BOATING TIPS -- JANUARY 1993
Winter Projects

I suspect that most boaters are like me, carrying around on paper or in their heads a list of "things to be done" on the boat during these less-busy months. I thought I'd add a little to your wish-lists, and suggest a few ideas that may be helpful.

"Vent Covers:" A power boater I know had some dandy vent covers made at an upholstery/canvas shop that would work for some sailboats, too. These small vinyl covers are fitted over each engine room vent and secured with four snaps. This makes keeping the engine room warm in winter weather much easier, and makes his boat look "very" shipshape!

"Heaving Line:" You'll see at the boat shows several brands of "heaving line", simply a length of soft, floating line stuffed into a small bag. This is a very effective safety/lifesaving item, inexpensive, and, incidentally, required on Canada-registered boats. Consider buying one!

"Placards:" Several local firms will make up the little custom-lettered plastic "plates" that dress up a boat's instrument and electronics panels, and most chandleries and Rasmussen Marine Electric carry the pre-lettered plates. Why not get some with your radio call letters to stick by your radios; to mark the "Life Vests" location, and to label all those secret switches? They're easy to put on, either with the little nails or double-sticky tape. (Bay Trophy and Engraving made my special ones).

"Checklists"":" You know I've harped on this, and now's the time to do it! Make up a list of items for you and the crew to handle, type it on a small card or two, perhaps then even have the card laminated! Then locate one at each helm. Headings could be: "Before leaving the dock", "Leaving the Dock", "Underway", "Prior to Mooring", "Shutdown", "Emergency Procedures". Don't forget the radio instructions when doing this last category!

"Notebooks:" What a great time of year to get "all" the manuals, warranties, instruction sheets, etc., off the boat, bring them home, sort them by manufacturer, punch them, and put them into a binder or two! Then, the next time you need information, you'll be able to find it!

"And a winter warning:" Don't forget that sometimes the surface water in Bellingham Bay is fresh when the Nooksack is running hard. Don't let your boat sink because the last time you ran it, the water "was" fresh, and so it freezes in a thru-hull and bursts a hose. Now is the time to be sure your thru hulls are closed and/or warm!

That's it for this month. Happy New Year!

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