BOATING TIPS -- APRIL 1998
New Season's Resolutions

Hey, it's nearly opening day! At last we can go boating in decent weather, and work like crazy getting our boats in shape for the coming season.

This month is a good time to reflect upon some "New Season's Resolutions" we all might make to ensure we'll have a safe season of fun on the water. Here are some of my suggestions to this end:

1. No drinking and boat-driving. Allow at least eight hours between bottle and throttle.
2. Maintain a watch at all times underway. It's not only good practice, it's the law!
3. Have reasonably-current charts on hand for all waters in which you operate your boat, and use them. (In Canada, only official charts are legal. This may affect your insurance if you have an accident.)
4. Check your flares' expiration dates and your fire extinguishers' inspection dates to be sure they're still legal. If not, replace, lest you lose insurance coverage.
5. When you do your spring cleaning, don't forget the bilges! (I like the new "Bilge Sok" to get the oil out of the bilges!)
6. Are your lines in good shape for the season? Why not have nice ones all year! (The well-equipped boat has six lines: two stern lines each about 1/4-1/3 a boat length; two bow lines each 2/3rds as long as the boat; and two spring lines 2/3rds as long as the boat. The bow and stern lines are heavier than the spring lines. Braided lines are much easier to use!)
7. Don't neglect the zincs, including your engine zincs! Service them all.
8. Check your fuel lines and propane connections. If you have hydraulic steering, check all its connections and cylinders. Repair any leaks at once.
9. Check the rudder and shaft stuffing boxes. Repair if needed. Lubricate all control cables and pulleys, and be sure all operate smoothly.
10. Make sure everything electric and electronic works. Blow your horn. Check your radio (but not on channel 16!) Turn on and check all lights, including instrument lights and interior lights.
11. Is everything secure? Check to be sure all fittings, especially deck fittings, are tight. Be sure permanently-stowed items are secure. (Now would be a good time to improve your storage systems with tote boxes or crates. Offload all that junque you've been carrying around!) Sailors, be sure the rigging is good, especially at wear points like clevises, turnbuckles, and cable joints.
12. Finally, get a free U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Courtesy Examination of your boat at the beginning of the season. (I call George Small, 676-8935 to see when he'll be in the harbor.) If anything is out of compliance, fix it!

Have a great 1998 season: I'll look forward to seeing you on the water, and before that, on Opening Day!

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