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Stuff about boating stuff.

  • Articles

    Boat Shrink Wrap Florida

    Wrapped boat.Boat shrink wrap is the best and most economical way to protect your boat from the elements while it is in storage.  If you plan to store your boat for any length of time, especially outdoors you will want to find a way to protect it from the sun and elements.  UV rays from the sun, dust, wind, rain and bird droppings are all things that tend to do damage to boats while in storage.  Shrink wrap protects your boat from all these plus more!

    What Color should I Choose?

    Most people use white wrap.  White tends to reflect the most light and there is less heat build up inside a boat that is wrapped in white.  The other choices are blue and semi-transparent.  The blue works well in climates that expect snow in the winter as it absorbs both heat and UV from the sun which prevents snow from building up on the wrap.  In Florida, this is (usually) not a problem.   Semi-transparent is great if you plan to work on your boat while it is wrapped.  Even if you just plan to check on the boat regularly, the semi-transparent wrap allows light to penetrate the wrap and make it easier to see and work on the boat.

    Vents 

    One of the drawbacks of using wrap is heat build up when the sun is shining.  While we've already suggested that white is the best option to help keep things cool, vents in the the wrap are also an excellent option.  A good commercial wrap company will build in vents with just a bit of extra wrap and maybe some wrap tape.  Vents allow air to circulate through the boat, removing heat and also preventing moisture buildup.  Condensation can be an issue, especially on a boat that has just been pulled the from water.  Allow air to move though the boat scrubs moisture from the boat drying it out.

    Can I Shrink Wrap My Own Boat?

    The whole process of shrink wrapping a boat is not difficult.  However, the heating process is the tricky part.  Building a frame and pulling the plastic is easy – using the heat gun takes some amount of skill.  There is a certain art to wielding a heat gun.  The plastic must be heating to just the right temp to shrink tight enough, but not too much to cause it to thin out or worse … burning a hole.  If you do shrink your own boat, use smooth even strokes with the heat gun.  Work out the correct speed to heat the plastic properly without burning holes.  

    Hire a Mobile Shrink Wrapping Service

    This is probably the best option, especially if you've never wrapped a boat before.  A commercial wrap company can usually wrap a boat in a couple of hours.  They will make sure the wrap is tight without any bagginess which means that wind and water is shed better. While this is also the most expensive option, it is also the best option for keeping your boat safe and clean while in storage.

    Boat Shrink Wrap Companies in Florida

    http://www.mobileshrinkwrap.com

    http://www.usshrinkwrapinc.com/Boat_shrink_wrap_supplies.html

    http://www.usshrinkwrapinc.com/boatwrapping.html

  • Articles

    Different Types of Boat Docks

    If you own a boat, you must be thinking about installing a boat dock. What is the best type of boat dock for your needs? To answer this question, you must first consider all the boats and other watercraft you own. They are instrumental in determining the right type of boat dock for you. If you are planning to buy additional boats or other watercrafts in the future, you also need to keep them in mind. It is very costly and troublesome to modify or rebuild your current boat dock when a new watercraft arrives.

    Aside from the types of watercraft that you own and will own, there are two more things to consider. One is the variation in water levels and the other is the energy of the waves in your area. In some areas, water levels vary only slightly. In other areas, however, the variation is great enough to cause problems for fixed boat docks. You must do a little bit of experiment to record water level variation in your area. Waves can also be problematic sometimes. Some boat docks cannot stand up against very big waves. If your area has small waves, then there is no problem; but if your area has a lot of big waves, make sure that the boat dock you choose can stand up to those waves.

    The two main types of boat docks are stationary and floating boat docks. There are also wheeled or portable boat docks and those with slip docks. Furthermore, it is possible to choose a combination of the different types of boat docks in order to arrive at the design you want that also fits your needs and lifestyle. Do not forget that you can use boat docks for a different purpose when it is not in use. You can hold barbecues or parties on it. Your family and friends can surely have tons of fun there. So, keep this in mind when designing your boat dock.

    Fixed, standing or stationary boat docks are great for areas with rough water conditions. Boat docks of this type can easily allow waves to pass through its legs. However, if your area has deep water, has significant water level variation or has a muddy bed, then floating boat docks would be better for you. It does not require legs that need to reach the bed to keep it up. Floating boat docks also adjust better to water level fluctuations. Floating boat docks are anchored using cables, ramps, sea anchors or stiff arms.

