Buying Fishing Boat Insurance

Those of you who own fishing boat will want to make sure you get watercraft coverage. Often times, people don't realize that they need this type of coverage for their boats. There are many boat owners that don't even realize this type of insurance is even available.

You need boat insurance if you own a boat, it's that simple. Before you buy fishing boat insurance, here are some things you simply must know.

Many states now require that you carry watercraft liability coverage. What this coverage does, is protect you against any damage that you cause to
other people or their property with your boat. This insurance will also cover you for vandalism, theft, fire, stranding, sinking, and even collision. You should always call your insurance agent and see what's required with your state and what policies they cover.

There is also optional coverage that you should really consider. One type of coverage that you should strongly consider is Wreckage Removal. In most areas, the removal of sunken or wrecked boats is required by law, and the responsibility of the owner to pay for the removal, which can easily be very expensive.

Wreckage Removal coverage will pay these costs for you. You should also consider adding coverage that will pay for repairs and mechanical failure as well, along with towing charges - should you ever need to be towed back to the shore.

Not all insurance companies cover everyone who operates the boat. This is something you should always ask about, find out who is covered when operating the boat. There are several companies that will only cover the owner of the boat. Make sure that the insurance agent defines who is covered when operating the boat.

When you shop for boat insurance, call your current company first, then check with other companies to see what type of rates they offer as well. Always remember that insurance agencies are in competition with each other, and they'll work with you to get you to join them. Let one know about a better rate that you've been quoted and see if they'll go one better.

Before you shop for boat insurance, think about the investment you have made with your fishing boat. Boats are not cheap, replacing or repairing them isn't cheap either. Therefore, you should always make sure you get the coverage you need to protect you against anything that happens with your boat.

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Shallow Water Fishing Boats

You've heard about it, and now you've decided you want to get into shallow water fishing. You want to be the guy that reels in shallow water fish like snook, red fish, tarpon and snapper. But you know that without the right boat, that's not going to happen.

Well, luckily for you, there's a whole new generation of flats skiffs out there, just waiting for an angler like you. Guys who want to sight cast in the clear, shallow waters off the Florida Gulf Coast demand shallow water boats that deliver.

After all, a boat with 'no sides' is a two-edged proposition. Shallow water fishing is fun, immediate and exciting, but without enough width and stability, it's not the safest way to navigate. You want to look at shallow water boats that are light-weight but stable, with a secure fishing platform.

And you definitely want that vessel to be able to "run skinny"! After all, if a shallow water boat can't give you extreme shallow water performance while still being able to handle sudden rough or choppy waters, it's not what you need. Shallow water boats worthy of the name should be able to take off from as little as ten inches of water!

Shallow water anchors are definitely something else you have to consider. Why? Because you have to decide between manual or power anchorage. You go manual, then you're looking at a three-quarter inch rod of solid fiberglass, which functions as an anchor AND as a push pole. Brackets built right into shallow water boats hold the push pole in place.

Motorized options for shallow water anchors mean that you press a button, and an anchoring pole deploys in mere seconds. No muss, no fuss, the spike goes down beneath the water, six to eight feet, and bingo, your boat is halted in its tracks. Shallow water anchors that are motorized ensure that even strong currents or blustering winds won't cause your boat to budge.

But what about the whole point of shallow water fishing? The fish! The beauty of shallow water fishing is that you can float in literally inches of water, and position yourself above creatures that would be inaccessible from deeper-draft style craft. Not to mention the stability that a good, 15 foot boat can give you. No worrying about keeping your balance, you can focus on the sport itself.

The best shallow water boats also provide below deck storage areas for stowing gear, thus increasing and maximizing clear space on deck for optimum freedom of movement. When you're ready to cast, the last thing you want is to trip. If you can find the right boat, shallow water fishing should be a dream.