Articles

"One Mom, Two Teens, No Exit"

At 21, she was the youngest woman to sail around the world alone, and her inspirational book about this odyssey, Maiden Voyage — co-authored with BoatU.S. consulting editor Bernadette Bernon — went on…

Mr. Gaff Man - Pro's Tips

Proper gaffing techniques lead to more fish in the box. Yet, you'd be surprised at the number of quality fish lost due to poor gaffing technique. While they won't readily admit it, even the most seaso…

New Gulf Reef Fish Gear Requirements

By adopting just a few simple habits, recreational anglers will greatly increase the chances that the fish they catch and release will survive, meaning each and every saltwater angler can positively i…

Hurrican Preparedness

Can you believe it? Hurricane season is once again upon us, and if you own a boat now is the time to start preparing for the unthinkable. It doesn't matter whether you store your most prized possessio…

Split-Tail Sensation

Start by acquiring the freshest bait possible. If you cannot catch your own, frozen individuals will suffice – stay away from packages that appear to have freezer-burn, as these baits will most likely…

Combat Corrosion

When replacing hardware, properly seal screws and bolts with a high-quality marine compound. Periodically check the wiring on your vessel for nicks or damaged sections. If you find any corrosion pee…

Bust Your Bait: 7 Top Tips

Live bait is king! It doesn’t matter where around the peninsula you ply your craft, live bait certainly plays a key role in every angler’s success. Without question there is always a place and time fo…

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

Make sure seals and tamper indicators are not broken or missing. Make sure pressure gauges or indicators read in the operable range. (CO2 extinguishers do not have gauges and instead must meet a mini…

ABC’s of Portable Fire Extinguishers

Class A Fire Ordinary Combustibles (anything that burns and leaves ash)…

Underwater Lights

Due to the heat that may develop, underwater lights should only be illuminated when your vessel is in the water. Consult with your boat manufacturer to see if they have any reservations about the hull…

Float Plan App for iPhone

When we were little and headed outside to play, there was always one simple rule we had to follow: Tell Mom where you were going and what time you planned to be home. When we got cars, that rule becam…

Good Boaters Carry a Spare

In my mind, self-sufficiency represents the single greatest character trait missing from the general American populace today. Society lives with the attitude that if they screw up somehow, someone wil…

Better Boating Tips for Better Buying

It just may be true that there's never been a better time to own a boat. While that statement may seem to fly in the face of some trying economic times these days, the very opportunity to experience t…

Small Boat Tips that Matter

Just as in any manufacturing or production business, our crew always looks for ways to im-prove our efficiency and reduce the effort needed to get the best possible results for the job. Throughout the…

Restoring and Upgrading Your Boat

While much of the country seems to be mired in a lot of gloom and doom about the economy, one thing's for certain: The fish don't care one bit. Blue marlin will still snap off St. Thomas this summer; …

Stay With the Wind You Have

In one race of the Spring Soling Bowl off Annapolis in a dying northwesterly, we led up the second beat until nipped at the mark by Manfred Kantor, of Canada, who had come in from the right corner. Af…

Unlocking the Mysterious Lake Winds

Lake sailing is more complex than sailing on the open sea, but more predictable. A lake, like any body of water enclosed by land, is subject to gradient winds, always offshore, and by thermal winds --…

Stuck Between Two Winds

In my April ’07 column, "Review Your Options", I discussed my failure to properly analyze and manage a "two winds simultaneously" situation during the Soling Worlds and promised a second analysis. Aft…

Review Your Options Often

There's a difference between some tacks (or jibes) and others, and that difference is what makes sailing so much more difficult than golf. Sometimes the choice is obvious, in all Category I (oscillati…

Four Ways to Win the Sea Breeze Game

This is a story about the physics of sea breezes. Yeah, I know...the last thing you want is a physics lesson. But take it from me — someone whose grade point average was ruined by Calculus — knowing w…

Four Puff Tips

1. Try to determine the temperature of the air relative to the temperature of the water. If, for example, a cold front moved through overnight, there is a good chance that mixing puffs will be prevale…

Knowledge Rules

I once worked for a captain who told me that if I ever thought I knew everything, I'd better hang up my foul-weather gear and take up pottery. He was right. That's one of the many nuances of boating I…

Boating Apps for Apple's iPhone

Laptops are dead. The trend now-and it's a fast growing one-is to access and share information via your smart phone using 3G mobile networking technology…

Refinishing Your Boat's Bottom

Ethanol is reducing your engine's efficiency. Fuel prices are sure to rise. And, the way things are going, I'd bet fuel taxes spike as well. These things are out of your control, but you can combat th…

