Friday, January 22, 2016
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Essential Boat Buying Tips - Dont Get Burnt!
Are you thinking of buying a fishing boat or any type of water craft for that matter?
Here are some very handy tips that will keep you from getting burnt.
Boat Buying Rules
* Always be aware of your budget
* Never ever buy site unseen
* Do you have room to store it at home? If not you may have to factor in marina or boat storage facility fee’s.
* What are you going to do with the boat – Fish, Ski, Cruising.
* Can your car handle towing the boat over long journeys.
* Consider if you prefer to purchase through a dealer or private seller.
* If you’re going to keep the boat forever - buy new
* Before buying a used boat, acquire a sea trial and have it surveyed
* Second Hand boats generally come with nice add-ons that a new boat buyer would have to shell out for.
*Always finance a depreciating asset, and invest your cash to offset. This will save you thousands over the years.
* Try not to keep up with the Jones’s. Get what you need within your budget.
* If you’re not sure about purchasing a boat– buy used
* No point in having a boat if you’re not going to use it
* A used boat represents better value as most new boats can lose half their value in two years
* First time boaters within 3 years will either stop using their boat or upgrade
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Simple Yet Effect Sailing Rules
Here are some simple sailing rules that some a may find humerous but most will practice.
1. Leaving the dock is optional. Every return is mandatory.
2. If you turn the wheel towards shore, the houses get bigger.
If you turn the wheel away from shore, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep turning the wheel, then they get bigger again.
3. Sailing isn't dangerous. Sinking is what's dangerous.
4. It's always better to be on shore wishing you were out there, than out there wishing you were on shore.
5. The ONLY time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.
6. The sail is just a big awning used to keep the captain cool. When it rips to shreds, you can actually watch the captain start sweating.
7. When in doubt, stay out to sea. No one has ever gone aground on a wave.
8. A 'good' return to your slip is one from which you can walk away.
A 'great' return is one after which they can use the boat again.
9. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.
10. You know you've hit the dock hard if it takes all your bilge pumps running at full power for you to step on to the dock.
11. The probability of a boats survival is inversely proportional to the speed of arrival. High speed arrivals, small probability of boat survival and vice versa.
12. Never let a sail boat take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier.
13. Stay away from clouds. The silver lining everyone keeps talking about might be a hail storm. Reliable sources also report that lighting has been known to hide out in clouds.
14. Always try to keep the number of departures you make from your slip equal to the number of returns you've made.
15. There are three simple rules for making a smooth return to your slip. Unfortunately no one knows what they are.
16. You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.
17. Catamarans can't sail; they're just so ugly the earth repels them.
18. If all you can see out of the window is water that's going round and round and all you can hear is commotion coming from the cockpit, things are not at all as they should be.
19. In the ongoing battle between objects made of fiberglass going tens of miles per hour and the shore going zero miles per hour, the shore has yet to lose.
20. Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment.
21. It's always a good idea to keep the pointy end going forward as much as possible.
22. Keep looking around. There's always something you've missed.
23. Remember, buoyancy is not just a good idea. It's the law. And it's not subject to repeal.
24. Always step up, never step down into a life raft.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Buying A Sailboat
There comes a point in many a man's life when the lure of the sea is overwhelming; this is the moment when you throw caution to the wind and begin to think about buying a sailboat - and why not? A used sailboat need not cost the earth, and there are many on the market at any one time, but there are some things you need to consider before taking the plunge.
Buying a used sailboat is not the work of a moment: there are different types of boat to consider, finances to work out and the pros and cons of alternative options that need to be taken into account. Each sailboat is different - you could say each has a personality of its own - and the secrets of buying a sailboat are learnt through experience.
Of course, you can only gain that experience by buying - or can you? The internet these days is a valuable source of information, and there is plenty of advice from those who have been through the routine on buying a used sailboat to be found on the net. Use your search engine and you will see many different sites offering such advice.
