Boat Types - LighthouseHarbor.com

With the variety of boats on the water these days, it is common to come across a type you have never seen before. Here are some of the most popular boats you may spot these days:

Bowrider Boats – Generally between 17’ and 35’, these runabout boats use stern drive or outboard engines. They hold six to ten people and have a bow area that is open with available seats.

Pontoon Boats – A flattish boat featuring two or three tubular flotation devices underneath it to create a platform. Pontoon Boats are ideal for fishing as well as pleasure boating and are low in cost considering their capacity.

Center Console Boats – With the console of the boat in the center, these open hull boats have a single deck that surrounds the console in order for a person to easily walk around the boat from stern to bow. These boats are ideal for fishing and range in length from 13’ to 45’.

Wakeboard Boats – Designed to create a large wake behind the boat, they usually contain heavy inboard motors that are specifically intended to generate a great and specifically shaped wake to allow a wakeboarder to jump and do aerial tricks. They also feature a tower with the purpose of elevating the pulling position of the towrope, allowing the rider an easier launch and longer airtime.

Deck Boats – Varying in length between 18’ to 28’, deck boats typically have a vee-bottom hull like a bowrider, but provide a vast seating area like a pontoon.

Cabin Cruisers- Featuring accommodations for its passengers inside the boat, and ranging in size from 25’ to 45’, these powerboats are usually set up with a toilet, dining area, and sleeping cabin. Some even feature air conditioning, heating, and power generators.

Sailboats – Powered partially or entirely by its sails, these boats are used for recreation, transportation, and even racing. Ranging in size and shape, smaller sailboats are called sailboards and larger sailboats are sailing ships.

For more information on boat types and brands, visit DiscoverBoating.com

What To Know When Renting A Boat - PoconoActionSports.com

 

Renting a boat in the summer is a wonderful way to spend a day on vacation or a day off from work. It allows you to spend time with your family while doing something different and exciting. You get to explore an area from a different perspective for an affordable cost. With all the boat types offered, there are some things you should take into account when you're ready to rent a boat.

• Where to rent from - There are numerous marinas situated around a single body of water. Lake Wallenpaupack has several locations to rent boats, with many different rental options. Research your options and choose the place that is the best fit for you.
• What boat to rent - With all the rental options available, such as ski boats, pontoon boats, and fishing boats, take into consideration how many people will be in your party, what activities you are planning on doing, and how much stuff you will be bringing along. Choose a boat that can accommodate all your needs.
• What is the rental agreement - Before signing a rental agreement, read it carefully and familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations. Some marinas restrict the area in which you can travel with the boat. Many boats are not equipped for towables. Know the rules prior to renting.
• What are you covered for - Along with the rental agreement, you should know what you are liable for should there be damage to the rental equipment. It is common for a rental facility to offer a damage waiver. Inspect the boat with an employee before taking it out to ensure you both agree on it's condition.
•  Do you have a qualified driver - Regulations for operating a boat vary from state to state. In Pennsylvania, you must have a Boater's Safety Certification to operate a boat if you were born in 1982 or later. Make sure you know the qualifications and have an adequate and knowledgeable member of your party operate the boat.
• Location and use of safety equipment - Commonly provided with the boat rental, safety equipment is required on a boat. Know where the fire extinguisher is located and how to use it. Know where the Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are stored and make sure everyone has one that fits properly.

Pocono Action Sports, located at Lighthouse Harbor Marina on Lake Wallenpaupack, offers various rental options. Visit us online at PoconoActionSports.com or call us at (570) 857-0779 for more information!

Rope Knots

With so many different rope knots for various uses, it's hard to remember how to create them all. It's even more challenging to remember which knot to use for what, like to tie an anchor to a rope, or to tie a rope to a cleat or a dock. With dozens of rope knots it's a good idea to keep a guide handy. The Pro-Knot App is a convenient way to have dozens of knots at your fingertips. 

Bald Eagles at Lake Wallenpaupack

 

For the past few years, PPL has closed Lake Wallenpaupack's Kipp Island to the public until the end of July in an effort to protect a bald eagle nesting area. The bald eagles have been returning to Kipp Island, which is located across from Lighthouse Harbor Marina, year after year to raise their eaglets and PPL tries to support secure and healthy habitats for these endangered birds of prey.

Bald eagles mate for life and a pair will often return to the same nesting spot every year to raise their young, working together to defend their territory from predators. Usually built in a tree, the nest is about five feet in diameter and built near water. The pair will rebuild nearby, or in the same spot, if something happens to their nest. If they feel threatened, they will likely build a new nest nearby in their nesting area which is around two square miles.

At around four or five years of age, an eagle will reach sexual maturity. However, they do not breed every year. Possibly due to weather, lack of a nesting area, or perhaps it is an instinctive decision, a pair may choose not to breed. Yet, they do have many years to breed since they can live up to 30 years in the wild.

Eggs are speckled off white or beige in color and are comparable in size to a baseball. The female will lay the first of two or three eggs about five to ten days after a successful copulation. A few days later, she will lay the second, and possibly a third after that. 

The female spends most of her time caring for the eggs but the duty is shared between both eagles and lasts approximately 35 days. Once ready to hatch, the eaglets emerge in the order they were laid and spend generally 11 to 13 weeks in the nest before venturing on their own.

The lake community is proud to have the bald eagles nesting in the area and look forward to them returning each year. Kipp Island reopened to the public on August 1st.

Naturally Preventing Skin Damage

 

While you are out on the water having fun this weekend you are probably not putting a whole lot of thought into your skin. Jumping in and out of the water, swimming, tubing, waterskiing and wakeboarding are more prevalent on your mind than if you have reapplied your sun block. However, once that sunburn sets in you will be reminded that prevention would have been a better route to take. Lucky for you, we have put together a list of ways to avoid that sunburn and keep your skin healthy. Obviously, sun block and shade will help immensely, but there are other measures you can take before you are even on the water to prevent sun damage.

• Vitamin D – Your tolerance to the sun’s rays may increase if you take in more Vitamin D. Vitamin D is found in foods such as cheese, fatty fish like tuna and salmon, meats like salami and ham, and mushrooms. You can also get Vitamin D through oral supplements.
• Minerals – Sun rashes and photosensitivity can be caused by a deficiency in vital minerals such as zinc and magnesium. A good source of minerals can be found in whole grains, spinach, wheat bran, lima beans, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds.
• Astaxanthin – This compound is found in algae and the organisms that eat it like salmon and shrimp. Astaxanthin can be consumed or applied directly to the skin and has shown to be beneficial in preventing sunburn.
• Green Tea – A chemical found in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is being revealed to prevent skin cancer. Not only is EGCG useful in preventing skin damage, it is being shown to reverse damage.

While in the sun for extended periods of time you should always protect with sun block and shade, but thinking ahead of time and preventing with natural alternatives may be a positive choice, too.