Rig a Foul-Free Anchor

At best, a fouled anchor is a nuisance. At worst, it can be the worst kind of dangerous. According to the official investigation into the tragic deaths of three football players in February, a fouled …

What Boaters Should Know About Lake Weeds

One common problem shared by all lake shore owners is weed management. Not only can aquatic weeds clog up and potentially damage a boat’s motor, but quite frequently they are an unpleasant sight and a…

Finding the Perfect Hot Spot

Once you Discover Boating, you’ll soon find yourself looking for great new places to boat. You probably already know where the best boat ramps, docking spaces and restaurants are in your own area, but…

Heading Offshore

Make your next blue-water adventure safe and enjoyable with these trip-planning and boat-handling tips. …

Boat Handling: Riders on the Storm

Will you know what to do when you’re caught in a serious squall?…

Making the Most of Favorable Conditions

If the weather allows, don't let a pre-set schedule keep you from pushing ahead. …

Boat Handling: Out of Sight

Running in limited visibility can be tricky business. Here's what to do to stay safe when the fog rolls in or the night curtain falls. …

Navigating Rough Seas at an Inlet

How do you get back in when a potent wind and opposing tide put breakers at the mouth of the inlet? One answer: slowly.…

Bring the Heat

Logging extra days on the water in late autumn or launching into a new season ahead of the crowds can add another dimension to the boating experience. Of course, you could tough it out aboard an unhea…

Enclosure Disclosures

By far, some of the hardest working gear aboard a boat is its fabric and clear vinyl enclosures. On the job 24/7, an enclosure endures sun, air pollution, rain, salt spray and bird droppings while pro…

Boat Handling: New Moves

An unfamiliar marina could challenge your maneuvering skills. Here's what you need to know to dock your boat right the first time.…

The Other Power Source

A few months ago, I joined some friends for a coastal cruise on their vintage trawler. The weather was mild, so we anchored out most nights with the hatches open, free of machine-cooled air and the co…

Coming Clean - The Truth About Screen Care

When i told the electronics technician that I had been spraying everything on my bridge with glass cleaner and wiping it down with paper towels, I thought his head was going to explode. I had no clue …

Boat Buyer's Cheat Sheet

You're headed to the boat show to make the most important purchase of your life. You've called in sick on a Tuesday so you can prowl the aisles without fighting weekend crowds. The kids are at school …

Softhearted

A good riding boat can make up for deficiencies elsewhere on the vessel -- and a harsh riding one can make even the most luxe boat feel like a dump truck. Try getting your crew to smile when they're g…

Law and Disorder

We live in a society of laws. And with laws come a special subset of our species-lawyers. They need to eat, too. And they get to because any time something goes wrong, someone is always looking for so…

Top Ten Reasons to Go Boating

Boating is about adventure, bonding, craftsmanship, personal growth and more.…

Inside or Outside Storage

I was walking the docks this past weekend listening to all the football games on the radio and talking to all the boaters as they were enjoying the sunny fall day and getting their boat ready for wint…

Fall Maintenance

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College and Boating?

With another school year starting, who says just because you go away to school that you can’t go boating. Better yet, why not get an education in something that you love doing, like boating. Whether i…

Labor Day Weekend on the Water

There's nothing better than spending Labor Day weekend on the water with friends and family. Lucky for us, the weather was amazing and we took advantage of every minute. On Friday night when I got hom…

What Are Your Reasons To Go Boating?

We're working on a Top 10 List why people go boating and we have the following reasons. Do you have anything to add to this? Would love to hear from you! …

Discover Boating Becomes a Chicago Sun-Times Headliner

As part of our ongoing efforts to reach mass audiences about the benefits of boating, our team continuously works with reporters at a variety of newspapers, magazines and television stations across th…

Have You Ever Rented A Boat?

I always tell people that renting a boat is the best way to find out what kind of boat is the perfect fit for their family. This past weekend my family and I had to go out of town for a family event.…

Boating with a Four-Legged Friend

If you enjoy boating, you probably enjoy taking your best friends out on your boat. What if some of your best friends happen to have four legs and a tail? Here is a cool story that proud dog owners Ja…

Staying Close to Home This Summer?

It’s summer vacation season and we anticipate this summer to be one of the busiest for boating, as more Americans are looking to spend time with family and friends close to home. To coincide with the …

Check Out Boating Videos & Photos

All the entries are in for the i-Discovered Boating photo and video contest— that means it’s judging time! Discover Boating will choose two winners; one video ad and one print ad. Each ad’s creator wi…

How To Choose The Right Boat?

