Free Article Database

August 18, 2008

Advantages and Disadvantage of an Aluminum Fishing Boat

Filed under: Boating — visiac @ 12:00 am

Fishing boat styles and types come in various forms nowadays. Each has its own use and specifications with their own advantages. An aluminum fishing boat is one of these. The size of an aluminum fishing boat can be as small as 10 foot but can go up to a huge 24 foot long on some specialized models. The shape of aluminum boats can come in both flat, V shape designs and also in a pontoon style. An aluminum fishing boat can be used as a charter fishing boat when you simply want to rent out a boat for the day or weekend.

Advantages of Aluminum Boats

While there are merits shared by any type of fishing boat out there; the aluminum fishing boat has some advantages all to itself. With the greatest competition comes from fiberglass boats, the aluminum boat has many thousands of fans thanks to their merits:

1. Aluminum fishing boat can be customized and painted to become just about any other kind of boat you desire.

2. Aluminum boats are preferred for most man made lakes, because of their rugged build and can resist being punctured by underwater trees and other submerged items.

3. Aluminum boats are resistant to rust, decay and drips. Many aluminum fishing boat can be used for decades.

4. The ability to repair or fix aluminum boats is rather easy. Most repairs are done with welding or hammering out dings and dents.

5. Aluminum boats are fuel efficient because they are light weight. If you run out of fuel, they are also easier to row than most other types of boat.

6. An aluminum fishing boat can be carried by one person depending on the size of the boat. Most other boats, made from fiberglass need five people just to move it around with more amounts of time and energy.

7. An aluminum fishing boat can be customized by the user to gain the best function from the boat that is wanted by the user.

Demerits of Aluminum Boats

While there are many merits of using an aluminum fishing boat, like anything else there are also disadvantages as well:

1. An aluminum fishing boat is not good for use when there is bad weather approaching. Lightning can easily strike the boat and people who on it.

2. Aluminum is not good for salt water fishing because the salt is corrosive and will eat away at the rivets. This will eventually cause the aluminum boat to leak or crack.

3. Aluminum fishing boats are not as flexible as fiberglass boats when it comes to shaping and customizing the boat.

4. Aluminum fishing boats are not as sleek on the water as fiberglass boats and tend to plow the water as opposed to pushing it aside. This allows some water to get into the boat from the splash.

5. Aluminum boats do not run as smoothly on water as fiberglass and tend to give riders a funky ride.

6. Aluminum boats can not carry as much fuel as their fiberglass counterpart. Therefore extra fuel cans are needed for any long trips away from shore.

It all depens on your use to make an aluminum fishing boat a better or worse choice. Make your choice wisely.

Discover what fishing boat that is the best for your boating experience at Boating Information.

August 15, 2008

Why Are Aluminum Fishing Boats The Best Fishing Boats?

Filed under: Boating — peter11 @ 12:00 am

So you love fishing, and you want to get your own fishing boat. You’ve got a lot of choices to make, including choosing a boat. Why should you buy an aluminum boat instead of, say, a fiberglass boat?

You’ll find that you have a wealth of choices for buying boats. You can get, primarily, wooden or timber fishing boats, fiberglass boats and aluminum boats. All make fine boats, and for looks my choice is a timber fishing boat. Timber boats look great. They’re often varnished so you can see the color and grain of the timber, and are hand made usually, so they have style. A timber fishing boat is a fine looking item.

But when you’re thinking of buying a boat for fishing, it isn’t really looks that count. Of course great looks are nice, but you need a boat that’s tough, hard wearing, and long lasting, and doesn’t take up lots of your precious fishing time on maintenance.

A timber boat is high maintenance. Trust me, I’ve had quite a few. You’re always sanding timber, varnishing timber, repairing timber and lots more. Now if you’re happy to be doing that then that’s great, but recognize that’s the price you pay for a great looking timber fishing boat. And a timber boat is often heavy, and will not last well, particularly if you aren’t as diligent with your maintenance as you could be. And they puncture easily when you hit something, as I did last week.

