Going to the beach this summer? Summer time is a remarkable time to go to the beach. The beach can
offer a lot of fun like sunbathing, volleyball, fishing, swimming and even camping. Taking the
household out for the day or weekend produces quality time that can produce memories that last
for many years.
Here are a couple of ideas to make your next journey to the beach a safe and cheerful one.
Sun block: Sunscreen is the primary product to have anytime you are heading to the beach. Use a
high SPF score and make sure it is water resistant if intending on entering the water.
Beach Towels: Carry along one or two beach towels for sitting on, they can even be used to help
keep you warm on cool days or shield you from extreme sun.
Sun Shelter: Lightweight and simple to setup, a sun shelter provides defense from the sun and
wind. Which is extremly important for protecting small children from the harmful effects of the
damaging sun. They are also great for storage of towels, coolers and clothing. Sun shelters are
ideal for outdoor events and make a day at the beach more fun and safe. These type of beach tents
work great for transporting to various locations where portability is a must.
Security First: There are lots of things you can do to keep yourself and your family safe while
at the beach. Decrease exposure during the peak sun - ultra-violet hours are from 10am to 3pm
daily. Try to dress amart. Its best to wear complete length clothes that are light-weight and
breathable, such as CoolMAX. Wear shoes or sandals to shield your feet. Big hats or caps can
provide additional shade and help keep you cooler. Have plenty of non sugar fluids, like water or
juices. Use high quality sunglasses, economical sunglasses will not provide the UV defense you
require.
Play Time: A journey to your local sports store where you can find all sorts of games especially
made for the beach. Volleyball, horseshoes and beach balls are a few of the most usual fun time
activities. Water toys come in a wide variety of styles including float tube, little boats and
snorkeling devices are likewise readily available.
While We can not entirely protect ourselves from every obstacle we run into, we can do something
about it to lower the capacity for them. Remember to assist in keeping our beaches clean and
dispose of all waste appropriately.
----------------------------------------------------
Chris Denem, takes pleasure in the open airs and nature. For more expert advice on the best beach
tents available, please visit - http://www.originalshelters.com
Posted by Stow Away Marine
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Stowaways - The Marine Life Hitching A Lift On Your Boat
Fouling - What Is It?
Once I naively thought that you bought a boat, put it on the water, made sure the woodwork and
rigging were kept up to scratch and then sailed away into the sunset. No way!!! Once in the water
a nasty, vicious, undersea army is waiting to attach itself to your boat.
Fouling begins with a layer of slime or bio film which can form on anything under the water line
and then attracts marine plants and animals. Organisms such as algae, sea squirts, barnacles,
muscles and even sponges can attach themselves to hulls, propellers, anchors, lines and fishing
gear and it is believed that over 1,700 different species are responsible for fouling. There are
basically two types of fouling, micro fouling which includes micro organisms and bacteria and
macro fouling which is the attachment of larger organisms. They can also be divided into hard and
soft types. Hard or calcareous organisms include barnacles, mussels, bryozoans, molluscs and tube
worms, while soft or non-calcareous organisms are algae, seaweed, hydroids and slime.
More About Your Stowaways
The Ascidians or Sea Squirts are sac-like invertebrate filter feeders with a tough outer skin.
Found all over the world in shallow, salt water they attach themselves to rocks, shells and, more
importantly, boats. Some types are solitary, while others form large colonies several meters in
diameter.
Bryozoa, commonly known as moss animals are also invertebrate filter feeders. They are around 0.5
millimetres long and sieve food particles from the water using a crown of tentacles. There are
over 4,000 different species, most of which live in colonies. The most common marine form is
encrusting. It forms a sheet of organisms over a hard surface or over seaweed, having an
exoskeleton reinforced with calcium carbonate. The colony grows by asexual budding and each
colony can last up to about 12 years. They will be some of the first colonisers of new or
recently cleaned boats.
Mussels are edible bivalves which attach themselves to a firm object by means of a strong byssal
thread or beard. Zebra Mussels are particularly invasive. They are a species of freshwater mussel
which originated in the Balkans, Poland and the former Soviet Union. Since then they have become
an invasive species in many other countries and are present in Britain's waterways. Small though
they are, they can cause a huge amount of damage by attaching to objects, clogging up pipes and
even killing other types of mussels.
