Archive for Power Boat
AND THE THINGAMAJIG IS CONNECTED TO THE THINGAMABOB: POWER BOAT PARTS
Posted by: | CommentsIt is very important to know your boat. Every power boat part is important in maintaining its peak performance.
It is up to you to examine them, maintain maintenance and upkeep and repair when necessary.
The very first thing you must do is READ YOUR BOAT MANUAL. Pay particular attention to what the “ideal” boat resembles then determine where and how your power boat parts fit into the picture.
What you need to do if to go over the boat from stem to stern and top to bottom, examining it for any indications of problems. You should begin with the hull.
Hulls
How long can you tread water? Hulls are the most important part of any boat. Without a solid hull, you will at least leak if you don’t sink first.
A power boat must have a fair and true hull.
Examine it for any signs of damage. Are there any scars, concentric circles, pantings or oil canning? Is there any indication of weeping? If you clean and hulls need to be cleaned and waxed to slow down any chalkiness arising from the slow degradation of fiberglass, check for any early signs of problems.
If there are scratches on the gel coat, have they penetrated beneath the surface? Is there crazing – the fine cracks running across the surface? What about stress cracking? If you are thorough in checking each and every one of the power boat parts comprising the hull, you might just be able to prevent any serious damage from developing.
Look out for corrosion in the through-hull and the keel-hull joint. Any large metal fittings, chain plates and keel bolts as well as the propeller are subject to galvanic corrosion.
Bonding will help solve the problem. Close examination will keep the power boat parts of the hull from putting your pocketbook at risk.
Deck
While the repair of the power boat parts for the hull can be expensive, those of the keel, particularly if left undetected, can be worst.
This is because of the angles, the textures and the amount of hardware attached to and placed on the deck.
Take care in examining the deck’s surface. Look for delimitation, wetness and rot. Check hatches and port lights and deck hardware.
Where metal is present, examine closely the fastenings. Is there any sign of corrosion? Is everything secure? Are all the power boat’s parts firmly and safely attached?
Approach all systems in this fashion. Examine the electrical and mechanical workings of the boat in what should be part of a routine. This is what a responsible owner must do. It is never fun. It is called maintenance. Whenever you undertake a routine cleaning examine the boat closely. If you focus on even one area every time you clean or polish, expensive repairs and replacement of power boat parts may be kept to a minimum.
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THE HUMAN FACTOR: PEDAL POWER BOATS
Posted by: | CommentsLooking for a fun, safe, healthy and environmentally friendly way to sail across the lake, bay or pond of your choice? The choice is obvious: a pedal power boat.
Pedal power boats (PPBs), also called human powered boats (HPB,) are water craft powered by the human foot or, rather feet. One, two, three or more people get on board a small craft, move their feet and there they are, moving quickly across the water.
Although some are provided with built-in sails or electric motors, the beauty of the pedal power boat is its pedal power.
On quiet lakes and rivers they do not detract from a sense of pristine glory. Many parks provide these boats with just such a notion in mind. In addition, they are less threatening to some people than canoes or other oared vessels and less frightening than sail boats.
Anyone can set off to explore the aquatic countryside in a pedal power boat without taking lessons. Furthermore, they are highly adaptable for the disabled.
The advantages of the pedal power boat over its other water competitors are many. It is, in a world concerned with fuel costs, climate change, global warming and the harm caused by burning fossil fuels the perfect answer and a “green” answer at that.
A pedal power boat relies on the human element allowing you, therefore, to embark on nature trips and adventure into pure, quiet areas without fear of disturbance or pollution.
Another positive advantage of the pedal power boat is its ability to turn a form of exercise into fun. A pedal power boat receives its motive power from feet. In order for it to be propelled any where, it must have your personal input.
As a result, the body gets a good work out – or at least the legs do. Since pedal power boats are frequently ridden/sailed by more than one person, it becomes a fun, healthy family event. In other words, it is exercise without realization it is exercise.
Since the speed depends upon the individual or individuals involved, the rate of exercise can be catered to fit the needs of the person or persons pedaling.
This is to say nothing of another advantage of pedal power boat usage, particularly among family, or team members. Working a pedal power boat together requires team work.
One person alone can do it, but the furious working of more than one ensures everyone gets where they want to go sooner rather than later.
And don’t go thinking these vessels are simply a novelty for use at parks and in amusement areas. In the United States the Human Powered Vehicle Association holds competitions.
These pedal power boat competitions are based on technology and competition. The United States Human Powered Speed Championships is just as exciting and challenging as any other boating event.
