1. The Titanic. Believe it or not, as famous as this shipwreck is, it is not the most expensive shipwreck of all time, though it did hold that title for 77 years. When the Captain chose to sail in the icy waters, believing his ship to be indestructible, he took a seven million dollar ship to Davy Jones’ Locker. What’s worse, it was the Titanic’s first trip to sea. These days, that same 7 million is worth over $150,000,000. And that says nothing about the loss of life, which we all know was substantial. So, what disastrous shipwrecks could possibly top turning the world’s most luxurious oceangoing vessel (of its time) into a glorified ice cube tray? Keep reading.

1. The Exxon Valdez. Apparently, Prince William Sound is one bitch of a place to have an oil spill. The Exxon Valdez’ leak was nowhere close to history’s biggest oil slick, but the remote location made it inaccessible to most cleanup equipment. Only helicopters and boats could approach the ship, which rammed into the reef while the Captain was away from the helm. So what was the bill? Exxon Valdez had to shell out a cool two and a half billion dollars. Just in case, you want to count zeroes, that’s 2,500,000,000.

1. Prestige Oil Spill. What do you do when you’re the Captain of an oil tanker carrying 77,000 tons of fuel oil and one of your tanks burst in a storm? That’s right, you call the nearest port for emergency help. Apparently when that port is in Spain, however, they tell you adios. And then when France and Portugal give you the same message (OK, technically the messages were adeus and au revoir), each country telling you to stay the hell out of their coastal waters, you know you’re really screwed. So, what is there to do other than shit your pants? Eventually, you break in half and dump 20 million gallons of oil into the ocean, for total damages of twelve billion dollars.

Boat accidents can be devastating. That’s why there’s boat insurance. It says something that the worst boat disaster is surpassed in damages only by a space shuttle explosion and a nuclear meltdown.

Leisure boats are ideal for people that like to hang out on the water with friends, family members and loved ones. Some leisure boats offer sunbathing areas and large bows with additional seating. If you are looking for a leisure boat, a consideration that you may want to make is what type of leisure boat will be best for your boating personality. Consider your boating personality before you select the boat that will best meet your needs.

1. Barnet Marine Center: A look at ribs and inflatable boats for leisure purposes.
2. 48 Degrees North: Part 1 of a series on how to select a cruising boat.
3. Schleiff Boatworks: Design considerations for leisure boats.
4. John’s Boat Stuff: What you need to consider when choosing an affordable cruising boat.
5. Leisure Boats: Choosing the right anchor for your leisure boat.
6. Yachting and Boating: A look at the different types of boats.
7. Boat Covers: A look at choosing the right boat cover for your leisure boating experience.
8. Captain Curt’s Marine Gadgets: A look at the different boats available and help on choosing the right leisure boat for you.
9. Lost.ws: Selection options for leisure boat seats.
10. Leisure Boating Melbourne: Looking at the boat share option if you want to try boats out before you buy.
11. The Traveler’s Notebook: Buying a boat and learning how to sail.
12. First Boat: How to buy your first boat without getting burnt.
13. Boat Test: A look at how to go about buying your first boat.
14. Bradley Boat: A look at what you need to know when buying a leisure boat or leisure boat accessories.
15. Fishing and Boats: What you need to know about lighting on your leisure boat.
16. Inflatable Boats and Rafts: Help with choosing the right inflatable life raft or leisure raft.
17. Marine Outboards: Help with choosing the right engine for your leisure boat.
18. Ask Bass Fishing: How to choose the right fishing boat for bass fishing.
19. Canal Junction: How to buy and live on a canal boat.
20. Best Boat Seats: A look at choosing the right seats for your leisure boat.
21. Solent Ribster: A collection of useful links for people trying to buy a Rib.
22. Towergate: What to know when you are choosing a sport boat.
23. Yachting and Boating World: Expert boat advice about buying and caring for your leisure boat.
24. Used Boat Yard: Choosing the right type of leisure boat for you.
25. Chanel Narrow Boats: A look at Chanel Narrow Boats as an option for leisure boating.
26. Discover Boating: A wealth of information on choosing and buying the right boat.
27. Yacht and Boat Australia: Now that you have a boating license, what do you do next?
28. Ireland Afloat: Should you buy a new leisure boat or a pre-enjoyed leisure boat?
29. Engine Facts: Understanding boat motors so that you can choose the right one for your boating experience.
30. Helpful Tips: How to choose the right sailboat for living on board.
31. Aqua Max: Inflatable boat options and inflatable boat motors.
32. Boating with Dawsons: How to buy a boat confidently.
33. By the Sea: Boat reviews written by their owners. This site gives an accurate look at the various types of boats that are available to you.
34. New Boater: How you should buy your first boat, and an introduction to boat buying.
35. Paws Aboard: A look at some of the gear that you can buy so that you can take your dog boating with you.
36. RBBI: First time buyers and boat buying tips that everyone should heed.
37. DCU Boat Guide: How to negotiate for the best price when buying a leisure boat.
38. Big Sky Fishing: A look at inflatable boat options for you to consider when buying a leisure boat.
39. Boat Auctions Info: How to find the best sources for buying boats on auction in your local area.
40. All Inflatables: A look at the different inflatable leisure boats and accessories that are available to you.
41. Dockside Reports: How to buy your very first boat, and the options that are available to you.
42. AK Mining: Information about jet boats.
43. Boatsville: What you need to know when you are buying a boat.
44. Warner’s Dock: The best seven reasons why you should buy a bass boat.
45. Mad Mariner: The best time to buy a leisure boat.
46. Bass Resource: Tips about buying and caring for a bass leisure boat.

