Waxing Your Boat

Wax on, wax off. Wax on, wax off. No, we are not in a Karate Kid movie, even though that would be pretty cool. I am talking about waxing your boat. Waxing your boat is not something that you should just forget about. It is one of the easiest ways to keep you boat looking like it just left the showroom floor. It might be a little time consuming, but the payoff is worth it.

Why Wax

When we pick up our boat off the showroom floor, it has a bright mirror like shine that we can look into and see our smiling face looking back. That’s a great feeling right? Now, how do we keep our boat looking like that? Waxing! A boat that is used, which it hopefully yours is, is exposed to the elements, water from the lake, and other people. The Sun is one of the biggest reasons that our gel coat begins to fade. Waxing helps to restore the luster and shine of the boat surface, as well as making future cleaning easier. Waxing also helps to protect your boat from the damaging UV rays that can fade your paint job.

How To Wax

Waxing your boat is not as simple as just walking out to the dock and rubbing wax on the boat. There are a few steps to follow in order to be successful. The first one, clean your boat. Go out, rinse it off and get all the really dirty spots cleaned off. If you wax without cleaning, you will seal in all the dirt under the wax making it very difficult to get clean. After you finish giving your boat a bath, wipe off all the water spots for the same reason.

Now that she is clean, let’s get her sparkling clean. It is time to break out that wax. Specific directions vary by brand but generally, you will use a sponge or cloth to apply a layer of wax in a circular motion. You will want to let the wax sit until it “hardens.” Once it has that hazy look to it, (about 10-30 mins) you can wipe off the excess wax using a bath towel.

Once all the wax has been buffered off (What you did using the bath towel), make sure to go back and clean up any of the wax that might have gotten on any stainless steel or wood finishes on your boat. That’s it, you have just done your part to extend the life of your boat and keep her looking at her best. In order to get the full benefits of waxing, it is best to do the job 2-3 times during your boating season.

How Do You Spend Your Off Season?

As the weather is cooling off and the boats are tucked away for the time being. We are sitting and wondering now what? This time of year may not be a favorite among boaters but there are some things you can do now to make your next boating season a great one.

This time of year is perfect for doing all those little projects on your boat that you never got to over the summer. You know which ones I'm talking about. Upgrading your navigation system, doing those minor repairs to keep your boat running in like new condition, and doing all those checks to make sure that your equipment and all your boating accessories are working properly. Getting these little things, or maybe even a couple of big things, accomplished over the winter will give you more time in the spring to spend on the water.

Maybe you were growing tired of your boat last season. It could have been it was just getting older or your boat wasn't giving you what you were hoping to get out of. Whatever the reason, this time of year is actually a great time to research and buy a new boat. Take your time to do your research and find the perfect boat for you and your needs. Then during boat show season (Jan-March), you can make your purchase. You will never find a better price on a boat than at a boat show.

If neither of those fit your fancy for the off season, you can always take your boat and head south for the winter. There are places where the boating season never ends and boaters are always welcome. Whatever you choose to do with your off season, we will be there to help you.

Changing Your Spark Plugs

With today's modern fuel injection changing your spark plugs is few and far between, that day will come that you will need to know how to properly change a spark plug on your boat. That is where we come in. Here are some tips and tricks for changing your spark plugs.

Choose The Right Plug

A tad short or not the right heat range won't fly. Close enough will not work when installing spark plugs. The best way to figure out the right spark plug is to contact the manufacturer.

Using The Right Wrench

Spark plugs have a porcelain tip on them that is protected by a foam cover. Using a standard socket wrench could crack the porcelain. You will need a steady hand, socket extension and tight griping socket.

Using The Right Torque

Over tightening is one of the biggest mistakes. If you overtighten the spark plug when reinstalling it, your could strip the cylinder which would be costly to remove and have it re-threaded. The average torque wrench setting should be between 18-20 pounds per square inch. Make sure to check with the manufacturer before use.

Using The Right Gap

The gap is the distance the spark has to jump. If you have a gapless engine, then this is one step that you do not have to worry with. If your sparks need to be gapped, I would suggest investing in feeler gages. The gap setting can be found on the emissions plate of the engine or in the owner’s manual

Quick Tip: As you are changing your plug, check the others. Look for water droplets, aluminum bits, or a white substance on them. If you find any, take it to your dealer before you head out again.

Now that you know how to change your spark plugs, don't let the fear of what might go wrong stop you from enjoy a day relaxing on the water. If you are looking for some more tips on the subject, check these
out.