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 Every couple of weeks, Doug and Brenda write seasonal articles informing boaters of new products, regulations, checklists of things to do for summerizing and winterizing, and covering topics like canvas, head, holding tank, cleaners, upholstery, teak, ropes and numerous other boating activities.
Here you will pick up tips and tricks to help make your boating easier and more enjoyable.
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 As you all know, cell phones have a short life and have to be replaced to keep up with technology. Doug’s phone started acting erratically one day, so we went to the local store and purchased a new flip phone with camera and all the extras. There was a hefty price tag attached, but the salesperson said we could get it free if he signed up for three years. He did.
Doug was so pleased with his new phone and later that day, we went down to the boat to test the signal. Because he hadn’t picked out a new “holster” (the phone didn’t fit the old one), he simply put it in his jacket pocket not realizing what would happen next.
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 A HIN (Hull Identification Number) is like a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on cars. It contains an optional Country code, the Manufacturer’s Identification Code (MIC), the manufacturer’s serial number and a date code. It consists of 12 characters. If the country code is included, the HIN is 15 characters long.
The HIN is located on the top right hand corner of the transom. It is against the law to alter a HIN. If you come across a HIN that is damaged or scarred or the letters and numbers are not all consistently clean and with the exact same format, then you should be suspicious that someone has altered or attempted to alter the HIN. I recommend....
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 “Can we go swimming in the harbour off the platform Gramma?” asked one of our grandchildren. “It is so hot and we just want to cool off”.
Like most harbours, there is a sign posted in Meaford “No Swimming allowed in the harbour”. But, like most harbours, no one pays any attention and kids and adults alike swim off the dock and their boats—especially in the heat of the summer.
Boaters reason that “There are no boats entering or leaving the harbour.” or “Our fairway has no traffic.” or “The water is clear.”, so it must be safe and into the water they go.
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Hurry Up Summer! - Splicing vs Shovelling?
 Throw down your snow shovel and pick up a Fid. You'll be absolutely amazed how fast your winter blues will disappear, then before you know it, your boat will be launched and ready for boating.
Instead of battling the snow, get a head start on summer. Sit by your fireplace or woodstove creating new dock lines, fender lines and anchor lines for your boat. It's a great way to shorten winter, speed up summer and save money!
With a new set of lines, your boat will not only look better, it will also be safer and you'll be prepared for all docking scenerios and anchoring situations.
Every boat needs a good set of docking/mooring lines, and a second set of dock lines is a good idea. Why?......
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 At New Years celebrations around the globe, we welcomed the New Year POSITIVELY.
We wish a Happy New Year to all our boating families and friends.
All economic signs are indicating a growth in all things positive, so let's go out and enjoy boating this year.
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Give a Gift that will keep on giving.....every boating season
For the boaters on your Christmas list, a downloadable Docking e-Lesson is fast, easy and will definitely be appreciated.
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What is a rope? What is a line? What is the difference? Many boaters think that these two words are interchangeable--that a rope is a line and a line is a rope. This is not true.
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 Unfortunately, the summer boating season is coming to an end. That’s the sad news. The good news is that Fall Boat Shows are in full swing and boaters are marking their calendars to make sure they won’t miss out on any “fall deals”.
New boaters have an opportunity to join the boating community; while seasoned boaters can trade up to a larger, a newer, or a new boat. But, buyer beware!
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 Dinner adrift is something Doug and I do often during the week. Late afternoon, we arrive at the boat, drive upwind into Georgian Bay, turn off the motors and drift while enjoying BBQ dinner and watching the sun set as the breeze slowly leads us back to the harbour.
We've enjoyed this habit for years, but on this day, one thing was different. The GPS didn't work. It wasn't a big deal at the time and we thought we'd look after it later-probably the fuse-Wrong!
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Dependable Docking Aids
Learning to Dock as a Team, as we discussed in a previous article, really simplifies the docking process by eliminating fear and worry as you bring your boat into your slip according to your plan.
Because there are so many variables like the wind, current, or you just “blow it” for whatever reason, you could be caught off guard. It would be nice to know that your screw up will not result in any damage to your boat or your slip neighbor’s boat. Well, there are many products you can buy to help you in those awkward situations. But, beware, there are many inventions being marketed as the best invention ever. We feel they only complicate a process that should and can be simple.
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