Enjoy Boating

Have you ever enjoyed the pleasure of spending an afternoon boating on a lake or an ocean? If so, then you know how fun boating can be. You know that there is nothing quite like the feeling of being on the water and enjoying time in beautiful weather.

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Boating is a great activity for many reasons. First, it is great because it allows people to be outside in the beauty of nature. There is no better way to spend a spring, summer or warm fall day than boating. Not only do you get to be outside, but you also get to enjoy being in and on the water. Boating enables you to enjoy the warmth and the sun. It is necessary and helpful for people to get outside and boating is one of the best ways to do that.

Boating also provides time for family and friends to gather and enjoy the company of one another. Busy families can get away from the rush of work and activities and enjoy a quiet day away from all distractions. Boating can be a perfect activity that combines rest, beauty and fun. Friends can come together for a day or a weekend and enjoy renewed friendship and conversation during a special boating trip.

A great thing about boating is that it includes several different ways to have fun. Boating allows you to enjoy the quiet and peace of anchoring at a spot on the water or you can enjoy the wind in your face as you speed from one side of the water to another. For many people, boating also means swimming, tubing, and even waterskiing. Once you are out on the water there are so many ways to enjoy the day. You can anchor the boat and spend hour after hour jumping into the water and swimming. More adventurous people will want to try out a tube or a waterski to enjoy boating even more. Some will love the thrill of watching the tubers or the waterskiers from the safety of the boat. Whatever water activities sound fun to you, boating is a great way to enjoy them all.

If you have never learned how to handle a boat you can take lessons and learn how to lead your friends or family in a boating adventure. If you do not own a boat and are not sure if purchasing one is right for you, look for a family member or friend to lend you theirs for a weekend boating excusion. In no time you will be so excited about boating that you will want to purchase your own. Your family and friends will look to you to provide the endless hours of outdoor fun that
boating is sure to provide.

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Boating Holidays

Boating holidays are a wonderful way to spend the summer! Just pack your bags and float around on a houseboat or a yacht for a few weeks, enjoying the sunshine, fishing and swimming and visiting towns along the shoreline. It's comparable in cost to staying in a hotel, with so much less hassle. And it's great for the whole family, especially the kids. Children always find entertainment on and around water. They swim and snorkle, while adults relax in a fold-up chair with a cool drink and a book.

Boating holidays, as opposed to travel on large cruise ships, offer a more intimate and relaxed voyage without the bustle of thousands of mega-ship passengers all around you. And the venues are more intriguing than the tourist traps visited by the big cruise ships. The smaller boats are surprisingly well-serviced, with features such as showers and sometimes bicycles for tours around the countryside during stops.

Many online services throughout the world offer trips on local canals and lakes surrounded by historic locations. What about a canal trip throughout Holland? This seafaring nation was built on marshland, and vestiges of the marsh still remain in the form of canals criss-crossing the whole country connecting quaint towns (with architecture carefully preserved, thanks to Dutch laws against the remodeling of historic buildings) to cosmopolitan cities such as Amsterdam.

England and Wales also have canals, are a multitude of tours are available, such as Llangollen, Four Counties and Cheshire Rings, Oxford and Avon canals, and the river Thames. Unknown to most tourists, there is a network of waterways that traverse England from Yorkshire to Avon and into Wales. See different historic towns without battling holiday drivers on Europe's crowded roads (and believe me, if you are used to driving only on North America's wide freeways, European traffic will give you a shock).

In Scotland, how about a boating holiday on 23-mile long Loch Ness? There's no guarantee Nessie will show up, but you are bound to be impressed by the rugged grandeur of the Great Glen and the battle-scarred castles surrounding it. It is one of Europe's most spellbinding locations, and a pleasant surprise to those under the impression that there is no wilderness left in Europe. Eagles, ospreys and other rare birds and even otters live in this pristine environment. Needless to say, opportunities for fishing abound. Visit the Loch Ness Center at Drumnadrochit to learn the in-depth history of the area.

