Tips for Storing Your Boat in Winter

Boating activities usually subside in winter since most lakes are frozen over and the temperatures are too low to have fun. Then comes the all too important time of preparing your boat for storage. You need to take your boat out of the water for the cold season. There are various self-storage units that are designed specifically for boat storage. However you can’t just park your boat and leave it there for the next three or four months. You also need to do the following:

• Take your boat out for one last trip before taking it out of the water. This final round gives you the perfect chance to see if there is anything that needs repair or replacement before winterizing your boat. This will ensure that your boat is ready to hit the water when spring comes around while everyone else is fiddling with wenches. You should mend any hull damage on your boat before storage since cracks and other forms of damage may get worse during storage.
• Clean your boat thoroughly immediately it hauled out of the water. Your boat should be store completely clean. You should scrub off all the gunk and grime from the bottom of the boat. Scrub the decks and the cabin to make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned. You should also clean your hulls, strainers and open the seacocks to drain any water that may still be trapped inside. Wash your boat early enough to give it enough time to dry completely before going into storage. After cleaning, place mildew control bags in the cabin compartments to prevent that nasty storage stink.
• To avoid damaging your engine during storage, top up your gas tank and add a gas stabilizer. This will reduce the risk of condensation, which can ruin your engine. Just before locking up for storage, run the engine for about 15 minutes so all the additives reaches the gas in the fuel lines and the boat engine. Replace engine oil and filters, check hoses, belts, clamps, clean the strainers and flush the coolant system while at it. You can buy an anti freeze formula for the storage period. This process can get quite complicated and you should consider leaving it to a qualified mechanic.
• Remove the electronics from the boat before storage. You should remove the battery and store it in a warm and dry place. Make sure you clean the battery terminals of any corrosion and slightly grease them to prevent rusting too. You should store the battery in full charge; you can use a marine battery charger to do this.
• Jack up the boat while it is in storage. You need to find a strong support system for the boat while it is out of the water. Proper hull placement will ensure it doesn’t become distorted or compromised. You can create a custom cradle for your boat that supports the engine, the bulkhead and the keel of your boat. 

Posted By: Stowaway Marine   http://stowawaycenter.com/marine/index.html

Boat Buying Tips for First Time Buyers

If you are a first-time boat buyer, give yourself a lot of time to explore all the different options available before you make this important purchase. Boats area big investment and that’s particularly why you shouldn’t take the buying process lightly. You can find a good used boat at a fraction of the price of a new one. We’ll give you a few tips to help you get started.

Do your research

Like cars, you’ll find lots of places where they list the value of most used boats. You’ll need to go through these sites and have an idea of how boats are valued. It’s important to know what you want before you go shopping for a boat. Start with the price that you can afford. How much have you set aside for this purchase? This will guide you on the features to look out for.  Boats have certain specifications that make one better than the other and you’ll need to look at more than just the visual appeal.

Visual inspection

You can tell a lot about the boat itself by conducting a visual inspection. If the boat is dirty, scratched up and rusty, it could mean that it hasn’t been well maintained. Check the floor of the boat and walk over it. Any signs of rotting or poor construction should be a red flag. Just remember, the floor is usually one of the most expensive items on a boat to fix. But don’t buy a boat because of its flawless appearance. A used boat can look clean and shiny but this could be a disguise used to cover hidden problems.

Have a test drive

As soon as you’re done with the visual inspection, it’s important to take the boat for a test drive. Take it on the water and feel how the boat rides when you go fast, slow or make turns. This is the only way you’ll know how the boat operates before you buy. Go with your family or your friends for the test drive, the same way you would when going for a boating trip. It’s important to also get their approval before you buy the boat.

Find a reputable boat dealer

First of all, you’ll need to find a trustworthy dealer who can offer you a selection of boats that meet your budget and needs. You can find dealers who have over 20 boats to choose from. That’s better because you will not be restricted to a select few. Compare the boats offered by the dealer and decide what you like and don’t like. A good dealer should be able to advice you on what to look for in a good boat. You should easily tell whether someone is genuinely interested in helping you find a boat or just making a commission.

Hopefully, you now have an idea how to select the right boat. With this basic information on choosing a good used boat, you should now go out and have fun shopping for the best investment you’ll ever make. 

Posted By: Stowaway Marine   http://stowawaymarine.net

How to Stay Safe While Boating

If you are planning on going boating, it’s wise to be prepared and plans ahead of time. Know what you can do during emergency situations and do your best to prevent accidents from happening. At the end of the day, the experience will be great if you plan for it accordingly. So here are some tips to help you stay safe when you go on your next boat ride.

Check the weather before you start riding

Weather patterns can tell you when it’s not appropriate to go boating. Avoid water bodies during periods of high tides. Watch out for quick weather changes that may put you in a dangerous situation whenever you choose to go boating. If you are not so sure about the weather and tides, it’s best to postpone the boat ride.

Wear appropriate life jackets

Always wear a life jacket when on a boat. It doesn’t matter how good a swimmer you are; a good life jacket will help you to keep your face above the water in the event of an emergency. Make sure the lifejacket is the right size and the straps are tight enough.

