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Archive for December, 2009

Are Wooden Boats Better?

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Boats have always been a desired investment for people all over the world. However, various reason like financial hardship, budgeting or inappropriate timing has caused so many people to place their dreams and admirations of owning a boat on the back burner. But all is not loss; dreams and admirations do not have fade away or disappear into thin air. If you set your sights on building a boat made of wood it could be in the foreseeable future. Those that do have the privilege of owning a boat wouldn’t hesitate to recommend wooden boats over any other material used to craft and construct boats.

There are so many materials available to make the boat of, and yet over the ages and even now, wooden boats are indeed acclaimed as some of the better boats that there are. There are a few reasons for this, and it is not without reason that wood reigns as the material par excellence for boat building. For one, if you consider the strength of the material, you will be amazed to know that wood is stronger for its weight than steel, fiberglass and aluminum. Sure, you can get very strong steel, aluminum or fiberglass, but it would be so heavy that it would just not float. After all, a boat needs to float, doesn’t it? So wood is great.

Wood is quite lightweight too and is excellent for flotation. True it can rot somewhat, but if you use some epoxy and fiberglass at the bottom of the boat, it would weather the elements quite effectively and last well for many years indeed. There is no wonder why over the ages, wood has been used extensively for boat building. You can easily fashion wood into a floating vessel that can give you joy and pleasure for many years to come, justifying the use of boat as an excellent boat building material.

Finally you must remember that decent boat design software helps you to build the boat of your dreams. Probably the best idea is to get some sort of 3D boat design software that is affordable, easy and flexible to use and is suitable for anyone from the hobby model boat builder to professional mass ship producers.

Understanding Boat Insurance

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Boat insurance is available from a variety of sources. Many car and property insurance companies also insure boats. Alternatively, you can purchase boat insurance from one of many specialized companies that focus exclusively on marine vessels. Which type of insurer you choose will depend on many factors including price and the type of boat you own.

Boat insurance is very similar to car insurance. Your basic policy will cover physical damage to the boat itself from many different causes. Depending on your specific policy, acts of vandalism, acts of God and even latent defects in craftsmanship may be covered. Generally your boat trailer will also will be insured at no additional charge, but you should always check your policy documents to make sure.

In the event of a boating accident, your medical expenses and those of your guests will also be covered. This is true whether the accident occurs in the water or while entering or exiting the boat at boat docks.

As with a car insurance policy, the limits of this coverage will vary by policy. Safe boating should always be your first priority, but when an accident strikes, will you be prepared with the right policy in place to protect you? Your boat insurance policy will cover those that you hire to work on your boat as long as they are contractors and not regular employees of the boatyard. Covered contractors may include carpenters, cleaners and others. Again, check your policy for specific information.

There are many special considerations for boat insurance. Make sure that you understand your insurer’s policies on these considerations. One of the biggest concerns is the possibility of grounding the boat. Depending on your insurer’s policies, this could be handled in a couple of different ways. The vessel could be towed out, which might result in further damage, or it could be considered a salvage, which involves special procedures to protect the boat. Another consideration is wreck removal. If your vessel is completely wrecked, you will be held responsible for removing it from the water.

If you own a boat that is over 40 feet long, you might consider insuring it as a yacht. but expect to pay quite a bit more. However, the upside is that you will enjoy a form of insurance that comprehensively covers your needs as the owner of a very large boat. Make sure that your boat insurance is the right one for you and your needs. Owning a boat is an expensive endeavor. Spend the money necessary to properly insure your boat and you will be better off for it.

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