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Archive for the ‘Boating’ Category

If You Are Getting Into Boating Here Are Some Crucial Accessories You Need

01 May.
Posted by teahupoo in Boating | No Comments

There are many different kinds of boating accessories to outfit a boat with whether it is to make it look better or perform better. The most important boat accessories though are safety items, which ensure safer voyages for everyone.

Lifejackets are vital boating accessories to have even if you are not traveling far. No matter what happens on the water the chance of something going wrong and having to leave the boat is a possibility every person who steps on a boat should be prepared for.

Boating accessories such as lifejackets can be used whenever the passengers of the boat need to be in the water. Even if you are an expert swimmer lifejackets are needed boating accessories considering you could be miles from shore or caught in a current carrying you away from land. It’s important to have different sizes of lifejackets for children and adults. Obviously an adult life jacket will not fit a child properly and this can be very dangerous should the child end up in the water.

Flares are important boating accessories to carry on a boat. You never know when something could go wrong with the boat and letting others know there is a problem by firing a flare will bring help. Even if there is nothing wrong with the boat there are many other possibilities when using a flare is useful.

Flares are boating accessories to be used when you need to signal somebody for any reason whatsoever. Along the lines of flares for boating accessories for safety, flare guns can also be used to send any signal of distress. Once the flare has been ignited, help will soon be on its way.

Sometimes boats are far away from anything and if something happens where you need help radios are important boating accessories to have. Radios can be life savers as they can call ports, other boats, or even the coast guard in case of an emergency.

Being able to communicate in any way with others is needed on a boat as many times the boat is far from any help. Radios can bring help regardless of how far away from land the boat is and for this reason they are important boating accessories for safety.

Boating can be an exciting and relaxing way to spend time on the water. Being in the open water, or even close to shore, many things can go wrong whether it be with the boat or with a person on the boat. Preparing for the worst is the safest way to go and by using boating accessories for this purpose it will ensure all safety issues are covered. Taking precautions and using safety boating accessories make the experience that much more enjoyable as it makes it safe as well.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as boating accessories at http://www.boatingaccessoriesplus.com

If You Are Looking For A New Boat You Need To Consider Sea Ray

01 May.
Posted by teahupoo in Boating | No Comments

Owning a boat can be an excellent source of pleasure and enjoyment, one of the largest manufacturers of boats worldwide is Sea Ray which is available only through experienced dealers. These specialists are expertly trained to enhance your buying experience. Founded in 1959 Sea Ray is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Knowing the buyers’ wants and desires in a quality boat Sea Ray has the best boats available.

Sea Ray boats has won the J.D. Power and Associates Award for Express Cruisers three times in a row. Not only have they won the latter they have also won the NMMA Award for highest satisfaction of a sport boat. The boats sold by Sea Ray are high quality boats, and customer satisfaction is a top priority

Purchasing a Sea Ray boat is a sign of your excellent taste in quality, therefore the next purchase you should make is a boat cover. These covers from the manufacturer will provide excellent protection for your boat against undue wear and tear, adverse weather conditions among other protections. These boat covers are specifically designed for your specific boat meaning you can feel secure in the knowledge your boat will have protection through the years.

Sea Ray boat covers will protect your boat from the sun’s harmful UV rays by covering it and saving the paint and interior. Not only can the sun cause damage but excess heat and humidity may warp certain features on your boat. The boat covers will also protect your boat from water and hail along with snow and excess dirt due to changing weather. By keeping your boat covered you will save the interior from water and dirt accumulation and even animals in the interior.

The company has many different types of boat covers to choose from along with numerous places to purchase them both in person and online. You can also purchase these products by phone or mail. There are many online websites that can help you to find the best product for you and have excellent customer satisfaction. Sea Ray also gives some tips for purchasing your cover and recommends some other brands. Sunbrella and Cloudburst are two brand fabrics that the manufacturer has recommended because of their strength and protection.

It is equally important to periodically inspect your boat cover for any sign of damage. Be it regular wear and tear, sun damage or corrosion boat covers will not last forever. If you are careful to inspect regularly you may spot damage while it is still fairly easy to repair, saving you extra time and effort.

