Operating Your Boat With a Joystick

With many different types of engines and controls on the market and new ones popping up each year I wanted to take a moment to discuss boating using a joystick. I know it seems as if all those hours playing games during your childhood have now finally come into some use with your adult life with using a joystick to operate your boat.

Joystick controls allow you to preform maneuvers that would never have been possible with conventional controls. One of the most obvious new ways is the ability to move your boat sideways. This maneuver makes it easier to dock but only once you have practiced for a bit first. The boat tents to lean away from the direction that it is moving and when you lay off the joystick, the boat rocks back toward the opposite direction. If you keep the boat moving until you have completely reached the dock, you run a risk of dinging the side of your boat when it settles.

Another maneuver is the ability to keep a boat in place while spinning in a circle. This makes moving around is tight spaces a breeze. Just as before, you can't just hop in a joystick operated boat and be able to flawlessly navigate. You will need to practice, practice, and then practice some more.

Joystick controls have their advantages, my favorite being the ability to hold fast. Meaning, with the help of control system with built in GPS, you now have the ability to keep the boat in one solitary position with the push of a button. Potential uses, waiting in line at the boat ramp & gas dock or seeing if you have found the perfect fishing spot. Your boat will keep itself stationary.

Even with the new maneuvers that you can do with a joystick operated boat; you will not be able to hop in and be proficient. Take your time; there is a learning curve as with anything new. Don't give up and keep practicing.

Let's Try Fishing PT. 2

Last week we talked about fishing as a way to help pass the time until it is warm enough to go back out on the water and start landing new tricks. We started with the basics of fishing, the hook. This week we will continue on the topic of beginner fishing to help you find the perfect fishing rod out of all the ones you see sitting in the store.

Picking a rod is an important process in fishing and it can seem overwhelming with all the different options. Let us help you to narrow down your selection. What you are trying to catch plays a huge role in the fishing rod that you end up with. There are five different categories of rod/reel combos. They are, spin casting, spinning, bait casting, trolling, and fly casting. The first decision you have to make is what kind of fish are you looking to catch?

Once you know what type of fish you will be looking for in the lake, you can decide on the length of your rod. The longer the rod the longer the cast, more control over the line, and more accuracy. A shorter rod will give you the power and heaviness that a longer rod cannot provide. For the beginner fisherman I would suggest a nice mid weight, mid length rod. Nothing to fancy, remember you are just learning.

The next step would be to choose a reel. For us first time anglers, a spinning reel is suggested for use. Of the five different categories mentioned, spinning reel holds the line in a spool and the line is cast off one end.

Your last decision in picking your new fishing pole comes down to how much you are willing to pay. They can cost from $10 to thousands of dollars. Once you think you have found the rod you want pick it up and handle it in the store. Don't worry, you won't look stupid. It is best to get a rod that you feel is comfortable in your had. Give it a good once over to check for cracks or defects.

Finding the right rod can seem like an impossible task, but hopefully with this help, you are able to find the one that will help you learn how to fish.

Let's Try Fishing PT.1

It's winter. Yes I know it isn't the best season to be a boater but that doesn't mean that you have to give up spending time on/by the water. Fishing is a great all season sport, one that you can enjoy even during this time of year. It's OK if you haven't gone fishing before we can help you. Let's start with the basics, the hook.

What is a hook? A fishhook is a device used in catching fish; in fact it is what catches the fish. It does so by hooking the fish by the mouth. Hooks come in many different shapes and sizes. The hook is attached to the pole by fishing line.

You would think by looking at a hook that it is just a simple piece of metal in the shape of a J. In fact, the hook is made up of a few different parts. It starts at the top of the hook with the eye. The eye is where you tie on your fishing line to hold the hook in place. Following the eye is the shank which is the long part of the hook. The shank flows into the bend which in turn takes you out to the point of the hook.

The point of the hook is where all the action happens. The point is where you hook your fish onto the line. Attached to the point is also a piece of metal called the barb. The barb is there to prevent the hook from coming out of the fish's mouth.

There are different types of hooks out on the market. The first being the traditional J hook. It gets its name because it looks like a J. This hook is best used with natural bait, meaning live or dead bait. J hooks are the most common as well as the oldest hooks that are offered. It is the hook that all other hooks come from.

The next type of fishing hook is the treble hook. This hook actually has three different points attached to one shank. You will usually find these attached to artificial baits that you  find in your tackle shop.

The final type of fishing hook is called a circle hook. It looks similar to the J hook but the point goes further in pointing toward the shaft, making it look like a circle. For all of us beginners, this is the hook to use. There is little to no work when catching the fish on the hook.

With all the different styles of fishing hooks you are bound to find the one that excites you the most. Stay tuned next week and we will talk about the fishing rod and how to pick yours out of the hundreds that you find in the fishing isle.

Boat Show Season

Depending on where you live determines how you celebrate the Christmas season as a boater. Some people go all out and decorate their boats in Christmas lights and throw boat parties and cap everything off with a parade. Those are the people that we envy this time of year because for most of us our boats are tucked away until spring commissioning.

So what can we do to keep boating at the top of our minds during this non boating season? That is the hard part; which is why there was such a thing called boat show season. This season starts the beginning of January and usually goes through March and it is when most of the major boat shows happen. What can you do to prepare for the upcoming boat show season? I would start by first finding all the shows that you would like to attend. You can do so by using this tool from Discover Boating. Mark those dates in your calendar and start getting excited.

One of the most important ways that you prepare for a boat show is to get your budget in order before you head out. You don’t want to be at a boat show and have that discussion with your significant other once you have fallen in love with a boat that is way out of your price range. Of course, you don’t have to buy a boat when you go to a boat show. But know what you want to spend whether it is $20 or $200,000.

Now that you are well on your way to enjoying boat show season you can keep boating at the front of your mind all throughout the off season. Leave us a comment letting us know which boat show you are most excited to attend.

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.