Boat Safety Info | SeeBoard

A Boat Cushion and Sailing for Father’s Day

KristenM — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:12:58 +0000

Father’s Day is less than one week away. If dad loves to sail, we have the perfect gift for him: a boat cushion from SeeBoards. This helm pad is a great safety measure to help dad see clearly over the helm. But it’s also great at relieving back pain. Standing for hours on the boat can be tiresome, so it will help fight muscle fatigue.

And after he opens his wonderful gift, suggest the entire family test out the product. Instead of spending Father’s Day watching dad watch a baseball game, go out and have some fun. Take the boat out for a nice cruise around the lake or the beach. Dad will appreciate doing something he truly loves all day and you get an excuse to work on your tan. Then pull over to the shore and have a picnic lunch. Reminisce about the good ol’ days and talk about how much better this Father’s Day is!

And when you get home after a fun filled day, order some takeout (because you will be way too exhausted to cook), curl up on the couch and watch one of dad’s favorite movies. Then start thinking how you can possibly top this next year.

Nautical Terms 101

KristenM — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:00:08 +0000

So ye want to learn some nautical terms ye scallywag? Oh wait, nautical terms, not pirate terms. If you’re the owner of a boat, you probably know most, if not all, of these terms. But even the people who enjoy sitting on the boat while you do all the work, should still know some common lingo. Always be familiar with all boat safety and terminology.

Aft – The back of the ship or boat. It is also another name for the stern.
Boom – The horizontal pole which extends from the bottom of the mast. You need to adjust the boom of a sailboat towards the wind so it is able to move.
Bow – The front of the ship.
Jibing – A maneuver in which you turn the stern of the boat through the wind so the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other. (The opposite of tacking.)
Leeward – The direction opposite to which the wind is blowing.
Port – The left side of the boat when you are facing the bow.
Rudder – Located beneath the boat and used to steer the ship.
Starboard – The right side of the boat when you are facing the bow.
Tacking – When you turn the bow of the ship through the wind so the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other. (The opposite of jibing.)
Windward – The direction the wind is currently blowing.

Operation Dry Water

KristenM — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:13:49 +0000

I know we all love to cruise out to the middle of the lake, munch on a few sandwiches, and have a few bottles of beer and relax. But boating under the influence, (BUI) is illegal and just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Operation Dry Water is an event created to educate boaters and promote good boat safety practices. This year’s event will take place June 24-26. The event is held every year the weekend before July 4 and is coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

Alcohol and drug use is the leading cause of fatal boating accidents. If you are caught boating under the influence, not only will your current voyage be stopped, your boat might be impounded and you may be arrested. You can also be fined and lose your boating and driving privileges. So what will happen during this event? You’re going to notice a lot more law enforcement out on the waters, as well as BUI checkpoints.

This post isn’t meant to warn you so you don’t drink that specific weekend. It’s here to always encourage smart decisions and practice boater safety. You don’t drink and drive, so don’t boat and drive.

Sign Up for a Boat Safety Course

KristenM — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:36:39 +0000

If you’re new to the boating world, one thing you must do is immediately sign up for a boat safety course. Just browsing around online for helpful tips isn’t enough, but there are actual online courses too. Boat safety courses are available throughout the entire country, so it’s not hard to find one near you. Many qualified organizations even sponsor these courses, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron.

So what kind of things will I learn? You’ll learn everything there is to know, such as boat terminology (there is more to know than port and starboard), boating equipment, trip planning and preparation, emergency procedures, rules of the “road,” and much more. You can’t expect to just hop on a boat and take her for a spin. Your life, and anyone else’s on that boat, could be in danger if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Few people like taking classes and tests, but this isn’t high school. This is a course about something you enjoy doing. It’ll be a fun experience that will prepare you for the open seas. You can check out the U.S. Coast Guard website to find basic courses to take. Boat safety is always a smart decision.

Watch Out for Hurricane Season 2011

KristenM — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:42:49 +0000

Yes, we need to talk about this year’s hurricane season already. Although most people think hurricanes happen most towards the end of the summer and beginning of fall, hurricane season actually starts next month in June. But if you want to get more technical about it, the season begins May 15 for the Eastern Pacific and June 1 for the Atlantic. Both end November 30th. According to Colorado State University, the 2011 season will have an above average amount of hurricanes. It’s hard to imagine things could get worse after the past two years.

They are expecting at least 16 Atlantic storms, making it !75% above the average season. Keeping an eye on potential storms is absolutely necessary for boater safety. Now that it’s summer, we all want to be out on the water as much as possible, soaking up that glorious sun. But check out the marine forecast every day before you go out. You can also visit the National Hurricane Center to get detailed reports and track storms. Never put yourself or others at risk during inclement weather. It’s best to just stay on land.

Take extra care this season and learn what to do in the event of severe weather. We recommend taking a boat safety course so you’re always prepared.