Image Credits: sara~

The ship remains were discovered this summer by divers, who found the twenty bottles of champagne, still packaged, still amber, and still bubbly. By all appearances, the champagne, originally produced sometime during the 1870s or 1880s was still drinkable.

The divers may not have been wine speculators, but apparently, they enjoy a bit of the bubbly themselves. Originally bringing a single bottle to the surface predominantly for the purposes of identifying and dating the shipwreck, the divers decided to celebrate with the champagne when they discovered that it still appeared drinkable. And, indeed it was still drinkable.

According to one of the divers, the champagne “had a sweet taste and you could taste oak and it had a very strong tobacco smell.” It is not yet certain how many bottles were on the shipwreck, or if the champagne bottles are indeed of Cliquot vintage. What is certain is that those men downed a very expensive bottle of champagne.

If the bottles are what they are believed to be, they are expected to instantly become the most expensive champagne in the world. The most expensive wine of any sort, for that matter. Each bottle is estimated at half a million Swedish kroner. That’s about $68,000 for us Americans. Bottom line, those are some damned expensive bottles of champagne. By comparison, 1907 Heidsieck Monopole, a Bordeaux found on a shipwreck was previously the world’s most expensive bottle of wine and sold for a comparably paltry $35,000 per bottle. It kind of makes you wonder if the ship’s captain had any idea how valuable his cargo would be someday when he was trying to decide how much boat insurance to take out.

There’s a reason why those kinds of stories keep recurring in popular media. They resonate with something deep within in, that desire to get away. But the fact that no one is ever truly stranded alone speaks to our desire to have at least some companionship (unless you’re Tom Hanks in Cast Away, in which case you spend half the movie talking to a dolled up basketball). So, if you had to be stranded with someone, who would you want it to be? Here’s our top 3 list of people we definitely would NOT want it to be:

1. Roseanne Barr. Can you imagine anything worse than the constant barrage of smart assed comments by someone who won’t get off her own ass and contribute to whatever attempts at survival you’re managing? Let’s just hope she doesn’t start singing the National Anthem. We might have to drown her ass.

1. Fran Drescher. Honestly, can you imagine living with that voice? We nearly disowned our kid when he started watching reruns of The Nanny. On top of that, we have the feeling she’d be completely useless in a survival situation. Let’s face it, the only reason she’s not number one is that, despite all of her annoying qualities, she does have nice coconuts.

