Category Archives: Boats

For thousands of years and in most cultures, humans have named their boats. Whether it stems from the effort it usually takes to acquire, or the boater is acknowledging that they are embarking for a sometimes dangerous and risky environment; humans take comfort in naming a boat.

Egyptian ancients are credited with starting the tradition. They named their craft after river gods, assuming the deities would be too complimented to let the boat sink. Time has amended this practice to naming boats after loved ones, family members, professions, companies; even wishes and dreams can qualify as a proper boat name.

Contrary to past opinion, if done properly, it is not bad luck to rename a boat. Care must be taken, though, to obliterate… Continue Reading…

One thing that can be said about docking a boat is that it is not so easy to do. Learning this skill requires a good bit of actual hands on experience and practice. Once you begin to practice getting your boat up to the dock, then you will start to develop your own style of docking which works out well for you. This article covers the guidelines for learning to dock a boat.

Safety First

You ought to first get your passengers ready for docking. There is no harm in having them all take their seats. It is similarly a good idea to stow away luggage or other gear which is loose. The safety of your passengers, as well as your own person, should always be at the forefront of your mind. Passengers should be constantly reminded to keep both their feet and hands within the boat all of the… Continue Reading…

Nothing complicates a nautical play day like an anchored boat breaking loose; a captain careening into a dock; or a vessel banging in its berth like a bumper car.

Docking and anchoring are basic skills that can strain captain-first mate relationships; ruin outings; cause injury and property damage; and brand boaters as outcasts.

There’s no substitute for patience, practice and teamwork but here’s a primer to lead you in the right direction.

Preparation Is a Priority

Before hull meets water, outline everyone’s onboard role (even if it’s to sit down and stay quiet), and gather dock lines, fenders (or bumpers), anchors and their chains and lines. The bigger the boat, the heavier the dock line and the more needed. Which anchor to buy depends on the size and weight of the vessel and where it’s used.

Boatus.org/onlinecourse describes these common anchor types:

* Danforth – two pivoting flukes dig… Continue Reading…

There is something undeniably alluring about the open water. It’s an alien environment yet still strangely inviting; it can be both relaxing and exciting, and it’s also bountiful. Because it’s such an alien environment, you won’t get far without some sort of aquatic craft. Maintaining a sizable boat can quickly become an expensive task, but for millions of people the cost is well worth it.

A boat can be a small investment or a very large one, but you should take good care of it either way. It’s good to know how to park your boat, because most personal boats spend more time out of the water than in. If you have a very small craft, like a rowboat, flatboat or canoe, it can be pulled up on shore with ease. Be sure to tie it up, though, in case of floods or a rising tide.

As you get into… Continue Reading…

Lots of people think operating a boat is similar to operating a car until they finally get into the boat and realize that it is actually nothing like a land vehicle. Boats are completely different types of vehicles, as they are propelled by a totally different means. There are even certain rules to follow while out on the water. Yes, that’s right, you cannot simply drive out wherever you’d like as this could potentially pose serious risks for you and other boaters. Boating is something that can be very simple and enjoyable if the boater is trained and knowledgeable, but to a new boater, things can be a little confusing at first.

The first, most important things to do before operating a boat are to take a boating safety course and to check if your state requires that you obtain a boating license. If you happen to pass the boating… Continue Reading…

If you are the owner of a wood bottomed boat that you have always wanted to cover in fiberglass, you are not alone. Fiberglass boats are enduring and attractive looking. It is a challenging, but doable project to fiberglass a boat. This article covers the necessary steps to effectively fiberglass your boat.

Materials and Tools Necessary for the Project:

- Resin
- Disposable Brushes
- Foam rollers
- Squeege
- Power Sander
- Foam Pad Backing Disk
- Waterless Resin Cleaner
- Solvents like lacquer thinner, acetone, or alcohol

Surface Preparation

The most critical element in making your fiberglass application process work effectively lies in having a clean surface on which to work. A surface should be both dry, clean, and bare wood that does not contain any dust, dirt, oil, wax, grease, or paint. A rough surface is permissible, more effective than… Continue Reading…