Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Winterizing Your Boat

by James West

Winterize your engine in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction manual. This will normally include draining and flushing the cooling system; draining and refilling the crankcase; applying oil to inside of each cylinder through the spark plug holes; and other preservative actions. Thoroughly clean the exterior of the engine; sand and touch up with paint any scarred areas to prevent rusting.

- Thoroughly clean the bottom, decks, cockpit, bilge, all compartments, and lockers.

- Apply a coat of good anti-fouling paint to the bottom, and sand down and prime all other marred surfaces.

- Drain fuel lines, pumps, and carburetor; drain tank or fill completely and add stabilizer.

- Drain and flush out all water systems and tanks; drain the toilets. When water freezes it expands and will usually cause damage.

- Remove the batteries from the boat; store in an area not subject to freezing temperatures; test periodically with hydrometer and charge if necessary.

- Place a light coating of grease over all chrome plated metal surfaces.

- Leave all floorboards up, doors ajar, ports and skylights open, hatches partly open, drawers and lockers open.

- Carefully fit a well-made winter cover, provided with ventilation ports, if boat is to be stored outdoors.

Additional Diesel engine winterizing tips.

- Drain crankcase and transmission and refill with fresh lubricant as specified in owner's manual. Change oil filters.

- Drain and clean all fuel filters and change elements, gaskets and seals. Bleed all air from fuel system.

- Start engine and bring up to operating temperature. Slowly remove the radiator cap on expansion tank. Using an antifreeze hydrometer, check the antifreeze for proper protection (add antifreeze to lower the freezing point of the antifreeze solution). If the antifreeze solution is dirty, more than 2 years old, or weak it should be completely drained and replaced with the proper mixture of permanent antifreeze and water.

- Close the sea cock, remove the raw water pick up hose from the raw water pump. Attach a 4-foot section of hose to the raw water pump and immerse one end into a 5 gal. bucket of antifreeze solution. Start engine and run till antifreeze solution comes out exhaust stack or until bucket is empty. Attach the raw water pick up hose to the raw water pump. Tighten all clamps.
- Loosen water pump and alternator belts to lessen tension on belts during winter.

- For engines equipped with a hand crank - pull compression release levers and turn engine slowly with the hand crank. Slowly pour about 2 ounces of engine oil into the intake pipe or manifold while hand cranking the engine. This will allow for a thin coat of oil on the valves and upper cylinder. DO NOT USE the starter to turn engine or serious engine damage may result.

- Tape the opening of the intake and exhaust manifolds with duck tape to help prevent corrosion of the upper cylinder during lay up.

- Scrape all rust or corrosion from exposed metal parts and surfaces. Scrub all metal surfaces with detergent and rise thoroughly. Paint any bare metal.Place a dust cover over engine. Do not leave the engine exposed to rain and sea breeze.

- Disconnect the battery cables, remove the battery from the boat. Clean the terminal ends and battery with a solution of baking soda and water, rinse thoroughly with clean water. Apply a light coat of grease on the terminal end of the battery and cables. Store the battery in a cool dry place. Use a trickle charger to keep battery charged. Do not charge battery near any open flame or in a confined area.

There are several books about winterizing that may help you. Chapman Piloting has good instructions on winterizing your boat. The Boat Repair manual by George Buchanan , Upgrading The Cruising Sailboat by Daniel Spurr, Illustrated by Bruce Bingham has some good ideas on winterizing your boat. These are just a few winterizing things that must be done. I would suggest getting the books I listed above, they will help you winterize your boat. Also, sometimes you can get good information from the other boat owners who are docking in your area.

About the Author:
James West is an online publisher dedicated in helping online users in various categories. He is an online marketing specialist and owner of http://www.boat-traders.info

Winterizing Your Boat

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Friday, November 23, 2007

Protect Your Boat With A Boat Cover

by John Morris

Boats are a pretty expensive to have which is why it is incredibly important to boating enthusiasts that they protect their beloved boats from all sorts of scratches that can be brought about. Scratches can be caused by not just normal wear and tear but also nature's harsh elements. Using a good boat cover can protect your beloved boat from all these unsightly marks and larger boat problems.

Whether the boat cover is for your new bass boat or for the family ski boat which you have always been dreaming of having, you will surely want to protect your boat and preserve its beauty for as long as you can.

1. The electronic boat cover
This is actually one of the popular kinds of boat covers nowadays and there are various online catalogs wherein potential buyers can choose from the myriad of boat covers that are being made available to the by the boat cover merchants.

