Cover Your Gear

Importance of boat covers

You will want to keep in mind that rather the boat is in the drive way or the garage, you will want to place a cover over the boat. You will also want to have a cover on the boat when you are placing it in storage. This is because you don’t want to have all that rain and snow and everything else building up in your boat.

 

You will find that boats are fun to have, but you don’t get to take it out on the lake every day. You want to make sure that you cover the boat, so that you can be ready and prepared to take the boat out on the lake. When you cover the boat you will end up having less maintenance work to do with the boat.

Choosing a wakeboarding boat

When it comes to choosing a boat specifically for wakeboarding, and hopefully entertaining on the side, it’s important to know the difference between a boat made for wakeboarding and one that isn’t. Wakeboard boats are specially made for the purpose of creating wakes.  Then of course, wakeboarders can perform their tricks on these wakes. Like ski boats, wakeboard boats have ballasts but their ballasts generally have much more weight, thus making bigger wakes when the boat is moving. The wedge on a wakeboarding boat also helps shape the wake that the ballast makes.

Shopping for a wakeboarding boat, new or used, can prove to be stressful.  Most have the same basic features such as upholstered seating, carpeted floors and sides, a wakeboard tower, ballast, wedge and steering mechanisms. Wakeboard boats start to vary when it comes to engine types, fuel capacity, and accessories. Some wakeboard boats come equipped with a special button that lets you adjust the shape of the wake you desire with one push. Some boats have bigger ballasts that can create bigger wakes for more experienced riders. If you feel like going green, some boats have exhaust systems that reduce the amount of carbon monoxide emitted into the air. For your personal comfort, some have seats designed with lumbar support for those long days on the water. Special additions include diving platforms and even mufflers to keep the noise to a low roar.

As earlier stated, accessories can make a huge difference between one wakeboard boat to the next. While most boats come with a stereo system, some come with tower cans that will protect your speakers from the elements as well as amplifiers and satellite antennas. The compartments and lockers onboard will vary with the size and price of a boat but one plus to buying a used boat is often time you’ll score used boards, ski hangles, ropes, life jackets etc…

Other wakeboard boats come not only with boat covers, but also with cockpit covers. While most wakeboard boats have heaters and a bar, others even have hot water showers. Some even have clamp down board racks, pop-up bow and stern cleats, and batteries with a battery switch. A few even come with a lounge remote control and halogen docking lights.

If you’re in fact looking to buy used, going online is a good place to start. Wakeboard boats can be found on online auctions or classified websites. If you buy used online, but through a manufacturer, you may even score free shipping. Approach shopping for your wakeboarding boat as if you would when shopping for a house. Go to various dealers and write down the ones you like. Then, do your own research on each model until you decide on the one that fits your needs and price range. Most importantly, get a boat that fits your individual style.

Pontoon Boats

A good pontoon boat makes an excellent fishing tackle. Some say a pontoon boat will virtually catch the fish for you. Larger pontoon boats on the other hand make great party boats. Pontoon boats come in all sizes from singe-person paddlers to large party pontoons. Some even come complete with furniture, a barbeque, mood lighting and much more. If you haven’t yet decided to by a pontoon boat, consider renting one this coming summer. If you’re already an owner of a pontoon boat and are looking for covers and accessories, then you’re in the right place. If you do decide to purchase a pontoon boat, consider getting boat insurance for your big purchase. Whether you get a party boat or a fishing pontoon, accidents still happen and it’s better safe than sorry.

Proper boat maintenance

Before putting your boat away for the winter, it is important to prep it for the long sleep. The first place to start is with the engine. This will be the messiest part of this endeavor but the engine is usually the most expensive and least expendable item of your boat. Clean the engine and change the oil and the filter. Having dirty oil sitting in a dirty engine will be an even bigger mess in the spring.

Drain the cooling system. If it’s like a car and has a closed system, refill it with the recommended antifreeze and water solution. If it’s an open system, flush it out with water. If your boat has a carburetor, drain the gas out of the tank. Use the drain screw found at the bottom of the bowl. Fill the tank with a fuel stabilizer after putting the screw back.

If you have a bathroom, pump out the holding tank until as dry as possible. Treat the tank with a deodorizer that can be found at supply stores. Try to get in the habit of removing as much of your boating gear as possible and putting them in their designated spots. It may be a hassle but you don’t want your life jackets, cushions or sails to collect moisture.

 

Open up all the hatches and lockers if you’re going to keep your boat in a garage. On the flip side, keep all hatches and lockers closed if your boat will be kept outside. Spray the bilge, head and lockers with a light mist of anti-mildew spray. Consider putting a dehumidifier in the boat if you’re going to be storing it outside. Lastly, get a boat cover to act as an extra helping hand during the winter months to ward off harsh weather, animals and small accidents.

