Our Boating Blog

Image
Image

Freshly Caught Industry Tips, Tricks and News For Boaters of All Levels


Are you ready to continue learning? Read our blog to discover the latest in boating safety, tips and tricks and more from our knowledgeable crew!

2022 NASBLA Accomplishments

NASBLA 2022 Accomplishments

December 22, 2022
NASBLA 2022 Accomplishments Top 8!   1.  RECORD DELIVERY OF BOAT PROGRAM COURSES The BOAT Program had a record setting...
Read More
Aquatic Invasive Species

Clean Drain and Dry

October 26, 2022
Clean Drain and Dry The following is an article on the DEEP’s Website. What are Aquatic Invasive Species An increasing...
Read More
United States Coast Guard is Awesome!

United States Coast Guard

October 18, 2022
The United States Coast Guard is our 5th branch of the military. This is a small excerpt from their site. ...
Read More
Beginner Boating Tips

Boating Tips for Beginners

September 6, 2022
Boating Tips for Beginners This article from the Boating for Beginners site in my opinion is a fantastic start for...
Read More
Keeping a Lookout

Keeping a Lookout

August 8, 2022
Keeping a Lookout.  The following article from The American Boating Association discusses holidays, inspections, and being aware. The holidays and...
Read More
2021 Boating Accident Report Notables

2021 Boating Accident Report Notables

July 27, 2022
What is this report? The 2021 Recreational Boating Statistics Report or often times referred to the “2021 Boating Accident Report”...
Read More
8 Safety Tips for Common Sense Boating

8 Safety Tips

July 11, 2022
8 Safety tips for you and your loved ones. The following article is an excerpt from National Oceanic and Atmospheric...
Read More
Running Aground

Running Aground

June 13, 2022
Running Aground occurs when there is no longer deep enough water to float a vessel.  This likely occurs due to...
Read More
Reporting Boating Accidents

Reporting Boating Accidents

June 6, 2022
Reporting Boating Accidents can be a little tricky.  Check out this blog to guide you through the process.  The key...
Read More
CT Boating Education FAQ's

CT Boating Education FAQ’s

May 2, 2022
CT Boating Education FAQ’s is a hot topic.  So here we go.  Please visit the DEEP’s website to learn all...
Read More
What is a No Discharge Zone

No Discharge Zones

April 26, 2022
No Discharge Zones:  The following excerpt is from Connecticut DEEP’s website.  Visit the page and read the full article here....
Read More
Is Boating Fun

Is Boating Fun

April 19, 2022
Is Boating fun?  Well of course it is! You can check out the full article by Discover Boating by clicking ...
Read More
OSHA and Boating

OSHA and Boating

April 12, 2022
OSHA and Boating are nothing new. What is Good Housekeeping on a boat? Good housekeeping implies that we always organize,...
Read More
Personal Watercraft Regulations

Personal Watercraft Regulations

March 29, 2022
This article on Personal Watercraft Regulations is well worth your time.  Check the full article out at United Marine Underwriters....
Read More
What makes Long Island Sound unique

Long Island Sound

March 21, 2022
What Makes Long Island Sound Unique? Long Island Sound is 1400 square miles of estuary, a place where saltwater from...
Read More
Falling Overboad

Falling Overboard

March 15, 2022
Falling overboard is a serious concern. Who is at risk? Falling overboard is nearly a daily occurrence in the commercial...
Read More
Documenting Your Vessel

Documenting your Vessel

March 8, 2022
Should you be documenting your vessel? When going into the purchase of a vessel, lots of owners ask whether or...
Read More
The science of your boats wake

Your Boats Wake

March 1, 2022
Watch Your Boats Wake The following are excerpts from an excellent article by Randy Troutman on October 15, 2014 (link...
Read More
Recreational Boating

Recreational Boating

February 21, 2022
The following article regarding Recreational Boating appears on the National Safety Councils site. With more than 11 million recreational vessels...
Read More
Connecticut Harbor Masters

Connecticut Harbor Masters

February 14, 2022
Connecticut Harbor Masters have quite the responsibility.  The following excerpt is from the DEEP’s Boating Division.  Indeed, some content has...
Read More
Sailing Vessel Under Power

Sailboat Lights

February 3, 2022
Sailboat Lights can be confusing and usually need some explanation. Common Questions: Is the tri-color light all I need when...
Read More
Who is NASBLA

Who is NASBLA

January 31, 2022
Who is NASBLA you ask…well they play a major role in modern day boating! Lots of our students have asked...
Read More
Virtual Boating Classes

