SAFELY BOATING IN THE FALL

Just because the temperatures change, and the leaves are turning color, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your time on the water.  

The Boat Owners Association of the United States offers these five tips for fall water safety :

1. Dress for the water, not the weather: Bring extra layers and rain gear. Fast-moving storms can bring sudden temperature drops, and dropping water temperatures can turn a spill overboard into a dangerous situation.
2. Tell a friend: Let a family member or friend know where you’re going and what time you expect to return. For longer boating trips, make sure to provide a more detailed, written itinerary. And no matter how long you’re gone, always check in upon your return.
3. Check the weather: Frigid water temperatures can make an unexpected squall twice as dangerous. Stay up-to-date on the latest weather patterns and bring your boat in if the clouds begin to gather.
4. Always check the boat: Inspect the bilge pump, engine, communications equipment and safety gear to ensure all are in good shape and ready to go before you head out — even for a short trip.
5. Leave the drinks at home: Alcohol can quickly drain your body of heat, bringing on hypothermia’s deadly effects much sooner when compared to warmer months.

Deep-sea treasure hunter must answer for missing gold 3 years later

Did you catch this AP story last week? Seems like his good fortune may have run out.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A deep-sea treasure hunter who pleaded guilty to contempt of court after spending years as a fugitive will have to testify before his sentencing about gold he discovered in a historic shipwreck.

Tommy Thompson went missing three years ago amid demands that he appear in court. He and his longtime companion, Alison Antekeier, were apprehended in January at a hotel where he was living near Boca Raton, Florida.

A Federal judge has rescheduled sentencing for Oct. 29 for the 63-year-old Thompson.

During the week before the hearing, Thompson will have to answer questions in a closed court session about the location of the gold and other assets sought by his investors.

Thompson faces two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000

 Marine Shrink-Wrap

When considering your storage options, don’t forget to consider the benefits of shrink wrapping.

• Shrink wrapping allows customized contour framing to accommodate the specific needs of your boat.
• Most shrink-wrap covers are ventilated to help eliminate moisture and mildew concerns.
• Shrink-wrap is more durable than tarps and/or canvas and allows snow and ice to slide off the boat prior to damaging build up.
• Shrink-wrap is cost effective. They are durable, UV protected, and shrink-wrap helps stop the hot sun from damaging your gel coat, seats and canvas.
• Shrink-wrap provides an extra layer of security against vandalism and theft.

Steve’s marine offers a full suite of winter storage options as well full service repair and services facilities

SUMMER SEASON IS ENDING

Every year, I have the question asked whether or not they should perform yearly maintenance such as oil changes, water pumps, fuel filters, etc. on their engines in the fall or in the spring. 

Most manufacturers, and industry professionals, will recommend that the fall is the best time for all your boat’s maintenance needs.

A couple of the main reasons are:

·        The boat will be ready for the spring with only minor tasks left to do on the boat

·        While performing the maintenance, if you do identify an issue, you have all winter to address the issue. 

·        If you have water in the oil, lower unit gear lube or other various parts on your boat, you have a better chance of finding it and make sure that you do not have any freezing issues over the winter

Time to Think About Winterizing Your Boat   Part Three

Head

• Pump out the holding tank at an approved facility.
• While pumping, add fresh water to the bowl and flush several times.
• Use Vanish crystals or whatever your owner's manual recommends that will not harm your system and let sit for a few minutes.
• Add fresh water and pump out again.
• Add antifreeze and pump through hoses, holding tank, y-valve, macerator and discharge hose.
• Again, check your owner’s manual to make sure that an alcohol-based antifreeze won't damage your system.

Interior

• Once you have taken care of the system you should remove any valuables, electronics, lines, PFD, fire extinguishers, flares, fenders, etc.
• Over the winter these items can be cleaned, checked and replaced as necessary.
• Open all drawers and lockers and clean thoroughly.
• Turn cushions up on edge so that air is able to circulate around them or, better yet, bring them home to a climate controlled area.
• Open and clean the refrigerator and freezer.
• To keep your boat dry and mildew-free you might want to install a dehumidifier or use some of the commercially available odor and moisture absorber products such as "No Damp," "Damp Away" or "Sportsman's Mate."

Out of Water Storage

• Pressure wash hull, clean barnacles off props and shafts, rudders, struts and trim tabs.
• Clean all thru-hulls and strainers.
• Open seacocks to allow any water to drain.
• Check the hull for blisters and if you find any that should be attended make a note to tell your service manager.
• Now is a great time to give the hull a good wax job.
• Be sure the batteries are fully charged and switches are turned off.

In Water Storage

• Close all seacocks and check rudder shafts and stuffing boxes for leaks, tighten or repack as necessary.
• Check your battery to make sure it is fully charged, clean terminals, add water if necessary and make sure your charging system is working.
• Check bilge pumps to ensure they are working and that float switches properly activate the pumps and that they are not hindered by debris.
• Monitor your boat regularly to avoid leaks, or animal infestations.
• If your mooring area is likely to freeze be sure to suspend water agitators below it to bring warmer water to the surface so its not iced in.

By following some of the above suggestions, you should be iprepared for the winter. Do not neglect to consult your owner's manuals for manufacturer's recommendations on winterizing your boat and other systems. If you have not done a winterization job before, seek out a professional to do the job for you.