Have a reliable means of communicating in case of an emergency

Anything can happen while on a boat ride and that’s why it is important to take all the necessary steps to keep yourself safe until you get help. First, always tell other people where you are planning on going and when you expect to be back. Secondly, carry with you something that you can use to alert others during an emergency such as a whistle, a flare or your mobile phone. If you are using the phone, make sure it’s waterproof and fully charged. However, don’t rely so much on the phone because it may lose signal if you decide to go further away from land.

Attend a boating safety course

This gives you the opportunity to learn about boating safety from the professionals. You can also have your vessel checked by the authorities to ensure it is safe for use. Such causes will cover the basics of identifying signs of danger and how to protect yourself and your loved ones from any danger. You may also need to enroll in CPR training so as to know how to help someone in an emergency situation.   

Avoid alcoholic drinks when boating

Drinking while on your boat ride is not recommended because a lot can go wrong when you are not sober. Some people may even insist on jumping into the water for a swim while drunk and this can be life threatening. Wait until you get back on land to enjoy your drink.

Have an alarm or sensors installed on the boat

They can help to notify you in case of danger such as fumes that are emanating from the engine. When you know the source of danger, it is easy to work towards eliminating it. Sensors or an alarm system on your boat may seem like a costly installation but it may end up saving a life.  

Posted By: Stowaway Marine  http://stowawaymarine.net

5 Tips That Help You Properly Price Your Boat For Sale

When you're ready to sell your boat, trying to determine its boat book value can be tough. You don't want to put the price to high because no one will buy. On the other hand, you don't want to list the boat price much too low because you'll sell quickly, but you definitely won't get its full worth. The price needs to be just right to make your buyer and your wallet happy. When you're ready to start trying to find the right price to sell your boat at, keep these 5 helpful and informative tips in mind.

1. Do your research about your particular boat

The best place to start to discover your boat book value is online. Run a Google search on the year and model of your boat; you can also include keywords that offer more information like used, for sale, and price. The goal of this exercise is to see what other boat owners are pricing your particular boat at. Of course, this isn't an exact number because other factors like condition and use come into play.

2. Check out other boats for sell in your area

If possible, search seller pages like Craigslist for other boats for sale in your area. Sometimes the state, city, or area where a boat is being sold will have an impact on its price. Try to run a search for you model of boat being sold in your area. This will give you an even better understanding of what a boat book value would be for a sale in your area.

3. Talk to a local dealer

Sometimes it's best to talk to a professional. If there's a local dealer in your area, make an appointment to go in and ask a few questions. Remember to take photos of your boat and any questions you have with you to the meeting. As the local dealer what he or she thinks might be the best boat book value.

4. Sell at the beginning of boating season

Some boat owners advise that the best time to get a great price for your boat would be at the beginning of boating season. This is when people are really looking to purchase, and if everything else is either taken or priced too high, they'll look toward purchasing a used boat from an owner.

5. Prep your boat for sale

After you've decided on your boat book value, begin to prepare for the sale. You'll want to clean and detail your boat. When taking photos to post on websites for sale, be sure that you're taking clear and high-resolution photos. Sometimes people will want to try and negotiate over the price that you've asked for. Whether you will entertain negotiations or not is absolutely your decision. If you do decide to accept offers, people might be more comfortable buying a higher priced clean boat.

Posted By: Stowaway Marine  http://stowawaymarine.net

Tips for Maintaining your Boat in Mint Condition

Boating is a fun activity. Nothing is a relaxing and liberating as being on the open waters. If you are a first time boat owner, the most important thing you need to know about boating is maintaining your boat.

Wash the boat regularly

Washing your boat is very important, especially if you boat in saltwater. You need to rinse the boat with fresh water first to remove all the salt residue because it will prevent the cleaning agents from being effective. Salt from saltwater boating also corrodes fasteners and metals on your boat. You should find the right cleaning agent for the gel coat. You can also use carwash soap to clean your boat.

Change the oil

Boat engines run quite similar to car engines. You need to check and change the oil as frequently as you use the boat.  In most case, you will need to change the oil after every 100 hours of use. If you do not use the boat very often, you may need to change the oil only once a year. To change the oil, you will need an oil extractor pump that can remove all the old oil through the dipstick tube. Replace new oil in the fill port when you are sure you have gotten all the old oil out. In case your engine has a drain tube, then you do not have to get the pump. You can refer to the manufacturer’s manual to take the boat to a service shop for the engine change.

Make sure to use marine grade oils since boat engines work much harder than car engines. You cannot use automotive oil on your boat.

Check the propellers before launching

Outboard or stern drive boats have propellers that rotate in the water to move the boat. The spinning movement of the propeller often entangles a lot of items that can cause it to jam up in future. Your propeller can end up wrapped in old fishing nets, fishing lines, water vegetation and other debris floating in the water. Make sure you inspect your propellers for any dents or damage as it could affect the boat’s performance and cause it to use more fuel when running. In case you notice anything obstructing the propeller or propeller shaft, call a technician to handle the repairs.

