Spotlight on Best Boats for Freshwater Fishing ~ Part 2

If you prefer to fish with more than two or three of your buddies, you may be interested in a bowrider boat. This marine model can comfortably hold between six and ten people, which makes it a very popular style for people who like to travel in large groups. Another boat that satisfies the need for ample deck space is the center console boat. This vessel is designed so that all of the boat controls are located in the very center of the boat to grant extra deck space for fishing and other activities.

Deck boats, hence the name, are another vessel that provide generous deck space to hold multiple people, fishermen or water-sport accessories. Dually matched with a powerful engine, these boats are great for water sports and recreational fishing.

Boats of such magnitude call for Evinrude XD 50 oil!

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Spotlight on Best Boats for Freshwater Fishing ~ Part 1

When it comes time to buy a new boat, the first thing you want to determine is what kind of activities prompted you to purchase a vessel in the first place. If you conclude that you seek a marine companion for freshwater fishing and other activities on the lake, then at least you’ve narrowed down your selection to freshwater fishing boats. Now, from here you will need to choose the best boat of this genre to meet your boating needs.

A safe pick would be the all-purpose fishing boat, which may be used in both saltwater and freshwater settings, because it’s versatile in terms of fishing, entertainment and water sports. On the opposite end of this spectrum would be the bass fishing boat, which is often used for tournament fishing as it features powerful motors as well as an ample deck and storage room for two or three onboard anglers.

Both of these boats benefit from the clean power of Evinrude XD 100 oil; try some today!

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The Nation’s Biggest & Best Boat Shows ~ Miami International Boat Show

The Miami International Boat Show is a spectacular nautical event that happens once a year in the southern-most region of Florida, the sunshine state. This annual event usually takes place in February (it ran from Feb. 17-21 this year and is set to take place Feb. 16-20 for 2012) and extends for 4-5 days with multiple activities and events set out for each day.

Some highlights from this year’s boat show include an appearance by Russell Newberry, the deck boss and star of the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch.” Guests were also invited to visit the Discover Boat Resource Center where you could get involved in an educational hands-on series that demonstrates how to train for on-the-water experiences. Plus, this year the convention debuted a new feature, the Dive & Travel Harbor, which allows guests to learn how to scuba dive and sample some of the best dive gear on the market. Check out MiamiBoatShow.com to learn more about next year’s event.

I would expect that many boaters who attend this event trust in the power of Evinrude XD 100 oil.

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Top 10 Ferry Boat Rides Worldwide ~ Greek Islands

The Paleologos Shipping Agency was established in 1946 in Heraklion, Crete. It didn’t take long for the popularity of the company to become widespread earning the reputation of one of the biggest and more responsible shipping agencies on the island. The business is dedicated to ensuring the best service to a wide spectrum of marine needs and therefore offers a wide array of services.

Some of the services provided by the Paleologos Shipping Agency include coast liner agents, cruise boat agents, Mediterranean line agents, forwarding agents, bunkering supply, yacht serving and off-shore assistance. In 1980 the company organized a travel department which offers the following services: cruises, yachts, excursions, boat tickets and a variety of on-land travel necessities.

With such a loyal dedication to the satisfaction of their passengers, I bet the Paleologos Shipping Agency relies on the premium power of Evinrude XD 50 oil!

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Environmentally Friendly Boating Tip 4

Responsible and routine maintenance aren’t just important for the life and longevity of your boat but also for the environment. Keeping your boat and engine in optimum operating condition means you’re helping it maintain maximum fuel efficiency. Maximum fuel efficiency translates directly into lower emissions from your boat’s engine, which in turn means a healthier, happier environment.

One excellent method for achieving optimum fuel efficiency is to use the proper equipment, such as the right propeller for your boat and engine. An adjustable-pitch propeller or a modular prop could help increase fuel efficiency. Ensure that your motor reaches the proper wide-open-throttle RPM with the right combination of motor and propeller and you could save yourself even more money at the gas pump. This can also help you to burn less boat motor oil, ultimately saving you money when boating.

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Getting to Know Your Vessel

Last weekend I went out fishing with some old buddies on Elliott Bay in Puget Sound. One of the guys had just purchased new boat, so naturally I was intrigued about the vessel. The first thing I noticed was the Evinrude name plastered on the side of a large outboard motor, which is always a good sign.

As I began talking with him about the boat, it quickly became apparent that he didn’t have a solid understanding of boat maintenance. He’s a first time boat owner and had failed to even consider which type of outboard motor oil he was going to put in the engine. Over the course of the day I took every opportunity I could to bestow a few fundamental pointers on him. We’re going out again next weekend, so maybe I’ll show him how to do some simple maintenance in exchange for all the free beer he gave me the last couple of days.

