Forgetful, indecisive or ever-busy significant others–listen up! If you’re all out of Valentine’s Day ideas for you and your significant other, we may have you covered. With these boating-and-fishing-inspired tips for a romantic date, you can treat that special someone to a fun excursion or gift that they’re sure to remember for years to come.
Valentine’s Day Ideas to Treat Your Favorite Boater
You catch, I cook: Though some already split the fishing/cooking duties, this is a fantastic way to spend time, bond and enjoy some good eats. Propose the idea of visiting a beloved fishing spot for a full day of cruising and dropping lines, then enjoying the day’s catch for dinner. In case the fish aren’t biting, pick a plan B before hitting the water. Trust us, no one wants a hangry valentine come dinnertime.
Kayaking or canoeing: Both kayaking and canoeing give you the chance to paddle away together, enjoying a bit of outdoor quiet time while soaking in the sun and scenery.
Gifts that keep on giving: You could settle for a nice bottle of wine or box of chocolates, but why not give your partner something they can use while doing what they love? Protective sunglasses, a high-quality boating knife, or even a paid pleasure cruise to get them on the water without the hassle of taking out their own boat are all great options. If unsure, maybe pry a bit to see what they need most for their boat.
Romance on the water: Plan a beachside getaway, even if just for a day. Nothing refreshes like some time on the beach, and there are fewer things more romantic than sharing a sunset on the seashore. If the water permits, consider even decking out your boat for a special Valentine’s Day trip with their favorite music, food and a bit of festive decorating on deck.
A brand new boat: Your significant other would hate if we didn’t at least put it on the list…
Valentine’s Day ideas can sometimes be hard to come by, but even the most hard-to-shop-for boaters are sure to love at least one of the ideas above. As they say, it’s the thought that counts, and showing your beloved that you embrace their boating and fishing fanaticism is sure to generate some smiles come February 14.
Good luck, and have a great time enjoying the love of boating with the one you love.
Outboard vs. inboard motors–boaters often have some deep-seated opinions on this debate. Instead of taking a side (and bracing for hate mail), we decided to get the facts together so that you can be better informed before buying your next boat. Let’s break down the benefits to both propeller pushers.
The Outboard vs. Inboard Motors Debate
For the uninitiated, outboard motors hang off of the stern of the boat and provide the following benefits to boaters:
Safer travel in shallower waters. Outboard motors can be adjusted or lifted completely out of the water to avoid running aground.
More space on your deck and below deck. Though an outboard will take up some space at the stern, it is often much less than the space needed to house an inboard motor.
Much easier maintenance. Repairs are extremely easy to conduct since the motor is not in a confined, cramped engine compartment.
Inboard motors are not without merit, however. Sitting in an engine compartment under the deck, they provide boaters:
A lower center of gravity, which may help keep a boat upright in rough seas.
Better horsepower and torque, depending on the model. Many inboard motors are larger and more powerful than their outboard counterparts.
A quieter ride, as the motor is tucked in a compartment onboard instead of our in the open.
Another consideration is how the boat feels to maneuver. Inboard motors require much more power to steer in a particular direction, while outboard motors are a bit more easily handled. It’s definitely a personal preference decision, but one you should keep in mind if you are used to one propulsion method or the other.
The outboard vs. inboard debate is sure to rage on, but as long as you’re on the water, it’s hard to have a bad time. Do your homework, ask a friend and buy the boat that best suits your wants and needs.
Regardless of the boat you choose, when it’s time to dock up, Hi-Tide will be there to give you a lift.
If you couldn’t tell, boat lifts are kind of our thing; but beyond our business of crafting high-quality boat lifts, we’re also enthusiasts of boating and fishing that understand just how complicated it can be to find the right boat, gear and hardware for exactly what you’re looking for. Though we may not be able to make all of those big decisions for you, we at least want to do our part to make sure your boat lift search is smooth sailing.
5 Considerations When Researching Boat Lifts
Drives: A boat lift’s drive is really the powerhouse of the entire thing. Without a quality drive, a boat lift is dead in the water. As experts in boat lifts, we created Gear Drive technology with incredibly intensive quality control. Your first step before buying a boat lift should be to make sure you know the drive is up to snuff.
Controls: What good are boat lifts if you can’t control them? With boat lift controls pounded by everything from the blazing sun to corrosive salt waters, anything but a durable, high-quality design won’t do. Make sure the controls aren’t outsourced, low-end models that are simply slapped onto the boat lift to save some money.
Construction: We’ve mentioned it before, but we cannot sing the praises of aluminum enough. Ensure that the boat lift model you’re eyeing is welded instead of bolted together. Bolted boat lifts often suffer from galvanic corrosion caused by the dissimilar metals in salt water.
