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Of course you want to be safe on your boat, so you’ve got rope, life vests, emergency flares, a GPS. But did you think about a water purifier? Humans get dehydrated in a matter of hours. Dehydration can cause weakness, dizziness and disorientation. In a boating emergency these symptoms can be dangerous. Of course, severe dehydration can be life threatening by itself. A person will die in three days, on average, without water.

If you are planning a long boat voyage, you may want a water purifier so that you don’t have to carry as much drinkable water. This is especially true if you are traveling with a large party.

If you are boating in fresh water, the water most probably contains the pathogens Giardia and Cryptosporidium, which can cause severe gastro-intestinal illness. If you are an ocean boater, sea water must have the salt removed before it is safe to drink.

Purifying Fresh Water

Water purifiers for fresh water can be found in camping stores, sporting goods shops, and boating supply stores. They are lightweight and relatively inexpensive.

A portable, pump filtration system will remove bacteria from your drinking water. There are pump filters that can be used for fresh, brackish, or salt water. Most water filters use a ceramic or polymer filter, along with a charcoal filter and sometimes a reverse osmosis filter, to remove the microscopic bacteria from water. These systems can be pricey, and it is worthwhile to get the most expensive one you can afford, because it is likely to work better and have more features.

Boiling is the best method of cleaning your drinking water. Boiling will kill all the pathogens in water, provided you boil the water at 212 degrees F for at least thirty minutes. The downside of boiling water is that many pleasure boats don’t have a heat source or the large kettle necessary for this purification technique.

The old standby for making emergency drinking water is water purification tablets. These are usually iodine tablets, which can leave the water with a funny taste. But they are cheap and lightweight. There are improvements to the standard tablet which can improve the flavor. There are also chlorine tablets. Water purifying tablets usually take half an hour to four hours to kill the bacteria, but no special equipment is needed.

A new, high-tech solution for water purification is an ultra violet (UV) penlight. This battery operated gizmo uses UV light to kill microbes in about two minutes per liter. Patents are pending, but the UV penlight is getting good reviews. It is expensive, but cheaper than a filter system, and take into consideration that the batteries must be recharged periodically.

Salt Water Desalination

Salt water is not drinkable, and if you try drinking sea water in an emergency you will get very sick. Desalination means taking the salt out and leaving just the water, which you can drink. A portable desalination system is quite expensive, with the smaller units costing more. There are small desalination plants that can be installed on your boat if it is large enough.

A reverse osmosis pump is the best choice for emergency salt water purification. The water must be forced through the filter, which requires you to provide some force for pumping. There are battery operated units and hand operated units. The hand pumped reverse osmosis filters require about an hour of pumping to provide a gallon of drinkable water, but they are lighter weight and no consideration needs to be given to batteries or electrical sources.

If you have a way to boil water, you can buy or make a desalinating still. Fill a kettle that has a tight lid with sea water. Connect a coiled copper tube to the lid, and boil the seawater. The steam (condensation) will drip out of the copper tube as clean water to be collected in another container.

You should add one of these methods of water purification to your emergency gear for any boating trip. Water purifiers are light and affordable. It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Resources: Steve Dolan is an avid outdoorsman and has owned several boats. Share his insights at Boats and Boating Supplies and check out more about boats at Luxury Boats and Yachts.

I am lucky enough to live in Seattle, Washington, a place that worships the outdoors. People hike, ski, rock climb, and do just about any other outdoor activity you can think of. One of the advantages to this area of the world is that we have both mountains and water. If you look out over Lake Washington on a sunny summer day, you will see dozens of people paddling small, colorful boats. When the weather is warm, the kayak rental businesses on the shores of the lake do a booming business. Kayaking is a great pastime because it can be enjoyed by everyone from novice to expert.

Kayaks have been around for a quite a while, at least 4000 years. The boats were invented by the native peoples of the Arctic region. The original kayaks were made from animal skins, such as those from seals, stretched over a wooden frame. The native people used these boats to hunt marine animals in inland lakes, rivers and coastal waters, although the boats were too small to risk venturing into the ocean. Each traditional kayak was made specifically to the measurements of an individual, ensuring that the boat conformed closely to the user’s body, allowing for maximum maneuverability.

Kayaks were (and still are) propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle. The boater, or boaters, sits in the cockpit or cockpits below the boat’s deck. A spraydeck is a flexible cover for the cockpit that is often attached to the kayak. This waterproof cloth fits over the cockpit and around the kayaker, effectively sealing the kayaker’s lower body into the dry interior of the boat. The use of a spraydeck enables the boater to execute an “Eskimo roll,” which is the act of righting a capsized kayak while still inside by means of body and paddle movement. Spraydecks are commonly used in the more demanding forms of kayaking or during inclement weather.

Today, the kayak has evolved into a number of specific types, each of which can be categorized according to its use. Recreational kayaks, for example, are what the people on Lake Washington mostly use. These boats are designed for the casual kayaker and do not involve a great deal of skill or experience. They have large cockpits and are usually comparatively wide, making them more stable but less swift. Recreational kayaks cannot usually incorporate a spraydeck.