2. Fabrics:
- 100% cotton canvas
- 50/50 polyester cotton blend
- 100% marine polyester
- Sunbrella marine fabrics
- Other types of covering materials

There is actually a lot of information available on boat cover fabrics on the internet that boat cover buyers might want to check out before actually going out to buy the perfect boat cover for their boat. All the essential information concerning boat cover fabrics will all be there for you to ponder on before you actually make that purchase.

Also, it is incredibly important that you know the full size of your boat and that size should be correct so that you won't be able to get a boat cover that is either too snug or too loose, you need to be able to find a boat cover that will actually fit your boat like a glove.

Aside from these practical aspects when it comes to choosing your boat cover, it is also highly important to not that you get one that has a great design but is not contrasting to your boat's overall look. Various designs for boat covers are readily available either on the online catalogs or on the actually paper catalogs. There are actually some designs available that are borderline tacky while there are still others that are actually tastefully made so choose well.

About the Author:
For more great boat cover related articles and resources check out http://www.weknowcovers.com

Protect Your Boat With A Boat Cover

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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

4 Tips For Buying The Perfect Fishing Boat

by Dana Goldberg

The sun is about to rise and the weather is crisp. You pack your tackle box, grab your pole and buy some worms. You make your way to the fishing dock dreaming you had the perfect fishing boat so you were landlocked no more. Now that dream can become reality with these 4 easy tips for finding and purchasing the perfect fishing boat!

Have a clear understanding of the purpose of the fishing boat. Obviously the boat is going to be used for fishing, but is it going to be used on oceans or in lakes? For day time trips or overnight stays? If you play to stay in your boat overnight, be sure to choose a boat with a hull which will allow you to ride the waves much better than a boat without one.

Make sure to have a clear understanding of your budget. Boats are very expensive items. You should be well acquainted with your finances before you take on the extra burden of a boat purchase. Boats with hulls for overnight stays and rough waters are obviously more expensive than small boats for small lakes. Know your limitations.

Read and understand the warranties fully before making a purchase. A warranty can be your best friend. Make sure the dealer you buy the boat from offers you the proper coverage in case there is any defect or problem with your boat. You don’t want to end up having to pay huge amounts to fix your boat because you forgot to check out the warranties!

Make sure the boat has proper certification .The NMMA, or the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association is an organization that tests boats that are manufactured by different companies. They only certify those boats that pass their rigorous testing. Any boat certified by the NMMA is one that you would feel safe owning.

Also, just like cars, boats must be registered. Be prepared to register your boat just like your vehicle (i.e. paying money). On top of that expense, you must now stock your boat with life jackets, brand new fishing gear, food and a cooler so you can get fishing!

About the Author:
Dana Goldberg is the owner of The Boats Blog. On her blog you will find tips and advice on buying or selling a boat.

4 Tips For Buying The Perfect Fishing Boat

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

How To Choose The Right Fishing Boat

by Paula Radmall


Do you love to go fishing? If you do, then you know that it is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend your time. And what you need then is the right fishing boat to help you get the most out of your fishing experiences. There are a lot of different types of fishing boats available. Different boats offer you different features depending on the type of fishing that you enjoy. Therefore, the first decision in choosing the right fishing boat will be to decide what type of fishing you plan on doing. This is important. For example, a bass boat would not work well for walleye fishing because it is not equipped to handle deep water and big waves.

You also need to determine what type of angler you are as well. In other words, do you plan on using the boat purely for fishing or would you like to use it for recreation as well, perhaps maybe even throw in a few skiing trips once in awhile. If you only want the boat for fishing then buy one designed especially for that purpose. If you like to do other water activities also then look for a boat with multiply features. Many of the newer designs such as the “sportfish” model are designed for excellent fishing and many other water activities as well.

The area in which you plan on fishing goes hand in hand with the type of fishing you plan on taking part in. For instance, will you be fishing in fresh water, salt water or both? If you will be fishing in saltwater, do you plan on going deep sea fishing or staying near the waters edge? These are important questions you need to consider to help you choose the right boat for your fishing needs.

Another question to consider is whether or not you will only be fishing during the day or if you will also be fishing during the night. If you do night fishing then you need to choose a boat that can provide you with some protection and is more comfortable than some fishing boats. Consider how many people will be accompanying you on your fishing trips. This is a big factor in choosing the right fishing boat. You will need to choose a boat that is big enough for everyone to fit comfortably and also have enough room to maneuver the fishing rods with ease.

