Marine Accessories

If your Boat goes 30 mph with a like-new prop and know that you have noticed a few dings and dents in it the boat only goes 27 mph. that’s a 10 percent loss in fuel economy, or figure you are wasting one out of every 10 gallons of gas you are putting into your tank.  A good idea is to carry and extra propeller with you.

Millions of boaters and their passengers will go out on the water this summer, whether on lakes, rivers or the ocean. Before you go out, make sure to brush up on safety with these basic boating safety tips.

Preparation

Don’t forget to check the weather and take along appropriate clothing and supplies for whatever weather you may encounter. Don’t forget to get a copy of the local boating rules, each state and sometimes each county will have specific boating rules and regulations that you must follow. Don’t forget to get whatever permits needed should you be fishing, diving or engaging in some other recreational activity. Make sure you have maps and charts on hand for the area you will be boating in, and plan out your course ahead of time. Make sure your engine and other mechanical and electrical equipment is in working order before taking your boat out. Make sure you have proper amounts of oil and fuel for your entire trip. Pack extra if needed. Make sure to brush up on all maritime warning signals and symbols. Double check to make sure you have your boat registration and boat owner’s manual as well as any appropriate licenses on board. Make sure you have enough water, food and protection from the sun on your boat for yourself and every passenger. Don’t drink and boat, it’s virtually the same as drinking and driving and just as dangerous. You should always observe speed limits in every area.

Safety Equipment

Don’t forget the most important safety equipment for boating, a life vest for every single member of your party and a working fire extinguisher. Thousands of people drown each year. Few people who drown have a life vest on. Make sure every member of your party wears their life vest when in your boat. Don’t forget special life vests for any children and pets who may be joining you. There are specially sized life vests for every size and shape of person and most animals.

Be Observant and Courteous

When out on the water, be observant. Watch out for other boats, jet skis, swimmers, surfers, rowers and anyone else in or around the water. Be considerate and don’t take too long at the boat ramp.

Tread Lightly

Avoid boating in environmentally sensitive areas and be considerate of wildlife you encounter. Avoid spilling fuel, trash or other debris in the water. Go very slow in areas of shallow water. Only use designated boat ramps to load and unload your boat. Try to avoid causing large wakes in the water to lessen soil and shore erosion.

Using these basic boating safety tips, you should be able to enjoy your time on the water safely and with less worry.

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Aside from your rod and your tackle, there are few pieces of fishing equipment today that are more productive or important than fish finders. Known by the Military as sonar, the fish finder concept was originally developed by the United States Navy 75 years ago to detect the presence of elusive and dangerous enemy submarines. Today this wonderful tool allows anglers to locate where the fish may be hiding at any given moment. Fish finders also allow the angler to track the movement of a school of fish that they would otherwise not even know were moving at all.

One of the best aspects of fish finders is that there is no limit on the size or shape of the boat you are using. This means that you could use finders on massive vessels, or very small one-man boats that are merely for leisure. When you need to attach the fish finders to a boat, it is a very simple process, making for far less fuss time and far more tracking time. The finders generally have an instrument that looks like a thermometer that drops into the water on a wire or cord. What is transmitted from that tool that you place in the water is posted on the fish finders screen demonstrating the layout and depth of the lakebed or other water bodies lower depths.

There are many great fish finders on the market today, that will allow the angler the opportunity to search for the elusive catch by way of sonar tracking. What this means is that when you use finders you can see fish below the boat, or if they are moving you will be able to track their movements and perhaps intercept them at another location. This method of tracking fish with the use of finders has made the fishing industry a very strong and resourceful field. Not only are the average anglers using fish finders to locate fish, so too are the larger fishing companies that rake in mass amounts of fish on a daily basis for purpose of market sales to the general public.

This form of sonar now known as fish finders can be purchased at just about any outdoors shops, where tackle, rods, reels, and various other fishing gear is sold. The finders depending on the class and features can be purchased at relatively cheap prices and more often than not will serve as a great tool for your fishing trip.

