Parts 4 Boats

Dragon Boat Races, Sydney 2012

Bass Boats

Bass Boats have gone through a tremendous evolution to get to the point where they are today. The first "bass boat" was considered to be a hulled out canoe made from chippings off of very large trees. The Caddo Indians of east Texas and western Louisiana are credited with this type of boat "invention."

They used these boats to fish to provide food for their families. Bass during that time were the number one food choice to enable families to survive. Fortunately for these families, bass were found in very large supplies in the swampy waterways of the southeastern United States, exactly where these tribes were located. Thus began the evolution of the bass boat as we know it today. Below are present day considerations and tips for purchasing a bass boat.

Consider your Towing Vehicle

Bass boats and trailers with a full tank of gas and loaded with all the fishing gear easily weighs over 3500 pounds. Before you consider your purchase of a bass boat, make sure your towing vehicle can handle to the load. Also, remember to take into consideration towing up mountains and hills.

Bass Boats

There are key questions that an angler looking into buying a bass boat needs to ask themselves. Where are you primarily going to be doing your fishing? What is the size of the body of water? Will it be small lakes and rivers? If so, perhaps all you will need is a small boat with a small outboard motor. If you are planning on fishing in larger bodies of water, a minimum length of 19 feet is your best choice. Overall, the three main characteristics recognized and looked for in the bass boat of today are shallow draft, maneuverability and stability of the boat.

Lastly, if this is going to be your first bass boat purchase, you might want to consider buying a used boat. This way you can gain more experience and have a better idea of what you want in your next new boat purchase.

Aluminium Bass Boats

Aluminium boats are much less expensive than fibreglass boats. Additionally, aluminium boats are much more forgiving of occurrences that inevitably happen on the water: banging into a dock, running up into shallows, hitting submerged rocks or stumps and so forth. The downside is that aluminium bass boats ride much rougher than fibreglass boats and are easily blown around by even the slightest wind. Again, the size of the body you plan to bass fish on is clearly a tremendously important component in the decision making. If you are intending to fish in a small lake, a 16-17 foot aluminium bass boat would likely be a good choice.

Fibreglass Boats

Fibreglass bass boats are much more expensive than aluminium but clearly there are reasons for this. Fibreglass bass boats are capable of handling rougher and bigger bodies of water, they give the boater a much smoother ride and they can go much faster than aluminium bass boats. Experts suggest that if you are considering going with a fibreglass bass boat that you purchase one with a 4-stroke outboard engine as opposed to a 2-stroke engine.

The reasoning is that even though they cost a bit more, they cover much more water as far as fuel is concerned, they are much quieter and much cleaner than a 2-stroke. The reduced fuel cost is estimated to pay-off for the additional cost of the engine in the long run. To give you an idea of the cost of a fibreglass bass boat, they usually range from $20,000 to a $40,000 top of the line boat.

New vs Used Bass Boats

There are advantages of buying a used bass boat. Clearly they will be less expensive than a new one and historically, used bass boats hold their value much better than a new one. Also, as mentioned above, is this is your first bass boat purchase, buying a used boat will give you a better understanding of what you may or may not want if you ever decide down the road to purchase a new bass boat. There are also disadvantages of purchasing a used bass boat. In the simplest way to state it, you may be buying someone else's headache.

Outboard engines, as are found on bass boats, are known to be short lived and it is difficult to determine this on a causal inspection of the boat. The best suggestion is to either buy from someone you trust or have a professional inspect the boat and engine before purchasing. Lastly, just as in purchasing a car, the seller needs to be willing to negotiate on price with a used bass boat sale.

Obviously, the biggest advantage to buying a new bass boat is warranties and the sheer joy of owning a brand new bass boat!

Boat Handling

Whether you decide to purchase a new or used bass boat, learning to handling it is a process that takes time. Every boat has its own "personality" and handles differently in every way. From launching to retrieval to water handling, bass boats are all different. A few examples of these differences are the sounds your engine makes when it is trimming, the way it pulls out and into shallow water and the correct engine positioning and trim tab positioning to get it up on plane. Bass boats are all different. Realizing this and knowing that it will take time to learn your boat will encourage you to spend more time on the boat and enjoying the wonderful sport of bass fishing!

- J Lloyd

RMR: Rick Goes Jet Boating

Famous Yachts

The Allure of the Yacht

Nothing quite equals the fantasy of lying back on the deck of a yacht, the sun warming your face and a cocktail in hand. From its days as a feared war craft to its rise as the most sought after leisure cruiser, the allure of the yacht is as timeless as it is enigmatic.

The yacht began life as a military vessel that utilised its speed and manoeuvrability to carry vital military messages between battalions. There are few historical sea battles that the yacht did not play a significant part in. From a triumphant military history to the vessel of choice for kings and queens, the yacht has its own special place in history.

The Grand Yachts of History

The Duyfken

One of the world's most memorable yachts is the Duyfken, a Dutch three-masted gem that was armed with several cannons. Her speed and manoeuvrability made her the perfect scout and messenger in times of battle and is credited with playing a critical role in the defeat of the Portuguese blockade that allowed the Dutch entrance to the lucrative spice trade in 1601. The years that followed saw this yacht head out on many exploratory adventures in search of new avenues for trade. From Cape Agulhas to the Mozambique Channel and on to India, the Duyfken became one of the most travelled yachts of the 17th century.

