Aside from taking a boat exam, getting your boating license and adhering to all the various rules and regulations of operating a watercraft, there is also a certain etiquette that should be followed. With so many people on the water, cruising here and there, it’s important that a certain decorum be followed and rules of etiquette observed so everyone can have an enjoyable time. Your boating license card will let authorities know that you have taken the required boat exam and you know what you’re doing on the water, but it’s up to you to learn common boating etiquette before you go out on the water. You’ll likely be able to find literature outlining the correct way to handle yourself in marinas, boating stores and on the water.

It’s always a good idea to be mindful of the waves you’re leaving behind as you operate your watercraft. Those waves, known as the wake, can disrupt other boats and swimmers as you go by if you don’t show some courtesy and slow down. Unsuspecting passengers on other boats could even be thrown overboard if the wake you leave is too bumpy to handle. It’s not like leaving a wake will get your boating license taken away, but you won’t make any friends among the other boaters. Slow down as you approach other boats or if swimmers are close by, and you’ll reduce your wake.

Launching and docking areas are another place where lack of etiquette can result in frustration. When you’re launching your boat, be sure to secure your belongings and take care of all tasks beforehand that you can. Taking extra time getting your boat in the water when there is a line up of people waiting to do the same will result in some angry boaters. The same holds true when you’re refueling your boat. Don’t move too slowly, or stand around and chitchat when others are waiting to add fuel to their boats. When you’re docking or mooring your boat, follow any tips you learned while taking your boat exam, but also be sure to keep your lines away from any places where someone might trip on them.

If you like to use your boat as a traveling party, be mindful of other boaters when the noise levels start to escalate. If you receive any complaints, be sure to tone it down. It’s even better if you never get to that point. Remember to observe any alcohol and boating laws so you don’t lose your boating license privileges. Always keep in mind that you are sharing the water, and some people choose boating for the peaceful aspect of the activity and not the partying aspect. The same is true of noisy motors.

Practicing boating techniques that produce a lot of noise should be done when the least amount of other boaters are around. Keeping the water and your boat clean are other boating etiquette practices that should also be observed at all times. If you litter in the water, you may find yourself having to show your boating license to the authorities, but even if you don’t, it’s just common courtesy and common sense to keep the water as clean as possible for everyone else.

——

Fun and safety go hand in hand. Get your boating safety the easy and safe way.

Boating holidays are a wonderful way to spend the summer! Just pack your bags and float around on a houseboat or a yacht for a few weeks, enjoying the sunshine, fishing and swimming and visiting towns along the shoreline. It’s comparable in cost to staying in a hotel, with so much less hassle. And it’s great for the whole family, especially the kids. Children always find entertainment on and around water. They swim and snorkle, while adults relax in a fold-up chair with a cool drink and a book.

Boating holidays, as opposed to travel on large cruise ships, offer a more intimate and relaxed voyage without the bustle of thousands of mega-ship passengers all around you. And the venues are more intriguing than the tourist traps visited by the big cruise ships. The smaller boats are surprisingly well-serviced, with features such as showers and sometimes bicycles for tours around the countryside during stops.

Many online services throughout the world offer trips on local canals and lakes surrounded by historic locations. What about a canal trip throughout Holland? This seafaring nation was built on marshland, and vestiges of the marsh still remain in the form of canals criss-crossing the whole country connecting quaint towns (with architecture carefully preserved, thanks to Dutch laws against the remodeling of historic buildings) to cosmopolitan cities such as Amsterdam.

England and Wales also have canals, are a multitude of tours are available, such as Llangollen, Four Counties and Cheshire Rings, Oxford and Avon canals, and the river Thames. Unknown to most tourists, there is a network of waterways that traverse England from Yorkshire to Avon and into Wales. See different historic towns without battling holiday drivers on Europe’s crowded roads (and believe me, if you are used to driving only on North America’s wide freeways, European traffic will give you a shock).