Winterizing your boat

Before putting your boat away for the winter, it is important to prep it for the long sleep. The first place to start is with the engine. This will be the messiest part of this endeavor but the engine is usually the most expensive and least expendable item of your boat. Clean the engine and change the oil and the filter. Having dirty oil sitting in a dirty engine will be an even bigger mess in the spring.

Drain the cooling system. If it’s like a car and has a closed system, refill it with the recommended antifreeze and water solution. If it’s an open system, flush it out with water. If your boat has a carburetor, drain the gas out of the tank. Use the drain screw found at the bottom of the bowl. Fill the tank with a fuel stabilizer after putting the screw back.

If you have a bathroom, pump out the holding tank until as dry as possible. Treat the tank with a deodorizer that can be found at supply stores. Try to get in the habit of removing as much of your boating gear as possible and putting them in their designated spots. It may be a hassle but you don’t want your life jackets, cushions or sails to collect moisture.

 

Open up all the hatches and lockers if you’re going to keep your boat in a garage. On the flip side, keep all hatches and lockers closed if your boat will be kept outside. Spray the bilge, head and lockers with a light mist of anti-mildew spray. Consider putting a dehumidifier in the boat if you’re going to be storing it outside. Lastly, get a boat cover to act as an extra helping hand during the winter months to ward off harsh weather, animals and small accidents.

Choosing the right boat

When it comes to choosing a boat specifically for wakeboarding, and hopefully entertaining on the side, it’s important to know the difference between a boat made for wakeboarding and one that isn’t. Wakeboard boats are specially made for the purpose of creating wakes. Then of course, wakeboarders can perform their tricks on these wakes. Like ski boats, wakeboard boats have ballasts but their ballasts generally have much more weight, thus making bigger wakes when the boat is moving. The wedge on a wakeboarding boat also helps shape the wake that the ballast makes.

Shopping for a wakeboarding boat, new or used, can prove to be stressful. Most have the same basic features such as upholstered seating, carpeted floors and sides, a wakeboard tower, ballast, wedge and steering mechanisms. Wakeboard boats start to vary when it comes to engine types, fuel capacity, and accessories. Some wakeboard boats come equipped with a special button that lets you adjust the shape of the wake you desire with one push. Some boats have bigger ballasts that can create bigger wakes for more experienced riders. If you feel like going green, some boats have exhaust systems that reduce the amount of carbon monoxide emitted into the air. For your personal comfort, some have seats designed with lumbar support for those long days on the water. Special additions include diving platforms and even mufflers to keep the noise to a low roar.

As earlier stated, accessories can make a huge difference between one wakeboard boat to the next. While most boats come with a stereo system, some come with tower cans that will protect your speakers from the elements as well as amplifiers and satellite antennas. The compartments and lockers onboard will vary with the size and price of a boat but one plus to buying a used boat is often time you’ll score used boards, ski hangles, ropes, life jackets etc…

Other wakeboard boats come not only with boat covers, but also with cockpit covers. While most wakeboard boats have heaters and a bar, others even have hot water showers. Some even have clamp down board racks, pop-up bow and stern cleats, and batteries with a battery switch. A few even come with a lounge remote control and halogen docking lights.

If you’re in fact looking to buy used, going online is a good place to start. Wakeboard boats can be found on online auctions or classified websites. If you buy used online, but through a manufacturer, you may even score free shipping. Approach shopping for your wakeboard boat as if you would when shopping for a house. Go to various dealers and write down the ones you like. Then, do your own research on each model until you decide on the one that fits your needs and price range. Most importantly, get a boat that fits your individual style.

Boat Maintenance

It may be long before you put your boat away for the winter but it’s never too early to prepare your boat and yourself for a hard winter. The first place to start is with the engine. This will be the messiest part of this endeavor but the engine is usually the most expensive and least expendable item of your boat. Clean the engine and change the oil and the filter. Having dirty oil sitting in a dirty engine will be an even bigger mess in the spring.

Drain the cooling system. If it’s like a car and has a closed system, refill it with the recommended antifreeze and water solution. If it’s an open system, flush it out with water. If your boat has a carburetor, drain the gas out of the tank. Use the drain screw found at the bottom of the bowl. Fill the tank with a fuel stabilizer after putting the screw back.

If you have a bathroom, pump out the holding tank until as dry as possible. Treat the tank with a deodorizer that can be found at supply stores. Try to get in the habit of removing as much of your boating gear as possible and putting them in their designated spots. It may be a hassle but you don’t want your life jackets, cushions or sails to collect moisture.

Open up all the hatches and lockers if you’re going to keep your boat in a garage. On the flip side, keep all hatches and lockers closed if your boat will be kept outside. Spray the bilge, head and lockers with a light mist of anti-mildew spray. Consider putting a dehumidifier in the boat if you’re going to be storing it outside. Lastly, get a boat cover to act as an extra helping hand during the winter months to ward off harsh weather, animals and small accidents.