Boating Blog

Directions For Winterizing Marine Engines and Water Systems (Using Anti-Freeze)

wholesalemarine — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:14:21 +0000

Directions For Winterizing Marine Engines
1.) Make all necessary repairs to cooling system prior to treatment.
2.) Follow engine manufacture’s procedure for draining old coolant.
3.) Fill engine cooling system with:
-50 Deg. Fahrenheit Anit-Freeze - DO NOT DILUTE
-50 Deg. Fahrenheit Winter Safe Anti-Freeze - DO NOT DILUTE
-100 Deg. Fahrenheit Sea Safe Winterizing Anti-Freeze
-200 Deg. Fahrenheit Sea Safe Winterizing Anti-Freeze
4.) When engine is put back into service, drain the anti-freeze. Dispose of used anti-freeze properly, according to government regulations. (more…)

How to Use Your Do-It-Yourself Winterizing Kit

wholesalemarine — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:45:24 +0000

Marine Winterizing Kit
1. Star brite’s Marine Winterizing Kit comes with a 5 gallon tank, gate valve/cap and clear hose. You will need ear muffs or flushing attachment for your type of engine.
2. Check marine engine manual for specific coolant capacity and plan accordingly. Fill 5 gallon tank with appropriate amount of desired Star brite’s Winterizing Antifreeze making sure vent cap is open. Once tank is filled with antifreeze, tighten gate valve/cap and lay tank on side with gate valve facing down. (more…)

Keelshield/Keelguard Sizing Chart

wholesalemarine — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:40:33 +0000

Craft Type	Length	Keelshield/ Keelguard
Bass & Flats Boats	To 18″ (5.49m)	7′ (2.3 m)
Bass & Flats Boats	19 + (5.79m+)	8′ (2.44 m)
Runabout, Center Console	To 14′ (4.27m)	6′ (1.83m)
Runabout, Center Console	16′ - 20′ (4.88m - 6.10m)	7′ (2.13m)
Runabout, Center Console	21′ - 24′ (6.40m - 7.32m)	8′ (2.44m)
All Boats	25′ - 27′ (7.62m - 8.23m)	9′ (2.74m)
All Boats	28′ - 30′ (8.53m - 9.14m)	10′ (3.05m)
All Boats	31′ + (9.45m +)	12′ (3.66m)

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How to Measure Your Boat for Shrinkwrap

wholesalemarine — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:07:15 +0000

Below is a chart that will help you decide what size shrinkwrap will work best for your application. This chart also gives you an idea of how many vents you should use for ventilation.

These sizes are approximate. Make sure and measure each boat to ensure the proper size shrink wrap is being used. REMEBER: It is better to over ventilate!

Film Size	Sq. Ft.	Boat Size	Beam	# of boats / roll	# of vents	Type of Boat
12′ X 175′	2100	0-16′	up to 7′	8	4	Fishing boats & boats with low windshields
14′ X 150′	2100	14′-19′	up to 8′	6	4	Runabout with full windshields
17′ X 120′	2040	17′-24′	up to 8.5′	4	6	Pontoons and cuddy cabins cruisers
20′ X 100′	2000	22′-26′	up to 8.5′	3	6	Express Cruisers
24′ X 120′	2880	25′-29′	up to 9′	3	6	Express Cruisers with arches or small fly bridge
26′ X 110′	2860	28-31′	up to 10′	2	8	Very little waste on wider, taller flybridge boats under 32′
32′ X 100′	3200	30′-38′	up to 11′	2	8	Good for a wide and tall flybridge boat with
36′ X 100′	3600	36′-43′	up to 13′	1	10	Good for wide beam craft with arches and bridges
40′ X 100′	4000	44′-60′	up to 18′	1	12	Covers extremely large boats with arches, bridges, ect.

How to Measure Your Boat for a Bimini Top

wholesalemarine — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:09:25 +0000

Length - Measure the fore-to-aft length of the area you want to shade. (Note: leave enough length behind and in front of the Bimini top to secure the attachment straps).

Width - Measure the distance between mounting points where the frame attaches to the gunwale. IMPORTANT: Mounting point must be exactly the same distance fore and aft.

Height - Standing in the boat, measure straight up from the mounting point to reach the desired top height. This distance between mounting point and tip height will be the frame height.

Consider how the top height will affect your movements. Be aware: the higher the top height, the less stable it may be on your boat.

The information provided here has been reproduced courtesy of Attwood Marine. Wholesale Marine reproduced this information on 08/29/08. Please keep in mind that other Bimini Top Manufacturers may suggest different ways of measuring for their Bimini Tops. You should always follow the manufactures recommendations.

WWA Wakeboard World Championships, Oklahoma City

wholesalemarine — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:08:37 +0000

The WWA Wakeboard Series is hosting its Championships on Sept 4- 7th in Oklahoma City. These athletes have been all over the world as they’ve competed in five major stops that include the Philippines, Canada, and Japan. Last year Philip Soven defended his second King of Wake Title and he has positioned himself for a possible three-peat.

- Sept 4 -7, Thursday - Sunday on the Oklahoma River, 1701 S. Western Ave., Oklahoma City, OK

How to Determine Oar & Canoe Paddles Length

wholesalemarine — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:01:47 +0000

Oar Length
Determining your oar length is a simple process. All you have to do is take half (1/2) the distance between the oarlocks and multiply by 3, then add 6 inches.

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2008 World Wake Surfing Championship by Centurion

wholesalemarine — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:35:11 +0000

The World Wake Surfing Championships will occur at Riverfront Park on Sept. 6-7, 2008 in downtown Nashville Tennessee. Riverfront Park is located on the Cumberland River which runs right through the center of Nashville TN. This event will really showcase the athletes involved with Wake Surfing and the companies who are promoting the event. Don’t miss out!

Determining and Understanding the Electrical Power Requirements for Your Boat

wholesalemarine — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:09:06 +0000

In order to determine the ampere draw of your vessel, you need to know what electrical equipment you have and what the 12-volt amp draw is. The following is a list of typical 12-volt equipment aboard most boats and their average amp draw per hour.

12-VOLT ITEM
Bilge Pump (500 gph) ——— 2.0 AMP Draw
Bilge Pump (1000 gph) ——– 2.9 AMP Draw
Bilge Pump (1500 gph) ——– 4.9 AMP Draw
Bilge Pump (2000 gph) ——– 8.4 AMP Draw

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BOAT TRAILERING SAFETY TIPS

wholesalemarine — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:48:09 +0000

You can never be too safe when trailering. Below is a list of steps and important items you need to address every time you head out to the lake.

Pre-Towing
- Check cold tire pressures on the tow vehicle and trailer.
- Make sure you are towing the trailer in a level position.
- Verify that lug nuts on the tow vehicle and trailer are tightened to the correct torque setting. See your owner’s manual for torque settings and use a torque wrench.
- Make sure all of your US Coast Guard safety equipment is up to date and stored on the boat. These items should include U.S Coast Guard approved PFDs (life jackets) for all riders who will be on the boat, one throwable device, fire extinguisher, whistle or horn, distress signals (flags and flairs), and whatever else your state and the Coast Guard requires in your area.

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