A renowned eco-lifestyle developer, Eco-Futures Development is creating a comprehensive retirement community called The Reserve Belize. Situated near the Sittee River on 14,000 acres of land, The Reserve Belize features many amenities, including an organic farm, a spa, restaurants, horseback riding facilities, and a marina for boating enthusiasts. Here are three tips for safe boating on the ocean:1. Always wear a Coast Guard-recommended life jacket rather than storing it aboard the vessel. According to the US Coast Guard, more than 80 percent of boating fatalities could be prevented if boaters wore life jackets.2. Take precautions to prevent propeller strikes. Before starting your boat’s engine, ensure that all passengers are accounted for. Have one person watch the propeller when people are in the water, and consider using propeller safety equipment, such as sensors or guards.3. Create a float plan that describes your boat, itinerary, passengers, and equipment. The float plan is left ashore with someone who can help direct search and rescue crews if necessary. A float plan can be downloaded from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary website at floatplancentral.cgaux.org.
Covering five ecosystems within the Sittee River Wildlife Reserve, The Reserve Belize combines luxury retirement with eco-conscious living. When completed, The Reserve Belize will offer a large range of amenities, including a marina with 250 boat slips and modern marina services.There are several different types of boat hulls to choose from when buying a boat. Following are the four most common types of hulls:- V-shaped: A type of planing hull, V-shaped hulls are most often seen on powerboats or other boats with a large engine. They are designed to cut through the water with ease, and as the boat increases in speed, the bottom of the hull moves up toward the surface of the water. This ability to hover at the top of the water makes riding in choppy water a smoother experience.- Flat-bottomed: Boats with a flat-bottomed hull are extremely stable and are ideal for calm waters. Many individuals prefer flat-bottomed hulls for fishing due to their superior stability, but they can make a boat difficult to control.- Round: Unlike V-shaped hulled, round hulls work best when a boat is moving at a slow speed. These hulls are a type of displacement hull and are made to move through the water smoothly. While this make round hulls great for fuel efficiency, they are more prone to rocking back and forth in the water and can capsize easily.- Multi-hulled: These types of hulls are generally more stable on the water because they have two planing or two displacement hulls on either side of the boat. Catamarans and pontoon boats are two common examples of a multi-hulled boat.
