Lifejackets are the most important piece of safety equipment on any recreational vessel.Always wear a life jacket and insist that your crew and guests do the same.An approved lifejacket must be carried for each person on board most vessels. It must be the correct size for the wearer, in good condition and, if an inflatable lifejacket, properly serviced. Penalties may apply to the owners and masters of vessels found not carrying lifejackets, or if there are not enough lifejackets for everyone on board. Penalties may also apply if occupants are not wearing lifejackets when they are required to do so.More importantly, if you are not wearing your lifejacket, it cannot save your life.

Anyone who has ever turned an ignition key knows the frustration of hearing nothing. Again, this is most likely an electrical issue - a low or dead battery, or a break somewhere in the ignition circuit.

Boat engines are prone to overheating and this can cause serious damage to your boat and boats engine if left untreated. In order to fix overheating problems you first need to do some detective work. Find out exactly what is causing the overheating problem with boat engines and you should be able to correct the overheating problem before it has chance to seriously damage your boat.

Sailing is a wonderful pastime activity. Whether you’re on the open sea or on a lake, it’s an experience unlike any other, and as the wind blows into the sails to push your vessel forward as it cuts through the clear water, your mind will become clear, too.Going sailing for the first time?Here’s your first-timer’s checklist.

Back in the day, flushing an outboard with fresh water was done only one way. A set of "ear muffs" or "flush muffs" was fitted around the engine's gearcase to cover the water intakes, connected to a garden hose with a good water supply, and the engine was run for five to 10 minutes. But today's outboards can be flushed using other, sometimes easier methods, without even starting the engine.

Outboards come with two types of starting systems, electric and recoil. Recoil starters are similar to those in power equipment such as chain saws, lawn and garden equipment and small generators. Electric starters are the analog of the starter in your car. Many outboards with electric start systems come equipped with recoil starters as a backup system. Check your engine operator's manual to determine if your engine has this feature.