Travel Tips: Five Steps to Properly Anchor a Fishing Boat

Step 1
Make your approach to your proposed anchoring location into the predominant element. If the wind is overtaking the sea, head into the wind. If the sea—waves or current—is overtaking the wind, head into the sea.

Step 2
Reduce your speed to bare steerageway: you should approach your anchorage at the slowest speed at which you can maintain headway and control the boat. Clear away the anchor, making sure that neither the anchor nor the anchor line is tangled, or wrapped around anyone's leg or arm or a seat.

Step 3
When your bow reaches the point where you wish to drop anchor, reverse the engine until your forward motion stops. Lower the anchor over the bow of the boat—do not drop it.

Step 4
When the anchor touches bottom, allow five to seven times the depth of the water (based on the depth reading from your fish finder or fathometer; this is called the "scope" of your anchor) to pay out over the bow. Tie the anchor line off to a cleat or other fixture on the bow.

Step 5
Reverse the motor to pull on the anchor, both to test it and to set the anchor in the bottom. If the anchor drags (slips without holding), raise and reset the anchor.

Bass Fishing Boats: Advice For The First Time Buyer

by William Scott

Bass fishing is a great past time that many people, both young and old enjoy. Once you get the taste of bass fishing, you might decide that you want to venture into buying your first bass fishing boat. This is truly an exciting experience, so it is best that you get some advice, being a first time buyer of a bass fishing boat.

One of the first things you want to make sure you have when you go to get your new boat is the right kind of vehicle for towing the boat. There are many vehicles that are just not made for towing something behind them. When you have your boat fully loaded with your gear as well as gas and attach it to your trailer, you can expect to be towing over 3500 lbs. behind your vehicle. You need to be sure to get a car or truck that can take that kind of load and pull it up a mountain or a hill.

When deciding on what size of a boat to get you will want to consider the size of the body of water that you will be fishing in. In larger bodies of water it is best to go with a boat that is at least 19 feet long where as if you are going to be fishing in a smaller body of water then you can go with a smaller outboard motor on a smaller boat. You can also choose which material your boat is made out of. Bass boats are generally made from aluminum or fiberglass. Each type of material has its good points as well as its bad points. For instance, if you were going to be doing most of your fishing in a small lake then you may want to go with the aluminum boat.

You may want to go with a fiberglass boat if you want a smoother ride on larger bodies of water. Fiberglass is generally more expensive then aluminum but not in all cases. The fiberglass boats are sturdier than the aluminum and they will not be blown around with the wind as much. Before making your choice, be sure to way all the options and check the pros and cons of each type to make the best educated decision.

You can buy either a new or used boat but again, there are pros and cons associated with both. Used boats seem to hold their value much longer but you have to keep in mind that outboard motors are generally short lived. If you decide to buy a used boat then you want to check out the motor properly before you use it. Another advantage to buying a used boat is the price. You can get a good deal for a used boat if you look around but keep in mind that you get what you pay for. If you get the boat at a cheap price you may have to be prepared to do some “fixing up” on the boat.

If you decide to go with a new boat then you will have the pleasure of getting a warranty with it. You will not have to worry about working on it and you can just get right to fishing. You will also most likely have more boats to choose from than when you are looking for a used one. No matter which way you decide to go, be sure to check out the vessel thoroughly, so that you know what you are buying.

About William Scott
William Scott contributes bass fishing advice to BassFishingAdvice.com, a site dedicated to helping people learn about bass fishing boats.

What is a Boat Share Club?

by Keith McGregor

Boating Members pay a fixed annual fee which gives them access to a range of boats. Boats can vary from high performance cruising yachts like Sunseeker, Beneteau, Dufour and Bavaria, high performance power boats, sailing yachts and exhilarating Ribs.

These fractional ownership schemes, many modelled on the well established market in the USA, are attracting increasing numbers of sailors looking to cut costs in current markets.

Advantages

* Easier than ownership
* Less expensive that yacht charter
* No long term commitment, normally 12 months.
* Varied fleet performance cruising yachts
* Good opportunity to test before buying
* Opportunity to sail in a variety of locations
* Can provide training, crew finder and free advice
* Pay for fuel used only.

Disadvantages

* Location of yachts may not be suitable
* Must book in advance for use
* Need to be flexible on choice of boats

Cost

One Boat Share Club, Pure Latitude operates a scheme through a points-based system, with annual subscriptions from £2,995 to £6,995. The club takes responsibility for capital outlay and all the costs usually associated with ownership including marine fuel costs.

Global leader in Fractional Sailing ‘SailTIme’ break costs down to monthly membership fees and with the fees all inclusive of insurance, maintenance and marina fees you won’t have any nasty surprises. With over 50 sailing locations worldwide, the SailTIme mission is to make luxury sailing, practical, cost effective and simple.

