6735 results for "pfds: 5 tips to find one that fits"

Life jackets need to fit well if you are going to wear them all day long. …Read More

Anglers are usually the ones boating on the margins of bad weather, and most of them don’t wear the most basic of protection. Don’t want it to get in the way, is the common refrain against wearing life jackets. Just get an inflatable, man, and be done with it. Lenny Rudow has always advocated inflatable PFDs [...] …Read More

Ready for a movie marathon? Grab the popcorn, soda and find a good spot on the couch. Here's our line-up for the best sailing movies—and one really terrible one. …Read More

Practical advice on choosing boatyards, managing DIY projects and caring for the crew. …Read More

From choosing the right ground tackle to mastering anchoring etiquette, Capt. Heather Francis shares practical advice for living on a boat. …Read More

This past summer was another busy boating season in which thousands of stranded boaters needed towing or other assistance. I used to work for Vessel Assist, a nationwide on-the-water towing service that was bought by TowBoat US in 2003.  Here are some things I learned while we processed calls of all sorts during busy holidays and hot summer days. First, take a boating safety course. Being prepared is the key to avoiding problems. If you understand your vessel, your environment, your responsibilities and a few basics like the rules of the road, it can make the difference between enjoyment and tragedy. Boating safety courses are easy to find and affordable. Second, keep in mind that panic is the enemy. The best way to avoid panic is to be educated and prepared. Everyone aboard the vessel should be able to locate and use a fire extinguisher, the VHF radio, personal flotation devices and signal flares. Talk through the proposed itinerary with family and friends before leaving and know what to do in case of an emergency. Third, understand navigation. A local area chart should be aboard every vessel. Charts mark important areas to avoid such as reefs, rocks, sandbars and restricted areas. In case of an emergency, having and knowing how to use a GPS can decrease response time by allowing rescue vessels to pinpoint your location from the coordinates. Practice judging distance on the water. For example, think of a football field, which is 100 yards. A half mile is about equal to the length of nine football fields. Fourth, know the difference between an emergency and a non-emergency. When determining whom to contact for assistance, consider the following question: are you or anyone onboard in any immediate danger? If the answer is yes, contact the US Coast Guard on channel 16. If your vessel has gone aground, is taking on water or is on fire, or if someone onboard is extremely ill or injured, contact the Coast Guard immediately. If the answer is no, consider it a manageable inconvenience and call a local commercial towing company. Fifth, understand the VHF radio. If you are hailing another party or vessel, use channels 9 or 16. Identify youself and the party you are calling. Once contact is made, switch to another agreed upon channel to communicate. When calling for assistance, use only channel 16. Be sure to give specifics of your location, how many persons aboard, details regarding injuries or illness and any key details of your situation. Listen carefully for the information from the dispatcher regarding your ETAs and next steps. Make sure everyone aboard understands how to use the VHF radio because the person injured or overboard on your next outing could be you. These are simple things but they can save a life or at least improve a day on the water. They will undoubtedly help make the boating experience safer for you, your guests and all of us on the water.   …Read More

John Myers with Kicker Marine Audio provides 5 tips for upgrading or installing premium marine audio on your boat. …Read More

Tom Brady, Will Smith and Rafael Nadal each have their own E1 team. Find out more about e-racing-on-water. …Read More

Every spring we anglers go on a tackle buying spree. Use these 5 tips to get the most bang for your buck. …Read More

Over the weekend at the Pasadena fishing show, I bumped into a buddy who needed some fishfinder help. Seems that when he pulled his boat this fall, he knocked the transducer out of whack. He might have been upset, except that it needed an adjustment anyway because whenever he broke a plane, the fishfinder screen [...] …Read More