    The boat dock that you choose will be a significant factor in your enjoyment of the waterfront experience. The right dock will last for many, many years. It can hold plenty of barbecue parties for years to come. In addition, it can complement the style of your lakefront home property and maybe increase its value. So spend some time in choosing the right boat dock for you. Make sure that it is durable and attractive, and only requires little maintenance. But first and foremost, it must be able to meet all your boating needs.

  • Articles

    Where to Find Authentic Nautical Wall Décor

    If you live on a sailboat, your room will not be complete if you do not have nautical wall décor. But even if you live far from the water, there is nothing wrong in decorating your room or your child’s room with authentic nautical wall décor. For most people, pictures or objects about the beach, the sea, sailing and other nautical themes are very relaxing and soothing. Regardless of where you live, you can always bring the ocean closer to your home by using nautical wall décor. Going into a room with a nautical theme complete with authentic nautical wall décor just may be the therapy you need after a stressful day at work.

    A nautical themed room with authentic nautical wall décor is not only for adults who want a relaxing environment. Many kids also want their rooms to be decorated with nautical elements. Some kids dream about the glories of sailing into uncharted territories and some want to be pirates. For these kids, a nautical wall décor means a lot fun.

    If your child is interested in a room with a nautical theme, you can easily decorate his or her room with nautical wall décor. There are many online sites where you can buy authentic nautical wall décor. You can check out Nautical Antiques & Décor if you live in Texas. You can also browse online at www.nauticalsupplyshop.com and in a number of other online sites.

    To liven up your kid’s room with a nautical theme, start with the paint. Choose a paint that looks like the color of the sea. A light or medium shade of blue will work wonderfully. However, any shade of blue will always work. Do not forget to put wall borders around the top or middle of the room. A border with nautical elements like a rope or similar materials will be great.

    Instead of painting your wall, you also have the option of using wallpaper. Many types of wallpaper have nautical themes. You can use wallpaper that has pictures of seahorses or other underwater animals or wallpaper drawn with little fishes and bubbles. The only limit is your creativity and imagination. Your choices are almost endless.

    Another way to approach the wall of your kid’s room is to divide it into two parts. The top part resembles the sky, and the bottom part resembles the sea. For the top part, it is nice to use a white or off-white paint. Again, you can also use wallpaper that has images of nice clouds and some birds instead.

    After painting the room, add more nautical wall décor to make it complete. Purchasing a number of nautical themed accessories to add to your kid’s room is the next step. A fishnet toy holder that you hang from the top of the wall is a nice addition to your kid’s room. Your child will now enjoy tidying up his or her room and placing all toys in this toy holder. A plush toy fish will not be out of place here. There are many other nautical wall décor for you to choose. There are oars, maps, buoys, ropes/rope ladder, anchors and clocks. Take your pick or buy them all.

    If you want to, you can even go as far as buying a custom-made bed that is in the shape of a boat. Your child is definitely going to love this one. He or she will feel like a real pirate or sailor sailing the seven seas under a clear sky.

  • Articles

    Life Jackets Save Lives

    When you are on a boat or riding a jet ski, you should always wear a life jacket. Life jackets are very important and should be worn all the time as much as possible when aboard a watercraft. Do not wait for something dangerous to come up before wearing your life jacket. High-speed crafts like RIBs are very fast; therefore, accidents can happen so suddenly that you will not have the time to grab a life jacket, much less wear one. Life jackets can increase a person’s chances of surviving a boat accident most especially in rough, open water and in remote regions where it might take some time before rescue arrives.

    Due to the importance of life jackets, the US Coast Guard has several legislation regarding their use. For instance, they have a regulation that recreational boats must have life jackets or wearable personal floatation devices onboard. The number of life jackets should at least be equal to the number of persons aboard the boat so that each person can have one personal floatation device. Boats that are 16 feet or longer should also have at least one personal floatation device that can be thrown to someone in the water. But having life jackets onboard is not enough. The life jackets must be easily accessible and not hidden somewhere in the bottom of a trunk, or securely tied to the side of the boat.

