This winter Mother Nature has had a funny way of working. With temperature fluctuating from below zero one day, to 40 degrees the next, it is important to remember to perform thorough mid-winter checks on your boat to ensure there is no damage and to further prepare your boat for future extreme temperature changes. Here are some guidelines that the Boat Owners Association of the United States suggests you should follow:

1. Is your boat above the waterline? If you store your boat in the water during the long winter months, it is essential to check to see if all of the above-water thru-hulls are properly situated above the waterline. Not only does the weight of snow and ice have the ability to submerge these thru-hulls, but the exhaust on inboard boats as well. BoatUS suggests using plastic shovels and brooms to clear away the snow and ice in order to prevent damage to your boat.
 
2. Has your boat shifted? If you store your boat on a trailer, jack stand, or cradle, it is imperative to check to make sure your boat has not shifted and is still sitting level. If it has, be sure to check for hull deformation. If using a jack stand, it is important that you do not try to adjust the jack stand yourself, but contact the marina staff for help.
 
3. Is you boat cover still on? A sturdy, tight-fitting boat cover is essential during the winter months in protecting your boat. Poorly fitted covers can sag and can lead to a build up of water, which will most likely freeze and will create a substantial amount of weight and pressure on your boat.
 
4. Is there water in the bilge? If you say yes, that is not a good sign. This, unfortunately, means that you have a leak. It is imperative that you look for water, locate the leak, and create a temporary plug until this issue can be fixed when the spring comes. BoatUS suggests using things like antifreeze and rock salt to break up and remove any ice in the bilge.
 
5. Is your boat stored inside? If you pay to keep your boat safely stored inside a storage unit, you are not always in the clear. Check frequently on your boat and with the facility to ensure that temperatures in the facility have been maintained or if there have been any power outages that could have affected your boat.
 
OnlyInboards is a proud supporter of the boating world and is the Internet’s leader in inboard specific boats and accessories. Visit us today to see what other resources we can offer you in order to ensure your ultimate boating experience.

Unfortunately, as popularity of recreational boating is on the rise, so is boat theft. Additionally, since boat theft is one of the most common crimes in the United States, it is important for owners to stop thinking that this can’t happen to them and take action to prevent them from being the next victim.

Here are few easy simple, and cost-effective things that can be done to ensure the safety of your boat:
 
1. Install an Alarm System- As this is an obvious choice when it comes to protecting any prized possession such as your car or home, installing an alarm system will deter thieves from stealing or vandalizing your boat as well. Additionally, these systems not only range in price, but in complexity, so you are able to determine what works best for you.
 
2. Use an Engraving Pen- By not only marking, but engraving all of your equipment, your boat, and your trailer with the hull number and/or your driver’s license number can allow for the possibility of easier recovery of stolen items.
 
3. Store in a Safe Location- Ensure that your boat is stored in a secure location. If you choose to use a storage facility, ensure that it is secure and reliable. If storing it at home, it is best to keep your boat out of site and in the garage. If secured storage is not an option and you are parking it in a driveway or carport, try blocking the boat in with other vehicles and turn the nose of the boat inward so it will make it more difficult for thieves to remove your boat from its location. Another helpful tip for boats on trailers is to remove one of the tires from the trailer, making theft next to impossible.
 
4. Do Not Leave Unattended- Just like with car theft, this is a common mistake made by boat owners. By simply leaving the keys in the ignition and the boat unattended, you are asking for trouble…in this case, theft.
 
5. Record Everything- In addition, it is imperative to keep a copy of your boat and trailer registrations at home and in a safe place. It is also important to keep a master inventory list and pictures of your boat, trailer, and all of the equipment, to help you keep track of things in case they do go missing.
 
It is essential to keep in mind all of the above tips when protecting your boat. By simply following these suggestions, you can rest assured that your boat will stay in your possession!
 
OnlyInboards is the Internet’s leader in for buying and selling inboard specific wakeboard, ski boats, and accessories. Visit us today to all the resources we have to offer, as well as our boat marketplace.

When it comes to watersports, there are a variety of ways boaters can enjoy their wake. Whether you are a beginner or simply looking for a new way to enjoy your boating experience, here are several types of watersports that you may want to consider trying.

Waterskiing- Perhaps the most popular of all watersports, waterskiing is relatively a low impact sport and easy for beginners to learn. These skiers are pulled behind the boat on either one (slalom) ski, or two skis. Since there is no age restriction or special skill requirements for waterskiing, this is a good typically the best watersport to start with. However, if you are already experienced in waterskiing, a way to challenge yourself would be to try barefooting.
 
