The Coast Guard requirements meet the essential ingredients for boating safety, but the following items increase your odds of staying safe on the water or may ensure a speedy rescue.

Optional (but important) boating safety equipment includes:

• VHF-FM Marine Radio
• EPIRB or PLB (Emergency Positioning Indicator)
• Nautical Charts
• GPS / Radar
• Throwable Life Ring
• Distress Signal Devices (Flares)
• Day Distress Signals
• Day/Night Combination Signals
• Distress Kit

Treat these items as if you were a pilot in pre-flight. Check off and make sure:

1. That these items are present – some items grow legs and run off. Check each time to be sure you are prepared.
2. That they appear to be in functioning order. You may not be able to test your flares, but ensuring that they appear to be in ready condition is steps ahead.
3. That you show your guests where certain emergency items are kept. You may even want to assign a first mate and teach that person how to work your marine radio.

BuyMarine wants you on the water for many, many years to come. Let’s make sure boating safety becomes a habit.

• Beam: Maximum width of a vessel
• Gunwale: Upper edge of a vessel’s side
• Hull: Body of a vessel
• Keel: Main centerline of a vessel, or the extension of the hull that increases stability
• Propeller: Rotates and powers vessel forward or backward
• Draft: Depth of water needed to float a vessel
• Freeboard: Distance from water to lowest point of boat where water could come aboard
• Starboard: Right side of a vessel
• All-Round White Light: Indicates rear of a vessel
• Stern: Rear of a vessel
• Cleat: Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
• Port: Left side of a vessel
• Red and Green Sidelights: Directional indicators on front of a vessel
• Bow: Front of a vessel

Best way to test your vocabulary for the parts of the boat? Get a used boat.

Hypothermia

As always, keep basic safety tips in mind while boating, including these 9 important ones to keep hypothermia at bay.

1. Stay aboard.

The best thing, of course, is to avoid immersion in water. Wear a harness and tether to keep you in the boat, especially during bad weather. If you must abandon your vessel, wait until the last moment — and enter the water slowly.

2. Use the head.

Pee where you’re supposed to. We’re not trying to be funny; the Coast Guard says urinating overboard is a common reason for men to end up in the water. One unexpected wave is all it takes for one to lose balance dangerously.

3. Put on protective clothing.

If you have time, put on watertight clothing, a survival suit, or a wet/dry suit. Lacking those, don layers of clothing and foul-weather gear. A hat, toque, or diving helmet helps minimize heat loss through the head. Once you’re in the water, preserving body temperature is the first step in fighting hypothermia.

4. Wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device)

People fall overboard while moving around the deck, urinating, or standing up in open boats. “We can’t overemphasize the importance of wearing an approved PFD. It saves people during cold shock, allows them to float, remain in the ‘fetal position,’ and extend their time in the water.” If you must abandon ship, ensure your inflatable PFD is fully blown up before entering the water. You may lack the breathing control to do so once in the water. And depending on the temperature of the water, hypothermia may set in quicker than you can imagine.

5. Find other flotation.

Any device keeping your torso and head out of the water will extend your survivability. A life ring, blow-up ring, inner tube, log, an overturned boat—anything to reduce heat loss will help.

6. Carry other gear.

To call for help, we recommend carrying a waterproof VHF radio. This is especially true if you’re single-handing, fishing or rowing/kayaking/paddling alone. Whistles, flares, a personal strobe, fluorescent clothing or tape can make you more audible and visible (remember, a “one-foot chop” will hide your head).

7. Set goals.

Bob Lord endlessly tread water for 300 strokes, then rested. Each time, he’d set the goal again: 300 strokes. He’s convinced that his attitude and discipline helped save him.

8. Tow a line.

Most people avoid overboard lines for fear of trapping them in the propeller. But 83-year-old Marshall Perrow had tied a knotted dockline to the stern while single-handing. When he fell overboard, his boat kept sailing at four knots. He managed to grab the line and hold on until the boat ran aground.