Jim Parsons. OK, we’re sure he’s not as bad in real life as his character Sheldon is on The Big Bang Theory. Or maybe he is. We don’t want to find out. Let’s face it, there are only so many spots you can sit in on a desert island, and we don’t want him claiming one of them. On the other hand, if he’s anywhere near as smart as his character, he may be able to explain the best ways to manipulate the boat insurance actuarial table to receive the best possible rates.

Photo via therainstopped

Almost everyone loves boating. Each family member can play an active role in this enjoyable and exciting activity. With the variety of watercraft, there is just the right boat for every family. Embarking on a marine adventure is as easy as locating a rental establishment and making some inquiries. Perhaps kayaking or canoeing down a river sounds like fun. Lazing around on a pontoon boat as it makes its leisurely way around the lake is good for a novice boater. Maybe the thrill of a speedy Jet Ski or wave runner seems more invigorating. The boating newcomer and the seasoned sailor will both find something of interest in this list of popular boating destinations.

1. The Very Best Marina To Acquire Some Chesapeake Bay Fishing Charters: Kent Island Marina offers touring and fishing charters for family groups.
2. The Do’s and Don’ts of House boating: Practical information and tips about house boating. A short guide to California boating destinations is included.
3. House boating on Lake McClure: The details of one family’s experience renting a houseboat and spending several days on Lake McClure.
4. Lake McClure Marina: Fishing, wildlife and natural attractions make Lake McClure a popular boating spot.
5. Forever Houseboats Offers Families a Unique Vacation Filled with Relaxation and Recreation: Reasons why family houseboat vacations are well liked. The post includes a list of popular destinations.
6. Let’s Go Boating in California: The different kinds of boating opportunities in California. A list of popular waterways with brief descriptions and locations is included.
7. Wilderness Tips: Water-Isolated Destinations: Camping areas accessible only by boat. Area descriptions include special features and tips about visiting these remote places.
8. Boating Loves NYC: Presents some facts about boating in the waters around New York City. Links are included for more information on local boat rental, sailing lessons and fishing.
9. Wisconsin Boating – Wolf River – South Beach: A family’s experience boating on the Wolf River is related. Included are a map and some very nice photos.
10. Hamlin Lake Michigan: This man-made lake has much to offer the boating family. Natural beauty surrounds this lake as the Manistee National Forest and the Ludington State Park border it.
11. “Low Bridge, Everybody Down”: Chronicles a couple’s two-week boat trip through the Erie Canal. There are descriptions and photos of each stop made along the way.
12. This Summer: Discover Lake Michigan’s Beaver Island: This remote island is referred to as America’s Emerald Isle. Details of the various water-related attractions are provided.
13. Great Boating Destinations: Torch Lake Michigan: Torch Lake is part of a chain of lakes and is noted for its turquoise water. This beautiful lake draws celebrities such as Kid Rock and Christine Lahti.
14. Lake Austin Named A Top Boating Destination; But Be Safe While You’re There: This lake situated in a flourishing city make this a trendy boating spot. These safety tips will ensure a safe excursion.
15. Down the Lazy River: The pros and cons of kayaking on the Fox River are explained. Good tips are provided for the novice along with information on renting a kayak.
16. By the Banks of the Suwannee:  Natural North Florida: Boating opportunities abound on the beautiful, historic Suwannee River. Travel the 207 mile river from Georgia to the Gulf and enjoy the many accommodations along the way.
17. Tanglewood Resort Is Just the Place for a Family Boating Vacation: Situated on Lake Texoma, it has something to offer children and adults. Various types of watercrafts can be rented just 10 minutes away at Texoma Rentals.
18. Destination: New Bedford Harbor: Dock the boat and tour this celebrated Massachusetts seaport. Tour the museums, walk through the historic downtown area, enjoy a concert and choose from an array of dining establishments.
19. The Delaware Bay Lighthouse Cruise: This seven-hour cruise to view the areas lighthouses leaves mid-morning. It also provides good whale and bird watching opportunities.
