Checking Local Weather and Water Conditions In order to avoid potentially hazardous weather such as strong wind, heavy fog, or hurricane warnings, you’ll want to check weather forecasts prior to going out on your boat. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides up-to-date weather…

Hull Identification The United States requires all boats manufactured or imported in, have a permanently marked Hull identification number or HIN. This number is used to identify each boat and can be located at the stern of the boat, most often on the starboard side…

Hulls come in as many shapes and sizes as boats. There are four common types of hulls; although they look different, all hulls are designed to do one of only two things: displace water, or ride on top of it, which is called planing. Slow-moving,…