The stuff that floats your boat during the summer can cause major league damage to your craft during the winter.
Damage from freezing is all related in one way or another to presence of unwanted water. The same tremendous force that can cause roads to buckle and building foundations to heave is the culprit behind everything from damaged boat hulls to cracked engine blocks.
So whether you are a first-time boat owner or a veteran of boating, here's a checklist of ways to prevent winter’s freezing temperatures from damaging your craft.
Tagged UnderWhen buying a new or used outboard from a dealer, you may get asked some pretty basic but important questions as to what you need. From my experience, most boaters generally know what size motor they are looking for but there are also those who don't quite understand the lingo of outboards. Words like shaft length, side mount, and tiller are completely foriegn to them. Which is fine but these things are essential to pairing the right motor with your boat. This article will cover some key terms and basic outboard knowledge that you should know before running out to purchase a motor.
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#1 Good Weather 
Some of the most important parts of a good boating day are weather, company, and an ice cold drink. Pay attention to the weather forecast and the rest will follow. When there's nice weather, the friends will find the boat. When the friends find the boat, chances are they will come along with a full cooler. All you need to do is make sure your koozie is ready.
#2 Pre-Departure Checks
I know, I know: maintenance isn't fun and the water is calling your name. But before you load up your friends and cooler, you should probably make sure your motor and boat are as ready as you are. There are a few easy things you should check before leaving dock. The biggest no-brainer, and probably most important: check your gas level. Nothing like getting stranded to ruin your day out on the water. Also make sure your engine oil and coolant are at a good level, check your anchor rope for chafe or wear, and run your motor to make sure it is having a smooth start up.
#3 Bragging Rights
Are you packing on the passengers for a ride, maybe anchoring at a sandbar for a little bit? Or are you loading up the wakeboard, skis, and tubes for a day of watersports? Decide this before you pick out which prop you are going to use for the day. One prop could offer better acceleration and hole shot for water sports, while another prop might be better at offering pulling power for packing on lots of friends. Using the right prop will help you optimize your boat's performance, ideal for the perfect boating day, and help you earn some bragging rights along the way. It can't hurt to have another prop handy with the right tools to change it. This can give you options as well as a backup if anything should happen.
#4 Peace of Mind
Grab enough life jackets, make sure your extinguisher and flares aren't expired, update your registration, and put on your sunblock - quick, easy, and worth it. Peace of mind: check.
#5 Unknown End Time
Summer is winding down which means the hours of sunlight are too. But, with the correct lights and knowledge of night time boating, you won't have to worry about getting home before the sun is down. The speed and waterskiing may be done once the sun is, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to dock. When it starts to get dark, pay attention to your speed. Many places have reduced speed limits for night time, sometimes even an idle speed. With limited sight, it's better to go slower regardless of the rules. Make sure you have the correct lights, that their bulbs aren't dead, and you know how to use them correctly. When driving a car, the solution is always headlights. Boating is very different, headlights can create difficult reflecrtions on the water which makes night time driving trickier. Different colored lights mean different things, so make sure you are aware of what your lights may mean to other boaters before staying out in the dark.
#6 Plans to do it Again
Ending a day on the water with plans to do it again is to be expected. Especially after its been the perfect boating day. You can make the plans, but you can't assure your boat and motor will make an appearance without a little bit of after-use care. If you're looking for the bare minimum care: rinse it off and put on the cover. If you want to really take care of it: flush out the motor, check for any leaks, and consider your fuel level. If you're next plans are coming up soon, it's best to fill up the gas tank. If the next ride might not be for a while, try to run through your tank if you can. You boat and motor will thank you. 
The summer sun has finally set and its time to start the annual fall chores of pulling the boat out and beaching the dock. Usually this task is an all day event, or in some cases if you have multiple boats and a longer dock, it can be all weekend. But the work doesn't stop there. Once you have all of that finished, don't just rush your boat straight over to the storage site. Get it winterized and prepped for the brutal Michigan winter months ahead. I know it's a pain in the neck to have to deal with after you just did all of that work, but it could save your boating season next year. Or at least the start of it. A boat is an investment and you should protect it, especially with something as easy as getting it winterized.
I've been an avid fisherman for most of my life, which means I have spent my fair share of time around boats. Being around boats for so long, sometimes I forget that other people may not have had as much practice or know the same tips and tricks I have accumulated over the years. Which is why it can be frustrating for me at times watching someone struggle at the ramp or have no clue what they are doing out on the water. That is exactly what I ran into yesterday at the launch as I was trying to load my boat for my weekly Tuesday night bass fishing league. So today when I got to work, I thought I would take some time and write on the blog to share some boat launching tips in hopes that it will help some novice boater out.
Tagged UnderWhether your heading to the lake to wake board with friends or to pull your kids around on the tubes, we can all agree we do it because its fun. But a fun day on the water can turn into a serious situation faster than you think. Now that summer is in full swing and the launches are packed on every hot day there is, you will need to keep safety on your mind even more now. Here are a few tips to follow that will not only keep you and your passengers safe but the other fellow boaters around you as well.
Tagged UnderLike every body of water, river fishing comes along with uniqUe obstacles: shallow water to maneuver with visible or hidden debris -- added risk if the bottom is rocky. These common risks play a big role in jet motors gaining popularity amongst Michigan river anglers.
An outboard jet motor sits on the outside of a boat, just as a propped outboard does, and appears the same in many ways. They're different in the way the motors get power, direction, and force. While a propped motor gets its force from prop propulsion, a jet outboard relies on a water pump, which sucks water in and pushes it back out to move the boat forward. This difference is the root of jet motors biggest advantage: shallower water capabilities -- especially useful in river fishing.
In Michigan you are never farther than 6 miles from a lake, river, or stream which means if you are a boater or fisherman, you don't have to travel far to find a body of water to enjoy. Our state is fortunate to be surrounded by four of the Great Lakes, thousands of inland lakes, and countless miles of winding rivers and streams that support recreational and fishing opportunities. Basically our state is perfect for activities focused around water and whether your a avid boater or not, you really should take full advantage of our fresh water paradise before summer is over.
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