Chris Riley
Articles by Chris Riley
What to Wear Kayaking – Preparing for All Weather Conditions
Does what you wear on a kayaking expedition matter? After all, you are going to be in your boat the entire time anyway, right? Well, if you have to ask, then you are no doubt a beginner kayaker – which is a great thing. Welcome to the club! And, yes, what you wear matters when…
How to Choose a Kayak Paddle – Pro Tips
To get the most out of your kayaking experience, ensure that you have the right paddle for the job. It doesn’t matter how great of a kayak you have. If you’re using the wrong paddle with it, then performance will be affected either way. If it’s too short, your hands will keep hitting the sides…
10 Best Kayak Roof Racks for Travel
If you own a kayak – the non-inflatable variety – then you need a way to get it from your home to the water and back. Now, unless you have a kayak trailer to tow your boat, the next best option is to get a roof rack for your vehicle. It’s the only logical alternative…
Types of Kayaks – Recommendations and Buying Guide
There’s no better feeling in the world than spending a fun day kayaking with family and friends. But, if you’re reading this, you probably don’t need convincing. So, let’s cut to the chase and talk about why you’re here. You’ve decided to join the elite community of kayak owners, but aren’t quite sure which one…
The Best Kayak Fish Finder – Our Top Recommendations
Let’s be honest. When you first got your kayak, the next logical step was to pick up kayak fishing. And, as soon as you did, you were hooked. There’s something inherently exciting about close-quarters fishing that most anglers can’t seem to get enough of. You just never know what you might pull up. You now…
How to Kayak – Everything You Need to Know
No image depicts outdoor exploration quite like paddling. The visual of a kayak gliding across glassy waters as its bow slices through the shimmering rays of light, is the kind of stuff dreams are made of. If this scene sounds like something you would enjoy, then you’re in for quite a treat. There’s no other…
Best Beach Shoes
Whether you’re hunting for frogs, inspecting tidal pools for crabs, playing beach games, catching a few waves, or spending some time on the fishing boat, there’s nothing quite like a day on the beach. A day on the water is made even better, however, when nobody is complaining about sore feet. Enter the right pair…
Best Beach Cruiser Bikes
There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as zipping along the boardwalk, feeling the wind whip through your hair, after a long day of swimming, fishing, playing beach games, or surfing on the waves. To experience this feeling for yourself, you’ve got to invest in a beach cruiser bike. Riding a bike on the beach can be…
Best Beach Games
There’s nothing quite as fun as a day at the beach. From the wave to the sand, the sun to the surf, there are plenty of ways to fill your time here. However, if you have kids – or even a few high-energy adults! – finding ways to spend your time in the sun can…
Best Beach Sandals
If you’re planning on heading to the beach this summer – or even just want to spend a few hours out on the boat, casting for trout – then you need to invest in the appropriate attire. After all, you can’t wear your favorite pair of sneakers to the beach. They’ll get covered in all…
Best Beach Wagon
A day at the beach should be simple enough, right? You head to the shore, stick your toes in the water, and relax. The sad reality is that a trip to the beach often requires a lot of stuff. From all your snacks to your beach tent, your towels, and camping chair, there is all…
Best Camping Chair
It doesn’t matter whether you prefer camping in a quiet backwoods forest or right in your own backyard – having the best camping chairs to relax in is essential. A good set of camping chairs can even come in handy when you’re lounging on the deck, enjoying a city concert, or waiting in line for…
Best Beach Towels
Interested in catching a few waves this summer? If so, you’re going to want to invest in the best beach towels to keep you warm and dry once you’re out of the water or off the boat. Believe it or not, all beach towels are certainly not made alike. Sure, you could pick up a…
Rating the Best Fishing Sunglasses of 2023
If you’re planning on heading out on the water, you need to equip yourself with the best fishing sunglasses. Not just any old pair of shades will do. While most sunglasses will do their part when it comes to protecting you from dust, sand, wind, and other elements, being on the water presents unique challenges….
