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Tag-Archive for "boating gear"

Choosing Boat Electronics Author: guest Dec 06

So you’ve found the perfect boat. You are now ready to outfit it with baoting electronicsYou have a huge array of choices, which is great, but it may make it seem overwhelming choosing from among them. Much will depend on the type of boater you are and the type of electronics you use in general. Can you read charts and the stars, or will you only want the best in electronic navigation? Do you plan to leave all civilization behind when on the boat or do you want a phone and email contact? Do you have a favored boat electronics brand, or would you rather cherry pick the best from several different brands? Knowing your own attitude toward electronics, your preferred type of boating and type of boat will make an easier time of choosing your electronics outfitting.

Picking the most suitable marine electronics can not only make your boating experiences more fun and your fishing more productive, but it can be relative to your well being as well in the event of an emergency. Learning to use your electronic equipment is equally as important as choosing it. And that means you’ll have to take the time to learn how to use the equipment whether it’s from instructional videos, manuals, or having someone show you how to use it.

Furthermore, you need to know how to use other navigation methods if your electronic navigation system fails. Knowing how to read navigational charts and plan your route is still an important skill. With that in mind, here are 6 tips for choosing your boat electronics.

1.      The boat electronics you should choose should be an automatic identification system, or AIS. It is used by boats and by the Vessel Traffic Services to find and identify boats. Your AIS gear is the most important electronic device you’ll buy. It permitts boats to exchange electronically produced information including position, identification, and course. The AIS transponder will cause your vessel to show up on computer screens at Vessel Traffic Services stations. This is critical to have should there be an emergency, or should you become lost.

2.      A GPS system is another important piece of boat electronics your boat should have. One of the more popular choices is for a multifunction display that puts several different instruments onto one screen. Mutifunction displays can even allow you to run radar, GPS and fish finder data on one screen at the same time. They are also quite easy to expand for other devises and displays.

3.When choosing a display remember that the larger it is the better you will be able to see it. And keep in mind that on a boat, viewing conditions can be far from optimal due to sun glare, storms, and swells. You should choose at least a 7″ display, but if there is room and it will fit your budget a 10″ or 12″ will be much better.

4.      If you are interested in on-board entertainment, you can coordinate your display for several peripheral boat electronics. Other devises like satelite recievers, computers, DVD players and music systems can be connected. All of these are great extras to have, however, don’t get them in lue of choosing quality safelty gear. And make sure that all your navigation equipment is mounted where it access is easy.

5.      A depth sounder is another good investment in the safety of your boat. When the weather turns bad a depth sounder combined with your GPS can help find the way back safely to shore.

6.      There is an ever-evolving suite of boating electronics goodies becoming available for marine settings. Now there are laptop computers designed for marine use. These computers do what standard laptops do, but they can also be equipped with special software like RayTech RNS 6.1, which allows multi-format charting, hsb2 electronics integration, and worldwide tides and currents among its many functions.

In summary, GPS plotter, your AIS device, and depth sounder are the most important pieces of marine electronics for your boat because they pertain to your safety and the safety of your passengers. Have these devises in place first, and if you can afford it, there are plenty of extras you can add in the way of entertainment equipment and fish finding devices that you can have fun with.

 

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What You Should Know About The Boating Marine Author: guest Aug 28

boating world

A boating marine life is far different from a so-called “normal” life. In our culture, we are raised with certain expectations of how our lives should be. We are supposed to want marriage, family, a house with a white picket fence and a minivan or SUV. However, a growing number of people have begun to realize that this is only one of many possible lifestyles. A boating marine life can be every bit as fulfilling as a traditional life.

Choosing a boating marine life does not necessarily mean deciding against marrying and having children. Many families successfully live for years on houseboats. Many adventurous types even sail around the world together. For this to work, it is imperative that the family is close and good at problem solving. It is not easy to slam doors and have a time out when you are in tight quarters in the middle of the ocean. Nonetheless, for families that are willing to remain level headed and work together, a boating marine lifestyle can and does work well.

If you are alone, your choices for a boating marine life are limitless. You could sign on for a stint as a deckhand on a tall sailing ship or travel the world on a luxury cruise ship. You can even choose to purchase a small seagoing vessel and travel alone. Ply the same waters once traveled by pirates and explorers or simply live just offshore on a houseboat.

Choosing a boating marine life means giving up certain comforts. Much like living in an RV, space on a boat is at a premium. You and your travel partners(s) must be comfortable in extremely small and crowded quarters. Even if you sign on with a commercial ship, your living area will be cramped.

If you are venturing out alone or with family or friends, you should familiarize yourself with how to make basic repairs on your vessel. In many parts of the world, you may be far from easy assistance when your boat breaks down. It is imperative for anyone who plans to begin a boating marine life to know how to solve problems with the boat.

Make sure that your boat is in top shape before setting off on any voyage. Have the vessel inspected by a professional. Also, file a sailing plan with the Coast Guard as well as leaving a copy with a trusted friend or relative. Make sure that you have adequate boating supplies on board including extra drinking water and a full set of tools.

If you are going to have a successful voyage, you must be safe and have the proper boating equipment with you. Go on several practice runs before you head out to sea. This will allow you to make a final determination as to what you need for the voyage.

You may or may not have the right personality for a boating marine life, but you’ll never know if you don’t give it a try. Plan on missing some of the things that you have come to consider normal. You will probably spend a lot less time with people. In exchange, however, you will discover the beauty of the ocean. You will also encounter a number of people who share your passion for the water. These people will make up your new community.

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