Boating

Packing an anchor chain is a very important process for boat owners. Few things intimidate novice boaters more than anchoring. A fouled anchor chain can make an already stressful situation even...

Many pre-made canoe dollies are available, but the price can be can be much less if make your own. Using materials at hand will keep the cost even lower. The advantage of a canoe dolly is that it...

Your boat's batteries are its heart: the power that drives all of the systems and keeps you safe and moving. Boats with more than one battery and many appliances on board are gaining in popularity...

Changing the oil in the lower unit on your outboard motor is part of the regular maintenance needed to keep the motor and transmission working properly. The lower unit houses all the gears...

All outboard motors are hinged to allow varying the angle of attachment of the mostly vertical alignment of the motor, drive train and propeller in relationship to the mostly horizontal plane of...

Removing the engine on an inboard boat is a herculean task. The engine block is big and heavy, and it is deep inside the bilge where it is hard to grab and maneuver. Have help on hand and take...

Usually the first problem boat owners think of when they feel vibration while underway are bent propellers; however, that may not be the problem. For props to be the cause of severe vibration,...

Webbing solution is an additive to gel coat paint that is used to create a surface with a spider web or spattered effect to it. The effect is dependent upon the air pressure of the spray gun that...

Inflatable life vests or personal floatation devices (PFDs) are small and comfortable versions of traditional PFDs. Inflatable PFDs are well regarded by mariners because they are lightweight and...

Replacing the windows on your boat is a labor-intensive undertaking. But you'll save a lot of money by doing it yourself, and following a few solid strategies will make the labor less tedious....

Boat fenders protect the sides of a boat from damage when tying up to a dock or rafting with another boat. These handy devices are designed to be damaged so the hull remains unscathed. However,...

Two-battery cutoff switches allow you to wire two or more batteries into a parallel circuit. The switch will allow you to isolate or combine the two batteries. Typically, one battery is considered...

Many boat owners have vinyl stickers attached to their craft. If might be the vessel's registration sticker, a Coast Guard inspection sticker, or one obtained from a boating organization such as...

All boats, both private and commercial, have state specific registration laws. However, large private or commercial boats over 5 tons have special Coast Guard registration requirements that go...

When your boat's gelcoat loses its shine, you can paint it or use an acrylic finish to revitalize its look. You can do small repair jobs with gelcoat, but an overall finish is far from practical...

Other than the deck of a boat, the most important part of any boat is the helm. The helm is the area where the boat is controlled. If this area is not just right, then the person under control can...

Kenyon alcohol stoves are used in marine and camping applications as cooking stoves. The stoves burn 95 percent denatured ethyl alcohol only, sometimes known as alcohol stove fuel. Stoves fueled...

When you see the phrase, "Gel Coat on FRP" in reference to a boat's hull, you might wonder what the writer is talking about. In fact, they're talking about the surface finish of the hull and the...

Maybe you want to remove an old, broken dashboard, or maybe your steering wheel has sustained damage in storage. Maybe you're installing an electronic tiller or just want a better looking steering...

Fiberglass and composite hulled kayaks with a gelcoat finish are prone to scratches and marks with normal use, but the hulls are easily repaired and restored to their former shine. Scratches and...

If you have a flat-bottom skiff or a jon boat, and you've wondered why you can't just throw your boat in the back of your pickup and dash off to the lake, well, you can. You can carry your boat in...

Many modern boats have fiberglass hulls. Fiberglass is hard and durable, but regular use dulls the finish. Left untreated, it's unsightly and weakens the structure. Protect your valuable...

Plastic is one of the three common types of fuel tanks on modern boats. The other two are fiberglass and metal. Plastic is one of the most durable, however. Plastic fuel tanks, actually made with...

Knowing how to repair fiberglass can make it possible to find a low-cost boat, restore it to its original luster, and then have a more expensive boat than you could afford otherwise. First-time...

Boating for more than a few hours is nicer when there is a cabin for relaxing, or even sleeping. Radiation from the water makes temperatures inside a boat rise at an alarming rate. On open water,...

Simple fiberglass repair of a boat's surface that does not include any core, or floatation, material is easy to do. Boat owners can save a great deal of money fixing minor cosmetic gelcoat...

Painting a boat can make it look brand new. It takes quite a bit of work but you can paint your own boat. Depending on the size of the boat, allow enough time to do the work and let it dry...

Hauling a trailer comes with extra safety concerns and responsibilities. But the driver's responsibility does not end when the trailer is parked; safety is still an issue, and extra steps need to...

Boating is a favorite activity of many, but accidents and other emergencies often occur. This is why the U.S. Coast Guard has set forth safety regulations that help to keep boaters safe.

The proper gauge wire for a boat ignition depends on the total length of the wire run and the current carried by that wire. Generally the wires that connect the battery, ignition switch and...

Manatees are large, slow-moving mammals that surface for air about every 12 minutes. They prefer shallow water and are slow to get out of the way of speedboats. Sometimes, however, the water is...

Cleaning your marine vinyl upholstery is vital to maintaining your boat's good condition. Consistency and timeliness are the most important factors in cleaning your boat's upholstery. Boats are...

Fiberglass is made with a combination of fiber resin and a gel substance that when hardened shines like glass--hence the name "fiberglass." Mild abrasions from rubbing on a dock or a light hit on...

In some ways, homemade anchors can be superior to commercially available ones. They can be made quickly from inexpensive materials and custom-designed in weights and lengths for your needs, for...

Proper installation of your marine battery or batteries will go a long way towards ensuring trouble free boating. It can save you from the hassle of dead batteries or protect your delicate...

Humankind has felt a connection with the sea as far back as history can tell, which has perhaps led to boats and other seagoing vessels to be considered status symbols. Owning a boat can be...

When you come in to a dock area, connect to other boats, or pass through a river lock you should protect your boat with boat fenders. "Dock rash" and dings cause unsightly surface damage and even...

Boating is a very expensive hobby and one way to save money is to reuse or repair old parts. However, there are some parts that are meant to be used and thrown away, such as sacrificial anodes, or...

Wood is often the first choice for material used to build docks. Compared with other choices, it is cost-efficient, according to the article "A Primer on Wood as Dock Construction Material," by...

Lexan and Plexiglass are proprietary names for different types of glazing commonly used on recreational boats. Although Lexan is stronger, Plexiglass is in certain respects more durable, Unless...

When you are buying an expensive item like a boat, get a bill of sale from the seller to make sure any agreements are in writing on the day you make the sale. This is not just for buyers. The bill...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...