The well documented credit crunchArticle Search, the end to marine red diesel derogation in the U.K. from the 1st November 2008 plus other inflationary costs will mean some boat owners are going to look for cheaper alternatives to 100% boat ownership. As the market tightens U.K. Boat Share Clubs are increasing in number.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Keith McGregor is a partner of Strawberrysoup, a web design
agency with offices in Chichester and Bournemouth. Strawberrysoup specialise in creative web design, content managed websites, search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and graphic design

Used Fishing Boats

by Fred R

If you are getting fishing fever and the rest of your friends have their own boat, then you might be thinking of investing in used fishing boats as an affordable option to get on the water. There are many good used fishing boats for sale, and some people buy a new fishing boat and then hardly have time to use them. When they start thinking of using the money for other things, they often are looking for a way to unload them.

Because they depreciate considerably the minute they drive off of a boat dealer’s lot, a new fishing boat loses a considerable amount of value the first year, whether it has had any use or not. The new boat owner still has to pay for insurance, licensing and might be making boat payments on something they hardly use. This is often the reason you find used fishing boats for sale.

You can get a really good deal by doing some research and looking at different venues that offer used fishing boats for sale. Some of the internet auction websites are a good source for used fishing boats, and of course, sometimes you can find them in the classifieds of the newspaper.

You want to make sure that a used fishing boat is in good mechanical shape and most of the have outboard motors. While you can always purchase a new outboard motor for a used fishing boat, it is best if you can have the existing motor inspected to see if there are any major mechanical issues so that you can consider that in your offer. There is not much worse than getting stranded in the middle of the lake on a hot day because your motor won’t start on your used fishing boat.

Another thing you will want to check is the book value of the used fishing boats. Once you have narrowed it down to a certain model, many boat dealers are willing to look up the estimated trade in or retail value for you. Ideally, you will want to purchase used fishing boats close to the trade-in value, in the event you decide you want to trade it in later for a newer model, even if you are buying it from an individual.

Used fishing boats are considered a recreational and optional toy for most people, but avid fishermen come to a point in their life where they are sick of bumming rides from other boating fishermen or fishing from the dock and shore. You can get much better access by having your own fishing boat and a used fishing boat is a good place to start when it comes to boat ownership.

With a little research and a mechanical inspection, you can get a good deal on used fishing boats and find one that will last you for many years of fishing enjoyment. They are a great way to putter around the lake, although some of them go quite fast. Some fishermen use them to fish in tournaments and the good ones make some pretty good spending cash if they are able to get into some fish. Used fishing boats are a great way to save money on a boat purchase.

About the author
Fred R runs used-fishing-boats.com, an online auction site that specializes in used fishing boats.

Buying a Boat and Boat Storage Facilities

by David Urmann

A good choice of storage should be considered when you have your own boat. These facilities are designed to protect and secure your boat.

Having a boat is one of the biggest dreams of people who love sailing and other water activities. You could sail to the middle of the waters to go fishing, or enjoy other water sports. Some will enjoy simply rowing with a loved one to enjoy that moment together. It will be relaxing to watch the waves and ripples, and marvel at the fishes.

Another alternative is to rent a boat but this is not practical if you plan to set to sea very often. It will be such a hassle to avail of a boat during the peak season when you will be competing of hundreds of others who wish to rent a boat also.

With all those factors, it may seem more practical to purchase your own boat. It is a good investment wherein you can use it anytime you want it without any problem. It will be available to you anytime. You can also do your water activities as long as you wish without worrying of paying additional cost for extended use.

There are many types of boats so it is very important to identify your purpose for buying first. Also consider how many people you plan to bring in the boat during adventure. Get a boat big enough to accommodate them.

Your boat is a precious investment which needs to be secured and well protected especially during the time that you are not going to use it. In this case, you need a secure place to store your boat. These are called boat storage and there are many choices for such purpose. You can rent a docking area near a lake where you can park your boat when not in use. There are also other resorts who offer covered docks for rent. However, this is sometimes risky because strong typhoons may damage your boat.

You may opt to store your boat in your backyard if you have enough space. However this may not be a good option since the boat is not well secured not unless you have high fences. It may be great idea to get a big carport if you have the budget.

Storage facilities are also available equipped with surveillance camera and automatic access controlled gate. However these facilities are quite expensive for many boat owners.

One of the best choices in storing your boat is to avail boat storage. These types of storage are intended for any type of boat and RV. These facilities have specific areas for washing and dumping. The parking area is wide enough to accommodate any size of boat including trailers. It also features a roof for added protection.

Choosing this type of boat storage units allows you the convenience of storing your boat without any hassle. You are also assured that your investment is well protected. It is also easier for you to bring your boat in and out of the facility without worrying of difficulties in maneuvering.

Most of these boat storage facilities are located in areas where there is less traffic. Wide gates are also used in order to provide easy access to trailer trucks without too much effort. With this type of storage, you will have peace of mind even if your boat is out of your sight.

