Ever drive your boat up on a dry mudbank, shoal or sandbar? Hit an unmarked hazard? Get lost in the fog? Lose your electronics due to a lightning strike and not be able to find your way back?
Boating is meant to be fun! How often have you heard kayaks, canoes, sailboats, ski boats, fishing boats, and more called “pleasure craft?” Yet with the fun, comes responsibility. Your safety and enjoyment, as well as that of your passengers and those with whom you share the water, rely on some basic knowledge of laws and common courtesy. Are you a safe boater? Take this quiz to test your safe boating IQ and you might add some boating skills too!
We’ve all been there before, especially those who live in the “North Country”. The day has been booked off work for weeks, or the lake had been flat calm all day, but the wind kicks out 3-foot waves. It’s safe enough to go fishing, but there’s got to be a way to slow the drift of your boat down so that you just don’t sail over the fish!
Inflatable life jackets or vests are popular items for anglers and boaters. Although easy to use, vests require ongoing care and maintenance to keep them in good working order throughout their lifespan.
If you’re going to be on the water, you need a certified, wearable personal floatation device also known as a PFD or life vest. It’s required by law, and it’s only smart. However, the array life vests and life jackets from which you have to choose can be confusing even to a crusty old seafarer. This convenient guide shows you what various types of PFDs look like and how they work.
Did you know that historically, July has been by far the most dangerous month for boating accidents and fatalities? Last year was no different, with over 900 reported accidents during the month of July, primarily on the weekends, according to the United States Coast Guard 2013 Recreational Boating Statistics Report.
This past weekend I attended the annual conference of the Outdoor Writers of Ohio (OWO). As the current president of OWO, I'm involved with the planning of most of the organization's activities. During the annual meeting, conference planners seek out various outdoor pursuits that represent the area of the conference location well. The conference was held in Athens, which is just south of the Hocking Hills Region (cliffs, caves and other geological wonders).
Every boater on the water should be able to read and understand colored navigational aids. Knowing what these aids mean is very important to the safety of everyone on the water.
The safety industry is continually improving Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) — also commonly called life jackets or life vests — for water activities and water conditions to encourage the full-time use of PFDs. The result is a vast amount of choices for the consumer. This buyer's guide provides information on PFD types and tips for choosing a life vest.
Boat and sport shows are in high gear typically from January through March, with tens of thousands of people attending. These are the people who are most knowledgeable about buying a new boat; because they are doing their home work.
