BOAT-TRAILER BREAKDOWNS Proper boat-trailer maintenance will help you avoid a breakdown. By Rich Johnson At the top of the launch ramp, the trailer suddenly lurched and fell slightly to one side. In the side-view mirror, I could see one of the wheels cocked at an ugly angle. The axle had broken just inboard of the…
The boat-buying process is not overly complicated, even for a first-time buyer, but it’s still wise to know the steps involved. Every boat deal is different, but there is a general process buyers should be familiar with before purchasing a sport-fishing boat. As I mentioned in a previous article, brokers are quite helpful throughout the…
10 Ways Boat Trips Are Good For the Soul Boat trips are just plain good for the soul. The sense of peace and tranquility that can be restored to you while gently rocking on the waves is undeniable. Although, if you need more reasons to take a boat trip, or are trying to convince someone…
The start of the year is a great time to inspect your safety gear. For many boaters, January is a period of downtime, and that makes it a great month to inspect and update safety equipment — particularly if you have pulled it off the boat for winter storage. Here is my suggested 10-point checklist,…
As in any human endeavor, the first few seconds of an activity often prove fraught with distraction, and fellow boaters leaving a fuel dock are not exempt from this fact. Running the inlet, navigating the channel, backing into the slip: So much of what constitutes seamanship involves forging ahead with confidence. (Poetic license allows me…
Inboard Boat Engines Are Not Car Engines I’ve talked a lot in this blog about the differences between boats and cars — how they’re built and serviced differently, and how their wiring and other replacement parts are not the same. There are also critical differences between marine inboards and car engines, so before you let someone tell you that a crate…
Is your boat less than 26 feet? Does it have outboard motor power and rest on a trailer? If you said yes, beware – you’re a big target for theft. A newly released study that looked at five years of BoatUS Marine Insurance claims files shows that 75 percent of all boats stolen matched this…
Brochures and magazine articles match the boat’s details to your desires. Boat show or brokerage visits confirm it’s the one, and you’ve even begun contemplating favorite excursions and new adventures aboard. But what’s the best way to pay for your perfect boat? Three industry experts weigh in. Home Base When financing a boat, think about…
Taking an online boating safety course is an easy way to pass time the non-boating time of year while getting ready for the upcoming season. Some of the classes are free while others cost a short amount of money. And while many of the courses are essential for new or for young boaters, many courses…
Fact: The V made by the wake of a displacement hull is always 19.47 degrees to its centerline, whether it’s from a duck or a destroyer. Remember that old TV game show that asked if you were smarter than a fifth grader? Well, it was rigged. The kids usually won because they have an unfair…