In Scotland, how about a boating holiday on 23-mile long Loch Ness? There’s no guarantee Nessie will show up, but you are bound to be impressed by the rugged grandeur of the Great Glen and the battle-scarred castles surrounding it. It is one of Europe’s most spellbinding locations, and a pleasant surprise to those under the impression that there is no wilderness left in Europe. Eagles, ospreys and other rare birds and even otters live in this pristine environment. Needless to say, opportunities for fishing abound. Visit the Loch Ness Center at Drumnadrochit to learn the in-depth history of the area.

Don’t forget to consider a romantic 2012 kia optima houston holiday on the waterways of France. The canals of Brittany, Burgundy, Alsace, River Charente, River Lot and the South of France offer beauty, culture, and inimitable French food and wine enroute.

In North America, the Great Lakes region is so large it is impossible to see it all on one 2-week boating holiday. The St. Lawrence River is one of the most important rivers on the North American continent. It begins in the Great Lakes, leading to as vast estuary before ending in the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 500 miles long, and forms the border between Canada and the USA for approximately 100 miles. Sail up the St. Lawrence canal on a tour into French Canada for spectacular northern scenery and wildlife such as Beluga whales.

While on the topic of North American boating holiday destinations, let’s not forget Lake Tahoe. This is a perenially popular tourist destination, and every American who has the chance should visit this unique lake at least once. There are Emerald Bay sightseeing cruises on the Tahoe Queen, and rides on the M.S. Dixie II paddlewheeler. There is also a 44-foot trimaran and 55-foot catamaran. Small family boats are available for private family rental. Lake Tahoe offers many upscale resorts and restaurants as well as historic tours.

Boating is a lifestyle which hundreds of Americans like. It is enjoyable for folks who like being out on the open waters. Yachting is entertaining but does require specialized training and awareness. There is much more to it than simply grabbing the wheel and starting the engine. Although yachting is fun, nonetheless, it is also a hobby where you have to pay a lot of attention to safety. There are some items to think about before you get your boat on the water. Do you know how to operate a boat in tight spaces? What about reading charts; these are some requirements prior to taking your boat out.

Boating is a major pastime in Florida, roughly one quarter of the US vessels are located here. A good number of dining establishments also have docking areas reserved for hungry boaters. Cruising is such a big part of so many people’s existence all over the Coast. While many people enjoy boating, however, it can also be a way where many make their livelihood as captains of charter boats and delivery crews. Recreational boating is one of America’s chief hobbies, and therefore one can assume that it’s vital to the economy all over the country. Florida’s marine economy generates over 10 billion in sales per year.

To many people, cruising is simply a fantastic brief method to escape the daily grind. And the fact is, boating is an activity almost anyone can do and appreciate. Time out on the water is obviously vastly different from a day in your office and these cruises have a tendency to stick in your memory. When you experience waking up on the water it is as good as it gets and you only live once. With the Intracoastal Waterway positioned just to the west, getting on the waterway is as simple as walking out on our back deck.

Full-time cruising on a boat is a very social means to take a trip and come into contact with the nation’s rivers and waterways. One of the fascinating things about traveling on a vessel is that you come across an incredible number of good individuals, grow to be good friends in a short span of time and then you might not visit them again for a long time. Then out of the blue you hear their vessel name on the radio or go by them on the waterway and meet them at the next marina and renew that past relationship. Living and traveling on a boat is not for the easily intimidated or anyone lacking persistence or sound problem solving expertise; there is always something to fix on a vessel. I am sure you have heard that traveling on a boat is nothing more than living the Jimmy Buffett lifestyle all the time; that’s an extreme exaggeration.

There are those who live on their vessels full time. A live aboard is a person who resides on a boat but also experiences an essentially “normal” basic life. Living on the boat full time has made us feel far removed from the bustling of land living. Life on board reduces the pressures in your life. Living aboard a boat is not consistently trouble-free but it has a lot of benefits. Life on board a vessel does not come without a noteworthy degree of challenge.

