As the Fall months creep into our calendars, boat owners in cooler climates acknowledge, with sadness, that it’s time to put the boat away. Outside Storage? It’s a thought and an option but consider that you may be threatened by snow build up, tornadoes or hurricanes. The success of storing your boat outside depends on how well your boat is protected from the conditions outdoors.                          Rinse/Flush Rinsing the outside of your boat and trailer thoroughly with fresh water will remove excess salt. Pay particular attention to your trailer’s leaf springs, wheel hubs and brakes that are constantly submerged during launching and retrieval of your boat. Flush your engine's cooling system with fresh water in line with your engine manufacturer’s salt removal recommendations. This will minimize corrosion and overheating issues come spring. Drain your boat of all water – bilge, head, sink lines, water tanks, sea-cocks, and pipes. If you are in an area with extended periods of freezing, put antifreeze in the low parts if there is still some water present. Salt Watch out for salt. Buy a good salt remover to minimize corrosion. Add fuel stabilizer to top off your fuel tanks. Here is one recommended by CLR Marine. Diesel Formula Fuel Stabilizer & Performance Improver - 32oz *Case of 4* STA-BIL Diesel Formula Fuel Stabilizer is a diesel additive that keeps fuel fresh for quick, easy starts and maximized for engine performance. Designed for use with all diesel engines, and all diesel fuels, Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer Diesel formula prevents sludge and sediment formation, cleans and lubricates fuel injectors to improve performance and helps remove water. It is safe to use and recommended for use at every fill up, with the 32 ounce bottle treating up to 320 gallons of fuel. Batteries Remove the batteries from your boat and store in your garage or basement. Batteries should be connected to a battery charger that will give them a good charge and one that w automatically switches to a float/trickle charge to keep your batteries topped up. Match your charger to the type of battery you are charging. Using a charger manufactured for lead acid batteries to charge an AGM (absorbent glass mat) battery will cause damage to the battery. If you choose to keep your batteries in the boat, connect a solar trickle charger. These chargers will keep your batteries topped off without the hassle of removing heavy batteries from your boat. Cleaning Clean the exterior with the proper fiber glass or wood cleaner needed for your boat. Bright work can be cleaned by removing the wood or cleaning it as it is - installed. Be careful to not get the wood cleaner onto the deck surfaces. The exterior should be dried with a chamois cloth. Vinyl seat cushions and backs should be cleaned with vinyl cleaner. Hard surfaces inside the vessel can be wiped with all purpose cleaners. End your cleaning with a coat of wax to the exterior and polish. Don’t forget the bottom paint. Before you store, spend the time to give your boat a thorough cleaning. CLR Marine has many products by trusted brands such as Powerhouse, Davis Instruments, Jabsco, Shurhold, and Swobbit, to help winterize and clean. You will be grateful in the spring during launch time that your boat is already clean as the new boating season begins. Cover Up If you store outside in your yard, driveway, or a boat yard, a boat cover is a must to prevent damage from winter conditions. Leaving your boat in the water is not recommended. The boat is exposed to rough weather, and has a greater possibility of sinking if you aren’t monitoring it often. https://www.clrmarine.com/462m4/boat-outfitting/winter-covers.html and https://www.clrmarine.com/462m4/winterizing.html Circle May 21, 2022, on your calendar. The date is almost ten days before Memorial Day, next year when most harbors open for the season. Start your prep work, tune-ups, sanding, and painting to get out on the water and a great boating season. In the meantime, during the cold winter months, cozy up to the fire and read your boating manuals, new safety regulations and weather information. Fair winds and smooth sailing.   To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please get in touch with CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/. _________________________________________________________________________ Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com ©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com, 2021.  

Boat Outfitting Equipment and Supplies When it comes time for outfitting your boat, you can get all your boating supplies and boating accessories from us. You will never need to go anywhere else for your boat outfitting, because we have all the boat supplies you need. If you're looking for anchors/chain/rope, anodes, antifouling systems or boarding ladders, we have you covered. We can also offer you a selection of bottom paint and bow thrusters to choose from. You may also want cleaning supplies that offer deck/galley options so you can get your boat sparkling and ready to enjoy. We also have display mounts and docking accessories to complete your outfitting needs.

