If only the Titanic had its ample share of life boats or life rafts, the sea tragedy could have had more survivors. Buying a life raft is a necessity that must be complied and happy are the small aircrafts pilots and crew of small cruisers and yachts if the life rafts that they buy remain tucked in their valises or canisters, unused. However, life rafts are necessities that a water vessel cannot afford not to have. Many lives have...more
Waterskiing is a very enjoyable sport. It is a water sport where a person is pulled behind a boat while he skims the surface of a lake or coastal waters. A water skier uses two water skis and starts in deep water as the skier needs to crouch down when starting. A powerful motorboat is needed for such pull and acceleration.Waterskiing has taken on a new meaning. The water sport has evolved. There is the slalom skiing where a...more
The first generation inflatable boats were manufactured from fabric that are "proofed" or made airtight by the application of thin layers of vulcanized rubber. The fabric used back then was commonly cotton but silk was also an option especially in airships. When ultra light material for inflatable was needed for boats, then silk was used as the preferred material. The first manufacturers of inflatable boats were tire companies like Goodyear. It was customary to build inflatable life rafts back then where a rubber bladder that resembles a tire's inner tubing is wrapped in a protective case of heavy canvas.The use of natural rubber and cotton fabric as materials for inflatable boats is acceptable but, these materials have major flaws. Natural rubber is "naturally" soft. When rubber is combined with sulfur (vulcanize) to make it stronger and harder, it still retains its elasticity. However, the more rubber is vulcanized the more it loses its flexibility. A rubber boat needs to be tough yet flexible and in this case a compromise is the only option. A boat made of rubber-impregnated fabric is not as tough or as flexible as wanted.A boat made from vulcanized rubber...more
Natural rubber has its flaws as material for inflatable boats. To make a more sea worthy inflatable the military developed neoprene during WWII as a more viable replacement for natural rubber boats. Neoprene is a form on synthetic rubber produced by the polymerization of chloroprene. It has generally good chemical stability and...more
PVC is a form of plastic that is used in more than ways than one. It is used as water conduits, electrical wire covering, kitchen flooring and more. In recent year s the use of PVC as material for inflatable boats became popular. To make the PVC a good enough material for inflatable boats, a whole range of plasticizers and dyes were...more
Neoprene, PVC and Hypalon are coatings for inflatable boats for them to be air tight and waterproofed. These chemicals have nothing to do in strengthening the inflatable boat itself. What makes the boat strong is its base fabric to which neoprene, PVC and Hypalon are bonded. The traditional materials were cotton and silk. However, synthetic fabrics- polyester and nylon- have displaced the traditional materials of silk and cotton. The differences between polyester and nylon are not as diverse as that between PVC and Hypalon though.Seasoned sailors are familiar with the characteristics of nylon and polyester because both are used as cordage on boats. Polyester is great for rigging where minimal stretch and durability even under the hot sun is needs. Nylon rope is favored as anchor rode, dinghy painter and as dock lines because it's very durable and has the ability to stretch to accommodate weight or absorb force. It can stretch to twice its normal length without losing its strength.Nylon is quite photo-degradable though. A new and flexible dinghy painter can turn stiff and hard to manage when exposed to the harsh sun and salty water. Nylon's ability...more
When first-generation life rafts were produced during WW II, they were yellows as manufacturers thought that the yellow was the easiest color to spot in rescue missions. For decades, yellow was the color of choice for serious inflatable...more
It is not unusual to buy second-hand boats. Some prefer second-hand boats as they are cheaper. However, buying a new inflatable boat is easier than buying a used boat. For one thing you don't have to worry if the boat is in...more
There are plenty of online stores that sell inflatable boats nowadays. You have a wide array of choices that sometimes choosing the best one for you is quite a task. In some cases, it is better to source for a used inflatable boat.How...more
If you are looking for a set of boat building plans there are a few important things to consider before purchasing.Designers ExperienceThere's a lot of detail and information involved in designing a boat. Make sure the boat plans...more
When it comes to trout fishing in small lakes, rivers and streams you can't beat the versatility of inflatable pontoon boats. When you compare them to wading pontoon boats allow you to cover a lot larger area in order to find where the fish are...more
Paris is possibly the only city in the world which has been called by great many names. Everybody has a different way of describing the city. Some refer to it as the fashion capital of Europe; some call it the most romantic city of the world. But...more