Auto Transport Blog for National Transport LLC » boats

5 Tips for Better Boat Safety

Janelle — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:00:00 +0000

For most people, boat safety isn’t too much of a big deal. After all, there are a lot less boats in the water than there are vehicles on the roadways, right? But still, just like driving a car, operating a boat on the water is a privilege (not a right) and it should be treated as such.

Rules to Live By

Obey the Speed Limits! According to an accident report issued by the United States Coast Guard in 2006, there were approximately 710 fatalities, 3,474 injuries and nearly $44 million in property damage all from boating-related accidents! A lot of people naturally assume that because there’s less traffic on the water that they can pretty much do whatever they want. However, breaking the posted speed limits can be dangerous for a variety of reasons. First of all, you can wind up hitting a shallow patch of water or a sandbar, which if hit at a high speed can throw passengers out of the boat or worse. The same thing can happen if you hit a wave at the wrong angle, slow down!
Wear Your Life Vest! Even if you know how to swim, always wear a life jacket. If, for some reason, your boat capsizes or you fall overboard, even the best swimmers can get tired very quickly. The United States Coast Guard reported that over 90% of people who drowned in 2006 were NOT wearing a life jacket. People may speculate that life vests look stupid and are bulky, but it may save your life.
Don’t Drink & Drive! While some of the rules may be different when you are on the water, it is never a good idea to drink and drive. Drinking alcohol impairs one’s ability to think clearly and make logical decisions. Alcohol is the primary factor in many boating fatalities. Do not put yourself in the position of becoming one of those statistics.
Maintain a Safe Distance! The most frequent type of boating accident that is reported is collision with another boat. In the boating world, collision with another boat can be avoided fairly easily simply by maintaining a safe distance at all times.
Educate Yourself & Your Crew! If you are planning on purchasing a boat, make sure (if it’s not already mandated) that you attend a school or class on boat safety. There are plenty of boat owners out there who get behind the wheel of a boat with no concern for the general rules of the water and safety. Make sure that everyone on the boat has their life vests on and make sure that you go over the rules prior to your departure. The vast majority of boat accidents are preventable if you just take time out for safety.

Fun With Wakeboarding

Janelle — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:00:18 +0000

As summer time is rapidly approaching, so is the high anticipation of water sports and activities. One such water sport, which has gained considerable attention over the years, is something called “wakeboarding”. Upon first hearing it, most people are tempted to think that the term “wakeboarding” must be some hybrid form of surfing. And while wakeboarding does involve the use of a board similar to a surf board (although much smaller), the sport was actually born out of a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing in its technique.

How Do You Do It?

So, now that you kinda’ sorta’ have an idea of what wakeboarding is all about, how in the world do you do it? Well, similar to waterskiing, the rider is towed behind the boat using a cable. And similar to surfing, the rider is balancing their body on a small board at speeds of 18-24 miles per hour, which all depends on the rider’s height, size of the board and water conditions.

What’s it Made Out Of?

The actual wakeboard, itself is typically made out of foam or honeycomb mixed with resin and coated with fiberglass (Wikipedia), and similar to a snowboard, wakeboards have actual attachments (called “bindings”) on the top of the board where your feet can lock in so that you have a little more stability. Wakeboards also come in many different brands and varieties to appeal to riders of all different ages, height, weight and style preferences.

The most popular wakeboard brand seems to be a brand called Hyperlite, although there are several other brand names such as: Byerly, CWB, Gator, Liquid Force, Ronix and Slingshot. If you’re thinking of going wakeboarding, however, be prepared to spend a little money because most wakeboards are going to cost you upwards of $300 (if you’re looking for something of a little better quality)!

Sailing Away

Janelle — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:00:51 +0000

Buying a boat can be very exciting. It can also be extremely time consuming and stressful if you are not sure what you’re doing. Before you prepare to “set sail” on your new purchase, there are a few things you should know. A lot of first time boat buyers make the mistake of assuming it will be easy to find a boat. However, unlike vehicles (which all have four wheels and are relatively easy to come by), buying a boat is going to take a little more research. Unfortunately, boats aren’t as common as some other modes of transportation. Therefore, you have to be diligent in your search for what will ultimately fit your needs.

Types of Boats

There are various types of boats out there ranging anywhere from $7,000 and up. You’ll, of course, have to do your own research to figure out which one you want, but some of them include:

Bowriders- are usually 16-24 ft. and cost around $18k; are usually great for water sports enthusiasts
Cuddy Cabins-are usually 19-25 ft. and cost around $22k; usually equipped with small cabin that will usually include porta-potti, freshwater supply and even an alcohol stove
Offshore Fishing- are usually 16-30 ft. and cost around $20k; great for fishing and usually include sleeping quarters
Houseboats-are usually 20-65 ft. and cost around $60k; usually have full dining facilities, tvs, microwaves; and washer/dryer hookups; can also be equipped with A/C
Bass Boats-are usually 16-20ft. and cost around $18k; most have bait and fish wells with compartments for rod and gear storage.

When you are looking to purchase your first boat, make sure you read up on it. Know how much you’re willing and able to spend on it beforehand. Know where you are going to store it once you get it. Most neighborhoods do not allow you to store boats on your property, and storing your boat at a boatyard (depending on the location and time of year) can be expensive. Also, just like driving, you can’t drive a boat without a license, so make sure you look into what the process is and how long it will take you to get the boating license first before you even think about buying a boat. Who knows, you may get halfway through getting your licensure and realize you don’t really want to do it after all!