    But even with the numerous federal and state rules and regulations regarding the use of life jackets, many people still do not use them. People have numerous reasons, but none is valid. Some people choose not to wear life jackets because they think life jackets do not look good. For them life jackets are just plain ugly to look at. However, newer life jackets are stylish. They do not look like big orange chunks of foam anymore. Many manufacturers of life jackets have been targeting the style conscious market of beach goers and boaters. Lately, there is even a prototype of a bikini life jacket. This bikini life jacket has floatation materials sewn into places where a bikini normally covers the female body. To encourage children to wear life jackets, you can now buy devices with popular cartoon characters. So, do not be surprised to see SpongeBob life jackets at the beach.

    Another reason why some people do not wear life jackets is that they consider themselves strong swimmers. Are life jackets not necessary for you if you are a strong swimmer? I do not think so. Even if you are a strong swimmer, life jackets can still be of great help in making sure that you survive. In case of a boat collision, you might be thrown off and hit something hard. The padding in life jackets can help absorb some of the impact and minimize injuries. In addition, most life jackets normally have bright, reflective colors. This can help a lot in search and rescue operations, especially at night. Finally, even if you are a strong swimmer, you will soon tire of treading water. This is a huge problem when you are in a remote area where rescue may take some time.

    Never underestimate the value of life jackets. Look for one that fits you perfectly and always wear it whenever there is even a small chance of falling into the water. Life jackets are supposed to be worn, not hidden in some storage compartment.

  • Articles

    Boat Seats: What are Your Options?

    If you search long enough around the Internet, you will find a variety of boat seats. You might even get confused due to the number of different types and styles of boat seats to choose from. So, if you are planning to buy boat seats, the first thing you must do is to be familiar with the different styles, sizes, shapes and types that are available in the market. The boat seat that you want to buy is one that is affordable and made of excellent quality materials. Look for the perfect boat seat that would complement your boat, enhance its look and improve its comfort level. However, try not to spend a fortune doing it.

    The type of boat that you own will normally dictate and narrow down your boat seat options. If your boat is a luxury cruiser that is built for fun and leisure, you should not select a boat seat that is wobbly or cramped. If, on the other hand, yours is a fishing boat, do not bother purchasing boat seats that are a bit on the expensive side and have the highest quality cushions. Those comfy cushions could easily be damaged after you put your fishing boxes on them. Buy the right type of boat seat to match your boat.

    In the case of ferryboats, there are quite a few people aboard at the same time; therefore, saving room is of utmost importance. That is why it is common to see boat seats placed back to back from each other in ferryboats. This type of boat seat is appropriate for this kind of boat because you can save plenty of valuable space using this arrangement. You do not necessarily neglect comfort when it comes to ferryboat seats; it just takes a back seat. The more people you can safely cram in a ferryboat, the better; seats that save a lot of space are the order of the day here.

    Luxury boats need a different type of boat seat. Here, you are not concerned about cramming a number of people in the boat. Durability is also not the first thing on your list. What you need for this boat is an extremely comfortable boat seat. Choose a boat seat with comfy cushions if it is to be located indoors such as in a cabin. For boat seats that will be placed outdoors like in the deck, those that have ultraviolet sun protection are ideal. The looks of the seat are also very important for this type of boat. Look for a boat seat that will complement the interior or exterior of your boat.

    With the advent of the Internet, finding the right boat seat for your boat is very easy. There are many online stores selling boat parts and accessories. Google is your friend. Do not forget to check online forums dedicated to boating, too. You can get useful buying tips and bargains there. Auction sites like eBay are also good options. If you do some sleuthing around, you can also spot bargains in sites like Craigslist.com. Do not limit yourself only to cyberspace. Check the classified ads in your local newspaper. You might be able to get a good deal there. Finally, if you are skilled and handy with tools, and have an eye for design, there are even websites that teach you how to make your own custom boat seats. Take your pick.

  • Articles

    How to Find a Boat Accident Attorney

    A boat accident refers to vessels that experience capsizing, grounding, flooding, swamping, sinking, fire or explosion, ski mishap, collision with another vessel, collision with a foreign object, striking a submerged object, etc. The most common watercrafts that are involved in boating accidents are typically powerboats such as runabouts, cabin cruisers and jet skis. Sailboats can be involved in accidents as well, though such instances are less common. Propeller accidents and collisions frequently cause most injuries.

