More and more these days people are taking to the water in boats to pursue recreational hobbies and have fun with their friends and families.  But boating is a whole new world and if you don’t know the language you are putting yourself and your loved ones at greater risk than necessary. Some boating terms such as aboard and ahead are self-explanatory, since their meanings are the same as in ordinary landlubbers language. However, there are others that are used less frequently, or not at all on land.

For instance, abaft and abeam mean towards the rear or back of the boat and at right angle to the keel respectively. And keel means the center, bottom line of the boat, running from the bow (front) to the stern (back). Aft is towards the stern, while alee is the opposite direction to windward (facing into the wind).

If you are aloft, you’re above the deck; amidships you’re in the center of the boat, but if you’re aground, man, you’re stuck fast on the bottom of the ocean or river.

The bow is the front of the boat, so we know that the bow line is a rope that ties the front of the boat to the dock. However, just to keep you on your toes, remember that a bowline is a special knot used to make a noose in a rope. And while on land a bridle is used to steer a horse, in boating it is a piece of wire or rope tied at both ends to distribute the strain of something.

If you should hear the term boot top when you are around boats, don’t think of footwear; it’s simply a painted line on the boat that tells you where the waterline should be. Chafing gear is not your tube of lip salve, but a piece of tubing or a cloth used to prevent a line from possibly being cut or damaged as it is hauled over an abrasive surface.

A chock is not that piece of wood you jam under the door to stop it banging; it’s a u-shaped fitting lines are fed through, while a cleat is what you tie those lines to – using a knot called a clove-hitch. And a cuddy is nothing to do with lines at all; it’s a small shelter on the boat.

Displacement refers to the boat’s weight, because that is the amount of water that is displaced by the boat. A displacement hull is a type of hull that plows through the water, displacing water equal to its own weight. If you thought a dolphin was a friendly sea creature you’d be only half right, because it is also a group of piles driven in close together and tied up with wire cables so they become one structure.

These are just a few nautical terms. The more boating experience you have, the more you’ll pick up, but it will also pay to make a study of those other terms that you may need to keep you safe.

Just like in any sport or discipline, boating has its own vocabulary and this is just the beginning of understanding it all.

For many more informative tips and facts about boating, please explore our free 5-day e-course and our book “Boating Basics”, which are found at:

http://boatingbasics.howto-you.com

AND – Thank You for joining us in this series on Boating!

If your idea of a good meal on a boating trip consists of a peanut and jelly sandwich shoved into your back pocket then read no further. For those who prefer to remain civilized and relatively well nourished after a hard day at the tiller or oars, then you may just want a few more ideas. A step upwards from the squashed peanut and jelly sandwich would be a picnic hamper lovingly (or hastily) prepared before leaving home.

This hamper would contain such delights as cooked chicken, salads of various kinds, crusty bread and chilled butter, a selection of exotic fruits and cheeses for dessert and maybe the odd bottle of bubbly – or wine, anyway. But firstly, where in your boat can you keep this hamper of yummy things cold?  If the temperatures soar and you have no shade on your boat, expect to get food poisoning from eating the chicken that’s been melting under the picnic cloth for several hours.

An Esky or some kind of cool bag or box is an essential piece of equipment on a boat. You can also use it to keep the fish you caught in good eating condition. If you’ve no room for it or for a small refrigerator, then stick with the peanut butter.

It may be that you intend to go ashore and purchase your meal or have a picnic on the beach. In the latter case, don’t rely on eating your catch of the day. There are those days when all you get on your hook is an old boot. If you plan on purchase, then be sure to take your money with you – and that there are mooring facilities where you intend to go ashore.

Since boating is often hard work, and sea air increases the appetite, be sure to have plenty of provisions with you. Those who have spent a day rowing into headwinds will have burned up a great many more calories than the normal 2,500; think more in terms of 5,000. And while salads are great for the passengers on a luxury yacht who have done no more than admire the scenery slipping by, those who have worked hard will be sure to appreciate a hot meal with lots of calories.

If you can’t have a fire on the beach to cook sausages and steak on, be sure to stock up on canned stew that can be heated up or eaten cold if necessary. Whatever you decide on, take a good deal more than you think you will need, especially if you have children. Take lots of water and other drinks too.

Now you know some good ideas for meals and foods onboard your boat.  For lots of additional ideas and tips, please visit our website:

http://boatingbasics.howto-you.com

where you can subscribe to our free 5-day e-course on boating tips, and purchase our book “Boating Basics”

Thank You for reading and listening!

If you are drooling with envy at other people who own boats but think you really cannot afford one, it may be time to get serious about looking for a loan. Boat loans are not the same as car loans. With a boat loan, you can get much better repayment options in terms of repayment time.

In fact, it’s easier to qualify for a boat loan than a car loan, and the repayments can be spread over up to fifteen years, making this type of loan one of the easiest to pay back – and that’s with a nominal deposit and affordable interest rates.

The only thing to watch is that many lending institutions require a minimum amount of from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars. So if you want a six thousand dollar boat you may not qualify. There’s only one thing for it – you’ll have to force yourself to buy a more expensive one!

The best lender to get a boat loan from could be the one you have already worked with. At least they know your history and have done credit checks in the past. Just remember that no matter where you get it from – bank, credit or building union or boat dealer or broker – they are looking to help themselves first. Once you let them know that you have other options, they may be more interested in getting a loan together that really suits you.

Most of the same types of loans that apply to homes, also apply to boats. That is, there are fixed rate, simple interest, variable interest rate and balloon payment boat loans.

In fact, if you get a boat with a head and galley – bathroom and kitchen – you may be able to take the interest off your tax, since it can be legally considered a second residence. It may also be that you can get a refund on the gas you use. To fund road maintenance the government uses a portion of the excise tax on your boat fuel, and since your boat is not damaging roads while in the water, you may be eligible for a refund or credit. It’s certainly worthwhile checking that out.

Another way of getting a boat without paying out too much is to share the cost. This would have to be looked at carefully and a proper time-share agreement drawn up, so that all would get fair use of the boat. But if several people went in shares with buying a boat, both the initial outlay and the cost of upkeep would be considerably lowered.

We hope you’ll enjoy this 5-day series of podcasts on boating!  If you’d like a quick-read book of additional boating ideas and tips, please visit us at:

http://boatingbasics.howto-you.com

Thank you!