There is no secret formula when trying to select the right boat for you or your family. You first need to determine what you want to do with your new boat. Do you want to spend the night on the boat a…

For the Boater on Your List – Perfect Presents

This past weekend I was asked by two different people what would be a great gift for the boater in their life. As I sat there and thought for a minute what I would want, what I need, and what i can al…

A Newly Discovered DESTIN-ation

I recently visited the beach town of Destin in northern Florida with a few friends and a very clear personal mission: to catch a fish big enough to beat out any fish my friends may catch. What I found…

Special Offers on Boating Magazines, Books and More

I wanted to share with you this link to the “Special Offers” section on www.discoverboating.com. You can order a couple of free boating magazines to enjoy when you are sitting on the back bench of the…

Celebrities on the Water

Zac Efron eases his ride into the water as he prepares to set sail Wednesday in Vancouver, where he continues to shoot his latest film, The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud. …

How to Choose a Good Boating Club

Joining a boating club or organization is another great way to enjoy your boat and meet people who share the same passion as you do. Personally, I am a member of my local United States Power Squadron …

Do You Practice Green Boating?

As boaters, we have a responsibility and it is up to us to help protect the environment. Protecting the environment takes a conscious effort by all of us and starts with how we boat, where we boat, an…

Fuel Saving Tips

This past weekend my dock mate asked me about how he could get better fuel economy in his boat. He started talking about all these expensive ideas and I realized that he never considered a few basic t…

Sailing Around the Tahitian Islands

Sailing trips are a great value, especially when splitting costs with another family…

Boating Loves NYC

So many people think of boating, fishing and watersports as something you can only do in coastal towns or on vacation, but New York City is an amazing city for boating and more than ever before, our M…

On-the-Water Training with Capt. Russ

Some of the Discover Boating staff were fortunate enough to have Captain Russ Cohen, Founder of Boatboy Marine Training, fly into Chicago last month to get us some on-the-water boat training. Boatboy …

Congrats to the 'i-Discovered Boating' Winners!

Congrats to David Knight of Pittsboro, N.C. and Ken Lancaster of Highland Village, TX, winners of the 2009 'i-Discovered Boating' national video/photo ad contest! …

2009 'Mac' Race Winners! ...and Fun Facts

Congrats to DogDayz (cruising class) and Windquest (racing class), the winners of the 101st Chicago-to-Mackinac race! …

What You Need to Know Before Boating With Your Dog

For some, the deck of a boat is their home away from home, a passion and a joy they want to share with their closest companions— and who is closer than The Dog?…

Lightning-Proof Your Boat

I'm always taken aback when statistical long shots are described in terms of the chance of being struck by lightning. Sure, the odds of a person directly catching a bolt from the blue are quite low — …

Re-rigging Outriggers

Outriggers are critical fishing gear for trolling that -- unlike rods, reels and lures -- are part of the boat. The easiest way to think of them is as a system consisting of three main parts: mounting…

Storm Survival Strategies

Of the three damaging elements of hurricanes — wind, rain and storm surge — wind is the most underestimated. Windage increases by the square of the wind velocity. Five square yards of flat surface gen…

Generator Maintenance Tips

Marine generators don't have it easy. They labor away in tight, stifling corners of the engine room or lazarette and, all too often, are overlooked until something goes wrong. If it's been awhile sinc…

On Maneuvers: Understanding Channel Markers

There are probably a hundred or more different navigation markers on American waterways, so learning to follow them can be a full-time endeavor. Most markers are set by the United States Coast Guard a…

Fresh Perspectives: Keep Your Gear Like New

Most of us put away water-sports equipment the way Clark Griswold stored lights in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation — in a heap, wherever it lands. But a hasty retreat from the boat will only spe…

When Wind is Your Friend

The wind is blowing and you’re boating. Should you retreat for calmer waters? If it’s choppy but safe, no. Experts say fish are easiest to find along shores taking the full brunt of the breeze. Here’s…

On Maneuvers: Driving After Dark

Maybe you stayed out too late just to catch the sunset or maybe it was always your plan to enjoy an evening cruise. Whether by chance or by choice, the minute the stars come out, the world looks forei…

Snag-Free Fishing

With the right amount of tension on the line, say just enough to hold it taut, and with the rod pointed up to about 45 degrees, pull the line like a banjo string and let it slap back against the rod. …

Tips For Being a Savvy Boater

You don't have to hang around a busy marina long to see boaters of all skill levels operating at their best — and worst. This is what I learned about both during my job as a dock boy. …

Best Boat Names

You can get a little insight into the psyche of a fisherman by the boat he owns and runs. Here are some boat names to ponder, with some poignant thoughts about each handle.…