Components:Boat lifts, much like many mechanical devices, are only as strong as the smallest components that make them up. If your boat lift manufacturer can’t guarantee quality from the cables to the on/off switch, the quality of the entire boat lift is up to question.
Cost:Boat lifts are an investment. You may be able to find a boat lift on the cheap, but the lifespan of a low-quality lift means that you’ll probably be shopping for another in no time. It is far better to invest in a lift that may nearly last the lifetime of your boat instead of spending more on multiple, low-quality boat lifts.
We know the struggles of finding the equipment that’s Goldilocks-perfect for your boat. However, when it comes to boat lifts, we’ve got your covered. Sure, we may be a little biased, but if you have your doubts, read how Hi-Tide Boat Lifts’ drives, controls, construction, components and price point are the perfect pick for nearly any boat–from the bayou to the Bahamas.
Thanksgiving is the perfect chance to get in some quality time to sit back, relax and unapologetically pig out on turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pie. In other words, it’s definitely in the running for greatest holiday of the year.
However, as the name implies, it’s also an equally perfect chance to do a bit of self-reflection and count your blessings. In the spirit of Thanksgiving (and before the turkey-induced coma fully takes hold), four members of the Hi-Tide family shared the reasons why they’re thankful for sharing the lifestyle and love of boating with the world.
What is Hi-Tide Thankful for This Thanksgiving?
Thomas Fox – Dealer Recruiter
What I love about boating: I love the water most likely because I am an Aquarius. Being on the water with the blue sky and beautiful water–I find it all very calming. I love to view nature in its natural environment. Tooling down the Intracoastal Waterway and stopping at local businesses for a drink or lunch, or even better, beaching up a local island and hanging out with family and friends is the best. I am not an ocean fisherman but have the desire to learn. I love to dive and snorkel, again, because I get to be at one with nature.
Caitlin Lawston – Customer Support & Accounting
Boating to me takes you away from the chaos of the world. When you’re on the water, you’re surrounded by the beauty of the big blue ocean. And what lies underneath is nothing short of majestic. The feeling of the warm sun on your skin, the sound of the calming water surrounding you, and the views just can’t be beat!
Ryan Hyde – Research & Design
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to live in a beautiful waterfront community where my boat is just steps away from our door. With a family of five, most days are spent racing from here to there, keeping up with our texts and emails, and grabbing meals on the go between sports and obligations. The time we spend together as a family enjoying life on the water, dropping in a line to catch dinner, and watching beautiful sunsets on our way back in has proven to be priceless. I can’t imagine life any other way.
One thing’s for sure–there are tons of reasons to be thankful for being able to enjoy the fun and passion of boating, especially when able to share it with those you love.
Before we get back to the recliner with a drumstick in one hand, TV controller in the other, we want to share one more thing we’re thankful for–you. To the entire boating community and all those we’ve had the pleasure of serving, have a very Happy Thanksgiving. We’ll see you on the water…right after this nap.
The fall is a time of changing leaves, cooler temperatures and the inevitable week or so of sugar-fuelled delirium that most parents have come to anticipate after an evening of trick-or-treating. Though some would not consider boating with this season of change, for many, boating season doesn’t end just because summer has come and gone. For those of your curious about boating this fall, as well as those of you who continue enjoying fall boating, we’ve compiled a quick list of tips to make sure your boat stays shipshape.
How to Prep for Fall Boating
Temp and Time: Two things to immediately consider before getting in some fall boating is the temperature change and the waning amount of sunlit hours we can enjoy. As Boating.com suggests, always dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Even in waters up to 60ºF can pose risks if you are left stranded for a prolonged period. Wear a waterproof outer layer with multiple water-resistant layers beneath it for best results. With fewer hours of sunlight, also be sure to check all lights on your vessel and bring a waterproof flashlight with you, even if you don’t anticipate being caught after sundown. Dusk has a tendency of sneaking up on you when boating in the fall.
Life Jackets Save Lives: Though a safety tip for all seasons, considering the above-mentioned risks of cooler waters make life jackets all the more vital if you fall overboard. Ensure that your life jackets are still in good shape and fit comfortably over your bulkier fall clothing. Also consider utilizing the likes of personal life beacons (PLB) and emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), as cell phones can easily become wet and unusable in emergency situations.
Check, Please: If you had a relatively quiet summer and didn’t take to the water very often, it may be time to run through your commissioning checklist. Though traditionally conducted in the spring, you can easily create an amended version for your fall boating needs, including such essentials as hull assessments, corrosion checks and paperwork reviews.
Though our HQ in the Sunshine State often doesn’t have to worry about cooler weather until we are well into winter, our friends in Virginia and throughout the North can surely use these tips when preparing for some fall boating fun. Always remember, check your vessel before hitting the water, utilize important safety equipment and be prepared for cooler temperatures and shorter days. Stay safe and enjoy the cooler weather while on the water.
