Many boaters on the water really have no clue as to what all the marks and buoys out there really mean. And those are the ones that get in trouble.

As a basic, remember the “Three R’s.” And they are not from the old school days of reading, ‘ritin’, and ‘rithmatic. No, The 3 R’s are “Red Right Returning.”

This means when coming back to port you should keep the red marks to the starboard (right) side of the boat and the green marks to port (left) side of the boat. That will keep you in the channel.

Obviously, when heading out to sea, the opposite would be true. (Note of caution: if you are entering a channel in certain foreign, non-USA countries, the opposite rules may be in effect).

Some may ask, “What if you cannot see the color of the marks?” Well, the red day marks are triangles and the red buoys are nun buoys (tapered from wide to narrow at the top), while the green day marks are square and the green buoys are cans (square shaped). So, even if you cannot tell the color, you should be able to tell by the shape.

Here is a tricky one, though. Suppose you are traveling on the IntraCoastal Waterway and you are neither leaving nor entering port.

The answer is to keep the “Green to Seaward.” For example, if you are traveling from Miami to Jacksonville, Florida you would keep the Green Marks to the starboard side (right) and the Red Marks to the port side (left), or “Green to Seaward.”

Perhaps you have at one time or another used a navigational range for going up a channel. A “Range” is simply lining up two non-moving points and keeping them lined up as you cruise up the channel. Government ranges are marked on the charts and the closest range marker will be shorter than the one farther behind it.

But, other than these obvious ranges, there are others that you can use on your own. Here are some good examples:

1) If you are navigating across a body of water with a side current, you might pick out a point (say a tree, for example) to steer toward. But, you should also pick out another point beyond that tree and use it as a range, keeping them lined up. If you didn’t pick out a back point to make the range, you might keep the bow right on the closest tree and it would appear you are on course. However, you might be getting swept way off course. With the range, you would immediately know you were being set to one side or the other. You need to keep both points of the range lined up.

2) You anchor your boat and think everything is set. It doesn’t appear that you are moving. But, the best way to be sure is to find a range. Pick out a point (another tree, perhaps) and another stationary object behind it. If they do not stay lined up, your anchor is not holding.

3) You are cruising along and see a boat approaching at 90-degree angles from your right, making it the right-of-way boat. Here is a great and easy way to assess an upcoming problem.., and it really is valuable for sailboat racing. Look at the boat and then its relation to the background.

A. If the boat appears to be going faster than the background, it will pass in front of you.

B. If the boat appears to be going slower than the background, you will pass in front of it.

C. If the boat appears to be going the same speed as the background, you are on a collision course and you must take action.

By the way, this trick will work no matter the distance, could be a mile or more away.

Hope you don’t think just because the left side of your boat is called the “Port Side” that you always should dock with that side toward the pier. There are several reasons why you should dock on one side or the other, but here is the most important:

Almost always and almost without fail you should first determine the direction of the wind and/or current before deciding which side should go to the pier. Whichever is the strongest determines the direction into which your bow should be pointing. For example, if the wind is blowing lightly from left to right across the dock, but the current is roaring from right to left, you would want to approach with your bow into the current and dock to the port side. That is because the current is stronger than the wind.

To determine which is strongest just park in idle off the dock and see which way the boat wants to go. If you see that the forces of wind and current push you from right to left across a dock, plan your approach from left to right, with your bow into the strongest force.

The Top 5 Essential Boat Parts

by M. Xavier

It’s tempting for a new boat owner to want to get their new baby afloat and hit the open waters. Turning that key for the first time does come with some responsibility. It’s a good idea for the beginning boater and even the old pro to remember the importance of checking out boat parts before they set sail.

Whether it’s for an hour-long fishing trip in the morning or a weekend on an island camping, using a boat can be more of a risk than even driving a car. So, it’s just plain smart to check out boat parts before heading out. A quick function and safety check can mean the difference between a good day fishing and a bad night being stuck.

Here’s what to look for when inspecting boat parts:

• Navigational equipment: Do a quick check of these vital boat parts before pulling away from the docks each and every time. Whether you’re using a simple compass or more advanced GPS, having the navigational equipment working right is very important for a smooth journey.
• Engines: Make sure the boat motor is operating as it should. All that’s really necessary here is to fire it up and listen for any irregularities. Most boat owners become acutely aware of what their engine should sound like. Many even become old pros at fixing minor problems, such as engine flooding.
• Lights: Even a daytime trip can turn into a nighttime excursion when something goes wrong, so checking out these boat parts doesn’t hurt. Do a careful check of every light from the running lights down to the spot.
• Communication devices: It’s not a good idea to plan on heading out into open waters without having a good communication system onboard. Check the system before each outing to make sure it’s working.
• Safety equipment: It’s never a bad idea to check these out in advance of a trip, too. From the boat seats to the life vests, these should be considered a standard part of any boat part function check.

In addition to making sure boat parts are functioning as they should, there will be some times boat owners will need to buy parts. To get the best deals on any necessary replacements, from seats to engines, it’s a good idea to shop around and be certain what’s needed.

Sometimes generic boat parts will do the trick and even used ones, but in some instances, getting the name brand replacement will be in order. In either case, shopping around and looking for the best prices is a smart idea.

Many boat owners keep spare boat parts on hand to have in the event of an emergency. From back up batteries to small tools and parts to fix the engine, a good supply stowed under a seat or in a compartment isn’t a bad idea. An extra set of light bulbs for the lights, tape to repair seats and floatation devices and so on are also smart to have on hand.

Boating is a great pastime, but it does come with some responsibilities. Making sure boat parts are in good working order before each trip is a great way to make sure each trip is fun, safe and memorable.

For more information on boats, try visiting http://www.boatassistance.com a website that specializes in providing boat related tips, advice and resources to include information on boat parts.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=M._Xavier.