ianfortey
Articles by ianfortey
Why Does Oil Float on Water?
Oil floats on water simply because oil is not as dense as water. This is doubly true in salt water which is even more dense than freshwater, meaning oil will remain on top where it can be seen and it poses a threat to marine life. As responsible boaters we need to make sure we…
Jet Boat vs Propeller Boat: What’s The Difference?
Most boats on the water are propelled by one of two main systems – jet propulsion or propeller propulsion. Jet boats use an impeller pump to draw water in before forcing it out in a high velocity jet that moves the boat forward. Propeller driven boats use a propeller to push the water away from…
How Much Is a Pontoon Boat?
Pontoon boats, like most other kinds of boats, can cover a remarkably wide range of prices from as low as $12,000 to as much as $400,000. With such a huge range to cover, there are a lot of variables that go into determining figuring out pontoon boat price. What is the Range of Pontoon Prices?…
Biggest Ship in the World: Listed By Ship Type
The biggest ship in the world is a bit hard to pin down because the definition of “ship” can be a little malleable. As well, biggest could refer to either length or gross tonnage. The largest ship ever built was the Seawise Giant, also called the Happy Giant, the Jahre Viking, and the Knock Nevisa,…
What’s the Best Way to Avoid Overloading Your Boat?
The best way to avoid overloading your boat is to have a clear understanding of your boat’s weight capacity and then simply not exceed that capacity. Every boat has either a capacity plate that explains how much weight it can safely hold or an explanation of the same in the owner’s manual. If you have…
What is a Pontoon Boat?
Pontoon boats are flat decked, recreational boats that rely on air-filled tubes called pontoons to achieve buoyancy in the water. Traditional pontoons use a pair of pontoon tubes located on either side of the boat under the deck to achieve stability and buoyancy. Some models may have a third tube located under the center of…
Can You Bring Spray Sunscreen on a Plane?
Yes, you can bring spray on sunscreen on a plane. That said, the TSA and the FAA do have some rules about how much you can have and also where you have to keep it during travel. This can be a little confusing, of course, so let’s get into the specifics. Transportation Security Administration Rules…
How Much Does a Boat Trailer Weigh?
The average fishing boat trailer weight will probably be around 600 lbs. There can be a fairly large potential range for these trailers however, running from just a couple of hundred pounds at the low end to well over 1,000 pounds at the higher end of the scale. And that’s for an unloaded trailer. Once…
200 Best Fishing Boat Names: Funny, Classic, And Unique Names
A fishing boat should be named to reflect the fact that fishing is what it’s for. Every boat needs a name. It’s a rite of passage. But not every boat needs the same kind of name and fishing boats need good fishing boat names. You’re not calling your fishing boat Windancer or something if it’s…
Tritoon vs Pontoon: Key Differences
Tritoon boats are a kind of pontoon boat that has three pontoon tubes rather than the standard two tubes you’ll find in a traditional pontoon. There are some key differences between the two that are worth understanding, especially if you’re considering purchasing one. Appearance In general, above the pontoons, you’re not likely to notice any…
Why Are Boats So Expensive?
Boats cost more than other items we think of in the same ballpark, like cars, for several reasons. It costs more to build boats in terms of time, materials and standards. Boats are also less in demand than cars and, as such, it’s a much more niche market which means boat makers can charge more…
Can a Pontoon Boat Go in the Ocean?
The answer to this question is yes, you can take a pontoon boat in the ocean. In fact, some modern pontoon boats with things like V-frame construction, tritoons and more durable materials may be fairly adept at handling open waters and strong enough to hold their own in the chop if you head out with…
45 Types of Boats
There are literally hundreds of different types of boats in the world. For some, the difference between them is very little. For instance, a pontoon and a tritoon are the same boat save for the addition of a single extra pontoon tube. Other boats are highly specialized like a crane boat which may be used…
5 Fastest Production Pontoon Boats
The fastest commercially available pontoon boats in the world will be able to reach speeds of around 60 to 78 miles per hour. This is rare for a pontoon boat and most do not achieve speeds anywhere near this fast. How Fast Do Modern Fast Pontoon Boats Go? Any pontoon boat that can pull over…
How to Keep a Canopy From Blowing Away at the Beach
Anchoring your beach canopy will probably be the most effective way of keeping it from blowing away. There are several alternate ways to try to keep a stable beach canopy in place as well but using tent stakes to anchor it in place seems to be the best method for offering the greatest stability with…
Can a Pontoon Boat Sink?