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Winterizing Your ATV: Part One

Now that we’ve got the boat stowed away for the winter and have dealt with all of the necessary fuel and outboard motor oil chores, it’s time to start thinking about getting your winter vehicles out of storage. My family has an assortment of vehicles for soggy, cold conditions, but my favorite has to be our fleet of ATVs. Of course, you can’t simply take these vehicles out of storage and begin tackling the terrain immediately.

Just as you have to winterize a boat for storage, you also need to go through a winterization process before exposing ATVs to frigid climates. Over the next few days, we’ll be covering some of the basics of this winterization process to ensure your engine doesn’t seize up. We’ll also touch on some of the basic maintenance procedures that should be performed regularly, especially when starting up your machine for the first time since it’s been in storage.

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Winterizing Your Boat: Part Five

Now that all of the major winterization is out of the way—such as changing the Evinrude XD 100, draining the fuel and lubricating the various systems—it’s time to tie up some of the loose ends. Detach all of the battery cables and remove the battery from the boat. You’ll want to store the battery in a cool, dry place—probably the same location as the vessel itself. Clean and dry the bilges using soap and hot water. Once this is done, apply some lubricant.

The final step is to clean both the interior and the hull of the vessel thoroughly. Cleaning the interior is fairly self-explanatory, but for the hull you’ll want to use a pressure washer to breakthrough all of the caked on deposits and grime. This winterization process probably seems extensive, and it is to a certain extent. However, when next boating season rolls around you’ll be glad you put in the extra effort.

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Winterizing Your Boat: Part Three

After you’ve flushed the system, use a pickup hose to pump some antifreeze through the manifold. This will require you to gain access to the engine room, and while you’re there you’ll want to change the transmission fluid as well. Take out each of the spark plugs and spray some fogging oil into each cylinder. Finally, wipe down the entire engine with some fogging oil, WD-40 or other lubricant.

Stern drives have a tendency to pick up barnacles and aquatic flora during the season, so you’ll want to remove any of these growths from the lower unit. Drain all of the fluid from the gear case and be sure there isn’t any excess moisture in the two cycle oil, which is an indication that your seals are leaking. Thoroughly clean the lower unit with soap and water, apply grease to the system and check all of the necessary fuel levels.

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Winterizing Your Boat: Part Two

The first step when preparing your boat for the frigid winter months is to find a suitable storage area. While leaving your boat in the water is an option, it isn’t advisable; the water will cause unnecessary wear and corrosion to the prop and the hull. The ideal location is in a covered, climate-controlled area. If you have extra space in your garage, you’re in luck; otherwise, you’ll want to invest in a storage space.

As with all maintenance, each manufacturer has their own specifications, so you’ll want to consult your owner’s manual to make sure you abide by their guidelines. For outboard engine owners, you’ll want to run the engine to warm it up and then change the Evinrude XD100 oil prior to putting the vessel in storage. This is also a good time to change the oil filters and flush the system with water. Whether you have a two- or a four-stroke, you’ll want to get rid of all of the excess fuel prior to storage, as it will go bad if it just sits in the tank for months.

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Winterizing Your Boat: Part One

Now that the summer boating season is winding down, it’s time to start thinking about putting your boat in storage for the fall and winter. You may assume that you can simply throw your boat on the trailer, put the cover on and let it sit for months on end. This may work for a season or two, but eventually this sort of neglect will begin to cause damage to your vessel.

It’s critical to take some time at the end of each season to make sure your boat is stowed properly. Not only will this improve its longevity, it will also make your job easier when it comes time to get it water-ready next spring. Over the next few days will go over the proper protocol for handling the cleaning, outboard motor oil removal and other crucial components of boat winterization.

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Boat Ownership: Part Five

Once you’ve made the decision to purchase a boat, you obviously want to protect your investment. We all recognize that the water and other elements provide a constant threat to our boat, which is why we invest in bumpers, covers and other protective gear. But what about boat theft?

It’s not the end of the world if someone swipes the Evinrude XD 100 out of the boat or grabs a stray life jacket, but full-blown boat theft is becoming increasingly common. Boats look like easy targets for criminals, especially when they’re just sitting there on a trailer. The easiest way to prevent theft is by locking your trailer at all times and keeping the keys on your person when you are moored at the dock. Also be sure to clearly label your boat, trailer and all of the removable equipment with your HIN and driver’s license number.

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