Every Day Boating

The U.S. Federal Boat Safety Act (1971) requires water safety equipment aboard any type of boats operated in the country. Boating equipment accessories vary in size, depending on the size of your boat, as well as the state laws where you are boating. Boat equipment should meet the standards issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. The following boating equipment accessories ensure safety while in the waters.

Life Jackets or Personal Floatation Device

These personal safety devices prevent boat-related accidents such as drowning. Boaters should make sure that they have these devices aboard their boat at all times. There are various classifications of personal floatation device such as type I, II, III or V, which depend on the functions. Life jackets should be the appropriate size for adults and children, and those who are below 13 years old should wear the required personal floatation devices unless they are below deck.

Distress Signals and Whistles

Boats that are over 16 feet in length should have distress signals for daytime and nighttime such as orange smoke, red flares, and distress flags. Sailboats and power boats that are about 26 feet on high seas, lakes, and coastal waters should have distress signals. During emergencies, these essential boating equipment accessories allow other people to recognize and respond to your distress call. In addition, make sure that you have sound-producing devices such as a bell and whistle. The U.S. Coast Guard requires these devices aboard every boat below 65.6 feet long.

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When it comes to finding fishing boat manufacturers that have a great reputation for boat design, quality materials, cutting edge craftsmanship, and proven techniques, it isn’t as easy as you might think. There are probably only 15-20 companies that understand what it will take to produce award winning fishing boats and consistently put out a quality product year after year.

A good example of the kind of quality construction that you need to look for is ‘reverse-shoebox hull/deck design”, which increases overall strength of the hull while making the boat safer. This type of unique design is what sets some builders apart from other boat designers. Another, thing to remember is that wood rots, so, look for boat builders that simply do not use it in any part of the construction process. Instead, look for builders who use composite stringers throughout the boat. A good designer won’t take shortcuts if their goal is to make the best boats in the world.

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Boating is one of the most entertaining activities you can engage in for recreation, especially if you happen to own a pontoon boat. However, if you do not take time to find out the right equipment to bring to your boat, it can be stressing. A little carelessness in equipment selection can turn a fun boating trip to a sad ending. Here, are tips to help you choose the most essential pontoon boat equipment.

1. Safety always comes first in the pontoon boat equipment

As an excellent sailor, you need to be aware of the fact that once you set out to sea, anything can happen. What determines the outcome of any eventuality at sea; is the level of preparation of you and your boat. A well equipped boat must have:

• Fire extinguishers: It is extremely easy to start a fire when on a boat. In the event of one, you need to be adequately prepared with the right extinguisher equipment. Another convenient option can be a bailing system. You can use it to put out fires among many other things.

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There are many advantages to owning your own boat – you can head out any time you like to do a spot of fishing, you can organise a few mates and make it a weekend, you can take the family away for a holiday and you can use it to entertain your corporate clients. If you live in Auckland – the City of Sails, there are also plenty of opportunities where being on the water gets you up close and personal to events, such as the Auckland Anniversary Regatta, the many cruise ships who visit the city, and racing events such as the Volvo Ocean Race.

Whilst there are many advantages to owning your own boat, these are also teamed with some disadvantages, usually associated with the care and maintenance of the vessel to keep it in a sea worthy condition. It’s generally this upkeep and time it takes, as well as the high purchase cost that puts people off purchasing a boat.

This is where a boat share can help resolve all of your problems. A boat share offers you a chance to own part of a boat, enjoy all the benefits of vessel ownership and yet leave all the care and maintenance in someone else’s capable hands.

Luxury craft owners generally spend about 33 days on the water, leaving approximately 11 months where your vessel is not used. Therefore, wouldn’t it be great to effectively only pay for the days you use and a share of the maintenance yet still retain the ability to sell your share at any time?

Some of the key advantages are outlined below:

Walk On – Walk Off

The management company ensure that your vessel is ready and waiting for you on your allocated days. The fuel tanks are filled, the boat will be clean and tidy, and if your trip is overnight fresh linen will be on the beds. You simply bring on board your personal belongings, food and drink, and any other boating equipment you choose. When you return from your trip, you simply take your belongings and leave the cleaning to the management company.

