So you thought that only your car, floors and wooden furniture needed waxing. Well, think again. Because if you own a boat, it needs regular waxing, too. So do your fancy dress shoes so they remain shiny—but that is another topic! We’re going to focus on keeping your boat looking elegant. The Purpose of Waxing of a Boat Most of us think that since the boat is in the water, it gets cleaned on its own. But the fact is that over time, all boats collect grime (those barnacles can be sharp too!; but for smaller boats you do not have to worry about that for the most part). Moreover, constant exposur ..read more

  We’ve all heard the term “Shipshape,” meaning to keep things neat and tidy. So when it comes to your hull, decking and other parts of your craft that get exposed to the elements, it’s a sound piece of advice. Below the surface, your vessel is continuously under attack from all manner of corrosives and organisms. And it doesn’t end there. The deck and exterior are prone to just as much weathering and deterioration. The sea is a harsh environment, and you need to keep on top of your maintenance. One of the easiest ways to prolong your vessel’s life is to keep everything in shipshape, clea ..read more

  Jet skis are a blast. You can have hours of fun on the water, zipping about at breakneck speeds. But when the day is done, and you need to get the jet ski out of the water, it’s a challenge. And jet ski hoists and slings are the ideal tools for the job. They’re portable, affordable and enable a single user to lift personal watercraft. Below are three of the best jet ski hoists and three of the best jet ski slings to consider. How Much Does a Jet Ski Weigh? Knowing how much your jet ski weighs is crucial. Personal watercrafts, like jet skis, are designed to be compact and light. That sai ..read more

  “Wax on, Wax off,” said Mr. Miyagi, and he was right. If you want to preserve the look and freshness of your boat, you need to follow his teachings. Wax doesn’t just clean, like other detergents you can buy for vessels, it also protects against the damaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. UV fades gel coat, fiber-glass, dulls wooden decks and saps the color out of painted surfaces. Boat wax also leaves a protective coating that repels water, minimizing the damage the sea brings. So what are the best marine waxes available? Read on and I’ll tell you. And to let you into a little s ..read more

Oh, the exhilaration, the energy rush! Skimming along the surface of the lake with the wind in your hair is pretty hard to beat. And water skiing is a must for all you thrill-seekers out there! But before we get carried away and jump into this with both feet, we need to discuss a few basics. If you want to get your heart pumping with a high-octane sport, we need to discuss the sensible aspects like water ski ropes. Water ski ropes are what keep you attached to the boat. They take the weight of the load, stretch where needed and stand up to the rigors of the water. So I decided to look in more ..read more

Have you ever wondered how many pontoon accessories are listed on Amazon? It’s a good question, however it really depends on how you pull up your search. “Pontoon accessories” alone brings up over 10,000 items, with most being under $200. So, the question really is: What are you searching for, and what do you actually need? And, if you stumble across something really cool for you or your boat…you’re probably gonna want that too! How much pontoon stuff do you need? The answer is: All this and the kitchen sink! Sometimes I look around and think “Good Lord,” we’re just going out for the afternoon ..read more

From bow to stern and starboard to port, there’s a boatload of surfaces to clean, preserve and protect on boats of any size. Whether it’s a fiberglass hull, canvas sails, Isinglass enclosures or metal cleats (not to mention caring for teak decks and the never-ending story of waxing), a little elbow grease combined with just the right tools and products make the job so much easier (meaning you can use the boat for what it was intended … getting out on the water!). You can do it yourself or enlist the assistance of offspring, fishing buddies or some random kid in the neighborhood (preferably one ..read more

Family boat activities, like fishing, can be a real pain. Fishing rods are always a tangled mess. Gear is either lost or smashed in an old stinking fishing box. One kid’s hungry and another is bored. How do other families go fishing and manage to catch fish or at least have fun? Sound familiar? Here’s 10 easy guidelines to help you survive family boat activities (and have fun in the process!). 1. Location, Location, Location! You may already have a favorite fishing hole and know your way there and know what’s available in the area for your family needs, (bathrooms, food, gas and bait). Or you ..read more

From the wooden rafts of Polynesia to the 60s surf culture of the Hobie Cat, catamarans (or simply “cats”) have been a fun way to enjoy the local lake, ocean or bay. That seemingly effortless way they glide across the water is both relaxing and exhilarating.  What’s not relaxing is lugging a heavy vessel across the sand or investing in an expensive traditional catamaran. Have you considered an inflatable catamaran? Inflatable catamarans are a less expensive and more portable option to traditional cats. You can even use them as inflatable dinghies and yacht tenders.  The main design o ..read more

Imagine the wind in your hair as you ride the wake of a speedboat. Watersports don’t come more thrilling. The traditional method would be to waterski, but just as snowboarding revolutionized skiing, wakeboards have transformed how we waterski. So to give some attention to wakeboards, here’s the lowdown on what basics you need to know to choose the best boat wakeboards. Wonder what riding a wakeboard is like and want to give it a try? Read on to discover the four best adult and four best kids wakeboards, plus the essential accessories you’ll need. Let’s Talk About Wakeboarding Wakeboard origin ..read more