But if you’re not an enthusiast for working on boats then timber isn’t your best choice.

What you want in a fishing boat is this. It needs to be tough. It needs to be low maintenance. It needs to be puncture resistant. It needs to last forever without spending hours working on it. It needs to be easily repairable. And it needs to be cost effective.

For me the best choice fishing boat is an aluminum fishing boat. Aluminum has properties which make it the perfect material for building fishing boats. It is very light and strong for it’s weight, and can be easily welded, so is ideal for both building and repairing. It is extremely long lasting, and is very resistant to puncture. Now of course that doesn’t mean it can’t be damaged, as it can. But you need to hit it pretty hard to do some serious damage. And if you did that to a timber or fiberglass boat it will be very seriously damaged. And an aluminum boat may just dent, rather than fracture, so you can head right back home with nothing more to show than a dent, instead of possibly be the subject of a rescue from a sinking boat.

And it lasts forever if treated right. If you get a great aluminum fishing boat and treat it well you may well find yourself leaving it to your kids.

Because aluminum boats are light for their strength they often need a smaller engine, and the engine is probably the highest cost item. A smaller engine costs less, and uses less fuel.

And with a smaller engine they are also lighter and easier to handle.

And they require little maintenance. Make sure you hose your boat down after a day out, especially in saltwater, and if you drop a lead sinker make sure you pick it up, as it’s not great to leave any other metal in contact with aluminum, otherwise you don’t need to do too much maintenance at all. More fishing time.

And because aluminum boats last so well they also retain their resale value well. I bought a used aluminum fishing boat 2 years ago and it is currently worth a little more than I paid for it.

So there’s plenty of good reasons to buy an aluminum fishing boat. Unfortunately they aren’t cheap if you want to buy a new boat, but for the same reasons I’ve mentioned above, it’s way better to buy a used aluminum boat, as a used boat is usually much cheaper than a new one, and retains it value well. I would never buy a new aluminum boat.

So grab yourself a great used aluminum fishing boat and get fishing this summer, it’s the best way to get on the water.

To find out more about Used Aluminum Fishing Boats visit Peter’s Website Used Aluminum Fishing Boats For Sale at http://getafishingboat.com

August 5, 2008

Think Safety on the Water in a Boat

Filed under: Boating — jetfly @ 12:00 am

Remember, captain and crew should always be prepared for emergencies and never put guests at risk. Here are a few basic suggestions for a safe trip. Planning Ahead For a Great Voyage. Start by making sure the boat is sea worthy and everything on board is in good working condition. You should always do standard safety checks before you leave the marina, making sure the engine is running well, the battery is fully charged and the bilge pump is working properly.

Make sure the boat is also equip with the necessary navigational and communication devices, and that they are in working order. Always carry extra drinking water and extra fuel on board. The fuel should be stored safely in an external canister. A first aid kit and a tool kit are two things you might need in an emergency, so make sure they are on board as well.

Before you leave dock you should also be sure the boat is not overloaded and that you have personal flotation devices (PDF’s) for every person on board. Show your guests where they are and how to use them in case of an emergency. Non-swimmers should keep the PDF on at all times. If you are setting way with first timers, make sure they know where to sit and when it’s safe to move about.

Last but not least, always check the weather before you agree to set sail, know your crews level of competence, know the travel plans for the day and ask for the destination and return time in advance. You Can’t Control the Weather To be safe on the water you must understand the weather is always a wild card. You can do your best to avoid a problem by checking weather before you set sail, but even the best weather forecast can not always tell you what is really ahead.

It’s not uncommon to have a sunny day turn into thunderstorms when you are on the water. Boating safety means competence in changing conditions. Review your boater safety manual on a regular basis, so when a real emergency strikes you remember what to do. It’s pretty much impossible to out run a storm. When you know a storm system is on you, quickly stow away all loose gear, make sure everyone is in personal flotation devices, and remain calm!

If you think your boat is in trouble, radio your location to the coast guard, don’t wait until you know your boat is in trouble. Be prepared, be safe and have fun!

