None of us want boating season to end but the time is now approaching and it will be time to prepare your boat to be put up for the winter.

One of the major concerns of storing your boat is the fuel.  Fuel Stabilizer keeps fuel from deteriorating while in storage. Fuel stored for long periods of time will begin to deteriorate causing varnish and gum in fuel systems and storage tanks. These contaminants can clog injectors, stick floats and simply cause poor engine performance and/or costly engine repair. Gasoline left sitting in boats, or jet ski’s started only every couple of weeks will often turn cloudy and will deteriorate in just a short time so badly that the engine will not even start. That would not be a good start for next summer…..

Add the fuel stabilizer to the fuel according to the directions on the bottle. For the best results, treat fresh fuel promptly when purchased. Pour the stabilizer into your gas can and agitate the fuel for a good mixture. Prior to storage, add the stabilizer to your equipment and run it for 5 minutes to treat the entire fuel system. Next season, the engine will start easily and run smoothly.

After you prepare your boat for the off season, you can sit back relax and plan for a wonderful boating season in 2011.

Try Star Brite Star*tron Gas Additive for your fuel stabilization needs.

Since I work at a Boating Supply company we like to sell life jackets, it keeps our customers happy and alive.    So I decided I would write a small note on life jackets today.  First by Coast Guard rules each person on the boat should have one on the boat  and I would suggest that you in force the rule that all infants and children wear their life jackets at all time.  You don’t want to get pulled over for not having a life jacket.  It can cost you lots of money in fines.

Now that I have said my peace on that.  Being an experienced boater I always keep extra life jackets on the boat in case I had company or one of the jackets was dry rotting from being left out all day (not that I would ever accidentally do this).   I would recommend some cheap life jackets from Kent as your spares or even primaries if your trying to fit a budget.  These jackets can easily be stacked and stowed.   They are Type-II coast guard certified.  The Coast Guard provides more technical information on the types of life jackets.

I myself went the quick and easy route and bought the Kent Stowbag that already had 4 life jackets in it but you can buy them individually also.  Now if I loose my good life jackets or have some unplanned company on board I am prepared.

This summer has been a ton of fun so far.   Me and the girlfriend have sailed all over the lake, but recently its been hotter than hot here in Tennessee.  Usually it doesn’t get this hot until August.   In July we have done a lot of swimming to keep cool.

Normally when we go swimming we are doing the life jacket diaper thing where we turn the life jackets upside down and put our legs in the arm holes.  This isn’t really comfortable or easy to do once in the water.   Then recently I came across the “Pool Saddle” from Texas Recreation and immediately fell in LOVE!

The “Pool Saddle” is easy to get on and stay on.  Its made of a nice thick piece of foam coated with a slick rubbery top.  You can saddle it or lay across it.  I also found that you can use it as a floating table if need be!

If your inerest in purchasing one please look a our “Texas Recreation Pool Saddle Float” page.

Thanks,

Chris Edwards

Here is a picture of me on the Saddle here on the Tennessee River!

I am so excited that boating season is upon us.  I wanted to share a few photos of my first boating trip of 2010.  It was just me and the little lady taking a stroll around on the Tennessee river.

We are cruising on our 1975 25ft MacGregor Sailboat.

P.S. Check out the Fuzzy Dice!

This is definitely a conversation starter! Your boats are a large investment so to protect it from docks and other boats and show off your team spirit at the same time. We have these boat fenders available with logos of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Tennessee, Auburn, and Alabama. Show all your fellow boating enthusiast what team you are rooting for!

To view all available fenders click here!

Boaters Plus is located in Chattanooga, TN and we normally get almost no snow during the winter and our temperatures are quite mild compared to the north.  Well not this year!  Its been cold and snowy.   We actually had a good snow one day and I ran down to my sailboat “Offline” and took a few pictures of the boat and marina covered in snow.

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P.S. I got my car stuck in the snow heading home!