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Boating is in my blood. As I was growing up, I took advantage of any chance I could to spend time on the water with my friends and family. In fact, I represent the fifth generation of my family to spend time at our rustic cabin on the St. Lawrence River. But I got away from boating as a young adult, and I might not have returned if it weren’t for the birth of my two sons.
Here are the reasons I would recommend the boating lifestyle to ANY family, whether boating is in your blood or not.
1. Fun for all. Do you and your kids love sports like swimming, fishing, tubing, waterskiing and wakeboarding? Great! But there are plenty of other ways to have fun on a boat. Just think of the art, science or music projects you can conduct on the water! The important part is that boating gets you out on the water together where there is no schedule, few distractions, just a focus on family time.
2. A chance to unplug. If there’s one thing that thrills me about boating with the kids, it’s that our boat doesn’t have a screen. It’s our opportunity to unplug as a family and focus on having fun outside together in the natural world.
3. Get away without going far. You hear a lot these days about the benefits of the “stay-cation,” especially how easy it is on the wallet. A great way to take a break without going far is to get out on a boat. No matter where you boat, there’s something about being on the water that provides that much needed escape from the day-to-day routine, whether it’s for an hour, an afternoon or an entire week.
4. A healthy choice. As a mom, I’m always looking for family fun that I can feel good about, and boating definitely fits the bill. When we’re looking for a fun day away from it all, we’ll pick a park we can boat to and bring along a picnic lunch, a soccer ball and our bathing suits. It’s a great formula for bringing the family together, having fun, staying active and eating healthy.
5. A boat for every income. There are some people out there that are convinced that boating is a luxury that only rich people can afford. But it’s simply not true. Many entry-level boats can be purchased for a monthly payment of around $200. That’s how much many of us spend per month on things like dinners out, movies and video games. I like those as much as the next person, but in today’s economy, sometimes we have to choose. And as a mom, the choice is clear to me. When I think about the kind of life I want my kids to live and the memories I want them to have, a boat wins out, hands down.
P.S. Does your kids’ world revolve around their friends? Boating is a golden opportunity for any parent to keep their teen or pre-teen close while getting to know their friends. We all want to be the “cool” parents, don’t we? Trust me: A boat will add to your cool factor.
By Liz Walz
Safety Tips for a Fun-Filled Father’s Day on the Water
Before you embark on a fun-filled Father’s Day on the water, check out West Marine safety expert Chuck Hawley’s quick tips for smooth sailing.
1. It’s common knowledge that the best way to make boating safer is to have everyone wear a life jacket. There are two groups of boaters where it’s really, really important: kids under 13 and non-swimmers. Before you set sail, ask if there are any non-swimmers on board, and make sure all of the kids have appropriately-sized vests.
2. A small medical kit is always a good idea. For less than $50, you can buy a kit in a waterproof container that has a good assortment of bandages, dressings, pain meds and antiseptics. For longer trips or larger groups, you may want to consider a more comprehensive medical kit.
3. While not specifically in the “safety” category, any boat can benefit from the addition of some waterproof binoculars for identifying navigation aids, harbors, and seeing vessels that might require assistance.
4. It just makes sense to check the weather before you head out, and monitor the weather while on the water. VHF radios and the ever-present smart phone can provide advance warning of inclement weather.
5. Does your bilge pump run frequently? Engine hard to start sometimes? Battery doesn’t hold a charge for very long? These are not-so-subtle messages from your boat that perhaps you should do a little maintenance before shoving off.
6. I know guys don’t like to ask for directions, but we’ve got to get over it. When on the water, it just makes sense to have appropriate marine charts (or perhaps a chart booklet) and a GPS. When it gets dark or foggy, you’ll be so much happier than being without.
7. Boat shoes are different for a reason: they don’t leave marks, they provide a good grip on dry and wet surfaces, and they make you look like a boater. Unfortunately, not everyone shows up with boat shoes on, and you should avoid having them run around barefoot if you want to avoid foot injuries. Make sure your guests bring along shoes with non-marking soles.
8. Keep your speed under control, especially in heavily-trafficked waters. If you’re not sure of the other guy’s intentions, slow down and assume that he doesn’t know the ‘Rules of the Road’ as well as you do. This is especially true at night when navigation lights can be lost in the surrounding lights onshore.