Chris Jensen is a contributing author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and views visit Jetfly Automotive Blog now. Also, for the best up-to-date related online products, check out Jetfly Boat & Ship Collectibles Shop for todays current online deals.

Navigating the Olympic Waters in Flatwater and Slalom Racing

Filed under: Boating — mma316 @ 12:00 am

When the Olympic Games roll around every four years, people start watching sporting events that they normally would have no interest in. Sure, there are some glamor events like track and field, swimming and gymnastics but more often than not, people stay glued to the television set when these competitions are not broadcasting. Part of it is due to country pride and another part is due to the sports drama unfolding. In order to shed some light on the lesser known events, here’s a sports profile of the rowing, canoeing and kayaking events at the Summer Olympics.

Rowing, canoeing and kayaking are all events that take place outdoors on open waters where the objective is to power your vessel through the appointed distance in the fastest time. The vessel, the number of crew members, and the method of human propulsion is different in each discipline.

In rowing, the athletes compete as singles, doubles, fours, or eights. They sit in the boat (shell) backward facing and use either scull oars or sweep oars. In scull rowing, the athlete has an oar in each hand. In sweep rowing, the rower has only one oar. For navigational balance, sweep rowing is paired in teams of twos, fours and eights. Olympic scull rowing also includes a coxwain in the eights event whose job is to steer and direct the crew. Moreover, the Olympics also added a lightweight event in the men and women double sculls to increase participation worldwide. There is also lightweight quad sculls but the event is restricted to men only.

Both the canoeing and kayaking events have where the athletes face forward in the boat with one oar. The canoeists paddle using a single bladed oar on both sides of the boat whereas the kayakers use double bladed paddles to cut through the water. Both disciplines have events on flatwater and also slalom courses.

On flatwater, canoeists and kayakers compete in singles, doubles and fours over distances of 500 and 1000 meters. In the canoeing events the athletes are kneeling in the boat whereas they are seated in the kayaks.

In the slalom events, the athletes go downstream and upstream navigating through gates on a man-made river. If a gate is touched, it adds 2 seconds to the time. If a gate is missed entirely, 50 seconds is added to the finish time. The events are single kayak slalom for men and women. However, for canoe slaloms, only the men compete in singles and tandems.

There you have a summary of the rowing, canoeing and kayaking events being at the Summer Olympics. Here’s to cheering on your country!

Mariam Ma is a freelance writer for Olympic Blvd where you can get Fuwa dolls and other FUWA mascots souvenirs.

July 27, 2008

Some Tips On Water Sport Safety

Filed under: Boating — teahupoo @ 12:00 am

There are a few crucial things to consider when being around the water, let’s explore them.

Learn to swim

Swimming is such a natural action for humans that many babies are born with the ability to swim! If you don’t already know how, take lessons! This should be common sense for any one that lives near the water, but I think everyone should know how to swim.

Never swim or dive anywhere except clearly marked areas with a lifeguard.
When a boat slides out into the lake on a sweltering summer day, a strong swimmer wearing easily dried clothes is heartily tempted to jump right in!

However, some lakes can be extremely deceiving, seeming bottomless, when in fact they are only 12 feet deep in the middle. Be extremely careful when diving or jumping into water. Although the bottom may not be visible, it also may not be very far away from the bottom of the boat. The best way to stay safe when swimming or diving is to go with a friend, using the buddy system, and swim or dive only in marked areas.

Always wear a lifejacket when in or around the water.

Even the strongest swimmers can get in bad situations and should wear a life vest when playing around the water. Although when conscious and calm they may be able to swim 5 miles, a person who is injured or upset may need the extra flotation to help them survive until help comes.

Be careful when entering or exiting the water from a boat.

When scuba diving, snorkeling, or water skiing, the sport often requires exiting or entering the boat from the stern. This can be an especially dangerous aspect of the sport. Be extremely careful of propeller blades, anchor ropes, fishing line, or any other items that might be beneath the water near the boat. Wait for your driver to come to a complete stop and shut off the motor before approaching the vehicle.