Owning a Sea Ray boat is one of life’s pleasures and protecting your boat with a specialty cover from the company will ensure you can enjoy it for many years to come.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as personal watercraft at http://www.personalwatercraftplus.com

Why A Waterproof Boat Cover Is So Important For Your Boat

01 May.
Posted by teahupoo in Boating | No Comments

Buying and maintaining a boat can be a lot of fun and provide endless entertainment. An important part of owning a boat is to care for it properly. By taking care of your boat you will have many years to enjoy it. There are many things to purchase when you own a boat that will help you to keep it in good shape. One important piece of equipment you should purchase is a waterproof boat cover.

Although it may seem like an unimportant piece of equipment, a waterproof boat cover will save you a lot of time, effort, and wear and tear on your boat. By having a cover for you boat it will protect the boat from undue damage from the sun and unpleasant weather. The sun’s rays can otherwise cause the paint and finish on your boat to fade prematurely. During a hailstorm or other stormy weather a cover on your boat may prevent damage to both the exterior and interior of your boat. During rainy weather water will be unable to fill in your boat saving time and effort trying to get excess water out of the boat and drying the interior.

Once you have had a waterproof boat cover you will also need to take care of it. The waterproof boat cover needs to be washed regularly. It is also important to pay close attention to the wear and tear of your cover, checking regularly for rips tears and decay. You may need to also check into restoring the waterproof qualities of the cover to keep your boat from undue problems due to water.

There are a few options for keeping an older waterproof boat cover effective. On way is to continue to use the same boat cover and put a waterproof tarp over the top. This is a fairly inexpensive fix but there are things to keep in mind. With a tarp, unless you have one already, you will still need to purchase one, costing money that could be spent on current cover. Another downfall to a tarp is that the tarp is not form fitting so the boat will not have the same level of protection.

If you would prefer to restore the waterproofing capabilities of your boat cover there are some products on the market to do so. Fluorocarbon is a commonly used product to use for waterproofing. With a little shopping around you should be able to find a product to suit the needs of your waterproof boat cover.

Although owning a boat is a large responsibility, the benefits of taking good care of your boat will be years of enjoyment. With the proper care your waterproof boat cover will provide adequate protection against weather, sun and excess water in your boat.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as personal watercraft parts at http://www.personalwatercraftplus.com

Some Tips On Water Sport Safety

28 Apr.
Posted by teahupoo in Boating | No Comments

There are a few crucial things to consider when being around the water, let’s explore them.

Learn to swim

Swimming is such a natural action for humans that many babies are born with the ability to swim! If you don’t already know how, take lessons! This should be common sense for any one that lives near the water, but I think everyone should know how to swim.

Never swim or dive anywhere except clearly marked areas with a lifeguard.
When a boat slides out into the lake on a sweltering summer day, a strong swimmer wearing easily dried clothes is heartily tempted to jump right in!

However, some lakes can be extremely deceiving, seeming bottomless, when in fact they are only 12 feet deep in the middle. Be extremely careful when diving or jumping into water. Although the bottom may not be visible, it also may not be very far away from the bottom of the boat. The best way to stay safe when swimming or diving is to go with a friend, using the buddy system, and swim or dive only in marked areas.

Always wear a lifejacket when in or around the water.

Even the strongest swimmers can get in bad situations and should wear a life vest when playing around the water. Although when conscious and calm they may be able to swim 5 miles, a person who is injured or upset may need the extra flotation to help them survive until help comes.

Be careful when entering or exiting the water from a boat.

When scuba diving, snorkeling, or water skiing, the sport often requires exiting or entering the boat from the stern. This can be an especially dangerous aspect of the sport. Be extremely careful of propeller blades, anchor ropes, fishing line, or any other items that might be beneath the water near the boat. Wait for your driver to come to a complete stop and shut off the motor before approaching the vehicle.

Learn CPR and First Aid.

It’s always a good idea to know how to help in an emergency. Not only may you be able to rescue another from a tough situation; you may also learn important guidelines for a calm and efficient reaction to danger. Take CPR classes and First Aid, whenever you have the opportunity. Knowing a few simple and logical steps may save a life.

Know which local water animals may be dangerous.

When swimming in the ocean in particular, there are many creatures to look out for such as jellyfish, stingrays, and of course sharks. Use common sense and stay out of the water at dusk and dawn when predatory animals are feeding and stay away from schools of baitfish.

When diving or snorkeling, look- don’t touch!

Many underwater accidents happen due to blind groping. Many divers or snorkelers use their hands while lurking through the depths, and mistakenly grab a poisonous animal. It is important to avoid touching the bottom when underwater for visibility reasons as well.

