Archive for the ‘General Boating & Maintenance Tips’ Category

The battery is new, but the starter is struggling to turn that outboard over. What’s the matter? If bench-testing results in a clean billing, you can begin to narrow down the list of possibilities. 

Onwards to the lugs and terminals. Clean all the connections and tighten all the nuts connecting the cables to the battery, battery switch, engine block and starter. If it is still sluggish or dead at this point, there are a few more tests worth running before you throw in the towel.

Test the cables for resistance using the ohm function of a multimeter. This is when the tell-tale signs will begin to emerge. If you find that the electrical resistance in both the negative and/or positive cables is off the charts, chances are you are due for some new cables.

Saltwater use has a tendency to wear on battery cables at a much faster rate than freshwater boating, making them brittle and unable to hold a strong charge. When salty moisture and battery-acid vapor have worked their way through your boat’s insulation, your wiring becomes frail with black corrosion, effectively zapping your charge with battery-acid residue. Once corrosion has settled, heat wrought from electrical resistance reacts with the copper filaments, spoiling your wiring components no matter their age.

Bad cables are hazardous to your boat and can lead to unexpected fires. Your alternator moves electrical energy through deteriorating wire with excessive heat that could potentially cause combustion. Bad negative cables can also wear on the performance of your alternator and further damage. Marine-grade tinned-copper cables have better resistance and a better chance of protecting your battery from blowing diodes.

If your battery seems weak, use these six tips to check your cables:

1. LISTEN
   A weak starting sequence is a muffled first clue that something isn’t right. Always pay close attention when firing up your boat
2. TOUCH
   Feel your battery cables after your day is through on the water. If one of them is hot, continue searching for problems
3. SMELL
   Cables that are overheating give off a distinct odor. If you smell something foul and trace the smell back to your battery, address the issue sooner than later
4. BEND
   Take each of your cables and try bending it. If it resists and crackles, chances are it has gone bad
5. LOOK
   Don’t be complacent. If your voltmeter reads 14.5 volts or more of output, that is a bad sign
6. TEST
   This is the tell all. Grab a multimeter and test for resistance. More than an ohm means you have an electrical problem that needs to be addressed

Who doesn’t feel pride in their boat when people are giving compliments about it. However, over time, the boat gets dirty, corrosion kicks in, and things stop working. Boats last longer and look more beautiful with proper care. But that care takes a lot less time when you work smart. The following are a few simple tips and tricks to make your boat maintenance duties painless.

Keep your boat clean.

Washing your boat regularly will prevent long-term effects of environmental wear and tear. Routine waxing and the use of anti-fouling paint can also help protect your boat from the elements. Consider using environmentally safe products and invest in a cover for your boat. A good cover will keep your boat free from dirt, falling leaves, and bird droppings, as well as prevent UV rays from breaking down hoses and fading carpets and upholstery. In addition, wash your trailer after each use as well, especially if it was in salt water.

Be vigilant about your battery.

Things to look for when inspecting your boat’s battery system include secure installation, shielded terminals, and, for batteries with more than 800 sold-cranking amps, a shut-off switch. Also, don’t forget to inspect your battery and electrical system on a regular basis.

Conduct motor maintenance regularly.

Flush your engine after every outing, and check everything from your fuel tanks to the clamps on your fuel line for rust, damage, or corrosion. Check your oil for correct levels, proper filtration, and cleanliness. Keep an eye on your engine’s cooling system, and inspect your bilge pump. You’ll also want to make sure your battery system contains enough power to run the pump for a prolonged period of time if necessary.

Keep your fuel water-free.

Gasoline is prone to accumulating water because of condensation during long periods of storage. In fact, this undesired trait is sped up in ethanol-blended fuel. Some folks battle this problem by installing two fuel filters in their boats – a twist-on water separator at the tank and a cartridge filter at the engine. Ethanol or not, for winter storage, it’s critical to keep tanks around 95% full to reduce the risk of condensation.

Take care of your trailer.

As you do with your car, carry emergency equipment for your trailer. Make a trailer emergency kit that contains a spare wheel and tire lug wrench, wheel chocks, bearing grease, extra hub assembly, extra line (for the winch and tie-down straps), replacement light bulbs, wheel bearings, and road flares/markers.

These are simply a few tips and tricks to get you started on your boat maintenance and care. The best way to keep your boat in top condition is to never stop maintaining it. It’s far easier to keep your boat at a certain standard than having to work back to that standard after a period of no or little care.

For more information, or if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at Performance Product Technologies today.