20. Vermont to Long Island Just Another NY Canals Trip Reports Weblog: A family details their boat trip. Filled with descriptions of the sights along the way and the marinas where they docked for the night.
21. Visiting the Stunning 1000 Islands: This natural wonder is a most magnificent boating destination on the St Lawrence River. There are many attractions including some of the best sporting fishing. No trip would be complete without a trip to Heart Island to see the Boldt Castle.
22. Anna Maria, Longboat Key or Sarasota – Where is the perfect place to watch sunset?: Tells the best spot to view the sunset either on land or out in a boat.
23. Fun Things to Do Off the Beaten Path in Carlsbad: Carlsbad Lagoon is just the place to learn any popular boating sport such as jet skiing, kayaking, and wave running. Rentals are available.
24. Five Great Lakes in Southern West Virginia: Names and locations of each lake are given. Their best features are noted.
25. Top 10 Best Boating Lakes: Deep Creek Lake in Maryland has been chosen as one of the top ten by Destinations for Leisure. The main draw for this lake is fishing, but recreational use is on the rise.
26. Lake George: Beautiful pictures of Lake George and the Sagamore Resort are included in this blog post.
27. Island Time – Boat Trip to the Keys – June 2009: This is the story of a family’s trip from Harbortown to the Keys and back. Details include navigational hazards and reviews of the places they ate.
28. Maiden Voyage: This family’s first voyage on the Bogue Sound in a sailboat they built.
29. Tidal Delaware Water Trail: Contains multiple posts about boating on the Delaware River. Included are kayaking programs and safety tips.
30. Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Features of the refuge are noted along with photos.
31. Our Trip to the Lake: Accounts are given of a family’s week long vacation on Lake Placid including their canoe trip.
32. 2010 Fishing Opener: Walleye fishing is one of the main attractions of Leech Lake in Minnesota.
33. Leech Lake Fishing: This blog features multiple articles about Walleye fishing. Leech Lake is also a popular ice-fishing destination.
34. Everything about Kayaking in Oklahoma: This is a series of posts about kayaking on different bodies of water in Oklahoma. Kayaking in different seasons, kayak fishing and choosing a kayak are some of the topics covered.
35. Harbor Springs is Filled With Summertime Fun: A complete list of the many things to do in Harbor Springs along with contact information. It details the fishing and boating opportunities along with a map of the Inland Waterway.
36. Where is the Beach? East Grand Traverse Bay, Bowers Harbor, Good Harbor, Michigan: A long list of the many area beaches is presented. Information about Power Island that can only be reached by boat.
37. Memphis: Take a Mississippi River Boat Cruise: A to-do list for trip planning and some activities to enjoy before and after the cruise.
38. Down the Mississippi: A list of 2010 Mississippi River trips with links to the associated blogs. A list of 2010 Group Paddle Trips, some of which are still open for registration.
39. Karen and Jerry’s Great Grand Adventure: A series chronicling a 3-month boat trip on Lake Superior. One of the posts explains the importance of the supplies they packed.
40. Know NY’s Boating Laws Before You Take to the Water: The clear, calm beauty of the Finger Lakes makes this a popular boating destination. It is important to be familiar with the state’s boating laws before launching the boat.
41. A Good Weekend at Beaver Lake: A weekend of diving in different spots in Beaver Lake is detailed.
42. Kayaking the Lakes of South Dakota: This is a series of blog posts each dedicated to a different waterway in the Sioux Falls area. Plenty of pictures and interesting information accompany this blog.
43. Summer Is Here – Time To Go To The Lake To Cool Off: Broken Bow Lake located in the mountains of Southeast Oklahoma is popular with boaters. Beaver’s Bend Marina has slips and rental boats available.
44. Have You Considered Lake Of the Ozarks Pontoon Boat Rentals?: Pontoon boats are good for the novice. Rent a pontoon and explore this 55,000 acre waterway.
45. Gage Lake Geneva Cruise Line: Take advantage of the Family Sundowner Special each Thursday night. Children’s birthday parties can be hosted on board for a celebration to remember.

