Canvass, whether it’s stretched out across your T-top or it merely covers your boat when not in use, is one of those things we expect to replace. We know it has a limited lifetime, and eventually will start ripping, leaking, […]
Canvass Care: Extend Your T-Top Life by Years Read More »
As a boater, there are a few items you always keep on hand. A length of rope. Extra drain plugs. A spare life jacket. I could walk out to any of my boats right now (or for that matter, to
The Amazing, Handy, Gotta-Carry-Them Zip-Ties Read More »
You say you want to go shark fishing from your boat? Me, too. But shark fishing most certainly opens up a whole new realm of dangers—even when you’re only catching little guys. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that
Shark Fishing From Your Boat Read More »
Every now and again you come across a new gizmo or doo-dad that makes the world of boating better. And if that item just so happens to make your life easier at the same time, it’s a real win-win. Such
Wax on, Wax off – Keep Your Boat Looking Sharp Read More »
Weird catches I’ve made run the gamut: sea turtles, pelicans and gulls, squid—the list is a long one. And, of course, none of these were made on purpose. Well, okay, I have targeted the squid a time or two, but
Weird Catches: Moray Eels, Sea Turtles, and Pelicans, Oh My! Read More »
Fishing on a head boat is cramped, difficult, rife with tangles, and rarely as productive as fishing from your own boat. It’s also an awesome reminder as to why we buy and maintain our own private fishing boats. And if
Go Fishing on a Head Boat (No, really!) Read More »
Calling the Coast Guard is something we only want to do in a true emergency, but when you need ’em, boy are you glad to see ’em. I’ve had to make the call only three times in my entire boating
How to Call the Coast Guard Read More »
You may have come across the Shopping for the Right Fishfinder blog I wrote a while back, which went through a number of important factors to consider before you choose a unit. There’s just one problem: you and I both know that
Super-Cheap Fishfinders: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Read More »
I love bait. The smell of chum, the feeling of oily bunker, and the sight of wiggling bloodworms get me all charged up. But fishing from a boat, it’s easier than one might think to ruin perfectly good baits with
Bait Blunders – Don’t Do This! Read More »
Being able to read the water isn’t just important for fishermen, it’s an important talent for all boaters. It can help you avoid running aground, lose speed due to currents, or anchor in an inappropriate area. Oh yeah, and then
Five tips for Reading the Water Read More »
You expect to find cool stuff from major manufacturers at a major boat show, like all the goodies I told you about last week in Hot News from the Miami Boat Show. But one of the neat things about big
Unexpected Gems from the Miami Show: LilliPad, and SonarCharts Live Read More »
My last week was spent in Miami, Florida, attending the Miami Boat Show, checking out all the cool new boats and marine goodies on display. And I can sum up the show with one word: wow. Actually, three words work
Hot News from the Miami Boat Show Read More »
These days, it’s hard to tell whether some center consoles are fishing boats, or speed boats. Triple outboard rigs have become common, quads are popping up all over the place, and max horsepower ratings well over 1,000 have become normal.
Fishing Boat, or Speed Boat? Yes! Read More »
Welcome, everyone, to the Miami boat show. Next week in sunny Florida, thousands of new boats, cool accessory gear, and mind-boggling marine electronics will go on display. No, we can’t all be there – but I will (I haven’t missed
The Miami Boat Show is Just a Week Away! Read More »
Do you modify your fishing lures, to make them more effective? If so, you need to know about hot-rodding. And if not, well, you should. In one episode of the Got Bait? fishing series, we show how to hot-rod and rig
How to Hot-Rod a Fishing Lure Read More »
On a boat, electrical failure isn’t too far off from a heart attack – and many boats are always one jiggling wire away from this ailment. That’s because boats aren’t like houses or cars, which sit in one place or
Is Your Boat About to Have a Heart Attack? Read More »
Is stupid had a per-gallon price, it would be something like $0.01. There’s lots of stupid to go around – too much – and you don’t even have to drill, frack, or even search very hard to find it. Darwin Award-level
Stupid Things NOT to do on a Boat Read More »
My retriever is a golden. Okay, stop laughing. Please. I know most of the breed leans towards the life of a lap-dog, but there are some strains (raised in Maine and Michigan, mostly) which have been maintained as serious hunters. And
Hunting Dogs on Boats: What you Need to Know Read More »
Today’s outboard motor is a completely different beast than those of yesteryear. And it’s no wonder – remember the days when you could fix a car with a set of wrenches, a screw driver, and pliers? Today, if you don’t
Strange Outboard Problems (And how to fix them) Read More »
Let me take a moment to make the case for the super cheap boat. And by super cheap, yes, I mean a boat-motor-trailer package that you can buy for $2,500 or less. You think it’s not possible? I paid $1,500
Super Cheap Boats: $2,500 or Less? Yes! Read More »
