Is winter boating a thing? Yes, though not so much in our part of the world. In the coldest months, we northerners catch most of our fish through holes drilled in thick lake ice. Winter offers great fishing opportunities and snow-kissed fun for the dedicated boater with access to open water - and who's not afraid of the cold.
Cold weather saps battery power. A battery loses 30 percent of its charge at freezing temperature (32F/0C). Keep your battery charged to avoid frustration when starting your motor. Also, watch for water in your fuel. Warm days followed by cold days cause condensation, which can contaminate your fuel. If you'll be using your boat over the winter, change your fuel/water separators and filters before cold weather sets in, as David Meeler of Yamaha Outboards advises. Adding a
We don't know about you, but the phrase "bimini top" conjures up a mental picture of a boat sheltered by a piece of women's swimwear. Luckily, the real thing offers a lot more coverage for your boat, and, like the bikini, the bimini's name was inspired by tropical island life.
Save 10% on boat deck and floor hatches, escape and ventilation hatches, portlights, and storage boxes through November 25, 2018! How many of us have caught wind of trouble and said, "Batten down the hatches"? We know we have. It's something we say and hear often, but have you ever thought of where the expression comes from?
Save 10% on all boat propellers through July 22, 2018!
Before every outing, inspect your propeller(s). You can file out small nicks and burrs yourself, and bent edges can be fixed by carefully straightening them with a pair of crescent wrenches. Serious mangling needs professional attention from your local prop shop.
Save 10% off jack plates and motor mounts through June 9, 2018!
What the heck is a jack plate, anyway? It's a movable plate that mounts to the transom and lets you raise and lower your boat's outboard motor. Here are a couple of reasons you might want to be able to do that.
Selling a boat can be bittersweet. On the one hand, it's exciting to make room for something new, but on the other, your old boat has been a part of many happy memories. Give yourself the best chance at finding your boat a good home with these six tips.
Save 10% on escape and ventilation hatches, portlights, deck hatches, and storage boxes through April 28, 2018!
Don't settle for a gloomy galley or shadowy staterooms. With the right hatches and portlights - at the right price - you can fill your boat cabin with natural light and fresh air.
All boat covers are 10% off all month! Sale ends February 28, 2018.
Last year, we talked about covering your boat for long-term storage with shrink wrap or a shrink-it-yourself Transhield cover. But there's much more to cover (sorry).
We love pontoon boats! They're the perfect platform for fun with family and friends. Sometimes, as we survey our carefully-stacked stock of pontoon logs, we wonder how they're made. Avalon Pontoons has a series of videos showing their manufacturing process, and they're pretty darn cool. All you "How It's Made" junkies out there will love them.
Got your shopping done yet? Yeah, neither have we. If you're stumped about what to give your favorite fisherman (or woman!), the Skipper has a few suggestions.
