Boating How-to Articles & Guides
For over 25 years, Go2marine Boating How-To Articles & Guides has been a trusted online resource for boaters of all experience levels. Whether you're searching for the right replacement part or looking to enhance your time on the water, their extensive library of expert-written content is here to help. The Go2marine team includes seasoned boaters, certified mechanics, and both commercial and recreational fishing professionals, all dedicated to sharing practical knowledge and real-world advice to improve your boating and outdoor adventures.
Anchor, Docking, & Mooring
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Anchor Chain Sizing: G4 vs G7 vs HT (Which Grade for Your Boat?)
What is the difference between G4, G7, and HT anchor chain?
In practice, there is no difference between G4 and HT. G4, G40, G43, and HT are all nam...
Marine Deck Fittings Explained: Types, Uses & Installation Considerations
Your boat's deck is a working surface, and everything mounted on it either keeps you safe, keeps your lines organized, or keeps water where it bel...
The Art of Soft Landings: Fenders, Bumpers, and Dock Edging
Docking is the most stressful part of the day. Wind, current, and a crowded marina can turn a relaxing trip into a gelcoat-crunching disaster.
The ...
Boat Cabin, Galley, & Seats
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Boat Captain Chairs vs Helm Seats: How to Choose and Mount the Right Seat
Introduction
If you have shopped for boat captain chairs and helm seats, you have probably noticed the two terms used for what looks like the same ...
Marine Heater Systems Explained: Diesel, Propane & Solid Fuel Options
There is nothing worse than waking up on your boat and feeling cold air inside the cabin. The windows are wet with condensation, your hands feel st...
Boat Cabin Essentials: Cooking, Lighting & Comfort Accessories for Life on the Water
Imagine pulling into a quiet cove after a full day on the water. The anchor is down. The sun is setting. Now comes the real question: Is your cabin...
Boat Covers & Canopies
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How to Choose a Boat Anchor: Types, Holding Power & Sizing by Boat Length
Few things wake a boater faster than the feeling of the hull swinging the wrong way at two in the morning, the anchor dragging across the bottom. T...
Bimini Tops for Boats: How to Choose the Right Size, Frame & Fabric
A bimini top is a collapsible canvas canopy mounted on your boat to provide shade from the sun and protection from light rain. Choosing the right o...
The Ultimate Guide to LaPorte Products T-Top Boat Covers
When it comes to protecting your boat, nothing beats the quality and durability of LaPorte Products T-Top Boat Covers. In this post, we'll explore the different fabric types used in LaPorte's covers, the types of boats they accommodate, the warranty details, and a brief history of the company.
Boat Engine Parts
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Marine Shaft Seals Explained: Dripless vs Traditional Stuffing Box
Where the propeller shaft passes through the hull of an inboard boat, something has to keep the ocean out while letting the shaft spin freely. That...
Marine Alternator Explained: Signs of Failure, Sizing a Replacement & Top Brands Compared
A marine alternator converts mechanical energy from your boat’s engine into the electrical power that charges your battery bank and runs your onboa...
Boat Trim Tabs Explained: How They Work, Sizing Guide & Bennett vs Lenco Compared
Trim tabs are adjustable metal plates mounted on your boat's transom that control the hull's running angle while underway. Lowering the tabs lifts ...
Boat Lights & Electical Systems
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Marine Battery Buying Guide: Cranking vs Deep Cycle vs Dual-Purpose
The right marine battery depends on one thing: the job you are asking it to do. A battery built to start an engine is designed differently from one...
Boat Navigation Lights: USCG Requirements, Placement & LED Upgrades
If you operate your boat between sunset and sunrise, or in reduced visibility, federal Navigation Rules require you to show navigation lights so ot...
Boat Trailer Lights: LED vs Submersible, Wiring & Legal Requirements
Trailer lights lead a hard life. They get backed into the water, dunked, pulled out and then asked to work reliably in highway traffic. It is no su...
Boat Maintenance
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How to Choose the Right Marine Grill for Your Boat
For most boats, propane is the most popular fuel. It's small, lights fast, handles wind well, and is easy to store, using either throwaway one-poun...
How to Choose and Size an Anchor Windlass
Size an anchor windlass by the weight of your gear. Add up the weight of your anchor, chain, and rope. That total should be less than the windlass'...
Boat Trailer Roller Replacement: Types, Sizing, and Step-by-Step Install
Introduction
Worn boat trailer rollers are easy to ignore until they crack, flat-spot, or seize, and then they stop supporting the hull and start s...
Boat Plumbing & Pumps
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Which Jabsco HotShot Model Should You Choose?
When the day is over and the fish are cleaned, a HotShot washdown pump turns what used to be an hour of scrubbing into a few minutes of spraying—so you can spend more time on the water and less time cleaning up afterward.
Bilge Pump Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Size, Type & Brand for Your Boat
Choosing the right bilge pump depends on your boat’s length, bilge depth, and how the vessel is used. Most boats under 26 feet need 1,000–1,500 GPH...
Boat Plumbing Systems Explained: Marine Faucets, Toilets, Hose & Washdown Pumps
Let's Be Honest: Nobody Thinks About Plumbing Until It Breaks
You're out on the water, everything's perfect, and then the head starts smelling like...
Boat Streering & Drives
View allUFLEX Tilt Steering Cross-Reference
Discontinued UFLEX tilt helm pump or steering system? Use our UFLEX tilt part number cross-reference to find the current replacement.
How to Choose and Replace a Boat Steering Wheel
Picking a boat steering wheel comes down to three things: the right size for your helm and steering type, a spoke style and material that holds up ...
How to Size Boat Oars: A Length and Fit Guide
To size boat oars, measure the space between your oarlock sockets, divide by two, and add two inches. That gives you the "loom" length, the part of...
Recreational Fishing
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Crabbing Gear and Pot Pullers: Choosing the Right Setup for Your Operation
Why Getting Your Crabbing Gear Right Matters
Early mornings on the water are part of the crabbing experience. Lines go out, buoys settle on the sur...
Shrimping Gear Explained: Equipment, Deck Setup & Operational Efficiency
Whether you're getting ready for shrimp season or planning a weekend trip on the water, having the right shrimping gear can make the entire experie...
Commercial Fishing Supplies Explained: Shrimping Gear, Crab Pots and Pullers
Commercial fishing supplies are the working tools behind shrimp and crab fisheries across the United States. From Gulf shrimp boats to Alaska crab ...
Fishing Apparel & Life Jackets
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Types of Life Jackets and PFDs: The Complete USCG Guide for U.S. Boaters
Every person on a recreational boat in the United States must have a USCG-approved life jacket or PFD on board. The right choice depends on where y...
Why Industry Pros Are Switching to Tahma Boots
The New Standard for Grip, Comfort & Durability
Whether you’re hauling gear in the Bering Sea, deep‑cleaning tanks in a brewery, navigating w...
Survival Science: Inflatable PFDs vs. Foam Vests
The days of the bulky, uncomfortable "orange horse collar" are over. Modern Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are designed so you forget you are we...
