Miscellaneous (35)

Small boat anchored in rough water, boating weather warnings concept.

What Does a Small Craft Advisory Mean?

Boating in bad weather can put you and others at risk, but not every boater knows what to look for in the weather forecast. If you're under a small craft advisory—which can indicate rough seas and choppy conditions, along with wind and rain—you might want…

Several people in the front of a boat, boat weight limits concept.

What Does a Boat's Capacity Plate Indicate?

Safe, enjoyable boating comes from paying attention to the details, from ensuring your passengers wear the right life jackets to understanding how a boat performs in different conditions. One of the most essential considerations on the water is whether you're overloading your vessel. Boat operators need…

Orange sound horns on top of a boat, ship horn signals concept.

Ship Horn Signals: What They Mean for Boaters

Responsible boating requires more than safety equipment—maritime communication skills are essential as well. In addition to navigating your journey, wearing a life jacket, and packing a first aid kit, you must be comfortable with ship horn signals. You may need to use ship horn signals…

Boat on the water at dusk, how to file a float plan concept.

What Should a Boater Do With a Float Plan?

When you're headed out for a day on the water, there's a lot to think about—including filing a float plan. If you're highly confident in your abilities and have sufficient safety equipment on your vessel, you might assume you don't need to bother with a float…

Truck pulls boat on trailer, how much towing capacity do I need for a boat?

How Much Towing Capacity Do I Need for a Boat?

When towing a boat, safety should always be your top priority. That means being careful when doing things such as changing lanes on the highway, launching your boat into the water, docking your vessel, and loading it back onto the trailer. It's also essential to ensure…