Though winter is full of the holly jolly fun of the holidays, for our friends up North, it also brings something a little less cheery—ice-cold temperatures. Sure, you can bundle up, crank up the heater and throw some logs in the fireplace, but what about your boat and dock? If you hope to keep your vessel afloat come spring, there are a few key things you need to do. Luckily, winterizing your boat and dock is simple with this handy checklist.
Winterizing Your Boat and Dock Before the Big Freeze
Keep it Clean: Many boaters don’t take their boats out as often in the winter months, especially during the coldest months of the season. Before you take your boating break, be sure to clear your ship of any food on board, deep cleaning all lockers, storage areas and refrigerators or freezers you may not touch on the average trip.
Check the Essentials:Fire extinguishers, life jackets, mooring gear and other important facets should be checked and replaced, if necessary, before your next outing. A professional tune-up and maintenance check is also never a bad idea.
Think Tanks:During the cold winter months, it is vital that you fill your gas tank to about 95% capacity and add stabilizer to the tank. If you don’t, there is a major risk that the ethanol in your gasoline will absorb enough moisture in the cold to separate from the fuel, which can be deadly to your engine. In addition, consider disinfecting holding tanks, then running antifreeze through them.
Clean and Inspect Your Dock:Just like your boat, a seasonal inspection is vital to making sure your dock is ready to handle what winter has in store. Look, especially, for structural damage or weaknesses, as well as any debris that may keep your dock from rising and lowering as it’s supposed to. Now is also the time to clean your deck, removing mold and grime and ensuring that it is properly repelling water.
Though cold waters don’t keep everyone from getting in their boating fix, for those who prefer spring and summer cruising, it is important to prep for a little aquatic hibernation by winterizing your boat and dock. Other than the above steps, simply keeping tabs on the weather, asking a neighbor to keep an eye out for you, or even scheduling a mid-winter checkup could go a long way towards keeping your ship safe until the sun can warm those waters again.
If you couldn’t tell, boat lifts are kind of our thing; but beyond our business of crafting high-quality boat lifts, we’re also enthusiasts of boating and fishing that understand just how complicated it can be to find the right boat, gear and hardware for exactly what you’re looking for. Though we may not be able to make all of those big decisions for you, we at least want to do our part to make sure your boat lift search is smooth sailing.
5 Considerations When Researching Boat Lifts
Drives: A boat lift’s drive is really the powerhouse of the entire thing. Without a quality drive, a boat lift is dead in the water. As experts in boat lifts, we created Gear Drive technology with incredibly intensive quality control. Your first step before buying a boat lift should be to make sure you know the drive is up to snuff.
Controls: What good are boat lifts if you can’t control them? With boat lift controls pounded by everything from the blazing sun to corrosive salt waters, anything but a durable, high-quality design won’t do. Make sure the controls aren’t outsourced, low-end models that are simply slapped onto the boat lift to save some money.
Construction: We’ve mentioned it before, but we cannot sing the praises of aluminum enough. Ensure that the boat lift model you’re eyeing is welded instead of bolted together. Bolted boat lifts often suffer from galvanic corrosion caused by the dissimilar metals in salt water.
Components:Boat lifts, much like many mechanical devices, are only as strong as the smallest components that make them up. If your boat lift manufacturer can’t guarantee quality from the cables to the on/off switch, the quality of the entire boat lift is up to question.
Cost:Boat lifts are an investment. You may be able to find a boat lift on the cheap, but the lifespan of a low-quality lift means that you’ll probably be shopping for another in no time. It is far better to invest in a lift that may nearly last the lifetime of your boat instead of spending more on multiple, low-quality boat lifts.
We know the struggles of finding the equipment that’s Goldilocks-perfect for your boat. However, when it comes to boat lifts, we’ve got your covered. Sure, we may be a little biased, but if you have your doubts, read how Hi-Tide Boat Lifts’ drives, controls, construction, components and price point are the perfect pick for nearly any boat–from the bayou to the Bahamas.
Thanksgiving is the perfect chance to get in some quality time to sit back, relax and unapologetically pig out on turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pie. In other words, it’s definitely in the running for greatest holiday of the year.
However, as the name implies, it’s also an equally perfect chance to do a bit of self-reflection and count your blessings. In the spirit of Thanksgiving (and before the turkey-induced coma fully takes hold), four members of the Hi-Tide family shared the reasons why they’re thankful for sharing the lifestyle and love of boating with the world.
What is Hi-Tide Thankful for This Thanksgiving?
Thomas Fox – Dealer Recruiter
What I love about boating: I love the water most likely because I am an Aquarius. Being on the water with the blue sky and beautiful water–I find it all very calming. I love to view nature in its natural environment. Tooling down the Intracoastal Waterway and stopping at local businesses for a drink or lunch, or even better, beaching up a local island and hanging out with family and friends is the best. I am not an ocean fisherman but have the desire to learn. I love to dive and snorkel, again, because I get to be at one with nature.
Caitlin Lawston – Customer Support & Accounting
Boating to me takes you away from the chaos of the world. When you’re on the water, you’re surrounded by the beauty of the big blue ocean. And what lies underneath is nothing short of majestic. The feeling of the warm sun on your skin, the sound of the calming water surrounding you, and the views just can’t be beat!
