There are a few different ways to get hurt on a boat. Any of these could kill you under the right circumstances, so take them seriously. The risks are easily minimized if proper caution is used. Fall overboard Don’t think that knowing how to swim eliminates this risk. The distances Read more…
Along with the Coast Guard PFD requirements already mentioned, most states require additional safety equipment on board boating vessels. Again, reference your specific state’s boating laws to determine exactly what equipment is legally required, but the list is likely to include some combination of the following. Navigation lights can be Read more…
Lifejackets – or more generally personal flotation devices (PFDs) – are classified by their function and buoyancy into five types. The table below describes each type. Federal law requires at least one lifejacket (any non-throwable type) per person to be on board any boating vessel. Larger boats (16 ft or Read more…
A somewhat surprising fact about boating is that hypothermia is usually a bigger threat than drowning, particularly in chilly waters. Most people are aware of the possibility of drowning, but neglect the risk of hypothermia and therefore aren’t adequately prepared to react to cold water immersion. What is hypothermia? Hypothermia Read more…
Sound signals can be made by either a horn that is built into the boat or a handheld air horn. There are two types of basic signals, a short and a long blast. A short blast is about 1 second and is sometimes called a toot. A long blast lasts Read more…
The rules of the road are described in terms of right of way hierarchy in the following figures. Sometimes you’ll see these are listed in opposite order (“A gives way to B” instead of “A has right of way over B”). Since I’m an alpha male, at least when I’m Read more…
Lights communicate the type and size of the boat, as well as its position and heading. There are many different light configurations for specific types of commercial boats, but in general, larger (and therefore more dangerous) vessels have more lights than smaller ones. It’s more important to be sure that Read more…
Modern cruisers typically have instrumentation that tells you the boat speed in a nice easy digital readout. However, it is also possible to measure the speed in a more primitive way. By tossing something – preferably biodegradable – into the water at the bow and measuring the amount of time Read more…
Getting from point A to point B without running into anything above or below the water. That’s the essence of navigation. It’s all about figuring out where you are, where you want to go, how to get there, and what obstacles to avoid. Aids to Navigation Visual markings on the Read more…
The diagram below illustrates the basic setup of a sailboat. The hull of the boat, consisting of the cockpit, the cabin, and the foredeck, is the main structural component of a sailboat. The front of the hull is called the bow while the back is called the stern. The side Read more…