Learn CPR and First Aid.

It’s always a good idea to know how to help in an emergency. Not only may you be able to rescue another from a tough situation; you may also learn important guidelines for a calm and efficient reaction to danger. Take CPR classes and First Aid, whenever you have the opportunity. Knowing a few simple and logical steps may save a life.

Know which local water animals may be dangerous.

When swimming in the ocean in particular, there are many creatures to look out for such as jellyfish, stingrays, and of course sharks. Use common sense and stay out of the water at dusk and dawn when predatory animals are feeding and stay away from schools of baitfish.

When diving or snorkeling, look- don’t touch!

Many underwater accidents happen due to blind groping. Many divers or snorkelers use their hands while lurking through the depths, and mistakenly grab a poisonous animal. It is important to avoid touching the bottom when underwater for visibility reasons as well.

Take classes or go with a certified guide.

Whether you are white water rafting, swimming, or snorkeling it is important to prepare for the sport before diving in. Many sports require certification; and even if your chosen activity doesn’t, it’s still a good idea to find out more about safety before going.

Wear sunscreen!

The reflection of sunlight from water can be intense enough to cause nasty sunburns. Avoid painful sunburns and blisters by carrying a small bottle of waterproof sunblock, and protect eyes with sunglasses.

Go with a buddy!

Never surf, swim, dive, raft, fish, canoe, kayak, or Jet Ski alone. If a person is injured during their sport, having a buddy nearby can save a life. Find a friend who wants to play in the water as well, and work together to have a splashing safe summer!

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in the coastal Florida town of Navarre with his 16 year old son. Get your boating accessories from http://www.boatingaccessoriesplus.com

July 22, 2008

The 2008 Valletta Boat Show: Bigger, Better, Beautiful

Filed under: Boating — Tribune2 @ 12:00 am

In 2007, the Maltese community eagerly greeted the first-ever Valletta Boat Show. A boat show on the water had not taken place in the area in quite some time. Boat enthusiasts from far and wide came to experience the exceptional surroundings and beautiful boats. Demand for exhibitor space, coupled with an unexpected turnout of well over 8,000 visitors, has prompted organizers to secure a larger space for this year’s event.

The 2008 Valletta Boat Show will be held at the historic Flagstone Wharf in Marsa. This ancient port town is an ideal setting for the show. The beauty of the Maltese coast is embodied perfectly in the breathtaking scenery there.

The port at Marsa has been in use for centuries, with the town itself going through many changes. Today, it is a vibrant and thriving community that will benefit greatly from the added commerce of the Valletta Boat Show.

In preparation for the show, the town of Marsa plans to revamp the entire Grand Harbour area. Some areas have fallen into disrepair, but the town is committed to reviving them and turning them into centres for culture and tourism. The historic quay provides ample room for the 80 yachts which will be displayed at the Valletta Boat Show.

Although it was once considered a hobby that was out of the reach of non-wealthy people, yachting is gaining popularity. The industry employs thousands of people and also generates income for related fields and services. All told, the yachting industry’s income tops 100 million Euro each year. Yacht clubs are springing up everywhere, and the hobby is becoming more mainstream every day.

The Valletta Boat Show will encompass that newly-revamped image of yachting. The yachts on display at the show will range from 35 feet to 70 feet, representing a variety of prices. Exhibitors at the show will include banks that provide financing for yacht purchases. Insurance industry representatives will also be on hand to discuss the costs of insuring a yacht.

Last year’s show directly resulted in more than 20 yachts being sold. The event’s organizers hope that they can rise that number this year to boost yacht sales even more. More importantly, though, the Valletta Boat Show is about taking in the beautiful Marsa surroundings, learning more about the industry, and having a wonderful time.

The attendance at this year’s event is expected to reach 12,000 visitors. With over 50 exhibitors at the show, visitors will have no shortage of things to do and see. Thanks to the larger venue, there will be no problems with parking or space for exhibitors and visitors.

