ianfortey
Articles by ianfortey
How to Set Up a Tent on the Beach
If you’ve ever gone camping with an old pro before, no doubt you’ve watched them get a tent set up in mere minutes. Some people are just amazing at pitching tents. But for the rest of us, it can be a little trying at times. And on the beach it can be even worse. Wind…
The 8 Best Powder Sunscreens for 2023
Most of us think of sunscreen as a thick, white lotion you need to rub into your skin. If you’re cool with that kind of product it’s no big deal. But for some of us it just feels unpleasant. And if you happen to wear makeup, applying and reapplying a liquid sunscreen can really throw…
The Best Wood for Boat Trailer Bunks
Any avid boater is going to need to have a reliable trailer with which to transport the boat. Whether you have a little fishing boat or a personal watercraft, a good trailer can make transportation a lot easier. And that means proper trailer maintenance. Boat trailer bunks are there to help support and cushion your…
How Long Does it Take to Tan?
Most of us love the look of a nice summer tan. At the same time we’re all generally aware of the risks of getting too much sun. It can be a real danger. So what can you do? If you want a tan, how long do you have to wait? Let’s go over some basics…
How Does Tanning Oil Work?
These days most of what we hear about sun exposure is about the dangers. Unprotected sun exposure can lead to burns and skin cancer so you need to be careful. But there are also tanning salons all over the place so there’s clearly a market for tanning. If you like that warm, summer glow from…
Best Carpet for Boat Trailer Bunks in 2023
A boat trailer is essentially for any boat that’s going in and out of the water during the year. If you need to get the boat out for storage and travel, a reliable boat trailer can make all the difference but every part of it has to be up to snuff. That means quality bunks….
How to Jack a Boat Off a Trailer
Every boater who hauls their boat on boat trailers is going to have to get the jacks under the boat and get it off the trailer at some point. You’d be surprised how long some of us can go without doing that, though. The boat goes in and out of the water, on and off…
Boat Trailer Tire Pressure: What You Need to Know
So it’s that time of year again and you’re ready to get the boat up on a trailer and haul it down to the water. Whether you’re boating for fun, to get in some fishing, or just relaxing on the water, you need to make sure you can get there safely. Securing it in place…
The 5 Best Boat Jack Stands for 2023
It’s no big secret that a lot of boaters don’t really bother with boat stands when it comes to storage. Often the boat stays on the trailer for the whole off season or, if it is being put up, cinder blocks and bricks with boards do most of the heavy lifting. And this does work…
How to Replace Boat Trailer Bunk Carpet
Bunks and rollers are a key part of any good boat trailer. You want your boat to slide on and off that trailer quickly and easily with as little effort as possible. But, maybe more importantly, you want to make sure it’s undamaged, not even a scratch on the hull. The best way to ensure…
How to Adjust Boat Trailer Rollers
Like a boat trailer bunk, rollers are there to make the job of loading and unloading your boat easier. Rollers move as your boat is moved. This reduces overall friction and makes it possible to get a boat, which in some cases can weigh thousands of pounds like a good size sailboat, on and off…
8 Best Boat Trailer Locks for 2023
We’ve discussed the importance of locking a boat trailer before. Boat trailer security is a big deal. While there are a number of tips and tricks to secure your boat trailer, a boat trailer lock is obviously the best option you have. But just like locking up a bike or even your house, you need…
How to Bottom Paint a Boat on a Trailer
Painting a boat isn’t something every boat owner will have to do. But if you have a boat that needs a little sprucing up, just for looks or to keep it in good working order, the bottom of the boat is often the most challenging part to paint. Luckily it can be done while it’s…
How to Lock a Boat Trailer
Having a good security system for your boat is key for any boat owner who wants to prevent boat theft. There’s not a boater among us who wouldn’t hate to get to the dock and find our boat missing. But the boat isn’t the only part of the whole set up that you need to…
Boat Speed Calculator
Most of us want to know our boat’s top speed but don’t know how to calculate it. And, just as likely, we don’t think we need to. GPS is a good way to figure out your boat speed with no effort. It does all the work for you with just a glance. But it’s not…
Boat Distance Calculator
There are three important parts to planning any trip on a boat when it comes to the journey itself. How fast are you going, how long it’s going to take and how far are you going? You’ll never know when you’re going to arrive somewhere without those numbers. We have a handy boat speed calculator…
What is a Ship’s Bridge?
