Winterizing Your Boat

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Kyle

By carefully winterizing a boat’s drive system, you can save yourself thousands of dollars in repairs and the frustration of poor performance in the spring. Follow these steps to winterizing your boat’s drive system, and when warm weather arrives once again you will be out on the water in no time.

Change the Engine and Drive Train Oil

After running your boat all summer, it’s likely that water, acids and other byproducts have built up. It’s important to change the oil to prevent corrosion and excessive wear which can lead to loss of power, poor fuel economy or engine failure. Use a manual or electric oil changing system to make draining the oil easier, then add new oil according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Run the engine to circulate the oil through the system. At the same time you change the oil, be sure to change the oil filter. Change the oil in transmission or the outboard’s lower unit as well.

Add Antifreeze to an Inboard Cooling Systems

To protect the engine against damage from freezing, run antifreeze through the engine. For the best protection, drain as much water as possible and use a marine engine grade antifreeze – either one rated to -60 degrees or -100 degrees. Do not dilute the antifreeze or it will not perform correctly, which can be costly to you.

Inboards: Before adding antifreeze, start the engines to warm them up. After the engines are warm, close the seacock and open the strainer to flush the water. Finally, add the antifreeze. For smaller inboard motors, using a flush kit can make it easier to get the antifreeze into the motor. For larger inboards, one way is to start the engine and quickly pour the antifreeze in while it’s run

ning. Do not let the engine run for more than a few seconds without antifreeze. This method usually works best with 2 people, but if it’s only you, try disconnecting the cooling hose from the thru-hull, and placing it in a large bucket filled with antifreeze and run the engine. Add the antifreeze until you see it come out of the exhaust.

Outboards: Purchase a winterizing kit from your local marine supply store that contains a bucket, hose and fittings. Connect the hose and fittings and use them to suck the antifreeze out of the bucket and into the engine.

Fog the Engine Cylinders

To protect the inside of the engine until spring, you must fog the engine to protect its moving parts. You can spray them into the carburetor while the engine is running or apply it through spark plugs holes while the engine is turned over. Consult the engine’s manual, a mechanic or the manufacturer to find out which method to use for your engine.

 

Treat the Fuel System

Experts disagree on the best method for winterizing a boat’s fuel system. One method is to empty the fuel tank completely, which is extremely difficult. The second method, generally preferred by boaters, is to empty the fuel tank as much as possible and then refill it to leave as little room as possible. Once the tank is full, treat the fuel with a with a biocide (for diesels) or a stabilizer (for all engines). After adding it to the fuel, run the engine for 10 minutes or so to be sure stabilized fuel circulates throughout the engine.

Caring for the Batteries

If your boat is small enough, simply disconnect the batteries and bring them home, add distilled water and charge them occasionally. For larger boats, disconnect the batteries, add distilled water and then periodically reconnect and charge them using shore power.

By following the directions to winterizing your boat’s engine, you are ensuring the best possible performance from your boat’s propulsion system. Next, winterize the hull and interior of the boat so when spring arrives, you can be confident that the steps you took in the fall will mean less hassle before getting out on the water again.

Sources: Mad Mariner | Boating World magazine

 

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The Value of Shoreline Vegetation on Hartwell

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Kyle

The Value of Shoreline Vegetation

Shoreline vegetation is extremely important because of the many functions it serves, a few of which are outlined below. To maintain a quality resource, sound management is necessary to protect and preserve a healthy vegetative buffer adjacent to water bodies such as Hartwell Lake.

Shoreline Stabilization and Water Quality Protection

The roots of trees and shrubs along the shoreline help hold soils in place, preventing erosion. The layers of vegetation present in a natural shoreline provide multiple layers of protection for the soil from the adverse impacts of hard rainfalls by slowing the velocity of the raindrops, resulting in less impact force when they strike the ground. The resulting slower rainfalls result in less granulation of the soil and less movement of soil particles off site (erosion). The loss of soil nutrients is high in erosion, as the finer grained particles which are the first to be washed away are also the highest in fertility. The more small soil particles preserved by a protective buffer of shoreline vegetation, the higher the soil fertility.

Shoreline vegetation also traps sediment and pollutants, helping keep the water clean. Vegetative buffers provide an area where chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers can decompose, rather than placing a load on the water body. Toxic pesticides are converted to non-toxic forms through biodegradation which occurs in the vegetative buffer. Nitrogen applied as fertilizer can be converted into organic matter, and later decomposed and released into the air, rather than flowing directly into the lake resulting in adverse effects to water quality.

Thermal Cover and Temperature Moderation

A vegetative buffer shields a water body from summer temperature extremes, thus moderating the temperature of the water body. The cover of leaves and branches brings welcome shade which provides a cooler area for aquatic life. Cooler areas hold more dissolved oxygen which fish need to breathe. Shoreline vegetation also provides an area of filtration of storm water runoff, thereby increasing recharge of ground water. Later releases of flow from ground water to the lake occurs on a gradual basis and is cooler than overland flows. The entry of this cooler water into the lake also helps to moderate the water temperature, making it less stressful to aquatic life.

Wildlife Habitat and Food Chain Support

Many wildlife species use shoreline areas during all or part of their life cycle. Shoreline vegetation provides food, cover, nesting, and sanctuary for these animals. For example, 80% of the bird population around Hartwell Lake nests within 15 feet of the ground, making underbrush vitally important to their survival. These vegetative buffers also form the foundation of the wildlife food chain by providing a basic food source for insects and smaller birds and animals.

In addition to the above justifications for maintaining a healthy vegetative buffer around the Hartwell Project, shoreline vegetation is essential for maintaining the natural beauty of the lake and adding to aesthetic enjoyment. The Corps of Engineers is committed to protecting and preserving the shoreline vegetation at Hartwell Lake to ensure resource protection and enjoyment for future generations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Friends at the Cove

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Kyle

Friends at the Cove is a casual fine dining restaurant nestled in the trees on the shore of Lake Hartwell. You can arrive by car or by boat to enjoy dinner skillfully prepared and artfully presented using many local ingredients, as well as ingredients grown on their own farm. Owners, Val Lowe and Katie Tillman have been growing produce and serving their customers for almost 20 years in the Anderson area. Friends at the Cove is the kind of place, you walk in a stranger, and leave feeling like a native. The restaurant is open Thursday thru Saturday from 5-10pm. They have a regular dinner menu as well as daily chef inspired specials. Prices range from $8.95 to $25.95. The restaurant has several rooms available for private parties. They can handle groups from 20 to 2000, so give them a call the next time you need catering.

Friends at the Cove

1500 Providence Church Rd.

Anderson, SC 29626 864-231-0663

www.friendsfoodwithaflair.com

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