Category: Boats

Inboard-outboard, inboard, and outboard motors. All terms describe different types of engine setups on boats. Which is best, and how…

You might want to start a boat out of the water for many reasons, from boat maintenance to just running…

There comes a time in every boat’s life when it isn’t worth fixing up. Sometimes this is a result of…

One very noticeable difference between operating a boat is that there are no posted speed limits. In fact, there are…

When you first learn about boats, one of the trickier nautical terms to get your mind around is the use…

There’s a ton of jargon to learn when you’re new to boating. Simple things–like what you call the steering wheel…

Many RVers and boaters carry a recreational kayak with them on their adventures. Kayaks are the nautical equivalent of bicycles–they…

Protecting your eyes and enhancing your vision are vital parts of the sailing lifestyle. Sailing without sunglasses can cause long-term…

Of all of the sailing materials found on the modern cruising or liveaboard sailboat, the sailing fabrics that make up…

A boat’s beam is the widest point of the boat. It’s an important measurement to know, just like the length…

Something that gets less attention than it should in the boating world is boat beds. Boat makers equip boats with…

Like many outdoorsmen and women, sailors know the importance of a knife. The best sailors knife is the one that’s…

It’s hard to imagine a sea-faring captain standing at the helm of his tall ship and barking orders to his…

Hand steering a sailboat is so much fun–until it isn’t. In actuality, it’s tiring work that requires more concentration than…

Transom is an old word deeply rooted in tradition, like many nautical terms. The word is also used in architecture…

It is often said that a boater’s dinghy is like their car. When traveling between ports, you will often only…

Captains log, Stardate 5923.1. The sailing vessel Dulcinea is enroute to the Proxima Centari star cluster at 3.5 knots. If…

Cutter rigs are often more prevalent in boating magazines and theory than they are in your marina. Most cruising sailboats…

Now and again, you come across a word in sailing that piques your interest. Sometimes it’s a word you know…

Love them or hate them, aluminum sailboats are an excellent option for serious blue water cruising. They’re robust and sturdy…

A watermaker is one of the miracles of modern cruising life. These marvels of modern technology make fresh drinking water…

Every boat has holes in it. Say what? That’s right–boats come with holes in the bottom called through hulls. In…

One of the inevitable parts of owning a sailboat is climbing the mast. Some people enjoy this task. For them,…

Having more than one anchor onboard is good seamanship. Most of the time, cruising boats can simply set their primary…

For most of a boat’s life, its gelcoat will survive if taken care of. However, occasionally you become the caretaker…

Christening your boat is a wonderful way to celebrate your new addition. A christening ceremony allows friends and family to…

There was a time when all of the rigging components onboard a tall ship were made from rope. This was…

Many sailors balk at the idea of leaving their boat in the water at a marina. Slip fees are expensive,…

Imagine heading into the sunset—out of your ordinary life and sailing across the Pacific. Mai-Tais and tropical island oases await,…

My wife and I were lucky enough to live the catamaran cruising lifestyle for four years on our Lagoon 380.…

If you want to go on a daysail this week, a week-long vacation over the holidays, and then sail to…

When nature calls, you don’t want to be out of sight of land.  Unless you’re prepared, of course. Many boats…

What is a transmission? Before you can understand if a boat has one, you’ll have to decide what a transmission…

The points of sail refer to the boat’s current angle compared to the wind’s direction. For example, if you are…

For generations, sailing has been a mode of essential transportation, a rewarding hobby, an active and competitive sport, and a…

In most states, vehicles that drive on public highways and roads are licensed to do so by the DMV (Department…

Understanding some of the basics is fundamental to understanding all the latest trends and most exciting technologies in boat design. …

Boat power systems vary greatly depending on how the owner uses the boat. Therefore, it is tough to figure out…

Boats come in all shapes and sizes, so you might be wondering what fuel do boats use. The answer is…

Whether you’re at the helm of your inflatable tender, a center console fishing boat, or a decked-out express cruiser, go-fast…

If you’re a dreamer like me—and it seems that all boaters are!—then you might spend a lot of time looking…

Boat keys are considerably less complex than car keys. That’s good news because if you’re trying to replace a lost…

Since humans began building ships and sailing the Seven Seas, barnacles on boats have been causing problems. Even today, with…

