When you’re renting a boat for the first time there are a few things you’ll need to know. Firstly how to drive the boat, moor correctly and use locks, but for this you may need to undertake a quick training programme. A one-day course can guide you through each of these aspects, but you also need to know what boat to choose. There are many different types, from narrow boats to cruisers to small riverboats. If you want a boat…
Every boat on the river has its unique name on the side. You come to recognise boats by their name and with some of them you’ll never forget them. That said, it can feel as though all the good ones have been taken, and there are many on British rivers with the same names. As an example, I can’t tell you how many Mary Rose boats I’ve seen over the last few years. When you’ve just bought a new boat…
Most boating enthusiasts can remember the first time they moored, and that’s because it’s extremely difficult. Mooring takes practice and usually the help of another person, so when you’ve just purchased a new boat be sure to practice in it first, otherwise you could damage your boat if the conditions aren’t in your flavour on a day out. There’s an art to mooring, it isn’t like driving a car. You have to recognise the conditions of the water and feel…
As we head into boating season it’s probably a bit late to repaint your boat, especially with the warm weather arriving a little bit earlier this year. That said, it can be a good time to get it repainted during late summer, but you’ll need the right pot of paint for the task at hand. Cleaning your boat is a hard task but it needs doing before you apply any paint. There are many types of products that you can…
Marine travel is set to see a pretty big step forward in technological advancement, with the introduction of unmanned boat travel. This technology, which is able to plot out courses of travel and adjust to the environment as it changes. Similar to car automation in function, this new technology is set to revolutionise much of how the navy, trade, and marine recreation is done. While still not widely available yet, you can expect to buy a system capable of doing…