If you want to buy a boat, it doesn’t have to be an intimidating ordeal. The process should be exciting, fun, and rewarding. When you have a boat, you can go on water adventures or cruise any time you like.

When you’re a first-time boat owner, there are several considerations you need to know to make your boating experience an enjoyable one. Remember that purchasing a boat is a considerable investment. Check out Red Beard Sailing if you don’t have your boat yet. You need to make sure that you’ve all the information necessary to take good care of it and operate safely.

To ensure safety on your first boating adventure, you should check out this boater safety course online like ilearntoboat.com/newhampshire/ where you can learn and test your boating knowledge and have a certificate at the end of the course.

Here are some of the necessary measures to help you get started with your boating adventure.

Right Insurance

When you buy a boat for the first time, an important consideration is a proper insurance. Anything can go wrong, and you don’t want to face significant expenses along the way.

Look for a reliable insurance agent you can work with to get the proper coverage. A crucial consideration is a policy that covers fuel-spill responsibility. It’s a requisite in case your vessel fortuitously releases fuel or descends in the water while in a marina. In case you end up in a mishap while trailering your boat, your insurance policy should cover any damages to the trailer. By working with a dependable professional, it’ll ensure that both your policies work together and you won’t face any inconsistencies.

Trailering Your Boat

The majority of boat owners find it challenging to learn how to trailer their boats properly. It’s a skill that requires time to master. The first task is to ensure that your vehicle is rated to tow the boat you’re planning to buy. If not, it’s an issue that you need to address sooner or later.

Don’t forget to consider the weight of the boat along with the fuel and equipment. You don’t want to discover later that you need a new truck.

Launching And Retrieving

It’s important to carefully read and study boat ramp etiquette to avoid unnecessary mistakes when launching or retrieving your boat. Utilize the tie-down area to prep and button-down your boat. Most boat launches have a tie-down site to make the necessary preparations to get the boat ready for the water. When your boat is secure on the trailer at the end of the day, and the safety hook is secure, you can bring it to the tie-down area.

Make sure that you’ll take time to practice backing down the ramp and launching it. It’ll make your boating experience less stressful when it’s time to go on your first boating trip.

Storage Options

It would be best to double-checked to ensure that your community allows you to keep your boat at home. There might be a need to make the necessary accommodations so that your boat will fit within your garage or decide on other arrangements.

An option is to house your boat with a dry stack service or keep it in the marina. Remember that these options have ongoing costs you need to pay, so make sure you factor this in ahead of time.

Maintenance Checklist

As a significant investment, you should make your boat last by providing regular maintenance such as washing your boat, proper inspections, changing the oil, and many more. Once you’re familiar with the essential maintenance necessary, create a checklist to avoid forgetting a single task.

Proper Equipment

As a new boat owner, you should have all the proper boating equipment. Aside from a life preserver for every person on the boat, other items that you need include:

• Fenders
• Dock lines
• Visual and sound signaling devices such as flares, whistles, and air horns
• Throwable flotation devices
• Medical or first aid kit
• VHF radio to request help in case of emergencies
• Paddles or oars
• Basic toolbox
• Heavy-duty flashlight
• Extra fuel filters, light bulbs, etc.

Gather all these items to ensure safety on your first trip out on the water.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Before going out on the water, always get in touch with someone where you’re heading and when you intend to return. If something happens and you can’t call for help, someone will look for you and know where to start.

In your pre-departure checklist, it must include inspecting all the safety equipment, checking the engine and coolant levels, and topping off the fuel.

Observe Safe Boating

Make sure that you’re comfortable maneuvering your boat before heading out into the open water. You should practice handling and docking several times and familiarize yourself with the navigation rules. It might be best to enroll in a boating course or water safety course before going out on your own.

Conclusion

New boat owners are looking forward to going out into the water for the first time. If it’s your first time trying out boating, you’ll surely benefit from the considerations above. Being knowledgeable and ready for your first boating experience will ensure an enjoyable and safe experience at the same time.

Summer has it all. The good and the bad. Because, unfortunately, the good rarely comes without the bad. While the hot weather means plenty of opportunities to enjoy some sunshine with friends and family, the heat is something we always forget about. The heat is inescapable.

Perhaps it’s a good idea to get ready for the good times by expanding our wardrobe to include a defence against the high temperatures. All in agreement? Here’s how.

Caftans are your versatile fashionable friend

There’s no situation that doesn’t call for a caftan (check out designer caftans by Natori for inspiration). From celebrity endorsements to being seen on high streets everywhere, this truly versatile item of clothing can be your fashionable best friend in the heat of summer.