A Boost for the Shorties

KristenM — Mon, 02 May 2011 18:53:56 +0000

I stand at a mere 5’2. I am short and I have accepted the fact that I stopped growing sometime in high school. I have never let my short stature stop me from reaching the glass on the top shelf or grabbing the cookie jar on top of the refrigerator though (Apparently my roommates think this will stop me from eating their cookies! ) And when I’m riding on the boat with my family, I don’t let it bother me then either. However, jumping around or creating a makeshift step-stool on a moving boat is not the best idea.

Thankfully, I can get the boost I desperately need with Seeboard, the adjustable helm pad. Sure it helps those see over the actual helm and reduces muscle fatigue, but it makes a great little stool when you need to reach something up top, such as high consoles and overhead electronics and controls. Just because I’m short, doesn’t mean I have to ride around in some tiny little canoe! I want to be able to enjoy the same awesome boats as everyone else and Seeboard let’s me enjoy them safely and with ease.

With so many functions of this boat cushion, how could you not want one?

Boat Safety Equipment: Marine GPS

KristenM — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:30:45 +0000

When it comes to all the gadgets and gizmos you want on your boat, one piece of boat safety equipment you shouldn’t live without is a marine GPS. You may find it fun to “explore” the open seas on your own, without the need of technology, but let’s face it, it might get a little dangerous if you’re venturing out on the ocean. Just like the wife may have nagged you to get that GPS for your car, it’s a good idea to get one of these nifty little devices.

Depending on the brand you choose, these can run you a few hundred dollars, but are well worth the investment. Garmin is not only popular with land vehicles, they have a good number of marine GPS’s too. The better the model, the more features. Most will come preloaded with U.S. coastal maps, a compass, a barometric altimeter, and a high-sensitivity receiver. Expensive models will be touch screen and in color, of course.

This piece of boat safety equipment will not only safely guide your way, it can let you learn about new areas to explore and a handheld will also work on land too. Always be on the right track with a marine GPS.

Practice Boater Safety and Make a Float Plan

KristenM — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:00:04 +0000

Here at SeeBoards, we’re all about boater safety. That’s why today we’re going to talk about a float plan. What is a float plan? It’s a good idea, that’s what! But more specifically, a float plan let’s someone else know where you are boating to and how long you plan on being gone. In a float plan you should include a description of your boat, who is on board, a description of your boating safety equipment, where you are going, and when you plan to be there.

After filling it out, give it to a reliable and trustworthy friend or family member. Tell them to inform the Coast Guard if you do not return home by a certain time. Naturally you should inform your friend if your plans change or it takes longer than normal to get to your destination. You sure will feel embarrassed when the Coast Guard comes to your “rescue” and you didn’t need it. You don’t need a special form but you can find pre-made forms to fill out, such as this one from the official U.S. Coast Guard website.

Who should prepare one? Anyone going out on a boat, no matter how big or small the boat is. Whether you’re in a kayak or a luxury yacht, there is nothing wrong with being prepared and safe.

Boat Safety Equipment: PFDs

KristenM — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:00:54 +0000

There is a lot of boat safety equipment every sailor needs, besides SeeBoard’s innovative helm pad. The most important piece of gear is a personal flotation device, also known simply as PFD. But not all life vests are created equally. There are specific vests created for specific needs, so lets become familiar with them:

Off-Shore Life Jacket (Type I) – Should be worn when out on open, rough, or remote waters –essentially when it might take a bit longer for rescue to come. It provides the best flotation and will turn an unconscious person face-up. It has 2 air chambers and will inflate automatically when submerged.
Near-Shore Buoyant Life Vest (Type II) – Best for calm inland waters. It will turn some unconscious wearers face-up. These too will inflate automatically when submerged.
Flotation Aid (Type III) – The most comfortable vest for continuous wear and best for calm inland waters. They will only keep an unconscious person face-up after inflation.
Throwable Device (Type IV) – Also good for calm inland waters, but with heavy boat traffic where help is always nearby. You can throw the device to the intended wearer and it can be used as a flotation cushion.
Special Use Device (Type V) – These are created for specific uses only. Examples include boardsailing vests and hybrid PFDs.

Stay Comfortable with Our Boat Cushion

KristenM — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:00:38 +0000

Last time I told you how the helm pad offered by SeeBoards is all about safety. While that is still very much true, the SeeBoards’ boat cushion does a lot more than just promote safety and help you see over the helm. It also keeps you comfortable and reduces muscle pain and fatigue. No one ever stays out on the boat for just 20 minutes. You’re out there for hours! You’re soaking up the sun, maybe doing a little fishing. It’s an all day event! But that also means you’re standing at that same position for a very long time.

After the first hour you can feel the muscles in your back start to twinge. You notice you are constantly lifting each leg up one at a time, moving it around to get the circulation flowing. You’ve just gotten far enough out to sea or out on the lake and already you’re almost tempted to turn around because of the pain. But if you have a SeeBoard, this no longer has to be a scenario for you. The board is guaranteed to reduce bone and muscle fatigue. It will also help that troublesome lower back which tends to hurt the most.

With this cushion, you can stay out longer and enjoy those beautiful days out on the water without all the pain!