Virtual Boating Classes

January 18, 2022
Are Virtual Boating Classes worth it? Lots of people asking if virtual boating classes are worth it and yes, they...
Read More
Water Ski Jumps

Water Ski Jumps

January 12, 2022
What do you need to have Water Ski Jumps in Connecticut? The following excerpt is from the State of Connecticut...
Read More
Connecticut Boaters Guide

Connecticut Boaters Guide

January 3, 2022
The Connecticut Boaters Guide is a free publication.  Its primary function is to enlighten boaters on what’s new in Connecticut. ...
Read More
The USCG maintains the Aids to Navigation

Aids to Navigation

December 15, 2021
What are Aids to Navigation? Aids to Navigation can provide a boater with information similar to those which drivers get...
Read More
Rendering Assistance to other Boaters

Rendering Assistance

November 17, 2021
Rendering Assistance:  What is your Obligation? Rendering assistance to a vessel in distress is requirement for all vessel operators.  That...
Read More
Operation Dry Water

Operation Dry Water

November 2, 2021
OPERATION DRY WATER The following article is a direct excerpt from the NASBLA Operation Dry Water Home page.  Most people...
Read More
The affects of winds The Beaufort Scale

The Beaufort Scale

October 18, 2021
What is the Beaufort Scale? The Beaufort scale, officially known as the Beaufort Wind Force Scale, is a descriptive table. ...
Read More
Mayday Call Procedure Card

Mayday Call

September 29, 2021
Making a Mayday call will likely be stressful.  Your VHF radio may be your only lifeline.  The VHF may feature Digital...
Read More
File a Float Plan

Filing a Float Plan

September 22, 2021
The following excerpt is from the United States Coast Guard. Why should you take the time to prepare a Float...
Read More
Boating Under the Influence is not tolerated in any Way, Shape, or Form

Boating Under the Influence

September 13, 2021
BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (BUI ) IS JUST AS DEADLY AS DRINKING AND DRIVING   The following is a re-post from...
Read More
Winterize a boat in Connecticut

Winterizing a Boat

September 9, 2021
This article about winterizing a boat has been modified for our blog.  We thank our friends at Discover Boating for...
Read More
The Boating Pecking Order

The Boating Pecking Order

September 3, 2021
Lots of people want to know how the Boating Pecking Order applies to everyday boating.  It is a great question. ...
Read More
USCG Recreational Boating Accident Report

2020 Boating Accident Report Notables

August 3, 2021
FIRSTLY, What is this report? The 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics Report or often times referred to the “2020 Boating Accident...
Read More
EPIRBS AND PLBS

EPIRBS AND PLBS

July 26, 2021
WHAT ARE EPIRBS AND PLBS First of all EPIRBS and PLBS are acronyms.  EPIRB stands for Emergency position indicating radio...
Read More
Paddle Safety Tips

Paddling Safety Tips

July 15, 2021
Hello friends.  We don’t get to spend a lot of time during our licensing class on Paddling.  As a result...
Read More
Fly Boarding

Fly Boarding

July 11, 2021
WHAT IS FLY BOARDING Fly Boarding is becoming a very popular sport.  It is done by connecting a fly board,...
Read More
Nautical Charts and Boating

Nautical Charts and Boating

July 5, 2021
WHY USE A NAUTICAL CHART Nautical Charts and Boating go way back.  They say that many boaters are judged by...
Read More
Areas of the Boat. A history of Port, Starboard, Stern, and Bow

Areas of the Boat

June 14, 2021
What are the areas of the boat called? The areas of the boat are:  Port (left side), Starboard (right side),...
Read More
National Safe Boating Council Wear It Life jackets save lives

Life Jackets

June 7, 2021
HOW DO LIFE JACKETS SAVE LIVES? Life Jackets provide buoyancy.  That is to say, the ability to float in water. ...
Read More
Abandoned Boat Sticker

Abandoned Boat

June 1, 2021
The Abandoned Boat Process:  The CT DEEP’s Marine HQ states the following. Abandoned Boat:  Under Section 15-140c of the CGS,...
Read More
Connecticut Clean Marina

Clean Marina Program

May 24, 2021
It’s everyone’s job to keep our waterways clean.  You can join the Clean Marina Program and be proud to do your...
Read More
Anchoring a Boat

Anchoring a Boat

May 18, 2021
Anchoring equipment Let’s familiarize ourselves with the equipment when anchoring a boat.  The Anchor Rode consists of all the pieces...
Read More
Checking out the Navigational Rules for Boating

Navigational Rules for Boating

May 10, 2021
LETS GO OVER SOME BASICS When we discuss Navigational Rules for Boating keep in mind that above all, it is...
Read More
Safe Water Skiing Endorsement

