You love kayaking, but you have been looking for a way to get better control of your kayak. Till now, you have been at the mercy of the water conditions. You have managed okay, but the kayak has been steering you as much as you have been steering it. You have heard about the modern…
With the sun shining brightly and your marine battery undercharged, you are yearning to charge your battery and go for a nice boat ride. But you don’t have a traditional battery charger available. You don’t even have a trickle charger. So what should you do? You remember the solar panels that you have in your…
In our world, it often catches us by surprise when the technologies we rely on so heavily fail us. This is especially frustrating when your car tire goes flat: I mean, what are you going to do, drive to the store and get something to fix it? The spare, of course, can only get you…
Your trolling motor has been like a best friend. It gives you full command of your boat. With it, you have out-maneuvered even the smartest of fish. When the fish try to slip away, you have been able to steer your boat in the right direction, all but forcing the fish to gravitate to your…
In 1659, Otto von Guericke invented the first air pump, a vacuum-style mechanism utilizing a simple piston. This machine, with a hand-operated plug and valve, helped give early scientists insight into the physics of a vacuum-like never before. Since then, dozens of advancements improved these original and simplistic air pumps and optimized them for specific…
It’s the night before your little sister’s birthday, and you are supposed to be in charge of decorations. A quick trip to the drug store equips you with a spool of streamers and a bag of balloons, but you can’t find a place to fill them up. Well, the gas station has an air pump,…
No. At least without a little help, they won’t, but luckily there are a few other ways to make balloons float. If a balloon is filled with the same air outside the balloon, the relatively denser external membrane (usually and hereafter referred to as plastic) will bring the entire balloon crashing down. To overcome this…
It’s a beautiful summer day, and you’re out riding the rapids in your trusty inflatable kayak. But suddenly, you come upon rougher waters than you were expecting. Maybe a flash flood comes out of nowhere to take you by surprise, or the rapids suddenly become fiercer than you expected. Maybe a storm blows in, catching…
If you’re into kayaking, you’ve probably heard about skegs. Maybe your inflatable kayak even came with a skeg. But what are these pieces of equipment, exactly, and why should you care? Skegs are similar to rudders in that they can help you with steering and maneuvering, but they serve a different purpose than rudders and…
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 can’t begin to describe the excitement you have had with your kayak. You have glided along quiet lakes and ripped through treacherous rapids. Maybe you have even tested some international waters. All along, you have taken every measure to keep your kayak in good condition. This includes keeping it clean and storing it properly….
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…
Insurance protects you and the things you love. But what about your kayak? You spend endless hours gliding in your kayak through calm waters and bouncing over rapids. You carefully cover your kayak when you store it. You keep it clean to avoid staining and skin damage. Still, you know the unexpected can happen. So…
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?…
Your inflatable kayak is zooming you down the rapids and giving you the thrill of your life. Your heart pounds as you tilt left and right at the mercy of the waves. You crash into a monster wave. You are hurled in the air and then dropped back into the rapids with walls of water…
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…
Every boater should know how old his or her marine batteries are. The batteries are arguably the most important items on your boat— they give your boat life. It is necessary to know the age of your batteries so you can properly maintain your boat’s electrical system and help prevent any issues. No boater wants…
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…