<p>Many of the nation's largest boat shows are launching January through April to get boaters thinking of warm weather after weeks of winter blahs. For boating enthusiasts, a boat show represents the perfect opportunity to gather information under one roof from several local dealers about the latest products and services that make boating even more enjoyable.</p>
<p>Regardless of your locale, here are a few tips to help you get the most from your price of admission.</p>
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<p>Put your show on the calendar. For many areas of the country, there may be more than one show near where you live, and a quick search on the internet will list all your possibilities. One good source for show listings by state is Marine Source, and you can often find smaller regional shows by using the "boat show" search terms and your town or city. The main point is to know when the show is running -- and get it penciled in on the calendar!</p>
<p>Know why you are going. Just kicking the hulls of a few boats that you can't afford is always fun, but you don't want to end up kicking yourself because you forgot to ask experts at the show about improvements to your current rig. Take yourself back to the boating season of 2016 and ask: What would have make the experience better? Did I need more horsepower? Do I seem to be having a problem with the propeller or stabilizers? Should I consider a jet versus prop drive? You can pick up a map at the entrance of the exhibit hall to plan your route and get the necessary stuff done first, then do some window shopping.</p>
<p>Do some checking online before you go. With today's internet, you may be able to take a virtual trip on the exhibition floor before the event by downloading the floor plan and accessing the websites of exhibitors that interest you. You also may be able to download a coupon that discounts the admission price, and don't forget the features and attractions at a show that can help break up the day.</p>
<p>Keep notes. With all the price points, product features and vendors that exhibit at a boat show, it's easy to become confused if you don't keep good notes -- especially if you are negotiating a special boat show deal. If you are a little more tech savvy, you can keep the information on a tablet or smart phone, but there's nothing like a pen and notebook or legal pad to keep things straight. Don't forget to keep any advertisements or fliers that state rebates, special prices or incentives because they help to remind you and the dealer as to the details of a deal.</p>
<p>Consider what will happen after a purchase. So after you've got price comparisons nailed down, don't forget to ask about how warranties are handled (through dealer or directly with the manufacturer), whether extended warranties are available and any other services that the dealer may offer. It may be worthwhile to spend a little more upfront if it means you can get solid gold service on the backend -- which is critical to keeping your boat in the water rather than sitting idle at the shop.</p>
Being a boater in Michigan, you cant really compain about the weather we have had this year. Its now mid November and we are just starting to see the cold winds from the north roll into the state. I mean, an extra month or so out on the water is never a bad thing, but now its time to kick it into gear and winterize the boat for the upcoming months ahead. Winterizing the boat is one of the last things we want to deal with in the fall, well other than raking the leaves, but its essntial to protecting your investment and utilizing all of your days on the water next spring. Boats can be expensive to own but fixing broken parts due to poor winter preparation can get even pricier.
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.
Tagged UnderWith Michigan almost completely surrounded by water its no secret that we have some great fishing oppertunities to be had. Aside from our larger bodies of water such as the Great Lakes or our many inland lakes, Michigan also has multiple river systems that hold a number of different species of fish. These rivers are popular for their Steelhead, Salmon, Trout, Small Mouth Bass, Walleye, and many others. To effectively target these fish you need to be equipt with the right gear such as a flat bottom boat, a jet drive outboard, and a solid anchor winch system. That being said there are many options you can go with in terms of boats and motors, but there is really only one winch system that I would recommend you go with and that's a River Larry.
Tagged UnderAlong with their recent brand update late last year, Tohatsu decided to expand their Electronic Fuel Injection four stroke lineup. Before now, there was only one of the major outboard manufacturers making an EFI motor as low as a 9.9hp. Now that Tohatsu are manufacturing EFI 9.9's, they are definately going to be a game changer in the smaller horsepower class. Their newest members to join the EFI family this year are the 20hp, 15hp, and 9.9hp four stroke portable outboards. Im sure the other brands wont be too far behind in the EFI game, but for now its pretty cool to see another option on the market.
Tagged UnderWe have all been there one time or another. Stuck at the dock or stranded on the lake with a motor that doesn't want to run. If you haven't been there yet, hopefully you never will. When it does happen though, it turns a great day on the water into a nightmare. Hopefully problems don't arise half way through the day when you are in the middle of the lake. In those cases usually your only option is to get a hand from another boater or to call a tow service. I mean, no one wants to be the guy who asks a stranger to stop enjoying their day just to help you out. Lets hope you are prepared enough for most possible breakdown situations so that you can get back to the dock without having to be "that guy".
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With all of the public inland lakes in Michigan, you can go just about anywhere in the state and enjoy a great day of fishing. Whether your targeting panfish, walleye, pike, or bass, there is probably a lake nearby that holds those fish. But for someone who may not know many of our lakes or only goes a few times a year, they might have trouble locating the best lake for what they are trying to fish. I mean you can go anywhere and catch fish, but some lakes are way better than others for fishing certain species. Now Im not going to give any of my honey holes away, but I will tell you about some quality inland lakes here in Michigan that have public access. Hopefully this article will give some insight on new lakes for you to check out and what species are most targeted in those waters.
Tagged UnderInstalling a marine battery may seem a bit compicated, but the process is usually fairly simple. If you know how to install a car battery, this will be a breeze. It's almost the same process. No worries if you haven't. We'll walk you through a few quick, easy steps. One thing to note: it is very important to be aware of the potential risks and dangers involved with battery installation. Working with electrical equipment is a risky process, and by taking necessary precautions, you can prevent yourself and others from being injured. If you have any questions or would like a certified mechanic to do this for you, give Van's Sport Center a call at (616) 364-0666.
To begin this process, you'll need a new boat battery. You should also have a battery box to protect your marine battery from the elements. You'll also need two different wrenches. One being the 1 1/2" and the other the 9/16". These are used for both removing the existing battery connections and installing the new one. Lastly, you'll need a small container of vaseline to use as source of grease for the new battery's terminals.
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