Image Credits: dental ben

The crazy thing is, even if she succeeds, she might never get credit for the accomplishment. With the increasing scrutiny of young sailors vying for record setting circumnavigation voyages, the record keeping organizations have stopped recognizing such records. Unless something changes, the “official” record will always belong to Mike Perham, who was seventeen when he completed his voyage a year ago.

Despite the formal acknowledgements, young sailors continue to make attempts to be the youngest ever to sail around the globe. Jessica Watson unofficially shattered Perham’s record in May. In turn her record was almost beaten by the ill fated Abby Sunderland, who would have completed her trip around the world at the ripe old age of 16 if she had not run into equipment problems and rough seas.

Abby Sunderland’s parents have come under a good deal of harsh criticism for allowing their 16 year old daughter to attempt to sail around the world by herself, something that was no doubt on the minds of Laura Dekker’s mother when she originally told her daughter that she wasn’t allowed to attempt the long journey. The Dutch courts agreed with mom that the then 13 year old Laura should not be allowed to go on such a dangerous journey.

So, Laura Dekker did precocious 13 year olds anywhere on the planet do when parents or the legal system tell them they can’t do something. She tried to do it anyway. The crazy thing is that she almost got away with it. She wasn’t caught until someone recognized her on the Dutch Island of St. Maarten. When this kid runs away, she really knows how to do it right. That’s over 4,000 miles from the Netherlands. We wonder if her parents kept the boat insurance up while they were looking for her.

So what difference does a year make? We don’t know, either. Apparently, though, it makes all the difference in the world both to young Ms. Dekker’s mother and the Dutch court system, both of who now approve of Dekker’s current bid to become the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the earth.

It’s good to know that the Dutch government approves. I wonder how the US government feels about such trips? I caught my 3 year old playing with a toy sailboat in the bathtub yesterday and have been thinking the kid just might have a shot at an unofficial, unrecognized record. At the very least, it’d be worth some publicity.

Photo via mikebaird

No insurance policy in the world is ever going to restore the value of the 1,000 houses and cabins built on Lake Delhi, of course. Even the ones that weren’t damaged have suffered the ignoble fate of being instantly transformed from lakefront property with a view to Mudville. And face it, who wants a piece of land on a mud flat?

Lake Delhi was formed when the dam was constructed over 80 years ago, and has been one of the area’s best recreation areas ever since. The dam hasn’t been used to produce electricity in a long time, but boaters and sportsmen have certainly enjoyed the lake.

Those with boat insurance can probably find another lake for their new boat, while those without it will likely do without for a while. At the very least, they’ll have to search through 9 miles of muddy hell to find their boats.

With any luck, the dam will be rebuilt. Federal programs may pay for as much as 75% of the rebuilding process, with the state of Iowa kicking in 10% and the local homeowners association and governing bodies kicking in the final 15%. What’s 15% on a dam cost nowadays, anyway? We’re not sure, but our guess would be somewhere around a hell of a lot. If the federal money is not granted (pending it being declared a disaster), it is unlikely the area will be able to afford to rebuild the dam. Even if they are, it will be quite some time before anyone pilots a boat on the new Lake Delhi.

This all goes to show you that anything can happen. It doesn’t pay to skimp on insurance coverages, be they home owner’s, boat insurance, or any other. After all, the last thing you want to worry about when you’re looking at a mudslide where the lake in your back yard used to be is whether or not you can fix or replace your boat.

Photo via mikecogh

So what kind of parent in their right mind would allow a teenager to leave home, get on board a sailing ship and sail across the ocean? While the thought drives most of us parents crazy today, the truth is it really wasn’t so long ago when fourteen to sixteen year olds routinely left home to start their sailing careers.

Before steam ships and diesel liners sent the Age of Sail to Davey Jones’ Locker, most sailing ships had a cabin boy. This cabin boy, whose duties included running messages for the Captain and other officers, swabbing the decks, helping the ship’s cook, and even trimming the sails and manning the helm, generally started his career between the ages of fourteen and sixteen.