Safe Water Skiing Endorsement

May 3, 2021
WHAT IS THE SAFE WATER SKIING ENDORSEMENT The Safe Water Skiing Endorsement has been a part of Connecticut boating education...
Read More
Engine Cut Off Device

Engine Cut Off Switch

April 27, 2021
THE NEW LAW ON ENGINE CUT OF SWITCHES The United States Coast Guard announced on April 1, 2021 that the...
Read More
What is a Preferred Channel Buoy

The Preferred Channel Buoys

April 16, 2021
PREFERRED CHANNEL BUOYS Ah the dreaded Preferred Channel Buoys, what are these beasts?  This buoy sinks vessels in the blink...
Read More
NOAA NWS MAP

Boating and the Weather

April 5, 2021
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER WHILE BOATING Whether you are out on the lakes or on Long Island Sound weather plays...
Read More
High and Low Tides

High and Low Tides…what should you know

March 30, 2021
WHAT IS HIGH AND LOW TIDE Tides are the vertical movement of water caused by the gravitational pull of the...
Read More
Capacity Plate Blog

The Information on a Capacity Plate is Vital

March 23, 2021
WHAT IS THE CAPACITY PLATE The Maximum Capacities Label or Plate is required on powerboats less than 20 feet with...
Read More
Online Boating Courses

Online Boating Courses are now being Taught

March 16, 2021
THANK YOU DEEP! The Connecticut DEEP approves online boating courses in 2021.  When the pandemic hit, the DEEP acted quickly...
Read More
3-Phases-of-Hypothermia

Hypothermia in Connecticut

March 21, 2019
Hypothermia is very real in CT We do cover this in class but this is the time of year people...
Read More
Age Restrictions for Boating

Age Restrictions for Boating

March 7, 2019
AGE RESTRICTIONS So everyone always asks what are the age restrictions for a boating, using a Personal Watercraft, and to...
Read More
Trimming a Boat

Trimming a Boat

July 23, 2018
What actually is Trim on a Boat? If you ask a bunch of boaters the question what is trimming a...
Read More
No Discharge Areas

No Discharge Areas

March 20, 2018
WHAT IS A NO DISCHARGE AREA No Discharge Areas or NDA is a federally designated body of water where the...
Read More
Bow Riding

Bow Riding

May 17, 2016
IS CLOSED BOW RIDING ILLEGAL YES OR NO So you can’t answer this without a little tap dancing.   For this...
Read More
Prevent Boating Accidents

Boating Accidents

May 2, 2016
STRAIGHT UP Boating accidents are nearly one hundred percent avoidable.  Together we can improve the Accident Statistics this year by...
Read More
Pollution in Connecticut Waters

Pollution in Connecticut Waters

April 18, 2016
TRUTH BE TOLD Pollution in Connecticut waters is an issue.  It can be eliminated if everyone chips in.  In short,...
Read More
Boat Ramp Etiquette

Boat Ramp Etiquette

April 12, 2016
WHAT IS BOAT RAMP ETIQUETTE? Boat ramp etiquette is important and is oftentimes overlooked.  Actually what we need to do...
Read More
Aquatic Invasive Species and Plants

Aquatic Invasive Species and Plants

March 23, 2016
What is this about? Preventing the spread of aquatic aquatic invasive species and plants is a nationwide issue.   Although...
Read More
What is the difference between hulls

What is the Difference Between Hulls

March 17, 2016
What is the difference between hulls you ask? There is a huge difference between hulls and to clarify, there are...
Read More
Powerboat requirements and length classifications

Powerboat Requirements and Length Classifications

March 8, 2016
WHY IS THE LENGTH OF THE BOAT RELEVANT? It is important for the authorities to distinguish powerboat requirements and length...
Read More
boating safety equipment

Can Safety be taken Overboard?

February 26, 2016
SAFETY OVERVIEW I’m often asked can safety be taken overboard.  Not always in those exact terms but you get the...
Read More
Reciprocity 2021

Is the Connecticut Boaters License reciprocal in other states?

February 26, 2016
CONNECTICUTS RECIPROCITY Connecticut is required by law to teach the Boaters License threefold.  This means we teach the NASBLA Core,...
Read More
Personal Watercrafts Defined

Personal Watercrafts Defined

February 23, 2016
HOW ARE PERSONAL WATERCRAFTS DEFINED Personal Watercraft are defined as a Jet driven vessel that the rider sits, kneels, stands,...
Read More

Image
Let's Set Sail

Contact Us Today