How to Take a Great Photo on a Boat

If you're not an experienced photographer, and you want to take better photos from your boat, try these suggestions:…

Celebrate Sailing - June 20

Summer Sailstice is the global holiday celebrating sailing, held annually on the weekend closest to the summer solstice. This international event was founded in 2001 to unite the sailing community in …

Celebrate New York's 400th Anniversary on the Hudson River

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Celebrate New York's 400th Anniversary on the Hudson River

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Top Ten Reasons To Go Boating

Boating has always been an adventure: from the first mariners that set sail to discover new worlds to the commercial fishermen and merchant seamen even today who go down to the sea in ships.…

Celebrate New York's 400th Anniversary

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The 10 Biggest Myths in Bass Fishing

Every angler group has its widely held fallacies, perhaps none more than bass anglers. That’s perhaps surprising, given the volume of research directed at black bass. Moreover, superbly skilled profes…

How to Make the Most of the Least, Part II

Light air, heavy traffic: Tony Rey tells you how to outsmart the crowd on your next light-air run. …

Light-Air Tips

Tips for maintaining speed when dealing with light-air.…

New Rules for Marks And Obstuctions

The new racing rules go into effect Jan. 1, 2009, and Dick Rose guides us through the important revisions. …

On Maneuvers: Right Down the Middle

Joystick docking controls are making docking as easy as playing a video game. Just push the stick sideways and you can moonwalk a boat sideways toward the dock. That's great, if you have a 35-foot cru…

Rope Challenge

These common questions will help you determine the best tubing rope for your family.…

5 Best Tips on Tows

After several hundred thousand miles on the road, Tim Horton says these are his top tips…

Keeping Live Bait...Alive

Nothing catches fish like live bait, the trick is to keep it healthy." …

The Timber Hitch

When reefing, don’t get in a bind. Use this simple knot instead.…

Choose the Right Crankcase Oil

Understanding the letters and numbers on the container helps ensure that you use the right lubricant in your diesel engine. …

How to Make the Most of the Least, Part I

Light air can be maddening, but Tony Rey has the advice to make the most of it. "Boatspeed" from Sailing World's June 2008 issue.…

It's Time For That Boat

Admit it—you’ve stood on shore and watched people in boats enjoying themselves out on the water and though “I wish I was out there.” Well, it’s time to stop wishing and start boating, because NOW i…

Houseboat Movers and Tips for Transport

Personal experience in shipping a number of houseboats via houseboat movers, has led me to the following conclusions: First, you get what you pay for, and second, choose a good hauler in order to Do i…

Play It Safe with Gas on Board

Properly constructed lockers or on-deck installations keep explosive fumes where they belong: out of the bilge. …

Why are Boat Shows held in the Middle of Winter?

When looking at the Michigan boat show calendar, you see there are a significant number of boat shows within the first quarter of the year and many might wonder, “Why hold a boat show in the dead of w…

Marine Lending Consumer Finance Tips (during the US market downturn)

US banks are making boat loans. Yes, there are fewer banks doing this today than one year ago. However, proportionately both boat sales and loans are down so the service capacity for boat loans remain…

For the Boater on Your List

Having trouble buying the perfect gift for the boaters on your list? Here are some ideas that will float their boat!…

New Year’s Resolutions We Can Keep

‘Tis the season to make New Year’s resolutions. Most resolutions relate to changing bad habits or attempting to change negative aspects of our lives. It’s time to put a more positive spin onto this ti…

10 Tips for Choosing a Wakeboard

By Brad Kovach Read these 10 tips for choosing a wakeboard, because having the right piece of gear under you can make all the difference. Ask any experienced wakeboarder, and they’ll tell you one of …

TOWING THE LINE: NINE TIPS FOR TOWING

With the proliferation of affordable commercial assistance outfits such as Sea Tow and TowBoatU.S. plus the constantly improving reliability of marine engines, it’s not nearly as common as it once wa…

ARE YOUR FLARES STILL GOOD?