Sea kayaks are designed for paddling on in lakes, bays and oceans. Spraydecks can be used with these boats, as added water protection is often necessary on open waters. These boats are often used for recreational marine journeys. As a result, they have comparatively large cargo capacities, the better to transport camping gear, food and other supplies. This increased hauling ability means that sea kayaks are less maneuverable than some other versions of the boat.

Whitewater kayaks are probably the most well-known type of kayak. These boats are designed to contend with the waters of rivers, which can often include dangerous whitewater rapids. Spraydecks will always be used in whitewater situations, as Eskimo rolls are often necessary. These kayaks are extremely maneuverable and require a fair deal of skill to paddle successfully, especially in more demanding water conditions.

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I am forced to wonder about the sometimes ignominious position of the canoe in our society. I think it must be related to two issues. One, for man people, the canoe is associated with summer camp, which is a rather ridiculous situation in and of itself, at least from an adult perspective. And two, thanks to “America’s Funnies Home Videos,” we have probably seen more people fall out of canoes than out of any other type of boat. Yes, the general view of canoes, at least in my estimation, is that they are rather clumsy boats, difficult to manage and easy to tip over. However, to those who actually know how to pilot them, canoes are a source of great enjoyment and pride.

Canoes, of course, were invented long before either summer camp or inane television shows. These boats were used by a variety of ancient peoples, and the oldest known canoe still in existence is approximately 10,000 years old. Although these boats have been improved upon since prehistoric times, the design remains essentially the same. A canoe is a small, narrow boat, usually with a pointed bow and stern. It is usually open on top and powered by a human with a single-blade or double-blade paddle. Depending on the size of the canoe, more than one person may fit into it. Some canoes use small motors or sails for power, but these will not be covered here.

Early canoes were made of natural materials, and some modern boats are still constructed thusly. A dugout canoe is one made by simply hollowing out a tree trunk. This type of canoe has been used by native peoples all over the world, and it is still used by some today. Alternatively, some canoes of natural materials are made from tree bark sewn with tree roots and sealed with resin. Finally wood strip, or strip-built, canoes are made by securing narrow, flexible strips of wood edge to edge around temporary forms. These strips are glued together and coated with an overlay of fiberglass cloth to create a waterproof hull. The end result is a lightweight, string and often beautiful canoe.

Modern canoes utilize a variety of materials, some of which are natural and some of which are man-made. Wood-and-canvas canoes, interestingly, evolved directly from the tree bark technique of construction. These boats are made by fastening an external waterproofed canvas shell to a wooden hull. Aluminum canoes, developed close to the end of World War II, have the advantage of being lighter and stronger than those made of wood. However, aluminum canoes require flotation blocks on both ends in order to remain afloat, and they are quite noisy, making them unsuitable for viewing wildlife.

Synthetic canoes are often made of fiberglass, Kevlar or carbon fiber composites. These boats are light, strong, maneuverable and easy to carry. Although they can be rather expensive, both Kevlar and carbon fiber are more durable than many other materials used to make canoes; and while fiberglass cracks easily, it is also easy to repair. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyethylene are also used in composite-constructed canoes. Both are particularly suitable for boats used in whitewater situations, being resilient and difficult to puncture.

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I have explained elsewhere why I think aluminum is the only way to go when buying a fishing boat. There are a stack of reasons why aluminum fishing boats make the best boats.

However I’m sure you’ve found, if you’ve been doing some homework, that new aluminum boats aren’t cheap. For all the reasons I’ve explained about why aluminum boats make the best boats, aluminum fishing boats are extremely popular, and supply and demand being what it is, this make aluminum boats very expensive when buying brand new.

However there are some very good reasons for buying a used aluminum fishing boat, and if you do it right you can even get your fishing boat for free once you’ve sold it. Allow me to explain.

Buying a used fishing boat is way cheaper than buying a new boat. Like everything, when you buy new you pay a premium for that. When you buy a new car you lose a stack of money the day you drive it out of the showroom, and you’d probably be unable to sell it for what you paid for it, even if it’s got no miles on it.

It’s exactly the same with fishing boats. When you buy a new boat you’ll immediately lose quite a bit of money. So you can guarantee that when you come to sell it some years along, probably because you want a bigger one, you’re sure to lose some money.

HoWever if you buy a used aluminum fishing boat the chances are pretty good that it will cost you little or nothing once you’ve sold it. I use my own experience as an example. I bought a second hand 12 foot used aluminum fishing boat 2 years ago. I’ve used it for quite a few fishing trips over that time, and have 2 kids, so as they grow I am beginning to think about buying a bigger boat.

I recently started looking at prices for used aluminum boats and am quite convinced that my boat is worth as much, if not a fraction more than what I paid for it 2 years ago. So when I sell it, assuming I get what I paid for it, I have paid nothing for 2 years use of my fishing boat. That wouldn’t have ever happened if I bought my boat brand new. So in effect I’ve had my fishing boat for 2 years, for free.

This is because aluminum boats are pretty bomb proof, and last forever. So they retain their second hand value extremely well. A good aluminum boat will last long enough so that, if you keep it, you could probably will it to your kids. So they don’t deteriorate too much over time. This means that even an older boat is probably in good condition, and so will have good value.