Even if you’re not a sailor you know the word “bridge.” It’s been used for years to describe the command center of a ship and can be colloquially used to apply to any ship. Even in sci-fi it’s used to describe the command deck of a starship. But how is it different from the ship’s…
How Water Pressure Works: Water Pressure Calculator Included
Most of us know that the deeper you go under water, the greater the pressure. This is why divers need to be careful as they come back up from deep dives. The nitrogen that has built up in their bodies needs time to dissipate. If this doesn’t happen, it expands too quickly. This gives rise…
The 10 Best Boat Trailer Tires of 2023 Reviewed
When you have a boat you want to enjoy it. You want to get your pontoon boat or fishing boat out on the water. What you don’t want to be doing is worrying over the tires for the trailer that tows the boat. We’ve assembled some of the best boat trailer tires on the market…
The 10 Best Boat Trailer Lights of 2023
Boat trailer lights are an integral safety feature for your boat trailer. When you’re hauling your jon boat down the road, no one can see your signal lights anymore. The trailer lights need to be bright and visible to anyone behind you. No one’s going to know if you’re stopping or turning otherwise, right? But…
The 9 Best Paints For Boat Trailers: Complete Guide
Your boat trailer is meant to be a reliable but low profile machine. It shouldn’t really stand out and especially not for all the wrong reasons. A rusty, ugly boat trailer may still work but it won’t look great. And, if it does get rusty, it runs the risk of failing and damaging your boat….
Best Solar Watches of 2023
A fashionable watch has been a well-loved accessory for decades upon decades. Advances in technology have seen some interesting evolutions in watches, allowing for both new looks and new technologies to power them. Though most watches are traditionally powered by a battery that needs replacing, evolutions in solar technology have seen a rise in watch…
How Set Up a Beach Umbrella in the Sand
Getting a beach umbrella in the sand is easy, right? That’s what everyone thinks before they have to do it. But don’t kid yourself, setting up a beach umbrella is not a simple one and done. And don’t feel embarrassed if you have trouble with it, either. This is a major problem for a lot…
The Best Hooks for Bass Fishing
Catching bass is never so easy that you can’t up your game. For some of us, it’s an all day affair that ends empty handed. For others, it seems like they’re fish whisperers just pulling them into their bass boats by the dozens. But however it works out, there’s plenty of tips, tricks and gear…
DIY Kayak Cart: Budget Build
If you’re serious about kayaking, you’ve probably had to portage your kayak at some point. If you kayak frequently, then you have worked your muscles more than once. Getting the kayak to and from the water can be a workout. And sure, they’re easier to carry than a pontoon boat or an aluminum fishing boat….
The 7 Best Marine Battery Boxes for 2023
It goes without saying you need power on your boat. Whether you want to run underwater lights or a trolling motor. Battery power is essential to keep things working. Important safety equipment like your VHF radio absolutely relies on it. So how do you keep your marine battery safe and secure? You get a marine…
How to Repair an Inflatable Boat
Inflatable boats have come a long way from kid’s dinghies and the like. Many inflatable boats are not only high quality, but powerful and affordable. It makes sense that you’d want to do your best to take care of them. Maybe you like to head downriver in an inflatable kayak. Maybe you like to fish…
Ranking The 11 Best Boat Anchor Ropes for 2023
Choosing a good anchor line shouldn’t be a hassle. It’s anchor line, you just want it to hold an anchor! You don’t want to invest a lot of time or effort into getting the right one. But if you get the wrong one, you’ll know. Bad anchor lines can break too easily. They also knot…
How to Fish Lipless Crankbaits: Ultimate Guide
When it comes to bass fishing, many anglers prefer fishing crankbaits. But not all crankbaits are the same. And catching bass whether with regular crankbaits or lipless crankbaits takes some skill. You need to know the best method for fishing lipless crankbait if you want to be successful. That includes knowing things like: What’s the…
Best Marine VHF Antennas for 2023
New boaters are often surprised by all the elements they need to get out on the water. It’s easy to overlook everything from a good fish finder to carpeting. VHF antennas are another one of those things we may overlook. But a good VHF antenna is an absolute must on the water. Unlike a handheld…
