Spring has officially sprung, which means it’s well and truly time to get your boat ready to launch. Making sure your safety equipment is in good working order should be your first priority. We’ve blogged four essential items to check, including changes to marine safety regulations in Australia.   Here’s what you need to know.   Life jackets You’ll need one life jacket per person onboard, and each jacket should match the individual’s size and body weight. Life jackets need to be in good condition and comply with Australian Standards 4758 and ISO 12402. These new standards include a ..read more

If you’re boating at night or when visibility is poor, you’ll need to be able to correctly identify navigation lights on other vessels. Navigation lights are used to display different messages to other people on the water, which helps to keep you safe.   Here’s a basic overview of how to understand navigation lights.   When do I need navigations lights? Boats must operate navigation lights between sunset and sunrise, and during the day when visibility is limited. Navigation lights tell other people on the water: The direction that your boat is traveling. It’s size. The angle your bo ..read more

Yes, setting off in a camper van to explore the Australian wilderness sounds cool. But the beautiful waters of Australia are an incredible experience too. If you’re planning on a retirement brimming with boating pleasure, we’ve blogged some top tips for finding the right boat for you.   Here’s what you need to know.   What are you into? Before considering what type of boat is right for your retirement years, you’ll need to take stock of what you want to do most on the water. Will you be boating with the family? Are you looking to spend most of your time fishing? Or do you want to get ..read more

A number of new marine safety rules have been mandated by the WA Government, including mandatory life jackets under specific circumstances. Today, we’ll be delving into the new rules, so you know what to expect and how to prepare for the changes. Here’s what you need to know.   What are the new rules? Life jackets Any person on a vessel that is at least 4.8 metres long and operating over 400 metres offshore must wear a life jacket. Children (between one and 12 years) must wear a life jacket regardless of the size of the vessel, if it is operating 400 metres or more from the shore.   ..read more

Anyone who grew up on the water knows how special those memories are – whether you spent time sailing with the folks or fishing off the pier with mates. If you have little ones and want to share the fun of boating with them, there are plenty of safe and educational activities to explore.   Here are four fun activities to further your child’s boating education.   Knot tying If your kid can tie their own shoes, they can start learning how to tie knots. Start with a bowline. Once that’s mastered, teach them a clove hitch, square knot, then a figure-eight. If you need a little help, G ..read more

Boating technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with new innovations that help us boat smarter and safer. We’ve taken time out to list five new boating tech innovations that have come onto the market in 2021.   Here’s what made the cut.   Garmin inReach Mini Marine Bundle This handheld satellite communicator is not only compact, it’s also lightweight and extremely durable. Use it for two-way text messaging through the global Iridium satellite network, and if the need arises, trigger an SOS alert. Perfect for any time you’re out of range, and features 50 hours of battery lif ..read more

Every experienced boatie knows being on the water isn’t always smooth sailing. After all, there are endless variables – from changes in the weather, to equipment malfunctioning to human factors, like other boaters driving dangerously nearby.   Today, we’re delving into the five main reasons boaties make poor decisions under pressure, so you know what to avoid and stay safer onboard.   Making good time It’s no secret that making good decisions under pressure is difficult. Elite athletes use professional psychologists to learn how to compete under pressure, so they have every chance ..read more

Father’s Day is just around the corner, which means it’s time to celebrate the guy who did his best to raise the fine human you turned out to be. If you’re lucky enough to have a sailing dad, then we’ve created a guide to help you find him the perfect gift.   Here’s what made the cut.   The Annapolis Book of Seamanship First published in 1983, The Annapolis Book of Seamanship is considered one of the quintessential sailing guides, filled with sailing knowledge and theories, with illustrations by North Sails Creative Director, Mark Smith.   Now in its fourth edition, author Joh ..read more

Organising your gear onboard doesn’t just make it easier to find your stuff, it’s also important for safety. Besides, spending time searching for keys, sunscreen or whatever else you dumped the moment you stepped onboard, means more time enjoying the ride.   Here are five easy tips for organising your boat better.   Pack less It may sound obvious, but space onboard any kind of boat is limited. So, consider what you’re going to need before loading up, and only prioritise those essential items. These are the things you’re going to use every day, as well as emergency equipment and saf ..read more