Molluscs compose a huge range of invertebrate animals. There are around 85,000 species, many of
which comprise a shell covering the body parts and a foot with which it attaches itself.
Barnacles are encrusters which attach themselves permanently to a hard object. Some types grow
their shells directly onto the object while others attach themselves by a stalk. They are
suspension feeders, living permanently in their shell.
Polychaetes and tube worms are marine worms who anchor their tail to an underwater object. They
then secrete a mineral tube around their body into which they can withdraw completely.
Polychaetes are sometimes referred to as Bristle Worms because of the bristles along their body.
Hydroids are small predators, related to jellyfish, which attach themselves directly to a hard
object. The majority live in colonies and reproduce by producing buds along a branching stem.
Gribble Worms are marine isopods, some varieties of which bore into wood for food. These little
shrimp-like creatures often occur in areas of mud and can invade your boat if you have not kept
up with your antifouling.
"So what", you may say, "they're not doing any harm just hitching a ride". Big mistake!!
"Fouling" as it is called, can affect your boat's speed, fuel efficiency and maintenance costs.
Powerboats will use more fuel and sailing boats will slow down because of the friction these
unwanted passengers can cause, breaking up the smooth line of the hull. It can also affect the
manoeuvrability of your boat and can damage woodwork and paintwork if left too long without
removal. The type of fouling you experience will depend on where the boat is kept, how long it is
in the water and the climate.
Some Alarming Facts
Over time accumulation of fouling organisms can lead to an increased drag of up to 60%.
The increased drag can decrease speed by up to 10%.
The resulting increased fuel consumption could be up to 40%.
The increase use of fuel may lead to adverse environmental effects and an increase of carbon
dioxide and sulphur dioxide emissions. However there may be environmental issues when toxic
antifouling paint is used.
Boats that remain stationary in the water for long periods at a time are most susceptible to hull
fouling, especially if they are not protected regularly by antifouling paint. Boats that are
trailered to the water do not usually have enough time to be affected by hull fouling although
they can carry organisms on other parts of their equipment.
It's ironical that while most boat lovers care greatly about our marine environment and marine
life, yet some of these very creatures are wreaking havoc to their boats.
----------------------------------------------------
Visit http://www.theyachtmarket.com/articles/ for more information about fouling and taking care
of your boat or browse the large number of boats for sale at http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats/
Posted bt StowAway Marine
Once I naively thought that you bought a boat, put it on the water, made sure the woodwork and
rigging were kept up to scratch and then sailed away into the sunset. No way!!! Once in the water
a nasty, vicious, undersea army is waiting to attach itself to your boat.
Fouling begins with a layer of slime or bio film which can form on anything under the water line
and then attracts marine plants and animals. Organisms such as algae, sea squirts, barnacles,
muscles and even sponges can attach themselves to hulls, propellers, anchors, lines and fishing
gear and it is believed that over 1,700 different species are responsible for fouling. There are
basically two types of fouling, micro fouling which includes micro organisms and bacteria and
macro fouling which is the attachment of larger organisms. They can also be divided into hard and
soft types. Hard or calcareous organisms include barnacles, mussels, bryozoans, molluscs and tube
worms, while soft or non-calcareous organisms are algae, seaweed, hydroids and slime.
More About Your Stowaways
The Ascidians or Sea Squirts are sac-like invertebrate filter feeders with a tough outer skin.
Found all over the world in shallow, salt water they attach themselves to rocks, shells and, more
importantly, boats. Some types are solitary, while others form large colonies several meters in
diameter.
Bryozoa, commonly known as moss animals are also invertebrate filter feeders. They are around 0.5
millimetres long and sieve food particles from the water using a crown of tentacles. There are
over 4,000 different species, most of which live in colonies. The most common marine form is
encrusting. It forms a sheet of organisms over a hard surface or over seaweed, having an
exoskeleton reinforced with calcium carbonate. The colony grows by asexual budding and each
colony can last up to about 12 years. They will be some of the first colonisers of new or
recently cleaned boats.
