Lakesmarts: Properly clean boats to prolong life

Submitted by Lori Carlson

From the Prior Lake Association 

To keep a boat in timeless condition, wash and dry after use – it’s what you use with the elbow grease that makes the biggest difference.

Use marine-grade soap and polish. The advantage is that it removes oxidation and chalk while leaving behind a protective polymer coating, which also seals the surface.

Use a synthetic wax that blends UV protectants to repel water and reduce fading. They’re easy to apply; spray on, wipe dry.

Worst solutions for the long run: Do not use dishwashing soap, which opens pores in the fiberglass, allowing it to hold dirt and trap light instead of reflecting it.

Do not use ammonia-based cleaners. Window cleaners and household spray cleaners contain ammonia, which dissolves acrylic in vinyl, fiberglass and Plexiglas.

Do not use traditional paste wax, which will lack protectants to shield oxidation.

More boating care tips can be found at the Web site of Boating Life magazine, www.boatinglife.com.

In other lake news, the water clarity in upper Prior Lake, as of Wednesday, Oct. 29, has increased to 3½ feet. The lake elevation is 900.44. The surface water temperature was 48 degrees.

Enjoy your lake as we wind down the boating season.

 The Prior Lake Association can be reached via www.priorlakeassociation.org.  

How to avoid the six most common boat winterizing

by BoatU.S. Media

With winter approaching, BoatU.S. Marine Insurance has reviewed its claim files and reports the following six most common mistakes made when winterizing a boat:

1. Failure to winterize the engine: Freezing temperatures occur in all 50 states and while they are taken seriously up north, it's the balmy states of California, Florida, Texas, Alabama and Georgia where boaters are most likely to have freeze-related damage to engine blocks. It routinely occurs to boats stored ashore here. Boats left in a slip are less susceptible to sudden freezing as the surrounding water retains heat longer than air.

2. Failure to drain water from sea strainer: If your winterizing plan calls for draining the engine, the seawater strainer must be winterized or residual water could freeze and rupture the watertight seal. Sometimes you won't know it's damaged until spring launching and water begins to trickle in.

3. Failure to close seacocks: For boats left in the water, leaving seacocks open over the winter is like going on extended vacation without locking the house. If a thru-hull cannot be closed, the vessel must be stored ashore - the sole exception is cockpit drains. Heavy snow loads can also force your boat under, allowing water to enter thru-hulls that are normally well above the water line.

4. Clogged petcocks: Engine cooling system petcocks clogged by rust or other debris can prevent water from fully draining. If one is plugged, try using a coat hanger to clear the blockage or use the engine's intake hose to flush anti-freeze through the system.

5. Leaving open boats in the water over winter: Boats with large open cockpits or low freeboard can easily be pushed underwater by the weight of accumulated ice and snow. Always store them ashore.

6. Using biminis or dodgers as winter storage covers: A cover that protects the crew from the sun does a lousy job protecting the boat from freezing rain and snow. Unlike a bonafide winter cover, biminis and dodgers tend to rip apart and age prematurely by the effects of winter weather.

To get a free copy of the BoatU.S. Winterizing Guide full of tips to help you prepare your vessel for the winter, go to http://www.BoatUS.com/seaworthy/winter, or call 800-283-2883.

Have Your Boat Trips Arranged For A Fun Vacation!
 by: Ainuddin Mohamad

 Any form of water is truly an amazing sight to see and explore. That is why many people are exerting much time and resources to make the most out of boating experiences. Some people prefer to do all the planning and preparations on their own while some like to have someone arrange the boating trips for them.

There are boat charter companies that can arrange boating trips for you for a well-deserved and fun vacation. These boat charter companies offer many advantages for tourists. Here are some reasons why:

Picking Out The Ultimate Fishing Boat
 by: Michael Sneed

 You and your family are heading out early in the morning for a day of fishing in your brand new fishing boat. You hit that highway that leads to the lake, excited voices echoing throughout your SUV. Your wife and kids are just as delighted with the new boat as you are and are discussing the whopper they hope to catch. You arrive at the lake, launch the runabout that contains the entire family's fishing gear and in no time at all, you are skimming across the water, every family member safely encased in a lifejacket. You just know that this is going to be a great family outing and everyone loves the new fishing boat.