ARE YOUR FLARES STILL GOOD? If you find yourself in need of a tow or some other kind of assistance and can’t contact anyone by radio or phone, you’ll need to use some kind of visual distress signal — …

Wakeboarding: How To Get Better This Winter

Unfortunately, not all of us live in a part of the world where we can wakeboard all year long. So what can we do while the weather is cold to become better wakeboarders? The following are some differe…

How to Find a Fishing Guide

Need help finding that perfect fishing spot or landing the big one? A fishing guide might be the perfect solution. Follow these tips to find a fishing guide that's right for you.…

Deep Sea Fishing Tips

Deep sea fishing is a wonderful and extremely enjoyable activity. Here are some tips that will make your saltwater fishing adventure even better.…

Things to Know About Fishing Charter

Recreation is an essential factor in the life of every human being. The anglers or the fishermen represent the largest single group of recreational seekers, and have a decided advantage over the other…

Wakeskiing: 3 Quickies to Hittin’ It Right

With freestyle snow skiing gaining popularity, you had to figure it was only a matter of time before the latest rage of big-air boosts, crossed-up skis and tweaked-out grabs transferred onto the water…

Edge It Out: 5 simple reminders for your onside turns

Follow these 5 simple reminders for your onside turns for safe and clean tricks. By Jon Travers…

Loosen Up: Pre-Ski Warm Up

When does your set officially start? Ball one, the pre-gates or your deepwater start? If improving your scores and avoiding injury sound appealing to you (of course they do), we need to rewind 20 minu…

Spins — Get a Handle on Them

Spins can be easy if you work on a few simple techniques. One of the most important things to focus on is your handle position. Whether you’re working on a heelside frontside 360 or you’re ready to st…

What is the Best Fishing Bait?

There is such an assortment of bait that it is difficult to recommend any particular color, size, or type as the best. There are more than a thousand good baits on the market. All will catch fish at s…

What You Need To Know About Polarized Fishing Sunglasses

If fishing is your hobby, protective eyewear is a must. As your eyes are one of the most delicate organs in the body, you should protect them from the sun's damaging rays as well as from intrusive ele…

Start planning for next summer, NOW!

It’s not off-season for boaters—It’s planning season! What can boaters do to help them through the long wait for the next boating season? If your boat comes out of the water shortly after Labor Day, …

Clean Water and Access -- The Glue that Binds Michigan Boaters

Whether you own a power yacht, wakeboard boat, fishing boat or sailboat, if you enjoy recreational boating then you share two common interests with all other boaters, clean water and access to it. The…

Is it really the end of boating season?

Autumn in Michigan offers warm days, quiet lakes, and unbelievably beautiful displays of leaves changing colors. But despite this, some Michigan boaters insist on taking their boats out of the water a…

Set up for Success: Better driving equals better skiing

By Chris Eller Pre-game boat setup is crucial to any three-event skier and driver. Whether you are hand-driving or using cruise control, making sure boat speeds and balance are set accurately can m…

Backing Into A Slip

Your palms are sweaty, your mouth is dry, and you have a knot in your stomach – you must be backing your boat into a slip. Despite the initial anguish of attempting this seemingly difficult task, ther…

Straight From the Experts: 21 Waterskiing Tips for Your Best Summer Ever

The start of water ski season, a glorious time of year when anything is possible. A new PB (personal best) on the course, a new barefoot trick, the first trip off a jump — it’s all within reach. The t…

A New Era: Fish the Aggregate

Upper Gulf Coast anglers are countering tightening restrictions by finding creative ways to deck their daily limits of a variety of legal fish. By John E. Phillips…

Battery Basics

Here’s how to select the right batteries and maintain them in peak condition. by Tom Ireland …

Wakeboarding and Wakeskating Glossary

Check out this comprehensive glossary for definitions of everything wakeboard and wakeskate. Get familiar before your hit the water or figure out the correct terms for all the cool tricks you are alre…

Wakesurfing - Tips on How to Get Started

Wakesurfing has exploded onto the wake scene in a big way. What started in the 1950s with a couple of guys goofing around on longboards behind their boat has become one of the fasting growing waterspo…

Discover a whole new world in Michigan – Experience it by boat!

Whether you trailer your boat to new inland lake destinations or have a boat large enough to cruise from port to port along the Great Lakes coast, the abundance of water in and around Michigan will ke…

Great Lakes Marinas: Michigan's Harbor Program

Boating on the Great Lakes is an experience that once enjoyed, will never be forgotten. These lakes are designed by nature to charm and capture the spirit of boaters. As residents of Michigan, we are …

Entertaining on Your Boat in Michigan

Looking for a great place to throw your next party or social gathering? Look no further than your boat. A boat can serve as a fantastic setting for your next big bash, business entertainment party, or…

DIY: Handy Under-Hatch Tool and Fly Stowage

Small, easily-misplaced items like hook removers, fishing and/or split-ring pliers, and hook sharpeners can be kept organized and quickly accessed if you stow them on the underside of a hatch. The onl…

DIY: No-Mess Baitfish De-Hooker

Capt. George Warren of the Charger out of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, came up with this simple yet foolproof way of taking baitfish off a rig without having to touch either the hooks or the fish.…