But it was the Duyfken's 1606 journey that made it one of the grandest and most memorable yachts in history. Captained by Willem Janszoon, the next Dutch voyage headed out in search of the legendary King Solomon's mines in the south east and took the yacht and her sailors to the furthest ends of the earth then known to man. Heading further south than New Guinea, the yacht and its crew happened upon the Cape York Peninsula, better known today as Australia. Captain Janszoon and his yacht the Duyfken are officially acknowledged as the first authenticated European voyage to the Australian continent. By 1608, the Duyfken was declared to be damaged beyond repair and this remarkable little yacht, who helped make all seven continents known to European geographers, ended her time on the sea.

The America

Designed by revolutionary yacht designer George Steers, the 101 ft America was one of the first racing vessels to benefit from his trademark knife-like bow widening aft that increased speed and agility. This design was put to the test in 1851, when the America entered the first ever Royal Yacht Squadron's "One Hundred Guinea Cup". In the prestigious 53 mile race around the Isle of Wight, the America won by eight minutes under the watchful eye of Queen Victoria. This esteemed international racing trophy was then renamed the America Cup after its inaugural winner and is a tradition that still challenges sailors today.

The America changed hands many times following her famous win and was owned by private sailors to military commanders, but few were committed to her upkeep. By 1940 she was owned by the US Naval Academy but her once majestic oak, cedar and chestnut frame was seriously decaying. When her shed home collapsed in 1945, she was burned along with the debris.

The Magnificent Yachts of Our Time

Christina O

A 1943 Canadian convoy escort, this yacht was purchased and converted by shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1954. Named after his daughter Christina, this vessel became the world's most luxurious and advanced private yacht. Throughout its time as Onassis' floating home until 1975, the Christina O was the floating 'who's who' of Hollywood, entertaining the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Maria Callas and King Farouk of Egypt.

The famous Ari's Bar on board is the spot where President John F Kennedy first met Sir Winston Churchill and the deck was witness to the wedding of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier and Onassis himself to Jackie Kennedy. After Onassis' death, the Christina O was donated to the Greek government and has recently been bought by John Paul Papanicolaou. This shipping magnate and Onassis family friend is meticulously restoring the Christina O to her former high-seas glory.

The Unusual Cosmic Muffin

The technologically advanced Boeing 307 Stratoliner was one of ten planes made in 1939 that could fly above any bad weather. Owned by the infamous Howard Hughes, becoming the Hughes 307, only two of these planes survived the tumultuous 1940s - the one safely housed in the National Air and Space Museum and the other in Fort Lauderdale.

The fierce hurricane Cleo severely damaged the Hughes 307 in Fort Lauderdale, to the point of scrapping in 1964. But the fuselage was saved and in 1974, launched as the world's most unusual yacht. The original 1939 controls are used to pilot the yacht and it is powered by twin Yamaha motors, with a cruising speed of 13 knots. The inspiration for books and songs, this vessel has been visited by Oprah, CNN, the Travel Channel and countless other media. Custom designed furniture and fittings make the interior luxurious and the Cosmic Muffin recently sold on eBay for over $9 million.

The World's Most Exclusive Yacht

Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Arabian defence minister, is the proud owner of one of the world's largest yachts, the Al Salamah. The 457 ft vessel sports facilities that can only be guessed at, due to the secrecy of the crew and its owner. Rumours put the room count at over 90, including a hospital and an indoor swimming pool. Her tight deadline meant that builders only had two years to complete the finished yacht, make her one of the most impressive feats of yachting construction in our times.

The Yacht Takes Over Hollywood

No sea adventure in Hollywood is complete without the majestic character of the yacht. As winds ravage the ocean and humans battle nature, it is the yacht that acts as the most exciting and unusual set possible.

Whether it is a pivotal part of the plot, like the runaway speed boat in Speed 2, or a unique location to move the story along, yachts make for a favourite tool of filmmakers. In the latest Superman instalment, Superman Returns, Lex Luther conducts his evil business from a 200 ft luxury yacht. The Gertrude acted as the exterior of this magnificent getaway vehicle and the interior was a full 360� set built on a sound stage in Australia and enabled viewers to get a total view of the wealth and luxury of the villain.

Even out of the water, a yacht holds a certain romantic appeal and the modern movie version of riding off into the sunset is fast becoming sailing off into the setting sun aboard a luxury yacht. In The Wedding Date it is the yacht in the driveway that makes the ideal location for the main characters' first rendezvous. When they are caught in the morning by the girl's father, his comment of "Well, I'm glad to see that someone is making good use of her again" of course referred to the yacht.

Casino Royale, James Bond's latest adventure makes use of no less than five versions of the Sunseeker in its spectacular yacht sequence. The interior of the yacht was then rebuilt on a hydraulic sound stage to mimic the movement of the ocean. While many yachts are specifically built for films, often some are simply chartered. Yacht Brokers have a myriad of luxury yachts on offer, ranging in size and type. Internet forums are often alive with the thrills of recognising real life yachts in films or seeing personal handiwork on screen.

