Boats & Watercraft: Hot

In this video, we learn how to set up the mast on the Open 570 single-handedly. First, look to see where the mast is going to fit on the boat. Pick the mast up in the middle so it balances out on each side, it's very long. Turn the mast around and place the edge facing the foyer. Put the base of the mast into the mast step, then let it rest on a step ladder. From here, get into the boat and add the safety pin into the base of the mast to keep it locked. Now take the mast and push it up into the...

Have a lot of left over rope that you don't need? Looking for an easier way to store your extension cables and the like without getting them all tangled up? Then learn how to make a sailor's chain! This great video shows you the basic steps that you'll take to creating an endless set of slip knots that'll keep your wires, cables and ropes all tidy without.

In this tutorial, we learn how to tie an Alpine Coil knot. When you start your coil you want the starting end to be inside your hand. First, take the working end of your rope on your last coil and make a loop in your rope. Then, wrap a couple of turns around the rope and lock it into place. Once you've made a couple of turns, the working end will go into the loop. To secure, go over to the end from the loop and give it a tug, which will lock the working end into the rope and make a nice way to...

In this tutorial, we learn how to tie a decorative noose. First, form a loop and then and wrap the end around the loop thirteen times. Next, take the loose end and stick it into the coils you just made. Use a pencil and long scissors to help you do this. After you are done with this, tie a knot at the end and pull so the loop is tight. You can also clip off the loose end and pull the loop to make it larger if you prefer. When finished, use this as you wish but do not use it for violent...

Radio communication is one of the oldest and most effective means of communication via technology, so it's no wonder it's still a popular way to send and receiver signals, especially on the water. Having a Marine radio can be critical when operating a boat on any type of water. There are many uses for a Marine radio, but the most important is to send a distress signal — here's how to do it.

This video tutorial is in the Outdoor Recreation category which will show you how to tie off a suspension ring with a basic knot. Weld less rings are used as connection points for a variety of purposes. However, riggers quite often make tying a ring unnecessarily complicated. All that is required is a basic knot and a few hitches. For this you will need to tie the running overhand knot. Take a rope, bend it in half and tie it to a suspension point. Now pass both ends of the rope through the...

Eddie shows us how to remove a boat from the water in this video tutorial. First, take down the canvases and wrap them up. Now, put the antennas down and drive the boat to the loading dock. Next you will need a large truck that has a hitch and trailer attached to it, and secure everything so the boat stays on and doesn't come off of the trailer. Take the drain plug out of the boat before you transport it, to make it lighter. Transport the boat to your house, and place bricks over the front so...

When you have so much technology on one small boat, things are bound to get confusing. That's why having a big enough switch panel is a great way to keep track of all the different switches that your boat has. In this tutorial, you'll find out the steps needed to insatll a switch panel on a boat. Depending on how much experience you have with using tools, this video may be a tad bit difficult. So sit back and pay attention. Good luck!

If you're looking to replace or just add cables to your steering this video tutorial is just what you need. You'll find out how to install Teleflex QC II steering cables on your boat in no time at all. Just pay attention to the video, take any notes, and good luck!

Navigational lights on a boat can be extremely important. They not only can be used in cases of emergency, but also let other boaters know that you're there and to either keep away or watch out. It can be a little bit difficult to install, but after watching this tutorial may seem simple. So find out how to install a navigational light on your t-top tower on your boat. Enjoy!

When out on the ocean, it's always a smart move to make sure your electronics are close by and easily accessible. The best way to do so is by having it located at the t-top tower of your boat. So this tutorial will show you how to install a CE Smith electronics box on the t-top of your boat. It's easy to do and will have your equipment ready in no time. Enjoy!

This video tutorial will show you how easy it can be to switch your old fluorescent lights with an led light. This video focuses on the t-top of your boat or watercraft and shows you how to save energy even on a boat. It's a definite upgrade over what standard boats have and gives you a much sharper color than those other boring dull lights. So sit back and enjoy this easy to do tutorial.

Half-hitches are great knots, but only when use in combination with other knots. By itself, a half-hitch is unsafe and unreliable, but when joined with other knots, can be quite the opposite. Tying two half hitch knots together is great for attaching a rope or line to any object. The half hitch and double half hitch are used throughout specialities, most notably as a boating knot, outdoor knot, and paddling knot.

The Prusik knot is a great versatile outdoor knot, boating knot, or paddling knot, and is used widely throughout each. Mountain climbing is a big user of this knot. You can use this knot to secure a loop to a tight line. Also great for hitching boats.

How to change the outdrive gear fluid on your boat. Eddie first want you to get the proper tools for this project which include a flat screw driver, hammer, a slap hammer, the right fluid for your boat ( this can be found in the owner's manual), and pump to pump the fluid to the vent. Locate the drain in the motor and loosen it up with the slap hammer especially if it's tough to loosen. There is a seal that should be retained because it is very important. To speed up the fluid drainage you...

