| Date/Source |
Tip |
| 08/28/00/Go Boating, August 2000 |
The larger the hook, the more holding power the hook will have as the fish pulls against the hook, line, rod, and reel. The larger the bait, the bigger the hook you can use. |
| 08/28/00/Go Boating, August 2000 |
Old socks are perfect for rags to clean with. They're especially good for boat detailing because you can use your fingers to more precisely apply waxes or clean those hard-to-reach places. |
| 08/28/00/U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Coast Guard, March 1992 |
A Type I PFD provides the most buoyancy and is effective for all waters, especially open, rough, or remote waters. A Type II or III PFD is intended for calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. A Type IV PFD (throwable device) is intended for calm, inland water where there is heavy boat traffic and help is always present. A Type V PFD is intended for specific activities and may be carried instead of another type - some include deck suits, work vests, board sailing vests, and Hybrid PFDs. |
| 08/24/00/Go Boating, August 2000 |
Drags should be adjusted if too tight, and then tested by pulling on the line as it runs through the rod guides and the rod is bent. You can test the drag setting by attaching a spring scale to the end of your line, raising the rod tip, and noting at how many pounds of pressure the drag yields line and the spool revolves. Rule of thumb: set your drag at one-quarter to one-third the rated breaking strength of the line. |
| 08/24/00/ U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Coast Guard, March 1992 |
PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition, and the appropriate size for the intended user. Wearable PFDs and throwable devices must be readily available for use. Boats less than 16 feet in length must be equipped with one Type I, II, III, IV or V PFD for each person aboard. Boats longer than 16 feet must have one Type I, II, III, or V for each person plus one Type IV. |
08/24/00
powerboat.about.com |
Put the engine in neutral, and find two points or objects that form a line, and a third either ahead or astern. For the next few minutes, make sure that none of the angles or distances to these points change. Any change means that you're dragging and need to reset your anchor or pay out more scope. |
08/21/00/
powerboat.about.com |
Feeding out the proper amount of scope: Once you see slack in your anchor line, feed out the proper amount of scope as the boat drifts back. Average scope is around 7 to 1 or 8 to 1, so if you're in 20 feet of water you'll want to pay-out between 140' and 160' of line. When the scope is out, secure the line and "back down" on the anchor, keeping your bow into the wind or current. Idle speed is good to make the anchor set into the bottom. |
| 08/21/00/Trailer Boats, July 2000 |
Protect the environment while cleaning. As a fiberglass cleaner, try white vinegar and water. To clean your boat's shower, use baking soda, scouring cloth, warm water, and "elbow grease", and wipe it down with lemon or lime juice. Try olive or almond oil as an effective wood polish. |
| 08/17/00/Trailer Boats, July 2000 |
Rather than using traditional cleaners, try vinegar and lemon juice mixed in lukewarm water as a window cleaner, and use lemon or lime juice and salt as a copper cleaner. Instead of a conventional chrome cleaner, try apple cider vinegar to clean and baby oil to polish. |
