Have you ever considered a small fishing boat to solve the "having a boat" problem? Boats can be quite a substantial investment for fishermen, but what I've found out is that they don't have to be. There are small fishing boats available that solve the "having a boat" problem and don't require a substantial up front investment.

Inflatable fishing boats are a viable alternative for anglers and in this article I'll outline some of the more popular and effective solutions available in the inflatable boat market. The bottom line is that when it comes to small fishing boats an inflatable boat can be just what the doctor ordered.

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to these types of boats is to make sure that you purchase from a quality manufacturer. Buying a quality inflatable boat makes all the difference in the world. Most people think inflatable boats are a joke because they've never seen a quality product. Quality manufacturers stand behind their boats with thinks like money back guarantees, free trial periods, and/or free or discounted shipping.

Inflatable Canoes - Inflatable canoes can be a great option for fishermen. These small fishing boats are large enough to carry two anglers and their fishing gear. These boats are extremely maneuverable and lightweight for any portages that might be necessary. In my opinion inflatable canoes are best for fishing in rivers and streams, but they also work well in lakes. I like to ride my inflatable canoe down my favorite river, stopping at all my favorite fishing areas to fish. When fishing in this way I like to actually get out of the canoe and fish each "good looking" area as I go.

Inflatable Pontoons - Inflatable pontoons are a great small fishing boat for anglers. As a matter of fact, when it comes to small fishing boats, inflatable pontoons might be the best option. These boats are made up of two inflatable pontoons with a seat (or seats) in between them. The smaller versions carry 1 angler, while the larger versions carry up to 4 anglers. These boats are very maneuverable and stable. Some versions even allow the angler to be above the water on a platform, while smaller versions require the angler to have their legs in the water. Fly fishermen are familiar with smaller inflatable pontoon boats (1 angler boats).

Inflatable Kayaks - Inflatable kayaks are much like inflatable canoes, just a bit more streamlined and durable. Inflatable kayaks are also usually a bit smaller than inflatable canoes. These small fishing boats are great for fishing in rivers and streams. Some inflatable kayaks can even be taken in class IV rapids. These small fishing boats are great for the single angler.

Any of these inflatable fishing boats would be a great choice if you like to spend time fishing. Is one better than the other? Which is the best is largely up to personal preference, but any of these are a great choice.

Boating holidays in Ireland have become extremely popular in recent years. And as the world financial crises bites harder, more and more people from mainland Britain are travelling shorter distances away from home for their holidays. Ireland fits in with that thinking perfectly.

The Emerald Isle has waterways and rivers to rival the best in Europe, or indeed in the world. From the highly popular and well known river Shannon and river Erne to the lesser known areas of Ballyconnell Canal and Lough Ree, there's something for everyone.

The river Shannon is the major river in Ireland, and not surprisingly, most boating holidays in Ireland take in at least part of this waterway. At 240 miles long the Shannon is the longest river in Ireland, exiting to the sea west of Limerick City at the Shannon Estuary.

The river Shannon has three large lakes along its course. These are Lough Ree, Lough Derg and Lough Allen. There are plenty of excellent opportunities for boating in all of these lakes. In all of the huge waterway network in Ireland, much of which dominates the west of Ireland, there is around 500 miles of navigable rivers, canals and lakes.

Of course, making use of the extensive waterways in Ireland is nothing new. Trade and commerce has centred on the waterways as a means of moving produce for centuries. Enemies of Ireland have also used the rivers and lakes on occasion. In 937 the Vikings based in Limerick fought with the Vikings based in Dublin when they met in Lough Ree.

There is also a network of canals that many of the boating holidays in Ireland make good use of. The rivers Shannon and Erne are linked with a canal, and the river Shannon is linked by canal to Dublin. Some of the better known canals include the Newry Canal, Grand Canal, Royal canal and the Ulster Canal.

The lakes, or Loughs, of Ireland can be very satisfying places to explore. They all have their own peculiarities and individual charm, and no two are alike. Lough Key, for example, is an excellent waterway to explore if you like islands. The lake is studded with little islands, mainly close to its eastern and western shores. Along the northern shore of Lough Key there's the Curlew Mountains, which seem higher than they actually are.