Mussels are edible bivalves which attach themselves to a firm object by means of a strong byssal
thread or beard. Zebra Mussels are particularly invasive. They are a species of freshwater mussel
which originated in the Balkans, Poland and the former Soviet Union. Since then they have become
an invasive species in many other countries and are present in Britain's waterways. Small though
they are, they can cause a huge amount of damage by attaching to objects, clogging up pipes and
even killing other types of mussels.
Molluscs compose a huge range of invertebrate animals. There are around 85,000 species, many of
which comprise a shell covering the body parts and a foot with which it attaches itself.
Barnacles are encrusters which attach themselves permanently to a hard object. Some types grow
their shells directly onto the object while others attach themselves by a stalk. They are
suspension feeders, living permanently in their shell.
Polychaetes and tube worms are marine worms who anchor their tail to an underwater object. They
then secrete a mineral tube around their body into which they can withdraw completely.
Polychaetes are sometimes referred to as Bristle Worms because of the bristles along their body.
Hydroids are small predators, related to jellyfish, which attach themselves directly to a hard
object. The majority live in colonies and reproduce by producing buds along a branching stem.
Gribble Worms are marine isopods, some varieties of which bore into wood for food. These little
shrimp-like creatures often occur in areas of mud and can invade your boat if you have not kept
up with your antifouling.
"So what", you may say, "they're not doing any harm just hitching a ride". Big mistake!!
"Fouling" as it is called, can affect your boat's speed, fuel efficiency and maintenance costs.
Powerboats will use more fuel and sailing boats will slow down because of the friction these
unwanted passengers can cause, breaking up the smooth line of the hull. It can also affect the
manoeuvrability of your boat and can damage woodwork and paintwork if left too long without
removal. The type of fouling you experience will depend on where the boat is kept, how long it is
in the water and the climate.
Some Alarming Facts
Over time accumulation of fouling organisms can lead to an increased drag of up to 60%.
The increased drag can decrease speed by up to 10%.
The resulting increased fuel consumption could be up to 40%.
The increase use of fuel may lead to adverse environmental effects and an increase of carbon
dioxide and sulphur dioxide emissions. However there may be environmental issues when toxic
antifouling paint is used.
Boats that remain stationary in the water for long periods at a time are most susceptible to hull
fouling, especially if they are not protected regularly by antifouling paint. Boats that are
trailered to the water do not usually have enough time to be affected by hull fouling although
they can carry organisms on other parts of their equipment.
It's ironical that while most boat lovers care greatly about our marine environment and marine
life, yet some of these very creatures are wreaking havoc to their boats.
----------------------------------------------------
Visit http://www.theyachtmarket.com/articles/ for more information about fouling and taking care
of your boat or browse the large number of boats for sale at http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats/
Posted bt StowAway Marine
Friday, April 12, 2013
Maintaining Your Boat for a Smoother Sailing Experience
Maintaining Your Boat for a Smoother Sailing Experience
Ahoy matey! How's the boat doing? Is she in tip top condition and ready to give you a smooth sail
each time you take her out into the waters?
People spend a lot of money nurturing their sailing passions and that of owning a boat and that
priceless boat slowly, but surely, begins to gain prominence in their lives. Why then would you
cause your boat harm by not caring for it and not maintaining it on a regular basis?
Now you wouldn't want your boat to be docked up in the yard forever, would you? Without routine
maintenance, that is just what will happen to your boat.
If you want your boat to enjoy the waters more than land, taking care of it is absolutely
essential. How then do you take care of your boat?
6 Easy Steps for Boat Maintenance
1. Clean It is an obvious fact that anything that's "clean" has a longer shelf life. The same
goes for your boat. Schedule a date with your boat once in two weeks or once a month to give it a
good wash.
2. Wax Routine waxing of your boat is essential to keep the surface looking as good as new.
Waxing your boat and using anti fouling paint protects your boat from environmental wear and
tear. You wouldn't want you boat to look old now, would you?
3. Mooring It is not only when your boat is in use that damage can be caused to it. Even when
it's being docked, your boat is exposed to getting scratched. Make sure you cover your boat when
it is not in use and make sure that the lines are always coiled and fastened securely.
