Getting your Lover to love Boating

Do You Have Dock Etiquette?

Have you ever been walking down the dock to your pontoon, and there right in the middle of the main walkway is a pile of stuff from someone else’s boat? You look around and don’t see them anywhere, just their stuff. In addition, you can’t get your own dock cart of boating supplies (along with the dog, ukuleles and the cooler) past the “dock block” without moving something. Here’s a question: should you move someone else’s stuff?

Guess this might bring up a bigger topic…dock etiquette.

Let me clarify: I am not the greatest at etiquette. Just in the last few years, I learned about holding your hands up in front of the table setting, the left hand looks like a small “b” for bread, and the right hand looks like a small “d” for drinks. This newfound knowledge has saved me a number of times from messing with someone else’s drink. However, in the grand scheme of etiquette, I needed to look up the definition.

Which is, “A code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group.”

If I have this right, the group is “boaters on my dock” and the social behavior I am looking for is “What’s the correct behavior on my dock?”

There are a couple of twists to this. If someone, like a property owner, owns the dock on a lake, it is not my dock and the owner can set the rules. That’s pretty straightforward.

But what about those of us who rent a slip on a dock at a marina? My dock has pontoons, wakeboard boats, sailboats and more. Each has a different set of operating ideas and etiquette. There are basic dock rules as stated by the marina, but there are lots of people who do things way different than me. I am not saying their way is wrong, but it’s not what I would do and I wish they wouldn’t do it that way. But, that’s just me, so is there a correct way?

But, a couple boats down, the owners decided they don’t even care where the extra line goes, so it ends up on the dock often where your dock cart wheels have to run over it. I don’t know about you, but I have been found coiling other people’s lines, for safety reasons, to keep them out of the way.

And there is this new trend on the docks that is some kind of a “daisy chain” looping process, which does shorten the extra line, but the stiffer straight-line of excess rope is even harder to get your dock cart over. I do use the same looping process for extension cords at home. It makes it a lot easier to pull one end and it doesn’t get tangled, but it still gets in the way on the docks.

Then there are the loading/unloading piles. You have probably all seen this before. Walking to your boat, there in the middle of the dock is a pile of coolers, clothes and kids. The boat owners are on the boat, cleaning, covering and doing whatever else they need to do before the get on or off. But in the meantime the dock is full blown LA traffic-jammed. I’m not saying I don’t do the same kind of thing sometimes, but I do try and leave a passing lane.

One other thing that kind of gets me: I’m out on the water and when I get back to my slip the boater next to me has loaded up the docks with chairs and coolers, making it difficult for us to step off our boat safely.

Guess this makes me sound like I am one of those old “crotchety” guys trying to keep the kids off my dock, but believe me I’m not. I just wish everyone who used the docks thought about other people using the dock and left room, or picked up after themselves etc.

*This article is courtesy Pontoon and Deck Boat Magazine. It is written by Scott "Sky" Smith. For this and more, visit pdbmagazine.com

Fall Marine Drive Checklist

Fall Marine Drive Checklist

Published: Wednesday, September 14, 2022 12:00 pm
By: The Professionals of Henry H. Smith Co.

A version of this article appeared in the Fall (September/October) 2022 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.

With the arrival of fall, our thoughts turn to football and apple cider, but before we forget about our boats, let's make certain we check it out very well and ensure we are ready to go at the first signs of warm weather in the spring.  Winterizing checklists make certain that all the items that can be damaged by the freezing temperatures to come are cared for, but what about the maintenance items?  Fall is a great time to identify them and make plans to look after them well ahead of the spring rush.

The checklist can be broken down into the key components of your drive and will vary depending on the specifics of your boat.  Outboards and I/O’s are limited to the propeller and lower unit, while an inboard has a shaft, strut, rudder, and propeller.  Let’s look at each one individually.

Propeller damage can be the easiest to detect because any significant impact displaces material and creates a bend or crack.  Vibration, cavitation, and performance issues are almost always obvious and are well known even before the boat is pulled from the water.  Other propeller damage and wear can be very difficult to observe and may need to be bench tested and measured to confirm.  Even without obvious damage, your propellers should be periodically inspected by a propeller professional to ensure you are getting the most efficient performance possible from your boat.  A certified NMPA (National Marine Propeller Association) professional is highly recommended to ensure the results are the best.

Lower units need to be evaluated for structural issues, particularly on the skeg, as it drags the lowest in the water but needs to be straight (unless designed with a curve, as some are) to ensure proper tracking and to avoid introducing cavitation ahead of the propeller.  Sacrificial anodes need to be inspected and replaced if worn to protect your drive from electrolysis.  You should also evaluate the gear case for the potential need for new seals or an oil change following your drive manufacturer’s recommendations.

Inboard shafts should be inspected for straightness, especially if there were any unusual vibrations during the season.  Often propellers are seen to have obvious damage, but minor bends in shafting are not always apparent.  Shafts can also have anodes clamped to them, which also need to be inspected and replaced if worn.

Struts and rudders should be inspected for visual damage and bends.  These are susceptible to impact damage due to their position on the boat, and any such damage needs to be addressed.  The strut also has a cutless bearing with lands and grooves, which facilitate the shaft running smoothly on a film of water.  Any wear here can be indicative of shaft-engine alignment issues resulting in wear and vibration.

Whatever your boat’s configuration, the key is to inspect and identify areas of concern and address each one so that you are ready to go at your first opportunity in the spring.  And spring is just one short winter away here on the Great Lakes!

About the Author
Founded in Detroit by Henry H. and William H. Smith, the company continues to employ 3rd and 4th generation members of the family, carrying on a legacy established in 1900 to be your Marine Drive Specialists.

This article is courtesy of greatlakesscuttlebutt.com visit their website for more articles. 

How To Clean and Protect Your Graphics

No longer limited to pontoon, waterski and bass boats, head-turning vinyl graphics are everywhere these days, from luxury cruisers to sailboats. Whether it's an outboard engine logo, colorful image or entire hull wrap, they need specialized care. Shurhold Industries offers a few Clean-N-Simple Tips to keep graphics looking their best for years to come, with minimal effort.

The first step is to begin with a clean hull. Avoid pressure washers and instead opt for a deck brush with a combination head. These have soft bristles for general use around the vinyl and medium for scrubbing stubborn stains such as the waterline.

If the boat needs waxing, mask-off the vinyl with blue painters tape. Many products have built-in cleaners that are ideal for paint and gelcoat, but can degrade graphics. It also protects the edges of the graphic or wrap from lifting if using a polisher.

With the tape removed, spray the vinyl with a detailing product such as Shurhold's Serious Shine. It cleans accumulated dirt, polishes without abrasives and protects from the ravages of UV rays in one easy step. It also repels water to keep unsightly spots from forming. Simply wipe over the area with a microfiber towel, turn the cloth and lightly buff. The more often it's applied, the longer the graphics will last.

One-step quick detailers like Serious Shine also work on touch screens, clear coat, metal, glass and rubber. Above and below deck, it cleans a wide range of surfaces without leaving a greasy residue. Made in the USA, a 14 oz. aerosol can is $17.98.

Dedicated to educating boat owners, Shurhold provides key tips for boat value preservation at www.shurhold.com. Inventor of the One Handle Does It All system, Shurhold manufactures specialty care items and accessories to clean, polish and detail.

This article is courtesy of Pontoon and Deck boat Magazine, for this and more helpful information, go to pdbmagazine.com