materials. Or maybe it’s the changing waterfront, or water toys that weren’t even dreamed of in 1972 that have changed your cruising style. Remind us of your favorite Southern Boating articles and share some of your own sea stories. Send in your pictures as well as your thoughts and we can all celebrate turning 35 together.