General Boating Articles

Web Research

December is a good time, between Christmas shopping trips, 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 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 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”.

In these 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.

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.

Make a List

On all boats, either during your last cruise or your last days in the harbor prior to haul out, make a written list of any other repairs that either you are going to do or you are going to leave for the marina to do like gauges that are non-operative, taps that leak, upholstery nicks that need to be sewn, snaps that are pulled off the canvas, woodwork that needs to be refinished, motor tune ups, etc.

September to November is haul out time for boats in the northern climate. Over the next few weeks, we’ll cover a few winterizing tips that apply to both power and sail; they are all jobs you, the boat owner should perform, as opposed to the winterizing items that would be looked after by the marina.

A part of the boat that many people overlook is the damp, nylon line that’s been stuffed umpteen times into the anchor locker, topped off with a layer of mud. As a result, your 200’ to 300’ of anchor rode is wet, dirty and ripe for mildew and mold, as is the whole anchor locker area.

“Those damn halyards are keeping the harbor awake all night again!”

Most sailors, especially those who stay aboard for the weekend, are considerate and tie off their halyards with bungie cords.

On the other hand, in every harbor, there are a few afternoon sailors who leave their halyards to incessantly clang in the wind 24/7. It’s equally annoying (and gets under the skin) of both the stay aboard sailors and power boaters alike. It’s worse than dogs barking all night. No one gets any sleep—especially on really windy nights.

You are responsible for your wake and any damage it causes! It could dump someone out of his boat, cause someone to fall down the companionway stairs, swamp a bowrider, damage a boat at a dock on the shoreline or harm the environment by eroding the shoreline and much more. When your wake causes damage, it could result in very serious consequences. You are responsible and could be facing fines and lawsuits. Learn how to avoid wake damage.

For boaters who enjoy shore power, shore cords are a must. However, harbors are reporting a number of unsafe aspects and are asking boaters to take a few moments to review their cords.

Hazzards

It is important to use shore cords approved for marine applications. Unapproved cords are dangerous and should not be used. Also inspect for any damage to the cable and replace if necessary.

Sometimes, cords strung between dock sections can be pinched by the hinges or end up hanging in the water. Extra cable, if not coiled properly, can be hazardous to boaters walking on the docks.

Both recreational boaters and boating cottagers share the same concerns about safe enjoyment and environmental protection of our waterways. The following code* is offered to assist all boaters; cruising yachtsmen, cottagers venturing up the shore for a cruise or going to and from the marina or anyone using smaller craft-be they resident or visitor. This code has been developed cooperatively by both the Ontario Boating Forum and the Georgian Bay Association to set responsibilities and expectations to help ensure that we continue to peacefully coexist.

Boats that are outfitted with eight or more pieces of zippered canvas, create a confusing puzzle. With a looming summer thunderstorm closing in on you from across the lake, putting up the canvas can be a frustrating, nerve-racking, temper raising experience, as you try to sort out which piece fits where. Inevitably, you get the wrong piece of this puzzle zippered in place inside out then nothing else fits. You know the story.

How to Solve the Puzzle for FREE