What Do I Need For My Boat

What To Have Onboard Your Boat

Safe and fun boating all comes down to being prepared. If youre new to the game and ready to join the 87 million other recreational boaters in the United States, you may have a few questions about how to stock your boat before you head out for the first time. And while youll learn very quickly through your experience what it takes to be prepared, there are some things you should do before your first adventure to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable time.

Here is a look at the essentials to have on your boat.

• Count on Formula Boats

Vessels 40′ To Less Than 65′

• Personal Flotation Devices: One Type I, II, III or V per person plus one Type IV throwable. PFDs must be Coast Guard approved, wearable by the intended user and readily accessible.
• Fire Extinguishers: One B-II and one B-I, or three B-I
• Visual Distress Signals: Minimum of three-day use and three-night use or three day/night combination pyrotechnic devices. Non-pyrotechnic substitutes: one orange distress flag and one electric SOS signal light . Pyrotechnic signals must be have a manufacture date within 42 months of the current date.
• Sound Producing Devices: Horn or whistle required to signal intentions or position.
• Vessels with installed toilet facilities must have an operable, Coast Guard-certified Type I, II or III Marine Sanitation Device . Subject to local laws.
• Pollution Regulation Placards: 5″ x 8″ Oil Discharge placard and 4″ x 9″ Waste Discharge placard. Vessels 40′ and longer with a galley must have a Waste Management Plan.
• Backfire Flame Arrestor: One Coast Guard-approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline-powered engines built after August 1980, except outboard motors.
• Ventilation: Coast Guard-standard system required on gasoline-powered vessels with enclosed engine compartments built after August 1980.
• A copy of the Inland Navigation Rules must be kept on board.

Manufacturer Recommendations And Bottom Conditions:

If you find it difficult to determine the perfect anchor, you should always refer to the anchor manufacturers recommendations and specs before buying.

Its also a terrific idea to consider more than one anchor, the main one at the bow and a smaller one to set the stern.

Its also important to note, if youre unfamiliar with the ground conditions in the area you are boating in, it will be important to do a little research and map out the area before settling on one anchor or another.

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Registration Numbers And Proper Documentation

Check with your state and local authorities to make sure you have the correct paperwork, as well as the proper decals on your boats exterior.

Pro Tip: Having a waterproof pouchsomething small that you can stow easilyto keep the paperwork safe and dry on board is always a smart idea. This pouch should be separate from, say, a bigger waterproof bag thats used to protect cameras, smartphones and other accessories that guests bring aboard for the day.

Find about more documentation requirements in your state by reading How to Register a Boat.

What Is Galvanic Corrosion

When two different metals physically connect in seawater, an electrical current flows between them like a battery.

For this current to exist, one of the metals has to give up pieces of itself.

The reason zinc has to give up pieces of itself is because electrons are created as the metal dissolves, generating the current between the two metals.

This deterioration of metals is whats known as Galvanic Corrosion.

Lets go over why you put zinc anodes on boats.

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There Are Some Places Only A Boat Can Take You One Of Them Is Called Happiness

Roads and highways can take you to some amazing places, but the route is the same each time, and you dont get to set it yourself. A boat lets you travel to some spectacular destinations, but the real joy is in the journey. Every trip on the water is an adventure, and its never the same one twice.

As you think about purchasing a boat, there is a lot to consider what journeys do you want to take? The answer will help determine which boat is right for you, where to buy and store it, determine if you need to license or register it and, when youre ready to move on, how to sell or dispose of it.

WHICH BOAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

There is much to consider in determining the right boat for you and your family. What kind of boating are you interested in? Do you want to use it for day tripping or long-term cruising? How many people does it need to accommodate? How much do you want to invest?

Our partners at Discover Boating Canada have and in-depth boat selector tool that can help you make the right choice. You can check it out here.

WHERE TO BUY A BOAT IN BC

If you are purchasing a new or pre-owned boat, we strongly recommend you use a dealeror certified broker. They will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensure the vessel has been properly maintained and surveyed and can also assist with marine financing, insurance and offer ongoing support once youre off using your boat on your own.

STORING YOUR BOAT

Driving A Boat Without A Boating License

Can I operate a boat without a boating license? What is the fine for operating a boat without a license? Do I need a driver’s license to operate a boat? Can I operate a boat if I have lost my driver’s license? Do I have to carry my boating license with me on the boat? Ontario – Alberta – BC – Quebec – Newfoundland – Nova Scotia – New Brunswick – Saskatchewan – Manitoba

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Think About The Warranties Included

You also have to think about the included warranties when purchasing the power cell. Aside from it can keep you from buying incompetent batteries that wont be able to keep up with your needs. It will also help you save a lot of money in the future because it can reduce the maintenance cost and then it can provide a lot of benefits like manufacturers support, free repairs, and even replacements.