LowkeeLT demonstrates how to patch a hole in a fiberglass boat hull. First, grind around the edge of the hole to make it smooth. Make an angle that goes towards the hull so that the resin won't get caught and create air pockets. Attach kitchen wax paper to the boat as a non-stick material for the poly resin to set against. Then, put down a flexible cutting board by duct taping the two layers on the outside of the hull and pulling it taut. Attach three layers of fiberglass strips with resin to...

Eddie from the Long Island Boaters Club shows in four easy steps how to prepare the engine of your boat for the winter. He discusses the three items needed for proper preparation and makes product suggestions. Then he takes us through the procedure. He starts by pouring an additive to the oil tank and a stabilizer to the fuel tank. Eddie shows us how to attach a hose to the water jacket to flush salt water. He runs the engine for ten minutes. At the end of that period, he demonstrates how to...

This video is led by Eddie from Long Island Boaters Club. As the boating season ends, Eddie explains, it is very important to clean and prepare your boat for storage for the winter. An important part of this process is to power wash the algae growth and barnacle debris that can cover the hull very quickly. After taking the boat out of the water and placing on blocks, he lets it sit for one day. Then using a pressure washer, he removes the algae growth. A scraper is used to remove the actual...

ITS tactical is going to show you how to make a handcuff knot, which is usually used to restrain things. To make this loop you want to make 2 loops, the first being an overhand loop, while the second is an underhand loop. Once you make the loops you want to stack them and then reach inside and grab one side of each loop with the opposite hand and pull the loop through, which if done correctly should create a loop on the right and left. By creating that type of knot it can be used on game if...

Amateur Chinese inventor, Tao Xiangli, has built his own homemade submarine. Drawing inspiration from the James Bond and Terminator movies, Xiangli's tinkering is quite impressive, considering his education came to a halt at the fifth grade.

Learn how to tie a Turk's Head Knot in a flat or matt format - A decorative knot that is tied flat and can, if desired, then be formed into the cylindrical form of the Turk's Head Knot. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

Learn how to tie a Tarbuck Knot - a handy hitch for attaching a line to a ring, post, or other fixed object. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

Learn how to tie a Japanese Knot or Square Knot - a decorative knot that forms a square shape. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

Learn how to tie a Heaving Line or Franciscan Monk's Knot - a practical and decorative knot used to add weight to the end of a heaving line, or to finish a Monk's belt rope ends. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

Learn how to tie a Butterfly Knot - a handy way of forming a loop in a bight of rope that is quick to tie and generally easy to untie. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

Learn how to tie a Cat's Paw - a handy way of forming a loop in a bight of rope to attach to a hook or other object. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

Learn how to tie a Whipping - How to apply a whipping to a line to protect it from unraveling or to form an aglet at the end of a rope. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

Learn how to tie a Tack Knot - a secure way of attaching a rope to a fixed object such that it won't come undone even if shaken and flogged. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

Learn how to tie a Prusik Knot - sometimes misspeled "Prussik" - A bi-directional gripping knot that strongly resists sliding when the pull is parallel to the object to which it is tied. It can be used as an aid to ascend or climb another rope. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

Learn how to tie a Sheepshank using a Tom Fool's Knot as a base - This is a quick and stable means of tying a sheepshank knot. This is a fine knot for camping, climbing, sailing or Boy Scout training.

Learn how to tie an Icicle Hitch - A superb gripping knot that strongly resists slipping, stainless steel or other smooth surfaces, when the pull is parallel to the object to which it is tied. This is a good knot for sailing, boating, general outdoors and even bondage.

Learn how to tie an Artillery Hitch or loop - A secure way of forming a loop in the standing part of a rope so that the loop lies perpendicular to the line. This is a good knot for sailing, boating, general outdoors and even bondage.

Learn how to tie a Stopper Knot - A quick way to form a stopper at the end of a line to prevent it from pulling through a block or other object. This is a good knot for sailing, boating, rock climbing, general outdoors and even bondage.

Learn how to tie a Round Turn and Two Half Hitches - a quick and secure way of attaching a rope to a railing or other fixed object. This is a good knot for sailing, boating, general outdoors and even bondage.

Learn how to tie a Rolling Hitch - a useful knot for attaching a rope to a railing, post, or another rope where the pull is along the length of the fixed object. It isn't as good at resisting slipping as an Icicle Hitch, but it is a good deal quicker to tie. This is a good knot for sailing, boating, general outdoors and even bondage.

Learn how to tie an Anchor Hitch (also known as a Bucket Hitch) - A very secure means of attaching a rope to an anchor or any other object that you can't afford to loose (like a bucket down a well, I suppose - thus the alternate name). I actually do use this hitch for temporary anchor attachment (preferring to permanently splice instead) as well as for my bucket lanyards when washing down my boat's deck.