Boating

Winter's coming on and you're laying the boat up for the off-season, but a you've got a nagging question growing in your mind: how will you get that monster engine off of the transom? When...

When wind or water currents make it difficult to trawl slowly, a drift sock can be the best way to control your boat's speed and allow you to fish effectively. Also known as drift chutes or sea...

Boating is one of the more exciting--and relaxing--hobbies one can pursue. Caring for a boat takes effort and time, but the rewards are more than worth it. The vinyls used in boating today are...

Over the years, boat steering systems have evolved from a steering oar draped over one side or the other, to a wheel and rope system, to wires within a cable sheath. While hydraulic steering...

Smart tabs are designed to keep a boat on an even plane. They are designed for boats between 10 and 22 feet and are attached to the bottom rear-end of the craft, near the engine. The tabs...

Marine Global Positioning System (GPS) units provide invaluable information to a vessels operator/navigator. GPS units rely on constant, unbroken line-of-sight (LOS) between the receiver...

Boat owners can save themselves a lot of money if they do much of the yearly maintenance on their crafts themselves. One routine job is removing the boat's batteries for the winter and...

The windows on a boat, whether fixed glass or sliding windows, are sealed units designed and manufactured to maintain the watertight integrity of the vessel under a variety of conditions. Shaped...

Many marine engine problems can be traced back to a few simple issues such as poor connections, a badly adjusted or dirty carburetor, or the need for a tuneup. A rough-running engine can cause...

Marine engine alignment is extremely important to the performance and longevity of any boat configured with an inboard engine. Whether it's a sailboat, a ski boat with a small V8, or a cruiser...

Getting a boat on top of a truck can be a balancing act. It's also a test of friendship since, no matter how hard you try to do it yourself, you'll need a friend's help to get the boat into place...

Satellite TV was available at sea in the mid-1990s. Since then, technological improvements have made it possible to carry satellite-based DirecTV service with you when you cruise. You can receive...

Boating can be one of the most enjoyable activities in the summer. If you are a music buff as well, listening to your favorite tunes as you jet around a lake or drop anchor to swim enhances the...

If you love the water and want to purchase a boat, then it is important to know that having your boat registered, unlike a car, is done differently in different states. Certain states will either...

Looking to find that perfect Christmas gift idea for the boater in your life? Whether it's a gift for a sailor, a kayaker, a fisherman, or simply someone who loves the nautical lifestyle, I can...

Buying a used boat can be a very big decision in the life of any boater. While most boat enthusiasts really want a new sea worthy vessel, many economic factors lead bot lovers to start off with...

Many people are attracted to the idea of owning their own boat, whether it is a small fishing boat, a sailing vessel or a yacht. Like homes and cars, the prices of new and used boats are...

Once you have finished boating for the summer, what do you do with the engine? Or, suppose you need to do some maintenance. Do you lay the prized piece of equipment down on the garage floor? No,...

Pull-rope or recoil starters are the most common method of cranking outboard motors of 25 horsepower (HP) or less. The rope is wound around a spring-loaded spool, and this spool provides a...

A bowline knot can be used to tie a water-ski tow rope to your bass boat and doesn't require you to mount a ski pylon. The bowline ties quickly, won't unravel under a load, and can carry 80...

Proper kayak care is vitally important to the performance and longevity of your carbon fiber kayak. Proper care takes into account the stresses the boat undergoes during the paddling season as...

If you need a spliced rope to run through a pulley, the splice must be the same size as the rope. The short splice doubles the size of the rope throughout the length of the splice; this means the...

Mercruiser outdrives combine inboard engine mounting with the vectored thrust maneuverability of an outboard motor. Steering, thrust and underway boat trim are all controlled through the outdrive....

So, your PVC raft or boat has a leak, what else is new? The method used to repair it will vary based on whether it is a pinhole leak or other damage type, according to rafting supplier NRS. (See...

