Docking a boat can be tricky, and it feels like there is a lot at stake when there are people watching. Drive A Boat USA is here to explain how to dock your boat without injuring yourself or damaging any property. These tips and tricks will help, but remember that the best way to … Read more ›
Federal law stipulates that scuba divers and snorkelers in the United States use a specific type of flag to warn boaters of their presence in the water. Purpose of a diver-down flag Diver down flags are an important type of safety equipment that can prevent collisions between boats and divers and minimize the risk … Read more ›
A sailboat consists of several key components that work together to harness wind power and navigate through water. Anyone learning to sail or interested in the mechanics of sailboats should know what these parts are called and what they do. Main parts of a sailboat While not all sailboats have exactly the same structure, … Read more ›
If you love boating, you may be wondering how soon you can take your infant or child out on the water with you. Here are tips for boating with kids, and especially for deciding if, when and how to take your infant, toddler or child on a boat with you. Safe boating with infants … Read more ›
Safe boating involves knowing the rules of navigation by heart. When you’re approaching another boat, or another boat is approaching you, there’s no time to check your rulebook! Keep reading to learn the rules of right-of-way for power-driven pleasure craft. Important terms for understanding right-of-way First, get to know the difference between port and starboard. … Read more ›
Steering a PWC takes some practice! The more you know about how your PWC works, the better you will be able to adjust to different situations and avoid problems. Let’s take a look at how PWC steering works and what it takes to maintain control of your watercraft. How a PWC works Personal Watercraft (PWC) … Read more ›
When you’re boating on a river, you need to know which way you are going so you can correctly interpret buoys and avoid accidents. To be sure that you can follow signs and signals correctly, you need to know the difference between upstream and downstream. Upstream vs downstream What’s the difference between upstream and … Read more ›
Boat propellers pose a serious safety risk. A typical 3-blade propeller running at the average speed of between 1200 and 3200 RPM can inflict 150 impacts per second and travel from head to toe on a human being in less than a tenth of a second. Swimmers, divers, anglers, people enjoying water sports and people … Read more ›
No matter where you are in the US, standardized symbols and codes keep boat operators safe and confident in their ability to navigate and communicate effectively. “Port” and “starboard” are two terms that are used across the nation to refer to the left and right sides of a boat, respectively. Remembering the difference between port … Read more ›
Every year, over 3 million Americans go water skiing. This popular water sport has existed for over 100 years and is still going strong. Whether you’re enjoying recreational water skiing or plan to compete, you’ll need to learn the basic hand signals that allow skiers and boat operators to communicate. 13 Water skiing hand signals … Read more ›