You also need to grease the propeller shaft to maintain a smooth rotating motion throughout the drive. You need to use special waterproof grease, which is more effective under water. You have to remove the propeller blades to grease properly but make sure you put everything back the same way you took it out.

Leave the hard work to the professionals

Unless you are a DIY enthusiast who has done this before, you should leave all the repair work to the professionals. Most vehicle owners will approach the boat engine similar to a car engine when there are numerous differences and this can put your safety at risk. In case of any problems with running the boat, call a qualified technician to trouble shoot and repair.

Posted by: Stowaway Marine http://stowawaymarine.net 

The Used Boat Buying Process

You've looked long and hard and finally found the boat you want and are ready to buy. So what's the normal process?

Making An Offer

Having looked at a few boats you should have some idea of the relative value of the boat you want to buy. You should expect to pay a fair market value. You are probably looking to buy as cheaply as possible but bear in mind that the vendor is looking to get as much as he or she possibly can. Boats often sell below the advertised price so don't be afraid to make an offer but make your offer a reasonable one. It's better to have your offer considered rather than rejected outright. If you can reach an agreement quickly and amicably from a reasonable starting point then the whole buying experience will be a better one. More than likely you will be negotiating with a broker. Their job is to get the best price they can for the vendor not help you get a bargain.

Signing The Agreement

Having agreed a price it is usual to sign a sales agreement and pay a holding deposit. The agreement to purchase is subject to the fulfillment of conditions which normally include a survey and sea trial and may include an engine and rig inspection. The sales agreement is normally 30 days with the survey and sea trial within 14 days.

Organising a Survey

Find a reliable surveyor experienced in the type of boat you are purchasing. The broker will have a list and it's also a good idea to ask around and get some recommendations. Also most states have a marine surveyors association that can provide a list.The survey expenses are normally at the purchasers cost and the deposit is refundable if the sale does not proceed.

If at all possible attend the survey so you can discuss the boat with your surveyor. This is your main chance to find out about the boat you are purchasing from some one who is representing your interests. Going through the boat with the surveyor will put his report in perspective. Just reading the written report can be alarming if you haven't actually seen what he is talking about.

Conducting a Sea Trial

The sea trial is your opportunity to check that everything works OK and is as described in the inventory. Make a list and go through it. Don't be rushed.

Making the Final Decision

The sales agreement should give you a few days to consider the survey report and make a decision on whether to proceed or not. Expect the survey report to list some items for your attention. No boat is going to be perfect. Depending on the nature of the items you may negotiate some compensation prior to agreeing to the sale. If the survey uncovers some major problems you can walk away or, depending on the nature of the problem, get the vendor to fix it and complete the sale. Get advice from your surveyor.

Once you are happy, sign the acceptance on the sales agreement and arrange to transfer the balance of the purchase price to the vendor or broker before the agreed completion date. Ensure you receive all the appropriate documentation and proof of ownership.

Posted By: Stowaway Marine http://stowawaymarine.net

Before You Buy That Boat

If you are thinking of buying a boat, then you are definitely headed in the right direction as far as exploring the world and having adventure is concerned. Since water covers a greater percentage of the earth than land, a boat will allow you to see more of the world. However, a boat is a serious investment, second to buying a home. You must do your homework properly to avoid going at a loss. There are certain things that you need to consider before you head down and buy that boat.

One of the things you need to ask yourself is why you are buying a boat. What do you intend to use the boat for? There are several activities that you can use a boat for. These include fishing, cruising and even sporting. Depending on how you intend to use your boat, you will have to select a boat that meets these requirements. If you intend to use the boat on your own for instance, a smaller size will do. If you intend to have family cruising with you in your boat, you will need a boat that can carry this weight.

Another consideration you need to make when buying your boat is whether you are familiar with maritime laws that you will abide by when using your boat. In the same way you cannot buy a car and take it to the road without proper licensing, you cannot just buy a boat and cruise around without the proper training and licensing.

It is necessary to find out what other boating enthusiasts and boat lovers have to say about particular models and types of boats. There are several online forums that you can visit to familiarize yourself with certain makes of boats, by finding out what others have to say about their experiences with these boats. Certain boating enthusiasts even post videos of themselves taking boats on test runs, which means you will at least have a more visual idea of how a particular boat performs.

And speaking of test runs, when buying a boat you must take it for a test before giving your money away. You need to get an idea of how it will feel being in that boat. If the feeling is not what you want, try out another model, maybe a smaller/bigger size. Keep trying until you find the boat of your dreams.

Consider whether you want to buy a used boat or a new one. There are certain perks that come with buying a used boat, including being able to benefit from the previous owner’s experience of owning the boat. That is, you could always ask to be told what to expect. A new boat on the other hand is yours to discover. Used boats also tend to be cheaper than their brand new counterparts.

If you have decided to finally buy a boat, take your time figuring out what’s available and what you truly want. Do not rush into buying a boat. Just like you didn’t rush when buying your home, be patient and you will finally discover the boat of your dreams. 

Posted By: Stowaway Marine http://stowawaymarine.net