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Last week we explored how to diagnose battery drain – the unexplained dead battery that ruins all boating plans. The problem rarely ends with diagnosis, however. Most of us can agree, the only thing worse than discovering a flat battery at the turn of the key, is the worry that keeps you awake during the week wondering if it will happen again!
Storms have hammered the country big time this winter so many recreational boats are sleeping away the winter under a layer of ice and snow. If you store your boat outside and haven’t checked up on her lately, The folks at Boat Owners Association of The United States offers five tips for a midwinter checkup that apply nicely in Canada, too.
Nothing ruins a warm summer afternoon faster than turning the key and hearing the clicking noises that surely indicate a drained battery. At this point – all that can be done is to charge the battery enough to start the battery and still enjoy the day.
Once our boat comes out of the water, I take the annual fall tour of the hull so I can determine what to worry about all winter. The first thing I note is that the sacrificial anode I had intended to replace prior to launch last spring remains un-replaced.
Years ago it was a punishment. In the Royal Navy, and on merchant ships of the 19th century, the gun crews who were the quickest would receive an extra tot of rum. The crew who were slow or sloppy were tasked with cleaning out the ship’s bilge.
Fibreglass boats take a lot of maintenance. Their appeal, half a century ago was their ‘maintenance free’ nature when compared with wooden boats. Add in the ability to mass-produce, and the low coast of manufacturing made fiberglass and easy choice.
Last issue we covered most of the different materials used for protective covers, and these durable materials require special care. So, how often should you wash your sails and sail covers? As infrequently as possible! An aggressive and thorough sail washing can wash several seasons’ worth of use out of a sail; work on preventing soiling rather than relying on cleaning!
So many decisions to make when planning for haul-out. When/how to winterize? What type of antifreeze to use? Shrink-wrap or cover?
It has always been important to have a marina that can provide good service, but in the madness that was the summer of 2020, getting great service was really essential to a great boating experience.
Before I knew about corrosion, or marine electrical (or boats in general), I would see ‘no swimming’ signs at marinas and assume that the area was off limits due to boat traffic. Now that I know a bit more; the greater risk has to do with corrosion, grounding, and stray current issues.
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We met with Neptunus Managing Director Jan Willem De Jong this past fall to take the new Neptunus 650F out in Lake Ontario.
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A perfect sunset off St. John with St. Thomas views for backdrop.
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News
On November 15th 2022, Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), introduced the industry’s first ever V10 outboard with the official launch of its all-new 5.7L 350 and 400hp Verado® outboard engines.
Consistent with the award-winning Verado brand, the new V10 engines are the quietest and smoothest in their class running 45 percent quieter than a leading competitor at cruise. In addition to NVH, the new Verado’s are not only compatible with the latest Mercury SmartCraft® technologies but will also be offered with an optional dual-mode 48V/12V alternator to seamlessly pair with Navico Group’s Fathom® e-power system, an integrated lithium-ion auxiliary power management system, providing boaters the opportunity to eliminate an onboard generator system.
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