Often times, cabin boys were groomed for future leadership aboard sailing vessels. Who better to serve as a ship’s officer than someone who had been sailing since he was a teenager? So, from the 1500s through the mid 1800s, sending your teenager off to sea was often a good way to start him off on a promising career path. Kind of like sending him off to college early. By the time he was a young man, he knew a little bit of everything from how to steer the ship to what kind of boat insurance was needed to cover an ocean voyage.

So next time you shake your head and wonder how any parent could let their teenaged sons or daughters get on a sailboat by themselves to cross the world’s oceans, stop and think about it. As little as one hundred fifty years ago, parents might have shaken their head about how most of us could allow such an opportunity to pass us by.

Photo via ePi.Longo

It all started with rice farmers and merchants who would travel down the often perilous river rapids of mainland China to deliver their goods to market. Because the loss of a boat and its cargo could spell disaster for anyone, the travelers came up with an idea of devising a system where the risk would be shared by everyone.

It was virtually guaranteed that some boats were going to capsize and lose their cargo on the trip, but by banding together and sharing the risks and profits, each of the merchants minimized their potential losses. If a particular merchant’s boat capsized, the remaining merchants would give him a share of their profits, and sometimes even cover the expense of a new boat. This revolutionary idea came about in the 3^rd Century BC. That’s about 2,300 years ago. And you thought boat insurance was a new thing.

The idea took root, and appears to have spread west through Babylonia and into the Greek and Roman Empires. Life and health insurance came into being in the Graeco-Roman period.

Of course, when most of us think about boat insurance, Chinese merchants are the farthest thing from our minds, unless you happen to be in the Chinese boat trade. What we want to know is that if someone steals our boat, or if we hit a rock and sink it while we’re out bass fishing, we’re going to be able to replace it.

Next time you visit your agent, break out the old Chinese abacus and make sure that the amount of coverage you have is going to be enough to do what you want it to do, if you should have an accident. All too many boat owners are unpleasantly surprised to find out that their coverage was not what they thought it was. Unfortunately, whether you’re a Chinese merchant or a bass fisherman from the Louisiana bayou, when your boat is lying at the bottom with a hole in it, it’s too late to make sure you have the coverage you thought you had.

Photo via ansik

Most kayaks are between nine and fourteen feet long. Ocean kayakers tend to favor the longer boats, as they offer more stability. Smaller kayaks are favored by river paddlers for their increased mobility and maneuverability.

Generally speaking, shark attacks on kayaks don’t end up with anyone getting seriously hurt. Make no mistake, that doesn’t make them any less scary. Even if you do carry boat insurance on your kayak, it’s probably the last thing on your mind when you know you have a shark in the water that’s potentially bigger than you and your kayak combined.

As most people know, sharks don’t eat kayaks. They just don’t taste very good. In general, sharks don’t even eat human beings. We just don’t have enough meat on our bones to make a worthwhile meal for the average shark which happens to be big enough to eat us. They much prefer seals.

Still, from thirty feet below the water, a surfboard or a kayak can look an awful lot like a seal, especially to a creature which arguably isn’t the brightest fish in the ocean to begin with. Generally, attacks on boats of any kind are by Great Whites. Most other sharks simply aren’t large enough to mess with something that big.

Of course, Mako sharks have been known to attack boats occasionally as well. As the world’s fastest shark, and one which attacks from behind, you’re in a bad situation if a Mako takes undue interest in your kayak. He can swim 50 miles per hour, and you’re definitely not going to be able to out paddle him.

Unlike the Mako, Great Whites are ambush predators. They generally strike from 30 feet or more below the surface, in a burst of speed so intense they have been known to completely leave the water while attacking. Fortunately, Great Whites are also finicky eaters and usually won’t return for a second bite if they didn’t like the first one. So, if you have a Great White following you, as intense as it can be, you probably don’t need to worry. At least until he dives, that is.

If you find yourself the unlikely and unlucky victim of a shark attack while kayaking, try to hold on to your paddle. It can be used to jab the shark on the snout, which is the best way to discourage it from seeing if the kayaker tastes any better than his boat.

Photo via Ray Devlin