The open feel of a caftan will help to put your skin in direct contact with the breeze – from the tips of your toes to the tops of your shoulders, all while protecting your modesty and looking great at the same time.

The only dilemma you will face is how to match your footwear. For everyone who looks sensational in a caftan paired with flats, you’ll find someone else who looks stunning in strappy sandals or a wedge heel. Maybe treat yourself to a footwear shopping spree and mix and match your shoe style throughout the summer!

Roll-Tab-Sleeve Linen Shirt

Linen is lightweight and absorbent. So this tip is going to come with some extra advice. Linen is great for avoiding the stuffy feel of heavier cotton or synthetics in warmer weather (see the difference between linen and cotton). Start your day in linen and you will be able to move around freely without feeling any extra heat that would otherwise be generated by your clothing.

But what about when you sweat? Linen is absorbent but it dries quickly, so you should be able to get away with a couple of hours at least. But after that, you may wish to have a second linen shirt available to change into. This will ensure that you benefit from the positives of linen throughout your day, leaving your skin as fresh as possible in the sticky weather.

Longline tees

Elephants. Not the word you want to hear when picking out your summer clothes, granted. Nevertheless, there’s a link here between elephants and longline tee shirts. And it’s nothing to do with size!

Big floppy ears (that flap) are not just for show. They waft air. All-day. Keeping the graceful leaf-eater cool. It’s literally like having two giant paper fans attached to your head. But what’s all this got to do with long line tee-shirts?

The extra material will catch the air. Where the material catches the air, you will feel the cooling effect as the material settles again close to your body, pushing the air over your skin. Simple, but very effective at helping to keep your temperature down.

You may also enjoy the extra length when going sleeveless – otherwise, without the extra length, you have a vest top, which may not be your style or may not suit the situation.

The idea of spending time with friends and family once more is slowly becoming a reality. But it’s been so long since we’ve spent any extended time out of the house, it’s worth reconsidering what we should take with us. Here we’ll explore the handbag essentials you’ll need as lockdown begins to lift.

Hand sanitizer

While the idea of everything reopening once more fills us with excitement and anticipation, we all have to do our bit to reduce the spread of infection and keep germs, bacteria and the virus at bay. Having a bottle of hand sanitizer available in your handbag means you can kill the germs on your hands, using the right technique within seconds. Worried about dry, cracked hands? Purdy & Figg supply a luxury range of antibacterial hand sanitizer spray, containing 70% pharmaceutical grade alcohol, blended with essential oils to create sumptuous fragrances. Ultimately, leaving your skin feeling soft and protected. Don’t leave home without yours!

Your facemask

Rules regarding facemasks are constantly under review, and there are currently no plans to change the law about wearing them in public places. So, whether you’re finally planning to meet friends at your favourite rooftop bar, you’ve booked alfresco dining with your partner, or you’re looking forward to browsing in your favourite stores again, having a high-quality mask in your bag will keep you and those around you safe. If you’re worried about your skin, switch to a silk mask and avoid wearing makeup under your mask where possible.

Sunglasses

Restrictions are lifting, just in time for the nicer weather! Keeping a pair of high-quality sunglasses with UV protection to hand will ensure comfort and chic whilst you enjoy meeting up with friends outdoors in a secure setting. Make sure they complement your outfit of course!

Hairbrush and hair ties

Fly-aways, untameable curls and unpredictable weather don’t go hand in hand. Therefore keeping a hairbrush, and a selection of hair ties or hair wraps available in your bag will help you keep your tresses under control and looking great – no matter what the weather is doing!

An SPF

Due to new rules being put into place, we’re going to be spending more time outdoors. Extended time outdoors means exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays and your skin could be affected, accelerating the ageing process and putting you at risk of skin cancer. Even if you’re meeting friends on a cloudy overcast day, you should always wear an SPF to protect your skin. Applying an SPF should be part of your daily skincare routine, whether you wear a foundation that contains an SPF, or you add a touch of sun cream to your face and exposed skin, remember to top up your skin protection every couple of hours.

Your cell phone (with a portable charger)

Leaving home without your cell phone is a nightmare scenario but running out of battery can turn your day into a disaster. Whether you’re using your phone to hire an Uber, using Google Maps to find your way, calling a parent or uploading all those selfies of you and your friends to social media, consider taking along a portable charger to ensure you get home safely, and always have your phone ready.

Unfortunately, your child won’t stay a kid forever, and soon they will need deodorant to combat the excessive sweat and smell. For decades we have grown up using commercial, mass-produced deodorant.

However, new research has shown that natural deodorant is a better alternative to commercial deodorant.