Care & Maintenance

The management company take responsibility for ensuring that your vessel remains in a sea worthy condition at all times. They carry out preventative maintenance as well as attend to wear and tear, and any other maintenance that may be required.

Storage

Getting your craft out of the water, onto the trailer and then storing it either at your home or in a special storage facility, then having to take it back down to the dock the next time you want to go out is also another hassle that is taken away by choosing a shared ownership model.

Check out www.ownaship.co.nz for your very own boat share.

Marine radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) is used to detect objects and their position relative to your location. It works by sending out a radio signal. When the signal hits an object it is reflected back to the radar unit which can then calculate the bearing of the object.

A marine radar device is an essential navigation aid for boaters. It is useful for detecting boats, birds landmasses, and weather systems even when visibility conditions are less than favorable.

Marine Radar: Top Features to Look For
The two most important features of any marine radar device are the transmitter power and the beam angle. Power can range from 2 to 4 Kilowatts. The higher the power, the better your transmitter can see through fog and rain and the further the signal can reach. Power is a factor in how well your radar does in bad weather. Blinding rain can cause low power marine radar to be less than effective.

Beam angle is determined by the size of your marine radar’s antenna. A long antenna will produce a narrow beam that gives good discrimination between objects close together. A short antenna has a wider beam angle allowing the radar to scan a wider area at one time. Antennas are often customizable or configurable and can be purchased separately. Read the rest of this entry »

Boating is an exciting sport and an excellent pastime. However, boaters need to ensure that they have the proper boating equipment before they begin any of their marine adventures. There are a number of items that are essential in ensuring safety for passengers in a boat.

Working and Coast Guard-approved floatation devices such as life vests need to be worn by every boat passenger. It is also wise to bring a few extra of these devices in case they will be needed. Floaters that can be thrown also need to be onboard boats that are at least 16 feet long based on the laws of some states.

Accurate and GPS-enabled navigational devices are likewise very important boating equipment. These devices are very helpful when a boat is lost at sea or is in need of assistance. Current GPS devices can determine locations of boats with an accuracy of nine meters or less. Read the rest of this entry »

The operator of a pleasure craft will take the following actions in the presence of other persons or properties of the shared waterways activities:

1. stay well clear of swimmers and properties;
2. adjust the speed of the craft so that the draw-off and the wave disturbance generated by the passage of the craft avoid making injuries to persons, erosion of the shoreline or damage to the properties;
3. follow collision regulations, and
4. use courtesy and common sense so as not to create a hazard, a threat, a stress or an irritant to themselves, to others, to the environment or to wildlife.

Boaters should know that it is an offence to put oil, garbage or other pollutants into the water, either accidentally or with willful intent, and not report it immediately to the Canadian Coast Guard. No matter where you boat, it is a good environmental practice and a courtesy to others who use the same waterways to dispose of your black water at a pump-out facility. Check with local authorities if any “NO DUMP” zones exist when planning your trip. Read the rest of this entry »

Exploring can be a lot of fun and safe at the same time if you have the right equipment with you. In addition to the survival gear that you carry with you, a GPS system can make sure that you can safely navigate your way if you get lost or travel through routes that you plan without a problem. GPS devices in general are outfitted with maps so you can get a better view of what is around you and which direction you are heading. But once you take these GPS systems to the sea or out in the ocean, you may find yourself with limited navigation capabilities. It is a much safer and more convenient boating experience if you equip your boat with a boat GPS system.

About Boating GPS Devices

You can easily identify a boat GPS system if you notice that it focuses on plotting points on the open sea. Boating GPS devices vary in functionality. For instance, if you are a fisherman, your choice of a boat GPS system would have features that would help you track the best fishing spots in your area. Chartplotters are better for planning different waypoints for your boat. If you are willing to spend more for more functions, you can go for the marine GPS devices that combine the features of the two previously mentioned along with land navigation features too. Read the rest of this entry »