Environmentally Safe Boating: Part Four

Fueling your boat is obviously one of the riskiest practices when it comes to petroleum spills in the water. Not only will spilling gasoline harm the wildlife and ecosystem, the corrosive nature of the fuel can cause serious damage to the hull of your boat as well. Although gas stations built on piers are easily accessible for boaters, the ramifications of a spill are exponentially worse than if you were refueling on dry land. So whenever possible, throw your boat on the trailer and make the trip down the street to your standard station.

Whenever you fill your boat, be sure to leave about 10 percent of the tank unfilled to allow for expansion and help prevent spills. There are multiple ways to determine when the tank is almost to capacity, including sounding sticks, listening to the filter pipe and, of course, taking note of the tank’s volume. Another one of the main ways boaters contaminate a body of water is by discharging outboard motor oil through the bilge pump; however, this should be an issue if you keep your engine well maintained. But just to be safe, it’s a good idea to place some oil absorbent materials in the bilge boom and underneath the engine.

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Environmentally Safe Boating: Part Three

Due to the systemic risk of petroleum and oil in our water systems, there are several federal laws pertaining to the proper disposal of these fluids. Under The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, any expulsion of oil or oily substances into navigable water or water in the contiguous zone is illegal and carries up to a $5,000 penalty. Of course, you can always find ways around the law, but as we’ve learned in previous blog posts, the detrimental effects of oil in the water vast, so you shouldn’t need any additional coercion to deter you from dumping.

In addition, The Clean Water Act forbids you to use soap, dispersants or emulsifiers in an attempt to clean a spill. Unauthorized use of these cleaning agents carries a hefty penalty—as much as $25,000. If you accidentally spill any oil or see a fellow boater leaking gasoline or dumping mercury engine oil, the best M.O. is to call the Coast Guard and give a detailed report of the spill.

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Environmentally Safe Boating: Part Two

The BP oil spill has rekindled public awareness of the detrimental effects humans can have on water and ecosystems. And while the oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico is extremely hazardous, materials from your boat can be just as dangerous. Petroleum alone is perilous for wildlife, but gasoline also contains benzene and other carcinogens. As we have seen in recent weeks, cleaning water is an infinitely difficult proposition, so the best M.O. is to prevent a spill in the first place.

Outboard motor oils, such as Evinrude XD100, contain a litany of potentially dangerous elements as well, including zinc, sulfur and phosphorus. Some people assume that a relatively small amount of gasoline or oil spilling into the water isn’t a big deal, using the BP logic that the body of water is immense, so my little quantity of oil is just a drop in the bucket. In fact, just one pint of oil has the capability of covering once acre of surface area on the water.

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Environmentally Safe Boating: Part One

With tens of thousands of barrels of oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico everyday, people around the country have suddenly taken more interest in environmental issues, particularly as they pertain to the water. If you have been boating for years, chances are you were already well aware of the myriad risks that constantly threaten lakes, streams, rivers and oceans. And while you may not be able to produce a disaster on the scale of the BP spill, gasoline and outboard motor oil from your vessel are still a hazard to the environment.

To that end, it is imperative to take the proper precautions when changing your oil, fueling or handling other potential dangerous substances, particularly when you are around the water. As you can imagine, cleaning up spilled gas or oil from water is virtually impossible. Over the next few days we will be covering some of the basics on how to protect the environment and abide by federal and local laws.

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Boat Trailers and Launching: Part Five

Whenever you are towing your boat, no matter how short the journey, always be sure to bring along a spare tire. In my experience, trailers get flats far more often than cars. Also be sure to bring along a jack that has the capacity to lift your trailer and boat along with your extra outboard motor oil.  Once you successfully get the boat to the launch, the only thing left to do is get her in the water.

If you have never backed up a trailer before, I recommend practicing before you get to the ramp. Be sure to always keep the trailer in your sights and drive slowly while you are backing up. I could spend all of next week writing a series on how to back your trailer, but the fact of the matter is that the only way you learn is by doing it yourself. One tip, however: Don’t be afraid to pull forward and start again. It’s always easier to launch the boat when you are aligned properly.

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Boat Trailer and Launching: Part Four

When it comes to actually towing your boat, it is always best to err on the side of caution. If you have a modestly sized vessel, be sure to secure it to the trailer with straps. All boats under 1,000 pounds should be strapped down, and if there is any doubt in your mind, it’s worth taking the extra five minutes to secure the boat. In addition to the craft, be sure that liquids like outboard motor oil are secure and that life jackets and other accessories won’t fly out of the boat.

