A blog about boats, fishing, water sports and having fun on the ocean
What is planing on a boat?
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Planing (/ˈpleɪnɪŋ/ PLAY-ning) is the mode of operation for a waterborne craft in which its weight is predominantly supported by hydrodynamic lift, rather than hydrostatic lift (buoyancy).
As more power (and speed) is applied, lift increases, and the boat, in effect, rides over its bow wave, reducing wetted area and thus reducing drag. At this point, the boat is said to be “on a plane” or simply “planing.”
What is boat planing speed?
Planing speed is the velocity the boat must travel in order to generate lift if the powerboat is traveling at less than the planing speed, the hull will act as a displacement hull, as it is generating no lift.
Generally, it takes about 2.5 hp to plane 100 pounds for a near flat-bottomed boat. Other shapes, such as deep-v hulls, require more power. Further, if the boat drops off plane, the amount of horsepower required to get the boat back on plane will increase dramatically. Also, trolling can increase fuel consumption.
What causes a boat to not plane out?
A boat won’t plane out either due to a bad propeller, improper motor placement on the transom, wrong trim position, uneven weight distribution in the boat, low engine performance. However, there could be many other reasons, but primarily those elements will cause a boat not to plane.
What to use to wipe down a boat?
All-purpose cleaner
This simple mixture can be used for general cleaning purposes on your boat. In a bucket, add one cup of white vinegar to a gallon of water. Use a scrub brush or cloth to clean surfaces of dirt and grime. Rinse area with water.
Can you Unsink a boat?
Unsinking boats is never easy and typically requires the knowledge and skills of professional salvage divers. It’s a good way to get hurt both physically and financially if you don’t know what you are doing.
How do you prepare a boat for sale?
Preparing Your Used Boat for Sale
Set the Stage—Preparation is Key.
Clean the Boat Exterior Thoroughly.
Repair Minor Cosmetic Problems.
Organize Your Boat Service Records.
Check and Repair Your Boat Trailer.
Finish Your To-Do List.
Give Engines a Tune-up.
Fix any Known Mechanical Issues.
What are the steps for casting off on a boat?
Casting Off With Wind or Current Toward the Dock
Cast off the stern line. Move and secure the bow line to a mid-boat position on the dock.
Put the boat into forward gear briefly, and turn the steering wheel hard toward the dock. Increase speed slowly until the stern is well clear of the dock.
Why should you never drop your anchor from the stern of your boat?
Never anchor from the stern as this can cause the boat to swamp. The square stern may be hit by waves, and water will splash into the boat. The motor’s weight will add to this problem. Slowly back the boat away downwind or downcurrent.
What is the red right return rule?
The expression “red right returning” has long been used by seafarers as a reminder that the red buoys are kept to the starboard (right) side when proceeding from the open sea into port (upstream). Likewise, green buoys are kept to the port (left) side (see chart below).
When boating at night what does a single white light on a boat tell you?
All-Round White Light: On power-driven vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, this light may be used to combine a masthead light and sternlight into a single white light that can be seen by other vessels from any direction. This light serves as an anchor light when sidelights are extinguished.
What do three short blasts of a horn mean?
One short blast tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my port (left side).” Two short blasts tell other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side.” Three short blasts tell other boaters, “I am backing up.”
What side do you pass a boat on at night?
How do you pass a boat at night? If two boats are in a head-on meeting, both red and green lights will be visible. Boats should always pass each other on the port side.
(a) Law enforcement vessels may display a flashing blue light when engaged in direct law enforcement or public safety activities. This light must be located so that it does not interfere with the visibility of the vessel’s navigation lights.
What does a red flag on a boat mean?
Four signals are created from nautical flags to signal different weather warnings. All-weather warning signals are communicated with red and/or black flags. A small craft warning is simply a single red pendant flag, while a small craft advisory (gale warning) is two red pendant flags.
What does a white flag mean on a boat?
In the event of distress, a distress flag should be flown from any vessel. The colors of the flag indicate the nature of the emergency: a white flag indicates a warning or request for help.
What does a red light mean on a boat?
If it is night, and you see the red light on a boat, which indicates you are looking at their port(left) you must also react. On the other hand, if you are a vessel and you see another vessel to your port(left) side, you are the “stand on” vessel. Which means you are to continue in your same path.
Why is port side left starboard right?
Most sailors were right handed, so the steering oar was placed over or through the right side of the stern . Sailors began calling the right side the steering side, which soon became “starboard” by combining two Old English words: stéor (meaning “steer”) and bord (meaning “the side of a boat”).