Boating Safety – Start With the Basics

The most important part about responsible boating is to always practice good boating safety. The United States Coast Guard says that almost all boating accidents could have been prevented if the captain of the ship had taken a boating safety course prior to getting on the water. Boating safety is tantamount to responsible boating and it shouldnt be taken lightly.

Theres no way we can cover all aspects of boating safety in this short article. What we can do, however, is to give you some basics to go from in your quest to become a responsible boater. Theres nothing that can replace a good, certified boating safety course taught by a qualified individual, but everyone has to start somewhere!

* Always know the safest distance to keep away from other boats. If someone is going slower than you are and you want to pass them, know how to do so safely and with the proper signaling. Boats dont have turn signals, but you should know how to alert the other boater you will be passing them.

* When you are putting your boat in the water, be sure you know how to do this quickly as well as safely. Boating safety has to be present even before you get your vessel on the water. Knowing how to do this the right way can make the difference between friendly and unfriendly boating.

* If alcohol is part of your boating trip, be sure you are very conscious of what alcohol can do to your body when you are operating a fast-moving vehicle on top of a body of water. Alcohol use by the captain should occur in moderation above everything else. Most of the boating accidents that occur today can be directly attributed to alcohol as a contributing factor. Be smart when it comes to alcohol consumption on the water.

* Make sure that all people on board your boat have access to a life vest. Never let a child be in your boat without wearing a life vest at all times. The number one cause of death on the water is due to drowning. That is caused by people falling overboard without a life vest. This is the number one boating safety rule stressed by all instructors.

* Boating safety depends on everyone following general rules of etiquette when you are out on the water. While you cant control what the other boaters do, you sure can control what you do. Always be polite on the water and know that you are doing your part to keep the waters safe.

Like we said previously, every boater should really take a certified boating safety course. Besides making it easier for you to get your boating license, you will be a much better boater after you take a boating safety course.

Takeing a Boating Safety Course

If you are serious about boating, you really need to look into taking a boating safety course. When you are in charge of a powerful water craft on the water, its so very important to practice safe boating procedures for both you as well as your fellow boaters.

There are all sorts of boating safety courses available to you when you look around. Check with the local marina and ask about what they have scheduled. If there is a boating club nearby, they will almost always offer a boating safety course for a small fee. These courses are usually taught by the club professional, so youll know you are getting some good advice.

Turn to the United States Coast Guard for some really great tips on boating safety. The courses that are sanctioned by the USCG are taught all around the country. They take boating safety very seriously, so taking a USCG boating safety course will get you all the information you need.

With the rising popularity of the Internet, we are seeing more and more opportunities online. Taking a boating safety course is no different. There are many, many places online where you can take a course from the comfort of your own home. They will take you step-by-step through what you need to know and then quiz you on your progress. Here are a few places weve found that offer online boating courses:

* www.boatsafe.com
* www.boat-ed.com
* www.boatingbasicsonline.com
* www.boatus.org
* www.uscgboating.org

All of these courses are designed to teach you what you need to know about boating safety and prepare you for your next boating trip.

There are also many websites that have boating safety courses online for kids as well. Its essential that children know how to stay safe on board a boat. These courses are fun as well as informative and are geared directly to the younger generation.

You will see that these boating safety courses cover a variety of topics such as boat handling, reading the weather, required equipment on board, and the importance of wearing a life vest. The live boating safety courses are taught by licensed professionals. The online courses are often sanctioned by organizations that make them legitimate.

Taking a boating safety course can be the best step you can ever take toward responsible boating. Nothing will replace the information youll get and you can take to the waters knowing that you are fully prepared to boat safely and respectfully.

Boating Recreation Sports – Choices for Everyone

Theres no doubt about it that boating is a recreational sport. Its a calming, relaxing way to dump the stresses of life and glide along a smooth plate glass of water while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature around you. When you are into boating, there are a lot of sports you can explore for recreational value.

Water skiing is one of the most popular boating recreation sports that boaters do. Its fun to do and requires little in the way of equipment although the equipment can be a little expensive. A nice pair of water skis can run upwards of a couple hundred dollars, and a good slalom ski can be even more expensive. However, when you consider all you really need is skis and a tow rope, its no wonder that water skiing is a popular boating recreation sport.

Another fun recreational sport to do while boating is wake boarding also known as boogie boarding. This involves taking a board much life a surfboard but smaller in size. A person kneels on the board while keeping hold of the tow rope and skims across the water jumping waves.

Inner tubing is also another recreational boating sport many people enjoy. The fun part about inner tubing is that it can be done by small children and older people alike. Many tubes designed for pulling behind a boat will have handles on them to make it easier to hold on while traveling across the waves.

Fishing is a recreational sport in and of itself, but when you are fishing while boating, you get double the enjoyment. You have access to areas not easily gotten to on land where the big fish are hiding just waiting for the tasty treat at the end of your fishing line. The leisurely float with a fishing pole in your hand is a great way to enjoy recreational boating sports.

For some people, the ultimate recreational activity while boating is just sitting back and relaxing while the shore passes by. In a world where everyday life can be so stressful, relaxing can itself be considered a sport. After all, people participate in sports because they like them. Why cant relaxation be a recreational boating sport as well?

The feel of the wind in your face as you are piloting your watercraft on a smooth lake is a recreational boating sport for anyone who loves boating. When you consider all of the other sports you can do while boating, the result is definitely some satisfying recreational activities.

Boating Moms Can Have Fun

When you are on a boating excursion with your family, moms hold a unique position. Its her instinct to protect her children, but she might be yearning to just relax and enjoy a day on the water. Moms and boating can, however, go together quite nicely. If you are a boating mom, rest assured, you can have a great day boating on the water and still be a mom.