9. Avoid booze.

The liver produces less blood sugar with alcohol in the system, which can speed up hypothermia. Don’t drink and drive.

Keep safe out there. BuyMarine.

1. Practice good seamanship. It is the responsibility of every boat operator to take all necessary action to avoid a boat collision, taking into account the weather, vessel traffic and the limits of other vessels. Such action should be taken in ample time to avoid boat collisions and at a safe distance from other vessels.

2. Keep a proper lookout. Failing to keep a sharp lookout is the most common cause of boat collisions. Every operator must keep a proper lookout, using both sight and hearing, at all times. Watch and listen for other vessels, radio communications, navigational hazards and others involved in water activities.

3. Maintain a safe speed. Safe speed is the speed that ensures you will have sufficient time to avoid boat collisions and can stop within an appropriate distance. Safe speed will vary depending on conditions such as wind, water conditions, navigational hazards, visibility, surrounding vessel traffic density and the maneuverability of your boat. Always reduce speed and navigate with extreme caution at night and when visibility is restricted.

Careful out there! Boat collisions are yours to prevent. For all your boating gear needs, see us at BuyMarine.

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MINNEAPOLIS – Cummins Power Generation unveiled an Acoustic Testing Center at its Fridley, Minn., headquarters in the fall that the company says is the largest of its kind in the world.

Previously, noise testing was conducted outdoors — where weather, ambient background noise and noise pollution restrictions to protect surrounding neighborhoods restricted what the company could test.

The new 23,000-square foot facility, which opened in October, houses a 13,000-square foot hemi-anechoic test area; a secondary, smaller hemi-anechoic test chamber; and a 1,500-square foot performance test area. All of these tools, Cummins said, help it gather better data that it can then use to produce quieter generators for the marine industry.

How will boaters benefit from the work done at the Acoustical Testing Center? What benefits does it offer Cummins and those with which it conducts business?

From Cummins: “As noted, the benefit is two-fold. For boat manufacturers, a low noise generator provides one less problem for them to worry about as well as allowing for a more luxurious feel to their design. As for the end user, whether they are watching a big screen or just want to enjoy the environment that surrounds them, the ATC will help Cummins Onan design and produce marine generators that produce a minimal amount of noise. When you forget the generator is running because you can’t hear it, we think that is a pretty good thing.”

1. Stay with one marine battery chemistry (flooded, gel, or AGM) for all of the batteries on your boat. Each battery type requires specific charging voltages. Mixing battery types can result in under- or overcharging—either of which can be fatal to your marine battery. A smart multi-step regulator with a temperature sensor to control charge is a wise and safe investment—and a must for AGM or gel batteries.
2. Shallow discharges lead to a longer marine battery life. You may want to invest in a solar-power trickle charger with smart regulator.
3. 80% discharge is the maximum safe discharge for deep-cycle marine batteries.
4. Don’t leave batteries deeply discharged for any length of time. Leaving batteries in a discharged state will cause sulfide damage and lower their capacity.
5. Charge a marine battery after each period of use.
6. Never mix old batteries with new ones on the same charging system. Old batteries tend to pull down the new ones in the battery bank to their deteriorated level.
7. Keep batteries in acid-proof storage boxes secured with tie downs.
8. Clean terminal connectors regularly to avoid loss of conductivity.
9. Maintain fluid levels in your wet-cell marine battery.
10. If you have true deep-cycle needs, consider golf cart or traction propulsion batteries.

Originally designated the NAVSTAR (Navigation System with Timing And Ranging) Global Positioning System, the GPS system was developed by the US Department of Defense to provide all-weather, round-the-clock navigation capabilities for military ground, sea, and air forces. Since its implementation, GPS system has also become an integral asset in numerous civilian applications and industries around the globe, including recreational uses (e.g. boating, aircraft, hiking), corporate vehicle fleet tracking, and surveying.

