Get Your Low Cost Life Jackets

Please help spread the word to save some money and, more importantly, save some lives...

The BoatUS Foundation sent us a note about their Teens Afloat Program, and it includes two of our favorite subjects - boating safely, and saving money. The program is targeted at organizations, not individual boaters or families, but if you have teens who attend a camp or school that has any sort of on-the-water activities, or if you run such a program, you need to check this out.

Leap Day Reflections on GPS

Threats to boaters and their GPS, including Solar Flares and LightSquared. Don't say you weren't warned...

This aurora image was taken over Muonio, Finland before sunrise
yesterday. Image Courtesy of NASA/Thomas Kast.

Over the past few years, Vin Pica has warned us all here on the Daily Boater about issues that may affect the ability of recreational boaters (and everybody else) to depend on GPS for navigation. These issues have included disruptions by solar flares and interference from new, unproven technology.

If you boat and you're not doing so already, you need to start listening to Vin Pica. Today.

Here's an example of a little before-and-after...

The Boat Galley: Sticky Solutions

The Boat Galley author Carolyn Shearlock shares her secret for making band-aids stick, even when they're wet, which usually happens on a boat...

Guest blog by Carolyn Shearlock
Carolyn Shearlock, author of The Boat Galley, appears weekly on the Daily Boater with tips for getting the most out of your boat's kitchen, (which, BTW, is where many boaters keep their first aid kit.)

Around the water and with all the activity of boating, it can be hard to keep Band-Aids on – yet also necessary to keep cuts clean.

What’s a boater to do?

Sail is a Sea Song

Our Sea Song of the Week is "Sail" - how could we RESIST?...

Every week we post a nautical tune to help you enjoy the weekend, even if you can't get out on the boat. We call it the Sea Song of the Week.

When a song becomes popular with today's youth, gets featured on multiple TV shows and movies, and has a title related to boating, we can't resist making it our Sea Song of the Week - even if the lyrics and video seem to be about something other than sailing...

World on Water, Week 8

Tune in for the latest edition of World on Water, Episode 61, released February 24, 2012...

It's time for some fast-paced, world-class sailing action! Here's what's happening on today's edition of World on Water...

Boat Show Round-Up

All the boat and fishing shows happening this weekend, and pics from last weekend's shows...

Plenty of Sport and Boat Shows This Weekend. Photo © Nautical Sites Media

Secrets Of Sailing Safety From Over 2000 Years Ago

Captain John shares his secrets to boost your sailing safety...

Guest blog by Captain John
Captain John Jamieson, a regular contributor to the Daily Boater, is author of Seamanship Secrets and publisher of the popular boating education website SkipperTips.com

How can you continue to boost your sailboat cruising skills every time you cast off your lines? You might be surprised that an answer given by a young sailor long ago will handle most seamanship problems - before they get out of control!

Why Register Your Boat?

The RBFF encourages folks to obtain a fishing license or register their boat in new ad campaign...

Our friends at the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) found a funny way to ask and answer the question, "why should you actually want to purchase a fishing license and register your boat?"

Modernizing GPS

Vin Pica discusses the United States Air Force plans to modernize GPS – but then what?

Guest blog by Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Photo: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Without a doubt, GPS is used in everything from farming and aviation to public safety and disaster relief and recreation, not to mention its military purpose of providing precision navigation and timing to our combat forces.  And we’ve covered it here many times. In fact, we've written more than a dozen times about some facet of GPS – or GPS vulnerability.  This column is about both...

Video: Superyacht Sinking

We thought the only rescue we'd be hearing about in Greece this week would have to do with the country's economy; but over the weekend a 197-foot megayacht started sinking off the coast of the Greek island Skyros and Government authorities came to the ship's aid.

This dramatic video was taken by the Greek air force crew that rescued all 8 passengers...

The Boat Galley: Ovenless Sweet Treats

The Boat Galley author Carolyn Shearlock shares an easy-to-prepare recipe that will make your mouth water...