9. Be conscious of the boats around you. It’s a basic law of the sea to lend assistance to those in need. Monitor the radio, look for flares and other signs of distress, and keep an eye on boats that seem to be not entirely under control.
10. Don’t forget the sunscreen! The reflection from the water amplifies the sun’s intensity putting you at greater risk for burning. Make sure to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day, especially after swimming. This goes for any activity on or off the water.
Provided by:
Chuck Hawley is a life-long sailor, having grown up on the California Coast. He has sailed approximately 40,000 miles on vessels ranging from ultralight "sleds" to single-handed sailboats to the maxi-catamaran PlayStation. Chuck has worked for West Marine for 30 years, and is responsible for many of the West Advisor articles that appear in West Marine's catalogs. He is also Vice President of Product Information. Chuck, his wife Susan, and their five daughters have spent many a Father’s Day enjoying the freedom that getting out on the water affords.
If you’ve enjoyed fishing all your life, you’ve got a great opportunity to say thanks and help preserve that way of life for the next generation. And if you’re just getting started, why not begin the right way, with respect for the water, your catch, and the young anglers who will follow in your wake.
Catch & Release
This should be pretty obvious, but recreational fishing can get out of balance in a hurry if everybody only practices Catch & Take. Not to say that there’s anything at all wrong with catching your supper, but be reasonable and let the rest keep swimming until the next time.
Build Structure
Structure or artificial reefs can have an unbelievable impact on fishing stocks. They provide a habitat for fish, crustaceans and shellfish where none existed before. Most states have reef program, so make sure yours is active and see how you can participate. Check this out: An artificial reef the size of an automobile can produce thousands of pounds of fish over five years.
Champion Water Quality
Remember that everything that goes into the ground has the potential to reach a waterway. To reduce the need for cleaning products, always wash your boat down with fresh water after every use. And when you do need to clean your boat, choose non-toxic options where available. Also, some lawn fertilizers can cause troublesome algae blooms, which can seriously damage fisheries. Always opt for low-phosphorous fertilizers to avoid those problems.
Promote Access
With government agencies and waterfront communities limiting water access for ordinary anglers and boaters, you need to be vigilant about defending your rights and speaking up. Make yourself known at neighborhood, city, county and state meetings. Sometimes a well-informed and persistent of anglers with a simple message of access is all that stands between a new gated community or a non-water-dependent development and the preservation of your local boat ramp.
Inspire Young Anglers
The earlier you teach a child about the joys of fishing, the sooner you’ll instill a lifelong desire to conserve and protect fisheries and become thoughtful stewards of the great outdoors. Just lead by example and you’ll be amazed at how your lessons take hold and inspire the next generation to preserve the future of fishing.
For more Fishing Tips visit Discover Boating..
Which came first, the angler who liked to ski, or the skier who liked to fish? Whatever the answer, ever since that combination came about, there have been boat builders who have been trying to find the perfect balance of features to satisfy both desires. The result the popular hybrid boat style, appropriately called a Fish & Ski. Available in either fiberglass or aluminum, the key in finding the right boat for you is to decide which will be your primary activity.
Features
If you’re an avid angler, you want to look for wide casting platforms with comfortable pedestal seats that can be stowed away when not in use. At least one good-sized livewell and perhaps even a baitwell, are must-haves, and you’ll get plenty of use out of lockable rod storage. Outboard-powered Fish & Ski models definitely need an elevated ski tow eye to keep the ski rope up off the motor. Also, look for an oversided in-floor locker to store kneeboards, life jackets and other watersports gear.
Layout
Most Fish & Ski boats will feature a full, wrap-around windshield so make sure your line of sight is below the windshield header. Flip-up seat bolsters and adjustable seats, along with a tilt steering wheel will also come in handy. Since this is a multi-purpose boat by its very nature, you should be able to do a little entertaining and cruising as well, so look for boats that offer good seating options as well as cupholders and perhaps a built-in cooler.
Styling & Storage
This is a pretty subjective category, but as far as styling goes, you should lean toward the main purpose of the boat — anglers will probably want high-gloss paint and themed graphics, while skiers will be looking for a mono-colored hull with accent colors. Storage should feature easy-to-open hardware on hatches, access doors wide enough for your biggest gear, and dedicated-purpose, built-in areas for tackle or watertight boxes for electronics gear.
