Offshore Saltwater Boats

by Allen Bohart

Offshore fishing is the stuff of legend, and brings about daydreams of hours-long battles with huge sailfish ala Hemingway. To realize those dreams, one must first own the right equipment, including an offshore fishing boat. Offshore fishing boats are not your everyday boat. They are much heavier and more rugged than the average lake runabout you see in many of your neighbor's driveways. In fact, you are highly unlikely to see any kind of offshore boat in anyone's driveway as most are not trailerable, though some of the smaller ones are.

Safety is a primary consideration when purchasing an offshore saltwater fishing boat, as you can't just take any boat out into the open ocean. These boats must be able to withstand some rolling ocean waves, and be able to protect the occupants in case of sudden inclement weather. I'm not saying that your boat should be able to plow through the perfect storm, but at least be able to get out of the rain and expect to come out alive should a few waves come along. Other safety concerns includes having bilge pumps, radio contact with the shore, and radar to detect oncoming vessels who may not detect you, especially if you should happen to be one of those crazies who likes to fish close to shipping lanes. Having an adequate supply of food and water is also a primary concern should you be forced to camp out for a while due to a conked out motor in the middle of inclement weather. It may take a while for the Coast Guard to come and get you!

In general terms, the bigger your offshore boat the better off you are. Of course, this is a moot point to those of us not rich enough to buy one of those huge cabin cruisers that we all dream about. Trade-offs may need to be made...Just make sure that you are aware of the risks and take them under consideration when purchasing your boat. As might be expected, offshore boats are the most expensive of all leisure boats due to the increased ruggedness and sheer size of them. Offshore boats range in size from about 26' in length to just about any length you can imagine and you can expect to pay anywhere from $40,000 on up to a cool $500,000 for a good offshore boat. Anything more expensive than that is a yacht and is nothing more than a status symbol!

The smaller offshore boats will be equipped with either single or dual outboard motors. Most offshore motors will be of the high-horsepower variety, due to the need to power through rough waters. On larger boats, you can expect to have an inboard diesel motor of many hundreds of horses. The overall price of the boat, of course, is directly related to the amount of power that is packed into the motors.

This article gives a general overview of some of the items to consider when shopping for an offshore saltwater fishing boat. For more specific information, as well as suggestions on where to purchase a good fishing boat, be sure to visit Fishing Boat HQ.

About the Author
Allen Bohart is a fishing fan, and enthusiastic writer for about any subject that interests him. He is also co-owner of Fishing Boat HQ, a site about fishing boats of all kinds.

Start You Search For Used Bass Fishing Boats Online

by Marcel Bernard

Most fisherman at some point in their fishing live will start to think about owning a boat. And if you ever are at that point that you have set aside enough money and start to look around for a boat that you could buy, maybe you should look at used boats first. It will save you a lot of money, and because a used boat is a lot cheaper you don't have to save up as much as you would of you were to buy a brand new one. Searching the internet is a good first point to start your quest.

The Bass Resource is on a company with an online presence that should be on your short list of sites to check out. You will find a comprehensive list of boats to choose from and there are boats for every level of fisherman ranging from experts to beginners.

If you want to find that you have always dreamed about you should check out Hiawatha Boat Brokerage online because that is one of their goals, helping you find your dreamboat. They do all the arranging for you, from the paperwork up to making the appointments for viewing the boats at the time that it is most convenient for you. It doesn't matter if you want to list your boat to be sold or you need to find a boat you could buy, they are a full service broker who can, with a staff that has all the knowledge and experience, help you with all your boat selling and buying. They are located at Lake Superior.

You will also need to check out Apollo Duck, they have a large selection of bass fishing boats. Being a network of independent international boar sales web sites they can be your one stop place when you want to sell or buy a boat. Just take a look at their site and you will see that they a have lot of information on every boat that they have on sale. You wont need any other information to make up your mind before buying. Their motto is that every customer of them should find the perfect boat.

Best thing to do is probably to first visit these and some other sites to get an idea of the type of boats that are on sale these days. You can then decide which boat would best fit your needs and what the price range is. And then you will also know how much money you need to save. With this information you can go to consumer sites who have some forums on boats and ask around for user experiences with these type of boats.

