Three Tips to Promote Safe Boating on the Ocean

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.

Four Common Types of Boat Hulls

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.

Potential Investors Benefit from the Discover Belize Tour

Established by real estate developer Eco-Futures, The Reserve Belize offers its residents luxurious amenities and sustainable living in a tropical paradise. The Reserve Belize is a Southern Caribbean investment opportunity for those searching for beautiful surroundings and outdoor activities. 

Potential buyers are offered a Discover Belize Tour to discover all that the development has to offer before they make a purchase. The tour enables visitors to experience a taste of the Belizean lifestyle and learn why purchasing property at The Reserve Belize may be the right investment for them. 

Participants receive meals, drinks, accommodations, and domestic flights as part of their tour program, which lasts five consecutive days and four nights. Participants are given a guided tour of the entire mainland property and taken on an excursion to The Reserve Caye, a private tropical island retreat for the exclusive use of the residents of The Reserve Belize.

Top Health Benefits of Being Outdoors

Committed to promoting green living, The Reserve Belize provides residents with eco-conscious construction and activities in a 14,000-acre development. The Reserve Belize inspires residents to engage in various outdoor activities that contribute to overall wellness. Below are just a few of the health benefits of spending time outdoors.

1. The human body converts sunshine into chemicals that transform into vitamin D. However, it’s common for American adults to have a vitamin D deficiency. Getting 10 to 15 minutes of direct sunshine every day will boost vitamin D production and can improve health. 

2. Although the dangers of outdoor air pollution are well known, oftentimes indoor air pollution can be up to 10 times worse. Household chemicals, paint, and mold may contribute to indoor air pollution. Therefore, breathing fresh outdoor air may benefit the respiratory system. 

3. Studies show that being outdoors can relieve stress. Taking a walk or run in a natural setting allows one to be surrounded by nature which can induce calm feelings, create a sense of well-being, and even enhance creativity.

Economic Benefits of Retiring in Belize

Located near Belize’s Sittee River, The Reserve Belize spans 14,000 acres of wilderness. Eco-Futures developed The Reserve Belize to serve residents seeking an outdoor lifestyle coupled with natural beauty and ecological diversity. For Americans considering retiring abroad, living in Belize provides a number of economic benefits.

Living in Belize costs less than do many other popular tropical destinations, such as the Bahamas or Bermuda. The climate is hospitable, with temperatures rarely dropping below 70 degrees, so residents need not worry about snow removal or heating expenses. 

In addition, for retirees living in Belize, the Qualified Retirement Persons program offers a number of tax benefits. For example, individuals can bring a boat, vehicle, or plane to Belize tax-free, and no tax payments are required for foreign-earned income if one month of the year is spent in Belize. Personal tax in the country is minimal, and there is no inheritance or capital gains tax.

Reducing Your Impact When in Nature

Eco-Futures Development, a company committed to sustainable living, is the creator of The Reserve Belize, a resort-style community located on 14,000 acres of Belizean wilderness. At The Reserve Belize, residents are given the chance to enjoy the natural landscape around them while still preserving and protecting Belize’s flora and fauna.

When you are in nature, there are several things you can do to reduce your impact as much as possible:

Properly dispose of waste
Whether camping or just enjoying a few hours outside, always dispose of waste properly. This includes throwing away trash or taking it with you as well as properly getting rid of food so wild animals cannot get to it. If you plan on washing dishes or any clothing, do so at least 200 feet away from a water source and use biodegradable soap.

Travel on durable surfaces
As you explore in nature, keep your activities on durable surfaces, such as gravel, established trails and campsites, and rock. Doing so limits any negative impact on the surrounding wilderness. If you must walk through areas that are pristine, disperse your use so new trails and campsites are not created.

Leave what you find

This is especially important to remember when hiking, camping, or spending any extended period of time exploring the wilderness. Leave plants, rocks, and all other natural objects where you find them and keep a safe distance from wild animals.

Flora and Fauna in Belize

The Reserve Belize covers 14,000 acres of land spread across five distinct ecosystems. Located near the banks of the Sittee River, The Reserve Belize is an eco-friendly development that maintains a commitment to preserving the local flora and fauna. 

Roughly 70 percent of Belize is jungle, forest, or rain forest, and these areas contain more than 700 species of trees and plants. The country is notable for its population of logwood and mahogany. Both of these tree species were used to make dye in the past, and the country’s national tree is still the mahogany. Meanwhile, the rich soil found throughout Belize makes it easy to grow numerous fruit and nut trees, including coconut palm and mango.

Belize is also well known for its variety of indigenous orchids. More than 250 species of orchid grow naturally in the country, most notably the black orchid. And scientists estimate that over 4,000 indigenous flowering plants grow in Belize, including hibiscus and poinsettia.

In terms of fauna, Belize has at least five indigenous big cat species, including the ocelot and puma. Other mammals found within the country’s borders including howler monkeys, coatimundis, and kinkajous. The tapir, the national animal, thrives in Belize, despite having been classified as endangered. 

Beyond that, Belize is home to over 500 species of birds, such as the blue-crowned motmot and spoonbills. It is also home to manatees, sea turtles, and several types of reptile.