Performance
If you plan on doing a lot of skiing, think about upgrading the outboard motor to 150-horsepower and up. No one has ever been out on the water with a boat full of kids and gear and thought: “I’ve got too much power.” Look for a well-balanced boat that doesn’t give you too much bowrise when you’re trying to get a skier out of the water. Top speed on these boats will be about 40-50 mph. Although Fish & Ski models may sometimes look like a bass boat, their DNA more closely resembles a bowrider with a deadrise of 18-21 degrees. Look for boats that turn smoothly and track well for the best watersports performance. Although you’ll probably want a boat with a trolling motor on the bow, you want to balance that with extra freeboard toward the front to help you operate safely in rough water.
*photo provided by Polar Kraft boat
When searching for the perfect offshore fishing boat, you need to focus on models that give you plenty of room for fighting your catch, while providing easy access to all of your angling gear and safety equipment. And if you’re going to be heading offshore, sooner or later you’re going to run into rough water — and that’s the time you be glad you made the boat’s seaworthiness a primary factor in your purchase decision. Obviously you’ll see a direct correlation between cost and overall length, so remember that you might be better off making sure you’ve got all the fishing features you will need as opposed to maximizing the size.
Layout
Look for an uncluttered cockpit that provides maximum fishing space. You will appreciated padded thigh-high gunwales and toe rails for safety when things get rough. Clever use of space will result in convenient seats for your guests while running that fold out of the way when it’s fishing time. If you will be trolling, you must include “comfortable helm station” on your must-have list since that’s where the skipper will be spending most his time.
Fishing Features
If you’ll be fishing for species that go for live bait, it can’t be emphasized strongly enough how much you’ll be depending on your one (if not two) high-capacity, recirculating livewells. There’s no running back to the dock if you’re out in the open water, so make sure you bait lasts as long as you do. A large rigging station will also make your time on the water much easier — look for an oversized cutting board and dedicated, easy-access spaces for all your knives, pliers and lures. If you’ll be trolling, you absolutely must have outriggers and downriggers to maximize your chances for success. If the boat builder you’re considering doesn’t offer downriggers as an option, make sure the boat is pre-drilled to accept them. Dedicated “cradles” for downrigger weights is also a great idea.
Storage
Most offshore boats have built-in rod storage in the gunwales, along with several in the stern, and “rocket launchers” above the T-Top. Make sure everything is easy to reach, and the gear will not be in your way when stowed. Never hurts to have a couple of locking panels to secure your rods temporarily if you need to leave the boat at the dock. And when you land your prize catch, make sure you’ve got large, insulated fish boxes with macerators and overboard drains.
Performance
If you’re like most offshore anglers, you’ll likely be running as fast as conditions allow when you’re cruising the waters looking for fish. Many fishing boats have no problem cruising at 50 mph. If you’ll be fast-trolling for certain species, you will want a boat that doesn’t slog at pre-planing speeds. And here’s something else you will appreciate on those long, hot days on the water: Find a boat that “tracks” well, meaning it won’t need constant course correction. Since you’ll be running hard most of the time, nimble handling is a must for quickly avoiding random debris you’ll inevitably come across. Remember that you may be in rough conditions more often that you’ll be in flat calm seas. When you conduct sea trials, make sure you try a variety of conditions to make sure you’ll have an acceptably comfortable and stable ride.
For more fishing information, discover our activuty pages.
Image courtesy of Hatteras Yachts
If you are an angler living up north, you’ve probably spent the long winter ice fishing with your buddies. Nothing like the experience of cooking up a hearty meals and waiting to feel that tug on your jigging stick that indicates you’ll be pulling up a bass, pickerel, perch or pike.
However, as much fun as this is, we all look forward to ice out. It’s a new season filled with phenomenal fishing on lakes, ponds, reservoirs and rivers. Life is rejuvenated; a million species are moving, waking up and coming out in the warming landscape.
In addition to seeing all the organisms in the water start doing their thing one of the best things to do while fishing is to watch the migrating waterfowl, eagles, hawks, osprey, cormorants and loons. These birds are not only beautiful to watch, but play a role in locating baitfish. Of course, the electronic savvy angler really doesn’t need the birds, but you should still tune in to them for the information they are relaying. As good as your sonar is, it doesn’t swoop down to the water and fly away with lunch.