Aluminum Boat Hook - 8' - 3-Piece This Sea-Dog boat hook can grab a line or mooring buoy on board a vessel and ward off other boats or obstructions. An extended hand that prevents users from reaching overboard. Features: Small hook A threaded end attachment and comfortable grip handle The buoyant design keeps it afloat for more than 5 minutes The bright orange rubber tip is highly visible and removed for accessory attachment Fits all Sea-Dog® Boat Hook accessories, as well as any competitor’s accessories featuring universal or Acme threads Constructed of high-quality, durable marine-grade aluminum tubing with an injection-molded nylon hook Includes A four-point hook attachment coated in soft, over-molded rubber protects the boat from scuffs and scratches. Specifications: Length: 36 in. Extended Length: 96 in. Close Pole Diameter: 1-1/4 in. Style: 3-piece

Aluminum Boat Hook - 12' - 3-Piece This Sea-Dog boat hook can grab a line or mooring buoy on board a vessel and ward off other boats or obstructions. An extended hand that prevents users from reaching overboard. Features: Small hook A threaded end attachment and comfortable grip handle The buoyant design keeps it afloat for more than 5 minutes The bright orange rubber tip is highly visible and removed for accessory attachment Fits all Sea-Dog® Boat Hook accessories, as well as any competitor’s accessories featuring universal or Acme threads Constructed of high-quality, durable marine-grade aluminum tubing with an injection-molded nylon hook Includes A four-point hook attachment coated in soft, over-molded rubber protects the boat from scuffs and scratches. Specifications: Length: 56 in. Extended Length: 144 in. Close Pole Diameter: 1-1/4 in. Style: 3-piece  

Aluminum Boat Hook - 4' - One Piece Sea-Dog Boat Hooks are constructed of high quality, durable, marine grade aluminum tubing with a threaded end attachment and comfort grip handle. Includes a four-point hook attachment coated in soft, over-molded rubber to protect your boat from scuffs and scratches. Its buoyant design keeps the boat hook afloat for more than 5 minutes. The bright orange rubber tip is highly visible and removes for accessory attachment. Fits all Sea-Dog Boat Hook accessories, as well as any competitor's accessories featuring universal/Acme threads. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Aluminum Boat Hook - 6' One Piece Sea-Dog Boat Hooks are constructed of high quality, durable, marine grade aluminum tubing with a threaded end attachment and comfort grip handle. Includes a four-point hook attachment coated in soft, over-molded rubber to protect your boat from scuffs and scratches. Its buoyant design keeps the boat hook afloat for more than 5 minutes. The bright orange rubber tip is highly visible and removes for accessory attachment. Fits all Sea-Dog Boat Hook accessories, as well as any competitor's accessories featuring universal/Acme threads. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Aluminum Boat Hook - 8' - Two Piece Sea-Dog Boat Hooks are constructed of high quality, durable, marine grade aluminum tubing with a threaded end attachment and comfort grip handle. Includes a four-point hook attachment coated in soft, over-molded rubber to protect your boat from scuffs and scratches. Its buoyant design keeps the boat hook afloat for more than 5 minutes. The bright orange rubber tip is highly visible and removes for accessory attachment. Fits all Sea-Dog Boat Hook accessories, as well as any competitor's accessories featuring universal/Acme threads. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Aluminum Boat Hook Only - 1" for 2 & 3 PC Boat Hook Sea-Dog Boat Hooks are constructed of high quality, durable, marine grade aluminum tubing with a threaded end attachment and comfort grip handle. Includes a four-point hook attachment coated in soft, over-molded rubber to protect your boat from scuffs and scratches. Its buoyant design keeps the boat hook afloat for more than 5 minutes. The bright orange rubber tip is highly visible and removes for accessory attachment. Fits all Sea-Dog Boat Hook accessories, as well as any competitor's accessories featuring universal/Acme threads. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Aluminum Three Piece Boat Pole - 8'  The marine grade aluminum tubing, Acme threaded end attachment and comfort grip handle make for a high quality and durable accessory. Its buoyant design keeps the boat pole afloat for more than 5 minutes. The bright orange rubber tip cover is highly visible and removes for accessory attachment. Fits all Sea-Dog® boat hook accessories. Dimensions: Closed: 46" Open: 96" WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Boat Fender Accessories

