Intro To Dragon Boating

Dragon boating isn’t something that a lot of people in the United States are familiar with. That is, unless you are of Asian descent. Then you probably know exactly what dragon boating is.

A dragon boat is a long, narrow, human powered boat used in the paddling sport of dragon boat racing which originated in China. Many people think that dragon boating was the pre-cursor of the Ivy League rowing teams. For racing events, the boats are usually outfitted with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails. A large drum is required to be carried on board to keep the oarsmen in time with each other.

Dragon boat races are traditional held to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese patriotic poet. Dragon boating is the only sport that is celebrated as a national holiday. The Chinese calendar date is 5/5 which usually corresponds to a date falling sometime in June.

The standard crew of a dragon is 22 – 20 paddlers in pairs facing toward the bow of the boat, 1 drummer or caller at the bow facing toward the paddler, and 1 steersman at the rear of the boat. For races, it is common to have just 18 paddlers. Dragon boats do vary in length and crew size.

The drummer is at the heart of dragon boating. He is responsible for leading the crew throughout the race with a rhythmic beating of a drum to indicate the frequency of the paddling strokes. The drummer, or caller, can pick up the pace by drumming faster or slow down the pace by drumming slower. He generally will match his beat with the pace of the front few oarsmen.

Modern dragon boating is organized at an international level by the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF). The IDBT recognizes two types of dragon boat racing activities: sport racing and festival racing. The latter type of racing is more in keeping with traditional dragon boating.

There are also some very long endurance events such as the Three Gorges Dam Rally along the Yangtze River in China which covers up to 100 kilometers. The Ord River marathon in Australia covers over 50 kilometers and is another endurance event endorsed by the IDBF.

Today, dragon boating is among the fastest growing of team water sports with tens of thousands of participants in organizations and clubs in 60 countries. The sport is recognized for the camaraderie, strength, and endurance fostered among participants. It has also become a very popular corporate and charitable sport.

Dragon boating isn’t just an Asian sport. It has grown in popularity in North America as well. It has a long, rich history and is a beautiful sport to watch. Dragon boating embraces the Asian traditions and brings them into the modern world in a whole new way!

Inflatable Boat Repair – Common Issues and Solutions

Inflatable boats are a very popular way for people to get out on the water for fishing, traveling, or just relaxing in the breeze. However, with these boats comes the most dreaded of concerns - the leak. For many who have boated with inflatable boats, this has been an all too common reality, being out on the water when an unexpected incident results in the inflatable boat springing a leak. Thankfully, there are some simple inflatable boat repair tips that can be utilized in case of a similar situation so you as a boater don't end up all wet.

The biggest problem with an inflatable boat is the threat of a leak, usually due to a pressure point applied within the boat or a collision with a rogue piece of debris floating in the water. In these cases, the leak may be a smaller puncture and easily dealt with. To combat these, the main option available is a quick patch method. Keeping an inflatable boat repair kit with you while boating is a good practice. If the puncture is inside or on the exposed side of the boat, apply the patch with a securing compound, and then get to shore for further repair.

Another common problem with inflatable boats is tearing along the seams. Seams can rupture, preventing the boat from retaining air completely. Again, a simple method of inflatable boat repair using a patching compound and a patch is the best bet, as the patch can create a second seal along the seam and provide an interim repair for the boat. However, if the seam is torn too much, the boat may be beyond immediate repair. In that case, more extreme resealing of the seam may be necessary.

A third common problem with inflatable boats is the loss of buoyancy over time. As time passes, and the boat's structure is worn down, the boat may not float as well or may begin to leak air slowly. In these cases, the best method of repairing the boat is to refresh the hull material. Various methods are prescribed in this case, but the typical method is to add a sealing compound similar to a tire patching compound to the inside of the boat.

As this is sprayed inside, it reinforces the inside of the boat, providing additional structural support, and sealing off slow leaks to prevent leakage. This sealant spreads around the inside of the boat, creating a second structural layer around the rubber or plastic of the boat, creating additional sealing of the boat combined with adding some buoyancy to the boat, making it an ideal inflatable boat repair for older boats.

Boat Repair – Do It Yourself Or Get Help?

The most important consideration in boat repair is what you can do yourself. Most people will tell you that it can be very expensive to actually hire someone to do the work as labor charges can be high. If you have the knowledge, you can find virtually all of the parts that you need available to you to do the repair either locally or on the web. Yet, it also takes a bit of understanding to do a good job on the repair. Some jobs are simply better for a professional with the right tools to handle. The goal, then, is to make the right decision about what boat repair you do and what you simply pay for someone else to do.

