On the surface, a bout of bad weather might seem
like nothing else than a damper on your enjoyable afternoon of good boating and
good company. But when you’re at the mercy of the water, bad weather is much
more than a threat to your good time: it’s a legitimate worry that can
sometimes threaten your life if you’re […]

Sooner or later, our friends in cold climates are going to
have to admit defeat: cold weather is here, and it’s here to stay. For a few
months, at least. And with the cold weather comes the inevitable questions of
how to properly store and maintain your boat when you’re off doing other things
until spring.But while most people […]

Winter isn’t nice to boats. In fact, it can be downright
crummy. For those in warm climates, autumn and winter can mean difficult
weather and chilly, rainy days. For those in cold climates—well, winter means ditching
the boat altogether.But no matter where you live, cleaning your boat before
winter comes is of paramount importance. It will help prepare your […]

For a lot of boat owners, storing your boat is easy. You
pick a boatyard with rack storage or dry racks or, if you have the room, you
use your garage. That way your boat is kept dry and warm all winter long—and
you prevent the long-term exposure to the water, too.But what about those times in the […]

Imagine one day you head down to the marina and see an
officer of the Coast Guard—or a similar authority—next to your boat. He
announces that he has to cite you for polluting the water and, as you can see
by observing the oily film next to your boat bilge, he’s right.The fines for such a violation can […]

When the sky is clear, the water is blue, and the sea is
mostly empty, there are few things as beautiful as a vibrant colored boat ready
to be taken out from the marina. Unfortunately, your boat doesn’t qualify.The good news is that even if your boat has faded in color
over the years, there are still things […]

Admit it: stainless steel is your favorite boat material.And why not? Stainless steel is very convenient. It’s highly
resistant to rusting, highly capable of handling plenty of exposure to water,
and even resistant to corrosion from acids. It’s one of the best materials on
earth for using in boats–and not only that, but it looks good while doing […]

True, it’s tough to admit when winter’s here. Winter means
cold, it means blistering winds, and it means difficult storage questions for
your boat. But sooner or later, even the most avid boaters who live in
cool-weather climates have to admit defeat.But when exactly is that going to be? Is it better to
stretch the fall season for as […]

Ask most people why they wax their boat and they’ll likely
tell you one thing: it looks better with wax on it. The same reasoning goes for
cars. But many people forget that waxing a boat isn’t just about appearances;
it’s about real benefits to maintenance and performance that you can’t have if
you ignore your boat’s hull.Don’t believe […]

If you’re a boat owner, then you know all about fiberglass.
It’s practically a requirement that comes with the purchase.And since maintaining and cleaning your fiberglass is so
central to maintaining the look and quality of your boat, it’s vexing when your
fiberglass doesn’t cooperate. Everything from simple stubborn stains to rust
stains and black streaks can make your […]