There are several things you need to do to prepare for a road trip with your pet. You need to be sure your pet has been to the vet and has all his shots up to date. You should have a record of his vaccinations and make sure he is protected from Lyme disease, heartworm and fleas. Remember to pack his pet vitamins. He will need a license and an identification tag with all your information, especially a cell phone number since you will be away from home. It is a good idea to carry a first aid kit specifically for pets.

Make sure you have enough dog food and treats for the trip. It may be a good idea to buy bottled water since some dogs can get sick from drinking water they are not used to. Remember to pack a leash and towels for muddy paws. Also, bring favorite toys and bags for cleaning up after your dog. If you will be staying in a hotel, bring a crate for your dog to sleep in or stay in if you have to leave him alone for any reason.

There are many products available to make travel with your pet easier. You can get car seats or seat belt harnesses for your dog. For dogs who love to go boating, there are dog life vests. You can buy travel bowls and even portable dog potties and litter boxes. You no longer have to feel guilty for leaving your pet in a boarding kennel while you enjoy a great vacation. Now your pet can enjoy the family vacation with the family.

Hello boaters, we all know buy now the boating costs have really sky rocketed with the high gas prices. Try not to let it ruin your boating season. Here are 9 Fuel Saving Tips for Boaters. With gasoline prices escalating it seem by the minute, here are a few tips for getting the most from a tank of gas and enjoy boating this summer without hurting your wallet.

Keep your routine maintenance up to date. A well serviced outboard will get better fuel economy than one that needs or is due service. Clogged fuel injectors and fouled spark plugs are common issues that can sap outboard performance. An engine tune-up is an excellent investment and should easily pay for itself over the summer

Pushing water costs money. Getting up on plane is a fuel-saver. Distribute the weight on your boat evenly and install trim tabs if necessary. If you’ve got an outboard, consider the option of after-market hydrofoils. Try to make as few throttle adjustments as possible, and find your boat’s optimum cruising speed.

Now it is easier than ever to equip you boat with the latest in marine audio and video. These products can enhance a day on the water and turn an ordinary outing into a lake party. But there is one thing to keep in mind. Not everyone shares your taste in music, so please keep the volume reasonable around other boaters; especially fisherman. It comes down to basic courtesy, I love to fish and I love loud music; just not at the same time.

With this little cautionary statement out of the way, lets look at how we can make our boat bound for sound. The basic components needed to make your boat rock (or country, or jazz) are a stereo receiver and a set of speakers. Wiring a boat for marine audio is very much similar to the stereo system in your car. The main difference being marine stereo receivers and other components are made with being on the water in mind. These products are manufactured to be water and corrosive resistant to stay intact for years of enjoyment. Beyond the basic receiver, speaker pair, many boaters like to pump up the volume with a combination of amplifiers and subwoofers. Nothing is better than pulling up next to your friends boat and having an instant tailgate party. There are many choices for your sound source such as CDs, XM Radio, and of course your regular local stations.

While you enjoy fishing, sunbathing or entertaining friends; the children can find relief from the hot sun while watching a DVD. Marine video has now become an important addition to your cruiser just as in your house (and probably SUV).

In my opinion boating is for enjoying the outdoors so I keep any video watching to a minimum. But it does provide a nice change of pace at night in the cabin. To many their boat, like their homes and cars, are an extension of themselves. So keep the excitement going from the land to the water.

A portable, flexing solar power system can be a right way to become familiar with solar power use for those who may not be ready or financially able to invest in larger solar power systems. Flexing solar panels, otherwise known as portable solar panels, convert the sun’s ray directly into 12volt electricity. This makes it ideal technology for charging portable electronics and jump-starting your vehicles’ batteries. These products generally have positive reviews, but it is difficult to outline typical performance parameters because performance is wholly based on weather and climate. The models come in powers ranging from 5 watts to 60 watts.

The flexible solar panels are made of layers of flexible plastic. Many can fold down into the size of a PDA and will fit comfortably in cargo pants. Other varieties are meant to be carried and mounted on backpacks or courier bags. Each foldable solar panel is a self-contained photovoltaic cell and converter. Portable solar power systems are easy to use. There is little to no wiring involved and most systems can be used right away. Consumers are cautioned about how to care for the portable, flexing panels. Users should avoid excessive flexing, and should particularly be careful about crunching up the unit.

