Common boat winterizing myths or mistakes that can cost you big in repairs, or even destroy your boat If you live in a boating climate where the temperature drops below freezing in the winter, then winterizing is one of the most important things you should do with your boat maintenance each year. Despite whatever wive’s...
Compete boat winterizing guide by BoatUS helps boaters properly protect boats during the winter freeze (PDF download & VIDEOS) If you boat in a area that goes below the freezing point during the winter (which includes most boating locations outside of Florida) then you need to take winterizing seriously. As fall gets underway, better get...
The Amazing Adventures of Boat Girl is highlighted on boating industry radio show as a fun children’s book focused on boat safety The new children’s book for boat kids – The Amazing Adventures of Boat Girl – is getting a lot of buzz in the boating industry… and I was thrilled to be invited for a...
U.S. Coast Guard to eliminate requirement for life jacket code labels by manufacturers How to pick the right size and type for life jackets has often been a bit confusing for boaters. One of the biggest reasons is the “type code” labeling system that U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has required manufacturers to use. The...
Weather basics to help boaters predict bad weather, understand changing conditions on the water and have the right gear on board If you are an avid boater then you are more than likely going to experience foul weather on your boat – from extreme weather like tropical storms and hurricanes, to severe storms and rough...
Innovation in Life Jacket Design Competition challenges boaters to invent a better life jacket design for a chance to win $10,000 Boaters are always looking for better ways to do things on board. In fact, our first-hand experiences on boats have helped produced some of the most inventive marine gear and boating accessories on the market today....
The Amazing Adventures of Boat Girl is a children’s book that inspires kids to love the boating lifestyle while emphasizing the importance of boat safety Whether you have a kid who already loves boating, or want to introduce your child to boating, the children’s book The Amazing Adventures of Boat Girl shows children how boating can be both safe and fun....
Submit a boating life photograph for a chance to win gift card and place in 2016 member calendar Updated Contest for July 2015! Think your boating photo deserve to be showcased to thousands of boaters like you? Enter West Marine’s 4th annual boat photo contest and your photo may be featured in their calendar… and...
Break away from the office and telecommute from your boat with these ideas to make “work from boat” easier It’s every 9-5 boater’s dream – taking advantages of your job’s telecommuting privileges and working from the boat. In some cases you may be working from the boat for more than just Fridays – it may...
Simple safety reminders when you celebrate July 4th on the water There is nothing like spending fourth of July on your boat with family and friends. From joining mega boat raft-ups to watching fireworks exploding over the water, boating is one of the best ways to celebrate the 4th. But the 4th of July holiday is...
Photography tricks for catching great shots of your kids jumping from a boat into the water Last summer my oldest daughter finally got enough confidence to make the leap from our boat’s swim platform into the river. And once she learned how to do it there was no stopping her (except the unfortunate, yet inevitable,...
Guides and resources for boaters in hurricane states to prepare and protect boats during hurricane season The official start of the Atlantic “Hurricane Season” in the U.S. is June 1, and although most hurricanes hit later in the season it is never too early for boaters and marinas to start thinking about plans to prevent the worst...
Enter for a chance to give your Dad a $500 waterlife makeover this Father’s Day West Marine, the world’s largest retailer of waterlife-related products, has announced a new contest aimed at gearing up Dad for a summer of fun on the water. If your Dad’s boating or fishing gear has seen better days, this may...
Ways boaters can spend less money and still enjoy recreational boating without breaking their budget It’s no secret that boating costs money. You need to have a certain amount of discretionary income to enjoy the lifestyle, but you certainly don’t need to be rich if you are smart about how you boat. I always consider boating...