Lough Ree, located at just about the central point of Ireland, also has its share of little islands. It is one of Ireland's biggest lakes. It is some 20 miles long and widens to six and a quarter miles at its widest point. Lough Allen, by contrast, is almost island-free, but it has the majestic Iron Mountain, or Sliabh an Iarainn, dominating the area to the southeast. If you need a break from cruising down the waterways, this is an excellent mountain for walking on.

Boating holidays in Ireland can be as varied as you wish them to be. You can choose a large cruiser boat, a Pénichette barge, or a traditional narrow boat, suitable for exploring the canals and narrower waterway systems. Whichever size of boat you choose, one things is sure, you will discover some of Ireland's hidden secrets, and be amazed at just how green the Emerald Isle really is.

Gone are the days when people highly relied on paddling to make their boat run because modern boats already have propellers in them. A boat propeller is a device used getting your boat to move around in water.

Propellers work by rotating 3 to 4 blades that are twisted with a shaft that is similar to a screw's rotation. Most blades are made of stainless steel or aluminum for durability and for corrosion or rust resistance. Boat propellers also work by providing a difference on the pressure between its back and front surfaces. As their wings rotate, the type of force explained by Newton's Third Law and Bernoulli's principle is applied.

However, propellers cannot work without the motor so you need to make sure that you have one. In this boat propeller guide, you can learn more about them so you know how to buy the right one for your boat.

Boat propeller guide: the designs

There are two types of boat propeller designs to choose from - the three-blade design and the four-blade design. The former is actually the most common design among propellers because it offers better acceleration and good control. On the other hand, the four-blade propeller design is usually found in stainless steel variants and never aluminum. It offers better hole shot, higher trim angle, and better bow lift to avoid dragging. Four-blade propellers also allow your boat to stay on the plane even with low rpm (revolutions for minute), and it also gives way to slow cruising speeds without resorting to loss of plane in rough waters and weather conditions.

Buying tips in the boat propeller guide

When choosing among boat propellers, select one with a pitch that has an inch of reduction to produce an increase of 150 rpm to 200 rpm even at full throttle. More importantly, make sure that the propeller is compatible with the engine of your boat. Check for recommendations by the manufacturer of your boat engine. A serial number or the size of the propeller can be found in the hub or in the manual.

Important information

A complete propeller guide is available PickyGuide, the authority in free consumer advice. Access top-ranked, best-reviewed, and most competitively priced propellers in PickyGuide's recommended products section

Have you ever tried to sail downwind on an early summer morning when winds are light and variable? It can be an experience in frustration to try to keep your sails filled when your speed keeps dropping like a rock. Learn to sail a boat better than ever before when you use the secret of "swooping" downwind.

When you sail downwind, apparent wind become lighter. In ghosting conditions (0-3 knots), your small cruising sailboat can slow down to the point that it barely moves through the water. Follow these three steps to take advantage of every puff of wind and increase your downwind sailing speed.

1. Use a Light Touch

Smooth motions make a difference in light wind sailing. Use gentle, fingertip pressure on the sailboat wheel or tiller. You don't want to stall the boat. Make your turns in the next two steps in an easy, glide-like motion.

2. Head Up to a Beam Reach

Turn in a slow, easy motion to a beam reach-but no higher! This will increase the flow of the apparent wind across the sail and build your speed. As soon as your speed increases, go to the next step.

3. Fall Off Back to a Run

Make a smooth turn back to your original running course. Once you're back on your downwind course, keep an eye on your speed. As soon as the boat slows down to a crawl, swoop back up to a reach again. Build up your speed and then fall off back to your downwind course. Repeat these steps as long as the wind remains light.

Learn how to sail a boat downwind in the light winds of summer with the secrets of swooping. Use these techniques to beat the competition on the race course or get to your next downwind landfall faster than ever before.

By John N. Jamieson

Have you ever tried to sail downwind on an early summer morning when winds are light and variable? It can be an experience in frustration to try to keep your sails filled when your speed keeps dropping like a rock. Learn to sail a boat better than ever before when you use the secret of "swooping" downwind.

When you sail downwind, apparent wind become lighter. In ghosting conditions (0-3 knots), your small cruising sailboat can slow down to the point that it barely moves through the water. Follow these three steps to take advantage of every puff of wind and increase your downwind sailing speed.

1. Use a Light Touch

Smooth motions make a difference in light wind sailing. Use gentle, fingertip pressure on the sailboat wheel or tiller. You don't want to stall the boat. Make your turns in the next two steps in an easy, glide-like motion.

