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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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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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 Most people agree that they should buy shoes that are comfortable and fit their feet. But, there are many boaters who don't realize they should buy shoes that not only fit their feet but also their boat.
Some believe that the design of boat shoes originated with Native Americans who wore moccasins made of a water-resistant form of leather with a low profile and laces on the side to keep them snug. Later, the leather top part was treated with oils to keep out the water and the soles were made of a non-skidding rubber. They were modified to be more like loafers so they were easy to slip on and off quickly and boaters started wearing them as boat shoes.
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 On boats with toilets, builders install a holding tank to hold the sewage until the boat reaches a pump out facility. Some yachts come equipped with a “Y” valve, so that they can choose to pump out or discharge overboard while way out in the ocean. In most of Canada and the United States, it is illegal to discharge overboard and there are heavy fines for doing so. It is advisable to leave the overboard discharge valve locked to prevent accidental discharge and fines.
Most holding tanks are plastic, but there are some stainless steel tanks and even a few aluminum tanks still around.
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 A marine head or toilet, is a necessity on a boat if you are going to be on board for more than a few hours at a time. The larger the boat, the more room in the head and on larger boats, there can be two or more heads providing convenience for the boat owner and guests. However, one or more heads requires cleaning along with the vanity and quite often the shower.
Why is the “Head” called a “Head”?
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For those of us who put our boats away for the winter, there are some things we can do now and over the next few weeks to reduce the amount of work necessary to get ready for spring launch. Here are three things you can do now so you can cross them off your list.
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Whether it's learning to live in smaller spaces, tie your lines, repair a winch, dock your boat or a myriad of other activities, boating is a learning process.
All boaters have their sources of information and reference, and we'd like to share another valuable resource with you.
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