Following this guide will help you come up with a smart decision and pick an excellent investment for your boating needs. It will make sure the battery you are going to purchase can keep up with the demands of your boat as well as its applications. It will also make sure that you are going to get the best suitable power cell for your boat which you can consider as an excellent investment. So keep these significant aspects in mind because it will help you a lot if you are going to look for a new power cell for your boat or fishing vessel.

Picking The Correct Size

Having an underpowered or overpowered battery for your marine vessel can damage your electronic equipment. Choosing the correct size based on the manufacturers recommendations is always the go-to route.

First, you need to determine the exact amount of power requirements for your boat. There are two different types of batteries for your marine vessel, the starting battery, and the deep cycle battery. The standard is one engine that takes one starting battery and one deep cycle battery if you have duel engines, then it adds one deep cycle battery.

To figure out your boats Amp Hour requirement, you are going to need to create a spreadsheet using the formula W=IV or Watts is equal to amperage multiplied by voltage. To figure out the amp hours required, you take the average amps per hour used. A 10-watt appliance on a 12-volt system would need 1.2 Amps and, if turned on for 10 hours, would require 12 amp hours to run.

The Battery Council International has provided a class chart for battery sizes to pick the correct one for your boat. You need to select the battery setup based on the maximum estimated amount of AH that you will need to operate your boat. Totaling your AH that need replacing, will help you figure out how many deep cycle batteries you need to be wired in parallel to run the sailboat.

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Q: I Live In Another State But Sometimes Boat In Massachusetts Do I Need To Register And Title My Boat

A: Visiting boat owners who are registered in another state are allowed to boat in Massachusetts for up to 60 consecutive days without obtaining a Massachusetts registration and title. If you plan to keep the boat in Massachusetts for more than 60 consecutive days, you must obtain a Massachusetts registration and title certificate.

Electric Outboard Motor Weight

The electric outboard motor and battery weight could be a concern, especially for the elderly. Boating is enjoyable, but lugging the heavy batteries over boggy ground to get to a boat in remote areas is definitely not tempting.

If you are looking for a portable electric outboard motor, consider the one with a built-in battery. The electric outboard motor with battery is easy to transport and could save you a lot of trouble.

Some electric outboard motor batteries can even float in the water so there is no need to worry about dropping it while installing the outboard.

Looking for a higher power electric outboard motor?

It will need standalone batteries to power the electric outboard. If you are going this way, wed recommend looking at the E-Series LiFePO4 battery range.

The E-series electric outboard motor batteries offer a modular system from 2kWh to 144kWh. They are very affordable marine-grade batteries with a long lifespan.

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Fishing Rod Holder And Other Fishing Equipment

In addition to a depth and fish finder, you can also get fishing equipment for your boat.

A fishing rod holder can help you fish without having to hold the fishing rod constantly.

These can be fixed right to your boat. This helps them with their security and holding ability.

When you invest in this, make sure that you do not go too cheap or lose your fishing rod.

Other fishing equipment can include:

• Nets,
• Additional coolers,
• And everything you might fix to the end of your line.

Fishing on a boat is a great way to catch fish that arent reachable close to shore or on the side of a river.

A Guide To Prep Your Boat For Summer

Summer season is for you to be out and about. As a boater, you must be sailing on water instead of being drowned neck-deep into fixing your boat. However, it is a crucial exercise every boat owner must adhere to. You must wash your boat, top-on all fluids, and oils, and inspect your propellers. Running fresh water through the outboard is a must.

When it comes to the engine, you must ensure to change the following

• Lower unit grease
• Waters pumps
• 4-stroke engine oil every 100 boating hours

You must also check the bunks and rollers on your trailer. Make sure that the rollers are spinning freely. You must fix all tears and holes on the bunk carpet. Make it a practice to check your trailer, hull, and props after every run on the water.

Here is a list of some critical inspection tasks and their frequency.

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Motor Size Really Does Matter

Bigger motors and higher horsepower have a long list of benefits when it comes to boating. First and foremost, youll get more speed, making for more exhilarating rides. However, theres much more to it than that.

Bigger motors provide better handling, especially at midrange speeds. This means that water skiing and other sports will be easier, and youll have a better time maneuvering in general. In rough weather, larger motors can prove particularly useful, giving you more control and security in choppy conditions.

