Interesting Boating Tips and Facts - Part 4:Shifting GearBalancing ActOn most planing boats, stow heavy gear to maintain a center of gravity on plane that's about 60 percent of the boat's waterline length aft of the bow.12 secondsDischarge time for the average fire extinguisher. So aim at the base of the fire and get as close in as you can before discharging. Better yet, carry two or three.LineupBow and stern lines should be as long as the boat, spring lines 1.25 times the length. This will accommodate even the most extreme tidal ranges.Big EyesThe eye splices in your dock lines should be at least two feet long to make them easier to place over a piling and to put less strain on the splice.Long HornAllow one inch of cleat horn length for each one-sixteenth inch of rope diameter. This provides enough room for the rope to make a gentle curve without pinching, which weakens the line.Hey, Big FenderHow big a fender do you need? A good guide is one inch of diameter for every five feet of overall length. A 25-foot boat needs at least a 5-inchdiameter fender.We hope that this series has been informative. Thanks for reading!Related Articles: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3Source: http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?/topic/95698-interesting-boating-tipsfacts/ #Boating