- Kelly Wheeler

Norfolk Broads Boating Holiday

A Simple Guide to Boating Knots

Rope, knots and boating go hand in hand. Whether tying an anchor to a line or tying up a boat to a dock, the wrong knot will lead to trouble and the right knot, when properly tied, will hold under extremely heavy loads. We'll give you a few of the most common knots used in boating and do our best to tell you how to tie them.

The two half hitch knot is a very reliable knot and used most often in mooring. Pass the end of a rope around a post or other object. Wrap the short end of the rope under and over the long part of the rope, pushing the end down through the loop. This is a half hitch. Repeat on the long rope below the first half hitch and draw tight.

The anchor bend knot is used in boating to tie the rope to the anchor. Start by passing two loops through a ring and then placing the free end around a standing line. Pass the free end through the loops on the ring. Complete by making a half hitch.

The figure eight knot is ideal for keeping the end of a rope from running out of a tackle or pulley. Make an underhand loop bringing the end around and over the standing part. Pass the rope end under and then up through the loop. Draw tight.

A clove hitch knot is a general utility hitch when boating for when you need a quick and simple method of fastening a rope around a post, spar, or stake. Begin by making a turn with the rope around the object and over itself. Take a second turn with the rope around the object. Pull the end up under the second turn so it is between the rope and the object. Tighten by pulling on both ends.

When tied properly, the bowline knot won't slip or jam. This is a good tight boating knot. First, make an overhand loop with the end held toward you. Pass the end through the loop. Pass the end up behind the standing part and then down through the loop again. Draw tight.

A sheet bend knot is used in boating to tie two ropes together. It is easy to tie, strong, secure, and works well with ropes of differing sizes. Make a loop in the end of one rope. If one line is heavier than the other, make the loop in it. Pass the end of the other rope through and around the loop. The working end should exit the knot on the same side as the loop's short ended side.

Boating knots are important to learn for your safety on the water. When you know how to tie the basic boating knots, you will be safe and secure!

- Jill Smi

Boating Adventures, Seasteading and Martime History

Four Top Tips for Safer Speedboating

Speed boating is fun. But any activity on water is potentially dangerous, particularly if it involves an engine! So here are four top tips to make speed boating safe and fun...

1. Driving a speed boat, power boat or motor boat can be a bumpy affair, particularly at speed and/or in choppy water. It is possible for the helmsman (boat driver) to be thrown from their seat or even overboard!

This isn't a regular occurrence - at least it hasn't happened to me (yet!)

But because of this risk, a speed boat engine will come equipped with a kill chord. One end of the kill chord is attached to the ignition. The other end has a clip to attach to the helmsman's clothing.

If the helmsman is thrown from their seat or overboard, the kill chord attached to their clothing will become detached from the ignition and will automatically turn the engine off, bringing the boat to a halt instead of driving on out of control.

So never drive a speed boat, power boat or motor boat without the kill chord attached to your clothing.

2. It's not only the helmsman who could be thrown from the boat. Anyone on board could fall overboard, or the boat might capsize or even sink! So never, never, never use your speed boat, power boat or motor boat without wearing a life jacket or buoyancy aid.

A life jacket is preferable as it has a "cushion" behind the neck designed to keep the wearer's head face up and out of the water if unconscious.

Buoyancy aids don't have this. They are designed to be less restrictive to aid water sports activity such as wakeboarding, waterskiing, kneeboarding, sailing, etc.

Everyone on board should wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid at all times.

3. Some larger power boats, speed boats and motor boats will have a second small outboard engine attached to the transom. This is for use in an emergency. If the main engine fails, this small second engine will be able to get the boat back to shore, but not at any great speed.

Smaller speed boats don't have room on their transom for a second, reserve engine. So if you drive a smaller speed boat, I strongly recommend that you keep some paddles on board as your back-up "engine".

If you are out at sea and your engine stops and won't restart, it would be very difficult to paddle your speed boat against the wind or tide for any distance, but having paddles on board is better than nothing, as I found out (see point 4 below).

So I strongly recommend that you keep some paddles on board in case of emergency.

4. It is very exhilarating speeding across the open sea in your power boat, speed boat or motor boat but please heed this warning...

If no one can see you, no one can come to your rescue if you get in to difficulties!

Hopefully you will have your boat engine properly serviced and maintained and it will be reliable and dependable. But things can go wrong. If your engine should stop and not re-start and you are far out at sea and out of sight, you've got a problem.

So always keep as close to the shore as it is safe to do so for you and other sea-users.

This proved to be a very wise strategy when my boat engine stalled. I couldn't restart it and the off-shore breeze started to blow us out to sea.

Because we were fairly close to the shore, there were plenty of other boats about. We were able to paddle (using our "back-up engine" paddles!) to a boat that was anchored nearby and tie our boat to it. This prevented us from drifting until a passing boat kindly towed us to shore.

If we had been further out when our engine stalled, we wouldn't have been able to paddle to another boat and no-one would have been passing to tow us back in.

So always keep as close to the shore as it is safe to do so.

- M Boaden