Another perk of a larger motor is, counterintuitively, the fact that it uses less fuel, according to Discover Boating. While its easy to assume that a smaller motor will be more fuel-efficient, this is actually not the case. A motor that is too small will struggle to power the boat and will, therefore, eat up significantly more fuel. A larger motor may have a bigger fuel tank, but it will go through this fuel more slowly, as it is not struggling to power a boat that is too heavy.

What you should keep in mind, however, are official regulations. According to Formula Boats. You should be aware to base your motor selection based on the rule of thumb, which states that you should have between 40 and 25 pounds of weight per horsepower. Also, keep in mind the manufacturers plate capacity that is specified for your specific boat.

What Size Fender Do I Need

Here are some tips for finding the right fender size for your boat.

• Forget buying a heap of small fenders, get the size right and have less theyll be more effective and easier to set up.
• As a general rule of thumb, for every 5 feet of a boats length youll need one fender an inch thick .
• Small vessels may require just two fenders, while boats over 40-feet may need over 6.
• When inflated correctly , a fender should feel like a footy when it is squeezed.

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How To Dock And Raft With A Fender

• Do no attach the fender until rafting or docking.
• Why? Because the fenders may get stuck on other boats or pilings, which could cause the Captain to lose control.
• Make sure the crew is holding the line of the fender. Ask them to move the fenders around, when necessary.
• Once your boat has docked , secure the fenders. Do this using a clove or slip hitch knot.
• Always hang your fenders at the lowest attachment spot, near the widest point of your beam.
• Only secure them to lifelines if a low spot, such as a cleat, is not handy.
• If youre unsure how many fenders to hang, always hang them so your boat does not clash or rub bulkheads or hard pilings.

Vessels 65′ To Less Than 165′

• Personal Flotation Devices: One Type I, II, III or V per person plus one Type IV throwable. PFDs must be Coast Guard approved, wearable by the intended user and readily accessible.
• Fire Extinguishers: Vessels weighing up to 50 gross tons must carry at least one B-II extinguisher. Vessels weighing 50 to 100 gross tons must carry two B-II extinguishers.
• Visual Distress Signals: Minimum of three-day use and three-night use or three day/night combination pyrotechnic devices. Non-pyrotechnic substitutes: one orange distress flag and one electric SOS signal light . Pyrotechnic signals must be have a manufacture date within 42 months of the current date.
• Sound Producing Devices: One bell and one whistle or horn required to signal intentions or position.
• A copy of the Inland Navigation Rules must be kept on board.

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What Size Fender Do I Need For My Boat And Other Fender Facts

• Posted innews

A fender is a padded or inflatable cushion, which stops a boat from bumping into another boat, or a mooring or a dock, or anything else.

They work by absorbing shock on impact, which prevents the hull from being damaged. Heres what else you should know.

There are different kinds of fenders

There are many different kinds of fenders, so weve listed some of the more popular ones:

• Cylindrical fender these tend to have an eye on both ends . It hangs down vertically, with a rope, which is secured by a bowline knot through one of the eyes .
• Round fender a soft vinyl fender often used on larger boats that have flared bows, and where the dock is a great distance away. Fishing boats and other commercial vessels often use them.
• Centre rope cylindrical fender this fender can hang down vertically or it can be positioned horizontally. It has a hole in the centre, which is threaded through with a rope.
• Flat fenders are foam buffers typically used on smaller vessels. Simply secure the flat fender to the gunwales, and it will protect your boat from impact.

Must Have Boat Accessories Saftey Kit List

• Boat Flares
• Basic Tool Kit
• Towels
• Sunscreen and Bug Repellent

Just place these items in a dry storage box and keep them on the boat. Some of these items actually have multi uses.

The trash bags work great for trash of course, but also for storing wet clothing.

The duct tape and zip ties can be used to make a makeshift changing room with towels.

The knife is for . well.. you always need a knife when on a boat. Enough said.

The goggles are for the off chance youll need to go underwater to check on something. Its a rare thing to happen, but youll thank me in the future.

For the flashlight, its important you dont buy one that operates on batteries. Lets be honest with ourselves and just assume we will never check the batteries on it until we really need it. So just buy the hand crank flashlights.

Go out and buy the cheapest or go to Goodwill and get some basic t-shirts and gym shorts. You never know when someone will need spare clothes and youll be a hero. Just go with big sizes to make sure everyone can be covered.

The flares and VHF radio is more for people who go in the ocean. If youre on the lake a regular tow service is all you really need. If you do get a VHF radio make sure to keep it close and easy to access. Also, make sure to keep the battery charged or just buy the radios that mount to the boat itself.

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