Safe Boating

By Roz Butziger
Posted 2/4/16

At last! We can finally get on a boat! Well, not on the water, but we can climb aboard boats, feel the deck under our feet and picture the sparkling water, at the Providence Boat Show this coming …

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Safe Boating

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At last! We can finally get on a boat! Well, not on the water, but we can climb aboard boats, feel the deck under our feet and picture the sparkling water, at the Providence Boat Show this coming weekend. A short trip to the Rhode Island Convention Center and you can almost smell the salt air. You can dream, or seriously consider buying a boat, but it can be pretty overwhelming unless you first ask yourself some questions. What do you want to use your boat for? Have you been thinking about a stand-up paddleboard, a kayak or canoe, or a jet ski? Maybe you are considering a little bass fishing around the rocks? Day trips with the family for swimming and picnicking or distance cruising? Next you need to determine where you will be operating your boat – on lakes or ponds, upper bay, or out in the ocean? Will you want the family to stay overnight for a week or so, or do you just want a cuddy cabin for a little sleeping area and some storage? Think about the right size for your family. Size equals comfort and money. Bigger boats are easier to handle and less affected by wind, waves, and current, and can range from a trawler with lots of cabin space but a slower speed, to a sportfisherman where some of the cabin space is given up to open space in the back.  

Once you’ve decided on what you plan to do with your boat, you need to consider hull type. A displacement hull is good for cruising. You gain stability, but you do give up speed. Most of the boats you will see have semi-displacement hulls with lifting strakes underneath to raise up the hull for more efficiency. There are multi-hulls like catamarans and trimarans. They are more stable but do tend to “hobby-horse.” The cabin space is great. Catamarans are the boat of choice in the Virgin Islands etc. and they are becoming more popular here. There are both the traditional sail and also power cats available. The fourth type of hull is a planing hull, which does not tend to tip. It is fast and you can see the boat’s bottom, but it is not good in choppy seas. Look at the bow too. A good flare lifts the bow up over waves like the challenging seas of an inlet. 

What about construction? Aluminum is lightweight, but is subject to electrolysis in salt water and tends to be noisy. Wood is strong but heavy and requires lots of maintenance. Fiberglass is strong, and also heavy. It is low maintenance and easily protected against marine growth.

Whatever you do, include your spouse and probably the kids in the decision. Above all be realistic. Many people dream of long idyllic cruises with the family and buy a big cruiser, but actually the boat remains tied to the dock all summer. If you think this might be your situation, you can just charter or rent a boat for a cruise and avoid the headaches, or maybe purchase just a small runabout for fun.

If you miss this boat show, the Salt Water Fishermen’s Show is coming in a few weeks with exhibits and tips on fishing for beginners and pros alike. Or go to both. What better way to lose the winter blues?

About the show:

The Providence Boat Show opens this Thursday at 3 p.m. and runs through Sunday at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Tickets are $12 for adults and $20 for a family pack that includes two adults and four kids up to 15 years old. Show hours are: Thursday: 3 to 9 p.m.; Friday: 12 to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to  8 p.m. and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Trivia Question: What type of boat has the most boating accidents? For the answer and more information on taking a safe boating class, go to: www.northstarflotilla.com.

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