Boats are fun in the summer and vulnerable during the winter-season. Summer is the time for riding the tide and splashing the waves; winter is your turn for returning the favor and give your boat some care and love, so for it to survive and remain intact for the next season! Summer is almost synonymous with water. The opposite is true for the winter, as far as your vessel is concerned. Your boat wants to stay out and away from the water during the winter. It really prefers being tucked under cover and situated in a climate-controlled boat-storage area. But that's a big generalization and very non-specific.

The first thing to remember when talking about marine batteries -- batteries for your yacht or boat -- is that there are two main types of such batteries, serving two separate purposes. The first one, called "cranking batteries," is the one used for starting the main engine, while the second one, "deep cycle," are meant for trolling motors. Here's where the main differences lie. Cranking batteries, the ones intended for the main engine, contain a number of thin lead plates giving better bursts of energy, which is needed for a quick start. Deep-cycle batteries, used for trolling motors, come with fewer but thicker plates, whose purpose is providing better power-output for a longer period. The thicker plates also do a better job in withstanding higher temperatures, which the motor will encounter when heavy current is drawn down for an extended run-time.

Marine batteries aren't cheap, so maintaining them properly thereby granting them a long, healthy life. Battery upkeep isn't a tedious task; in fact, it doesn't have to be done at all! By merely taking good care of your battery, you'll be sparing yourself all the work down the road.

The concept is the same as in airplanes and similar, albeit way more advanced, than the Cruze-feature in an automobile. Marine autopilots take the task of steering your boat allowing you to go grab lunch, a drink, or just have your back face the vessel wheel and chit-chat away with the others onboard. Autopilots are pretty darn good at holding a steady course in light to moderate conditions with minimal helm movements. They don’t tire or get bored, and have lots of patience and plenty of focus. Autopilots are also smart and intuitive; they steer accurately enough to save fuel and get you to your destination faster, especially when interfaced with a GPS.

Accessories make for an important asset for your audio system. When it comes to your boat, some of the extras and add-ons are almost mandatory, while others are highly recommended. Following is a comprehensive outline for the most common gear and accessories you'll want for your water voyage. The items listed range from absolutely must to highly recommended. Getting them all, following the instructions and suggestions, you'll be ensuring yourself and your guests with a party that will rock the boat beyond your wildest imagination!

The first and foremost aspect to remember when it comes to choosing an antenna is that the quality, range, and capability of radio it's going to be serving will largely depend on the specs and details of the antenna. Even the most expensive radio will perform poorly with a second rate antenna, which while saving you money up front will result in frustrating low-quality performance later on. Let's start with some basic quickies you should absolutely be looking for when shopping for an antenna.

Choosing the right anchor for your boat is crucial for anyone who will ever anchor. And anchor you will, quite often, if you own a boat. Anchors are an important feature and you should pay attention making sure you're outfitting your vessel with the right one. The wrong anchor may not set or drag later on, potentially causing damage to the boat and injury to the people on it.

Choosing the right rode -- rope, chain-rope, or rope-to-chain spliced -- will depend on the type and size boat you're anchoring. Let's have a glimpse on them and their main features and characteristics.

An amplifier, for marine life or else, has the soul purpose implied in its name: amplifying the sound provided by your stereo speakers. Sound, especially on boats, have to fight engine noise, splashing sounds, and the talk and commotion of the people on board. Adding an amplifier to your boat system is a good idea. Adding an amplifier is essential to experience great sound from your audio system. An amp adds the wattage to your audio system that a receiver lacks. An amplifier delivers clean power that drives your speakers and is designed to get out of them the best sound possible.