Guest blog by Carolyn Shearlock
Carolyn Shearlock, author of The Boat Galley, appears weekly on the Daily Boater with tips for getting the most out of your boat's kitchen.

Ever wish you could just whip up a bit of chocolate-y goodness on the boat but haven’t quite figured out a way to do it without an oven... and with ingredients that are easy to carry on board?

Whether as an evening treat as you’re star-gazing at anchor or an afternoon snack on an active day, these Chocolate-Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies are delicious, take only 10 minutes, require just one burner on the stove and have several variations!

Volvo: Pics And History-Making News From Sanya

Photos and news from the start of Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race in Sanya, China... 

We just received the latest photos from the Volvo Ocean Race. These are from the start of Leg 4 in Sanya, China. All photos in this album were taken by PAUL TODD for the Volvo Ocean Race and are for editorial use only on www.DailyBoater.com.

Not long after these pictures were taken on Sunday, racing was cut short by race organizers as a safety precaution. They made the decision late Saturday night to hold only a 40-nautical mile sprint on Sunday morning, and keep the boats in Sanya overnight until Monday.

A weather system that includes winds over 40 knots and waves reaching 8 meters in height is forecast for the South China Sea on the route to Auckland early in the week. Delaying the race reduces the risk of boats hitting monsoon-like conditions. It is the first time in the 39-year history of the Volvo Ocean Race that the race has been suspended or delayed off-shore racing.

Now, for the pics...

Soul of a Sea Song

Our Sea Song of the Week is Soul of a Sailor by Kenny Chesney...

Every week we post a nautical tune to help you enjoy the weekend, even if you can't get out on the boat. We call it the Sea Song of the Week.

When this song came on the radio on the way to the Northeast Fishing Show this weekend, it was obvious that it would be our choice for this week's Sea Song....

World on Water # 60

Tune in now for the latest edition of World on Water, Episode 60, released February 17, 2012...

Ready for some fast-paced, world-class sailing action? Here's what's happening on today's edition of World on Water...

Miami Boat Show Begins And More

Today is the first day of one of the world's biggest boat shows, and of some not-so-big boat and sport shows around the country...

Sailboats are creeping back into the New England Boat Show. Photo © Nautical Sites Media

New Drunken Boating Law Advancing

The state of Indiana is getting closer to passing a law that will affect boaters in the Great Lakes state...

A new law in Indiana is getting closer to becoming a reality after a landslide vote in the state's house this week. If the law comes to fruition, the penalties for operating a boat while intoxicated would be more severe than they currently are in the state. In fact, the laws would mirror those for driving a car drunk in Indiana.

This could become a trend across the country, as such regulations have begun to appear in other states. While the vast majority of boaters are very responsible, the past-times of boating and drinking have long been associated with one another. Boaters should be aware that today's law enforcement on the water is beginning to crack down on boating under the influence. Penalties are increasing in more and more places.

For folks from other parts of the country and the world, you may not realize that Indiana is a pretty big state for boating. Not only does the state border Lake Michigan, but it contains over 1,000 lakes; unfortunately, the title "Land of 1,000 Lakes" belongs to Minnesota. The Ohio River runs along a stretch of another part of Indiana's border, and several other rivers run through it.

Boat Owners Association Announces Top Boat Names

The Boat Owners Association of The United States announced their annual list of top ten boat names...

One of the annual top 10 favorite boat names is Second Wind, shown on this bottle
opener, available with your boat name at Boat Name Gear.

For over 20 years, the folks at the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) have been sharing their list of the top ten most popular boat names. Don't hate on these boat names for being bland... After all, by definition, the more popular a boat name becomes, the less unique it is. That being said, there are a couple of boat names we haven't seen before on this year's list. But for the boat owners who named their boats after the songs Dream Weaver and Blue Bayou, please consider checking out our Sea Song of the Week where you may find a great boat name from a song that was made famous after 1977.