Perhaps living aboard is not for everyone, but you are not signing your life away, even if you simply would like to experience it for a limited period. Day-to-day living on a vessel is not very different from that of “dirt dwellers” however there exists no superior site on this planet to be alive.

Mike Dickens, the author, is a live aboard boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA.
Paradise Yachts offers used quality yachts to customers worldwide.
National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431
Interact with us at the Trawler Blog
Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale

When you are boating there are all kinds of different fabrics and materials that you need to hang, zip and attach in one way and another. The sails need to be hung in a sail boat of course, the boat cover fabric needs to be tied across your boat, the convertible tops need to be snapped into place or removed and they need to be zipped to the windshield.

In other words then, if you are out boating, then chances are that you are constantly zipping, popping and plugging to get everything into place. As you will be doing this regularly, and as your fabrics will be subjected to strong wind on the open sea and as a result of your boat travelling perhaps at high speeds, it is thus necessary that many different types of fasteners existeach of which can provide a very secure attachment relatively quickly. Here we will see what some of those are, the purpose they serve and how to use them correctly.

Grommets: Grommets are circular loops that fit into a range of canvas fabrics. The concept behind grommets is that they allow you to thread either a rope or a rod through your fabric so that it can be tied down or hung. As such then they can be seen in a range of settings from the sales to the curtains. To insert grommets into your fabrics you will need a grommet tool which will normally come as part of a grommet kit.

Canvas Snaps: Canvas snaps are similar to the poppers you find on some shirts. Essentially they are plugs that allow you to snap your canvas into place. However like many marine tools these are much stronger of course than the ones you would find on your shirts, and they are used for purposes such as attaching your convertible tops to your boats. When detaching canvas snaps it is important to pull them out one at a time, as sudden force can sometimes cause the fabric to otherwise tear.

Velcro: Velcro is used in less heavy duty settings but can be quite strong across large distances. Velcro is the material that you find on trainers that allows one piece of fabric to attach to another using two halvesone made from tiny hooks and the other made from a receptive fluffy surface. The downside of fabric is that it can collect dust and dirt over time and thus become less effective meaning it requires occasionally replacing.

Twist and Lock Fastener: A twist and lock fastener has many different uses. The closest analogous item you might come across on land is the fastener used on some women’s purses and bags. Here there is a ‘top’ half which can twist and when doing so twists a bottom half in order to lock it into a holder. It can be removed easily then by twisting it back the other way. It’s a strong hold and normally does not require quite the same force to apply as say canvas snaps.

For marine fastening needs follow the links. Here you will find curtain grommets, marine snaps and more.

You don’t have to be driving a car to be charged with drunk driving. If you get a boating DUI, you will get into enough trouble that you need to call a DUI lawyer. Just as driving your car or another vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is against the law, so is boating under the influence. Operating a boat or another maritime vessel is illegal if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or greater. According to your own personal circumstances with your case, when you speak to a knowledgeable DUI lawyer immediately he will help to protect your rights and might also possibly have the charge reduced to a lesser offence or dismissed.

Misdemeanor Charge

Most of the time the DUI is considered a misdemeanor, particularly if it is your first offense. A boating DUI is oftentimes termed as a BUI – which means boating under the influence or boating while intoxicated. When you repeatedly boat while under the influence or intoxicated and are also arrested three times in ten years, you’re likely to be arrested for a felony. Any boating DUI charge can cause someone to incur jail time, steep fines, and other penalties. Generally, the more serious your DUI boating charge is, the greater will be the potential for you serving time in jail or paying out extremely high fees. The courts also will suspend your boating privileges until your DUI case is settled. It is possible that the court will likely suspend your driver’s license, even though you weren’t driving a motor vehicle when you were arrested. Any penalties that you can incur while receiving a traditional DUI also apply to boating.