    When someone you know encounters a boat accident, you must see to it that a boating accident report is filed. You must also seek a boat accident attorney. A boat accident attorney is a lawyer specializing in accidents involving watercraft. When you look for a boat accident attorney, try to determine whether he or she has experience in boat accident cases. An experienced boat accident attorney can really help you a lot in your case. It would even be better if you can find a boat accident attorney who is not only well versed in boat accidents but also a boater himself or herself.

    You must also look for a boat accident attorney who practices within the place where your case will be tried. Do not select out of town lawyers. You will incur additional costs if your boat accident lawyer has to travel a great distance to represent you in court. A boat accident attorney who practices locally has the advantage of knowing the other players like the opposing counsel and the judge. This will speed up the litigation of your case, as they are already familiar with each other. There will be more harmony and lesser misunderstandings in the courtroom as they have probably worked together already in the past. Additionally, if you have questions regarding the case or if you need to meet with your attorney to prepare for a coming hearing, it is easier to go to your lawyer’s office if he or she practices locally.

    Another thing to consider when choosing a boat accident attorney is his or her communication skills with nonprofessionals. Make sure that your lawyer explains things to you in plain language. Law is already technical enough without adding boating terms and concepts to the equation. Your boat accident attorney might be very good in communicating in the courtroom but if both of you cannot understand each other very well, it could hurt your case. You need to provide him or her with vital information regarding the accident. There is no room for miscommunication between the two of you.

    The boat accident attorney that you choose must also be willing to settle and compromise. However, she must also be willing and capable of fighting for your right with all her might when it becomes necessary. Arriving at a settlement or compromise agreement can be a good thing. Litigation is too costly and takes a huge amount of time and effort. If your boat accident attorney is skilled in negotiation, you might be able to win without having to fight at all. Nevertheless, not every party is willing to settle or compromise. The opposing party might be more inclined to duke it out in court. If that is the case, your boat accident attorney must be ready, able and willing to fight for you.

  • Articles

    Steps to Avoiding a Boat Accident

    Unlike cars, it is a bit more difficult to maneuver a boat. A boat’s steering mechanism is not as responsive as that of most land-based vehicles. You cannot change directions as quickly as you can in a car or a motorcycle. Boats also do not immediately stop when you “step on the brakes.” Therefore, you need to be very prepared, cautious and alert when you skipper a boat in order to prevent a boat accident.

    Boat accidents cause some of the most tragic deaths in the United States. There were more than five thousand boat accidents recorded in the whole country during the year 2007. These boat accidents caused around three thousand injuries. Boat accident damages reached up to fifty million US dollars. These figures should be enough to encourage boaters to educate themselves on how to avoid a boat accident.

    But first, you need to know what a boat accident means. A boat accident refers to vessels that experience capsizing, grounding, flooding, swamping, sinking, fire or explosion, ski mishap, collision with another vessel, collision with a foreign object, striking a submerged object, etc. Of all the accident types enumerated, you must especially pay close attention to collision with another vessel. This is the number one thing to watch out for whenever you are on a motor boat. Collision with another vessel tops the list of the top five primary boat accidents. Compared to the other types of boat accidents, a collision with another vessel is more than two times more likely to happen than any other type of boat accident.

    There are a number of primary contributing factors in a boat accident. First on the list is the careless or reckless operation of the vessel. The next is plain inattention. Other factors are inexperience, passenger behavior, excessive speed and the use of alcohol. Dealing with these primary contributing factors can greatly help you avoid a boat accident.

    Knowing the primary contributing factors in a boat accident is the first step to avoid such accidents. If you can eliminate these factors, then you will be much safer. Of course, there are not a lot of things you can do about the weather and hazardous waters. You just have to tune in to weather reports and forecasts, and stay home or dock when the weather is tough. Most boat accidents, though, are preventable. They are usually caused by negligent actions of either the passengers or the skipper. According to the coast guard, human error accounts for more boat accidents than natural phenomena do.

    Since careless or reckless operation of the vessel and inattention round up the top two primary contributing factors in a boat accident, you should strive to be cautious and careful all the time. Avoid alcohol as it lowers your reaction time and makes you reckless. Always keep your eyes open and watch out for any object or vessel near your craft. Control your speed. Do not move faster than you can react when something comes up. Finally, do not neglect proper education. Taking a boat safety course is the best thing that you can do to prevent many boat accidents.