Did your favorite boat name make the 22nd annual list?  Please read on to check out the top boat names; add your comments to let us know your thoughts...

When Your GPS Fails

Vin Pica wants to know - are you prepared to find your way to a safe port if your GPS bugs out?...

Guest blog by Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

You rely on electronics to find your favorite fishing hole. Can you get home without their help?

We’ve written a number of times about the quiet wonder of the 20th century – your GPS.  (see Prevention of Collisions at Sea, and “Hole in the GPS Sky”.)  But what can happen to the private boater when it fails?

There is plenty to do to find where you are and get home safely.

This column is about that...

The Boat Galley: No Chill Sour Cream

The Boat Galley author Carolyn Shearlock shares her secret for making Sour Cream on the boat with no refrigeration...

Guest blog by Carolyn Shearlock
Carolyn Shearlock, author of The Boat Galley, appears weekly on the Daily Boater with tips for getting the most out of your boat's kitchen.


How would you like to have sour cream available on your boat without having to keep it refrigerated? Whether for dips or topping a taco, most of us love it.

All New World On Water For Feb 10 2012

Tune in now for the latest edition of World on Water, Episode 59, released February 10, 2012...

Camper finishing the second stage of Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race.
Photo: IAN ROMAN/Volvo Ocean Race

Ready for some fast-paced, world-class sailing action? Here's what's happening on today's edition of World on Water...

Boat Shows From LA To Boston

It's a big boat show weekend in Los Angeles, Montreal, Detroit, Charlotte, St. Louis, Vancouver and more cities across North America...

This week's boat show report is another doozy, with boat shows of all sizes in big cities and small towns across the continent. In fact, if you haven't seen a boat show near you within the past few weeks, contact us and we'll see if we can't get one going!

With the mega-big Miami show still a week away, this weekend is packed with shows from coast to coast, including...

Smoke Signals

Marine Diesel Secrets - Do You Know These Smoke Signals? Captain John returns this week to help us decipher common causes of smoke on-board your sailboat...

Guest blog by Captain John
Captain John Jamieson, a regular contributor to the Daily Boater, is author of Seamanship Secrets and publisher of the popular boating education website SkipperTips.com

Did you know that that color of smoke from your small sailboat diesel engine could signal a line wrapped around your propeller? Or water in the fuel? Or too much oil in your engine?
 
When you first start up your sailboat diesel engine, look over the stern. Do you have a strong, clear flow of exhaust water? Do you see smoke coming out of the exhaust tube?

Other than an initial puff or two, your engine should send out clean exhaust without any smoke. Colors point to problems like overloads, internal oil leaks, or contaminated fuel.

Follow this summary to identify problem areas and take the suggested actions to resolve the problem as soon as possible...

The Hole in the GPS Sky

Vin Pica knows boaters rely on GPS, but what if it suddenly stopped working? How would you be affected?...
 
Guest blog by Vincent Pica
Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Easily the most sophisticated and yet easiest bit of consumer electronics available to "Joe the Boater", GPS has revolutionized everything from getting the groceries to sailing around the world.
(See Prevention of Collision at Sea - Thanks to GPS)

But what if GPS stopped working?

This column is about that...

The Boat Galley: A Better Dish Drainer

In her first Daily Boater post, guest blogger Carolyn Shearlock shares her recommendation for the best dish drainer for your boat...

Guest blog by Carolyn Shearlock
Carolyn Shearlock, a new contributor to the Daily Boater, is the author of The Boat Galley.

Even a galley this nice has challenges! Photo © Brian Palmer/istockphoto.com

Do you get frustrated with trying to find a dish drainer that works on your boat?  One that’s large enough to hold a reasonable number of dishes, but stores in a minimum of space?

Introducing The Boat Galley

Please give a warm welcome to the newest addition to our growing team of guest bloggers for DailyBoater.com...