For those with an outboard motor, you should remove it when towing the boat in virtually all circumstances. It certainly is a hassle to take the engine off its bracket, but it’s more of a headache to have to replace your motor. And before you leave the driveway, be sure you know if your boat is covered by your insurance policy. Some auto policies won’t cover the boat while it’s on the trailer, so do your research.

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Boat Trailers and Launching: Part Three

When you purchase your trailer, it is important to remember that they are designed to hold an array of watercrafts. This means that some trailers simply won’t be long enough or designed to support your hull properly. Before making a purchase, check will various sources and perform your own measurements to be sure the trailer is a good fit for your hull. It is also crucial to ensure that the tongue on the trailer fits the ball of your hitch. After taking all of the above criteria into consideration, you’re ready to go out and make your purchase.

And don’t think that once you’ve bought your trailer that your work is over. Just as you have to refill your Evinrude XD50 oil and perform regular maintenance on your boat, your trailer will need ongoing attention as well. In the next two days we will cover some of the basics of trailer maintenance and upkeep, as well as how to tow and launch your boat safely.

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Boat Trailers and Launching: Part Two

Unless your boat is in the water 24/7, it will likely spend the vast majority of its time on the trailer. With this in mind, it is important to take the time to properly research the various trailer options before making a purchase. Putting in new Evinrude XD100 and flushing the engine are essential for maintaining the internal components, and a properly sized trailer is just as important for the exterior.

When considering the capacity of the trailer, be sure to include all of the gear and supplies that you plan to keep onboard. Many boat owners switch to a smaller tire on their trailer to make launching easier. If you choose to do this, be sure that the tires also have the ability to support the weight of the watercraft and supplies; the tire’s load rating will be located on the sidewall.

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Boat Trailers and Launching: Part One

Seasoned boaters will undoubtedly put a considerable amount of time and effort into the upkeep of their craft. From changing the outboard motor oil to flushing the engine and cleaning the hull, most of the maintenance is centered on maximizing performance on the water. Many boat owners, however, store their boat in their driveway or a storage unit, meaning they have to launch the watercraft every time they want to use it. And while this is surely an inconvenience and many people neglect to learn the proper procedures, keeping your boat out of the water does have its advantages.

First, your boat will stay in better condition—especially if you clean it thoroughly on a regular basis. You also don’t have to worry about the myriad threats to your craft, including adverse weather conditions and careless boaters. Of course, constantly transporting your boat can be a headache, particularly if you don’t have the proper trailer or know how to launch the boat properly. Over the next few days, we will be covering some of the basics for purchasing and hauling a trailer and launching your boat.

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Proper Gas to Outboard Motor Oil Ratio

While most vehicles now utilize four-stroke engines, the two-stroke model does have its advantages. Two-stroke engines complete the thermodynamic cycle in two movements, creating greater high specific power and making them much more efficient than their counterparts. Unlike four-stroke engines that house the gasoline and Evinrude XD 100 oil separately, two-stroke motors have traditionally required a mixture of the two.

This has been one of the main drawbacks of the motor, as it results in total-loss system where all of the oil is burned. Typically, engines use a ratio of 50 parts gasoline to one part oil, but new technology has allowed for two-stroke engines that don’t require a mixture. Although these models still result in a tot-al loss of oil, they are more ecologically friendly than their predecessors.

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Buying a Boat: Part Four

Once you have thoroughly inspected everything—from the outboard motor oil to the hull—it is time to determine a fair price. The BUC and NADA books are reliable resources for pricing information but it is still a good idea to consult some local marine experts for a second or third opinion. Now that you’ve picked out the boat you want to purchase and have determined a target price, it’s up to you to close the deal.

Before we conclude our series on purchasing a watercraft, I want to emphasize the necessity of looking long and hard before you leap. Unlike a car, there are few practical reasons why the average consumer needs a boat—it is simply a source of entertainment. And between finance payments, insurance, registration, repairs, etc, the monthly costs are going to be considerable.

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Buying a Boat: Part Three

Yesterday we examined the merits of both new and used boats. Since there is much more to take into consideration when purchasing a used watercraft, today we’ll take some time to go over some of the essentials to inspect before purchasing a used vessel. In addition to your personal examination, you will want to have a qualified marine surveyor do the same.

Begin by examining for signs of exterior damage; mismatched paint is often an indication of significant bodywork in the past. Check the upholstery, seals around windows and the entire hull thoroughly. Although you may not have an acute knowledge of marine engines, there are a few quick tricks that will give you an indication of how well the previous owner maintained the craft. Examine the oil and transmission fluid, testing for grit content, color and smell—if these fluids are in bad condition, chances are the boat wasn’t well-maintained. Also ensure the previous owner used premium products, such as Yamalube 2M oil.

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