Yes, pontoon boats are capable of sinking. Please don’t go boating on a pontoon boat under the mistaken impression that they are incapable of being sunk. That said, a pontoon is also a very safe and reliable kind of boat. They offer great stability and in most circumstances they will hold up better than other…
Boat vs Ship: What’s the Difference?
The internet is full of dictionaries with different definitions of what is and is not a boat. You may be surprised (or maybe not) to see that some describe a ship as a boat and a boat as a ship. Here are two ways to define both boat and ship. Boat Definitions a vessel for…
What Is A PWC? Understanding Personal Watercraft
PWC stands for personal watercraft. You might better know a PWC by names like Jet Ski and Sea-Doo. PWC is the generic name that applies to any personal watercraft regardless of who made it. Defining What A PWC Is A personal watercraft is a small jet-powered watercraft that the operator either sits or stands on…
Deck Boat vs Pontoon Boat: Key Differences and Similarities
When it comes to versatile boats that are ideal for family outings, fishing, cruising and more, you may find yourself eyeing both deck boats and pontoon boats. They offer a lot of the same benefits and features, but they’re definitely not the same thing. A pontoon boat is, first and foremost, a boat that uses…
How Fast Does a Pontoon Boat Go?
Pontoon boats are not really built for speed. That’s something to understand right off the bat. Of course, boaters being who they are, people have rigged up some really fast pontoon boats over the years and you’d be surprised at just how fast some can go. But most manage a more leisurely pace. So how…
How to Drive a Pontoon Boat
Pontoon boats tend to be very easy to drive compared to some other boats out there. Maybe that’s why they are enjoying a surge in popularity these days in the boating world. They offer a lot of perks at a pretty reasonable price overall. But just because they’re relatively easy to manage doesn’t mean there’s…
Types of Powerboats: 33 Types And Their Uses
If you’re new to the world of boating get ready for a surprise. There are far more kinds of boats than most people are aware of out on the water, and that includes powerboats, speed boats, motorboats or whatever you might want to call them. For many people, “powerboat” is a kind of catchall term….
How to Clean Beach Chairs
Beach chairs are designed to be light, tough, and comfortable. They’re also pretty resilient, and they have to be. They get beaten around by the wind and sand and get exposed to salt water and more. So they can do a lot, but they do need help. If you want to extend the life of…
Can You Put Sunscreen On a New Tattoo?
Statistics say that just over 30% of Americans have tattoos and nearly half of Americans under 40 have at least one. If you’re one of the many recently inked people out there, you need to know rules for sun safety that apply to the general population as well as those that apply to the recently…
Beach Tent vs Camping Tent: Is There a Difference?
They say you always need the right tool for the right job. That extends well beyond the world of tools, however. If you want to haul a trailer you need the right truck. If you’re going on a job interview you need the right clothes. And if you plan to head to the beach and…
Funny Boat Names: The Best Laughs at Sea
Naming a new boat is a rite of passage. It’s telling the world about you and your boat on top of the formality of having a name that can help the Coast Guard find you when they need to. When you head down to any marina these days you’re going to see one of two…
Best Beach Chairs with Canopies: Tested and Reviewed
Sometimes hitting the beach with a comfy chair just isn’t enough. You need to do something to protect yourself from the harsh rays of the sun. But at the same time, maybe you don’t want to go through the trouble of setting up a beach tent or beach canopy. Luckily there is another option. There…
Best Boat Security Systems and Cameras for 2024
As a boat owner, you didn’t invest in your boat just so you could have it stolen, right? Whether it’s a few hundred bucks for an old fishing boat and hundreds of thousands for a yacht, you have every right to protect what’s yours. That means a solid security system to keep it safe when…
How to Keep a Beach Umbrella From Blowing Away
There’s a lot of fun to be had on any given trip to the beach. Whether you’re heading out to swim, to fish, to boat, or have a barbecue, you need to make sure you bring the right gear. Most of us remember beach chairs and a cooler, but what about shade? Sunscreen is a…
Best Tent Stakes for Sand Reviewed
Camping is a lot of fun no matter where you go. But you need to make sure you’re adapting to your environment if you want everything to go smoothly. There’s nothing saying you can’t go camping on a beach or in the desert, you just need to plan ahead. Your average tent will be a…
