Practical boating guides
Maintenance, maneuvers, safety and gear explained step by step, with tables and tips from experienced boaters.
Anchoring & mooring
Anchor Chain Guide: Size, Length and Types for Your Boat What size and how much anchor chain your boat needs: calibrated vs long-link chain, galvanized vs stainless, connections to anchor and rode, and care. How to Anchor a Boat: Step-by-Step Guide to Safe Anchoring Learn how to anchor a boat properly: picking a spot, how much scope to use, setting the hook, weighing anchor and the mistakes to avoid. Step by step. Basic Boating Knots: The 7 Every Boater Should Know Learn the 7 basic boating knots step by step: bowline, clove hitch, cleat hitch, figure eight and more. What each is for and the mistakes to avoid. What Size Anchor Do I Need? Weight and Type by Boat Length Find out what anchor weight your boat needs by length, bottom type and design (Delta, Bruce, Danforth, Rocna), with a practical sizing chart in pounds.
Deck hardware
304 vs 316 Stainless Steel on a Boat: Which to Choose 304 vs 316 stainless steel for boats: molybdenum, crevice corrosion, galvanic corrosion against aluminum and which grade to use on every piece of hardware. Marine Stainless Steel Fasteners: A4, Sizes and Installation Stainless fasteners for boats: A2 vs A4 (316), DIN and ISO standards, bolt sizes for each fitting, backing plates, anti-seize, isolating aluminum and sealing.
Biminis, covers & comfort
Outboards & parts
Outboard Won't Start: Causes and Fixes, Step by Step Outboard motor won't start? Follow the mechanic's diagnostic order, with a symptom, cause and fix table and the spares to keep aboard. Outboard Motor Maintenance: Schedule and Steps (2026) Outboard motor maintenance step by step: flushing, lower unit oil, spark plugs, impeller and anodes, with an interval schedule you can follow yourself.
Electronics & power
Fishing Boat Equipment: What to Buy First What to put on a 14 to 23 ft fishing boat: fish finder, rod holders, cooler, anchoring and safety gear, ranked by priority and boat size. Boat Solar Panel Guide: Sizing, Controller and Wiring How to size a 12V solar system for your boat: daily power budget, watts needed, rigid vs flexible panels, MPPT charge controller and safe wiring. Fixed vs Handheld VHF Radio: Which One Does Your Boat Need? Fixed or handheld VHF? Compare power, range, DSC, antenna and installation to decide which marine radio your boat really needs, plus when to carry both.
Safety gear
Pre-Departure Boating Checklist: A 5-Minute Safety Check Pre-departure boating checklist: weather, fuel, engine, bilge, life jackets, VHF, paperwork and a float plan. For powerboats, RIBs and sailboats. Sailboat Equipment Checklist: What to Carry, by Priority Sailboat equipment by block: required safety gear, life jackets and harnesses, deck hardware, anchoring, navigation and power. A practical coastal cruising list. Boating With Dogs: Safety Guide and Gear Checklist How to boat safely with your dog: getting them used to the boat, a life jacket with a handle, shade, a ramp to get them out of the water and mistakes to avoid.
Cleaning & maintenance
How to Winterize a Boat: Step-by-Step Guide (2026) How to winterize a boat step by step: fuel, engine, batteries, water systems, moisture and cover. What to do in the water or on land before the off-season. How Much Does It Cost to Own a Boat per Year? (2026) What owning a boat really costs each year in the US: slip fees, insurance, haul-out, engine and fuel, with ranges by boat length and ways to save. Boat Teak Care: How to Clean, Oil and Protect Teak Decks How to clean, oil and protect boat teak without wearing it away: brushes, cleaners, oils, deck seams and a simple maintenance calendar. How to Clean a Non-Skid Boat Deck Without Damaging It How to clean a non-skid boat deck without harming the gelcoat: step-by-step method, brushes, common stains and mistakes to avoid. How to Clean Boat Stainless Steel: Rust Removal & Passivation Why stainless rusts at sea and how to clean it: rust remover, citric acid passivation, polishing and a routine that keeps tea staining away. How to Repair Boat Gelcoat Step by Step Learn how to repair gelcoat scratches, chips and cracks: diagnosis, materials, catalyst ratios, wet sanding and polishing for a repair you can't see.