The Web Is Your Resource

The web is full of most of the information that you need on boat repair. You can find all of the parts that you need here, for example. If you plan to do a repair yourself, remove the old part, locate the model number, serial numbers, the manufacturer’s name and the exact type of boat it is (usually the model number of the boat is enough.) At this point you can find virtually anything that you want available to purchase on the web. Some dealers will offer you a fair price which includes shipping charges. If you can do your own repairs, even paying shipping and handling charges is likely to be much less expensive than purchasing the labor of someone else doing it.

Even more so, you can use the web to help you to perform the boat repair, too. Some of the best websites about boat repairing actually put together a good amount of information, tutorials that will educate you and a variety of different resources to teach you to make the repair. A variety of skill will still be needed, including the right tools for the job. Yet, with the help of these services, you are sure to be able to find that type of repair that you need to do.

Take the time to consider the boat repair. Are you willing to learn how to make the repair? Can you wait for delivery of the boat part if it is necessary to have it shipped to you? Do you have a working knowledge of repair that will help you to make the right decisions and to make sure that you understand how the process works? Boat repair can be an ideal route to take when you can do the work yourself and avoid the high costs of service.

The Right Type Of Boat Cover Repair

With a good quality boat cover repair, your boat cover will not need to be replaced. Boat covers are easily damaged in severe weather, by accidents with equipment and from simply pulling too hard on them. Yet, just because these accidents happen doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t repair your boat cover and instead purchase a new one. Since they can be costly, take the time to make repairs when they happen and learn how to care for your cover overall to avoid additional problems. Boat cover repair tips can be followed here.

Taking Care Of Your Boat Cover

To do a bit of boat cover repair, your best bet will be to use a patch like product. These products are ideal because they allow you to simply place a like material over the top of the cover, attach it usually with a waterproof adhesive, allow it to dry and you are done. While it may look like it has been patched, if you do it correctly, the boat cover will actually function as it should and the area should not leak. Nevertheless, many people don’t take the care they need to and wind up causing a number of problems for themselves in regards to using the boat cover later. If you don’t take care, for example, in making sure that the cover area that needs a patch is dry and clean, the adhesive won’t fit securely and there’s no benefit.

Another consideration in boat cover repair is how to avoid future problems with your cover. For example, when you place it on your boat, be careful to securely fit it, but not to stretch it until it fits. It should fit snuggly but shouldn’t be forced. Every time that it is pulled stretched or otherwise moved in this way or that; the end result is that you will find yourself with weakened spots. When not in use, make sure you fold up the cover (assuming it’s a sheet) or properly put it away. Then, you can easily take it back out when in need and avoid problems with rips and tears.

For boat cover repair, take the time necessary to make improvements on your cover as well as to repair problems before they become big problems and wind up costing you a lot of trouble later. There are a variety of different options available today that can help you to secure good repair without costing you a small fortune. Finding a qualified company to provide this protection is also important. Consider these tips for boat cover repair.

Booking A Boating Charter

If you do not own a boat, but are yearning to experience a boating vacation, a boating charter is the way for you to go. You can charter a boat either with or without a captain depending on your experience level and what type of getaway you want.

A bareboat boating charter is when you simply rent a boat and will captain it yourself. Most places who specialize in bareboat charters will give you a quick boating course so you know how to operate the vehicle and know the rules of the road when it comes to navigating the waterways. As a general rule, it’s not a good idea to get a bareboat charter with no boating experience at all.

The advantage to a bareboat boating charter is that if you do have some boating experience, you will be able to captain a boat that you would not otherwise be able to afford to own. That means a cabin cruiser or even a yacht. If you’ve always wanted to go yachting, a bareboat boating charter may very well be the way for you to go.

When you do a basic boating charter, you are hiring the boat as well as a captain to operate the boat. The movie “Captain Ron” comes to mind for this author! The best part about a basic boating charter is that you can sit back and enjoy the boating experience without having to worry about – literally – anything else. Well, except for the folks in that movie!

When you book a boating charter, be sure it’s with a reputable company who has adequate insurance as well as enough experience to insure you of a safe and satisfying getaway. Choose a boat that’s within your budget, but don’t be afraid to splurge a little. After all, this is a boating getaway for you; why not enjoy it to the fullest!

Have you always dreamed of getting away to an exotic location but want to incorporate your love of boating with that trip? Charter a boat once you arrive. Then you can really have the vacation experience of a lifetime. There are very few places you can go where you won’t find a boating charter company ready to book you on a cruise along the water.

Your trip can be a simple day trip up and down a river or it can be a week-long excursion where you can whale watch, swim with the dolphins, or just sit on deck and enjoy the scenery.

Boating charters are easy to come by and an amazing way for you to have a boating vacation that will be a memorable experience for years to come. Check out boating charters online before you book and then enjoy your trip!