Boating moms know that the secret to enjoying a day on board with their kids is to provide alternate activities to keep them busy while you take a few moments to soak up the sun. This includes bringing along some board games or coloring books to occupy a little bit of time.

Take this time to teach your children about the water. This is a great learning opportunity to show them different kinds of animal and plant life. You can also teach them boating safety as well as how to steer the boat and what they need to know when they get older and want to go boating themselves.

Boating moms also know to bring along plenty of snacks. Kids get hungry. That happens on board the boat too and is no different than in your living room. Have plenty of treats available like fruit snacks, Jell-O cups, bananas, and trail mix. You can also make the day extra special by allowing the kids something they dont usually get like chips and soda.

Let your kids have fun. Its easy to become worried about your kids jumping in the water from the side of the boat especially if you are moored in the middle of the water. Theres no land around, so how can you keep them safe? Just make sure they are wearing their life jackets and that they fit properly. Then you can let them enjoy the water. Jump in with them too! Youll enjoy it as well!

Moms who love boating will help their children love boating just as much as they do. Let them see you having fun. Participate in water skiing and tubing. Laugh a lot and let them know that without a doubt, you love the water and the boat that brought you there.

Boating is a great activity for the whole family. Boating moms hold a unique position during these outings. Shes the one to go to when the kids are bored, when theyre hungry, and when they just want a hug or two. You can be a safe boating mom without neglecting yourself on your boating trip. Just use your head, lay back, and enjoy the trip with your whole family knowing that you really can have it all!

Boating Marinas Offer Tons of Services

A boating marina is a port within a sheltered harbor where boats are kept in the water. Boating marinas also offer services that meet the needs of the recreational boater. These services include offering gas, snacks, boating supplies, and more.

The boating marina is where you will find the boating ramp to get your boat on the water. Some marinas will offer out of water boat storage for the off-season. Boating marinas will also have extensive parking facilities for boaters and slips where boats can tie up while the boaters take care of their personal business.

Most boating marinas are privately operated often by clubs like yachting clubs or organizations. They usually charge a fee for ramping your boat and may also have membership fees to belong to the marina. But when you are a member, you will be able to take advantage of many opportunities marinas offer like boating classes, safety courses, and much more.

Almost all boating marinas will offer boat rentals for people who dont own boats. This is a great service for people who dont have the resources to own their own boats yet. The rental prices are usually quite reasonable and provide for a fun day on the water for almost everyone.

All bodies of water will have a boating marina in fact, many will have multiple marinas to serve many locations along the way. In some places, the marina business can be quite a competitive one as each tries to look for their share of business from eager boaters. However, because the marinas really have a captive audience so to speak from people on the water, dont expect to find any great bargains on gas or ramping fees.

Boat etiquette when in a marina is very important to know about. When you are ramping your boat, you should do so as quickly as you possibly can and then vacate the ramp area so others who are waiting to either drop or pick up their boat can do so. If there is a line, do not cut into it. Wait your turn no matter how impatient you might be. Youll get your share of dirty looks and perhaps cross words if you breach this unwritten rule.

When you are tied up at the boating marina, be sure you are in a slip away from traffic and not just floating out in the middle of the water hampering others abilities to get to a vacant slip. Be respectful of others in the marina and practice safe boating when backing out and getting back on the water. Many accidents happen in the marina, so pay special attention to the traffic around you as youre backing out or coming in.

Boating marinas are great oases where you can stock up on supplies, take advantage of services, and gas up your boat for more water fun. Use your local boating marina as what its meant to be a service to you and everyone else out on the water!

Boating Magazines – Lots to Choose From

There are literally hundreds of boating magazines being published these days probably because of the popularity of this fun sport. Stop into any bookstore and you will find all sorts of magazines dedicated to boating and various aspects of boating. What are the more popular ones? Heres just a sampling:

* Motor Boating Magazine This magazine is celebrating their 100th anniversary of publication. They are dedicated to the sport of motor boating and have lots of great sections as well as articles that can help the avid motor boater. Subscription rates are just $14 for one year with your first three issues free. They are online at www.motorboating.com.

* Boating Magazine Covering all aspects of boating is what Boating Magazine is all about. They have reviews of different watercraft, suggested boating destinations, articles about boating, and ways to take care of your watercraft. You can get a one year subscription for just $14 and can sign up online at www.boatingmag.com.

* Go Boating Like many boating magazines, Go Boating gives complete reviews and tests for various watercraft to help the boater decide which boat they may want to buy. They have information about fishing along with articles about boating in general. Subscription rates are quite affordable at just $9.97 for two years! Find them online at www.goboatingmag.com.

* Boating Life If you are into boating as a recreational sport, this is the boating magazine for you. They also review boats, but they have articles about fun boating destinations and how to have fun while boating. They do offer a free sample issue, and subscription rates are reasonable at just $9.97 for two full years. Sign up online at www.boatinglife.com.

* Boating World This magazine contains articles on fishing, water sports, boats, and product reviews. They also talk about boat maintenance, repair tips, trailers and more. This boating magazine really is great in covering boating equipment as well as boating lifestyle news. One year of ten issues is just $9.95. Their website is at www.boatingworld.com.

Of course, these are only a few of the most popular boating magazines. You can also find magazines dedicated to water skiing, water sports in general, and sailing. Depending on your particular interest in the sport of boating, were sure youll be able to find a boating magazine that will help you gain a new appreciation of the sport.

You can often find discounted subscriptions to these boating magazines as well as others from discount magazine outlets. Just be sure that you know what you are getting and that their reputation is solid. You will learn so much in the pages of a boating magazine, so take advantage of free issues and read on!