While most models can sustain some water exposure, they are not completely waterproof. As a result, they must not be machine-washed nor should they ever be machine dried. If the unit gets dirty or wet, the user should wipe it down with a clean soft cloth. The foldable panels are not meant for continuous outside use. Because of their size, they do not come equipped with as many features as a permanent installation, so can be damaged by constant outdoor use. Other hazards include reversing the polarity or trying to recharge a non-rechargeable battery.

The panels should be kept clean because dirty photovoltaic panels do not absorb solar energy efficiently. Most models come with meters to prevent damage caused by under or over powering. The systems work best when the battery powered electronic is fully charged at the start of use. They are more effective as battery savers.

Foldable solar panels can also be used during times of emergency. While they are not strong enough to restore full electrical power, they can be used to power radios, flashlights, small engines, and other battery-operated survival gear. This has been proven by the use of portable, foldable solar panels by field soldiers. Whether a soldier or a survivalist or a weekend hiker, portable solar power allows an individual to access power outside of the national grid. These systems are also renewable and sustainable.

Features
Flexible thin film solar charger provides all weather power even in low-light conditions
12 volt output charges many of your electronic devices, including laptops, satellite phones and many more
Reverse flow protection prevents discharging the device you are using
Compact and lightweight at 3 lbs. 6 oz. so one can take it anywhere
Durable individual CIGS cells work independantly of eachother
Link up to 3 Solaris 52 units together for even better performance
Waterproof construction allows one to mount or pack

Two of the best ways to enjoy the water this summer is to go boating and fishing. In fact many people are choosing to become boat owners in order to enjoy an afternoon out on the water. During the winter season you may choose to buy a new boat or you may decide it is better just to repair and restore your old boat. If you choose to restore then you will likely need to look for new boat propellers.

When it comes to choosing boat propellers you want to make sure you make the right selection, especially since you are purchasing the part responsible for moving your boat. The choice you make will depend on the size of the boat propellers you require or the horsepower of your boats motor. These are the two main factors that you will have to consider when choosing boat propellers to buy.

The first thing to consider when choosing boat propellers is the diameter or the width of the circle on the rotating blades. You should also carefully study one revolution of the propeller to see the pitch or distance that the propeller moves forward during the revolution. You want to choose boat propellers that have a pitch which allows the engine to gain the maximum rotation each minute which has been suggested by the manufacturer without actually going over the limit. Finally you want to pay attention to the rotating cup or the ones that help reduce ventilation, slipping and gaining you a better hole shot.

While the above tips will help guide you through the process of busing boat propellers you should also remember that you should never buy a propeller size or engine combination that operates outside the recommended operating range when your engine is at full throttle. To gain this information you will need to look in your boat manual or ask a boating professional for this information.

However, choosing the right boat propellers also means that you need to be prepared to avoid propeller related injuries. Propeller injuries can be very terrible and is one of the most traumatic injuries you can see when out on the lake. Propeller related injuries can also be avoided very easily if you follow the following tips to avoid propeller injuries.

Make sure everyone who is on your boat wears a life jacket or at least has them easily accessible should they need it. Wearing a life jacket is important to increase visibility in the water while also preventing a drowning. And before you start the boat make sure everyone is seated and ready to go. If you have children on board make sure there is an adult assigned to watch them.

Next make sure you never operate your boat while you are under the influence of any alcohol or drugs and never let a friend do so.

When operating your boat make sure it is outside of any marked or well known swimming and diving areas. To avoid this zones make sure you know how to correctly identify any markers and buoys that will be used to signal these zones. You also want to learn to identify the two common flags used by boaters to signal a diver down.

If possible try to avoid areas of water where they are a lot of people in the water so you can avoid the chance of encountering another individual.

Installing a quality trim-tab system on your boat (if approprate) will not only improve the ride of your boat, it will help you go farther on a tank of fuel. Trim tabs allow you make necessary adjustments to the way your boat cuts through the water, planes and handles. By Adjusting your trim according to boat speed/load and the current water conditions you will help optimize performance and save fuel.