To find out more about natural deodorants for kids, click here, and continue to read the article below.

Kids May Have An Allergic Reaction to The Chemical Found In Deodorant

The chemicals found in commercial deodorants for kids often induce allergic reactions in a large swath of people, and your kids are no exception. The most common ingredients found in commercial deodorants that can trigger an allergic reaction are aluminum (which we will discuss later), artificial fragrances, preservatives, and dyes.

If your child is allergic to these ingredients, some common symptoms will be easy to spot. These symptoms include itchy red bumps in their armpit, dry and flaky skin, and lumps and cysts in the armpit.

If your child is found to be allergic to chemical deodorants, natural deodorants are a healthy alternative.

Sweating is Important

Sweating is often seen as embarrassing in society, but the truth is that sweating is an essential body function for survival. Sweating cools down the body and helps the body dispel toxins from its system.

Also, did you know that sweat doesn’t smell bad? Sweat is entirely odorless. What causes the smell is when bacteria mix with the sweat. Unlike commercial deodorant, natural deodorant for kids doesn’t stop the body from sweating; instead, it prevents bacteria from forming in your armpit, causing the repugnant odor we all want to avoid.

Commercial Deodorant Can Lead To Health Complications

Remember when I said we would talk more about the aluminum inside commercial deodorants? Well, here we are. Aluminum is used in commercial deodorants to clog your pores and prevent you from sweating. Over time that aluminum enters your body, and believe it or not, having a foreign metallic substance in your body can lead to health problems.

A build-up of aluminum in the body has been shown to cause kidney issues, and preliminary research shows it might lead to an increase in kidney cancer. Natural deodorants contain no foreign metal as a key ingredient.

No More Embarrassing Yellow Stains

Another negative about aluminum in your child’s deodorants is that they are the main culprit for those nasty yellow stains you often see on the armpit of clothing. The chemical reaction between aluminum and your body’s sweat causes yellow stains on light clothing. This is especially troubling if your child wears a school uniform every day.

Natural Deodorant Is A Better Alternative to Commercial Deodorant

Your child’s long-term health is priority number one for most parents and avoiding the dangerous chemicals often found in commercial deodorants is an excellent place to start. Natural deodorant is safer for your child’s health, it isn’t allergy-forming, and it also prevents yellow stains that destroy clothing. There’s no reason not to try natural deodorant for your kid.

Whether you are religious or not, Easter is often a time for family, but there is no doubt that this year’s Easter celebrations may be a little different to normal. The good news is that this does not mean it cannot be fun. Here is your easy guide to celebrating Easter from the comfort of your own home.

Plan Your Dinner Ahead of Time

Easter is usually a great time to get together with the family to enjoy a roast dinner. For many, this usually means booking a table at your favourite pub to sit back, relax and enjoy the food, but this year, we will probably all be eating at home. Plan ahead to avoid stress on the day.

Roast lamb is a classic meal to serve up over Easter, and it is usually best cooked low and slow to get the meat to just fall off the bone and melt in the mouth.

If you have got a veggie or a vegan in the family, go beyond the typical ready-made nut roast this year to cook up something extra special. Make a vegetarian wellington or a filo pie a day or two ahead, then simply pop it in the oven along with all the trimmings.

Go the extra mile this year to recreate your favourite pub grub. Carrots and peas are fine, but making a delicious cauliflower cheese is one way to up your game. You could also replace your usual roasted potatoes with dauphinoise, and Yorkshire puddings are a great addition to any roast – who really cares whether it is traditional or not?

Organise an Easter Egg Hunt

If you have children (or even if you do not), an easter egg hunt can be a fun way to spend an afternoon. Hide small chocolates around the house or garden (weather dependant!) and give a prize to whoever finds the most in the space of an hour or two – fine chocolate makes a good prize that your lucky winner will love.

Decorate

An easy way to make your home feel a little more special this year is to decorate with Easter-themed ornaments. Spend time painting eggs for a bit of fun with the family, and pop them around the house for a festive feeling in every room.

Spring flowers make a lovely addition to a table, and wreaths aren’t just good for Christmas. Get creative and see how you can spruce up the place.

Video Chat with Family and Friends

This year, it is unlikely that people will be travelling from far and wide to get together, so make time at some point over the double bank holiday to talk to friends and family who you are unable to see.

Video chatting is no replacement for in-person conversation, but it is a lovely way to check in and catch up on a day you would usually be able to spend together.

Everyone needs good times to look forward to at the moment and planning a great Easter with your household is a great way to spread a little positivity. Good food, good fun and good times will be had, with a heavy chocolate theme. What is not to love?