Kneeboarding- This type of watersport uses a kneeboard where the rider kneels on their heels while being towed behind the boat. Since the rider is not only secured to the kneeboard, but rides closer to the water, this is often a good watersport for beginners to start with.
 
Wakeboarding- Since this watersport was developed by combining techniques from water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing, it typically requires a more experienced rider. These riders are towed behind the boat on a wakeboard and typically ride at a speed of 18-25 mph. These speeds do depend on the board size, rider’s weight, types of tricks they want to achieve, and, of course, the rider’s comfort level. An added benefit for wakeboarders that ride on boats that are designed for wakeboarding, is that they often include towers, ballast bags, and pumps to increase the weight of the boat, which increases the wake.
 
Wakeskating- This watersport is similar to wakeboarding, but has it’s own uniqueness. These riders are not secured to the board, which creates m ore of a challenge for the rider. Additionally, these riders must use special shoes and a tow rope in order to achieve tricks similar to those of both wakeboarding and skateboarding.
 
Wakesurfing- Just like in surfing, these riders use a surfboard to surf the wake, which is created by an inboard boat. These riders do start out using a tow rope, but let go in order to surf the wake like an ocean surfer.
 
When choosing the type of watersport that may be right for you, it is always important to remember to have all the right equipment, not only for your safety, but in order to maximize your experience. Visit OnlyInboards to see all the boats and accessories we have to offer to make your ride the best ever.

1. It's easy to find someone to teach you. Just like when a skier or snowboarder buys a lift ticket and a lesson pass to hit the mountain for the first time, there are plenty of people who have the right expertise to teach you how to wakeboard around the world. More likely than not, there is someone in your city who coaches the sport, allowing you the ability to learn without picking up any bad habits or having a bad experience.

2. Wakeboarding can be done with or without a boat. Ideally, when taking up a recreational water sport like wakeboarding, you or someone you know should own a boat. However, if you (or anybody else, for that matter) don’t have access to a boat, now worries! Cable Wake Parks are water sport parks that are set on small lakes. These parks usually involve 2-5 towers posted around the lake with typically six carrier systems that pull boarders and skiers in circles around the lake. There are also ramps and rails installed in the water that people use for tricks, just like they use in snowboarding and skateboarding.  Once you fall off, you simply take a short swim to the shore, and line up for another turn.

3. It's a social sport. Not only do you get to know your friends really well by spending countless hours on the boat with them, but these friendships often times transfer to a large network of people who love boating and recreational water sports. Another benefit is that no matter where you are in the world, there is usually someone stoked to take you wakeboarding in his or her hometown. It truly is one really big community.

OnlyInboards is the web's number one source for wakeboards, wakeboard and ski boats, inboard boats with wakeboard towers, wakeboard racks, and wakeboard towers. Start planning your wakeboarding experience today with OnlyInboards!

When it comes to protecting your property and the people around you, it is important to know the right questions to ask. This especially rings true when it comes to the safety of yourself and the passengers on your boat. As it is when buying insurance for any type of asset, it is difficult to gauge what kind of insurance to buy. Here are some questions you should ask before making that decision.
 
Do they offer salvage assistance? Unfortunately, this situation can happen to almost anyone. Whether your boat ends up underwater or in someone else’s yard, most often due to unforeseeable events by Mother Nature, it is important to know who will be covering the costs to retrieve your boat. Since this type of coverage usually requires an additional premium, not everyone sees the necessity in salvage assistance, so it is up to you to determine if this is something you must have.
 
Does my insurance cover liability claims? Most policies do include liability coverage, but it is essential to know for sure. Since liability insurance covers events such as property damage, injury to others, lawsuits, and other unfortunate incidents like fuel spills, this will protect you from potential legal issues. You should also be sure to make sure this type of coverage includes water sports liability, in which any bodily injury or property damage will be covered in the event of an accident while water skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing.
 
Does my policy include consequential damage coverage? According to the Boat Owners Association of the United States, a good boating insurance carrier will provide “consequential damage” in your coverage. This type of coverage will protect you from catastrophic events like fire, sinking, explosion, collision, or stranding.
 
Are my personal possessions covered? Since recreational boaters are likely to have items like water skis, wetsuits, or fishing equipment onboard, it is important to have personal property coverage to these items in the event they are damaged or lost.
 
It is always beneficial to shop around and ask other boaters what insurance carriers they suggest. By looking into several options, you can prevent potential hassles in the future.
 
OnlyInboards is the Internet’s top source for wakeboard boats, ski boats, and inboard boats. Visit us to browse our large selection of boats and accessories for all of your boating needs.