Take classes or go with a certified guide.

Whether you are white water rafting, swimming, or snorkeling it is important to prepare for the sport before diving in. Many sports require certification; and even if your chosen activity doesn’t, it’s still a good idea to find out more about safety before going.

Wear sunscreen!

The reflection of sunlight from water can be intense enough to cause nasty sunburns. Avoid painful sunburns and blisters by carrying a small bottle of waterproof sunblock, and protect eyes with sunglasses.

Go with a buddy!

Never surf, swim, dive, raft, fish, canoe, kayak, or Jet Ski alone. If a person is injured during their sport, having a buddy nearby can save a life. Find a friend who wants to play in the water as well, and work together to have a splashing safe summer!

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in the coastal Florida town of Navarre with his 16 year old son. Get your boating accessories from http://www.boatingaccessoriesplus.com

Comparing Yacht Insurance Costs - How To Make The Search Easier

27 Apr.
Posted by hotpotato in Boating | No Comments

There are now many companies providing yacht insurance cover with confusion often resulting as owners seek to find the best provider for their needs. Each insurance provider wants to encompass elements that are not available elsewhere but at the same time each policy holder’s individual requirements also need to be met. This article includes some basic information which is often overlooked but can help in your decision when comparing yacht insurance costs.

Carry out a check on the financial stability of the company in question and try to look at their previous year’s submitted accounts. The financial stability of a yacht insurance provider speaks much about the security of your own insurance. Search the Internet for top rated insurers of marine vessels - those with large customer bases are often rated highly by the industry watchdogs and probably the best companies to start with.

There may come a time when you need to claim on your policy and you need to be assured that the customer services department will answer your claim quickly and efficiently. To help ensure this is the case search for a marine insurer that has many outlets. The outlets should include emergency services, agencies and helpful representatives. A good reputation is often a hard won thing and important to the business that has won it. How a company’s customer service representatives act (i.e. do they seek to uphold the company’s reputation) will give a potential customer an idea on how well they will be looked after should the need arise.

The type of yacht insurance policy required is based on the ability of a company to provide services at a reasonable cost; avoid those that promise everything at the lowest cost. Be aware that marine policies can be complex and will most likely take longer to assess than regular insurance policies. Each person will have specific ideas about what they want covered with their policy; do not use an insurance provider that only has limited options available.

Consider which aspects of yacht insurance are most important to you before doing anything else: researching the finer details of each policy is easier when you have already produced a smaller list of requirements. Carrying out these simple suggestions you should help you to more easily compare yacht insurers and yacht insurance costs. The last thing anyone needs after signing their policy is to find there’s a problem with their marine insurance company.

For more advice on what you need to consider when comparing insurance costs for your yacht go to:
http://www.aboutinsurancesite.com/yachtinsurancecosts.html

Rules and Equipment for Boat Owners

23 Apr.
Posted by jimmycox in Boating | No Comments

For anyone who owns a boat, there are ten rules which should always be kept in mind. There is also certain equipment which should always be carried aboard ship.

1. Check your boat thoroughly and never leave your mooring until you have done so.

2. Never over-load your boat and at all times be especially careful about non-swimmers and children.

3. Carry a life preserver for every person on board. Be sure they’re worn when doing deck duty in rough weather.

4. Carry filled fire extinguishers.

5. Exercise extreme caution when filling fuel tanks - no smoking - turn off all fires and electric accessories - hold filling nozzle firmly against fill pipe (ground it) - wipe up spillage - thoroughly ventilate engine compartment and all enclosed spaces before restarting motors.

6. Observe carefully weather, wind, tide and current conditions before starting. Plan emergency harbors on long hops.

7. Keep to the right when meeting another boat and give the right-of-way to vessels approaching in your danger zone on the starboard (right) side.

8. Always be Courteous, Careful and Competent. Watch your wash! Slow down to 4 mph in harbors. Keep away from large vessels, which are not as maneuverable as smaller craft. Keep away from all sail boats - small ones may be swamped by the wash from a motor boat and large sailing yachts do not have the maneuverability of a motor boat.

9. Never make a turn at high speed. Small craft can easily be and have been swamped by their own wash.

10. Approach dock or mooring slowly against the wind or current, whichever is strongest.

Articles of Equipment Which Should Be Aboard Every Well-Found Boat, Though Not Required By Law

The Motor Boat Act prescribes that motor boats must carry certain equipment for the safety of those aboard. This includes life preservers, lights, whistle, bell, fire extinguishers, name arresters on carburetors, ventilating cowls and ducts for the bilges, and the certificate of registration. These requirements vary with the class of boat, and certain exceptions are made in some classes.