A BUI Is Serious

BUI isn’t a DUI charge, yet when you’re charged with boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol it is a serious issue. When you’re linked to DUI on the water, you will find extremely serious consequences. The penalties can range from a misdemeanor charge to a felony charge for habitual offenders. Fines that you’ll face for boating while drunk can run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Based on the circumstances with your individual case and just how serious the charge is, you may be jailed for as low as a few months up to a year or maybe more. In California, passengers on a boat are able to consume alcohol, although passengers in a car in California cannot drink from an open container. Aside from this difference, the laws governing boating while drinking are nearly the same as those for driving while drinking. Often, when someone is charged with BUI, it will be because they have drawn the interest of the Coast Guard or some other waterway officers by boating recklessly or speeding.

Legal Defenses For Boating While Drunk

Never assume all persons that are accused of boating while drunk are guilty. Your DUI lawyer will formulate a defense to aid you that is based on all of the facts found in your case. Sometimes the breathalyzer, the equipment used for determining drunkenness, has a maintenance issue or is faulty and can cause your test results to be erroneous. Speaking with your DUI lawyer should help him to determine which defense would be the best for your particular situation.

BUI is basically driving under the influence while in a boat, and it is a severe charge. Contacting your DUI lawyer at the earliest opportunity following your arrest for DUI while boating is vital to the successful outcome of your case.

——

If you need a great Sacramento DUI lawyer then take a look at the Law Offices of Brianne Doyle. You can find out more online or call her at 916-806-6400. She’s a top notch Sacramento DUI attorney and can help you get through your DUI arrest.

I dont entirely agree when people say that experience is the best teacher. For me, other peoples experience is the best teacher. My dad was part of the first generation in the family to be interested in boating. Each summer and every holiday that we can, he would take our family to go fishing and enjoy water activities by the lake. Why bother to go through all the mistakes my father did with his boat when I can learn from them?
I have learned from my dad that boat maintenance is very important to keep make its service life longer. His boat did not last as long as it should. For most of the year and through winter, boats are mostly in storage. They should still be maintained regularly in spite of this. I learned through the years that there is a variety of tasks that need to be done to keep boats in top shape.
I was able to acquire my pre-owned boat through a loan provided by a bad credit lender. At that time, it was very hard to get approved for a loan in the bank. Bad credit lenders provide great deals and fair interest rates which made their offer unbeatable. Having a pre-owned boat enabled me to get a better deal than a brand new boat. It was only used for a couple of months by its previous owner. The care and maintenance I invested have made it still seem brand new in its look and performance.
I always made sure that my boat was scrubbed squeaky clean after every use and regularly when in storage. The same care required by your cars paint should be extended to your boats finish. Doing this protects it from all outside elements. Wax should be applied at least twice a year. Bear in mind that it will be most prone to scratches when docking so exercise utmost caution and care when doing so.
Just like with my car, I always check the fluid levels in the engine. Boats may have different types of batteries, each requiring unique care and maintenance. Always ensure that batteries are charged properly. I can remember the time when my dads boats batteries died on him when he was in the middle of the lake. I swore that will never happen to me.
All the care and maintenance can add years to your boat. However there will come a time when stretching its service life can already be dangerous. When its time to dock your boat for good, do so. You wouldnt want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere with a sinking boat. Anyway, you can always get funding for a brand new boat from your local bad credit lender. Manufacturers provide estimates on how long boats should be in service and we should always follow that. You will be glad that by the time that you would want to acquire a new boat, there will be newer and more sophisticated models that can outperform your previous boat. And dont forget that:
 Learning from the experiences of others in boating is the best teacher
 Boats service life can be extended with the right care and maintenance
 The finish protects it against the elements
 You can get awesome deals on boat loans through bad credit lenders
 You have to replace your boat when it is already time

Rachel Schwartz is the Marketing Manager of BHM Financial – one of the most trusted names in the bad credit loan industry. This company may be able to help you reach your financial goals. Please visit our Bad Credit Loan website or our Blog and find out today.