| Inflatable boats such as inflatable
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| | with you in case of emergency.
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| kayaks, catamarans and sport boats have
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| | • Be sure to bring enough life vests or
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| several advantages over their traditional
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| | other allowable floatation devices for
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| watercraft counterparts. They typically
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| | yourself and all passengers and make sure
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| cost less, are easy to transport, and can
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| | everyone puts them on before leaving if
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| operate in more shallow waters than a deep
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| | required by law to do so.
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| hull boat. But many people don’t realize
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| | • Also pack paddles, maps, flares, and
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| that inflatable boats are just as safe, or
| |
| | other essential navigational and safety
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| even more secure, than traditional boats.
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| | equipment.
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| Because of their safety reputation,
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| | • When loading your boat, distribute
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| inflatable boats are now essentially the
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| | weight evenly from side to side and front
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| standard for use by the military, coast
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| | to back. Tie down loose cargo so it
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| guard and other rescue agencies worldwide.
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| | doesn’t shift.
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| Buoyancy Buoyancy is one of the main
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| | • Check weather conditions for the area
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| concerns with any watercraft. How high a
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| | and consider bringing a waterproof weather
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| boat sits in the water and how well it
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| | radio or hand held VHF Marine radio.
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| stays afloat are important contributors to
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| | • Learn about navigational concerns
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| overall safety. Buoyancy also helps
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| | related to the specific body of water on
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| determine the amount and weight of cargo
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| | which you plan to use your inflatable boat
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| that a boat can transport.
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| | and don’t exceed the capabilities of you
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| Inflatable boats and inflatable kayaks
| |
| | or your boat.
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| tend to be more buoyant than traditional
| |
| | On The Water • Require all passengers to
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| watercraft, mainly because of the
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| | remain seated while the boat is in motion,
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| inflatable collar or tubes. The inflatable
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| | and never allow anyone to ride on the bow
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| sections help spread the buoyancy out over
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| | of the boat. If anyone must stand up, be
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| the entire area of the boat, making it
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| | sure they maintain three points of
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| more resistant to sinking. In addition,
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| | contact.
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| the collars or tubes on an inflatable boat
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| | • If using a motor, keep your hands away
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| are usually designed with separate
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| | from the propeller and be sure passengers
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| chambers so that if one chamber becomes
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| | remember to stay clear of the prop when
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| deflated, the overall buoyancy will not be
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| | they are in the water.
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| noticeably affected.
| |
| | • Always use the stop switch lanyard
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| Stability Not only does the design of
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| | that attaches to the driver that will kill
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| inflatable boats contribute to increased
| |
| | the engine should you fall overboard. Test
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| buoyancy, it also helps make the
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| | it before leaving port to be sure it is
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| watercraft more stable. Unlike traditional
| |
| | operating correctly.
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| V-hulled boats, an inflatable boat sits
| |
| | • Be aware that heavy rains and other
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| flat in the water and has a low center of
| |
| | water changes can create problems with
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| gravity, making them virtually impossible
| |
| | debris floating in the water or hidden
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| to tip. They are better able to handle
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| | under the surface.
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| rough water, and people standing up in the
| |
| | • Do not operate the inflatable boat
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| boat are not going to cause the craft to
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| | under the influence of alcohol or other
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| capsize. And swimmers and divers can use
| |
| | drugs.
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| the sides to pull themselves up without
| |
| | • Remember that the captain of the boat
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| causing the boat to rock or flip.
| |
| | sets the standard for safety, and you are
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| Power & Maneuverability With the right
| |
| | responsible for the operation of the boat
|
| size motor, inflatable boats can be
| |
| | as well as your passengers’ behavior.
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| quicker and more powerful than traditional
| |
| | Special Safety Considerations For
|
| boats because they are much lighter. For
| |
| | Inflatable Boats When using an inflatable
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| this same reason, they are much more
| |
| | boat, it is also a good idea to take along
|
| responsive and easy to maneuver. In fact,
| |
| | a foot pump and a repair kit. Even though
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| because inflatable boats are so light and
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| | boats with independent inflatable chambers
|
| quick, it is important that you do not use
| |
| | can still operate when one chamber
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| too large of a motor. For general boating
| |
| | deflates, there may be instances when you
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| and fishing on inflatable boats, an 8
| |
| | may need to patch a puncture or re-inflate
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| horsepower motor is adequate for
| |
| | the boat at some point. It is important to
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| watercraft up to 14 feet. Larger boats and
| |
| | have the necessary tools as well as an
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| inflatable sports boats for activities
| |
| | understanding of how to make repairs.
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| such as water skiing will require a motor
| |
| | In addition, organizations such as the
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| with around 30 horsepower.
| |
| | U.S. Coast Guard, the National Safe
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| Other Safety Factors As with traditional
| |
| | Boating Council and the American Boat &
|
| boats, there are a number of other
| |
| | Yacht Council provide information on
|
| precautions that help increase the overall
| |
| | boating safety. The Coast Guard, many
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| safety of inflatable boats. The following
| |
| | state agencies, and private groups offer
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| list provides comprehensive guidelines,
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| | water safety classes and Web sites such as
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| both for preparing to use an inflatable
| |
| | BoatEd and BoatSafe offer online testing
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| boat and for operation while out on the
| |
| | and certification approved by many states.
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| water.
| |
| | Although it is unlikely that your
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| Before Leaving Port • Familiarize
| |
| | inflatable boat will capsize if you follow
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| yourself with all aspects involved with
| |
| | these safety precautions, it is also a
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| the operation of your inflatable boat and
| |
| | good idea to know how to swim.
|
| make several practice runs before heading
| |
| | Those who enjoy boating on a regular basis
|
| out on the water with passengers.
| |
| | may also want to consider a CPR course.
|
| • Familiarize yourself with the water
| |
| | In addition to being easy to use and often
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| safety regulations for your area.
| |
| | less expensive than traditional boats,
|
| • Explain basic boat operations to all
| |
| | inflatable boats, inflatable kayaks, and
|
| passengers and make sure that there is
| |
| | other inflatable watercraft are more safe
|
| someone else in the boat that can operate
| |
| | and secure in key areas such as buoyancy
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| it in case you become unable to do so.
| |
| | and stability. Following the tips listed
|
| • Tell someone on shore the names of all
| |
| | in this article will add to the overall
|
| people on your inflatable boat, where you
| |
| | safety of your boating experience and
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| plan to go, and when you expect to be
| |
| | enhance your enjoyment of your inflatable
|
| back.
| |
| | boat as well.
|
| • If you have a cellular phone, bring it
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| |
|