An anchor rope splice--also known as a chain splice--splices an anchor rope to an anchor chain. The anchor splice is a variation on the sailmaker's splice, which tucks the strands of a rope back...

In a boat--which pitches, yaws and rolls--your battery requires a more robust restraint system than the one found in your car. While a battery box will contain any spill that might occur as the...

A trailer allows you to take your boat anywhere you want to go. Taking your boat out of the water each time you use it also keeps it in better shape. Trailered boats have less corrosion of their...

A template for boat cover snap replacement is like a map. You can make a template for snap replacement by rolling a large piece of paper over your boat and tracing the snap locations. It will be...

Towing a boat trailer behind a fifth-wheel camper trailer is a complex endeavor. But having both the fifth-wheel camper and boat along for the ride offers vacationers a place to spend the night...

A boat cover serves several purposes: It keeps leaves and dirt outside your boat, where they're supposed to be. It keeps animals out of your boat when your boat is laid up for the off-season. A...

The bunks or rollers that your boat rests on when on its trailer provide the support that keep your boat upright and steady while traveling. Adjust them with a wrench to fit under the strongest...

Buying a boat can be a daunting task if you have not been through the process before. From choosing the right type and size boat for your family’s needs, to getting a loan, purchasing, and...

Tying a boat down on a concrete slab is a project that can be accomplished with a bit of thought and the right tools and equipment. The most secure method of securing the boat to the slab would be...

If you use jack stands to lift your boat from its trailer to do bottom work, such as painting or fiberglass repairs, you can use automotive jack stands--with one important difference. Automotive...

A drift sock, also called a sea anchor, helps to keep a boat from drifting too fast on windy days. With a drift sock, a fisherman can fish in open water without constantly fighting the wind or...

Boat trailers come in several sizes to accommodate a variety of lengths and weights of boats. For each increase in size and weight, there is a range of boats that fit a trailer. The better your...

In these days of high speeds and noisy motors, rowing your own boat down the river or across a lake can be an extremely satisfying experience. Old or much-used wooden oars, however, may need a...

It is important to prepare your boat properly to idle, whether you are in the water, or your boat is on a trailer in the driveway. You can idle the engine on the water to warm it up before heading...

Marine engines generally operate in harsher climates than automobiles and are designed to endure more punishment. Most marine components are designed to last in hot, wet conditions, but some are...

Weather and water take their toll on all parts of your boat, but your boat's floor--its deck--shows that wear more readily than most of the other parts. If you have a "natural" deck, one with...

There are two basic ways that wooden boats can be built. In the traditional method, the builder first needs to know what type and size boat he or she will be building and must then acquire plans...

Installing a second battery in your boat adds many extra hours away from land. Having a dedicated starting battery and a dedicated "house" battery to run extra appliances with the engine off means...

A boat's radio, commonly called a "marine VHF radio," is the waterborne equivalent of a telephone, transmitting everything from conversations between boaters to emergency communications between...

A ship's magnetic compass is adjusted through the process known as "swinging the ship" or "swinging the compass." During this process, the magnetic compass is compared to a gyrocompass or Global...

You should always empty the gas from your boat's tank when you're getting ready to store it for the season. It's dangerous to leave flammable liquid sitting, and the gas can lose its...

In general, boaters want to avoid underwater objects for their own safety, and the safety of their boats. Knowing where underwater stumps and felled trees are located, however, has a special...

Wire rope can be cut with a cutting torch or a hydraulic wire rope cutter. The key to cutting wire rope successfully lies in "seizing" the wire rope properly before making the cut. Seizing is the...

While your motor's tilt control can vary your boat's trim, a jack plate can change its center of gravity, giving you even more control over the way you operate. Your motor's tilt function can...

Your battery is your boat's heart. Without a battery, your boat will not start, and you cannot enjoy many of the electrical gadgets, such as radios, electric coolers, refrigerators and other...

Boat owners take great care of the massive and expensive engines that power their motor boats. They require meticulous scheduled maintenance, especially in cold weather climates where boat owners...