Dog Life Jackets

The truth is not all dogs can swim. And not all those that can swim are great swimmers. Additionally, water or weather conditions can cause problems even for a pet that is typically a strong swimmer.…

Recreational Fishermen Can Actively Help Manage California’s Coasts

Have you ever heard of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)? No. Well, you’re not alone—70% of Californians don’t know what it is. The MLPA is legislation passed in 1999 to “sustain, conserve and …

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LAKES TAKING QUAGGA MUSSEL THREAT SERIOUSLY

The recent discovery of Quagga mussels at Lake Mead and Lake Havasu is prompting water district officials to initiate measures to prevent further Quaggas outbrbeaks. Although they are hardly noti…

CALIFORNIA MULLS MANDATORY BOATER EDUCATION

After losing legislative steam in mid-2007, California's Mandatory Boater Education bill appears to be ready for a return engagement in 2008. The bill proposed last year would have required anyone op…

Washington now requires Boater Education

As of January 2008, Washington is phasing-in a law requiring all operators of motorboats with 15 horsepower or greaterto take a boater safety education course and carry a Boater Education Card when op…

Northwest Salmon Derby Series grows to 14 derbies in 2008

There‘s no better way to get out on the water and enjoy some of Washington’s “good news” on salmon fishing than the Northwest Salmon Derby Series. Directed by the Northwest Marine Trade Association, a…

Rendezvous aren’t just for Big Boats

Rendezvous for large boats have long paved the way to fantastic weekends filled with fun, friendly boat owners ready to get to know each other or reunite. Offering a guaranteed good time and great cam…

Michigan Boating Events

Check out these dates for an exciting summer on the water!…

Preparation for the Michigan Boating Season

Sure, a look out the window may tell you that you that you have a while to wait before you can take the helm. But, just because we are “boat-less” during the winter months does not mean we stop thinki…

Marine Warranties

You can protect yourself from costly repairs on both new and pre-owned boats by purchasing an extended warranty. It’s an easy way to limit out-of-pocket costs due to mechanical failure of major system…

Come Sail Away with Discover Boating

Experience why life is better with a boat on this different kind of vacation. See somewhere new every day without having to pack and unpack or pay extra travel or hotel expenses…

Beginner Wakeboarding Tips

Our wakeboarding tips section is no exception to this important boating safety rule. Be sure to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times when you are in the water. A basic boating safety ti…

Wakeboarding Boat Buyer Guide

Is wakeboarding your first love? Read through our helpful boat buyer guide for information on which types of boats are best for wakeboarding. With direct links to manufacturers and more, we can help y…

Compare Freshwater Fishing Boats

One of the most popular boating activities, freshwater fishing can be enjoyed by experienced boaters and beginners alike. Whether you’re interested in extreme sports fishing or a laid-back jaunt aroun…

Finding a Well-Fitted Wetsuit for your Watersports Adventure

Water absorbs body heat 25 times faster than air, so unless you’re frolicking in a hot tub that’s set above 98.6 degrees (body temperature), you’re going to get cold. …

Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing Tackle Guide - Fishing Tips

Fishing tackle is used to get your bait or lure to the fish. You don’t need a lot of equipment to begin fishing. In fact, it’s a good idea to begin with basic, simple tackle. So here are the basics. Y…

Safe Fishing Tips

If using a boat to fish, wear your life jacket and make sure that your passengers wear theirs, too. Inspect waterfronts daily – the natural environment is subject to change without notice. …

Sailing Basics: 10 Beginner Sailing Terms To Know

While our glossary page provides a comprehensive list of boating terms, we’ve also compiled this short list of 10 beginner sailing terms that everyone should know.…

What To Expect From a Sailing School

The short answer is that sailors can benefit from sailing school at any stage in their sailing lives. Perhaps the greatest benefits can be gained by attending a sailing school when people are beginnin…

The Benefits of Joining a Sailing Club or Organization

The major benefit of being involved in a community boating organization is that you can enjoy the great sport of sailing without the cost or expense of owning a boat. Professional instruction is also …

Tips for Planning the Perfect Overnight or Weekend Getaway!

