PREPARING YOUR BOAT FOR A HURRICANE

This is a very informative video from West Marine, with resources from BoatU.S.  If you are in an area where hurricanes may threaten, please take 12 minutes to watch the Top 10 most important preparation tips explained below.  I think you will be glad you did!

For further assistance, visit the BoatU.S. Hurricane Resource Center at www.boatus/hurricane.

For information specific to the South Florida / Treasure Coast area, please give me a call at 772-201-1800 or contact me by email at tom.jenkins@TomJenkinsYachtSales.com.

WATCH THOSE WASHERS: A TIP FROM "MOTORBOATING"

Make sure to properly position washers in order to avoid excessive heat build-up.

by Vincent Daniello / Wed, 9 Nov 2011 / Motorboating.Com

High-amperage fuses for main DC power feeds and bow thrusters are held in their holders with nuts and washers. Make sure the washer sits just beneath the nut, and never between the fuse and connecting cable lug. That thin stainless steel washer doesn’t conduct electricity particularly well and might heat significantly under long, high-amperage loads. Boat fires have been attributed to inappropriately placed washers.

YACHT FORUM: REPLACING WINDOWS ON AN 1984 BERTRAM 54

Click on the following link to read how one 1984 Bertram owner is replacing windows on his yacht.

YachtForum: Bertram 54 New Widow Frames

RE-COMMISSIONING YOUR BOAT FOR THE SEASON

More good information from Capt. Rich at A RR Marine Service!  Contact him at 772-486-2843 or by email at CaptRich18@aol.com.

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Having a boat in storage for the off season can be a great way to avoid some of the worries associated with the storm season here in South Florida. But as we know, there are some headaches that are encountered when the boat needs to be re-commissioned. Whether the boat was in dry storage, out of the water, or just tied up safely at some out-of-the-way dock, there are some things that should be looked at before the boat goes back into service.

Batteries.  Always number one on the list. I can't stress enough how many things are dependent on proper battery condition and voltage.

Fresh water systems and heads.  One advantage to South Florida boating is we don't winterize for storage, but a good fill and drain of the water tanks can never hurt. Run all the faucets and flush all the heads. Sometimes seals dry out and crack and now is the time to find those leaks.

Fuel/Oil.  Check your log and make sure oil and filters are up to date. Also, don't forget that ethanol gas problem that we hear about. Hopefully the fuel was stabilized before storage. Always check bilges, high water alarms and bilge pump float switches. It's always the bilge pump that is the hardest to get at that has problems, so get in there and check it. It could save your life.

Don't forget about that family of wasps that have decided to make their summer home under your gunnels. They are always so friendly!!!....."Hey, Do you think the stinger is still in there?"

Other things such as proper registration stickers, updated insurance cards, life jackets, EPIRBS, and all the other "boring boating administration items" that are required for Coast Guard compliance should be in order.

The good news is that after all this hard work is done, the rest is beautiful sunsets, tight lines, and happy boating.  Enjoy!

                                                                                  Capt. Rich, "A RR" Marine Service

BATTERIES: DON'T OVERLOOK THEM!

I asked one of my experts in the yacht maintenance business what he thought was the most important item to be aware of and take care of on a yacht.  I was surprised when he told me and I asked him to write something so I could pass it on.

Rich Royer from A RR Marine Service gets all the credit.  Give him a call when you have a maintenance issue.  He is in Port St. Lucie, Florida at (772) 486-2843 or reach him by email at CaptRich18@aol.com

As boat owners, when we want to decompress from our daily lives, we want to do it with the least amount of trouble possible. The weekend comes and goes quickly and sometimes there is just not enough time to look at and check everything before we go boating.

One of the systems that should not be over looked is your batteries. We take them for granted because of our "AUTO"mobile ways. Who checks their battery level before a trip to the mall? It's "AUTO"matic that the car will start. If it doesn't, we just say, "Lets take the other car and drop this one at the mechanic."

Well, nothing is "AUTOMATIC" in the marine world and chances are there isn't a second boat to take while the one that doesn't start is at the shop getting fixed. It only takes a few minutes to check before you leave the dock.

The worst conditions for a battery are hot enviroments. The batteries on a boat are subject to high heat, vibration, and  constant battery load variations. Sometimes battery voltage can affect other systems like electronics, fire control systems, and other engine control systems. Today's boats are even more dependant on proper battery voltage due to complex engine computer systems. In a multiple battery system, the problem may even be harder to detect. 

Some boats run the generator with the battery charger on and this masks a voltage/charge issue if you just monitor the output of the generator with a panel meter.

So, in short, it really pays off to spend the time to actually get down and look at the batteries. Even if they are so called "maintenance" free. They still need to be checked for bloating and/or corrosion. The time it takes is well spent when we return safely from our travels and everyone has fun. Boating should be fun and that fun quickly goes away when you have to call SEA-TOW for a jump.

Thanks and happy boating from "A RR marine service"!

MARINE ELECTRONICS: THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

"Boats.com electronics expert Lenny Rudow offers up rules that will help your electronics live longer...."

MARINE ELECTRONICS: THE 10 COMMANDMENTS by Lenny Rudow

I stumbled across this very useful information about electronics care that is basic but important to know and worth reading.  Sometimes simple basic knowledge gets pushed aside with all of the technical information we read and have running around in our minds.  Making a simple mistake and marring the screen could effect the definition you paid big bucks to have -- and can cost quite a few dollars to repair. 

This is not only really good information, but is an entertaining read, as well!

"Pay heed to these 10 commandments of marine electronics

and your helm could look this good, too."