Four Knots to Know!

When it comes to fishing knots, there are thousands of types. From simple to heavy weight carrying knots, the variety will surely sweep you off your feet. As a fishing enthusiast, we don't expect you to familiarize yourself with all these variants. After all, it is practically impossible to do so as the variety differs from region to region. However, the knowledge of some basic types of knots is important especially if you are planning to pursue fishing as a serious hobby.

Here is a list of some important knots that every angler must know about:

Improved Clinch Knot:

This is a common type of fishing knot used by many anglers. The core strength of this knot lies in its ability to secure the hooks, prey or swivels to the fishing rod. Being sturdy, firm and reliable, this knot's ability to work equally well against big as well as small fish is what sets it apart from the other options. Additionally, tying this bow is easy and barely takes a few minutes.

Polmar knot

Once you have mastered the Improved Clinch bow and want to progress to the next stage, Polmar bow has to be your obvious choice. Stronger than the improved Clinch knot, Polmar bow serves a similar function of securing the hook, swivel or prey to the fishing line. In spite of being easy to tie, this is one of the strongest knots known to anglers across the globe.

Blood Knot

Unlike the Improved clinch and Polmar knots, this knot is not used to fasten the hook or swivel to the fishing rod. Instead, this knot is ideal for situations when fishermen are left battling with broken rods. Yes! Using the Blood knot you can tie two similar pieces of fishing lines together. This skill comes in extremely handy especially when you are battling such emergency situations. The Blood bow is also a popular option for fly fishing.

Surgeon's knot

The next in line is the Surgeon's knot. Serving a function similar to the Blood knot, the Surgeon's knot is also equally useful when it comes to attaching two fishing lines together. However, the difference with using Surgeon's knot is that it is effective even when the two fishing lines to be connected are of different diameters. Ideal use of this knot is seen in case of fishermen who often stock their boats with broken pieces of fishing lines from different expeditions.

While this is just the basic information about these bows, you can always look up the internet for video tutorials and pictures to learn more about tying these knots. Needless to say, it takes a fair bit of practice to master these knots!

To know more about fishing tackle Australia or tie fishing knots, please check our website.

Posted By: Stowaway Marine http://stowawaymarine.net

Simple Guide for Buying Used Boats

If you love boating, then buying a boat could be a great investment. You will get to avoid boat rental expenses and restrictions. Today, buying a used boat is an appealing option. A used boat is significantly less expensive than a new one. Taking everything into account, buying used boats comes with a myriad of risks most of which you can avoid by being vigilant when making the purchase. In addition to making sure the boat is well maintained, there are a few areas you should look at.

Appearance review

The first impression counts. You may buy an expensive boat but if its body looks horrible; its value will be depleted. Salt water attacks everything. If the body is rusted, there is a good chance even the internal components are rusted. This is common where the boat was not cleaned properly. To determine whether the boat was well maintained, you need to do the following:

·       Check for moss or discoloration. Get on the boat and pick up the ropes, the flooring materials and clear out the clutter. There is no need for alarm if there is only a light discoloration. A deep discoloration means neglect and this will be a high risk investment.

·       Condition of the features. The number of things you will have to replace will tell you how much money you will have to spend on the used boat. If there are cracks, broken materials and worn-out seats, you can expect to spend more in repairs. The less the amount of money you will have to spend in repairs the better.

·       Gel-coat. Restoring the finish of a boat is not an easy task. That is why you should consider buying a boat that has been waxed at least once a year. If the Gel-Coat hasn’t been done properly, you will get a dull appearance. With such an outcome, you will definitely have to repaint the boat or live with the dullness.

The above are the three most neglected areas. Most of these areas are irrelevant to the performance of your boat but they will definitely affect its value.

Mechanical review

The mechanics of a used boat are the most important. Engines are expensive. You don’t want to buy a boat with a broken engine that will cost you a fortune to replace. To review the mechanics, you will need a test run and hire a marine mechanic to review the components. In the initial inspection, here are the questions you should answer?

·       Does the engine look clean?

·       Near the seals and gaskets, can you see heavy grime deposits?

·       Can you see rust on the engine?

·       What are the freeze plugs made up of, brass or steel? Brass is the best material.

·       What is the condition of the batteries?

When buying a used boat, you must always take the condition of the watercraft seriously. Your life depends on it when out on the waters. Falls and capsizing are the most reported types of fatal accidents. This is according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Inspect the boat thoroughly and avoid neglected used boats.

Posted By: Stowaway Marine http://stowawaymarine.net