Boar Repair MN | MN Boat Restoration
Mark your calendars for the 2013 Minnesota Fishing Opener!
The Minnesota Fishing Opener is only a few more weeks away. Hundreds of thousands of anglers will make their annual pilgrimage to their traditional fishing haunts for a chance to be one of the first to pull in the BIG ONE! This is an exciting time of year but also a dangerous time as well.
First, before heading to your favorite destinations, it is important to go over your boat and trailer prior to pulling out of the driveway.
Check lights on the boat and trailer. Chances are many Minnesotans will be on their way to the lake/river in the dark. Make sure the wiring on your trailer is up to par. working? Brake Lights? Running Lights? Tires in decent condition? Air pressure? Losing a tire at night can be extremely dangerous. These are just simple steps that every boater – including experienced boaters – should go over as a matter of routine.
Inspect trailer tires for wear and inflate properly. Check the trailer frame for rust spots; inspect the wheel bearings and re-pack if necessary. Test the winch.
Now that your trailer is ready for the road, is your boat ready for the lake? Oh, I am sure you already checked motor. Maybe you have even taken it out onto the lake and ran around a few times. But, during that time, did you check to see if your boat lights are working?
Make sure all navigation lights are unobstructed and in working order. If you are planning on fishing at 12:01 am on Saturday morning… there would be nothing more disheartening than launching your boat into the water and finding out that the navigation lights and light pole are not working. Do a check of them well before you plan to leave in the case that a repair is necessary.
Check the connections. Check for any corrosion or wires rubbing on any moving parts. Working lights is very important once you are out on that lake… not only for your safety, but for passengers and other boaters as well. Check other parts of your boat as well. Is the Bilge pump working? Livewell? Plug in? Etc? Make sure that ALL aspects of your boat are in working condition so that your opener experience is a positive one.
One of the most common problems which are faced by boat owners is the damage to the hull. The hull damage occurs frequently during the life span of the boat that may be due to running on the ground or may be in case of contact with hard objects. The fiberglass may also be damage or cracked in a collision and the most vulnerable part in this situation is the hull. Severe damage to boats often require structural repairs. The severally damage hull may cause your boat to flood or in some case to sink. So in these situations the fiberglass boat hull repair is a must do job. Cracks, holes, soft areas, and crushed fiberglass can be repaired or replaced extending the life of your boat many years.
Check your boat for major cracking or gouging or structural damage. Damage can be caused by major impacts or serious abrasions. Abrasions occur very frequently and can do UGLY damage to our boats. Serious abrasion is a double-threat to the integrity of our boats’ structure. First, breaking down the barrier of gel-coat or paint exposes the hull’s fiberglass to damage. Water and sunlight can quickly break down unprotected fiberglass. Also, abrasions sometimes go all the way through the fiberglass and damage the hull’s core. Under these circumstances, it is important to reduce the exposure by making repairs quickly!
You are the Key to Water Safety
Your water fun depends on you, your equipment and other people who, like you, enjoy spending leisure time on, in, or near the water. As a boat operator, you are the “captain of the ship.” You are legally obligated to know the federal, state and local regulations that apply to your watercraft and the waters where you go boating.
It is also your obligation to have the safety equipment required by law, to keep it in good condition and on board, and know how to properly use these devices.
Severe weather, such as fog, strong winds or heavy rains also causes boating accidents. Boaters may experience difficulty in properly navigating and avoiding collisions, or in keeping a boat upright and afloat under certain weather conditions.
Accidents often occur when inexperienced boaters encounter dangerous or unfamiliar conditions. Knowing how a boat handles can help avoid collisions. Every boat – even boats of the same type, from the same manufacturer – handles differently. Your own boat responds differently from day to day as a result of weather, current, temperature, load, and other factors.That’s why it is important that you have a complete knowledge of your boat, its handling and the boating rules of the road.
Boating accidents may be reduced by following the safety guidelines set forth by the United States Coast Guard.
Boating – Review the rules of the road.
Source: boatsafe.com
Have A SWEET Time On The Water!
The Coast Guard would like to remind boaters to have a “SWEET” time on the water.
Have a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket on board, in good condition and in the proper size and type for each passenger. Most boats 16 feet and longer also need one type IV throwable seat cushion or ring buoy in the watercraft.
“S” is for Safety
- Don’t drink and boat
- Wear a life jacket
- Ensure your equipment is labeled with the proper contact information.
“W” is for Weather
- Check weather forecasts
- Dress for the water, not the weather
“E” is for Equipment
- Carry a VHF-FM marine radio
- Make sure your boat is in good repair
- Get a free vessel safety exam from the Coast Guard Auxiliary
“E” is also for Environment
- Keep a sharp lookout and monitor the weather and sea conditions
- Keep your distance from military, passenger and commercial shipping
“T” is for Training
- Check all safety gear and ensure that everybody is trained in its use
- Take a boating class; educated boaters are safe boaters