  IN STOCK! Garmin Force™ Freshwater Trolling Motors & Accessories   Garmin's Force™ Freshwater Trolling Motors and accessories are now in stock. Garmin brings aboard the most powerful and most efficient trolling motor available. Check it out today!     Move your fishing to a higher level with force. The Force trolling motor is the most powerful and most efficient trolling motor available. Wireless chartplotter connectivity provides navigation, autopilot and anchor lock features. Use the precise anchor lock to hold your boat in the same location while you fish. Force includes a convenient wireless foot pedal that provides instant control and responsiveness yet feels and steers like a cable-steered pedal. See more fish and structure clearly with integrated Ultra High-Definition scanning sonar. It also includes a handheld remote control with a built-in sunlight-readable display. The remote gives you complete control of the trolling motor and simple point-and-go gesture steering.       Specials    Closeouts   Remanufactured    Rebates

Towing & Trailering   Trailering can add new dimensions to the sense of freedom that comes with boating, and that's one of the reasons it's so popular. With a trailerable boat, you're free to boat on just about any lake, river, bay or inlet. Trailering is great way to explore different waterways in your state or region it's also the most affordable way to store your boat. The tips below can help you learn all about towing and boat trailer maintenance.   Look for Certified Trailers  NMMA Trailer Logo. Highly trained third-party inspectors visit the manufacturer each year and physically inspect boat trailer models, ensuring compliance to all certification requirements.     Trailering your boat can add new dimensions to the freedom that comes with boating.  If you've never trailered a boat, there are several things you need to consider. First, determine the towing capacity of your car, truck or SUV. You can find this information in the owner's manual of your vehicle. Usually compact family sedans are not suitable for towing more than a small, aluminum fishing boat or PWC with a properly mounted hitch and lighting plug . Most standard pick-up trucks and SUVs can trailer boats up to 25 feet, but always consult your vehicle owner's manual for limitations.   The owner's manual of your boat will list the "dry” weight of the boat, less fuel and gear. When you're assessing your vehicle's towing capacity, be sure to add several hundred pounds to the dry weight to account for gear, gas and accessories.     As the weight, length and beam (width) of a given boat increase, so does the muscle power needed to launch and retrieve it. A small boat may be easy for one person to handle at the ramp, but larger boats (generally those more than 25 feet) may require additional hands. Don't be afraid to ask for help at the ramp if you need it, trailer boaters are always happy to help.   STOP Invasive Species   By following these guidelines:   Never release live or dead bait or bait packaging into a water body, or release aquatic animals from one water body into another. Share live bait with other anglers or empty your bait bucket in the trash before leaving the area. Don't drive the boat through aquatic plants; avoid chopping vegetation with outboard motor propeller Once on dry land, drain water out of every conceivable place that can hold water: Follow factory guidelines for eliminating water from engines. All engines hold water, but jet drives on personal watercraft and other boats can hold extra water. Remove the stern drain plug and put boat on an incline so that all the water drains out. Drain livewells, bilge and transom wells. Empty water out of kayaks, canoes, rafts, etc. Remove any visible plant, fish, and animal or fragment as well as mud, which can house them. Check trailer, in and around the boat itself, the anchor, props or steering nozzle (PWCs and jet boats), lines, fenders, paddles Rinse your boat, trailer, and equipment. Clean and dry anything that came in contact with the water. It is best to use high-pressure, hot (104°F) water or a solution of one percent table salt and water. A garden hose will work if no other option is available. Air-dry your boat and equipment for as long as possible—at least five days is optimal.               Specials   Closeouts    Remanufactured    Rebates  

Choose Enviro-Friendly Products Flexdel's Aquagard products are considered "Environmentally Preferable" because they release low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and heavy metals compared to other competing products.   Flitz Products Are Safe For The Environment You can feel good knowing Flitz products are formulated to be safe for you and the environment. For over 30 years, Flitz has been a world leader in the manufacturing of Premium Polishing Products. During that time, the Flitz brand has become known as "The Good Stuff." Ask any user why they buy Flitz products and they will tell you, "Flitz just works the best".   Best Boat Cleaning Products Welcome to Shurhold's "One Handle Does It All!" system. This system quickly and easily allows you to snap over 40 different accessories to the same fixed length or telescoping handles. Shurhold understands that space is limited on your boat and storage is a premium. That is why these boat detailing products are designed to save you time, money and space. One handle on your boat can quickly snap to several different boat cleaning brushes, deck mops, or great boating attachments like a boat hook or paddle.   A More Efficient Way To Clean Swobbit is a more efficient way to clean. Swobbit offers a variety of products including washing brushes and tools, drying mops and cloths, water blades, scrub pads and plates, microfiber products and maintenance k its. The Swobbit System is everything you need to keep your boat looking as clean and new as the day you bought it.  