There is nothing like the experience of others to help you along the way, and very soon you could be entering negotiations to buy your own used sailboat, safe in the knowledge that you are going about it the right way.
Never purchase any boat without doing the research and balancing the funds.
Buying a used sailboat is not the work of a moment: there are different types of boat to consider, finances to work out and the pros and cons of alternative options that need to be taken into account. Each sailboat is different - you could say each has a personality of its own - and the secrets of buying a sailboat are learnt through experience.
Of course, you can only gain that experience by buying - or can you? The internet these days is a valuable source of information, and there is plenty of advice from those who have been through the routine on buying a used sailboat to be found on the net. Use your search engine and you will see many different sites offering such advice.
There is nothing like the experience of others to help you along the way, and very soon you could be entering negotiations to buy your own used sailboat, safe in the knowledge that you are going about it the right way.
Never purchase any boat without doing the research and balancing the funds.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Outboard Engine Maintenance
Have you ever been out on the water and have your outboard motor die and won't start? Or worse yet, be on a fast moving water? Well its not very pleasant to say the least. Now let me explain something right now. I'm talking about small outboards from 3 to 35 horse powers. On my bigger motors I never fooled around with them, I just took them to a qualified service center. If they have a lot of electronics involved I would do the same.
To maintain an outboard for your power boat is fairly easy until you get to the inside of the motor, then you should go to a qualified repair shop. Everything inside an outboard engine is tooled to precise measurements exactly to size, unless you have the calipers and micro tools its best to stay away form it.
A light tune-up is very easy to do. Take the spark plug for example. Change them every year if you use your outboard more than 20 hours a year. Trolling is very hard on the plugs and they can foul easily. Don't fool around with them, buy new ones. The carbie is a tricky little devil, but minor adjustments can be made. Take the idle control, just use a screw driver, find the idle control screw and adjust as to what you want.
The air mixture adjustment screw is best to be left alone. If your motor just quit, its very doubtful these adjustments had anything to do with it. If you have an outside fuel supply system like a 20 litre tank, put a fuel filter on the line to the motor and carry an extra filter replacement cartridge.
This is off the top of my head, but most motor failures are probably 75% caused from the spark plug or fuel supply system.
If there are grease nipples on the motor shaft, make sure you grease them. On all moving parts use a white lithium grease, this is a water prove grease and won't wash off easy. Keep your motor clean, check the prop for any damage, the slightest damage can cause down the road damage to the bushings and bearings in the drive shaft, especially in the lower unit.
Make sure your motor is pumping water through the system. If its not you will have to replace the impeller located in the shaft line. This is fairly easy to do, but if you have a shift lever, the shift rod may be tricky to get it back to where it belongs. Its hard to tell if a motor is hot, but some will just quit, and when it cools down it will restart. Most will freeze up and then you have serious problems.
If possible, during the winter, store your motor inside. Make or buy a stand for outboards. If your going to lay it down make sure you find out which side to lay it on. I know Hondas have a certain side to lay on. Well I hope this keeps you out of trouble. It only takes a few minutes to maintain an outboard, and for all the enjoyment you get out of it it is worth it.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Cleaning Tips For Dirty Boats
It is amazing how quickly boats can become dirty. Here are a few tips to bring back that new boat look.
Wash the outside with a mild detergent. Sometimes it's tempting to whip out the industrial cleaner, it usually does more harm than good. All you really want to do is remove any surface salt and stains at this stage. Strong cleaners remove the wax, leaving the finish vulnerable to dirt and the harmful rays of the sun. Chandlerys and Marine stores will have detergents that are made especially for boat finishes. These do a good job of cleaning and won't remove so much of the wax. Some of these detergents may even contain wax for extra protection.
Wax your boat. This doesn't have to be done each time you wash, but the more you wax the longer the finish will look new. While the surface of a fiberglass boat may appear slick and shiny, if you were to look at it under a microscope you would see that it is actually rough and has many pits and flaws. When you apply wax these microscopic pits are filled in leaving the surface smooth and glossy. Your boat should be waxed before the boating season to protect the surface from any damaging sun. This is the minimum to maintain your boat in a new looking condition.