If not the most important piece of equipment of your fishing gear at least it will be the most expensive part so you need to make sure that you get what you want and need. Buy a boat you can afford, has everything you need and is best suited to you. Also make sure you can handle the boat that you have your eyes on and else take lessons.

About the Author
Fishing is not for everyone. But when the fishing bug bites you it's hard to stop. Marcel Bernard was bitten by the fishing bug and wants to share his adventures with you so he can tell you all about handmade bass fishing jigs and maybe tell you about bass fishing in cold weather.

Boat Storage

by Dave Text

This page explains the varieties of boat storage, one can choose from depending on his requirements.

Having problems in finding the perfect place to store your boats? If you are a boat owner, you have a variety of options to choose from.

Boat owners have different options in choosing their boat storage; among them are the Marina storage, rack storage, dry storage, backyard storage, shed storage and garage storage. Most people think that a place for boat storage could be expensive. But actually, you can find the best and the cheapest in your own backyard or garage. You just have to leave the boat on its trailer and have it properly covered and you already have the best, cheapest and safest storage for your boat. However, some cities do not allow large storage rooms on one’s yard and that can be a problem. You have to be well informed of the city’s rules and ordinances so as to avoid such problems.

There are places that store boats such as Mariana and other shed storage units. However, these rented storage place could cause you a fortune depending on the type of unit. One way to lessen the fee is to share it with other boat owners and split the fee. Storage units usually charge their fees monthly. This helps lessen the expenses because you don’t need to pay for the months that your boat is not there.

In finding the perfect storage place for your boat, in case you cannot store it in your house, you also need to consider important factors such as the climate, security facilities, camera securities, lightning system and backgrounds of the employees. A controlled climate is important to ensure that your boat is safe during bad weather. The security of the place including its facilities and employees are important factors to make sure that your boat is safe from possible dangers.

When you are going to use your boat after a long storage period, you must check its plugs, wires, bulbs and fluids so as to save time from worrying about repair.

Another option to consider for boat storage is wet docking in case that your boat is too big that you cannot pull it out from the water. In wet docking, the owners can actually use their boat as cabin or cottage to live in. However, this is only possible during summer. One of the companies offering wet docking is Marinas. In addition to this service, they are also offering many things to make a comfortable living for those who prefer to stay in their boats. Cheaper rates are given to occupied boats.

During winter, Marina offers shrink-wrapping for your boat. It is important to ensure that your boat can breathe with the cover that you decide to use to avoid mildew and mold formation.

In case that you have decided building boat storage, there are several options to consider. You could choose from outdoor parking spaces, canopy style with only a roof, manager style having three sides and a roof, totally enclosed unit and totally enclosed with heat and climate controlled. Due to the different boat sizes and stronger structural sides, you will need to have bigger footings for the last three options.

The most important matter to consider is Security. Putting up a perimeter fence is one option. You could link it with razor wire to solid block walls. You could also have security cameras and key-coded entry.

About the Author
For more information on Boat Storage please visit our website.

From Personal Belly Boats To High Performance Racers - An Overview Of Inflatable Boats

by C.J. Gustafson

Inflatable boats, also called rubber boats or dinghies, have been around in one form or another for thousands of years. They now come in many different sizes and models and include inflatable kayaks, sport boats, and inflatable catamarans. Their versatility and relatively low cost have contributed to their popularity, and more and more water enthusiasts are discovering the advantages of owing an inflatable boat.

Evolution of the Inflatable Boat

Historical records indicate that the first inflatable boats were animal skins filled with air. Over the years, many cultures have created various versions of inflatable watercraft, and in 1839, the Duke of Wellington tested the first inflatable pontoons. In the decades that followed, many new designs were introduced and some of them were utilized by European military forces.

The inflatable boats were used to transport torpedoes and other cargo. They also allowed troops to make discreet landings in shallow water, and their compact size and storability made them easy to bring with, even on overland marches where it would not have been possible to bring a traditional boat.

One of the models, the Zodiac, grew to be very popular with the military and contributed significantly to the rise of the civilian inflatable boat industry, both in Europe and in the United States. After World War II, surplus inflatable boats were sold to the public and the general population had a chance to experience how easy and enjoyable these boats can be.