Don't forget to consider a romantic boating holiday on the waterways of France. The canals of Brittany, Burgundy, Alsace, River Charente, River Lot and the South of France offer beauty, culture, and inimitable French food and wine enroute.

In North America, the Great Lakes region is so large it is impossible to see it all on one 2-week boating holiday. The St. Lawrence River is one of the most important rivers on the North American continent. It begins in the Great Lakes, leading to as vast estuary before ending in the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 500 miles long, and forms the border between Canada and the USA for approximately 100 miles. Sail up the St. Lawrence canal on a tour into French Canada for spectacular northern scenery and wildlife such as Beluga whales.

Boating Safety

Before you even think of taking your brand new boat out for a trip on the water it is in your won best interest to take a boat safety course and have a boat safety inspection to check for the mandatory safety equipment. The US Coast Guard can provide you with a list of mandatory as well as suggested boat safety equipment.

Life jackets, or personal floating devices as they are officially called, should be readily available for every occupant of the vessel. They should also be adjusted to the size of the person who is intended to wear them in case of an emergency. They should be in good working order with all the straps and clips in place and operational. It is a good idea to have them fitted to the persons so that if necessary they can be put on without much further adjusting. In some states there is a minimum age for which the wear of a life jacket is obligated at all times.
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As a large part of boating safety there should also be present on board a recently inspected fire extinguisher. It should be clearly marked so that anybody can spot it if necessary and get to it in time. There are different types of fire extinguishers, designed to extinguish different kinds of fires. For boating safety it is advisable to get a Type B or C fire extinguisher, these are designed for tackling fires originated or fueled by oil, grease and gas, or electrical fires.

Sanitation plays his Part in Boating Safety

If your vessel has a certain size, most states will require the presence of some sort of sanitation devices as a part of the boating safety as well as for health purposes. Make sure they are Coast Guard approved and are specifically designed for use on board a vessel.

Flare guns, or visual distress signals are another thing that most states will require as a part of the boating safety equipment. In case of an emergency these can send a bright signal in the skies, alerting the rescue forces to your position. The flare gun must again be readily accessible for a speedy use, but on the other hand they must be stored safely and out of reach of children, as they can cause a lot of damage when wrongly used.

As a final part of boating safety, especially for boats with gasoline engines and specifically when the engine is mounted in the vessel, good ventilation is cardinal. Not only to avoid any buildup of carbon monoxide, endangering the cru with poisoning, but also to prevent gasoline fumes from building up and becoming a serious fire hazard.

The Forgotten Dangers Of Boating

Boating is one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities for people of all ages. Over time, boating has evolved into a safer activity, however much work still needs to be done in terms of safety education. Many recreational boaters make the mistake of assuming they can beat the odds, but without proper preparation this may not be the case.

Proper Equipment

When planning for a boating trip it is incredibly important to prepare your safety equipment properly. This includes but is not limited to a flares, horn, water bailer and lifejackets. A trip plan is also an essential part of safe boating. A trip plan is basically contains information about where you plan to go boating. It should be filed with someone responsible that can take the proper steps should an emergency occur.

Lifejackets

Lifejackets are essential for people of all ages. The misconception largely exists that if a child falls in the water an adult in decent physical condition will be able to save them. This is a very dangerous assumption as it is not always the case. Often a child that falls into the water will go below the surface of the water which means they may be hard to spot. Also, sometimes it is not immediately apparent that a child has fallen into the water. You may not even realize until it is already too late.
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Man Overboard

When someone falls overboard it is important to not immediately jump in after them to try to save them. Someone who is struggling to stay above water may unwittingly pull their potential rescuer under water with them. Instead, you should use the proper safety equipment such as safety buoys and rope which will float on the surface.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia remains a large risk when boating in cooler waters. Someone who falls overboard could succumb to hypothermia thus limited their physical abilities and mental decisions. Their risk of survival drastically drops the longer they are in the water. Again, it is important not to jump in after them in an attempt to save them as the rescuer could themselves succumb to the cold waters.

