After perusing the web for Thanksgiving boating topics, I was charmed to find many blogs written by every day boaters sharing their warm stories of boating on Thanksgiving Day. Some stayed in the marina and enjoyed a feast with members of the yacht club, others met fellow cruisers in secluded bays and shared a potluck style dinner aboard their boats. What about you ... will boating be a part of your Thanksgiving celebration? How do you intend to spend the day?

Here are a few ideas to bring boating to your holiday celebration (weather permitting of course):

1. Invite a few friends and family members and have a simple dinner aboard your boat.

2. Plan a potluck dinner for friends and other marina patrons.

3. Cruise to a favorite location and set up a picnic Thanksgiving dinner.

4. If you live in a cold climate and boating is impossible, bring the nautical into your home via decorations, pictures of your boating adventures and maybe a change from traditional cuisine to a coastal menu of fish or seafood.

Whatever you do, this Thanksgiving be thankful for the opportunity to spend time with family and friends and the simple pleasures that boating brings.

More ideas? Share them below in a comment.

The 2010 Boat Show season in nearly upon us. Many boating experts agree that the best time to buy a boat is in the off-season. In January alone, there are over 45 boat shows across the country, giving boaters a popular venue to browse many boat manufacturers and styles, find a good deal and a way to enjoy the hobby you love during the cold winter months. Why not visit a boat show near you in 2010?

Related Boating Articles:

• 2010 Boat Show Calendar
• January Boat Shows
• Boat Show Tips
• Buying a Boat at a Dealer vs. a Boat Show
• When is the Best Time to Buy a Boat?

The Coast Guard has certain boating safety requirements for recreational boats up to 65 feet. While the boating safety laws are essentially the same for each size category of boats, some differ. Do you know what safety equipment you are required to have on board at all times for your boat size? Just as important, is the equipment you have in good working condition? If you are boarded by the Coast Guard, you could be fined if either you don't have the equipment, or the equipment is in unsatisfactory condition. Worse, if you find yourself in trouble, you may wish you had complied with Federal boating safety laws that require life jackets, flares and sound producing devices among other things.

To find out which equipment you are required to have aboard, find your boat size, and use this handy reference to comply with the Coast Guard boating safety rules specific to your size boat.

Boats under 16 ft.

Boats 16 - Under 26 ft.

Boats 26 - Under 40 ft.

Boats 40 - Under 65 ft.

Boating Lessons is an About.com Powerboating weekly feature designed to provide busy boaters with short tips and instruction about boat maintenance, boating safety, navigation, boat handling and more. To receive Boating Lessons and all Powerboating blogs automatically, sign up for the Powerboating RSS feed. For boating news and information delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for the weekly Powerboating e-Newsletter.

Caring for and maintaining your boat is easy when tasks are broken into simple to follow instructions. Learn more about boat maintenance, engines and the essentials to care for your boat.

Here are a few articles to get you started:

1. Basic Cleaning

2. Maintain or Restore the Exterior

3. Winterizing Your Boat's Interior and Exterior

4. Winterizing Your Boat's Engine