Boating News & Resources | Waterway Guide

BOATER EDUCATION

Three Publishers: One Gold Standard from Explorer Chartbooks for the Bahamas

Being up-to-date and informed on your next voyage to the Bahamas has reached a new plateau.Waterway Guide Media, Explorer Chartbooks,...

Learn the Nautical Signal Flags in a Fun New Way!

Nancy and Russell Bourne, along with their friend Robert Etheredge, embarked on a remarkable journey that led to the creation...

Cellular Coverage & Staying Connected While Boating in The Bahamas

Cell coverage is generally good everywhere except perhaps the remotest islands and cays. Most U.S. companies will roam on the...

Cruising through Hilton Head Island, SC

Hilton Head Island - ICW Mile 553 to Mile 565A bustling but beautiful year-round resort, Hilton Head Island, is probably...

Resources for Navigating the ICW

Some say, just follow the Aid to Navigation (ATONs). Others say pay more attention to the chart. Others have favorites...

Rescue, Recovery, and Re-warm - The Maritime 3 R's

On the sea, especially in cold water environments, it is all about rescue, recovery and re-warming. I don't expect that...

An Act of God – Just What Is That?

Any school child knows, or at least believes, a terrible storm or other natural phenomena that causes damage to your...

The Unique Geography of the Bahamas and Its Challenges

A great part of the beauty and lore of The Bahamas is the geography. This same geography is what makes...

Boat Whisperers

Remember the first time you and your mate went boating together? Amazing that any of us make it past that...

The Rule of the Road – Set to Poetry

Nearly 150 years ago, Captain Eldridge created the renowned Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book, the marine industry's most respected tide...

Oasis Marinas Offers Incredible Fuel Discount

As the boating season winds down, many enthusiasts set their sights on a leisurely journey south along the Intracoastal Waterway...

Tracks vs Routes - What's the Difference?

What's the difference between a track and a route? Which is best for you? To begin, be aware that tracks...

Winterizing - Now or Later, It Has To Be Done

Usually, as soon as I write a column on de-commissioning the boat for the winter season, Indian Summer arrives to...

Cruising The Western Gulf Coast

The protected Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) route arcs 870 miles from Pensacola to the Rio Grande. Expect to encounter a...

Shackles

The standard that establishes dimensions and Work Load Limits (WLL) for shackles is Federal Spec. RR-C-271, often referred to simply...

Boat Insurance - Friend or Foe?

Even though for some the boating season is almost over, we are well advised to be sure that we have...

Vessel Afire!

It would seem to me that one of the most frightening circumstances to be caught in is a boat afire. ...

Using an iPad Pro 12.9 for Navigation

Note: Bob Sherer (Bob423) is a contributing editor who posts navigation alerts across Waterway Guide's various platforms. Noted for his...

Locking Through the Erie Canal

There are 57 locks on the entire New York State Canal System. You will pass through 35 locks navigating the...

Pesky Problems - Simple Solutions

A hand-cranked pencil sharpener instead of a battery or plug-in model? It often gets a few chuckles, but this is...

Better Than Uncle Weatherby? Just Look Up!

Anybody who was borne prior to, say, 1970, can remember the newscaster/weatherman Tex Antoine, aka, Uncle Weatherby. While weather forecasting...

Avoiding Budget Busters While Cruising

Cruising on a boat can be an amazing adventure, but it's essential to manage your expenses wisely to avoid budget...

The Plan Is Not to Have a Plan

Funny how things change over time. Not too many years ago, the buzz in the marine world was a concern...

Discover the Joy of Nautical Cooking

Our friends at LobsterAnywhere came up with some advice on preparing meals while aboard. For anyone who has cruised the Northeast coast...

Hard Aground! Now What!?

When I teach seamanship courses to private boaters on the south shore of Long Island, I note that, if you...

Rules of the "Road" when Boating

Anyone planning to cruise U.S. waterways should be familiar with the rules of the road. Chapman Piloting: Seamanship and Small...

Hurricanes May (or May Not) Miss Us – and They Leave Deadly Rip Tides

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett died on June 25, 2023 in an apparent drowning off a Florida beach, authorities said,...

Finding Fuel Prices & Fuel Docks

Fuel prices and fuel dock locations are crucial factors that greatly impact the budget and overall experience of boaters. To...