Mold and mildew are common problems that can be controlled by keeping the inside of your boat clean. Mold will grow on surfaces that are damp and dirty. If you already have mildew it is not so easy to remove. A mild solution of bleach and water will kill the mildew on the hard shiny surfaces, however never use these on vinyl seats or canvas boat tops. The stitching used in these products can be deteriorated causing them to fall apart. Believe me I know I just spent over $500.00 to get my canvas repaired when all the zippers and stitching started to fall apart. For use on these types of materials I suggest Amazon's Mildew Stain Away, also available at boating supply stores. This product will not clean as well as bleach, but it does a better job of not hurting your stitching.
Keeping the upholstery looking good is simple if you keep a good leather and vinyl protectant applied after each use. These are easy to apply, take only a few minutes, and will extend the life of the upholstery these protectants penatrate and moisturize the vinyl helping to prevent drying and cracking. Some even have a type of sunblock to help prevent fading.
Don't forget the windshield. Sometimes after a day on the water it becomes almost impossible to see through your windshield. Sand, salt spray, and tanning lotions seem to be attracted to this part of your boat like a magnet. After washing and drying clean the windshield with a good glass cleaner and then apply rain-x. Just like the fiberglass, the windshield also has microscopic pits. Rain-x fills these in and makes the surface slick so that it stays cleaner longer. While boating is a pleasurable way to spend a summer day, it is also very exhausting and you may not feel like cleaning your boat when you get home. Just remember keeping it in a "new boat" condition will increase the resale value and shorten the time it takes to sell your boat.
by Bradford Herrington
Wash the outside with a mild detergent. Sometimes it's tempting to whip out the industrial cleaner, it usually does more harm than good. All you really want to do is remove any surface salt and stains at this stage. Strong cleaners remove the wax, leaving the finish vulnerable to dirt and the harmful rays of the sun. Chandlerys and Marine stores will have detergents that are made especially for boat finishes. These do a good job of cleaning and won't remove so much of the wax. Some of these detergents may even contain wax for extra protection.
Wax your boat. This doesn't have to be done each time you wash, but the more you wax the longer the finish will look new. While the surface of a fiberglass boat may appear slick and shiny, if you were to look at it under a microscope you would see that it is actually rough and has many pits and flaws. When you apply wax these microscopic pits are filled in leaving the surface smooth and glossy. Your boat should be waxed before the boating season to protect the surface from any damaging sun. This is the minimum to maintain your boat in a new looking condition.
Mold and mildew are common problems that can be controlled by keeping the inside of your boat clean. Mold will grow on surfaces that are damp and dirty. If you already have mildew it is not so easy to remove. A mild solution of bleach and water will kill the mildew on the hard shiny surfaces, however never use these on vinyl seats or canvas boat tops. The stitching used in these products can be deteriorated causing them to fall apart. Believe me I know I just spent over $500.00 to get my canvas repaired when all the zippers and stitching started to fall apart. For use on these types of materials I suggest Amazon's Mildew Stain Away, also available at boating supply stores. This product will not clean as well as bleach, but it does a better job of not hurting your stitching.
Keeping the upholstery looking good is simple if you keep a good leather and vinyl protectant applied after each use. These are easy to apply, take only a few minutes, and will extend the life of the upholstery these protectants penatrate and moisturize the vinyl helping to prevent drying and cracking. Some even have a type of sunblock to help prevent fading.
Don't forget the windshield. Sometimes after a day on the water it becomes almost impossible to see through your windshield. Sand, salt spray, and tanning lotions seem to be attracted to this part of your boat like a magnet. After washing and drying clean the windshield with a good glass cleaner and then apply rain-x. Just like the fiberglass, the windshield also has microscopic pits. Rain-x fills these in and makes the surface slick so that it stays cleaner longer. While boating is a pleasurable way to spend a summer day, it is also very exhausting and you may not feel like cleaning your boat when you get home. Just remember keeping it in a "new boat" condition will increase the resale value and shorten the time it takes to sell your boat.
by Bradford Herrington
What Boat Should I Buy?
