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Oars and Paddles Resources and Information
Don’t get caught out on the water without one of these handy oars and paddles from PartsVu.com. Choose from our extensive selection of wooden canoe paddles, aluminum boat paddles, telescoping paddles, synthetic oars, and more. Shop from top boat safety product providers, including Seachoice, Attwood Marine, Airhead Watersports, Davis Instruments, and others.
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Oars and Paddles FAQs
What boating safety equipment should I have on hand?
Bring a first aid kit along for all outings. This is especially important when fishing.
Since the sun reflects off the water, it is wise to consistently apply proper sun protection to make sure you don’t get burned. Sun protective clothing is a smart choice— it provides all-day protection that doesn’t need reapplying. Pro-tip: some sunscreen is toxic for the marine environment and repels fish, who can smell even trace amounts on bait. For any part of your body not covered by UPF clothing, use a sunscreen that’s both reef-safe and fish-friendly.
While some boats are simply too large for this to be practical, carrying a paddle or two on board is a good idea in many cases. Even if you can’t paddle all the way back to a marina or dock when your engine goes, you may be able to reach the closest bit of land and wait for help. A good anchor with enough chain will also be helpful.
We’ve written extensively on the importance of a VHF radio, but it simply can’t be overstated. Cell phones aren’t enough in many areas, and you’ll be glad to have the security.
Be alert to changing conditions on the water and aware of weather that can change quickly. The danger of boating in a storm is no joke!
Finally, bring plenty of drinking water for everyone on board to stay hydrated. In the face of unexpected problems, you don’t want to be caught stuck on your boat with an insufficient water supply.
Why should boaters follow U.S. Coastguard safety regulations?
Boating on various waterways is similar to automobiles out on the roads and highways—safety devices are designed to keep people safe. Thousands of accidents occur, many of which have a high probability of injury and a substantial number of cases resulting in death.
Specifically, in 2020 the Coast Guard counted 5,265 recreational boating accidents resulting in 767 deaths, 3,191 injuries, and approximately $62.5 million of property damage. Where the cause of death was known, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.
Since most accidents occur unexpectedly, there may not be sufficient time to put on a life jacket, especially when stowed away in a locker. In cases where a person is thrown overboard, it is harder than you think to get them back on board, which can be assisted with proper equipment. Always be sure personal floatation devices (PFDs) are in good and serviceable condition. For extra protection, equip your PFDs with a whistle and emergency light.
What are some of the most popular boating safety equipment?
Type I, offshore life jackets provide the most buoyancy and are specifically designed for rough, open waters, where rescue might be delayed. They are also designed to turn an unconscious person face-up in the water.
Given that man-overboard situations can be sudden and deadly when boating offshore, automatically inflating PFDs are a must. Automatic inflation relies mostly on a dissolvable bobbin with a spring/pin arrangement. The water dissolves the bobbin, and the spring-powered pin punches the CO2 canister for inflation. Because the spring/pin arrangement can fail, every automatically inflating PFD has a manual cord and oral inflation tube. Many PFDs designed for offshore boating include pockets for PLBs and strobe lights.
A ditch bag must contain the items needed to call for help and to survive in a life raft while waiting for rescue. A ditch bag must be kept in an accessible location on board, ready for immediate removal should the need arise.
We recommend against trying to adapt a duffel bag or using a dry bag. Rather, we advise using bags specifically designed for abandon-ship/survival situations. What features should your ditch bag have? Floatation, water-resistance, bright colors for visibility, carrying straps, and tethers for sure. Additionally, we suggest looking for a bag with well-designed dividers so you can organize your gear. Finally, the bag must be large enough to contain survival gear plus food and water for you and all others on board.
A life raft is designed to keep the passengers of a sunk, capsized, or burned boat alive until they can be rescued. Although every offshore boater hopes to never need their life raft, it is the most important piece of equipment aboard. Life rafts leave the passengers aboard with little protection from the elements but are designed for visibility to aid with rescue efforts. Although much-needed safety devices, they should only be used as a last resort. Whenever possible, it is safer to stay aboard your main vessel even if it is damaged.
What are the US Coastguard guidelines concerning life jackets?
While you must refer to the boating regulations within your state, minimum U.S. federal law requires a life jacket to be carried for each person on board. In states where no children’s life jacket law is in place, a U.S. Coast Guard interim rule requires children under 13 on moving boats to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that fits. Personal flotation device (PDF) guidelines are provided by the U.S. Coast Guard:
- Type I PFDs/Offshore Life Jackets – Best for all waters including open ocean, rough seas, or remote water, where rescue may be slow.
- Type II PDFs/Near-Shore Buoyant Vests – For general boating activities and good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue.
- Type III PFDs/Flotation Aids – For general boating or the specialized activity that is marked on the device such as water skiing, hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and others. Good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue. These PDFs are designed to complement the given watersport.
PartsVu offers a wide range of life jackets. See the links below for our most recommended or click here to view our complete selection.
What is a float plan?
If you are going for just a few hours on your boat, let someone know where you expect to be and when you expect to return. If you plan a longer cruise, leave a written float plan with your marina or a friend. A float plan should include a description of your boat, who is on board, the safety equipment you are carrying, where you expect to be, and when you expect to be there.
Instruct the person holding the float plan to notify the Coast Guard or other appropriate agency if you do not return within a reasonable time after your scheduled arrival (taking into account weather, etc.). When you arrive at your destination, or if your plans change, notify the person holding your float plan to avoid unnecessary worry and the possible waste of search-and-rescue resources. Float plans are not filed with the Coast Guard but that agency and other rescue authorities use them if needed. No special form or format is required for a float plan, but the Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a PDF that can be used as a guide.
As mentioned earlier in this post, our “Essential Guide to Boating Safety: Knowledge, Gear & Technologies” article discusses many safety issues that are universal to all boaters. Topics not included within this article to avoid repetition include:
- Visual distress signals
- Fire extinguishers
- GPS navigation devices
- Compasses
- Searchlights
- Navigation lights
- Anchors
- Anchor lights
- Throwables
- Engine cut-off switch lanyards
- First-aid kits