BoatUS Reminds Boaters to Avoid a Misfuel Mishap

Today's gas station pumps no longer provide clear and transparent information to help consumers make the right fuel choice. Dispensing...

Navigating the St. Lawrence River

By Michael O'ReillyBang! Splash! Crash! It's never good to be awakened by hitting the ceiling of your cabin berth… I quickly...

Best Practices for Navigating Port Security & Protections Zones

The U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol–both components of the Department of Homeland Security–handle port security in the...

Hurricane Prep - Part 2

We wrote recently about the increasingly more dangerous season ahead. In addition to the forecast update, it was largely about...

The Plight of M/V Royal Majesty

There is a lot that can be learned by other mariners' mistakes. One particular marine accident comes to mind could...

Bracing for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season: NOAA Forecasts Near-Normal Activity

As of June 1, hurricane season is upon us. Almost without exception, we get the tail, shoulder or rump of...

Anchoring Basics

Whether you plan to anchor during an extended cruise or only overnight, it is important to have ground tackle−the anchor...

Reporting Navigation Alerts

The submission of Navigation Alerts through Waterway Guide's Explorer plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and smooth sailing...

Using the Waterway Guide Mobile App

Watch a thorough overview of Waterway Guide's Mobile App: the most all-inclusive app available with Cruising Guidebooks, maps, point-of-interest and...

Stalled out? Give These Tips a Go Before Calling for a Tow

You're done fishing and you turn to the engine and give the key a turn. Ominously, you don't hear a...

Dealing with Diesel Fuel

In my experience as a boat building and marine systems consultant, the majority of engine-related problems encountered by cruisers and...

Benefits of Becoming a Waterway Guide Member

Waterway Guide Subscriptions provide boaters with an array of practical benefits to enhance their cruising experiences. Our subscriptions offer the...

Electric Shock Drowning and Electrocution Prevention

Water is a great conductor. Your body is mostly water, making it easy for electricity to travel through you. Because...

2023 National Safe Boating Week Offers Tips for All Boaters

CLEARWATER, FL – National Safe Boating Week will be held from May 20-26, 2023, reminding all boaters to brush up on boating...

Planning Your Boating Adventure with WaterwayGuide.com

When planning any great boating adventure, before leaving the dock you need to know the following: the weather along your...

Happy Trails While Trailering - Part 2

In the last Commodore's Corner segment, Vincent Pica gave us some great advice for ensuring our trailers and vehicles were...

Vessel Safety Checks - Peace of Mind for the Boating Season

A Vessel Safety Check from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron is a great (& safe) way...

Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day is May 19, 2023

Whether you're working in the office, at home, in the air, or on the water, all boating enthusiasts can participate...

Locating Fuel Prices Using WaterwayGuide.com

While you're out navigating America's waterways this season, it's helpful to have fuel dock locations and current fuel prices at...

Happy Trails While Trailering - Part 1

With the season in hand, we must start thinking about getting the boat from "the hard" and back. Recently, we...

Ditch Bag Checklist

When out at sea, there are many unforeseen circumstances that can arise, and one of the most daunting is the...

National Safe Boating Week is May 20-26, 2023

National Safe Boating Week will be held from May 20-26, 2023, reminding all boaters to brush up on boating safety...

Onboard Essential: Portable Fire Extinguishers

The rapidity with which a shipboard fire can spread is alarming to say the least. Some studies suggest that fires...

Choosing The Right Life Jacket

The best life jacket is the one you will wear! Today's modern life jackets have taken far strides in comfortability,...

Capt. Chris Day’s New Businesses Are Ready to Help Neely Henry Lake Boaters

SOUTHSIDE, Ala., April 25, 2023 – Capt. Chris Day has spent a lot of time on the water. The owner...

Summer Isn’t Far Away – But Warm Water Is - Cold Water Boating

We've had a few warm days in here. And the traditional start o' summer- Memorial Day – is but a...

Women Sailors Head to Newport, R.I., on June 3 to Learn Together

2023 Annual National Women's Sailing ConferenceCruises into Newport, R.I., Sat., June 3 A day of on- and off-water learning presented bythe...

Avoiding Crab Pots & Trap Markers

Crabbing season is officially open on the Chesapeake Bay and North Carolina waters, and with it comes the fun of...

