Learning Opportunities: by Steve Rutherford, Education Director
Here is the May tip-of-the-month, by
Warren Stevenson:
Steve
Let’s “Summerize”!
Many of us are away from our PGI
home and boat for extended periods during the summer.
During this time the boats must endure the harsh Florida
summer environment sitting on a trailer, on a lift, or
in the water. Here are a few things to consider as you
“summerize” your boat. This is certainly not a
comprehensive coverage of the topic, but hopefully it
will be helpful and if nothing else remind you to get
the job done before the last minute.
FUEL
There are varying opinions on how
much fuel to leave in your tanks over the summer. Most
experts (former sperts) suggest leaving the tanks full
to minimize moisture laden air. Be sure to add
stabilizer to gasoline and biocide to diesel. Note that
there is a federal mandate in place to increase the
amount of ethanol in gasoline and the Florida
legislature is considering a state mandate beginning in
2010. Ethanol can have serious effects on fiberglass
fuel tanks and rubber fuel lines in boats built before
the mid eighties. Beyond that, it attracts moisture from
the air. Most gas now sold at marine fuel docks does not
contain ethanol, but if you buy gas for your boat at gas
stations it may have ethanol in it. If you have ethanol
in your boat fuel there is stabilizer formulated for
this at West Marine. There are many other fuel and oil
additives on the shelves which you can use if you
choose, but most are probably unnecessary. One other
fuel-related issue is the filter: it’s a good idea to
change this now so it will be done when you start your
engine next season.
MOLD
Mold loves to grow in Florida
boats. It needs food and moisture: the food can be
supplied by various organic materials including dirt;
therefore cleaning dirty surfaces including those
touched by your sweaty oily body can prevent mold
growth; this is true, for example, on the vinyl
upholstery in the cockpit; clean those surfaces before
you put the cover on and you will avoid a more difficult
cleaning job later. Putting water-absorbing canisters in
the cabin is helpful as is putting small items that
might mold in Ziploc bags or tightly knotted garbage
bags.
BATTERIES
Some boaters leave their shore
power plugged in so that the batteries will remain
charged via a trickle charger. Another approach is to
remove the batteries and put them in your house to keep
cool. They can be recharged when you return, although if
you will be gone six months or more a trickle charger is
best, since completely discharged batteries never fully
recover.
CANVAS
Your boat cover deserves some
attention. Waterproofing it every year or two is a good
idea. Wash the cover in a mild detergent and put it back
on the boat wet to stretch properly. After it dries,
spray on a waterproofing solution available at marine
supply stores; one light coat followed by a heavier coat
will do the trick. Another good idea is to lubricate the
snaps so the cover will go on and off easily without
ripping the canvas around recalcitrant snaps. A special
lubricant is available, but Vaseline or a Chapstick
(very convenient) works just as well.
TRANSOM PLUG
Whither the transom plug? When your
boat is left on a trailer or lift, that is the question.
If you could be sure that no water would get in or that
your bilge pump would remove it, then the plug could be
left in. Florida summers being what they are that is
probably a bad choice. During Charley, the engine
compartments of a number of boats on lifts filled with
water. This overloaded the lift cables, which broke and
dumped the boats into the canals. Probably you should
remove the plug and put it someplace where you can’t
forget to find it before you put the boat in the water
next season.
HURRICANES
Finally there is the hurricane
issue. Preparing your boat for a hurricane is a good
topic for a later Tip of the Month, but in the meantime
you can refer to an excellent document prepared by the
Coast Guard Auxiliary on Marco Island. They have
generously allowed us to post it on the Seafarers
website. It is listed under Interesting Links.
There is much more that could be
written about preparing your boat for the summer, but
this is probably enough to digest in one newsletter. Let
me know if you have ideas we could incorporate in the
future and have a good summer wherever you go.
Cruising News: by Damon Roy, Cruise Director
Ok, nearing the middle of the year we’ve had
some terrific cruises to date; and even more fun
and exciting destinations on the schedule! Be
sure to check the calendar every week to be
up-to-date, because the cruises are filling fast!
 March
28-30, our Past Commodore, Art, and his wife, Lynne
Armstrong, l ead
us to “Uncle Henry’s Marina” on Boca Grande (a new spot
for this group). We were welcomed by the marina and what
a great time we had! Between the bike rides into town,
golf-carting and the “Stamp-Mobile”, well, let’s say we
didn’t lack for ways to get around town! It was a
wonderful trip and we thank the Armstrongs for a super
cruise!
Click here to see the photos!
  Mike
& Margie Fauci took a group of day-boaters to Bert’s Bar
& Grille at Matlacha on April 3rd. The
scuttlebutt is that everyone had way too much fun and
they’re calling for another trip soon.
See these photos here!
Palm Island, here we come on April
27th! With Ray Mason & Jane McQuaid leading
the way, we’re sure to have a blast! This cruise
was on a waiting list (I told you cruises were
filling up!) but a space or two has just opened up, and we’ll report the “happenings”
in next month’s newsletter.
Speaking of sold out, our trip to
‘Tween Waters in May is also full, with a waiting list. If
you’d like to join this group, use the calendar or use
the link below to go to
the online form and you'll be added to the waiting list. We’ll be sharing our usual
fine edibles dockside Friday night with shopping, beaching,
and pooling on Saturday. To finish the day, we’ll dine
at The Green Flash Restaurant. ALWAYS a great time at Tween Waters!
(Click
appropriate image below for information and to sign-up
-- if no form appears, check that pop-up blocker is off)
In the works: (click
on listings in Bold to go to signup form)
June: 20-21 Marina Jack’s in Sarasota
–SURE to become a favorite!
27-29 Pelican
Bay Raft-up and Cayo Costa Picnic
July: Ft. Myers Beach- CRUISE LEADER NEEDED… we
had a great time last year and we’ll share our details
with you!
NOTE: For those of you who like to
raft out for the fireworks; the party is at Laishley
this year, not off of Harpoon Harry’s! ANYONE
INTERESTED IN LEADING A RAFT-OUT FOR THIS EVENT?
We need volunteers to help with day
cruises; this can be to local restaurants for lunch, to
beaches for picnics, or just to a neat place you know
of, that you’d like to share with your fellow
Seafarers. PLEASE contact me, your cruise director, and
he’ll help you plan a cruise to wherever it is you’d
like to go!
Damon
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