toneeees
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Sadly, the long days of summer are coming to an end and that means it's time to get your beloved boat ready for the cold weather ahead. We know it's much more fun to ride the waves and bask in the sun than getting your cruiser ready for storage, but properly preparing your boat for the off season is a very important.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]To help boat owners prepare for winter weather, Gold Eagle's STA-BIL Engine Answerman?, Bobby Cleveland, has some helpful time-and money-saving tips to help ensure that boaters properly prep their boats for storage, from the inside out.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Proper preparation and storage of a boat can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours depending on the size and condition of a boat. It may take some elbow grease too.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Engine Preparation:[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Your engine is the heart of your boat and it needs proper preparation to make sure it stays in great shape during storage. In addition, the battery is the lifeline to get your boat moving, so make sure to take proper steps to keep it maintained. When winterizing your boat, leave your gas tank 95% full of fresh and use a fuel stabilizer like, STA-BIL? 360 Marine, which emits a vapor that rises above the fuel line to protect above AND below the fuel line while keeping your engine running cleaner. If you're fuel is fresh, you do not need to drain it, but if you've had it more than a month, you should drain it completely and refill with fresh, stabilized fuel. Once you've filled your tank 95% full of fresh stabilized fuel, you should run your engine for a few minutes to make sure the fuel stabilizer gets into the carburetor or injectors. It is a good idea to use a fogger to coat the inside of the engine when it is stored. You can use STA-BIL? Fogging Oil that you spray into your carburetor to coat the inner lining and prevent corrosion. Follow your engine owner's manual for proper instructions on winterizing. There's a difference in how to winterize two-cycle versus four-stroke engines and between carburetor and fuel injection equipped engines.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Battery Care:[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Make sure your battery is properly charged, so you don't end up with a dead battery come spring. If you plan to leave your battery in your boat, you want to make sure it has at least a trickle charger attached. Check your engine manual to make sure you are doing this correctly. In very cold climates, it's always best to remove your battery and store it in a heated area, with a trickle charger on it there too. Trickle chargers are an inexpensive way to extend the life of your battery and keep it at its peak performance when you need it.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Exterior Surfaces Preparation:[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Start with the exterior surfaces of your boat and work inwards. Make sure to thoroughly rinse all residue and dirt from your boat, so it doesn't sit all winter long.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Find a great selection of winterizing products and more tips at: http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Paint-Repair-Maintenance-Gel-Coat-Cleaners-Carpet-Epoxy/dm/view_id.11[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Written by Bobby Cleveland - Bobby Cleveland shares his engine knowledge as the STA-BIL Engine Answerman. He shares his experience and advice with consumers on how they can obtain greater performance out of all things motor - from boats to power sport vehicles and classic cars to household power equipment such as string trimmers and lawnmowers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]To help boat owners prepare for winter weather, Gold Eagle's STA-BIL Engine Answerman?, Bobby Cleveland, has some helpful time-and money-saving tips to help ensure that boaters properly prep their boats for storage, from the inside out.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Proper preparation and storage of a boat can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours depending on the size and condition of a boat. It may take some elbow grease too.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Engine Preparation:[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Your engine is the heart of your boat and it needs proper preparation to make sure it stays in great shape during storage. In addition, the battery is the lifeline to get your boat moving, so make sure to take proper steps to keep it maintained. When winterizing your boat, leave your gas tank 95% full of fresh and use a fuel stabilizer like, STA-BIL? 360 Marine, which emits a vapor that rises above the fuel line to protect above AND below the fuel line while keeping your engine running cleaner. If you're fuel is fresh, you do not need to drain it, but if you've had it more than a month, you should drain it completely and refill with fresh, stabilized fuel. Once you've filled your tank 95% full of fresh stabilized fuel, you should run your engine for a few minutes to make sure the fuel stabilizer gets into the carburetor or injectors. It is a good idea to use a fogger to coat the inside of the engine when it is stored. You can use STA-BIL? Fogging Oil that you spray into your carburetor to coat the inner lining and prevent corrosion. Follow your engine owner's manual for proper instructions on winterizing. There's a difference in how to winterize two-cycle versus four-stroke engines and between carburetor and fuel injection equipped engines.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Battery Care:[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Make sure your battery is properly charged, so you don't end up with a dead battery come spring. If you plan to leave your battery in your boat, you want to make sure it has at least a trickle charger attached. Check your engine manual to make sure you are doing this correctly. In very cold climates, it's always best to remove your battery and store it in a heated area, with a trickle charger on it there too. Trickle chargers are an inexpensive way to extend the life of your battery and keep it at its peak performance when you need it.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Exterior Surfaces Preparation:[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Start with the exterior surfaces of your boat and work inwards. Make sure to thoroughly rinse all residue and dirt from your boat, so it doesn't sit all winter long.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]To counteract the damaging conditions of sea and sand, use a cleaner like 303? Marine & Recreation Multi-Surface Cleaner to clean all types of surfaces including upholstery, countertops, bathrooms and more.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]If you want a cleaner for surfaces that have had more exposure to the elements, try 303 Citrus Cleaner & Degreaser to safely brighten and rejuvenate, while protecting your surfaces from the sun with UVA/UVB blockers.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]To get out any tough stains or spots try 303? Marine & Recreation Spot Cleaner.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]To protect your fabric from soiling and prevent molding, use 303? Marine & Recreation Fabric Guard on synthetic or natural fiber surfaces.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]To restore lost color and luster and protect surfaces like vinyl, Plexiglas, carbon fiber, rubber, plastics and finished leather, use 303? Marine & Recreation Aerospace Protectant?. This protectant also has powerful UV blockers to help prevent fading, cracking and premature aging of your vessel's surfaces.[/FONT]
- [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Cover the boat properly. You will want to make sure that the top and interior are properly covered to keep out the weather elements. You should also cover the propeller as well.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Find a great selection of winterizing products and more tips at: http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Paint-Repair-Maintenance-Gel-Coat-Cleaners-Carpet-Epoxy/dm/view_id.11[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Written by Bobby Cleveland - Bobby Cleveland shares his engine knowledge as the STA-BIL Engine Answerman. He shares his experience and advice with consumers on how they can obtain greater performance out of all things motor - from boats to power sport vehicles and classic cars to household power equipment such as string trimmers and lawnmowers.[/FONT]