Pre-Haul Out Preparation - Part 2

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.

Clean before storing

Fall is a good time to wash just about everything on the boat--inside and out so that you don’t have frozen on dirt to deal with in the spring. This job includes washing the canvas, the upholstery, the superstructure, coolers, the frig, ice maker, lockers, live wells, bait wells, etc. Also, this will avoid black fur in the corners greeting you in the spring.

Brush Away the Mold

This tip I was given for black mold at forms during the fall on the underside of convertible top canvas.

When dry, remove the canvas from the bows, spread it out on a flat surface like a piece of plywood on a picnic table. Next, put on a handyman's paper face mask, so you don't inhale the mold dust. Brush away the mold with a dry scrub brush. Use no water, no cleaners, just brush dry. Brush parallel to fabric "grain" to loosen mold from the weave of the material. Shake like a bed sheet in the wind. Repeat brushing as required on corners missed. Brushing dry does not wash out the waterproofing.

Hang to Store

Depending on your storage space at home versus your varmint problem on the boat, you may also want to remove your convertible top/bimini top and all the canvas. One winter, I had rolled up the tops super tight around the bows after washing and drying thoroughly. Come spring, when I unrolled them, a family of four-legged critters had crawled in the rolled up end with some paper and made a cozy nest. Nest creation involved chewing several holes in the rolled up canvas. Every year since, I have hang the canvas flat like sheets on a clothes line in my storage shed, so that there are no pockets to nest in.

Whoppin' Wakes

Thanks to everyone who sent in their "Whoppin' Wake Stories". It seems there are some real problems on the water! You will receive your free e-Lesson as soon as we have it finished. Has anyone else been overtaken by a big guy dragging a whoppin' wake? Send us your story. Now is the time for input.

Canadians taking their boats south--Read This!

The Store Masons has recently published a newsletter about what you need to know and do if you are taking your boat south into the United States this winter. It covers the new US border reporting requirements, documentation needed, pets, meds and behaviour.

You can read the full newsletter at Masons "The Store"

http://www.thestoremasons.com/cgi-bin/display/display.cgi?display_item=43

Next Issue

For more information on Boat Handling "How To" E-Lessons available on the website:

Dock Your Single Outboard

Dock Your Single Sterndrive

Dock Your Single Inboard

Dock Your Twin Outboard

Dock Your Twin Sterndrive

Dock Your Twin Inboard

Tie Your Boat

Ramp Your Boat

Anchor Your Boat

Use Your Dinghy

Whoppin Wakes - Victim or Survivor - coming soon

Your First Mate will definitely enjoy boating with you much more after she reads Brenda's book.

1000's of easy tips and tricks on how to manage the interior and exterior of any size boat--power or sail.

She'll be a happier boater!

www.FirstMate101.com

Learn all you need to know to buy right and save money. Avoid all the mistakes most boat buyers make.

400 pages reveals all!

www.BuyTheRightBoat.com

Tell Us What You Think!

We would love to hear what you think of this issue of the "Boating With Dawsons" Newsletter. And of course, if you have any topic suggestions for upcoming issues, please send those, too!

Just e-mail us at: brenda@boatingwithdawsons.com

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