Since then, inflatable kayaks, sailing inflatables, inflatable canoes, sport boats, and belly boats have been added to the mix. Some inflatable boats run 45 feet in length or more and may include inboard steering, luxury features, and even full cabins. Inflatable boats have evolved so much that today, the only thing inflatable on some boats is the collar around the perimeter gunwales of the deck.

Hull Designs & Types of Inflatable Boats

Inflatable boats come in rigid hull design and soft-bottom style. Soft-bottom boats have floors made of fabric and slats (usually wood) running across the beam. This design is generally found in smaller inflatables ranging from about 6 to 8 feet in length only.

Rigid hulls, or RIBs, were introduced in 1967 by Tony Lee-Elliott and advanced by Admiral Hoare and the Atlantic College in Wales. As opposed to soft-bottom boats, which have a fabric hull with inflatable or wood keels, RIBs have hard fiberglass or aluminum hulls and large, inflatable tubes. This allows for a combination of the best features from both types of boats.

Some RIBs incorporate the V-shaped bow similar to that of a traditional boat. This design consists of a separate inflation tube running the length of the boat beneath the floorboards. Once inflated, it pushes the floor materials down to form the V-shape that helps in steering. The flotation collars on many RIBs are removable, making them easier to store and to clean.

RIBs typically range from 10 to 30 feet in length and are propelled by either by an outboard motor or an inboard motor turning a water jet or z-drive. They were first used as lifeboats in 1970, and later as dinghies or tenders on larger pleasure yachts. Many of today’s sport boats used for fishing and water skiing are made with RIB designs.

Inflatable Sport Boats

Inflatable sport boats generally describe recreational boats that are used for fishing, water skiing, and other activities where a motor is required. Depending on the size of the craft, an inflatable sport boat can be used with a motor that generates up to 40 units of horsepower They can be deflated and packed away for easy transport or used with a trailer to avoid having to inflate at each use. Inflatable sport boats typically cost much less than their traditional counterparts and, because they are lighter, use much less gas.

High Performance

Several companies also make high performance inflatable boats that are used for racing, rescue, and other activities where speed is essential. These high performance boats generally have additional inflation tubes that lift the boat up off the water and create additional hydroplaning effects. They typically use larger motors, sometimes up to 400 horsepower. Because of their speed they are more difficult to navigate and require an experienced captain.

Inflatable Canoes, Kayaks, and Other Personal Watercraft

On the flip side are the inflatable canoes and kayaks that rely on human power and are used by one or two people at a time. These watercraft often look similar to their traditional counterparts, but have inflatable bodies, making them much lighter and easier to transport. They are often less expensive as well.

In more recent years, inflatable sailboats and inflatable catamarans also have been introduced. They usually range from 12 to 14 feet in length and, like inflatable canoes and kayaks, only accommodate one or two people.

Belly boats are yet another category of inflatable personal watercraft. These floats are sometimes called pontoon boats, but are not to be confused with the large, flat-bottomed craft often seen carrying large numbers of people on area lakes. Belly boats were specifically designed to be used for fishing and often look like floating donuts with a seat. Some may have two small pontoons with a seating area suspended between. Most are less than eight feet long and have room for just one person.

Yacht Tenders

Falling in between inflatable kayaks and other personal watercraft and the larger sport and performance boats are the Yacht Tenders. These are typically inflatable boats that range in length from 6 feet to 20 feet and, as the name implies, they are often used as lifeboats and runabouts on larger vessels. Yacht tenders can also be used for fishing, general boating, river rafting, and other activities where a motor is not essential. Many tenders can be paired with a small electric motor if needed.

These categories of inflatable boats provide a general overview of the choices available. There are many variations and unique designs within these categories. In addition, some larger models of inflatable boats have inboard steering stations, cabin areas, and other features similar to traditional yachts.

As the inflatable boat industry continues to advance and grow in popularity, we are likely to see many new and innovative designs in the future, providing even more opportunities to find the inflatable boat that fits perfectly with your budget and boating needs.

About the Author
C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for http://www.inflatable-boats-n-kayaks.com. She and her family make frequent fishing trips to Canada’s backcountry. The numerous portages required to reach some of the smaller lakes have made her especially appreciative of the lightweight, compact design of the inflatable boat.