Can You Buy a Boat on a Budget?
What discourages most would-be boat owners is going to boat shows and looking at the prices of the new boats. What they must realise that boat shows invariably display large capacity boats loaded with extras, which, while they give you all the comforts of home, will be a cut deep inroads into a cruising budget. In order to get the picture, visit a local camping ground. There you will certainly see some Winnebagos and other big rigs, but the vast majority of caravans will be simple one-axle ones, mostly occupied by just a travelling couple. It's the same with boats. Believe it or not, the average length of yachts doing world cruises is around 30 feet, and a lot of them are being sailed by just one couple.
Marine Solar Panel System - DIY Solar Power Generation Tips For Your Boat
Electrical power while at anchor is almost a must for most sailors or powerboaters especially if you cruise with family. Power is needed when the Admiral needs to use the blow dryer after taking a hot shower, when hot water is required to do the dishes, or even if you just need to keep the refrigerator cold. A marine solar panel system can quietly and efficiently generate this power for you. Obviously there are other ways to generate energy: running the engine(s) or running an onboard or portable generator. Both of these methods obviously require expending energy in order to make energy. This is done in the form of burning fossil fuels.
RC Sailboat Building - An Introduction
This fascinating hobby is enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. Model boat building is almost as old as recorded history, and examples dating back to Phoenician and Ancient Egyptian times may be found in museums. Although model sailboats were originally made for ceremonial or religious purposes, early examples have also been found that appear to have been made just for fun. For many years scale boat models were also used in boatyards instead of drawings, to explain what was required to craftsmen who did not know how to read drawings. Radio (RC) controlled model sailboat building has become a popular hobby throughout the world thanks to greater disposable income and increased leisure time.
Pontoons Are in Favor - Part One
The thing about pontoons is that they are a family affair. Mum, Dad, grandparents, children, nieces, nephews, the dogs and even the cat if it allows itself to be coaxed, are all invited. Or how about a party? Up to thirty people can get on board the largest pontoon, which, just for note, would usually have a maximum length of 33' and a width of 8'. (This is important because they can be overloaded, resulting in consequences which are usually not at all enjoyable. So check the size and carrying capacity then, if this is for you.) Their construction is such an easy concept that one wonders why it wasn't thought about a long time ago.
Don t Drink and Drive - Alcohol and Boating Don t Mix
Did you know that fully one-third of all boating fatalities are related to alcohol consumption? Although a day of sunshine and fun on the water may naturally suggest that a cooler of beer should be brought along, the results of excessive drinking can be as deadly afloat as they are on the road. Here are some of the consequences of drinking that illustrate why alcohol and boating simply don't mix. -- Poor balance: the lack of balance that results from drinking can cause an individual to accidentally fall out of the craft, often without a personal floatation device. -- Poor vision: impaired vision due to drinking may cause a boater to misjudge distances or run into buoys, obstacles, or even people in the water.
Marine Solar Panels - Power While on the Hook
So you are out on the hook enjoying another beautiful, sunny day on the water. Laying out on deck, enjoying a nice cold beverage, and reminding yourself just how lucky you are. You go below to get another cold one and you notice that the fridge is eerily quiet. You quickly check the voltmeter and you feel a sinking sensation in your stomach. Sound familiar? Well these situations can be avoided with marine solar panels because they can give you power while on the hook. Solar power generation is becoming increasing more popular with powerboaters and sailors alike. It is a free energy solution that if coupled with an inverter can provide limitless power to top off your batteries, run your appliances, and keep power to essential navigation and communication devices.
Marine Solar Panel Installation - A Weekend Project For Your Boat
If you moor your boat on the hard, on a trailer, or on the water at a marina you may have been confronted with having a dead battery when you turned the key to start the engine. And it always seems to happen when you have perfect boating weather with calm seas. A battery charger comes in pretty handy for times like these as it can keep a floating charge to keep the batteries topped off. With marine solar panels you can avoid these situations as they are a environmentally practical choice to maintain a full charge on your batteries. As a rule of thumb, marine batteries dissipate an average of 1% of their charge on a daily basis dependent upon the weather conditions.
Buying a Boat and Boat Storage Facilities
Having a boat is one of the biggest dreams of people who love sailing and other water activities. You could sail to the middle of the waters to go fishing, or enjoy other water sports. Some will enjoy simply rowing with a loved one to enjoy that moment together. It will be relaxing to watch the waves and ripples, and marvel at the fishes. Another alternative is to rent a boat but this is not practical if you plan to set to sea very often. It will be such a hassle to avail of a boat during the peak season when you will be competing of hundreds of others who wish to rent a boat also. With all those factors, it may seem more practical to purchase your own boat.
I Should Build a Boat!
"I should build a boat! " is what I decided after Marsha and I moved to the beach in 2000. I wanted a way to be on the water quickly (nothing in a marina 20 minutes away, done that, thank you), that I could put in the water by myself, and that was obviously one of a kind-distinctive enough that I didn't need to put my name on it for it to be obviously mine. The result was a 25 lb. skin-on-frame Greenland-Eskimo kayak. It's my "testosterone boat". My neighbors see me carrying it to the beach or maybe recognize me paddling this white, slim, lightweight kayak with varnished wood trim. This boat demands attention, balance, and ideally, the ability to "Eskimo" roll it back upright after it turns over.
Staying Safe Whilst Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting can be great fun, but it can also be quite dangerous if certain things are not done properly. Your safety is not something you want to skimp on when you're on the water. There are a lot of raft companies operating around the world that send customers on trips without following necessary safety precautions. So you don't get caught out, read this list below giving a few tips on how to stay safe on the river. * Equipment: Make sure that the company you are using have safe equipment. Ask what type of raft they will be using. The newer self-bailing type of rafts are better for whitewater.