Operating a marine engine in your boat is a little different than a car. A boat engine uses seawater to…

You can learn a lot about boat lights if you just think about what they are for and what they…

In different countries, cars steer on different sides of the road. For example, in the U.S., cars drive on the…

If you run your boat in water that is too shallow, you will run aground. This simple fact is obvious…

Why measure sails? Sailmaking is a complex discipline that blends elements of science and art. Perhaps you want to get…

Sailboats are a little bit like airplanes in some ways. Their sails work like wings, sure. But they also cannot…

Winter is coming! If you are a boat owner, it’s time to learn how to winterize a boat motor. Winterizing…

Boating laws vary from state to state, but generally, most places require boaters to have some amount of education. So…

Sea Ray is one of the best-known brands of powerboats on the market. The company has been in business for…

Sailboats are designed to harness the wind and travel where ever they want to go, right? But many people don’t…

If you’re new to sailing, you might be wondering what the best sailing wind speed is. It seems like an…

Picking the size of your first boat is one of the hardest choices you’ll ever have to make, at least…

What exactly is a yacht, anyway? Does it have to be a motor boat? But what about large sailing yachts?…

There are a lot of different sailboats in the world. In fact, they’ve been making sailboats for thousands of years.…

One of the first sailing fundamentals you learn with you’re new to the world of sailing is the idea of…

Here’s another one of those terms that sounds simple to define but is actually a bit more complicated. Most people…

What comes to mind when you think of a speed boat? Obviously, it’s fast. But is it big enough to…

What could be more romantic or inspiring than living on a sailboat? Maybe you dream of traveling and “sailing off…

If your boat is looking a little tired, you might think a fresh coat of gel coat or paint will…

Sailboat keels are more complex than many people give them credit for. Most people intuitively realize that the weight of…

You’ve probably heard that one of the best reasons to get a catamaran is because they’re fast. After all, there’s…

Anchoring is a complex art form that requires knowing a bit of the theory and then practicing every chance you…

Fire is without a doubt the scariest emergency any boater can face. There are few more dangerous places than in…

In the United States, there are very few education requirements for boaters. That means that many people learn the ropes…

Of all of the systems on a boat, the fuel system seems to be one of the simplest. After all,…

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of names for the many varied types of sails found on sailboats. Sailboats have…

The debate between catamarans vs monohulls still rages, and most boaters are firmly on one side or the other. The…

For years, catamarans have dominated the multihull segment. Cruisers love to live aboard and sail the world on sailing catamarans.…

There are trips that anyone can do in the sailing world, and then there are trips that only adventure-seekers want…

Have you ever noticed how most sailboats have numbers on their sails? It’s one of those small details that you…

Swing keels are an often misunderstood sailboat feature. They stand unique as a capable offshore sailboat with good windward performance—but…

Of all of the skills a sailor needs, reefing a sail quickly is one of the most important. Reefing is…

Boat knots intimidate a lot of would-be boaters. Some people even avoid sailboats altogether simply because they can’t get their…

A chartplotter is a marvel of modern technology that would make the explorers and adventurers of yesteryear green with envy.…

Sailing across the North Atlantic is probably the most common bluewater passage on the planet—but there’s still plenty of adventure…

Dreaming of quitting the 9-to-5 and sailing away into the sunset? Are you wondering if it’s an unattainable lifestyle of…

Single-handed boats aren’t just limited to solo travelers. Many cruising couples will tell you that it’s a good idea to…

Nothing denotes a salty off-the-grid ready yacht more than the sight of a wind generator mounted on the stern. Once,…

Sailboats are not the best choice of transportation when speed is an essential factor. The average speed of the typical…

A “bluewater sailboat” is capable of seeing those blue waters. It’s capable of venturing offshore, and it’s capable of the self-sufficiency required to survive out there. 

Asking a sailor to pick the best sailboat brands is like asking a car enthusiast to pick the best sports…

There is an undeniable romanticism to the idea of living on a sailboat. Sailboats speak to traveling the world—going wherever the wind takes you.

New boat owners commonly wonder what products and techniques they should be using to clean their boats. Is cleaning and boat detailing all that hard? Let’s look at the best techniques and products to use for cleaning your floating home inside and out.

Still, got mold or mildew stains building up on your boat seats? It’s time to break out the big guns. Here are some ways of removing mildew from boat seats.