21 Items to keep on your Boat

• Spare kill-switch clip
• WD-40 or other lubricating/cleaning spray
• Wrench
• Voltmeter
• Spare engine pull cord
• Portable jump-starter or jumper cables
• Spare spark plugs
• Socket wrench set and extension
• Rubber mallet
• Owner’s manual for your engine
• Heavy monofilament fishing line
• Small funnel
• Spare propeller and floating prop wrench
• Landing net

Other Practical Items:

·        * Losing a gas cap overboard when refueling can be a major headache, especially if rain is forecast. Carry a spare.

·         *A classic cure-all, duct tape can be used temporarily to fix anything from leaky hoses to damaged hulls.

·         *Green, red, and white light sticks can sub in for running lights if yours fail.

·         *A portable electric bilge pump that’s battery-powered can keep you afloat if your onboard pump fails or is unable to keep up with an emergency leak. Just make sure the batteries are fresh.

·         *Because you know you’re going to lose the original someday: a spare bilge plug.

·         *Found at marine supply stores in a variety of sizes, conical wooden bungs can be used to temporarily fill circular voids caused by broken through-hull fittings or damaged hoses.

·         *Modern engines often have a variety of fuses to protect their electrical systems. Carry spares in the proper sizes.

·        

15 Fuel-Saving Tips for Boaters

1. Lighten the load: Shed those extra pounds from the bilge and lockers. Empty out all the items that you really don’t need aboard and keep just the essentials. Some recommend running on the bottom half of the tank to lighten up. You will have to visit the fuel dock more often, but it will save you money.

2. Tune up the motor: Boat engines that are well tuned and regularly serviced, are more fuel-efficient than those that aren’t, so keep on top of regular maintenance, including oil and filter changes once a season.

3. Prop right: Make sure you are propped correctly and that the prop has no dings or gouges. Speak to a propeller expert to ensure that you have the right diameter, pitch, blade area, and prop configuration. You could save up to 10 per cent in fuel costs.

4. Adjust your speed: Don’t drive at top speed all the time. This can cause extra engine wear, as well as costing you more in fuel. Cutting your speed by one-third could save you 50 per cent in fuel consumption. It might mean that your trip takes longer, but why not just enjoy the view and save?

5. Keep your boat bottom clean: Don’t drag a carpet of marine growth. Keep the bottom of your boat clean and free of weeds and barnacles. If you can get your boat out of the water on a trailer, scrub the bottom regularly away from shore. On a larger boat, use a long-handled scrub brush.

6. Paint your hull: If you boat in water that encourages the fast growth of algae on your bottom, it would be worth your while to paint it with anti-fouling paint. It is important to use a paint that reduces friction.

7. Buy a diesel: If your boat has diesel power, you probably paid more in the beginning but you will save in ongoing fuel costs over time. Diesel engines cost less to run than gas and are most efficient when run at 80 per cent of maximum speed.

8. Idle less: It is amazing how many boaters feel they have to idle their engines in the harbor as long as they warm up their cars in the dead of winter. You only need to warm up the engine for a few minutes so it doesn’t stall when you shift into reverse.

9. Go with the flow: Get a boost from Mother Nature. If your course is flexible, go with the current or downwind.

10. Drive straight: The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. If you are zig- zagging or leaving a snakes trail in your wake, you are burning more fuel than you need to.

11. Use a kicker: If you are planning on going a long distance at a slow speed (as you do when trolling), then buy a 9.9 HP outboard motor and use it instead of your big V8s.

12. Reduce drag: Take off the canvas—especially the vertical panels—because they act like a parachute and increase drag. If you are going to run fast, run topless.

13. Use a fuel flow meter: Adding a fuel flow meter will give you visual feedback on exactly how much fuel you are burning so you can adjust your speed and driving habits. You will also have proof that your efforts are paying off.

14. Trim Your Boat: Using trim tabs and power trim wisely prevents plowing and reduces drag, allowing you to run on plane at a lower rpm.

15. Do the math: To find out which changes that you make give you the best results, you need to do the math. Keep a detailed log of your fuel usage before and after you make changes. After every fill-up, record the fuel replaced, operating hours, and distance travelled. You will be able to tell which changes work best for your boat to give you the best fuel savings.

 

9 Toolbox Essentials for Boats

Keeping an organized boat tool box can prevent you from cursing the fact that you left a wrench or flashlight on the mainland when something goes wrong. Plus, you’ll be able to fix many common problems without having to call for help. Here are the 9 most essential items to keep on the boat.

1. Multi-Tool: No matter the shape or size of your tool box, a multi-tool will always fit. More complex than a Swiss Army Knife but easier to figure out, a multi-tool conveniently combines tools, including a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Multi-tools are more expensive than stand-alone tools, especially those made out of stainless steel, but are well worth their price.

2. Oil: Have a stuck screw or wire? A bit of oil will smooth things over. The ubiquitous choice is WD40 in a can. If a screw is stuck because of a little corrosion or a wire doesn’t slide easy on your engine, you can just spray it on. It’s a handyman classic.

