General Boating Articles

Quite often, boat buyers get caught up in buying their new boat without taking into consideration all the costs involved--both the one time costs and the on-going costs.

How much should you budget for your new or used boat so that you don't end up like the boaters in this horror story.

Biggest Mistake

Too many boaters make the biggest mistake at the Boat Show. They purchase the boat and are sorely disappointed later. All this could be avoided with a little homework ahead of time.

The biggest mistake people make is buying a boat, before they decide what activities they want the boat for. A few examples:

The kids needed a head, but the bowrider didn’t have one.

The cottage taxi boat didn’t have a big enough motor and was too bulky for skiing at the cottage.

The guy who fell in love with and bought a narrow beam mid cabin cruiser, but it wasn’t roomy enough for his family of "large" people. It looked suitable to him at the Boat Show, but when his family was aboard, it was tippy and wouldn’t perform under the load. Worst of all, it turned out to be an "excuse me" boat. Every time they moved, they had to say "excuse me" because of the small space. We know families this has happened to and they had to cut their holiday short and buy a larger boat to suit them.

The bed was too short leaving the feet hanging over the end.

There wasn't enough room for the knees when sitting on the head.

Don’t make this common mistake.

Don’t end up buying the wrong boat. It could cost plenty to trade.

Don’t waste valuable time buying a boat that doesn’t "FIT" your needs. How?

The  boating season is just around the corner and marine businesses are all displaying at Boat Shows to show you their new products.

Between now and summer is the time to take advantage of the winter Boat Shows to research and shop for your new boat and your nautical accessories. Some of you have already had an opportunity to attend a Show and there are many more planned across Canada, United States and Europe.

Manufacturers, Distributors, Suppliers, Dealers and Marinas are there to show you their products. It is a fantastic opportunity to view hundreds of NEW boats and accessories on display with knowledgeable salespeople to answer all your questions. Doing your research and shopping at a Boat Show can save you valuable time and energy--so take advantage.

First Mate 101

There is time before Christmas to order First Mate 101 either in printed format or digital download (that you can print yourself) and wrap for a Christmas Present for your First Mate.

Web Research

December is a good time, between Christmas shopping trips and office parties, to go on the web and research the various brands of electronics you’ve just gotta have for your boat next season.

The manufacturers of electronics, have tons of information on their websites for all their products like VHF with DSC, GPS, GPS combined with chart plotters, depth sounders, fish finders, compasses, radars, etc.

The more you can read about these electronics and know about them before visiting the winter Boat Shows, the better off you will be. You will be able to ask intelligent questions and make more knowledgeable comparisons of features, benefits and price.

As with the motors, I recommend that you hire the marina to winterize your water system, head, air conditioning etc. because it will be guaranteed against freeze up damage. If you do it, and it freezes, you not only pay but risk the ridicule of the marina’s service staff and your neighbors. I personally know people who have “done that, been there”.

Empty and Remove

There are lots of detail jobs that each boater should do after the marina has finished. If you start with large plastic bins, empty all the drawers and cupboards of towels, clothing, bedding, life jackets/PFDs, charts and anything that will hold moisture and/or feed and house critters. Set mouse traps as insurance.

When you entrust your boat to a marina, their trained staff know how to winterize your boat. Be sure that you put safety first when attempting to winterize the motor(s) yourself. Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer.

In this series of newsletters, we are assuming that you have hired a marina to haul out your boat. The jobs we discuss are the ones that most marinas don’t necessarily do and that you the owner, can do.

Clean Bottom Plus....

Wash the bottom of the boat as soon as possible after it’s hauled, so that the algae and other growth on the bottom is fresh and soft--not all dried out and stuck like cement. It takes a lot less time and muscle when it is still wet and fresh. A pressure washer is the easiest way to knock it all off. Second best is a long handled brush, a hose and your favorite all purpose soap. Not only scrub the bottom, but also the exterior drive system components, transducers, thru-hulls, the works.

Before the marina hauls and winterizes your boat, there are many jobs that you, the boat owner, can perform. Most marinas will look after the motors and water systems, but they won’t do some of these more detailed jobs.

Protect your cushions and mattresses

If your cockpit upholstery has been damp during the last few weeks, lift it up off the seat foundations, stand it on end, drain it, expose to the sun and the wind. If your upholstery is going to stay aboard after haul out, go back to the boat after the marina has finished winterizing it to stand the cushions and mattresses on their side and lean them separately against the cockpit sides. This will provide good ventilation around them. There are always lots of warm days during the fall that will draw the moisture out of them, if there is good air circulation.

Before the marina hauls and winterizes your boat, there are many jobs that you, the boat owner, can perform. Most marinas will look after the motors and water systems, but they won’t do some of these more detailed jobs.

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