It’s that time of year to uncover your boat and get ready for the season. By doing the preparatory inspections and maintenance your boat will be ready for an enjoyable and safe season of boating.

1. Check your oil, if you didn’t change your oil and filter in the fall, now is the time to do it.

2. Check your gear case out drive oil, and check if milky, change if needed and replace drain seals.

3. Inspect the battery. Reattach cables. Make sure they are not corroded. Check the battery and water level. Verify that the battery is charged and holds a charge—nothing worse than getting to the lake or river and having a dead battery.

4. Inspect the fuel system; it’s critical to the performance of your boat. Change your fuel filter. Check your fuel lines for cracks and make sure they are securely attached. At the time of fall storage the tank should have been filled and the fuel stabilized to prevent moisture and condensation from forming.

5. Check your belts. They should fit snugly, or they will slip and you will notice black soot around the pulley. Check for wear and cracks; replace if needed.

6. Check your cooling system for leaks and hoses for cracks and tightness.

7. Check your ignition system, distributor, plugs and wires for any wear.

8. Other details not to overlook:

• Test power steering and cables
• Test bilge
• Test horn
• Check fire extinguisher and expiration date
• Inspect prop
• Check drain plug
• Check trim and tilt
• Inspect personal flotation devices
• Make sure anchor is onboard

The Rochelle Illinois Storage Company provides Chicago area storage for boats, RVs, autos or other rolling stock. We offer an economical and secure marine storage facility in a quiet farming community. Boat owners can make use of our thrifty boat repair and maintenance service.

If you want to get your boat “water ready” at the time of pick up, we can take care of this chore for you. Place your boat summerizing order with when you make an appointment to collect your boat. Just give us a couple of weeks notice.

Establishing the monetary value for a boat is one of the most important and sometimes the most difficult aspects of dealing with pleasure boats, from the perspective of the seller but of course also for other parties such as buyers, brokers, insurers and marine surveyors

If you are selling, the proceeds that you will get on your motorboat, sailing yacht or fishing pontoon will either determine how much you will have in your pocket if you are moving away from marine life, or if you are upgrading, it will settle on the size of your next vessel.

As a buyer, similarly your ability to appraise your new toy with the right foreknowledge is essential, and you should not walk lightheartedly into a transaction, or you risk being on the losing side of it. You need to learn about boat appraisal to strike a fair deal.

But doing this is easier said than done. Without adequate knowledge of boat values, without knowing about the current market situation (often influenced by season and location), chances are that you will end up less well off than you thought. There are possibilities that you will do a deal which might seem to you very profitable in the beginning, but that a few days later you might realize that you could have got a much better deal in the nautical transaction.

Which is why boat evaluation cannot just be an afterthought or a given, but must be considered with care. First of all, the prospective buyer or seller needs to decide whether to go solo, or whether to hire a boat evaluation pro. Marine brokers can help to sort out the issue for you.

On the other hand, why should you hire a broker and spend money and time waiting for other peoples judgments to affect you? There is plenty of information available on industry publications and on websites, so if you have the option of doing the boat evaluation yourself, then why not do it?

What you have to do if you decide to follow the self-appraisal route is to check out as many resources that you can to approximate the value of your boat based on its mode, age, characteristics and state of repair, aiming at establishing realistic minimum and maximum price levels that you would realistically be able to sell the boat for.

Online or paper trade magazines are a very popular source to compare the min-max values of your boat with comparable objects – check out classifieds, journals, various yards and boat traders.  You will find plenty of listings with prices, and if you look at various ads over time (in different issues) you will get an idea of how fast objects are selling, that is if the asking price was right.

Marine get-togethers such as boating festivals are also a great source. At your local marina, you could just meet the right experienced seaman who is willing to chat about boat values with you, giving you the insights you may have missed.

Lots of new makes and models are introduced in these festivals every year. Going to trade shows will also allow you to get an idea of current fashion. What is in fashion sells, and if you can add slight modifications to your vessel to make it look hotter, your boat’s value will increase.

fishing stories

Boating has become a popular hobby. To battle the scorching heat of the summer months, men, women and children of all ages take to the water in every watercraft possible from canoes to kayaks to jet skis to yachts. Some choose to make boating a way of life and purchase waterfront property or even live full time on a houseboat.

Boats are generally used for several activities. One of the most common is fishing. Wide varieties of boats are appropriate to this activity. If you have a small boat that you can transport, research fishing opportunities before you travel. Portability is an attractive feature in inflatable boats, dinghies and folding boats. Sitting around the campfire trading fishing stories and singing sea shanties adds a pleasant new dimension to any camping trip, and many campgrounds even offer boats for rent. If you plan to do your fishing closer to home, you may want to invest in an air boat or one of several styles of bass boats.

Another popular boating activity is water sports. Bring a pair of water skis when you go motor boating and you have an automatic afternoon of fun. Sports boats and motor boats provide just the right power for a variety of exciting water sports.