When visitors are ready for a break from the day’s activities, they can dine at one of the many food stalls that will be present at the show. For a more formal dining experience, a floating restaurant will offer a spectacular way to enjoy fine food while taking in the sights of the show. The Valletta Boat Show will be held from September 25 to September 28 at the historic Flagstone Wharf in Marsa, Malta.

More information about Malta including several Malta photo galleries are at yourmalta.com

Also available is cheap flight to Malta Airport deals, a Malta map and Malta property

July 19, 2008

Hot Tips For Buying The Perfect Boat

Filed under: Boating — jgaulard @ 12:00 am

Whether you are a newbie to boating or a seasoned navigator, you will find that choosing a boat to buy can be quite a daunting task. There are so many different types and models of boats for you to choose from, and you have to take certain factors into consideration when you are looking for the perfect boat to buy.

On the one hand, you have to know what type of boat best suits your purposes. You should take into consideration things like what the boat will be used for, who will use the boat, and where the boat will be used. For example, if you are planning to use the boat for longer trips out at sea, then you should get a boat that has cabins, toilets and cooking facilities.

On the other hand, if you just need a boat for a day trip, for fishing or other activities, then a small and simple boat will suffice. If you have difficulty finding out which type of boat is most suitable for your purposes, you can refer to informative articles in boating websites and boat review magazines to find out the different types of boats that are available today. You can also ask your friends for their opinions and find out about their experiences with their own boats.

You should also consider the size of the boat that you are going to buy. Different sizes of boats are suitable for different purposes, and you do not want something that is too small or too spacious. If you are planning to get a boat to go sailing in the ocean with a large group of friends, a bigger boat will be ideal. On the other hand, if you plan to use the boat for fishing trips with one or two family members or friends, or even alone, then you should opt for a smaller boat.

However, you should bear in mind that a bigger boat will require more maintenance because it has more amenities, like cabins and toilets. Owners of big boats often have a hard time transporting their boats from sea to land because the boats tend to be too big to fit into a trailer. Also, a bigger boat will need more gas compared to a small one.

Once you have ascertained which boat size you need, you have to consider whether you want a new boat or a used one. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, which you have to evaluate carefully. With a new boat, you can be assured that it will not have any defects. A new boat also comes with a warranty that covers all repair expenses for a period of time, in case your boat gets damaged.

Most new boats can be customized to suit your personal preferences. If you do not have a big budget to buy a boat, then you may want to consider getting a used boat. Used boats are most suitable for beginner boaters or those who do not know exactly what they wish to do with their boats.

One disadvantage of getting a used boat is that you may not get the amenities, features, or design that you want, and if you want to customize it later, you will have to spend a lot of extra money. Before you buy a used boat, you should have it inspected through a marine survey. This is important because you can identify any structural or mechanical problems that need to be fixed, so that your safety can be ensured.

Whether you are going for a new or used boat, shopping around before making a purchase is still the best way to get the most appropriate boat for your sailing needs. When you buy a boat, you have to make sure that the dealer is reputable.

Before buying a boat from a dealer or seller, you have to ask for proof of ownership to make sure that the boat is not a stolen property. If you are not confident in your ability to choose the right boat, you can work with a yacht broker who can give you expert opinion on which boat to buy. A yacht broker can also negotiate and arrange financing options for you.

When you have chosen the perfect boat, you must take it out for a test drive. The test drive will enable you to ascertain the efficiency of the boat. Before going on a test drive, you must check if the engine is warmed-up.

A warmed-up engine can be an indication that the boat has start-up trouble. The owner may start the engine before you arrive so that he can hide the fact that the boat has trouble starting up. You should also check the bilge for any oil leaks before and after the test drive. The precision and performance of the gauges and instruments, as well as the oil pressure should also be checked.

During the test run, you must do some evaluative maneuvering to check the overall capability of the boat. Maneuvering wide and tight turns must be a part of the test run. Response time should also be checked by maneuvering the boat forward and backward.

