In other words, right, left and left again. The origins of the nautical names for left and right hail from having the steering gear on the right hand side of the boat, hence the star-board nomenclature. Back in the day, they called the left hand side ‘Larboard’, but it was confusing to hear in times […]
Starboard, Larboard, and Port Read Post »
Boating, SailboatUS Powerboating has developed a course called Safe Powerboat Handling that includes hands-on, on-the-water instruction designed to teach anyone who wants to learn how to safely operate a small motorboat and improve their boat handling skills. No previous experience is required! The US Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) have approved
Safe Powerboat Handling Read Post »
Boating, PowerboatOne of the first things I discuss with my students on the Potomac River is the fact that the body of water runs towards the ocean, except twice a day. The tides that affect the Atlantic Ocean affect the Chesapeake Bay, which in turn connects to the Potomac River which results in a twice daily
The Potomac River flows backwards Read Post »
Boating, Powerboat, SailboatCardinal marks are navigational aids used in maritime pilotage to indicate the position of a hazard and the direction of safe water. They are named after the cardinal points of the compass (North, East, South, and West) and use specific colors, topmarks, and light patterns to convey information about the surrounding waters. Key features of cardinal marks:
How Cardinal Marks Indicate Safe Water Directions Read Post »
Boating, Powerboat, SailboatThose are the words every sailing or boating instructor recites when talking about Navigation and Buoyage. It’s only true in half the world, the rest use the opposite. In the late 1970’s standardized markings were introduced worldwide, except for North and South America, Japan, Korea and the Philippines. They adopted their system in the early
Red, Right, Returning Read Post »
Boating, Powerboat, SailboatAs far as powerboat instruction in Washington DC goes, this is the target audience for my motorboating services. Freedom and Carefree are great avenues to getting on the water in a motorboat without a huge capital outlay. Unfortunately, the training they offer is rather basic and lacks structure on the very basics of boating, which
The motorboat club driver Read Post »
Powerboat