Spring turnover happens to be an awesome time for reeling in those fish. The fresh oxygen filled water brings most species of fish up and about like our first cup of coffee gets us moving.
Largemouth bass tend to hang back a little more — enjoying their winter retreat — compared to smallmouth, trout and pan fish. So if you’re only targeting largemouth, remember that they can be located in a number of different areas, making it a bit longer between fish. They could be in staging areas outside flats. Just like the rest of the year, they will always relate to cover — obviously weed lines have died but you can usually find a mound, some weeds that didn’t rot and float away, stumps, rocks, old tires etc.
Sometimes the winter ice has moved things around, changing an underwater stump or log location, which only adds to the fun of locating new spots. You’ll have the best luck with jerk baits (hard and soft) and stick baits. Fish using slow, erratic, pauses, twitches to trigger strikes while retrieving the bait.
A slow-rolling spinnerbait is also a pretty good bet when you’ve got a good assortment of hard structure. It’s not just the slow roll, but the pause and drop when it really starts working. Although you’ve probably read that smallmouth bass are supposed to be a bit lethargic at ice out, but something about a flashy spinner that really gets them going. On warmer days with sun, you should be able to tear it up on the flats. Once you get a few days of good sun, and the water temps edge up closer to 60 degrees, the bass are definitely heading shallow — from there it’s on!
Article and photos courtesy of New England fishing legend Dan Kenney (www.gofishdan.com)
For more fishing articles visit Discover Boating.
If you live (and fish) near the coast, you always have to be aware of (and plan around) the ebb and flow of tides. And what can make your fishing expedition even more challenging is that tides don’t just make the water go up and down, they actually change the feeding habits of the fish and, more importantly, the areas where you’ll find them.
So, instead of the “hot spots” or “honey holes” your inland anglers may know like the back of their hand after countless hours of “research,” coastal fisherman have an additional factor to consider — they have to anticipate where the fish will be on a rolling 6-hour schedule of water moving up and down. Not to say one is harder than the other, but that in either case, you’d better know what you’re doing or you will wind up doing more fishing than catching.
GET A TIDE CHART
Back in the day, you would get a tide chart as a placemat under your plate at any early-morning breakfast place anywhere near a coastal launch ramp or marina. Now, you’re likely better served with a smartphone app with an up-to-the-minute calculation of your exact area’s daily tide schedule. The iPhone app Tide Graph is pretty solid, although not recommended as a navigational aid. You could also just go straight to the source and head to the NOAA tidal website. There are, of course, four tides over any given 24-hour period (two highs and two lows), and what you are looking for is a graph-style chart with a wavy line showing highs at the top of the curve and lows at the bottom. Your best shot at the fish will be right in the middle between high tide and low tide.
GET ON THE BAIT
Much like the quote widely (and erroneously) attributed to Willie Sutton — “I rob banks because that’s where the money is.” — you need to find the buffet where your fish species likes to dine. That means tracking down the areas where smaller fish and crustaceans will be pushed along with the incoming or outgoing water. Willie knew where the money was, and your predator fish will know where they can get breakfast. Likely spots for this will be creek or river inlets or where the flow of the water is at an angle, hitting a peninsula or sandbar. This is where “flats” fisherman find their happy place, especially as an incoming tide covers up previously exposed areas.
GO WITH THE FLOW
As the tide starts to ebb, the smaller fish that had been washed up into the flats have to head to deeper water or risk getting stranded high and dry on land. That’s when you start looking for a deep channel right next to the flats. It’s usually right where the wettest area is, because that’s where the last water was. As the water continues to drop, you should be able to see where and how the outflow is moving. If you can see it, so can your target species. Make sure you’re securely anchored and start casting upstream, so your bait can enjoy the ride down into the waiting chompers of the predator fish that will be facing the current. Catch fish. Celebrate. Repeat.
