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Boat Expenses to Factor In

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

If you thought owning a lake house would be all about cute cabin dcor and home security systems and you’ve come to find out it’s all about boat maintenance, don’t fret! It gets easier over time but remember to factor the following into your yearly boat budget
Gas – Most people just don’t plain estimate enough when they’re thinking about gas. Your average speedboat costs about 200 to fill up (at current gas prices) and needs to be refilled every one to two weekends you use it. That can really add up so think about the cost.
Winterizing – Before you own a boat you probably haven’t thought much about what to do with one in the winter. If it’s your first year as a boat owner get a quote now before the winterizers get slammed and plan on spending between 2 and 3 thousand to put your baby up safely.
Safety – You’ve got to have enough life vests on the boat at all times for the people on it and there are other considerations too like weatherizing it and airbags. It doesn’t sound like a lot but all these things degrade over time.

How To Save Money When Servicing Your Boat

admin — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Servicing your boat is very similar to servicing your vehicle. You have to be able to manage your money properly if you want to save some money for other things. When it comes to servicing your boat, you need to make sure that you have all of the funds available for your repairs. You can save money if you look into the best deals, and start out with the most serious things first. It just all depends on how much you have that needs to be worked on. If you keep on regular maintenance with your boat, as you would with your vehicle, you will find that there will be no major repairs that come your way. You’ll be able to keep some extra money in your pocket in the long run. Something that may not be noticed right away, may in turn get worse with time, and end up costing you more money to repair only because the damages have just gotten worse. Anything that you begin to notice, should be taken in right away for repair. You should set a certain time, everytime, for when you take your boat in for a checkup, to make sure everything’s fine.

Boating Maintenace You Can Do Yourself

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The old saying, “a boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into,’ is a very true statement. Boats need continual maintenance, loving care and owners should have deep pockets to keep them afloat.

The first chore for any boat owner is to keep the boat clean. Fiberglass is amazingly durable and only requires cleaning to keep it in prime condition. Bilges should be kept free of grease and oil that could be dangerous and debris that can clog pumps.Confused? Here ‘s a little help .

The boat owner can keep the bottom free of marine growth in the water and on haulout, although hard work, it not too difficult to apply new bottom paint. If the boat owner has mechanical aptitude, keeping the engines tuned up will extend their life and keeping an eye on fragile electrical connections will keep things running properly.

Wooden boats are extremely maintenance intensive with yearly stripping and repainting the hull and varnishing brightwork. Being able to replace zincs, change dinged propellers and keeping plumbing systems operable will assure a tight ship. There-s nothing quite so fun as messing around in boats and owners who perform their own maintenance will have a closer relationship with their vessel.

How Often Should Boat Motors Be Serviced

admin — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Servicing your boat motor is important in order keep your boating activities from being interrupted. In general, it is recommended that you service your boat motor regularly. Most boat technicians and the makers of boat engines recommend that you service your boat motor once every twelve months or every 100 hours you use the motor. Although this may seem tedious, it is necessary to follow these guidelines for there are ways that engine failure can occur if you do not properly take care of your boat motor. If you fail to do so you risk having a problem, such as not working coolant pump you give you bigger issues the next time you decide to use your boat. If you use your boat often or not, it is crucial that you follow these guidelines. In the long run, it could save you expenses you would have had to spend had you not taken your engine in for inspection. Remember, that buying a boat and engine also requires that you take care of it properly so it can be used for fun time for years to come. Consider taking your engine to get serviced today and save money in the future.

Tips For Staying Safe On A Boat

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Boating is a great way to relax and enjoy beautiful weather with friends and family. However, the past-time can also be dangerous if you do not follow basic guidelines. Don’t ruin your boating trip with an unnecessary accident by following these tips for staying safe on a boat.

All passengers should wear life jackets at all times. Have a wide variety of sizes available to suit children and adults, and ensure that all jackets are properly fitted before leaving dock. All children under the age of 13 must have a life jacket on at all times. Consider requiring all adults to comply as well.

Avoid consuming alcohol on board. Drinking while commanding your boat can lead to disaster. Monitor the alcohol intake of passengers as well and consider banning all alcoholic drinks.

Take a boating safety class and establish rules on your vessel. Go over all rules with passengers before each outing.

Always check water conditions before leaving land. Look for warnings, wave conditions and possible storms on the radar. Continue to monitor weather conditions on the water by using your boat’s radio. Take all warnings seriously and do not hesitate to return to shore in the event of a storm warning.

Other Activities You Can Do While Boating

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Aside from fishing, there are many other activities you can do while boating. The types of activities will of course depend on the boat being used. When out for a day of fun in the sea, there are various exciting things you can try.

If you simply enjoy the ocean, you can enjoy a meal or a glass of wine with family and friends while sailing. The swaying of the boat can be rather therapeutic.

If you’re a little more adventurous, give water skiing a try. This is skiing while being towed behind a boat. Parasailing is another option. This is a similar alternative where the participant parachutes in the air while being towed by the boat.

For one or two man boats like a canoe or kayak, take it out on a lake or river and just paddle it around. Not only can it be a lot of fun, it can also give you a good workout.

Whether you have been out in the sea on multiple occasions or are a first timer, there are never a short of activities to choose from. There is something for you whether you just want to spend a quiet day by the ocean or prefer a high paced water sport.

How To Wear A Life Jacket Properly

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Life jackets are a superbly built life or death article of clothing on the water. They are made very lightweight, yet durable and less restrictive. Life jackets are custom designed for all types of water activities and are available in various sizes, styles, and shapes for adults, kids of all ages, even family pets.

Always put on a life jacket before going onto the water. Check the life jacket to make sure the inside flotation material is firm, that the fabric is not torn and the stitching is intact, that buckles and straps are in excellent condition, and that your chin, head, and neck can not slip through, and also, choose a life jacket that is brightly colored, to be noticed in the water.

There are five types of flotation wearable jackets for different water conditions. To wear a life jacket properly, the basic life jacket is a harness which is put on like a jacket. There are buckled straps in the front and a crotch strap, which should be unbuckled before putting it on.

Clip the waist buckle and pull on the side straps that tighens comfortably around the waist. The crotch strap which goes between the legs in the front and is pulled comfortably up and clipped in place, and secures it so that it can’t come off.

Tips For Choosing Life Jackets For Any Age

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Drowning accidents happy each year and many of these can be prevented simply by wearing the correct sized life jacket. Many drowning accidents occur in freshwater like lakes, streams and reservoirs. Accidents on the water can strike at anytime but in many cases a simple life jacket can save a life.

When you are ready to buy a life jacket follow these simple tips. Regardless of the age of the person who is wearing the life jacket, you want to make sure that the life jacket fits correctly. Keep in mind that the size of the jacket and the fit should be appropriate for the weight of the person wearing it. A great tip is to make sure the tag says it is approved by the US Coast Guard. This will be on the tag and can save you time and money as well as a life. Buy a life jacket in a bright color so it can be seen with ease.

If you are buying a life jacket for a small child you should make sure it has straps to hook under the legs. If you have any questions about life jackets you should get your questions answered before you buy one that is not correct.