2. Head Up to a Beam Reach

Turn in a slow, easy motion to a beam reach-but no higher! This will increase the flow of the apparent wind across the sail and build your speed. As soon as your speed increases, go to the next step.

3. Fall Off Back to a Run

Make a smooth turn back to your original running course. Once you're back on your downwind course, keep an eye on your speed. As soon as the boat slows down to a crawl, swoop back up to a reach again. Build up your speed and then fall off back to your downwind course. Repeat these steps as long as the wind remains light.

Learn how to sail a boat downwind in the light winds of summer with the secrets of swooping. Use these techniques to beat the competition on the race course or get to your next downwind landfall faster than ever before.

The Southampton Boat Show is a truly massive event that is held both outdoors and indoors and includes some of the finest boating craft in the world.

Located on the south coast of England, in an area steeped in maritime history, the Southampton Boat Show has Europe's largest show marina which is complemented by some of the world's finest maritime shops. There is something so alluring about the show and the beauty of so many of the craft that families, boating enthusiasts and professional organisations make the trip to the Boat Show an annual pilgrimage.

Attracting at least 500 exhibitors, the Southampton event is often used to launch a new class of yacht and exciting new boating products. People travel from around the world to enjoy the Southampton Boat Show which attracts nigh on 130,000 visitors keen to get up close and personal to some of the most luxurious craft in the world. Very few people can resist going home without a few essential items of clothing or useful tools and gadgets.

Held annually, the event is in September and covers 10 days. Considered more apposite than the London Boat Show owing to its history and proximity to the sea, the Show is hosted by the British Marine Federation. There is so much to see and do for everyone who visits the Southampton Boat Show including sea displays that remind us all of Britain's former maritime prowess.

Taking place from the 11th to the 20th of September, this outdoors event has fantastic amenities for exhibitors in locations to help ensure maximum footfall. Attractions at the show include the Hydropool Marina that moors over 350 boats and offers chances for visitors to try a dinghy and have rides on luxury boats. Also in the marina will be opportunities for people to look at supercharged powerboats and motor yachts and superbly graceful ocean-going sailing yachts.

Of course, where would old sea dogs be without the RNLI and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency providing search and rescue support 365 days a year? Technology is improving all the time and to show how the RNLI and Search and Rescue have improved over the years there will be sea and air displays during the Southampton Boat Show. Easy to get to and inexpensive, the Southampton event is a truly great annual event for exhibitors and visitors alike.

by John N. Jamelson

Do you know how to shape the leech of your mainsail for power and drive when close hauled. How can you tell at-a-glance if it's driving the boat ahead--or pushing it more to the side? Learn how to sail a boat better than ever before with this easy 1-2-3 guide on how to shape your mainsail leech to perfection!

Put twist into your mainsail so that the leech "falls off" the wind to produce forward drive. Look at any small cruising or racing sailboat on a close hauled course. What do you notice about the upper half of the mainsail and headsail? If they are trimmed right, each boat sail twists off in the top portion.

Winds near the top of your sailboat mast are higher. Some experts estimate that at just 60 feet off the water, the true wind speed increases by 50% and changes direction by several degrees! Twist helps shape your sail to take advantage of both factors. Follow these three simple steps to success:

1. Sight up the mainsail leech

Set both sails for a close hauled course. Stand behind the mainsail so that you can sight up the leech from the clew to the head of the sail. Does the leech "cup" to windward all the way up to the head of the sail? This causes the sail to stall and drives the boat sideways. Go to the next step to power up your sail for good forward drive.

2. Ease the mainsheet

Ease the mainsheet one or two inches. Stop when you see the leech twist to leeward at about halfway up the sail. Then, check the uppermost mainsail batten. Does it parallel the sailboat boom without any "cock" to windward? Adjust the mainsheet one inch at a time as needed. Do this until the leech and upper batten look just right.

In higher winds, adjust your twist first. Then, slide the mainsheet car down the traveler track to leeward. This will reduce heel, keep the wheel or sailboat tiller light, and provide good power and drive.

3. Check the twist on both sails

Make one final check to see if the headsail and mainsail form an even, parallel slot. Adjust the sheets a bit at a time until you have this just right. Your boat should surge ahead like a wild mustang!

Use these simple secrets to learn how to sail a boat on close hauled courses better than ever before. You will be rewarded with more speed, power, and drive on any small cruising or racing sailboat.