At certain times, it makes sense for you to tack like you would on a sail boat. For instance, when crossing to the west end of the Catalina Island off the southern California coast line, seas being pushed up by Pacific zephyrs will take your speedy cruise and turn it into an arduous drag. Turning your boat at an angle that would quarter the choppy Santa Catalina Gulf Sea minimizes the pounding with a less-direct approach to waves and ultimately increases your cruising speed. 

Technically a straight line is the quickest distance between two points, but with rough seas, it isn’t the safest. Here are three different boating scenarios where a sail-boat-tacking approach will help you get to your destination quickly and comfortably:

1. POUNDING UP-SEA
   Running your boat at a right angle to steep, closely packed seas is dangerous and exhausting. Instead of slamming yourself down to a crawl, apply the tacking approach. Not only is the 90 degree idea slower, but you put your equipment and passengers in danger with the possibility of stuffing your boat while falling off the crest of a roller and into the hole at the base of the next crasher. Instead, steer your boat off-sea in one direction for a few miles before tacking the other direction. Sensible throttle controls and attention to the wheel are required to keep a steady boat and deal with the unexpected hang-ten wave. Quartering waves requires situational awareness and keen piloting skills.Wind spray is the one downside to wave quartering as opposed to meeting waves head on. But if it’s safety or dryness at stake, I’ll take the cautious approach every time. An enclosure is another sensible solution for eliminating wind spray.
2. RACING DOWN-SEA
   While racing your boat down the face of a wave might seem like fun, the large seas that follow you are often times very treacherous. A loss of steering has been known to occur in these scenarios, and when that happens, you leave yourself vulnerable to the roller astern. With especially steep seas, you run the risk of stuffing yourself into the backside of the wave you follow. Taking wider angles when quartering down sea is a good approach that minimizes hazardous situations. Have your passengers take shelter on the windward stern area, especially when operating smaller boats in steep waters. Your reverse tack should be timed to a lull in the waves. Be sure to come about briskly.
3. SOAKED IN A BEAM SEA
   On breezy lake days fishing in your small aluminum boat, tacking is an excellent way to keep yourself dry. If you’re running the lake with the wind on your beam, quarter up sea and down sea sharply. You could be smart and pack rain gear, but wouldn’t you rather liven up your fishing day with a serpentine cruise to shore?

When an outboard boat motor “floods,” it has too much fuel in the cylinder. This can make it either difficult or impossible to start, depending on the severity of the situation. Even if your boat motor will start, you should try to find out what’s causing the issue so you can fix it. Continuously running a flooded motor will degrade its components while subsequently reducing the life expectancy of your motor.

Gas-powered boat motors require a precise mixture of fuel, air/oxygen, and heat. When there’s an imbalance of these elements, the motor may fuel with an excess amount of fuel. As a result, starting the engine may prove difficult due to the wet spark plugs. So, what are some of the common causes of flooded boat motors?

Choke

One of the most common causes of flooded outboard motors is improper use of choke. Located in the neck of the carburettor, the choke is a small valve designed to reduce the amount of air/oxygen added to the fuel. If your motor is stuttering and won’t seem to start, you can engage the choke to give it a boost of fuel, which is oftentimes enough to make it turn. However, failing to disengage the choke immediately after can result in flooding, as too much fuel is pumped into the cylinders.

Priming

Incorrect use of the priming pump may also cause a boat motor to flood. The priming bulb is a small rubber button that pumps fuel into the motor when pressed. If this bulb is pressed too many times, it will flood the cylinders to the point where the spark plugs can longer ignite; thus, rendering your engine dead in the water. Priming boats aren’t restricted to boat motors; they can be found on lawnmowers, weedeaters, leafblowers, and pretty much any other type of gas-powered motor.

Cylinder Compression

A third possible cause of a flooded boat motor is a low cylinder compression. The air inside the cylinders is compressed to help regulate the ratio of fuel-to-air. If the pressure is too low, fuel will gradually build up, and eventually it will flood the engine. Use a standard compression gauge to test your cylinder’s compression. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to fix low compression other than replacing the head gasket.

Going through the possible causes listed here should help you identify the underlying problem of your flooded motor. If you still can’t seem to identify the problem, check to make sure the motor’s ignition points are clean and free of debris and corrosion.

This is a question many boat owners ask themselves. If you recently purchased your first boat, you might assume a cover is nothing more than a “luxury accessory” with no real purpose. The truth, however, is that it offers several different benefits, some of which are obvious while others are more discreet.

Protects Against Sun Damage

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can wreck havoc on a boat’s paint, fading the color or even causing it to peel/crack. This isn’t something that happens overnight, but years of basking in the sun will inevitably damage a boat’s paint. And once the paint begins to crack, there’s no easy to stop it, other than repainting the entire hull. The good news is that you can protect against such heartache by tossing a cover over your boat. Most quality covers are manufactured with UV-protectant material, blocking out the sun’s harmful rays.