Assuming that you are just sailing during the day and sleeping at night aboard, you only need to be practiced in basic navigation, anchoring and/or docking, and have experience in safe sailing under g…

Saltwater Fish - Pompano

Greenish gray on back, shading to silvery sides. Fish living in dark waters showing gold on throat, pelvic, and anal fins. The anal fin begins slightly behind the second dorsal. …

Saltwater Fishing - Atlantic Salmon Fishing Tips & Info

Two dorsal fins including one adipose fin, a narrow pointed tongue with four to six small teeth, dark pectoral fins, forked tail, and nine rays in anal fin.…

Saltwater Fish - Chinook Salmon

Two dorsal fins including one adipose fin, inside the mouth and gums, black, small spots on upper back and tail, 15 - 17 rays in anal fin.…

Saltwater Fish - Coho Salmon

Smaller than Chinook. Two dorsal fins including one adipose fin, inside of mouth black and gums between teeth gray, small spots on upper tail, 13-15 rays in anal fin.…

Saltwater Fish - Pink Salmon

Large hump on the back of mature males. Both males and females have large, oblong or oval spots on both the upper and lower portion of their tail and very small scales.…

Saltwater Fish - Chum Salmon

Silvery and has no distinct black spots, though it may have fine black speckling on the upper sides and back. Breeding males of the species have large, bared teeth,…

Saltwater Fish - Steelhead

Steelhead is a name given to rainbow trout that live in the Great Lakes. Rainbow trout are native to the Pacific Ocean along North America and to rivers and other fresh waters of North America west of…

Saltwater Fish - Shad

A large member of the herring family with green or greenish blue on the back and silvery sides, white underneath (colors darken when fish enters fresh water to spawn). The belly with sharp scales, or …

Saltwater Fish - Tarpon

Silver in color, with large heavy scales, tubular body, large uptilted mouth with protruding lower jaw. The last ray of the single dorsal fin is extended into a long filament.…

Saltwater Fishing - Albacore Tuna Profile & Fishing Tips

Fusiform body, dark blue or grey above and on fins, light grey below. A series of 7 to 8 dorsal finlets are yellowish, 7 to 8 anal finlets are silvery or dusky.…

Saltwater Fish - Bluefin Tuna

Fusiform body, robust, dark blue or black above and silvery white below with alternating pale lines and light dots.…

Saltwater Fish - King Mackerel

The king’s back is iridescent bluish green; sides silvery. A streamlined body with tapered head; no black pigment on front of dorsal fin; lateral line starts high and drops sharply below the second do…

Saltwater Fish - Spanish Mackerel

Back is green, shading to silver on sides, golden yellow irregular spots above and below lateral line. The front of dorsal fin is black; lateral line curves gently to base of tail.…

Saltwater Fish - Red Snapper

Brick red on its head and upper body, whitish silver below; long rectangular snout, and brilliant red eyes.…

Tips for Saltwater Fishing - Amberjack Fish Profile & Info

Distinctive olive-colored bar from the snout through the eye, to the beginning of the dorsal fin and a broad amber-colored strip running horizontally, along the flanks.…

Saltwater Fish - Blue Marlin

Cobalt blue on top shading to silvery white on bottom; upper jaw elongated to form a spear; dorsal fin pointed at front end; pectoral fin and anal fin pointed; lateral line reticulated (interwoven lik…

Saltwater Fish - Sailfish

Dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally with a silvery white underbelly; the upper jaw is elongated into a spear.…

Saltwater Fish - White Marlin

The body is dark blue to chocolate brown, shading to silvery white on the underbelly; noticeable spots on dorsal fin.…

Saltwater Fish - Black Sea Bass

Typically large-mouthed, bottom dwellers that are bluish black in color with light spots that form longitudinal stripes.…

Saltwater Fish - Bluefish

Blue or greenish blue on the back, sides silvery; mouth large; teeth prominent, sharp, and compressed. The dorsal and anal fins are nearly the same size; scales are small; lateral line is almost strai…

Saltwater Fish - Bonefish

Silvery color with bluish or greenish back; slender, round body; long, conical snout, aiming downward and overhanging the lower jaw. Dark streaks between scales on the upper half of the body and faint…

Saltwater Fish - Cobia

Long, slim fish with broad depressed head; lower jaw projects past upper jaw. Dark lateral stripe extends through the eye to the tail. First dorsal fin has 7 to 9 free spines. When young, has conspicu…

Saltwater Fish - Dolphin

Bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with the capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors. The body tapers sharply from head to tail with irregular blue or gold…

Saltwater Fish - Croaker

Chin with 3-5 pairs of small barbells and 5 pores. Caudal fins are double concave. Body is elongate and somewhat compressed with a deeply notched dorsal finwith 10 spines in the anterior portion and 1…

Saltwater Fish - Black Drum

Largest member of the Drum family. High arched back; 10 to 14 pairs of chin barbels; gray or black colored body with large scales in adults; young have 4 to 6 vertical bars.…

