Page 11 - Blog | Marine Depot Direct

As the self-appointed captain of your boat, the helm is the center of your universe when you’re onboard and underway. As we discussed in How to Choose the Right Steering Wheel for Your Boat, your boat’s steering wheel is a critical piece of equipment that’s directly related to the successful operation of your vessel.

There are many different components that make up a boat’s steering wheel, and when things go wrong or damage is done, you’ll want to move quickly to make necessary repairs and replacements.

In addition to the steering wheel itself and the control cables, another important piece of its construction is the steering wheel cap. What is a steering wheel center cap, you might ask? Well, it’s precisely what you’d think it is: the center piece of the wheel that’s almost always in the shape of a circle and often displays the boat’s logo.

When you need to replace a boat steering wheel cap, there’s a few factors you’ll want to consider.

Set Screw vs. Snap-In

As we often discuss,

Your boat’s anchor is one of the most essential pieces of equipment you have onboard. When you’re ready to drop anchor, you expect it to work quickly and effectively. Many boat owners utilize an anchor well or other storage compartment for housing their anchor when it’s not in use; but unfortunately, this type of anchor storage is not the most efficient—requiring the additional task of pulling the anchor out of storage, and then attaching it to the bow of your boat. This is where an anchor bow roller can help.

Let’s examine a few different factors to keep in mind when choosing an anchor roller for you boat.

What is an Anchor Roller?

Starting with the basics, the purpose of an anchor roller for a boat is to provide a permanent surface on the front of the bow for storage, deployment and retrieval of your anchor. Benefits of using a bow roller include easier retrieval of your anchor, as well as quick access and fast deployment.

An anchor roller wheel functions similarly to a bow pulpit

When you think about your boat, the last thing on your mind is likely your boat rails. A critical piece of safety equipment, your boat railings not only provide a protected perimeter around the exterior of your vessel, but they also serve as a support system as you move-about the deck. Along with the rail itself, the rail fittings are just as important in keeping these essential pieces of equipment securely fastened to your boat.

When it comes time to replace your boat rail fittings, you’ll want to ensure you’re choosing the right size, style and material that meets the functional needs of your boat.

Boat Rail Material Types and Sizing

Most rail fittings for boats come in two common sizes: either 1” or 7/8” in diameter. Deciding between the two is basically determined by the overall size of your boat, with 1’’ being more suitable for larger sailboats and powerboats.

Similar to other vital boat parts, a good majority of rail fittings and boat handrail fittings are made of stainless

Whether you’re anchored in the middle of the ocean or floating in a small cove on a lake, most boaters can agree that a reliable Bimini top is a lifesaver on a hot summer afternoon. Regardless of how much SPF you apply (and how often you reapply), sometimes the only escape from the beating sun is a cool, shady area onboard. If your boat doesn’t have a t-top or a hardtop in its construction, the next best solution is a Bimini top.

If you’re in the market for a Bimini top for your boat, you’ll need to decide what type of hardware is ideal for your boat type.

Bimini top hardware comes in three main styles:

• 2 bow Bimini tops
• 3 bow Bimini tops
• 4 bow Bimini tops

Let’s take a closer look at these three options.

Comparing 2, 3 and 4 Bow Bimini Tops

The primary Bimini top parts to be aware of are the bows, the tie down straps and the canvas covering. The bows, in particular, refer to the frame that connects directly to the sides of your boat. These frames are generally made of stainless

The helm, the captain’s chair, the driver’s seat, the cockpit—it’s all centered around one critical piece of equipment: the boat’s steering wheel. While you may not have given much thought to your boat’s current steering wheel (and in all likelihood, it’s probably the original wheel direct from the manufacturer), overtime it’s natural for it to endure a little wear-and-tear.

Learning how to remove a boat steering wheel is one thing, but before you can begin that process, you have to make the important decision of choosing a proper replacement. Before you make a quick decision, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider.

Familiarize Yourself with Your Current Steering Wheel

First, think about your current boat, your pride-and-joy. What does your boat steering wheel look like? What materials make up its construction—stainless steel, plastic, leather, foam, wood? Does it have a textured grip? Pay close attention to the details.

In addition to studying your current model’s wheel,

There are a lot of factors that go into securing a boat, starting with dock lines, fenders, and cleats—just to name a few. Managing all that goes into knot tying can sometimes be a team effort, but with a little practice it can become second nature. One critical step is knowing which knot to use in any given situation. It’s extremely important to not only know what knot you should use, but how to actually tie that knot so that it keeps your boat securely fastened.

Let’s outline some of the key differences between the most popular knots used in boating. For more detailed instructions on how to tie each knot, be sure to visit the BoatUS Boat Knots page.

Cleat Hitch Knot

The most common knot used for tying down your boat is the cleat hitch knot. Just to be clear, boat cleats are pieces of hardware, typically made of stainless steel, that are attached to the dock itself and your boat. These are usually shaped like a “T,” or are often referred to as a horn. When tying the cleat hitch knot,

While a drain plug for a boat may seem like a simple part for a single use, they are actually more significant than you think. Drain plugs serve an extremely important and essential function that surpasses day-to-day operation and actually falls into the category of a safety item.

As we discussed in 7 Common Mistakes Made By Boaters, forgetting about your drain plug can be an easy and very sad way to sink your boat.

Aside from obvious financial loss from irreversible damages or costly repairs, you’ll also have to deal with the emotional aftermath and despair of missing your beloved vessel—not to mention, the embarrassment of knowing that the damage was done from a situation that could have been easily avoided.

Carry a Spare Drain Plug

We understand that everyone makes mistakes. First-time boaters are rookies who are still learning what it takes to own, operate and maintain a boat—and unfortunately, some of the best lessons come from failure. Along those same lines, even the most

Mistakes happen, and like everyone, boaters are not immune to their fair share of slipups and embarrassing blunders. Whether you’re a seasoned salt or a first-time boater, some accidents are unavoidable, while others happen out of just plain stupidity. To help you proactively avoid boating fails while you’re out on the water, check out these seven common mistakes made by boaters.

1. Drifting from the Dock: Inferior Cleating

Docking itself is hard enough as it is, but once docked, you’ll want to ensure that you tie up properly. Countless boaters have learned the hard way about the consequences of not securely cleating their boat to the dock. Before you know it, your runabout may be drifting out into open water or crashing into other nearby vessels.

We’ll dive further into docking in #5, but until then, be sure to always follow these docking tips from BoatUS. If the hardware is the problem, consider investing in new boat cleats.

2. Fuel into Water Fill, or Water into Fuel Fill

At

Picture this: the warm sun is shining down on your face as your boat rocks softly to the motion of the ocean. It’s the perfect summer afternoon, and to make things even more perfect, you have your favorite ice-cold adult beverage in your hand—and there’s plenty more where that came from stocked up in the cooler. It doesn’t get much better than this, right?

Your daydream can easily become a reality, but before it does, you’ll want to ensure you have the right equipment onboard to support this situation.

While drinks, a cooler and a boat are obvious must-haves, one item that is often overlooked are boat drink holders. When you’re ready to go for a swim, tie up at the dock, or throw out the anchor, you’ll need a secure location to place your beverage.

Cup holders for boats come in a few different shapes and sizes, and a lot of the buying decision involved with boat cup holders is influenced by personal preference. Consider your favorite Yeti tumbler, Swell bottle, Corkcicle thermos and countless