Deter Theft

Tossing a cover over your boat will also deter theft. It’s not uncommon for thieves to target visible items left on the boat, including outboard motors, outdrives, GPS systems, fishfinders, stereo systems, electronics, and fishing gear. But you can discourage thieves from running off with your watercraft items and accessories by using a boat cover. Its not a foil-proof deterrence by any means, but it will hide any items left on your boat so they aren’t visible.

Repels Water and Moisture

Yet another reason why you should invest in a cover for your boat is because it repels water and moisture. Ever ride in a boat with a damp, musky odor? This is usually the result of moisture settling into the carpet, promoting the growth of mold and mildew. By covering your boat, you’ll keep it dry and mildew-free – a huge benefit for owners who don’t have access to a garage or covered storage shed.

Bugs, Critters and Bird Droppings

Still need another reason to use a boat cover? Assuming it’s fitted and properly secured to the watercraft, it will keep out bugs and small animals while also protecting against bird droppings. It’s not something that most boat owners want to think about, but bird droppings can, and will, land on unprotected boats. Something as simple as a synthetic cover, however, will shield the boat from this unpleasant substance. Just remember to tie it tight around the sides for maximum protection.

Thousands of boats, engines and other high-dollar marine equipment are stolen in the U.S. each year. To put the problem into perspective, the National Crime Insurance Bureau (NCIB) says boat theft is a $40 million business, with a rate of roughly 1,000 boats stolen per month! Unfortunately, boats are prime targets by thieves due to their ease of resell. If you’re a boat owner, you should take some precautions to ensure your watercraft doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

Hull Identification Number

Just as cars, trucks and other automobiles have a unique identifier (Vehicle Identification Number), so do boats. Known as the Hull Identification Number (HIN), it typically consists of 12 numbers and a 2-character country code. While each and every boat is different, the HIN can usually be found on the exterior of the transom.

If you haven’t done so already, make a note of your boat’s HIN. In the event that it’s ever stolen, you can provide law enforcement with this identification number to increases your chances of a successful recovery. Investigators can search potential boats to see if matches your HIN.

Lock Your Trailer

Try to get into the habit of engaging the trailer hitch lock each time you bring your boat back home. Thieves often target boats on trailers simply because they are easier to steal. Once they’ve hooked the trailer up to a truck, they can drive off with the stolen boat. You can discourage this activity, however, by engaging the hitch lock after paring the trailer and boat.

Don’t Leave Your Keys Behind

This may sound like common sense, but you should never leave your keys in the boat. Doing so is just asking for trouble. Whether you intend to operate the boat later that day or several months from now, remove the keys and place them in a safe and secure location.

Secure The Motor

It’s not just boats that are at risk of being stolen; thieves are just likely to steal outboard motors. Rather than removing your motor, though, you can discourage theft by securing it to the boat using a steel chain and lock. This isn’t going to protect your boat from theft, but it will prevent thieves from nabbing the motor.

Alarm System

Of course, you can also install an alarm system in your boat to safeguard against theft. Most thieves will stop what they are going and run in the opposite direction at the first sound of an alarm.

The Fourth of July is a federally recognized holiday commemorating our nation’s independence from Great Britain. However, it’s also a time of year when friends and family get together to enjoy outings on the water. There’s no better way to enjoy your Fourth of July holiday than by taking your boat on the lake with a group of close friends.

If you plan on boating this Fourth of July, though, you should take some extra precautions to ensure you and your passengers remain safe. According to data released by the U.S. Coast Guard, boating accidents last year resulted in 560 deaths, 2,620 injuries, and over $39 million in property damage. The combination of a celebratory atmosphere and more people on the water increases the chance of a boating-related accident during the Fourth of July.

No matter how tempting it sounds, do not attempt to shoot fireworks from your boat. Fireworks are a staple item for Independence Day celebrations, but they should only be used on land. Igniting them from your boat could result in a fire while leaving you subject to a fine.

Rather than setting off your own fireworks, perhaps you can ride your boat around to watch other fireworks displays. Most major lakes – and even smaller ones – will have multiple fireworks displays on the Fourth of July. And being that you’re on a boat, you can pull right up for a front-row seat.

Alcohol continues to be a contributing factor in many boating accidents. If you’re the designated driver, refrain from drinking this Fourth of July.

Aside from alcohol, there are several other factors that sap your energy and impair your ability to operate a boat. Ana Radolinski of the U.S. Coast Guard urges the importance of operating a vessel without impairment.
“Even without alcohol, motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind, and sea spray can fatigue a boater and cause them to become impaired more quickly than when driving a car on land. When out on the water, always designate a competent vessel operator who can safely navigate without impairment,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Ana Radolinski.