    Boat Covers Carver boat covers are available in several categories to give the boat owner a balance between perfect fit and perfect price. Each boat cover category is available in a selection of carefully engineered fabrics to provide you with choices that are right for you and best for your boat.     Carver Quality in Personal Watercraft Covers High Performance protection in Custom Fit and Styled-to-Fit covers in a wide variety of patterns for the serious Personal Watercraft/Jet Ski owner! Carver takes pride in what they build so you can have the highest level of confidence when choosing a cover to protect your investment for years to come!     Kayak/Canoe Covers Carver's Styled-To-Fit and Specialty Kayak and Canoe Covers will keep your units clean and protected. Available in high-quality materials.   Specials    Closeouts    Remanufactured    Rebates  

Newbury, Massachusetts, April 15th, 2010: Technology changes rapidly and as a company building WiFi equipment, Island Consulting strives to offer the best. Since the beginning, Island Consulting has continuously made improvements to The Wirie, a long range WiFi solution for boats and RVs. The most recent development in creating a better product involves a high-end marine grade WiFi antenna. To achieve this goal, Island Consulting partnered with the well-known US antenna manufacturer, L-com.   L-com, a leading antenna manufacturer in the wireless connectivity business for over 27 years, agreed to produce a marine grade antenna exclusively for The Wirie. Designed to stringent specifications, the new Wirie antenna is an 8dBi omni-directional high performance marine antenna that features sealed collinear brass elements inside a durable UV-stable white fiberglass radome. The sealed end cap ensures no water entry and drain holes in the base help prevent moisture build-up inside the antenna.   The collaboration between Island Consulting and L-com offers the consumer an economical alternative to other true marine grade WiFi devices currently on the market.  “We believe our partnership with L-com has allowed us to turn The Wirie into the most durable and best long range WiFi solution available for boats and RVs”, states Mark Kilty from Island Consulting.  According to Karl Blomgren, L-Com's Product Manager, “L-Com is always interested in working with customers, like Island Consulting, to optimize our antennas for their applications to support new product enhancements.” Additional information about The Wirie's new antenna can be viewed at www.thewirie.com/antennadetails.html.   For $250, The Wirie enhances the customers' ability to connect to the internet from the comfort of his/her own boat or RV. The Wirie continues to offer many unique features: flexible stainless steel mounting bracket, easy to install and use software, comprehensive user manual, powerful 1000mW WiFi adapter, IP67 waterproof box, and superior customer support. The Wirie is easy to upgrade as technology continues to advance. In addition to the new antenna, the warranty of The Wirie has been extended to 1 year. The 10-day money back guarantee is still in place. Through the joint effort between Island Consulting and L-com, The Wirie is a truly marine grade WiFi solution at an affordable price. For more information, please visit www.thewirie.com.   About The Wirie: Island Consulting located in Newbury, Massachusetts, USA, manufactures and distributes The Wirie.  The Wirie was invented in the Caribbean in April 2009 to provide a cost-effective, user-friendly, long range WiFi solution for boats and RVs. It was quickly expanded to a U.S. operation to allow a larger distribution.  Island Consulting is committed to continuous improvements and to making sure every customer is extremely satisfied. Website: www.thewirie.com   About L-com: Founded in 1982, L-com Global Connectivity is a privately held corporation in Massachusetts, USA, dedicated to the design and production of a wide range of interconnect products for the electronics and data communication industries. L-com places primary product emphasis on copper and fiber cable assemblies, wireless antennas and amplifiers and accessories for modular, coaxial and computer networking applications. In June 2007, L-com acquired HyperLink Technologies of Boca Raton, Florida, USA. Website: www.L-com.com   Contact: Liesbet Collaert liesbet@thewirie.com  http://www.thewirie.com   The Wirie can now be found at CLR Marine.   http://www.clrmarine.com/462.html?m4:cat=%2FCOMMUNICATION   http://www.clrmarine.com/462.html?m4:cat=%2FCOMMUNICATION%2FAntennas   http://www.clrmarine.com/462.html?m4:cat=%2FCOMMUNICATION%2FMobile%20Broadband   http://www.clrmarine.com/m4_view_item.html?m4:item=0Wirie