Of course you need to take care of your boat, it you’ve banged it around and filled it with dents or scratched the paintwork a lot it won’t retain it’s value as well.

And of course you need to buy well, if you pay too much for your boat then you won’t get that back when you sell. But assuming that you buy a great used aluminum fishing boat at a fair price the chances are pretty good that it won’t cost you much, or anything, over the time you’ve got your boat, if you treat it well.

That’s how you buy a used aluminum fishing boat, for free.

For a website totally dedicated to Used Aluminum Fishing Boats visit Peter’s Website Used Aluminum Fishing Boats For Sale at http://getafishingboat.com

Fishing boat styles and types come in various forms nowadays. Each has its own use and specifications with their own advantages. An aluminum fishing boat is one of these. The size of an aluminum fishing boat can be as small as 10 foot but can go up to a huge 24 foot long on some specialized models. The shape of aluminum boats can come in both flat, V shape designs and also in a pontoon style. An aluminum fishing boat can be used as a charter fishing boat when you simply want to rent out a boat for the day or weekend.

Advantages of Aluminum Boats

While there are merits shared by any type of fishing boat out there; the aluminum fishing boat has some advantages all to itself. With the greatest competition comes from fiberglass boats, the aluminum boat has many thousands of fans thanks to their merits:

1. Aluminum fishing boat can be customized and painted to become just about any other kind of boat you desire.

2. Aluminum boats are preferred for most man made lakes, because of their rugged build and can resist being punctured by underwater trees and other submerged items.

3. Aluminum boats are resistant to rust, decay and drips. Many aluminum fishing boat can be used for decades.

4. The ability to repair or fix aluminum boats is rather easy. Most repairs are done with welding or hammering out dings and dents.

5. Aluminum boats are fuel efficient because they are light weight. If you run out of fuel, they are also easier to row than most other types of boat.

6. An aluminum fishing boat can be carried by one person depending on the size of the boat. Most other boats, made from fiberglass need five people just to move it around with more amounts of time and energy.

7. An aluminum fishing boat can be customized by the user to gain the best function from the boat that is wanted by the user.

Demerits of Aluminum Boats

While there are many merits of using an aluminum fishing boat, like anything else there are also disadvantages as well:

1. An aluminum fishing boat is not good for use when there is bad weather approaching. Lightning can easily strike the boat and people who on it.

2. Aluminum is not good for salt water fishing because the salt is corrosive and will eat away at the rivets. This will eventually cause the aluminum boat to leak or crack.

3. Aluminum fishing boats are not as flexible as fiberglass boats when it comes to shaping and customizing the boat.

4. Aluminum fishing boats are not as sleek on the water as fiberglass boats and tend to plow the water as opposed to pushing it aside. This allows some water to get into the boat from the splash.

5. Aluminum boats do not run as smoothly on water as fiberglass and tend to give riders a funky ride.

6. Aluminum boats can not carry as much fuel as their fiberglass counterpart. Therefore extra fuel cans are needed for any long trips away from shore.

It all depens on your use to make an aluminum fishing boat a better or worse choice. Make your choice wisely.

Discover what fishing boat that is the best for your boating experience at Boating Information.

Boating is one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities. This is the reason why it is getting more and more popularity. While there are still individuals who say that this sport is extremely expensive, there is still an increase of the numbers of individuals who are getting into this sport.

Actually, you can still do boating without crippling your finance. There is no need to buy your own boat just to experience boating. Why not try boat rentals? If you roam around or surf the Internet, you can find lots of this opportunities.

Buying used boat is great alternative for some, although it is not always the most glamorous decision. The oceans and lakes are filled with boaters who are far wealthier than many. Many boaters go well beyond their means and allocate amounts for their boats at extreme levels.

What really important with a used boat is being out there on the water. A person who is out there every weekend on his beat up boat is a great boater. A businessman who only has time to ride on his 60 foot yacht once or twice a year is not considered a boater at all.

If you look around the water, you will see that the little boats are the ones that move, while the big boats are the ones that never move. Those that are too busy generating money and never have the time to go boating shouldn’t really have a boat at all.

New boats can lose half of their value in not more than 2 years. With a used boat, the previous owner has already fixed the problems associated with new boats. The previous owner has also already hassled with the dealer to acquire the warranty service taken care of.

A used boat normally has not be utilized very much at all. A boat will sit most of the time, which is nothing like a used car. You can find lots of boats with less than a couple hundreds hours of engine time. For the sake of comparison, check at how many hours are on the engine of your car.

Used boats will already have scratches and ding, so you will feel half as bad when you add a few of your own. When you buy your used boat, you should leave at least a grand to outfit the boat and make any needed repair.

A used boat will normally come with dock lines, life jackets, spare props, a radio, safety equipment, and other nice boating equipment. New boat owners will have to pay hundreds of dollars for these kinds of stuffs.

The wild card is, of course, whether or not the previous boat owner did the needed maintenance of the boat. Prior to purchasing you should always get the boat surveyed to be sure that it is still in good condition. This way, you will know your getting a great used boat.

For more information, visit http://www.boating101.info/