GPS Originates in Space

The GPS system employs twenty-four spacecraft in 20,200-km circular orbits inclined at 55 degrees. These spacecraft are placed in six orbit planes with four operational satellites in each plane. All launches have been successful except for one launch failure in 1981. The full 24-satellite constellation was completed on March 9, 1994.

The first eleven spacecraft (GPS Block 1) were used to demonstrate the feasibility of the GPS system. The Block 2 spacecraft began the operational system.

GPS was designed as a dual-use system with the primary purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of U.S. and allied military forces. GPS is rapidly becoming an integral component of the emerging Global Information Infrastructure, with applications ranging from mapping and surveying to international air traffic management and global change research. The growing demand from military, civil, commercial, and scientific users has generated a U.S. commercial GPS navigation systems equipment and service industry that leads the world. Augmentations to enhance basic GPS services could further expand these civil and commercial markets.

GPS Receiver Technology Grows More Powerful

GPS receiver technology has developed by leaps and bounds over the last few years. GPS receivers were initially the size of a suitcase with the antenna the size of a kid’s blow up swimming pool. Over time, the system has been developed into a civilian friendly program, and GPS receiver technology has miniaturized as well. Automobile GPS receivers are the size of a deck of cards. The gps receiver used in hand held devices is not much larger than a small cell phone. Many newer cell telephones have a GPS receiver integral in their hand set. As manufacturers develop the GPS receiver, they will have to work through display, power use, and dexterity limitations. An individual will need a screen with a size that can be viewed from any angle and at a reasonable distance.

The GPS receiver is generally always on while in use, so managing power will continue to be an on going problem. The ability to push the small buttons will limit just how small a GPS receiver can be. As touchscreens develop and other input systems are introduced, we will see the GPS receiver continue to change in appearance and use.

At BuyMarine.com we know not everyone is a rocket scientist, but a GPS device is one item you must have on the high seas. Be safe on the water, and if you need to buy or sell marine-related items, our online classified ads site is bar none.

You want to get a fair deal on your boat. You want to get the best price possible from the market, but at the same time, you do not want to overprice your boat. There are certain things you can do to help you determine your experience level when it comes to boat sales; we hope it will arm you with the information you need to sell your boat most advantageously.

How Much is Your Boat Worth?

First of all, you have to determine a fair price for the boat. Get an estimate of what the boat is worth. You can do this by consulting a professional and having the boat appraised, or you can go by the marine blue book value and make an estimate based on the accessories included and the depreciation of the boat.

Making an estimate for boat sales on your own is a serious task.

1. Find out the going price for the boat
2. Deduct value according to the age and condition of the boat
3. Add value according to the accessories that you have and the condition that they are in

These basic steps will help you determine a price that is fair to both you and the potential buyer.

Know WHEN to Engage in Boat Sales

Knowing when to sell your boat is just as important as knowing how to set the price. Certain times of the year will make a difference in the amount of potential buyers that you will see. For example, trying to sell a boat in the middle of winter is not a good idea. This is especially true if you live in very cold regions. People are just not interested in boat sales during this time of the year. The offers that you do get may leave you a little disappointed.

However, trying to sell a boat at the beginning of the boating season will have a completely different effect. This is when people are out searching for that perfect boat and many of them will be willing to pay a little more for the boat of their dreams. This also means that you will need to put less effort into selling your boat because more people will already be interested.

Know HOW to Engage in Boat Sales

Be sure to keep everything you need in order so that you can quickly engage in boat sales without wasting any time. Keep all the documents you need in one place. One of the worst things that can happen to you is not knowing where the title is or not having all the things you need in order to sell the boat legally. Believe me, this is the quickest way to lose the sale!

Also make sure you polish and clean the boat before you sell your boat it so that it looks clean and bright. Make sure the battery is charged and ready for show. Basically, you need to get prepared to sell your boat and you will see that everything else will automatically fall in place.