Carolyn Shearlock

Each Monday, Carolyn Shearlock, author of The Boat Galley, will have an article here to help you get the most out of your boat’s kitchen.  I promise, it won’t be gourmet cooking. Instead, her articles will focus on practical ways to cook without prepared foods and electric appliances, with ingredients that can be found in most cruising grounds and stored upon a boat. 

Carolyn’s articles on The Boat Galley covers topics as diverse as ways to cope with a temperamental galley oven and baking on the stove top if you don’t have an oven, cooking from scratch, factors to consider when buying galley gear, food storage, keeping the galley cool in summer, improving refrigerator efficiency, using a cooler for food storage and more.

She’s promised to provide the same type of practical, easy-to-immediately-use tips here.  And if you have questions for Carolyn, post them here or on The Boat Galley’s Facebook page for a direct response.

Volvo Ocean Race Leg 3 Finish Pics

The 3rd leg of the Volvo Ocean Race has concluded, and we've got some great shots from Sanya...

(Photo: IAN ROMAN/Volvo Ocean Race)

Skipper Iker Martinez from Spain gives the thumbs up onboard Team Telefonica, as they finish first on leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 from Abu Dhabi, UAE, to Sanya, China. More pictures follow.

A Super World on Water

The super-football-weekend edition of World on Water, Episode 58 released February 3, 2012, is now available. Watch it on the Daily Boater or FirstBoat.com...

We're not allowed to say super and bowl together, right? Anyway, it's THAT weekend. Here's the outline of the current edition of World on Water...

Proper Boating Attire Required

Boating's 2012 Swimsuit Edition. Answering the age-old question, "what else would you wear on a boat in Florida?"...

Screenshot of a scene from Boating magazine's 2012 swimsuit video...

For the second year in a row, Boating magazine has come out with their very own Swimsuit edition. Much like the folks who made "swimsuit editions" famous, Sports Illustrated, the Boating magazine spread features beautiful women posing on beaches and boats. And, as expected, the models in Boating are wearing the appropriate attire for both beaches and boats: bikinis.

However, the Boating swimsuit publication is more than just sexy women in exotic locations (actually, we think they're all in Florida.) Beyond just showing beautiful pictures of beautiful women, Boating actually integrates their photos and videos with pictures and reviews of boats from sponsoring boat manufacturers - each swimsuit model is associated with a brand of boats.

With this in mind, when we received an email yesterday from Boating magazine with a "behind the scenes" video of their 2012 Swimsuit edition, we immediately knew we had to share it with our readers because we know you are always interested in seeing pictures of beautiful boats.

WARNING: the following video is set to Autoplay, so it immediately starts playing. (We apologize, but we couldn't override that setting from the video that Boating provided to us.) 

Enjoy...

Boat Shows in AC, Dallas, New Orleans And More

Yet another big weekend for boat shows with events in Atlantic City, Dallas, Rochester, Tulsa and many, many more...

Crowds turn out at the show. Photo courtesy Melbourne Summer Boat Show Festival 2012

Every week we write about all the boat shows going on, and once again there are a bunch of them this weekend, and they are all over the place. We do this every single Thursday, over and over again. It kind of feels like Groundhog Day. Oh yeah. It is.

Whether you were told this morning that you will see an early spring, or face six more weeks of winter, you can get a taste of summer this weekend at a boat show near you. There are shows this weekend in warm places like Dallas and Fort Lauderdale, and in cooler locations including Atlantic City and Rochester. Let's get to the details of this weekend's boat shows now...

Survivors' Tales

We've been talking a lot about the importance of EPIRB and PLB devices lately for boaters, now let's go to the video...

Paul Doughty was rescued after his 48-foot sailboat began sinking about 200 miles east of
Charleston in 2008. Coast Guard photo/Lauren Jorgensen

In recent weeks we've written a lot about the importance of EPIRBs and PLBs. So when we came across video of USCG personnel and boaters discussing boating safety, we wanted to share them with you so you can see for yourself how important these things are to have on board your boat...