Finding the right boat is usually not to hard for most people. The reason I say that, is that there is usually an interest that sparks the idea of buying a boat. This interest can vary from enjoying fishing to water skiing. Obviously, there are many different boat styles. There really isn’t much to figure out at this point, however, when you research further into buying your new boat you’ll realize it’s not as easy as it seems!
Fishing Boats and your Choices
If your boating approach is to become a professional fisherman or angler, you will probably be after a flats / pro bass / bream style boat. You’ll be looking for a boat with 100 or more horse power that can really get you where you need to go. On the other hand; if you have 3 kids and want to go on family fishing outings something with a flat hull or large deck such as a pontoon boat might be perfect for you. Pontoons usually only have a 60 or so horse power engine so you’ll end up saving money initially as well as on gas consumption over time. There are boats on the market now that can accomplish both of the examples I mentioned so do your homework. There are twin hull boats that are large enough for the family but really fly across the water at 25 mph! Do some research and don’t jump into anything too quickly.
Watersports and Ski-Boats
You don’t have much of a choice when choosing a sport boat simply these boats are designed specifically for each sport. For example, wakeboarding boats have wake board racks/clips/storage and rope bars onboard. You will always have a choice of makes, models, and motors though. If you’re an amateur at the sport you may want to start small and grow your boat with your skills. I have personally seem some sport boats that would intimidate an amateur … remember, just maintain your boat and you can always sell later!
Recreational Boats, Kayaks, and Canoes
Here again, your choices are almost made for you depending on what adventure or sport you’re after. If you’re interesting in going white water rafting then make sure you get a canoe with a hard shell and the necessary safety additions. There are many accessories (both for your canoe and for you personally) that you can buy after the fact. On the other side of the spectrum; If you’re interested in going fishing on the lake behind your house then you don’t really have any specifics to worry about — aside from comfortable seating and a wide hull so you don’t have to worry about tipping your new kayak. From what I’ve been told kayak fishing is the most peaceful form of fishing available!
Fishing Boats and your Choices
If your boating approach is to become a professional fisherman or angler, you will probably be after a flats / pro bass / bream style boat. You’ll be looking for a boat with 100 or more horse power that can really get you where you need to go. On the other hand; if you have 3 kids and want to go on family fishing outings something with a flat hull or large deck such as a pontoon boat might be perfect for you. Pontoons usually only have a 60 or so horse power engine so you’ll end up saving money initially as well as on gas consumption over time. There are boats on the market now that can accomplish both of the examples I mentioned so do your homework. There are twin hull boats that are large enough for the family but really fly across the water at 25 mph! Do some research and don’t jump into anything too quickly.
Watersports and Ski-Boats
You don’t have much of a choice when choosing a sport boat simply these boats are designed specifically for each sport. For example, wakeboarding boats have wake board racks/clips/storage and rope bars onboard. You will always have a choice of makes, models, and motors though. If you’re an amateur at the sport you may want to start small and grow your boat with your skills. I have personally seem some sport boats that would intimidate an amateur … remember, just maintain your boat and you can always sell later!
Recreational Boats, Kayaks, and Canoes
Here again, your choices are almost made for you depending on what adventure or sport you’re after. If you’re interesting in going white water rafting then make sure you get a canoe with a hard shell and the necessary safety additions. There are many accessories (both for your canoe and for you personally) that you can buy after the fact. On the other side of the spectrum; If you’re interested in going fishing on the lake behind your house then you don’t really have any specifics to worry about — aside from comfortable seating and a wide hull so you don’t have to worry about tipping your new kayak. From what I’ve been told kayak fishing is the most peaceful form of fishing available!
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