Perhaps sailing is more your style. Imagine relaxing on a classic boat that is powered by the wind, living the same adventure once experienced by pirates, merchant marines and explorers. Sailing requires a good deal of work and practice, but the rewards of this type of boating are immeasurable.

If you live near the water, it is easy to make boating an important part of your life. If you live further from the water, you will have to factor in travel time and expenses when deciding if the boating life is right for you. Many who live in landlocked areas make boating a vacation activity.

Take advantage of opportunities to experience the water without making any sort of commitment. On your next vacation, sign up for boat tours that are offered. Depending on your destination, this may be a swamp tour, glass bottom boat ride, or even a paddle wheeler. Odds are good that if you enjoy these sorts of excursions, you would enjoy piloting your own boat.

In many locations, it is possible to rent boats for a short time. Rent a variety of sizes and styles to get a feel for what works for you. Also, talk to current boat owners either in person or in an online boating forum.

If you decide that you enjoy boating, do not be too quick to buy a boat. Many people who enjoy boating as a hobby decide to buy boats only to discover that the boat owner lifestyle does not work for them. Before investing in a boat, make sure you are comfortable with the idea of storing and/or trailering the boat. If you can, help out a friend who owns a boat so you have a good idea of what is involved.

Boating is an exciting activity that will whet your appetite for the great outdoors. Your budget and where you live will determine if boating becomes an occasional hobby or a more permanent way of life. One thing is certain: you should head out to the water and discover for yourself how you feel about boating.

Boat seats are fundamental add-ons for any kind of boat, whether it is a fishing boat, a pontoon, a motor of sailing yacht, or even for commercial boats like ferries and ships.

Very often a recent owner of a new or used vessel finds that the existing seating is not sufficient for the purposes the boat was bought for, or is in need of modification often implying a complete replacement.

It’s important not to skip this step, both for safety reasons and to make sure that the boat becomes truly yours.

Also, remember that one day you may be selling your boat and that the amount of money that you will be able to sell it for will strongly depend on the state the vessel is in, and on the quality of its fittings.

Investing in new seats or upholstery is probably the best thing you can do to increase a boat’s value before putting it onto the market for sale.

There is a vast choice of different seating customizations that you can apply to your boat seats, and the number of outlets is just as plentiful, both in the physical world and on the net.

One of the most important things to bear in mind when shopping for new boat seats is that you need to look around and compare different offerings, as this will ensure that you get the most favorable deal.

Besides the choice issue, make sure to take safety into special consideration. You want seats that are comfortable to avoid tiring out crew and passengers, and if they are detachable you don’t want them to sink.

But their importance is also related to the fact that it would be dangerous for passengers – especially for newbies to the world of marine excursions – to remain standing while navigating in open waters, whether rough or calm, or even when traveling through most harbor and coastline areas. Also, most boat cushions double as handy emergency floatation devices in a pinch.

Hawaii, also known as Paradise on Earth, is the dream destination for millions of tourists. There is something magical about these islands that attract a continuous throng of people throughout the year. You will not be able to appreciate its fantastic beauty unless you view it in person as words cannot begin to describe it. When you reach Hawaii there are two major things that you could do to enjoy this majestic place – (i) relax and bask in the sun to get a lovely natural tan and (ii) enjoy the myriad of water sports offered.

Get Your Blood Flowing with an Hawaii Jet ski Adventure

If you like speed, power, water and great fun? Then, why not go for a Hawaii jet ski adventure? Jet skiing is not a sport for the faint hearted. The powerful water bikes can be terrifying to a person who is not ready for its power and speed. If you love racing vehicles and love to live with danger than this sport will provide it for you.

For less than $50 you can enjoy a delightful and totally unforgettable ride. The jet ski companies will be able to include instructions and basic training for those who are not already jet skiiers. For tandem rides, you need to have at least two people (family or friends) ready. Children under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult for the ride.

Your Hawaii jet ski adventure would start with transportation to the location by boat or taxi where you would be briefed about the place and the machine you are about to ride. You will need to wear a swimming suit or wetsuit, life jacket and helmet for jet skiing. All these are available for rent in case you do not have your own. Other things that you would need to carry with you are – towel, a set of spare clothes, potable water, valid driver’s license, camera and a thirst for adventure.

Once you complete all the formalities you are free to experience the Hawaii jet ski adventure around these majestic islands. One of the most frequented jet skiing spots is South of Oahu in Hawaii, the. Here, in the Kewalo Basin you would be able to enjoy the speed of the powerful jet ski and at the same time drink in the extraordinary beauty of this place. At every turn there would be something that would amaze you – the scenery, the crystal clear azure waters, the flora and fauna – everything there would make this experience surreal.

A Hawaiian jet ski adventure will be a great addition to your vacation in the Hawaiian Islands. Do not dare to miss it.