Video Tips

Watch and learn: Find great tips and information on everything from shopping for a boat to boating safety and more.

• Why get started in boating?
• What kind of benefits does boating offer to me and my family?
• Why visit a boat show?
• How do you choose the right boat?
• Should I buy a new or pre-owned boat?
• What about being environmentally responsible?
• What is the benefit of buying an NMMA Certified boat?
• What are the costs of buying and owning a boat?
• How do I properly maintain my boat?
• What are some helpful safety tips?

See How Affordable Boating Can Be

Boating is more than just fun, it's an affordable way to spend more time with family and friends. If you've been thinking of buying a boat, now is a great time to buy.

Click here for our Budget Planner, an easy-to-use tool that will show you just how affordable owning a boat can be!

For other great information on getting involved in boating visit www.discoverboating.ca.

Green Boating

Looking for ways to be more eco-friendly when you're out on the water? The following 10 product and operation tips will help minimize your impact on the environment, while maximizing the efficiency and performance of your boat.

1. Choose green products: Look for the EPA-certified "Design for the Environment" DfE label, which assures you that the product has minimal environmental impact and is safer for the person using it.
   Benefit: Safer products. Reduce water pollution.
2. Use the right prop: Use a prop with the right pitch so your engine reaches its designed wide-open-throttle RPM. An adjustable-pitch propeller allows you to dial in the optimum pitch angle in single degrees. Modular props let you swap props while keeping the same hub.
   Benefit: Reduce fuel consumption, improve performance.
3. Don't push water: Install and use trim tabs or hydrofoils. Most planing powerboats can improve hole-shot acceleration or reduce fuel consumption with properly adjusted trim tabs and hydrofoils. Keeping on a plane at lower engine RPMs can extend your range and reduce your time on passages.
   Benefit: Improve boat performance & save gas.
4. Keep the bilge clean: Avoid the accidental discharge of oily water by using a sorbent in each bilge area. Consider a bioremediation product designed to convert hydrocarbons into safe compounds.
   Benefit: Safer products. Reduce water pollution.
5. Retire that 2-stroke outboard: Although it may be possible to get a few more years out of your old-technology outboard, you'll be much happier with the reduced noise, fumes, fuel consumption, and pollution of a modern injected four-stroke outboard. For an even quieter ride, try an electric outboard.
   Benefit: Save gas and reduce water pollution.
6. Recycle your lead-acid batteries: 12V batteries are among the most recycled products in the world.
   Benefit: Save money and conserve resources.
7. Use an autopilot: Modern autopilots can steer better than most helmspersons - and they don't have a limited attention span.
   Benefit: Reduce fuel consumption
8. Recycle your monofilament fishing line: Research recycling programs near you.
9. Eat responsibly harvested seafood: Choose sustainable seafood at restaurants or grocery stores to ensure fish stocks are plentiful for your children and for generations to come.
10. Prevent fuel spills and reduce fuel usage:
    • Use or install a device to prevent overboard discharges from your tank vent.
    • Slower speeds on the water reduce fuel usage.
    • Proper use of trim tabs reduces drag, especially while accelerating up to planing speeds.
    • Minimize the amount of time you idle at the dock.
    • Minimize the use of onboard generators.
    • Use dockside electrical power in lieu of generators.
    • Have a float plan so you know exactly where you're going.
    • Make sure the hull is clean.
    • Don't under-power your boat. It's important you have enough motor to handle the load.
    • Check your propeller. If your boat is slow "out of the hole" or lacks top-end speed, you might have the wrong propeller.
    • A well-tuned engine uses less fuel.
    • Use the grade of gasoline specified by the engine manufacturer.
    • Visit DiscoverBoating.ca for more helpful tips on reducing fuel usage.
    
    Benefit: Save gas and reduce water pollution.