   Time to Think About Winterizing Your Boat   PART TWO

Outboard Engine(s)

• Gauge the remaining fuel in the tank and treat it with the correct amount of a fuel stabilizer.
• Flush the engine with fresh water using flush muffs or the flushing port usually on the back of the engine.
• Start the engine and with it running and the cowl removed, spray fogging solution into the air intakes on the front of the engine.
• While its still running, remove the fuel line from the engine and continue spraying fogging solution until the engine dies. It is important to run the engine with the fuel line removed to burn all fuel from the carburetors to prevent build-up of deposits from evaporated fuel.
• Apply water resistant grease to propeller shaft and threads.
• Change the gear oil in the lower unit.
• Lightly lubricate the exterior of the engine or polish with a good wax.
• Wash the engine down with soap and water and rinse thoroughly

Fuel

• Some manufacturers suggest filling your fuel tanks and adding stabilizer to the fuel. Full tanks leave less room for condensation to form.
• Other manufacturers, noting that ethanol may spoil over the winter no matter what you do to it, suggest just adding fuel stabilizer. If the fuel is is spoiled over the winter, there is less to drain and dispose of.
• Change the fuel filters and water separators.

Bilges

• Use soap, hot water and a stiff brush to clean up any oil spills.
• Once the bilges are clean, spray with a moisture displacing lubricant.
• Add a little antifreeze to prevent any water from freezing.

Fresh Water System

• Completely drain the fresh water tank and hot water heater.
• Isolate the hot water heater by disconnecting the in and out lines and connect them together.
• Pump a non-toxic antifreeze into the system and turn on all the facets including the shower and any wash-down areas until you see the antifreeze coming out.
• Also put non-toxic antifreeze in the water heater.

Time to Think About Winterizing Your Boat -  Part One

Well, it’s coming upon that time of the year. As the boating season is winding down, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your valuable asset. The time and effort you spend now will have a definite effect on your boat's performance and will save you time, effort and money come spring. Remember that your insurance policy may not cover damage done by lack of maintenance or neglect.

The best place for your boat to be during the winter is out of the water, under cover, in a climate-controlled boat storage area. This, however, can be expensive. If don't have this option, you should consider shrink-wrapping your boat. This provides a very safe, protective cover. If these options aren’t in your budget, make sure that your boat is well covered with a tarp or some other sturdy cover.

Your first step in winterizing should be to make a checklist of all items that need to be accomplished. Check the owner's manual of both your boat and motor for manufacturer's recommendations on winterization. If you are a new boat owner, I always recommend you  employ the assistance of a friend with experience in winterizing or hire a professional to do the job.

Since these are general tips and cover multiple scenarios, this will be covered in several Blogs.

Here are some general procedures you’ll need to follow.

Inboard Engine(s)

You should run the engine to warm it up and change the oil while it is warm. This allows the oil to drain more fully. Make sure you supply cooling water to the engine via the flushing port. Remove the oil filter and properly dispose of it as well. Refill the engine, check the level and check it again for leaks.

Flush the engine with non-toxic antifreeze by using an intake hose to the water pump. Place the end of the hose in a bucket or bottle of antifreeze. Start the engine and allow the antifreeze to circulate until it starts to exit the exhaust. While you're in the engine room you should also change the fluid in your transmission. Remove spark plugs and use "fogging oil" to spray into each cylinder. Wipe down the engine with a shop towel sprayed with a little fogging oil.

Stern Drive(s)

• You should thoroughly inspect the stern drive and remove any plant life or barnacles from the lower unit.
• Drain the gear case and check for moisture in the oil. This could indicate leaking seals that must be repaired before spring recommissioning.
• Clean the lower unit with soap and water.
• If your stern drive has a rubber boot(look between the transom and engine), check it for cracks or pinholes.
• Grease all fittings and check fluid levels in hydraulic steering or lift pumps.
• Check with your owner's manual for additional recommendations by the manufacturer.

Hamptons Police Submarine Unit Reports Successful Pilot Season

Well the unofficial end of summer has passed, and wouldn’t you know, perhaps one of the more eclectic stories of the season has been deemed a success.

The Hamptons Police Department announced this week that the inaugural seasonal patrols by its military-surplus Virginia-class submarine were a resounding success.

According the Hamptons Police department “Incidents of BWI [boating while intoxicated] are down more than 30 percent and the number of surprise boater safety inspections was up 400 percent, resulting in greater compliance with life-saving laws and regulations.

While the acquisition of a former U.S. Navy submarine came under harsh criticism by fiscal watchdogs and groups opposed to the militarization of police departments, the HPD says the results demonstrate the submarine is worth the expense.

While the vessel, itself, was compliments of the federal government, the staffing and maintenance are the responsibility of the local municipality—and Hamptons taxpayers.

On the day after Labor Day, known by locals as “Tumbleweed Tuesday,” the police department began the process to dry-dock the submarine, dubbed Jaws VIII, for the off-season. The sub will return to the water no later than Memorial Day 2016 for another summer of marine patrols.

 Jaws VIII‘s effectiveness in keeping the Hamptons safe is unparalleled and could not be accomplished by any boat or ship. And not only is the submarine a deterrent to criminals, he added, it is also a tourist attraction. Many Hamptons visitors this summer called the police department ahead of weekends to find out when and where they could see the submarine.

Many boaters learned that lesson the hard way this summer. The Hamptons Police Department Submarine Unit (HPDSU) made its first arrest June 7, busting an overcrowded pleasure boat off Montauk Point. The carousing boaters were hit with a bevy of charges, including boating under the influence, indecent exposure, harassment and possession of controlled substances, along with several boating violations, such as failure to carry required safety equipment, reckless operation and failure to display validation sticker.

thanks to Dan's Paper for the information