Ryan Hyde – Research & Design
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to live in a beautiful waterfront community where my boat is just steps away from our door. With a family of five, most days are spent racing from here to there, keeping up with our texts and emails, and grabbing meals on the go between sports and obligations. The time we spend together as a family enjoying life on the water, dropping in a line to catch dinner, and watching beautiful sunsets on our way back in has proven to be priceless. I can’t imagine life any other way.
One thing’s for sure–there are tons of reasons to be thankful for being able to enjoy the fun and passion of boating, especially when able to share it with those you love.
Before we get back to the recliner with a drumstick in one hand, TV controller in the other, we want to share one more thing we’re thankful for–you. To the entire boating community and all those we’ve had the pleasure of serving, have a very Happy Thanksgiving. We’ll see you on the water…right after this nap.
Though many keep their boats docked in the fall and winter months to await warmer weather, many others don’t let some brisk temperatures keep them from hitting the water. Though we recently touched on a few fall boating tips, there is one danger worth revisiting when the temperatures begin to drop: cold water immersion.
Falling overboard is always a danger, but doing so in the frigid waters of fall and winter can be absolutely deadly if you are not prepared. Remember, if the combined air and water temperatures add up to less than 100º Fahrenheit, you need to take precautions to keep you and yours safe until the warm waters of summer return.
How to Prepare for Cold Water Immersion and Boating
Emergency Cut-Off Switch: If you go overboard, the last thing you want to see is your boat speeding away from you. Use a kill switch/emergency cut-off switch fastened to your clothing to ensure that your engine will shut off if you are thrown into the cold waters.
Extra Essentials: An extra set of clothing secured in a waterproof plastic bag is always recommended to keep onboard. Even if you are not fully submerged, an extra set of dry clothes can save your boating trip if you are splashed by the frigid waters. A thermos of hot soup or coffee is also great to keep on hand, as well as energy bars for a much-needed boost after falling overboard.
Layer:A big misconception is that dressing for the air temperature is enough. Always dress for the water temperature, which is oftentimes much cooler than the air. Avoid wearing cotton. Instead, layer synthetics (nylon, polyester, etc.) as your base, a layer of neoprene or other wetsuit-style materials, and finally, add outer layers of insulating, water-proof/water-repellent jackets, pants or full-coverage drysuits. Gloves, specialty footwear and headwear are also widely used to protect against cold water immersion.
Life Jackets: A safety tip for all seasons, life jackets are vital if you fall overboard. Ensure that your life jackets are still in good shape and fit comfortably over your layered clothing.
Keep Contact: Let others know about your boating plans and where you will be traveling, especially if boating alone. Always keep a VHF radio on you, as well as your cell phone, safely stored in a waterproof container. These lifesavers are useless if you leave them onboard, so keep them on your person at all times.
Keep Your Heat:If the worst happens and you do fall into the frigid water and are unable to get back onboard, there are still actions you can take to save your life. Use your waterproof VHF radio or cell phone (if secured in a waterproof bag) to report your emergency. When waiting for rescue to arrive, ensure your life jacket is tightened, button up your clothing, remove heavy footwear and keep your head out of the water as much as possible. If alone in the water, experts recommend curling into a fetal position in order to retain heat for as long as possible. If you are in a group, however, it is better to huddle together and link arms over each others’ shoulders and underarms to share as much body heat as possible.
Boating in colder months can be a lot of fun if done safely. Never underestimate just how dangerous cold water immersion can be and, as always, prepare for the worst so you can spend the rest of your time enjoying the fun of boating instead of worrying about safety.
There are few things more hotly contested than fishing spots. Like trying to compile a list of the best pizza toppings of all time. You are bound to upset the mushroom and sausage crowd if you dare to leave it off of your list. In that way, our list of locations for the best fishing in Texas is kind of like pizza.
Have we lost you yet?
The point is, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the best fishing in Texas. The famously sizeable Lone Star State offers more than a few options for those looking to reel in some Texas-sized fun.
(Some of) The Best Fishing in Texas
Toledo Bend Reservoir: Featuring excellent sunfish and largemouth bass and known as a quality year-round fishery, the Toledo Bend Reservoir is the largest man-made body of water in the South.
Port Mansfield: Located on the Laguna Madre, this saltwater fishing favorite features plentiful speckled trout and easy access to the Gulf.
Lake Texoma: If you’re in search of bass and catfish, this is your spot. Featuring abundant striped bass, smallmouth bass, blue catfish and a number of others, this large reservoir should not be overlooked.
Lake Fork: One of the country’s top trophy bass lakes, Lake Fork serves up plentiful largemouth bass and catfish, as well as some crappie and sunfish in the spring and summer.
Rollover Pass: Summer and fall fishing at its finest, this man-made straight is an extremely active fishing spot on the Bolivar Peninsula that connects East Bay with the Gulf.
If you’re an active fishing enthusiast visiting for the first time or a local who has recently caught the fishing bug, give these spots a try for some of the best fishing in Texas. Though these are far from all of the best fishing spots in the state, this list may just get you started off with a few big stories to tell. Don’t be afraid to frequent a few fishing supplies and bait shops to meet fellow boaters and anglers–they may be able to teach you a thing or two.
As always, boat safely and enjoy your time on the water!
