Sarah Hood

You have a general idea of what rudders are used for, and you’re wondering if a rudder might benefit your kayak. Do people even put rudders on inflatable kayaks? If so, how do you install one on yours? What are some common problems you may run into with using a rudder? Let’s find out, shall …

You just invested in a brand new inflatable kayak. You’re ready to hit the water and enjoy riding the rapids. But before you head out there, you need to know just how long you can leave your boat inflated. Is it okay to keep a kayak inflated while you’re not using it? Can you store …

You’re ready to hit the water in your brand new inflatable kayak. Just one problem: you’re not sure how to sit in one. Is there some appropriate position you should assume while sitting in your kayak? Is there a “right” or “wrong” way to do it? Furthermore, how do you get into and out of …

You just bought yourself a brand new inflatable kayak and you’re ready to hit the water. Part of the fun of kayaking is going over river rapids and paddling through tight spaces, but there are usually rocks in these areas. Can inflatable kayaks go over these rocks, or will the rocks tear holes in the …

So, you just bought a brand new inflatable kayak. Now what? Obviously,  are lightweight and don’t take up a lot of storage space, but it does take a bit of preparation to get them ready for use. You have to pump them up. How much time can you expect to spend inflating your inflatable kayak? …

Some types of boat batteries need water added to them. You have probably heard this, and you’re wondering if you should add water to your own batteries. But what type of water should you use? Does it matter, or is there some specific type or purity of water that you will have to buy? Is …

If you have batteries on your boat, you may find it extra work to hook up and disconnect a portable charger every time you have to charge the batteries. Perhaps you’re wondering: is it okay to just hook up the charger once and leave it on all the time? Is it okay to leave the …

Marine batteries generally fall under two broad categories: maintenance-free, and those that require regular maintenance. If you have a battery that requires maintenance, then one of the things you’ll need to do is add water from time to time. But why is this necessary? And how do you do it? Keep reading!  In this article, …

If you are planning to install batteries on your boat, you may be wondering if you need to secure them inside protective boxes. But before investing in battery boxes, you may have a few questions about their purpose. What is a marine battery box, and what is it used for? Where do you mount a …

Pontoon boats come in many different shapes and sizes. But, whether you have a large multi-passenger pontoon or a small single-seater, chances are you’ll need at least one battery to power your motors and electronics. So, what are some of the best marine batteries for pontoon boats? What are their best features and functions? And, …

If you suspect your marine battery is beginning to fail, you may wonder if there’s anything you could have done to prevent it. Perhaps it seems the battery should have lasted longer, but then you realize you’re not even sure how long it was supposed to last. How many years can you expect to get …

So, you’re shopping around for a new marine battery charger, and you keep coming across the NOCO brand. You notice they have many different products available, and you want to learn more. Are NOCO marine battery chargers any good? What about the company itself? How long has NOCO been around, and is the company based …

So, you need to invest in a new marine deep cycle battery for your boat. Maybe your old trolling motor battery finally bit the dust, or you’re installing an inverter on your boat and you need to add a battery to power it. Whatever your reason for needing a new battery, you probably have the …

It’s nearly boating season again, and you’re ready to get back out on the water. But when you test your boat batteries, you find that one of them is dead. Marine batteries are more expensive than other types– for example, car batteries. Do you need a marine battery for your boat? Or can you replace …

You may have heard about marine battery group size, but what does it mean, exactly? What are the differences between, say, a group 24 and a group 27 battery? Simply put, the larger the group number, the greater the battery’s capacity will be. This also means that batteries with larger group size numbers will generally …

You’ve heard of maintenance-free batteries, but what are they, exactly? Are your marine batteries maintenance-free? And what are the pros and cons of using maintenance-free batteries? Great questions! In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about maintenance-free marine batteries. Ready to dive in? Are Marine Batteries Maintenance-Free? There are different types of …

If you use batteries on your boat, you may be wondering how to secure them so that they don’t slide around as your boat moves.  Fortunately, marine battery straps were made for this purpose. But what is this type of strap? How do you use a marine battery strap, and what are some of the …

You’re probably familiar with the standard 12V marine battery. Perhaps you’ve even used this type of battery to power your trolling motor, your lights, or other electrical systems on your boat. But is the 12V battery your only option? Is there a larger battery, a 24V battery, that could be used to power more systems …

If you know anything about electricity, then you probably know that circuit breakers are an essential safety component to any electrical system. But what about electrical systems generated by batteries? Specifically, do you need a circuit breaker for the marine battery on your boat? How do circuit breakers work with marine batteries, and how do …

Your sump pump can be a lifesaver in the event of a flooded basement. But what if the storm that causes the flooding also knocks out your power? Sump pumps are generally hooked into your home’s electrical system. That means even a momentary power outage during a storm can lead to some serious water damage …