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.
Us Floridians wish you luck.
The fall is a time of changing leaves, cooler temperatures and the inevitable week or so of sugar-fuelled delirium that most parents have come to anticipate after an evening of trick-or-treating. Though some would not consider boating with this season of change, for many, boating season doesn’t end just because summer has come and gone. For those of your curious about boating this fall, as well as those of you who continue enjoying fall boating, we’ve compiled a quick list of tips to make sure your boat stays shipshape.
How to Prep for Fall Boating
- Temp and Time: Two things to immediately consider before getting in some fall boating is the temperature change and the waning amount of sunlit hours we can enjoy. As Boating.com suggests, always dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Even in waters up to 60ºF can pose risks if you are left stranded for a prolonged period. Wear a waterproof outer layer with multiple water-resistant layers beneath it for best results.
With fewer hours of sunlight, also be sure to check all lights on your vessel and bring a waterproof flashlight with you, even if you don’t anticipate being caught after sundown. Dusk has a tendency of sneaking up on you when boating in the fall.
- Life Jackets Save Lives: Though a safety tip for all seasons, considering the above-mentioned risks of cooler waters make life jackets all the more vital if you fall overboard. Ensure that your life jackets are still in good shape and fit comfortably over your bulkier fall clothing.
Also consider utilizing the likes of personal life beacons (PLB) and emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), as cell phones can easily become wet and unusable in emergency situations.
- Check, Please: If you had a relatively quiet summer and didn’t take to the water very often, it may be time to run through your commissioning checklist. Though traditionally conducted in the spring, you can easily create an amended version for your fall boating needs, including such essentials as hull assessments, corrosion checks and paperwork reviews.
Though our HQ in the Sunshine State often doesn’t have to worry about cooler weather until we are well into winter, our friends in Virginia and throughout the North can surely use these tips when preparing for some fall boating fun. Always remember, check your vessel before hitting the water, utilize important safety equipment and be prepared for cooler temperatures and shorter days. Stay safe and enjoy the cooler weather while on the water.
“Boaty McBoatface.” This is the name the internet chose in a poll for a $200+ million research vessel. Yes, sometimes the internet is a strange, wonderful place. Though the research council that held the poll decided to go for “The RSS Sir David Attenborough” instead (yawn), the sky’s the limit when it comes to naming a boat.
Though it’s definitely one of the more fun aspects of boat ownership, you may not have considered some of the nunces and benefits of naming a boat something memorable.
Facts to Consider When Naming a Boat
- Worried about picking a name that’s already chosen? Don’t fret. There is no law dictating that your name has to be original.
- You are not mandated to have your name on the hull of your boat, but if you do, lettering must be at least four inches in height.
- Consider naming it after a person. Though it’s a cliche, applying a gender to your boat could have the psychological effect of making you take better care of it. You just may take better care of “Jessica” than you would “Torpedo Chaser 5000.”
- Don’t pick a name that’s a play on illegal or reckless activity. Yes, police officers will notice and, no, they probably won’t find your pun on drugs, alcohol or speeding very funny.
- OK, now this is more for those of us who still step over cracks and avoid the paths of black cats, but there is a time-honored tradition that you may want to follow: NEVER rename a boat without having a proper renaming ceremony.
- Putting your name on your boat can make it more easily identifiable in emergency situations.
Naming a boat is not just fun — it’s a fundamental step towards making your boat truly yours. So, whether you go for “Boaty McBoatface” or “Betty,” make sure you pick a name that’s just right for you. We’ll see you on the water.
Many tourists and newcomers underestimate just how hot the Sunshine State can get in the broiling months of summer. Us locals, though — we know better. However, these thermometer-popping months are also the favorite time to take the boat out to enjoy some quality cooldown time on the water. Though you may respect the heat the moment you hop out of your air conditioned car, some forget to protect themselves from the source of that heat.
Between dangerous UV rays and stifling heat, prepare yourself with these three easy ways to protect yourself from the summer sun while on your next boat trip or excursion in the outdoors.
Staying Cool While Boating in the Summer Sun
- Hydrate: No, this is not your permission to whip out the margarita machine. Instead of your favorite cocktail or brew, make sure you’re regularly rehydrating with water and sports drinks with electrolytes. Heat stroke and dehydration are easy ways that your fun time can turn into an emergency situation in a hurry. Bring more than enough water that you think you’ll need to compensate for the heavy sweating that’s bound to happen when you spend any extended period of time in the Florida heat.
- Cover: Though many like to work on a tan while boating, for fishing or cruising (which may necessitate boaters to be in direct sunlight for extended periods), it’s smart to cover up instead of stripping down. Polarized sunglasses protect your eyes and improve visibility, a hat and scarf can prevent sunstroke and breathable, UV-protective clothes can keep the summer sun from slow roasting you throughout the day.
- Lather: Of course, we have to recommend using sunscreen. If you’re not using sunscreen, please start — yes, now. Even if you’re not in the direct summer sun, UV rays can still penetrate many materials and even reflect off of metal surfaces and even the water itself. Prevent skin damage and serious skin issues (potentially including the big “C”) by regularly applying sunscreen that is rated at at least SPF 30. Don’t forget commonly missed, sensitive spots like hands, feet, ears and even eyelids. There is also protective lip balm available, and water-resistant sunscreens for swimmers and watersports enthusiasts. Don’t forget to reapply throughout the day as well.
There’s no way around it — the summer sun can be a bit of a drag if you’re not prepared for it. However, if you’re ready for the heat and powerful UV rays on your next boat trip, you should be able to focus on the fun stuff, namely, earning a new “big fish” story to tell your buddies. Enjoy your summer on the water and try to stay cool out there.
It’s almost the Fourth yet again, and that means a few, deeply important things: fireworks, cookouts and one of the best excuses to go boating all year long. Though it’s sure to be crowded with like-minded boaters, there’s nothing better than watching fireworks light up the night sky while shimmering across the surface of your favorite waterway. Something else that pairs well with the likes of burgers, light shows and boating is some classic, Fourth of July-inspired tunes.
Your friends at Hi-Tide have got you covered with a Spotify playlist that’s perfect for Monday, whether you’re boating this Fourth or just wishing you were.
Enjoy this Fourth of July with your friends, family and maybe a little Free Bird. Stay safe, and happy boating!