Propellers and Engines: The Importance of Ensuring the Best Possible Match

A Wide-Open TaleSeveral years ago I was carrying out a sea trial aboard a single screw trawler that a client...

How To Choose Your Perfect Boat

There is a boat out there for everyone, from first timers to old seasoned salts. Sail or power are two...

Preparing Your Boat For The Season

Gentlemen (and Ladies)! Start Your Engines!Back in the Fall, we talked about how to get the boat ready for a...

Navigating the Florida Keys: Inside or Outside Route?

Extending in a sweeping southwesterly curve from Miami and the mainland, the Florida Keys offer a cruising experience unlike any...

Staying Up Past My Bedtime: Learning to Love Overnight Trips

For the past four years, my husband Matt and I have joined the legions of cruisers who travel I-95's watery...

Anchoring Tips & Techniques

Sometimes anchoring is easy ⎯ stop the boat, lower the anchor, and let out enough rode. But, for those times...

Don't Miss Discover Boating Webinar on Reaching Next Generation Boaters - Thursday, March 30

On the heels of Discover Boating's audience segmentation and behavior research, which was leveraged to create the recent launch of...

Boats Sinking at the Dock is 4x More Than Underway

If I told you that statistics on boats sinking showed that the dock is four times more dangerous than the...

Do Your Passengers Know What to Do if the Skipper Can't Function?

Many a skipper has blithely motored or sailed away from their mooring, with spouse and kids in tow, or some...

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! We Are Lost and Sinking!

Search & Rescue (SAR) is the most recognizable and time-honored task of any mariner, especially the United States Coast Guard....

Put It On My Tab: How Trim Tabs Really Work

Understanding how trim tabs work is the first step to using them effectively, getting up on plane, and smoothing out...

3 Boating Safety Tips Just Right for Fall Boating

Having an emergency boarding ladder ready to go and easily reached from the water is important when water temperatures are...

An Expert Look at Navigating Then & Now

Being on the water has always been adventurous. And for all the reasons that we love boating the one task...

TikTok Creators Help Discover Boating Engage Next Generation Boaters

Discover Boating, powered by NMMA and MRAA, launched two pilot TikTok campaigns this summer – #BoatAppetit and #WaterWear – to...

Cleaning Up Our Actions to Preserve & Protect Our Waters - Pt2.

Last week, we wrote about this topic with respect largely to the things we drop in the water. So, what...

Together Outdoor Coalition Announces Grant Program to Build More Accessible, Welcoming Outdoor Ecosystem

The Together Outdoors (TO) Coalition, an initiative administered under the auspices of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) with the mission...

Discover Boating's 'See You Out Here' Campaign Spots Gain Additional Exposure on Local, Regional Television

Discover Boating's See You Out Here campaign continues gaining exposure through its robust marketing mix, including its television public service...

Hurricanes May (or May Not) Miss Us – and They Leave Deadly Rip Tides

We've often written about hurricanes, great and small. Of note, formerly, an average season produces 12 named storms of which...

Fuses & Circuit Beakers: What They Can & Can't Do

A few years ago, I received an email from a reader, to which a photo was attached. The subject of...

Try Boating Today: Affordable 3-Hour Courses for Beginner and Experienced Boaters Start Today in Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Edison Sailing Center and the national nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water make...

Let's Talk About Bridge Basics

Bridges have to be factored in when planning a trip. Depending on where you cruise, you may be dependent on...

Cruising FUNdamentals!

We are all beginners….once. For some, our cruising started when we were children, learning the ABCs of safe boating with...

Pro Tips for Picking an Anchorage

We all know that unless it is an emergency, in addition to being verboten, it's just plain common sense and...

Resources for Staying Weather-Informed While Boating

Every day on the water can't have balmy breezes, abundant sunshine and consistently warm weather; however, staying out of bad...

Striking Tips from Our Experts: Lightning Protection

Photo Steve D'Antonio Having lived and worked on the Chesapeake Bay for the past two decades, I've learned many things...

Learning Boatyard Lingo

Cruisers have a language all our own. If you are new to this adventure then you may not yet understand...

Size matters! Is there a cure for 10-foot-itis?

Do you dream that your 24' (7.31 m) trailer boat will somehow transform into a 34' (10.36 m) cruiser? Or...

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