In addition to this required equipment, however, there are other things which should be aboard before a boat may be considered to be well-found. The extent of cruising the boat does will determine the amount and kind of equipment, such items as anchors and lines, boat hook, fenders, bilge pump, tool kit, spare engine parts, piloting equipment, auxiliary lighting equipment, and such special safety equipment as ring buoys, flares, and a first aid kit.

In the same category with tools and spare parts we might include a few good carpenter’s tools, extra pieces of line of several sizes, a ball of marlin, an assortment of nails, screws, bolts, washers, wire, caulking cotton, paint, etc. On boats equipped with sails a small repair kit should be added containing twine, wax, needles, palm, fid, and similar articles. All should be properly stowed to keep it accessible and in good condition.

Other miscellaneous items would be a deck mop, pail (some prefer a canvas bucket), a chamois for cleaning windows, brass polish, a supply of oil for engine, grease (both the regular and waterproof varieties as required), some light machine oil and penetrating oil for rusted parts, vaseline, distilled water, a hydrometer, some clean rags and several rolls of paper towels. An emergency tiller is often carried.

Keep the ten rules of conduct outlined, and carry the equipment mentioned above, and you will be well-prepared for anything.

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Learning the Joy of Sailing

23 Apr.
Posted by jimmycox in Boating | No Comments

What does it take to sail? The main ingredients are a sailboat, a mild breeze on a suitable body of water, and a little desire. Sailing is by no means difficult, and if you can tell which way the wind is blowing, you can learn the fundamentals in a short time.

The quickest and easiest method of learning to sail is to take a formal course. Such courses in sailing are developing in various places all over the United States and Canada. Even public funds are being allocated for this purpose in many cities and communities. The following organizations may be able to advise you of any local classes in sailing: YMCA or YWCA, Coast Guard Auxiliary, local Power Squadron, Chamber of Commerce, local marine dealers, and local yacht or boat clubs. The cost of such courses varies from nothing to several dollars an hour.

Although certainly desirable, formal sailing courses are not necessary. Many people prevail upon a friend or neighbor who has a sailboat and trade their services at spring fitting-out time for instructions in sailing.

While it’s not the fastest or best way, the most lasting method of learning to sail is by the seat of your pants in a boat, developing your sensibilities by trial and error. But before you shove off on your first sail, you should know the basic theory of what makes a sailboat go and the various points of sailing in relation to course and wind direction.

What Makes A Sailboat Go?

It may sound easy to explain why a sailboat goes. It is blown by the wind, just as your hat goes sailing down the street on a windy day. But the person who is to learn the art of sailing can’t stop there. He must have a little idea of the theory so that he’ll be better able to understand why he must handle sails and rudder in certain ways to obtain the desired results.

If we were simply to accept the analogy of the hat, we would not be able to account for the fact that a boat can sail in a great many directions other than the one toward which the wind is blowing. Actually, a sailboat can go in any direction except directly into the wind. In such a case, we must tack the boat or angle it into the wind.

When the boom is positioned directly above where the stern and the side meet, and the wind is coming about 45 degrees either side of the bow, you’re in a close-hauled (or beating, or pointing, or tacking) position. When the boom is let out a little farther and the wind comes more directly at right angles, you are reaching; and as the wind comes across the side closer to the stern, you’re on a broad reach.

Then when the wind comes over your stern, and your boom is almost at right angles to the boat, out on either side, you are running or sailing downwind. As you can see, the points or positions of sailing are governed by wind direction and the trim of the sail (location of the boom).

The closer the boat has to sail to the wind the closer the boom is brought to the centerline of the craft. The more the course of the boat approaches a run dead before the wind, the farther the boom is eased off away from the centerline.

Many people believe that the pushing effect of the wind on the sail makes a boat go, and they’re partly correct. There is, however, another force at work; it’s the same force that provides the lift for an airplane wing. By this we mean that the force of the air striking the windward side of a sail is but a small fraction of the total force; like a wing, most of the force is developed by the leeward (away from the wind) side the upper side in the case of a wing. In other words, some of the wind engages the sail and exerts a pushing force upon it.

There is more to learn abut sailing a boat, but this is a good start.

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