Electrocution

Power lines are the most common cause of electrocution while boating. Proper care is rarely taken in ensuring that a metal part of the boat such as the mast touches a power line. This carelessness has led to many deaths or serious injuries over the years.

Weather

Careful consideration must be taken when determining the amount of effect the weather will have on your boating experience. Pay attention to the forecast ahead of time to make sure that bad weather is not approaching. Even while out on the water it is extremely important to pay attention to the marine forecast for your area as well as the colors and activity in the sky.

In conclusion, boating is a very enjoyable activity, however at no point should the safety aspects of boating be underestimated.

Sea Kayak Accessories – Essential And Fun Accessories For Kayakers

Some of the most common inflatable ocean kayak accessory items include:

Life jackets and paddling vests – Coast Guard approved PFDs are a must for owners of inflatable boats and kayaks.

Inflator pump – You can inflate your sea kayak with a hand operated pump. A 110 V high volume inflator/deflator makes the job easier and faster.

Repair kit for kayaks – This is an essential accessory item in case the kayak develops a leak. The kit contains two patches of the hull material, glue and a valve replacement tool.

Bilge pump – A high volume hand operated bilge pump is essential for getting the water out of the inflatable when on the water.

Storage bags for bow and stern – Great boating accessories for storing your supplies and gear.

Kayak carry bag – Deflate and roll up the inflatable sea kayak, then place it on the bag and wrap the bag around it for easy storage.

Seats – It’s nice to have a seat with a back rest in your ocean kayak for long paddling or rowing. These Deluxe seats are very comfortable
Although there are many more types of accessories you can get for your inflatable ocean kayak, this will give you an idea of what is available.

The most important accessory on the above list is the life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD). A PFD is not considered an accessory for any boat, whether it is an ocean kayak or a dinghy. It is an essential part of any sea kayaking equipment and you should never go out in any inflatable without wearing a Coast Guard approved life vest.

The second most important inflatable boat accessory is your hull repair kit. Although Sea Eagle has a small patch kit for minor repairs there is a better inflatable ocean kayak repair kit available for bigger jobs from Tuff Coat. Most if not all of these boating accessories can be bought from the manufacturer or retailer where you bought the kayak.

The Best Of Boating Accessories

With every hobby comes a host of accompaniments available to make your experience that much better. And when it comes to boating there’s no difference. Boating accessories abound, designed to enhance the boater’s experience and add a level of convenience and luxury to otherwise ordinary endeavors. Boating accessories can supplement the many features of a boat and add to the comfort level onboard; they can also take luxury to a new level.

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Of course, there are required boating accessories such as those safety items that remain onboard at all times including life jackets, fire extinguishers, distress signals such as flares, a throwable ring or cushion to reach someone who has fallen overboard, a first aid kit, several flashlights with extra batteries, and working lights on the boat. It is also important to have a compass – or GPS – on board for navigational purposes, as well as a radio for open communication. Some states also require a bilge pump on board that will handle any water the boat has taken on in an emergency. There are other non-required – but highly recommended - safety boating accessories such as a life boat. For longer trips especially it makes the most sense to carry as much as you can in order to be as prepared as possible.

There are also highly entertaining boating accessories that making boating the fun activity that so many people enjoy. The inclusion of sporting equipment – such as water skiing equipment, jet skis, and fishing poles makes boating about more than just the boat itself – but rather the activities that can happen around it.

Onboard living has become the greatest in luxury; more and more boat owners are detailing their boats with the latest boating accessories designed to enhance the onboard experience. Boating accessories such as convenience appliances – microwaves, blenders, etc. - and entertainment equipment – specially designed DVD players, boat specific speaker systems - have made staying on a boat the ultimate in comfort and luxury.

Boating accessories make boating more than just a weekend activity; they make your boat another home where you and your family can be as comfortable – if not more comfortable – than you would be on land.