Take percautions for Christmas boat parades

Ed Killer

BOATING AFTER DARK

Flotilla 59-Stuart of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary reminds boaters of important safety considerations for upcoming Christmas Boat Parades on Saturday in Martin County and a week from Saturday in St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

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.

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.