You must also pay attention to the bow steering at low speeds and find out the time it takes to achieve high speeds. Take note of how well the boat handles waves because you do not want a bumpy ride out at sea. Make sure that the test drive is long enough, so that you can assess overheating problems.

After you test drive the boat and find that it is worth buying, make sure that you negotiate with the dealer for the best price. Once both of you agree on the selling price, you should get the owner to document the agreement, listing the terms of the purchase as well as other add-ons that need to be purchased. If you are planning to buy a brand new boat, it is advisable that you contact several dealers first to do some comparison shopping before you decide which boat to purchase.

This article was written by Jay Gaulard on behalf of BoatClassifieds.US , a popular boating website.

July 14, 2008

Marine GPS Devices - Navigation for When You Are on the Water

Filed under: Boating — MaxGwiji @ 12:00 am

The Global Position System (GPS) is one of man’s best and most amazing inventions. It involves the use of the 32 navigational satellites to track a GPS receiver’s position with amazing accuracy, down to the nearest meter.

In times gone by the mariners were guided by the stars while on the sea. In modern times they depend on the GPS system while out navigating on the water. The marine GPS devices show seafarers their exact location and how to get to their chosen destination.

There are a wide variety of marine GPS units available today. One of their most important features is that they are waterproof and have various benefits that help you navigate out on the water. The units have pre-programmable databases for all the rivers and lakes as well as nautical markers for lights, buoys, sound signals and day beacons among other things.

Another benefit of a hand held marine GPS unit is the fact that fishermen have the prospect of capturing more fish because they have the GPS has the capability to show them the best spots to fish. This is achieved through the navigation maps which indicate on the gadget where there are currents underwater and if there are places where fish like to hide. The technology enables people to locate the caves and contours in the waterways. While on the water the GPS unit allows the fisherman or boatman to keeps his bearing.

The smaller marine GPS units have a lot of features and are portable as well. The gadgets contain bearings for longitudes and latitudes that assist one to establish sunset and sunrise. You can also save the routes and tracking points.

It is important before buying any marine GPS device to do your research and make comparisons so that you can settle for the best. In the market there are various marine GPs units. Some are small and handheld while others are more larger portable marine GPS. The screen displays are normally an LCD that is clear even in the harsh sunlight glaring off the water.

One of the more recent handheld marine GPS units is the Navigational Adventure. This device has a large 16MB storage space and an in built database for maps that include city locations, waterways, airports and highways of North America, and fixed nautical objects like buoys and lighthouses. There is also the displaying of bearings and knots. This device also has WAAS technology.

Another handheld marine GPS is the Mariner 260 which has a rugged outer shell that is waterproof and has a 155MB internal memory. The device has up to 1000 waypoints for the user and graphic symbols. The device can save up to 20 track logs thus enabling you to retrace your moves from both directions. It has an alarm, clock and a trip computer which offers an odometer.

In summary, these marine GPS units are quite important in the activities of all people who in one way or another find themselves at sea. Not only will a marine GPS unit make your trips out on to the water more trouble free and safe, they will also make it more enjoyable and exciting.

For motorcycle enthusiasts looking for a GPS device for their bike, the author has a wide range of motorcycle GPS gadgets available for sale at fantastic internet prices, including TomTom and Zumo.

July 13, 2008

What You’ll Need for a Rafting Trip

Filed under: Boating — jordanmcpelt @ 12:00 am

Rafting trips can be a fun adventure for the whole family. If you are beginning to prepare for a rafting trip, you will want to make a list of all the things that you will need in order to make this trip a fun, happy time for you and whoever you are taking the trip with.

First, you will want to consider the weather conditions during your trip. What time of the season are you planning on? And where? There are many different options for a rafting trip, so you will want to first pick out the place you want to go rafting. Then, a quick check of the average summer temperatures will tell you the kind of clothing that you will need to pack for your trip. Remember to pack the sunscreen as well.

