Boating Tips 2

• Marinas with power hookups can be high corrosion zones. Boats with improper electrical grounding will create electrolysis in the water which can destroy your equipment. Ask around before parking your boat long-term at a marina to find out if the problem is present. Such corrosion is not warrantable, so keep an eye out. Fresh water engines and aluminum hulls are not immune!

   

• Do use good oil. Protect your investment with high quality oils; they make a big difference. They protect against piston rings from seizing, corrosion and other highly undesirable internal damage that results from low quality oils. Keep the fuel system in a clean condition and enjoy less smoke by using good oil.
• There are different propellers for different jobs. Stainless steel propellers are stronger and thus have thinner blades that deliver extra performance. But they are more expensive and make the prop shaft less tolerant of underwater hazards. If you know all the underwater hazards in your boating area, you may as well enjoy the extra performance.

   

  Lower pitch props pull out of the hole better, great for water skiing or heavy loads, but may cause the engine to overrev at top speed when the boat has no load. Overrevving must be carefully avoided, using a tachometer, to prevent engine damage. Check your engine owner's manual to find out maximum RPM. As top end speed is compromised with a lower pitch prop, many boaters carry a prop suitable for heavy loading and one for light loading to get the best of both worlds.

   

  Other special props with additional blades change a boat's planing characteristics. Some boat/prop combinations will produce a very flat transition on and off plane. This is to say the bow doesn't rise as high as it normally would.

   

  Surface propellers are designed to be partially in the water and in the air. They are used on specially raised engines or gear housings and are practical only for high speed performance. They generate better top speed by allowing low gear cone water resistance (because it is partially out of the water, too) and using a very high pitch on the propeller blades. Out of the hole performance tends to be very poor, even though it still can be aided by lowering the engine with a hydraulic transom jack.

   

• Face the bow of the boat toward the lake when docking. If a storm blows up big waves while your boat's stern is bearing the brunt of it, the boat will likely sink from the constant splashing. When mooring, oncoming river current or large waves must always be met with the boat's bow.
• Drink plenty of fresh water when daytime boating. This will help save you from a headache later on. Dehydration and heatstroke is a common problem out on the water. Drink water even if you're not thirsty. This will help. Refrain from alcohol; it tends to make things worse. Don't forget the sunblock.

...continued on Boating Tips 3: trust, weather & water sports.

These tips are only general guidelines. Safety under the circumstances of operation is at the sole discretion and responsibility of the boat operator. Please be in control at all times and review all the operator/maintenance manuals for your equipment.