 Today's Friday Feature introduces Jim from Placida, FL. Back in August 2008, Jim shared his story in our GPS City Gallery: Jim has a passion for fly fishing, kayaking and his Explorist 600 GPS. He enjoys taking his kayak out on the Gulf of Mexico near Placida and the Gasparilla Sound to witness the constantly changing water from rolling swells to flats. Using his Magellan BlueNav, Jim kayaks through the gulf "exploring the maze of islands and inlets looking for redfish tailing in places too remote for waders and too shallow for most boats." Since the water is forever changing, he uses a RAM Mount to secure his GPS to the kayak. Mounting the Magellan, Jim is able to read the maps and keep his hands free to paddle. While Jim enjoys the adventure of kayaking on open water, he understands the importance of always having a GPS with him. He explains, "My friends have a 35-foot sailboat with GPS but my mapping shows much more detail than theirs, so when the fog rolls in on Charlotte Harbor, mine is the one we confidently navigate by. The color screen really helps when you're looking for red and green channel markers. My maps give a clear outline of the navigable channel through the Intercoastal, and if you know anything about this area, it's shockingly shallow, and a sailboat that draws 5 feet can find itself in 3 feet of water by being just a few yards off track. We even use my GPS to trim sails, tweaking them while watching the speed output which is much more sensitive than the one on the boat. I couldn't imagine being on the water without my GPS." For additional pictures and Jim's original post, click here. Do you want to be in our Friday Feature? Submit your story and pictures to our Gallery. Include photos with your story and we'll send you a FREE T-shirt if your submission is approved. GPS City T-shirts are navy blue with white letters. International addresses subject to a mailing fee. | 