Best Boat Grill Of 2023 (Review And Buying Guide)
We modern humans have found tons of ways to incorporate food into our social lives. We grill for guests on the backyard deck, drop serious money on outdoor kitchens and lately we’ve taken to adding grills to our boats. And why not? What better way to enhance a leisurely boating experience than firing up the…
Best Marine Cooler Of 2023 (Review And Buying Guide)
Dreaming of the next fishing trip, boating holiday or camping escape? Proper planning and investing in the right equipment may be all that you need to turn your dream into some great memories. To ensure that your drinks are cold when fighting that big fish and your catch stays fresh for as long as you…
Best Portable Fish Finder of 2023 (Review And Buying Guide)
Fishing has a lot to do with patience. But there’s only so long you can wait for fish to bite, especially if you went through the trouble of driving all the way to a lake. A portable fish finder takes the guessing game out of fishing. You can spend more time fishing and less just…
Understanding the Facts and Figures of Ocean Pollution
Ocean pollution is a harmful side-effect of our land-based activities, and if we don’t work hard to keep our oceans clean, the future of our planet will look very bleak indeed. Since our oceans are such an important feature of the planet’s eco-system, unhealthy seas make for unhealthy residents. That’s why it’s essential for us…
Boating Courses Online
Basic Boating Safety Certification Course – Approved by NASBLA, recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. Successful completion of this course entitles most boat owners to a discount on marine insurance premiums. Take this course on your own schedule and at your own pace. Help is available via email. Coastal Navigation – basic navigation course is a combination…
Nautical Know How Basic Boating Safety Certification Final Exam
To take the final exam online: This is the quickest way to receive your documents. You will also know right away whether you have passed or failed. If you cannot take the final exam online, you can print and mail this exam. This option is much slower than taking the final exam online . INSTRUCTIONS : After you have…
Trailering
The majority of recreational boats in the United States are trailered to and from the water. Your boat trailer is only one part of the entire boating package which includes the boat, trailer, hitch and towing vehicle. Neglecting the trailer’s maintenance can result in damage to your boat, your towing vehicle or both. The trailer…
State Boating Regulations
State Boating Regulations State Boater Education Requirements You need to know the boating laws and regulations in the states where you boat. This link will direct you to your State’s own State specific information and quiz, if available. California Florida Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Maine Maryland Mississippi Nebraska Nevada North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania…
Aids To Navigation
Chapter VI – Operations Section 3 – Aids To Navigation Aids To Navigation In order to find our way safely from place to place on the water we must depend on road signs just as we do on land. The aids to navigation are the road signs of the water. Learning to understand them requires…
The Importance of Boat Ventilation
Ventilation is rarely something most of us give a second thought to. But on a boat, it can literally be a life or death issue. How you ventilate your boat is of vital importance. It’s also something that must follow specific, legal guidelines as well. Because of that, you’re going to want to know exactly…
Pollution Regulations
Over the years, numerous laws have been put in place with an eye towards environmental protection. A big portion of that means protecting the oceans. The oceans added $307 billion to the U.S. GDP and supported 3.3 million jobs in 2017. Much of this comes from tourism and fishing. It’s vital that we do what…
Personal Watercraft
Chapter VII – Getting Underway Section 6 – Personal Watercraft Personal Watercraft A Personal Watercraft (PWC) is defined as a vessel which uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as the primary source of motive power, and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel,…
Distance, Speed, Time Worksheet
Coastal Navigation Course Chapter VI Distance, Speed, Time Worksheet Remember: Convert Minutes to Decimals (and back) and Round Answers Distance: Speed: Time: 1. 15.0 nm 8.6 1 hour 45 minutes = 1.75 hours Calculation: D ÷ T = S – 15.0 nm ÷ 1.75 hours = 8.57 kts 2. 12.5 nm 7 kts 1 hour 47…
The 10 Best Mold and Mildew Cleaners
Mildew is the scourge of many boaters. This fungus will flourish in the conditions presented to it on many boats. It needs a dark, damp place with lots of moisture. Poor air circulation and cool temperatures also help. Your fishing boat is a prime breeding ground. Even your carpets and personal flotation devices are at…
Coastal Navigation Course
This course will prepare you for the navigation portion of the U.S.C.G. captain’s license exam. It will also prepare you for the Coastal Navigation Standard Exam (ASA 105). And, it will show you how to get your boat to your favorite waterfront restaurant, safely and on time. The navigation course is a combination of a…
West Virginia Boating Regulations
West Virginia Boating Regulations This section contains information on West Virginia Boating Regulations that are in addition to the Federal Requirements covered in the Basic Boating Course. If you have not reviewed the course material, please do so now. All Federal Requirements in the basic boating course apply to West Virginia; this section lists West Virginia Boating Requirements that…