Whether you live on the east coast, west coast or anywhere in between, the Fourth of July is one of the busiest times of year for lakes, rivers and waterways. With more people on the water, you need to use extra caution when operating a boat. Don’t just look for other boats, but also keep your eyes peeled for swimmers, tubers, kayakers, inflatable rafts, etc.

Be sure to check out our previous post for more boating safety tips.

Next boating season, wouldn’t it be nice to minimize your fuel costs? Being cost conscious shouldn’t just be for filling your vehicle’s gas tank. The continuously fluctuating price of fuel shouldn’t be a reason not to enjoy your boat as much as you would like to.

Here are six ways to save money while maximizing your boating experience.

1. Make sure to pump your fuel on the lowest mode to help tone down vapors while pumping. Keep in mind that powerful acceleration consumes the largest amount of fuel, so idling your way along slowly will reduce your fuel costs greatly.

2. Just like your car, boat engines need to be regularly serviced. Make sure to service them regularly, changing the oil and filter at least once per season. Reduced engine friction saves on fuel and is also good for the environment. Also, make sure that you keep up with any repairs that might arise and what replacements might be necessary.

3. Keep the bottom of your boat clean. Check for any weeds or barnacles that might accidentally get caught in your motor or propellers. This can cause your boat to drag and use up more fuel.

4. If you plan to go a longer distance, but at a slower speed, think about purchasing an outboard motor. Using a kicker can help you to save a substantial amount of money.

Finally, if you are feeling adventurous, boating with the wind instead of against it can also assist you with saving more money. Sailing down wind burns less fuel due to the wind giving you an extra push. If you have any questions on this post or want more information on boating tips, please contact us.

For die-hard boating fans winter might not be enough to stop them from taking out their boat for a ride. After all, it’s not as if you’re going to go for a swim, a few extra coats and you should be able to ride around all year, right?

You certainly can continue boating through the cold months if you want, but there are a few things you should keep in mind in order to help you avoid calamity.

Prepare Your Battery

Batteries powering your outboard motors can go dead real fast when the temperature gets cold. And even if they don’t go dead, the battery can become very weak. That’s why you should leave it on trickle charge when it gets cold. About a one-amp trickle charge should do it. You can get a solar charger to help with this.

Drain the Motor

Every time you get off the water, you should try to drain the motor by putting it in the down position for as long as possible. It also helps to get water out of the engine by doing a few quick cranks without trying to start it. This will help drain the rest of the water out of the engine.

When You’ve Had Enough

If you do decide to finally give up for the winter, there are a number of products that can help you make sure everything stays safe and undamaged while you ride out the cold at home. You can contact us for information on antifreeze, bilge cleaners, and other products that will help your boat survive winter in pristine shape.

A trailer can open up a whole new world of boating possibilities. Instead of limiting yourself to a single body of water, you can haul your boat anywhere you desire. Just like a boat, however, trailers require routine maintenance and care to operate in peak condition. Neglecting this maintenance could leave you and your boat stranded. Keep reading to learn more about boat trailer maintenance.

Choosing The Right Trailer

When choosing a trailer, look for one that’s certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). This seal of approval signifies that the trailer meets or exceeds federal highway regulation. You may have to pay more for a NMMA certified trailer, but the peace of mind knowing that you and your boat are safe on the road makes it well worth it.

Size is another consideration to make when choosing a trailer. To determine the necessary size, measure your boat from the bow eye to the drain plug. This measurement is the length of your boat, for which you’ll need a similar-sized trailer to haul it.

Grease Fittings

Because trailers are submerged in water twice on each boat trip, it’s not uncommon for the grease to wear down over time. As this grease wears down, the metal-on-metal contact can damage its components. Try to get into the habit of inspecting your trailer’s grease fittings at least once a month, ensuring there’s still adequate grease coating the inside. If there’s a cap covering the fittings, remove it to see whether or not it needs grease.

Lights

Another important step in maintaining a boat trailer is to check the lights. Federal highway regulations require all boat trailers to have working brake lights and turning signals. When you’re busy preparing your boat for a long day on the lake, it’s easy to overlook something as simple as trailer lights. Before you hit the road, though, you should have a friend or family member confirm the lights are working properly.

Rust

Lastly, inspect your boat trailer for signs of rust on a regular basis. If rust begins to take hold, it can literally eat through the metal, causing permanent damage. You can discourage rust from forming on your trailer by keeping it dry and storing it in a shed, garage or some other covered facility. Just remember to let your boat dry in the sun before moving it back into storage.