The first thing you want to do is avoid a lee shore. You don’t want any shallow water downwind of you. You don’t want to run aground with the wind blowing you onto the shallower ground or rocks. Now you’re at the mercy of the winds and the waves, so you’re just going to get battered. It’s dangerous for the boat; that’s when capsizing occurs. It’s not safe to have a boat turn over on top of you with the land underneath you. Nor is it any safer to have the boat turn over on top of you while you’re in the water. This is one way people go overboard. Sailboats tend to draw less water when heeled over. With most sailboats, as soon as they run aground, they pivot—they don’t have any choice.
If you’ve got a little bit of a weather helm, you’re going to pivot into the wind. If you’ve got lee helm, you’re going to pivot downwind and show your stern to the waves. If you’re aground, you’re going to stay heeled over and pivot. Now you may have your deck and bottom presented to the waves and you can’t maneuver. You’re completely at the mercy of the weather and there’s a good chance someone’s going to get hurt.
Avoiding lee shores boils down to situational awareness. Making sure you know what’s around you and trying not to get into that situation in the first place. You can look for an area of protected water. For example, on a river, usually there’s a bend you can go around and get away from the weather. Or, you can head closer to the shore where the trees are cutting off some of the wind. If you’re in open water, head into a more protected area. i.e. up in a creek, into a bay that’s got some shelter, in the lee of an island. If your anchor drags or your engine quits, with a bit of luck, you’ll find plenty of deep water downwind; avoiding a lee shore. If that sort of thing is not available, the best thing you can do when you’re dealing with strong winds is get in open waters. It seems like the wrong thing to do, but you want room to maneuver and to put the boat on a heading where it rides to the wind and waves. This is the safest course of action.
Bottom line is if you got a storm coming, try to get some shelter if you can, whether it’s behind an island or behind some trees if you’re on a small lake. Keep deep water downwind from you, otherwise stay in open water.
If you have some time and you know the weather is coming because:
• your situational awareness has told you there’s a thunderstorm coming
• you see the clouds
• you hear it on the radio
Then you can prepare for it.
Robin G. Coles is a passionate marine enthusiast and sailor who has interviewed countless industry experts as well as visited, interviewed personnel at, written about, and photographed hundreds of marine ports in the US and abroad. She is also an author, columnist in her local paper and owner of http://TheNauticalLifestyle.com. For more information on her book: Boating Secrets: 127 Top Tips to Help You Buy and/or Enjoy Your Boat, go to http://BoatingSecrets127TopTips.com.
The biggest danger you have when sailing in a good storm is when you have limited sea room, when you don’t have much room to maneuver. Keep away from a lee shore, as mentioned before because it is an issue. Make sure there’s no shallow water downwind from you.
A sudden thunderstorm can also be an issue. This is because they move quickly and the winds tend to come downward, hit the water, and fan out in more than one direction. There can be sudden and violent wind shifts with these thunderstorms. That can be just as bad, if not worse, as the wind speed itself. For example, you’ve got your sails strapped down and maybe a reef or two in (close hauled). Next thing you know, a storm goes by and shifts the wind. Now it’s off your quarter at the same speed and you’re going to take a knockdown because your sails are pinned in too tight. Depending on how the situation is, you could end up taking some water—that could be dangerous.
The same holds true for a power boat. The power boat needs sea room and options when dealing with the weather. A fast-moving thunderstorm can just as easily overwhelm a small power boat if they are not careful with the sudden change in wind direction.
A pontoon boat is just one example of a boat affected by wind. Again, in a violent thunderstorm, the wind should be one of your main concerns. These boats are aluminum and need a lot of sail area. Most have an upper sundeck which can catch a lot of wind when docking. Five people lost their lives in March 2004 while on a 36-foot pontoon water taxi being hit by a sudden squall. This happened in Baltimore Harbor. The wind action changed during a thunderstorm.
Robin G. Coles is a passionate marine enthusiast and sailor who has interviewed countless industry experts as well as visited, interviewed personnel at, written about, and photographed hundreds of marine ports in the US and abroad. She is also an author, columnist in her local paper and owner of http://TheNauticalLifestyle.com For more information on her book: Boating Secrets: 127 Top Tips to Help You Buy and/or Enjoy Your Boat, go to http://BoatingSecrets127TopTips.com
Absolutely! Waves are much more dangerous, especially the ones that are short, steep, and close together, with a very short time between crests. If you’re talking about a sailing vessel, the wind can cause a knockdown. In a life boat, you could capsize. It’s not the end of the world—you’re going to get wet. On a larger boat, with the keel, you’re going to take a knock down, but eventually you’ll come back up. And, if you’ve got the boat closed up like you should if there’s that much wind, you’re not going to take on any water or very much. That’s not an issue. But, water’s 700 times denser than air. So, when a wave hits, it hits with a lot more force than boaters realize. It’s not unusual for waves to knock people across the deck, same thing on a small boat.