The ultra violet rays of the sun and the chemical marine environment are not your boat's best
friends. Hence, covering your boat is the best option to keep it safe when you are not sailing.
4. Battery Care Imagine your boat giving up halfway through a sail due to a drained battery.
Always make sure that your battery is dry, clean and charged well. You may call on a boat
maintenance specialist to check the efficiency of the battery from time to time.
5. Engine Flushing You need to thoroughly flush the engine of your boat after every sail to wash
off the dirt and debris that can cause long term damage and also to nullify the corrosive action
of salt water on the engine.
6. Routine Inspections Just like people are advised to go in for routine check-ups to ensure
their physical well being, your boat too needs routine inspections to ensure a fine working
condition. A boat maintenance expert will be able to help you with such inspections.
A boat maintenance expert will also be able to guide you with information about new boats for
sale, boat parts for sale, replacement of these parts, incorporation of used boats part in your
boat and other queries you might have regarding the upkeep of your boat.
Nothing harms a boat more than not maintaining it. A boat, just like your car, needs regular
maintenance to ensure that it always runs smoothly.
With these 6 easy steps for boat maintenance, your boat will reward you with a lifetime of
leisure that you can enjoy in it.
----------------------------------------------------
With good judgment and research there is a high possibility that you will come ashore at Stow Away
Marine, where you can trust us to please your boat the way she pleases you.
http://www.StowAwaymarine.net
Ahoy matey! How's the boat doing? Is she in tip top condition and ready to give you a smooth sail
each time you take her out into the waters?
People spend a lot of money nurturing their sailing passions and that of owning a boat and that
priceless boat slowly, but surely, begins to gain prominence in their lives. Why then would you
cause your boat harm by not caring for it and not maintaining it on a regular basis?
Now you wouldn't want your boat to be docked up in the yard forever, would you? Without routine
maintenance, that is just what will happen to your boat.
If you want your boat to enjoy the waters more than land, taking care of it is absolutely
essential. How then do you take care of your boat?
6 Easy Steps for Boat Maintenance
1. Clean It is an obvious fact that anything that's "clean" has a longer shelf life. The same
goes for your boat. Schedule a date with your boat once in two weeks or once a month to give it a
good wash.
2. Wax Routine waxing of your boat is essential to keep the surface looking as good as new.
Waxing your boat and using anti fouling paint protects your boat from environmental wear and
tear. You wouldn't want you boat to look old now, would you?
3. Mooring It is not only when your boat is in use that damage can be caused to it. Even when
it's being docked, your boat is exposed to getting scratched. Make sure you cover your boat when
it is not in use and make sure that the lines are always coiled and fastened securely.
The ultra violet rays of the sun and the chemical marine environment are not your boat's best
friends. Hence, covering your boat is the best option to keep it safe when you are not sailing.
4. Battery Care Imagine your boat giving up halfway through a sail due to a drained battery.
Always make sure that your battery is dry, clean and charged well. You may call on a boat
maintenance specialist to check the efficiency of the battery from time to time.
5. Engine Flushing You need to thoroughly flush the engine of your boat after every sail to wash
off the dirt and debris that can cause long term damage and also to nullify the corrosive action
of salt water on the engine.
6. Routine Inspections Just like people are advised to go in for routine check-ups to ensure
their physical well being, your boat too needs routine inspections to ensure a fine working
condition. A boat maintenance expert will be able to help you with such inspections.
A boat maintenance expert will also be able to guide you with information about new boats for
sale, boat parts for sale, replacement of these parts, incorporation of used boats part in your
boat and other queries you might have regarding the upkeep of your boat.
Nothing harms a boat more than not maintaining it. A boat, just like your car, needs regular
maintenance to ensure that it always runs smoothly.
With these 6 easy steps for boat maintenance, your boat will reward you with a lifetime of
leisure that you can enjoy in it.
----------------------------------------------------
With good judgment and research there is a high possibility that you will come ashore at Stow Away
Marine, where you can trust us to please your boat the way she pleases you.
http://www.StowAwaymarine.net
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