One of the most dangerous aspects of boating is crossing coastal bars. If you are just starting out, this video from the Brownies Coastwatch Vault shows you some of the basics of bar crossing, but the best advice is to seek tuition, either from a friend with years of bar crossing experience, or a qualified … Continue reading Safe Bar Crossings →

Crossing coastal bars always requires caution, but accidents often happen on days you think are safe, when the swell is small and the bar looks really easy to cross. One of the reasons for this is the tide factor. On big ebbing tides, the extra volume of water running out through narrow bar openings creates … Continue reading Beware of Pressure Waves when Crossing Bars →