You even need to decide if you prefer a fiberglass boat to an aluminum fishing boat. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on the type of fishing you plan on doing. The bottom line is, before you go out to look for that perfect fishing boat, take time to consider the things we have mentioned above. Asking yourself all the right questions will aid you in deciding which fishing boat would be the best boat to fulfill all your needs.

About the Author:
Paula Radmall is a fishing enthusiast as well as an author and editor for OnlineFishingIndex. Paula enjoys boating and fishing with her family and friends, and has been around the boating industry for 25 years.

How To Choose The Right Fishing Boat

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Friday, November 9, 2007

Tips For Choosing A Deep Sea Fishing Charter Boat

by Gabriel Adams

Hiring a charter boat for deep sea fishing is a very exciting way to spend your time. To make sure you get the most out of the experience there are some basic elements you want to cover before you hire the charter boat. First you need to decide what type of fish you are after. This will help you identify the best fishing locations offering that particular type of fish.

Consider how long you want to hire the deep sea fishing charter boat for. The majority to them charge by the hour, ½ day, or full day. You also need to look at the amenities they offer. For example if you are going to rent their fishing gear and want lunch provided it is going to cost you more than if you provide these items yourself. Ask for a complete breakdown of the costs so you can work out a deal to eliminate those you won’t need.

The size of the charter boat is going to affect the cost. Carefully consider how many people you will bring along with you so you can get the best price and still get your needs met. There is no reason to rent the largest charter boat when you will be the only one on it. If you will be bringing two or three others along with you though it is a good choice.

You need to carefully interview the person you are renting the charter boat from. Make sure they have a good reputation as well as plenty of knowledge for operating the boat. It is a good idea to make sure the Captain has been licensed through the United States Coast Guard.
Make sure you schedule your deep sea fishing charter boat well in advance, especially during peak season. You don’t want to be disappointed by getting there and finding out there are no charter boats available for your adventure. You also want to find out about refunds should you not be able to attend due to unexpected circumstances.

About the Author:
Come Deep Sea Fishing with us! Visit http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/

Tips For Choosing A Deep Sea Fishing Charter Boat

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Monday, November 5, 2007

Wooden Fishing Boats - From Traditional Marsh Pirogues To Wide-bottomed Drift Boats

by Rika Susan

So you've inherited that somewhat dubious old wooden fishing boat from your grandpa! You're feeling proud to be the one to carry on the family fishing tradition, but you're also experiencing just a little trepidation at the though of setting out on the wide open expanses of the lake this spring on a boat that has clearly seen better days...

Well, if your newly acquired old wooden fishing boat is looking a little worse for wear, you might do well to remember that wooden boat owners generally accept the fact these kind of boats were not built to last forever.

In fact, some were probably built with the intention that they would be replaced within five or ten years, and not kept going lovingly for decades by well-intentioned descendents of the original owner.

Constant maintenance is probably the key concept here, and you will need to do some serious checking out of the boat's structure before setting out to haul in those prize catches.

Of course, nowadays - with newer wood-based, penetrating epoxy - dry rot has become much less of a problem, but you will still have to keep up the work to keep your boat in shape for the fishing waters.

Apart from the gleaming, grand old dames of yesteryear, contemporary wooden fishing boats are still being built, and you may be surprised at the workmanship and variety available.
You may want to have a look at the beautifully crafted boats such as wide-bottomed drift boats, or the graceful curves of a special viking-type rowing-and-fishing boat.

Some wooden fishing boat builders specialize in traditional Louisiana marsh pirogues and rowing skiffs, and for these you will even be able to find building plans should you be tempted to make a project out of it!

If you just want to have the experience of fishing from a wooden boat on your next fishing trip, you can head out to Ontario, where some fishing resorts have a special wooden fishing boat supplier building them to order.

These beautiful spacious, quiet boats are hand built out of cedar and oak, and equipped with swivel seats, a fishfinder, and all the necessary emergency equipment to make your trip an unforgettable experience.

Back to that old lady grandpa used for his outings on the lake: It may be well worth remembering the saying: "Nothing works on an old boat but the owner"...

About the Author:

Rika Susan of http://www.Fishing-Things.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.

Wooden Fishing Boats - From Traditional Marsh Pirogues To Wide-bottomed Drift Boats

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