Another thing to keep in mind is that a gallon of water weighs about 6½ pounds. Now a wave hits and gets into the bilge. That’s a potential 50 gallons of water weighing in at 300+ pounds just from waves sloshing over. Leave the hatch boards open and get a good wave down in the cockpit and you can get 50 gallons of water down there. That water is now free surface as it sloshes around. Imagine 300 or 400 pounds of people running back and forth from one rail to the other at the worst possible times, and you can see what that would do to your stability. Now you have an issue, because a boat that was stable through its design before now has all this free weight sloshing around and causing issues.
If you’re a power boat taking on 50 pounds of water down the bilge, you’ve got a problem with the engine. Salt water can fully discharge a battery when it’s wet. Now you’ve lost that battery. You could find yourself without power—no engine, no steering—completely at the mercy of the winds and the waves. Water needs to stay out of the boat, not in the boat. If it gets in, you have to have a way to get it out. Strong winds are definitely better over big waves any day. At least winds don’t affect your stability.
Robin G. Coles is a passionate marine enthusiast and sailor who has interviewed countless industry experts as well as visited, interviewed personnel at, written about, and photographed hundreds of marine ports in the US and abroad. She is also an author, columnist in her local paper and owner of http://TheNauticalLifestyle.com. For more topics in her book: Boating Secrets: 127 Top Tips to Help You Buy and/or Enjoy Your Boat, go to http://BoatingSecrets127TopTips.com.
If you do find yourself heading into one of these storms you need to assess your situation and figure out where it is coming from. Then look to see where you can go for safety and if you can get there in time.
The main thing you must do is avoid being in a situation where you have a lee shore, shallow water or land directly downwind of you. You won’t drown in shallow water, says Timothy Wyand a retired U.S. Coast Guard chief warrant officer, but it tends to be worse for the boat. You’re more likely to wind up in it [shallow water]. If anything can go wrong, it usually does. The lee shore is the worst possible situation, even if it’s not really a storm, just strong winds.
You want to avoid danger downwind. You don’t want a navigational hazard on one side and wind and waves on the other. Other than that, try and find some protection from the wind and waves. Get on or close to the shore line on the other side (windward); get behind something—a lee or an island. If not, open deep waters may be your best bet. In light of a hurricane, which we’ve seen can be quite dangerous, try to get to a shelter fairly quickly; otherwise you’ll need a lot of sea room in which to ride out the storm.
Robin G. Coles is a passionate marine enthusiast and sailor who has interviewed countless industry experts as well as visited, interviewed personnel at, written about, and photographed hundreds of marine ports in the US and abroad. She is also an author, columnist in her local paper and owner of http://TheNauticalLifestyle.com. For more information on her book: Boating Secrets: 127 Top Tips to Help You Buy and/or Enjoy Your Boat, go to http://BoatingSecrets127TopTips.com.
With hurricane Sandy taking it's toll on the East Coast, we thought we would share a checklist to make sure you are prepared if you run into a situation like this while on the water.
Click here to print the checklist of the many things to consider before, during and after a hurricane. Some of the safety rules will make things easier for you during a hurricane. All are important and could help save your life and the lives of others. If local authorities recommend evacuation, you should leave! Their advice is based on knowledge of the strength of the storm and its potential for death and destruction.
A great way to learn more about boating are boat clubs. Boat Clubs give you the benefits of boat ownership without all the hassle and a perfect way to create those memorable and fun boating experiences with family and friends.
You don't have to worry about maintenance, upkeep or storage. Simply enjoy yourself on the water.
Finding a boat marina or club is easy with our online tools! Whether you're looking for a family boating center or the perfect place to scuba dive, we'll help you discover great boating locations to get out on the water anywhere in the country.
Find a boat club.
Check out our Boating Guy video tips on why to join a boat club or organization.