Boating Articles

Buying a Used Outboard Motor
Because of today’s high prices for new outboards, used engines are steadily becoming a lot more attractive to those of us who have limited financial resources. The good news is there are definitely some great buys to be had, provided you do a little homework. So here are some noteworthy pitfalls [...]

The Basics of Buying a Used Boat
Let’s assume that by now you have a good idea what you’re looking for, and it’s safe to say you know the differences between a center console bay boat, a bigger rig for offshore, a bass boat, a flats boat, a do-almost-everything aluminum semi-vee aluminum utility, and a jon [...]

The Basics to Buying a New Boat
For some of us this can be a little like a love-hate event. You’re enthusiastic about the idea of a new craft, anticipating that it will be your own perfect fishing machine. But at the same time there are all those nagging doubts about whether or not you’re doing [...]

Repainting Your Fiberglass Boat
Paint it Yourself
At some point in the life of gelcoat, it can no longer be brought back to a new-like condition. At this stage, repainting is the answer. Repainting can be done professionally or by the boat owners themselves. Both solutions have their pros and cons.
Professional application has a guaranteed result but [...]

How to Restore Faded Fiberglass Finishes
To Far Gone?
How do you tell how badly oxidized your hull is? Rub the surface with a clean rag. If the chalky surface rubs off on to the rag, your gel coat is heavily oxidized.
Single Part Solutions
There are literally hundreds of different products on the market, all touting to be [...]

Boating Safety Equipment
Optional boating safety equipment is like icing on the safety cake. The Coast Guard requirements meet the essential ingredients for boating safety, but the following items increase your odds of staying safe on the water or a speedy rescue in the event the worst happens:
VHF-FM Marine Radio
Either fixed or hand-held, marine VHF-FM [...]

Coast Guard Required Boating Gear
When it comes to boating, safety is paramount. But how do you know which safety items are essential or just nice to have in a case of emergency? To be sure, investing in boating safety gear can get costly, but the price is small in comparison to injuries or [...]

How to Get The Right Fit for a Child’s Life jacket
Boating can be an enjoyable family activity with fun for the whole family, no matter their size or age. But, as with any potentially dangerous sport, safety gear is essential. Just like knee pads for skateboarders and helmets for bicycles, a children’s life [...]

In Board Engine Oil Change Procedure
There should be a law that boat designers should be forced to service their own boats. That might make common maintenance tasks, like changing engine oil, a little easier. In most inboard or I/O engine installations, changing engine oil is looked on with the same fervor as going to the [...]

Everything to Remember when Hauling Out a Boat
Annual Maintenance Routine and Antifouling Bottom Job
Shortsighted boat owners who lengthen the time between haul outs cost money in the long run. Conventional wisdom says it pays to haulout annually for hull painting and maintenance, but some folks stretch that period to 18 months or even two years. [...]