The weather can also be unpredictable in many parts of the country where rafting is popular, so you may want to bring something extra along to keep yourself dry from any rain that may fall during your trip. On sunny days, though, all you will need to wear are shorts, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt for early morning and late evening. A swim suit is also a recommendation since you will be spending a lot of time on the water.

For your feet, you will want to get a good pair of rafting shoes. These shoes are designed to stay on your feet, even if you end up in the water. They are also designed to get wet, so there are not problems with getting them in the water.

Rafting trips are often conducted over more than one day, so you will need to bring a few personal items for overnight stays. These will most likely include a change of clothing, toiletries, a sleeping bag, flashlight, and any fishing gear that you might want to take with you.

If you want to capture your trip on camera, there are dry bags that are located on rafts that will be able to keep your camera safe and dry, but it is still best if you bring a waterproof camera with you in case the bags do acquire a leak. If you do not have a waterproof camera, do not bring your expensive equipment on a rafting trip unless you are willing to part with it at any given moment. You can pick up a disposable camera for a few dollars and feel better if it does happen to get ruined or fall off the raft.

Rafting trips usually go together in a group, so there are different options for meals when you are on your trip. If the company you are rafting with serves you meals, you will have nothing to worry about. If you have any special dietary needs, you will want to tell the company this at the time of reservation so that they will be able to work with you.

Rafting is a fun, exciting adventure as long as you are prepared with the right gear in order to make your trip hassle free.

Jordan Mcpelt is a professional author who specializes in Colorado Rafting and Colorado River rafting. For more information on River Rafting please visit http://www.bikeraft.com

July 3, 2008

Kayak Karma - The Gentler Side Of Kayaking

Filed under: Boating — Vickster @ 12:00 am

Kayaking is not always about getting absolutely soaked steaming down a class IV river or bouncing around in the surf. There is a much gentler side.

For me working in an office all day when the sun is shinning outside can be purgatory. It becomes a question of clock watching until 5.30pm finally frees me from my stuffy surroundings when I can yank my tie off and grab my paddles for an evening paddle in my inflatable kayak.

The good thing about using an inflatable kayak on an evening trip is that I do not have to worry about loading it onto and strapping it down to a roof rack or at the other end strapping it to a kayak trolley to get to the waters edge.

Because my inflatable kayak can be rolled up into a bag I can leave it on the main boat at the marina so all I need to do is to pump it up for five minutes when I get to the marina. This cuts down my ’scramble time’ considerably and gives me more time paddling in the water before it gets dark.

During the summer months and with the sun setting around 9:30pm I can grab a good two hours or more paddle time and get to witness some amazing sunsets.

The backwaters at Walton-on-the-Naze offer some of the most amazing scenery and whilst it may not be brimming with paradise like sandy beaches it does provide a truly stunning and remote taste of English countryside at its best. Most evenings when there is a glorious sun setting we paddle westward along the Twizzle which runs along the south side of Horsey Island.

The channel dries out at low tide so once we paddle clear of the marina and past a few straggling swing moorings we have the area to ourselves with the only sign of any other human existence being the odd farmhouse in the distance.

The benefit of being in my inflatable kayak is there is no cockpit so once wedged up against an oyster bed I can loosen the kayak seat, stretch out and soak up the evening sun. Spending two or three hours lying under the late sun in kayak is a truly cleansing experience that I would recommend to anyone.

All you need is a flask of tea and something to eat a camera to take some snaps and your usual safety accessories and you are set for an evening of beautiful HD panoramic vistas all to yourself.

Trust me there is nothing else quite like it. Whatever you do for a living you are probably stressed with some aspect of life and going for a relaxing paddle and watching the wildlife and sunset is a break from the everyday hustle and bustle and the ultimate way to relax.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in Inflatable Kayak Accessories providing you with excellent resources and products including reviews on the stunning Sevylor Ranger Inflatable Kayak.

Next Page »

Index  Blog  Forum  Shop  Advertise  Newsletter  PrivacyPolicy  Contact  SiteMap Powered by WordPress