Of course, BuyMarine has dedicated a whole website to marine-related trades and sales, including boat sales! If you are interested  in learning a little more about selling a boat, you are welcome to visit the website. Simply click on the link below!

BuyMarine.com

There have been some great fishing gear inventions over the years. High-quality fishing gear, including accessories, electronics, lines, lures, reels, and rods. But there are a few products that have stood the test of time. Through great design and functionality, the following fishing gear has remained well-used and well-loved.

Here’s the Top Ten Fishing Gear Over the Last 75 Years list, in chronological order.

1. Original Rapala Floater Minnow (1936). This hard-body lure is one of the most successful and widely used lures in fishing gear history. It is still the “go to” lure of many of today’s bass and trout anglers.

2. Nibble, Nabber Springloaded Bobber (1947). This red and white bobber replaced the cork as an indicator of a strike. In those days, many anglers fished with live bait and the bobber made suspending them at a desired depth simpler and easier.

3. Mitchell 3000 (1949). This was the first commercially successful spinning reel and is one of the most common reels used today. Costing $18.95 in the 1950s, that was a good sum of money and out of reach for many. But it was the best spinning reel on the fishing gear market. It was a tough workhorse of a reel.

4. Crème Plastic Worm (1949). It changed the sport forever as the first, and still famous, long-lasting artificial worm that both looked and felt real.

5. Zero Bomb Company Closed Face Spincast Reel (1949). Costing only $3 or $4, it made fishing easy and affordable to everyone. They have greatly improved since they were first made and are currently manufactured by ZEBCO Brands.

6. Lowrance Fish Lo-k-Tor (1957). The Little Green Box introduced anglers to the use of sonar in locating individual fish.

7. DuPont Stren Monofilament Line (1958). Improved the durability, affordability, and casting ability of fishing line while reducing its visibility to fish.

8. Minn Kota Trolling Motor (1958). This was the first electric gear-driven trolling motor that gave anglers the ability to quietly maneuver and position their boats. Originally manufactured by Minn Kota, it is now manufactured by Johnson Outdoors.

9. Fenwick High Modulus Graphite Rod (1972). Its super-sensitive carbon (graphite) fibers revolutionized the method of making fishing rods and how anglers fished. They also make excellent fiberglass rods.

10. The Shakespeare Ugly Stick (1976). With its special construction, it created an affordable, unbreakable and dynamic fishing rod still in use today. This one is still one of our favorites.

As always, there’s nothing like marine-related online classifieds to find new and used fishing gear of this quality. If you’ve got some of this great fishing gear lying around, post it on BuyMarine today.

Though all of the products available on BuyMarine are boating- and fishing-related, there’s no reason to pigeonhole us as the place for recreational marine goods. Sometimes, we come across a product whose usefulness is so far-reaching that we need to take a moment out to showcase it, and the socially conscious company that makes it.

One such product is the revolutionary, life-saving LifeStraw. It is a simple, portable, water filtration device that removes harmful bacteria and parasites — and the waterborne diseases that they carry. It filters 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites from  1000 liters of drinking water.

Anglers and boaters can use the LifeStraw in lakes and streams. But imagine the impact this product has on developing nations where clean water is not readily available. Or in disaster-struck areas, such as after a devastating earthquake.

From the New York Times:

“Until now, these filters have mainly been given away through aid groups after such disasters like the Haitian earthquake and in chronically poor countries like Mozambique and Myanmar. Nearly a million of the family-size LifeStraw have been donated in Kenya alone this year. In exchange, the company will receive carbon credits for reduced emissions from wood-burning fires often used to boil water.”

Doin’ Some Good While You Fish

Eartheasy, the company that manufactures the LifeStraw, donates one straw for every 10 sold. All sales help support Eartheasy’sefforts to offer LifeStraw to developing countries at reduced rates or for free. The LifeStraw retails for $19.95.

Aid groups looking to buy LifeStraws in bulk can contact info@eartheasy.com.