| The story of boats is as old as the human | | | | Boat Maintenance: |
| civilization. There's reference of a boat | | | | |
| "Noah's ark" in the Bible. Noah's ark was the | | | | People fond of water sports or water |
| boat built by the Biblical character Noah to | | | | adventures keep their own boats. Taking good |
| save his family and animals from the Flood. | | | | care of one's boat is very important. Good |
| Gondolas were the traditionally used boats in | | | | care and maintenance enhances the life of a |
| Venice. | | | | boat and saves a lot of money also. |
| | | | |
| Today, a boat is considered as one of the | | | | The following are some boat care tips: |
| major tools of watercraft. A boat is a small | | | | |
| vessel for traveling on water. It comprises | | | | - The boat engine should be flushed each time |
| of one or more buoyancy structures called | | | | after it's used in salt water. |
| hulls, and some system of propulsion such as | | | | |
| a screw, oars, paddles, a setting pole, a | | | | - The underneath of the boat should be washed |
| sail, paddlewheels or a water jet. | | | | to prevent salt buildup. |
| | | | |
| The front of a boat is called the bow or prow | | | | - The entire boat should be washed using soap |
| and the rear of the boat is called the stern. | | | | and water, after every single use. |
| The right side is starboard and the left side | | | | |
| is port. The boat toilet is called the | | | | - A non-skid cleaner should be used to scrub |
| 'heads'. | | | | the deck. |
| | | | |
| A boat with a housing compartment is called a | | | | - The boat should be completely dried after |
| houseboat or barge. A pontoon boat is a | | | | washing. |
| flat-bottomed boat that serves as a dock or | | | | |
| as a floating structure to support a bridge. | | | | - The boat should be covered properly with a |
| The pontoon boat is also known as a party | | | | boat cover. |
| boat. It is constructed of round tubes | | | | |
| (called sponsons) that are attached to the | | | | - The boat should be waxed every few months |
| outside, bottom edge of a large flat deck. It | | | | to protect the finish from stains and UV |
| has a safety railing that surrounds the deck | | | | damage. |
| from all sides. The helm station is placed | | | | |
| either in the middle of the deck or off to | | | | - Boat parts and accessories should be |
| one side. Pontoon boats may be furnished with | | | | checked regularly, and defective parts should |
| lawn furniture, and some deluxe pontoon boats | | | | be replaced. |
| may have upholstered seating, a dinette | | | | |
| table, a roof, a cooler, and maybe even a | | | | A boat cover is a very important accessory. |
| head (toilet). | | | | When your boat is not in use, a cover will |
| | | | keep it protected from harsh weather and |
| A recreational boat is used for water | | | | wearing. People use various boat covers and |
| sporting activities or other recreational | | | | boat tops to protect their boats. Custom boat |
| purposes. | | | | covers, bimini tops and canvas boat covers |
| | | | are some quite commonly used covers. |