Randy Vance

Randy Vance is a lifelong boater who has made a career of writing about boating. As the operator of a small resort and marina in Missouri for more than 20 years, Vance hosted or appeared on many radio and television programs covering boating and fishing topics. During his tenure at Boating Life, the magazine and some of Vance's articles have won awards in many publishing circles.

Articles & Books From Randy Vance

Article / Updated 05-30-2023
Too often, boaters are ill-prepared for accidents. They leave the dock without properly fitting life vests, working fire extinguishers (or none at all), or even an anchor onboard. I’ve rescued boaters and “put out fires” in several incidents where they were having problems because their equipment was outdated or poorly fitted and failed when they needed it.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 05-04-2023
Power boating is a fun and relaxing hobby so long as your boat is seaworthy and ready to launch. Simple checks can help make sure that it’s both. As one of the more powerful crafts on the water, you need to know when to give way and when it’s your right to stand on course when encountering another boat.How to determine the seaworthiness of a power boatWhether you’re buying a new or pre-owned power boat or preparing to sell yours, you need to make sure that the boat is shipshape and seaworthy.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
When you’re cruising along in your power boat, you’re rarely alone on the water, so you need to know, and follow, boating rules. In boat-speak, you and your vessel either stand-on course because you have the right-of-way, or you give way to a vessel and let it pass first. The action you take depends on what you and the other vessel are doing.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Before you launch your power boat, it pays to run through a short checklist to make sure that your boat is ready for the water and ready to disengage from its trailer. Doing the checks in the following list can save you from making embarrassing, and potentially harmful, mistakes: Is the bilge plug in? Have you disconnected and removed the transom straps, and locked them in your tow vehicle?
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Whether you’re buying a new or pre-owned power boat or preparing to sell yours, you need to make sure that the boat is shipshape and seaworthy. The following list spells out the checks to make before you buy or sell a power boat: The boat is approved by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). The upholstery is firm, the stitching tight, and the vinyl snug with no wrinkles.
Power Boating For Dummies
The simple guide to getting on the water and motoring around Power Boating For Dummies, Second Edition teaches you everything you need to know about buying, choosing, operating, maintaining, and enjoying a power boat, and provides expert guidance for new boaters. This is also a fantastic book for experienced boaters, because it’s full of tips and ideas on improving boating skills and getting the most out of water-time with the latest tech.