Guides6mBoat Fuel Efficiency: 20% More Range Per Tank
Fuel is your biggest operating cost. Learn 8 techniques from trim optimization to prop selection that add 20% to your range and save $500+ per season.
Dr. Elena Vossupd
The BoatGuider Blog
Guides articles
Independent reviews, expert buying guides, and practical seamanship — written by USCG-licensed captains and naval architects.
Category: Guides12 articles
Guides6m
Guides6mWinterizing Your Boat: The Complete Off-Season Checklist
Proper winterization prevents $5,000+ in freeze damage. Learn the 12-step process from engine fogging to antifreeze that keeps your boat safe all winter.
Captain Sarah Okonkwoupd
Guides7mSail Trim Basics: More Speed and Balance
Sail trim is the art of adjusting sails for the wind. Learn to read telltales, understand the slot effect, and trim for pointing vs reaching in this guide.
Captain Marcus Reedupd
Guides7mUnderstanding Boat Hull Design: A Naval Architect's Guide
Planing vs displacement, deadrise angles, chine shapes. Learn how hull design affects ride quality, speed, and fuel efficiency from a naval architect.
Dr. Elena Vossupd
Guides6mMarine Electrical Systems: Safe Power On The Water
Your boat's electrical system is the difference between a great day and a tow home. Learn 12V DC basics, battery management, and the 5 most common failures.
Captain Sarah Okonkwoupd
Guides7mInstalling a Through-Hull Transducer: A Step-by-Step Guide
A properly installed transducer is the difference between clear sonar and noise. Learn the 8 steps to a professional through-hull installation.
Captain Sarah Okonkwoupd
Guides9mDocking in Wind: 5 Techniques Every Boater Needs
Docking is the #1 source of boating anxiety. Learn 5 techniques: spring lines, warping, pivoting, ferry angle, and the emergency kamikaze abort.
Captain Marcus Reedupd
Guides10mBoat Trailer Maintenance: The Complete Annual Checklist
A neglected trailer is the #1 cause of roadside breakdowns. Learn the 12-point annual inspection and 5 pre-trip checks that prevent 90% of failures.
Captain Marcus Reedupd
Guides6mHow to Read a NOAA Chart: A Practical Guide for New Boaters
Paper charts aren't dead. Learn the 12 symbols every coastal boater must know, how to interpret depth contours, and why your chartplotter can lie.
Captain Marcus Reedupd
Guides7mVHF Marine Radio Protocol: Complete Calling Guide
A working VHF radio is the single most important safety device aboard. Learn proper hailing, Channels 16/13/22A, Mayday calls, and DSC setup.
Captain Marcus Reedupd
Guides8mChoosing Your First Boat: A Practical Buying Guide for 2025
A 12-question framework for picking the right first boat: bowrider vs center console vs pontoon, new vs used, financing, surveys, and hidden costs.
Captain Marcus Reedupd
Guides7mAnchoring in Wind: Proven Techniques for Boaters
Anchoring is the single most underestimated skill in recreational boating. Learn the 7:1 scope rule, the Bahamian moor, and how to set in 30 knots.
Captain Marcus Reedupd