Saltwater Fish - Red Drum

Member of the croaker family with large reddish scales on their upper body and a blunt snout. Chin without barbels; copper bronze body, lighter shade in clear waters; one to many spots at base of tail…

Saltwater Fish - Sand Seatrout

Pale body color, yellow above, silver to white below; one or two prominent canine teeth usually at the tip of the upper jaw. Inside of mouth is yellow; no well-defined black spots on back; 10 to 12 so…

Saltwater Fish - Spotted Seatrout

Specs have a streamlined body, dark gray or green above, with sky blue tinges shading to silvery and white below. Numerous distinct round black spots on back, extending to the dorsal fins and tail; bl…

Saltwater Fish - Weakfish

Dark olive or blue-green back; sides covered in tones of blue, purple, lavender, gold and copper. Irregular diagonal rows of vaguely-defined dark spots appear above the lateral line.…

Saltwater Fish - Striped Bass

Striped bass is a silvery fish that gets its name from the seven or eight dark, continuous stripes along the side of its compressed body.…

Saltwater Fish - Halibut

In the Pacific, from Washington State north to Alaska including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Neah Bay, Sekiu, and Port Angeles. Also native to temperate waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean, where it …

Saltwater Fish - Flounder

Flounder have flat bodies with both eyes facing up. They are light to dark olive brown, marked with diffused dark blotches and spots on its back, undersides are white.…

Freshwater Fish - Trout

Trout are one of the most sought after angling species and will take a variety of natural and artificial baits. They favor cold, clear moving water—rivers and streams—but some species inhabit the dept…

Freshwater Fish - Bass

For sport anglers, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are two of the most prized quarries. Bass spend most of their time in lakes and rivers with plentiful fresh water. They tend to congregate in mos…

Freshwater Fish - Catfish

Many anglers simply love catfish. There are 37 catfish families, with species found in both freshwater and saltwater. Perhaps their most recognized traits are their catlike whiskers, or barbells, and …

Freshwater Fish - Carp

Although carp have been considered a nuisance by North American anglers, they are highly prized as sportfish in Europe, and can be excellent fighters. A growing number of anglers in the US are becomin…

Freshwater Fish - Perch

White perch are silvery and frequently have irregular dusky longitudinal lines along its body. They have a slightly projecting lower jaw and small teeth. Their dorsal fins are separate and their anal …

Freshwater Fish - Crappie

Taken together, black crappie and white crappie is the third most preferred group of freshwater sportfish, ranking behind only bass and catfish.Crappies’ gill covers have spines. The black crappie can…

Freshwater Fish - Eel

Eels can be a great catch for anglers, but are not a particularly popular catch. There are nearly 400 different species of eels.…

Freshwater Fish - Drum

Except for color, freshwater drum resembles its marine relative the red drum. The fish is deep-bodied and equipped with a long dorsal fin divided into two sections. The dorsal fin usually has 10 spine…

Freshwater Fish - Northern Pike

The northern pike is an elongated fish. Its dorsal region is bluish-green to gray in color, shading to white or yellow on the belly. This coloration distinguishes it from chain pickerel, redfin picker…

Freshwater Fish - Muskellunge

In general, identifying the hybrid tiger muskie from the muskellunge is fairly easy, though it can be more difficult with some individuals. The tiger muskie is named for the prominent light-colored, b…

Freshwater Fish - Chain Pickerel

Chain pickerel are aggressive fighters once hooked, thus making them an exciting catch. They are active through the winter, under the ice, so they can be caught by ice anglers. …

Freshwater Fish - Walleye

The walleye is named after its large opaque and almost blind-looking eye. The large reflective surface of its eyes gives the walleye a sight advantage over other fish and enables the predator to find …

Boat Buyer Guide: Tips on How to Buy a Boat

Plan ahead… There are a lot of choices. Allow enough time to explore many different types of boats, and several different brands within each category… This is a big investment that will change your li…

Tombstones for Busy People

This nation has a big problem. I call it The Big O. No, not obesity. Overscheduling. Simon and Garfunkel diagnosed this ailment years ago with their Feeling Groovy song. Slow down, you mov…

The Family Vacation

Summer’s here and many parents are contemplating whether to send the future of our country to manners school for three months or allow them to join the rest of the family on vacation. Recalling so…

Tips for Upgrading or Purchasing another Boat

Believe it or not, but boaters on average own five boats in their lifetime. This makes sense. As families change, our motivations for getting out on the water evolve. As we learn more about the boatin…

Party Time

Eager to entertain aboard your boat, but not sure how? Here are 10 fun ideas to help you get the party started. There's something about being on a boat that causes most people to cut loose a little…

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