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How to Tie a Boat to a Dock

Learning how to moor your boat properly is one of the basic skills you need to master if you’re serious about boating and boat ownership. You can’t stay out on the water all the time so you need to understand how to secure your boat when you dock in a way that ensures it’s safe,…

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How to Clean a Boat Cover

Keeping your boat canvas clean is an important part of boat maintenance. Unfortunately, it’s not always as simple as taking a hose to your boat cover. A canvas boat cover can’t just be tossed in a washing machine. Cleaning stained canvas requires the proper cleaning solution and technique. If you took the time to cover…

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Everything You Need to Know About Your Boat’s Bilge Pump

Bilge pumps are important parts of how your boat functions. They require routine maintenance to stay in good working order. Unfortunately, many boat owners will neglect their bilge pumps for far too long. It’s all well and good to say you need to clean a bilge pump, It’s another to actually get it done. Everyone…

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Rockport Perth Mens Boat Shoes

4 Ways to Tie Your Boat Shoes

If you are new to boat shoes you may not be aware that they are notoriously difficult to tie. If you have a pair of Sperry boat shoes in particular then you may have had trouble with the leather laces. A high quality boat shoe like Sperrys always comes with leather laces. Leather is not…

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How to Cover a Boat with a Tarp

Covering your boat with a tarp is a good idea anytime you’re storing it. Boat tarps can protect from a number of outside elements. It helps deter vandals or thieves. A boat tarp also protects from the harmful rays of the sun. Dirt, leaves, and debris will be kept out of your boat thanks to…

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How to Clean Boat Shoes

A quality pair of boat shoes will last you for a long time. One of the most popular and oldest brands are Sperry Top Siders boat shoes. Whether you have a pair of nice white Sperrys or something else it doesn’t matter. Your typical boat shoe is leather or canvas. It should also have a…

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How to Make a Dry Bag

One of the most frustrating parts of enjoying the out-of-doors is keeping your things dry. Whether you’re boating, camping, hiking, or fishing, you need a good dry bag to store your gear. There are plenty of dry bags you can buy in stores or online. But DIY dry bags are just as good and will…

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How to Make a Boat Cover

You should never underestimate the importance of a boat cover. A good boat cover will protect your boat from dirt and debris. Not to mention wear and tear from the sun and the rain. And of course it can protect from dings and scrapes as well. Not every cover needs to be a custom boat…

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How To Name A Boat

How To Name A Boat: Inspiration, Dos, Don’ts, And More

A good boat requires a good name. A nameless boat is a sorry sight to behold—and there are more nameless boats out there than you’d think. It’s not hard to see why. Coming up with potential boat names is no easy task. There are certain conventions you might feel obliged to follow. Cool boat names…

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Understanding the Facts and Figures of Ocean Pollution

Ocean pollution is a harmful side-effect of our land-based activities, and if we don’t work hard to keep our oceans clean, the future of our planet will look very bleak indeed. Since our oceans are such an important feature of the planet’s ecosystem, unhealthy seas make for unhealthy residents. That’s why it’s essential for us…

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Boating Courses Online

Online boating courses can be a great tool to help you as a boater. You’ll need to get your safety certification but there are plenty of other online boating courses that can improve your knowledge base as well. It can be daunting to track down all the potential licenses, certifications and general information you may…

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Nautical Know How Basic Boating Safety Certification Final Exam

To take the final exam online:  This is the quickest way to receive your documents. You will also know right away whether you have passed or failed. If you cannot take the final exam online, you can print and mail this exam. This option is much slower than taking the final exam online . INSTRUCTIONS : After you have…

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Understanding Different Kinds of Boat Propulsion

Anyone can look at an aluminum fishing boat and a yacht and know that they are not the same. Not only is the purpose different, and the look, but how it moves. Boat propulsion depends on a number of factors. Some boats obviously need more powerful motors than others. Some are faster and more efficient…

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How To Measure A Boat

At first glance you might think that measuring boat length is a simple process. Like everything else, you just measure from the tip to the other end, right? But there is more to it than all of that. In fact, there are different ways to measure a boat that will give you different measurements. These…

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State Boating Regulations

  State Boating Regulations State Boater Education Requirements You need to know the boating laws and regulations in the states where you boat. This link will direct you to your State’s own State specific information and quiz, if available.   California Florida Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Maine Maryland Mississippi Nebraska Nevada North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania…