There are some of storage facilities conveniently located near lakes and resorts so you can have easy access if you want to enjoy your favorite water activities.

While you have a secure place for your boat, it is also important to consider the insurance of your boat. Most of these boat storage facilities provide clients several insurance plans depending on the coverage. An insurance plan is a must for your investment.

About the Author
For more information on Boat Storage in Lake Powell and Boat Storage in Lake Conroeplease visit our website.

Merits and Demerits of an Aluminum Fishing Boat

by Franklin Simanjuntak

Fishing boat styles and types come in various forms nowadays. Each has its own use and specifications with their own strengths. An aluminum fishing boat is one of these. The size of an aluminum fishing boat can be as small as 10 foot but can go up to a huge 24 foot long on some specialized models. The shape of aluminum boats can come in both flat, V shape designs and also in a pontoon style. An aluminum fishing boat can be used as a charter fishing boat when you simply want to rent out a boat for the day or weekend.

Merits of Aluminum Boats

While there are advantages shared by any type of fishing boat out there; the aluminum fishing boat has some advantages all to itself. With the greatest competitor against the aluminum fishing boat being fiberglass boats, the aluminum boat has many thousands of fans thanks to their merits:

1. Aluminum fishing boat can be customized and painted to resemble just about any other kind of boat you desire.

2. Aluminum boats are preferred for most man made lakes, because of their rugged build and can resist being stomped by underwater trees and other submerged items.

3. Aluminum boats are resistant to rust, decay and drips. Many aluminum fishing boat can be used for decades.

4. The ability to repair or fix aluminum boats is rather easy. Most repairs are done with welding or hammering out dings and dents.

5. Aluminum boats are fuel efficient because they are light weight. If you run out of fuel, they are also easier to row than most other types of boat.

6. An aluminum fishing boat can be carried by one person depending on the size of the boat. Most other boats, made from fiberglass need five people just to move it around with more amounts of time and energy.

7. An aluminum fishing boat can be customized by the user to gain the best function from the boat that is wanted by the user.

Demerits of Aluminum Boats

While there are many advantages of using an aluminum fishing boat, like anything else there are also disadvantages as well:

1. An aluminum fishing boat is not good for use on bad weather. Lightning can easily strike the boat and people who on it.

2. Aluminum is not good for salt water fishing because the salt is corrosive and will eat away at the rivets. Needless to say, this will cause the aluminum boat to leak or crack.

3. Aluminum fishing boats are not as flexible as fiberglass boats when it comes to shaping and customizing the boat.

4. Aluminum fishing boats are not as sleek on the water as fiberglass boats and tend to plow the water as opposed to pushing it aside. This allows some water to get into the boat from the splash.

5. Aluminum boats do not run as smoothly on water as fiberglass and likely to give riders a choppy ride.

6. Aluminum boats can not carry as much fuel as their fiberglass counterpart. Therefore extra fuel cans are needed for any long trips away from shore.

Depending on what you want to use your boat for, an aluminum fishing boat can be a better or worse choice. Make your choice wisely.

About Franklin Simanjuntak
Discover what fishing boat that is the best for your boating experience at Boating Information

Sail Boats

by Thomas Morva

A sailboat is a small vessel that uses the wind on its sails for necessary direction. Keelboats, yachts, trimarans, skiffs and catamarans are some of the types of sailboats.

Sailboats today generally cover three different purposes: day sailing, cruising and racing. Day-sailing boats can come in different shapes, sizes and forms, and caters to different palates – from the quieter kinds who want to enjoy a calm day on the water to those with a proclivity for adventure. As its name suggests, day-sailing boats are largely manufactured for daytime use and generally come with no, or minimal, facility for overnight accommodations. Day-sailing boats can be broadly categorized into two types. The first are the uncomplicated, smaller kinds: dinghies, windsurfers, catamarans or other relatively small cruisers. The second are the keelboats, which are larger and kept exclusively on water.

However, for those who want to spend a weekend out in the sea, there are boats for them too. Known as cruising boats, these vessels have the necessary amenities, like sleeping or dining spaces. Notwithstanding their greater size, cruising sailboats are customarily built for handling by just two people. Cruising sailboats generally include accommodations for a few people, a cooking space; complete with icebox and a stove, inboard engine etc.

Sailboat racing is thrilling sport that that can be enjoyed with friends and family in just about any sailboat. There are two forms of sailboat racing. In one-design racing, it is obligatory for the designs of the competing boats to be the same. Generally, the person with more experience and skill prevails here. The other form of racing is Handicap racing, where different boats line up against each otherFree Reprint Articles, irrespective of the varying degrees of size or speed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sail Boats provides detailed information on Boats, Sail Boats, Used Boats, House Boats and more. Sail Boats is affiliated with Boating Accessories.