3. Tape: Duct and electrical tapes can be lifesavers out on the water. Tape is a quick fix. If you find a hole in your small watercraft, you can bring it onto shore, turn it over, dry it as much as you can, and apply tape. That would be enough to get you back home. Even if a little water seeps through, you’ll be able to bail the incoming water and stay afloat.

4. Wrenches and Screwdrivers: Two of the more necessary tools to keep on board for any type of boat are the wrench and the screwdriver. Both are adjustable and come in handy for a large number of fixes, like replacing spark plugs and tightening loose bolts.

5. Spark Plugs and a Toothbrush: It’s always good to keep a few extra spark plugs around, but what’s crucial is being able to keep them in good condition. A toothbrush for cleaning plugs when they’re fouled or a bit wet. You can brush spark plugs off and you’re back in business.

6. Pliers: If you need to hold something or want to apply a lot of pressure, pliers will do the trick. If possible, use the small size because they can get into tight spaces that aren’t easily accessible, however the bigger the boat the bigger the pliers needed.

7. Flashlights: Getting stuck out on the boat at night can be scary without a flashlight. Having a backup flashlight saves you if your batteries die and gives your boating friends some light as well.

8. Extra batteries: Having these is so important, especially when you’re far from land. Keep an extra set of batteries for any electronic tools you may have, such as a portable GPS, handheld radio, or flashlight. You can also purchase rechargeable batteries and charge them at home before your boat ride.

9. Extra gasoline: If your boat takes gasoline, carrying extra supply should be a no-brainer. Running out of gas is often the major cause of a mechanical breakdown.

8 Tips for Buying a Used Boat

Checking out a used boat? Look for signs of overall maintenance. Even lifejackets, lines, and fenders can be clues to how much love a boat has had. Here’s a list of other things to watch for.

1. Look for cracks in the fibreglass above and below the waterline: Small cracks, such as spider webs in localized areas, are mostly cosmetic. They tend to appear near screws that haven’t been countersunk properly around handles, gunwales, and wind-shields. No biggie-but they may get worse if not fixed. Cracks greater than 2″ long suggest larger problems underneath. Ask whether the boat’s been in a collision and look for signs, such as gelcoat patches, that indicate extensive repairs. Get an expert to inspect.

2. Inspect for signs of damage: Flexing, cracking, mold, and moisture in fibreglass and wooden areas, such as the hull, transom, and floor? These can indicate rot, the break-down of fibreglass, delamination of plywood, or even rot in the stringers. You’ll likely want to walk.

3. Check for loose seats: The floor may be rotten (not good), or it could simply be that the bolts are stripped. (Sitting on the seat back as you drive strains the bolts.) Your marina can easily fix the latter.

4. Look for mildew: Do the seats, boat top, or carpet have mildew and other damage (check the storage lockers too)? Upholstery and covers can be cleaned or replaced, but extensive mold inside the seats is a bad sign. Also, mold spreads easily, so spores on these surfaces may be in the wooden parts as well; a moldy carpet or ski locker can mean problems underneath.

5. Make sure the electronics work: Burned-out bulbs and seized bilge pumps have cheap solutions. Multiple devices on the fritz could mean faulty wiring or a faulty battery-again, not a big deal. Check to see if labels on the engine have peeled up or if insulation on the wires has melted signs of engine overheating-and trouble.

6. Check the belts: Is the alternator or power-steering belts thin, worn, or cracked? Belts should be changed every 100 hours. Your first service can cover it, but damaged belts hint at lax care.

7. Start the engine: Does the engine start rough or slip, make excessive noise, vibrate, or smoke? Old gas or too much oil is easily fixed during your first tune-up. However, these symptoms can indicate a bigger problem, such as low compression in the cylinders, requiring a costly engine overhaul.

8. Test the oil: Does the engine oil feel gritty between your fingers? The grit is metal filings, which could indicate serious engine wear. If a mechanic confirms, abandon ship. If there’s milky oil in the engine or lower unit, this means water is getting in. A bent prop shaft can be straightened and a blown or worn seal replaced. But an impact causing this kind of damage may have stressed the gears or, if water got inside, the gears may be corroded-bad news. If water is coming through a cracked engine block, steer clear.
                                                          When in doubt, call in a pro!

Boat Rental

We understand buying a boat is an ordeal sometimes. You can't always go for a test drive and even so, you're not exactly sure what type of boat is the right fit for your needs. Renting a boat is a great way to compare types and models before deciding which boat to buy. You will see and experience first-hand the differences between running an outboard or a stern drive, a sport boat vs. ski boat, how you actually like the seating arrangements, how much fuel you burn on a typical trip, or whether your family & friends will enjoy tubing or water-skiing! 

Did you know that renting a boat is actually cost effective? Not all of us are lucky enough to get summers off. While on holidays you can rent a boat for your entire stay and not have to worry about maintenance or winter storage, making vacations worry free!

Well, you've got a great opportunity to test the waters. PortSandfield Marina is Muskoka's largest luxury rental boat provider. We invite you to explore Muskoka Lakes at your own leisure in one of our quality new rental boats. Go fishing on Lakes Joseph, Rosseau, or Muskoka, or just float around and take in the views, no matter what you fancy, we are dedicated to make renting a boat fun and easy.