Boats & Watercraft Features
How To: Canoe
Bruce Lessells shows us how to canoe in a series of videos. Part 1 of 17 - How to Canoe.
How To: Clean a boat with a pressure washer
Boats look great in the water, but take them out and you’ll often find build-ups of algae and other invasive aquatic species. A pressure washer can help keep your boat looking its best – in and out of the water. Watch this how-to video to learn how to clean your boat with a pressure washer. Clean a boat with a pressure washer.
How To: Tie a Prusik knot to secure a loop to a tight line
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: Tie the bowline knot
Check out this instructional knot tying video that demonstrates how to tie the Bowline knot. The bowline is an exceptionally versatile knot. It is quick to tie (once you practice), doesn't slip and doesn't jam. Just follow the simple instructions outlined in this boating tutorial and learn how to tie a Bowline knot. Knot tying is a breeze with this video. Start practicing and reel in the big fish!
How To: Tie a sheet bend & a double sheet bend
Check out this instructional knot tying video that demonstrates how to tie the Sheet Bend and a Double Sheet Bend knot. This knot is often considered one of the most essential knots. Just follow the simple instructions outlined in this boating tutorial video and learn how to tie a Sheet Bend knot.
How To: Tie a bowline knot
Some of the towers demonstrate how they tie knots at this year's conference. In this instructional tying video, Bill Walsh ties a bowline knot. Practice and improve your knot tying skills by watching this tutorial and learn how to tie a bowline knot like an expert.
How To: Tie a haywire twist fishing knot
Check out this instructional fishing video that demonstrates how to tie the haywire twist fishing knot. Just follow the simple instructions outlined in this fishing tutorial and learn how to tie a Haywire Twist fishing knot. Start practicing and reel in the big fish!
How To: Winterize the sterdrive unit on your boat
In this tutorial, we learn how to winterize the stern drive unit on your boat. By draining the oil as the last step, you must inspect for moisture. If you have no moisture, you can assume there is no water intrusion so you don't have to do any repairs. Remove the oil out of the lower unit first, making sure to keep an eye out for metal shavings and moisture. Use the proper gear lube to make sure you are draining all the areas properly. When finished, your boat will be ready to be stored and b...
How To: Tie the nail fishing knot
Check out this instructional fishing video that demonstrates how to tie the Nail knot. Just follow the simple instructions outlined in this boating tutorial and learn how to tie the nail fishing knot. Knot tying is a breeze with this video. Start practicing and reel in the big fish!
How To: Tie a figure eight knot
Ann and Matt of BoatUS teach boaters how to tie a figure eight or stopper knot. This is a very valuable knot for sailors to know. So check out this instructional knot tying video to improve your knot tying skills by learning how to tie a figure eight knot.
How To: Canoe and kayak if you're a beginner
Ray Temeyer introduces beginners to the canoe and kayak. The canoe has been used for thousands of years to explore and trade upon waterways and seas. Though motor boats have, for the most part, replaced the canoe for commercial trade canoes and kayaks are very popular as recreational water craft
How To: Tie the buntline hitch boating knot
Use this knot (buntline hitch boating knot) to fasten items such as snaps and rings to rope or cord. It forms a small, neat and very reliable boating knot. Not to be used however, for tying into a climbing rope. Watch this boating knot tying video tutorial for helpful tips. Pass the end of the rope through the shackle, then back up across the standing part. Make a turn around the standing line, forming a loop with the shackle at the base of the loop. Bring the free end across tops of both par...
How To: Tie the rolling hitch knot for boating
Watch this instructional video to learn how to perfect your rolling hitch knot for boating. The rolling hitch knot is a secure and easy to tie method of fastening a rope to a post. The rolling hitch knot holds firmly in the direction of the standing line. Not for use by climbers though, just boaters! Pass this helpful knot tying tip along to your friends. Tie the rolling hitch knot for boating.
How To: Tie the square knot for boating
Watch out for this popular knot - the square knot for boating. It is including here as much as to warn you of its pitfalls as to show the proper way to tie it! The square knot is an easy to tie knot that is good for securing non-critical items. It should not be trusted to join two ropes together or to hold down something that absolutely has to stay put. This knot will capsize or jam under load and will also untie itself under movement. This knot tying instructional animation will help you hon...
How To: Tie the double fisherman's knot for boating
Watch this boating instructional video to learn how to tie the double fisherman's knot. The double fisherman's knot securely ties two ropes together or can be used to tie the ends of rope or cord together to form the loops. Another use for this knot is to make another baoting knot more secure by tying this knot with the tag end of the rope behind another boating knot, a practice common to mountain climbers. In that case, you are effectively tying one half of the double fisherman's boating kno...
How To: Tie the slipped buntline knot for boating
Learn how to do this quick release version of the slipped buntline boating knot. It allows the loop to be released with a tug of the tag end. This instructional diagram is helpful for boaters interested in mastering the slipped bluntline knot. Tie the slipped buntline knot for boating.
How To: Sand a Beetle Cat boat
Beetle Catboat restoration sanding is shown in this video.
How To: Tie a sheepshank knot with Capt. Jerry Smith
The sheepshank knot is used to take up slack on a line. In this instructional boating video, Capt. Jerry Smith of TowBoatUS Charlotte Harbor demonstrates how to tie the sheepshank knot at this year's towing convention. Improve your knot tying skills by watching this boating tutorial video.
How To: Tie a bowline knot
Check out this instructional knot tying video that shows viewers how to tie a bowline knot around a chair. Practice and improve your knot tying skills by watching this tutorial and learn how to tie a bowline knot like an expert.
How To: Tie boating knots
In this video series our expert will demonstrate a wide variety of knots to use during camping adventures, rock and mountain climbing trips and much more.
How To: Tie the constrictor knot for boating
Watch this instructional video to learn how to tie the constrictor boating knot. This is a useful boating knot to tie up loose materials or the ends of bags. Simple to tie, it grips itself and will not work loose. The constrictor knot is also known as the miller's knot or the bag knot. Tie the constrictor knot for boating.
How To: Use marine VHF radio
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.
How To: Tie the figure eight knot for boating or paddling
The figure eight follow through boating knot is one of the strongest knots. (also can be used for paddling). It is generally rated at 70% - 75% of rope strength. Due to it's strength and the fact that it is easy to visually inspect, it is commonly used by climbers as their "tie-in knot" - the knot that connects the climber to the rope. It forms a secure non-slip loop at the end of a rope. For even greater security, finish the tag end with a backup knot such as one side of the double fisherman...
How To: Play jet ski frisbee
Jet ski frisbess is simply fetch where one guy stands on the dock and throws a frisbee into the lake. The other guy races his waverunner or jet ski out to catch the frisbee before it hits the water.
How To: Use Plexus Adhesives for boating and automotive repair
How to use plexus adhesives for marine, boating, or automotive.
How To: Set up the mast on the Open 570 single-handedly
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 t...
How To: Tie the heaving line knot for boating
Check out this instructional boating video that demonstrates how to tie the heaving line knot for boating. Animations are the best way to learn to tie a knot. Just follow the simple steps outlined in this instructional fishing video and learn how to tie a heaving line knot. Start reeling in the big fish! Tie the heaving line knot for boating.