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Learn How to Sail: The Basics

Learning how to sail a sailboat can’t really be done online. Sailing is truly a hands-on skill. But you can learn the basics of sailing and apply them to your next time out at sea. From how to cut your sails to proper rigging techniques to just what the various parts of a sailboat do,…

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How to Navigate in Restricted Visibility

Operating a boat during times of restricted visibility can be dangerous. Whether at night or during mist and fog. If you can’t see you need to be cautious. For this reason, safety signals have been devised. You need to rely on light signals and sound signals. Knowing the meaning of these light signals and sound…

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Boat Navigation Rules

The rules of boat navigation are critical for ensuring safe boating. Part of being a responsible boat owner is knowing the rules of the road. That term, rules of the road refers to the Collision Avoidance Regulations or COLREGS. The rules of the road are just what they sound like. They word just as the…

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Understanding Aids To Navigation

Navigational aids can be found throughout coastal waters, inlets, harbors and more to help you boat safely and efficiently. Understanding what these aids to navigation mean is therefore vital to making the most of your time on the water. You’ll be expecting other boats to follow these navigational aids and they’ll be expecting the same…

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The Importance of Boat Ventilation

Ventilation is rarely something most of us give a second thought to. But on a boat, it can literally be a life or death issue. How you ventilate your boat is of vital importance. It’s also something that must follow specific, legal guidelines as well. Because of that, you’re going to want to know exactly…

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How to Register Your Boat

Boat registration is required for all motorized vessels. It is a required part of boat ownership. In some states you may require the title as well. If you need to register your boat, it may not be as hard as you think. In fact, you can probably register your boat online. The process to sign…

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Pollution Regulations

Over the years, numerous laws have been put in place with an eye towards environmental protection. A big portion of that means protecting the oceans. The oceans added $307 billion to the U.S. GDP and supported 3.3 million jobs in 2017. Much of this comes from tourism and fishing. It’s vital that we do what…

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Kawasaki Jet Ski

The Complete Guide to Personal Watercraft

A Personal Watercraft (PWC) is a small vessel which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on it. The US Coast Guard defines it as an inboard boat and it uses a water jet pump as the primary source of motive power.   A PWC is not a toy despite the…

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The 10 Best Mold and Mildew Cleaners

Mildew is the scourge of many boaters. This fungus will flourish in the conditions presented to it on many boats. It needs a dark, damp place with lots of moisture. Poor air circulation and cool temperatures also help. Your fishing boat is a prime breeding ground. Even your carpets and personal flotation devices are at…

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Coastal Navigation Course

This course will prepare you for the navigation portion of the U.S.C.G. captain’s license exam. It will also prepare you for the Coastal Navigation Standard Exam (ASA 105). And, it will show you how to get your boat to your favorite waterfront restaurant, safely and on time. The navigation course is a combination of a…

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Nebraska Boating Regulations

Nebraska Boating Regulations This section contains information on Nebraska Boating Regulations that are in addition to the Federal Requirements covered in the Basic Boating Course . If you have not reviewed the course material, please do so now. All Federal Requirements in the basic boating course apply to Nebraska; this section lists Nebraska Boating Requirements…

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What You Need to Know About the U.S.C.G. License Exam

All captains are mariners, but not all mariners are captains. If you want to become a USCG licensed captain, there is a testing process you can go through. You need to gain experience on a boat. When you feel you are ready, then it’s time to take an official U.S. Coast Guard license exam. When…

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The History of Ship Figureheads

One of the most striking and prominent features on any old ship is the ship figurehead. A carved figure displayed prominently on the bow, these ornamental displays are iconic. Their origins stretch back further than some might think. And their meaning and purpose is multi-fold. These figureheads were symbolic, hence the name. But they were…

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Your Definitive Guide to Boat Safety Equipment

Some boat safety equipment is legally required while others are just a good idea to ensure safety. You can prevent or lessen damage and injury by making sure you have the necessary boat safety equipment before you take your next boat trip.  Boat Safety Equipment You Need on Board We’re going to break down safety…

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What Does Buoyancy Mean for Boaters?

When you’re looking for life jackets and other PFDs you may run across pounds buoyancy. Floatation devices all have a buoyancy rating. Understanding what that means will allow you to choose the right PFD for you. Everyone on a boat should have access to a personal flotation device. One that fits and they know how…

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