ShipStore.com Beacon: Hauling and Cleaning Your Boat
Issue 52, September 28, 2005
http://www.ShipStore.com
Floating your boat since 1982 TM


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IN THIS ISSUE:
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~ WELCOME ABOARD: Greetings from Captain Jim
~ CAPTAIN'S TIP: Hauling and Cleaning Your Boat
~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: Autumn Boat Cleaning Specials
~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree" Drawing

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~ WELCOME ABOARD: Greetings from Captain Jim
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With Columbus Day weekend upon us, it's hard to believe the balmy days we've been enjoying. Feels like summer! Despite spectacular warm, sunny weather, the North Country foliage is beginning to dazzle us with bursts of color. Check out some of these webcams for a glimpse of the dramatic "leaf peeping" season as it unfolds:

http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/INFO/INFOMainMarinaCam.html
http://www.orda.org/WFCam.jpg
http://www.adknature.org/webcam/
http://www.adknature.org/webcam/highpeaks.htm
http://www.paulsmiths.edu/About_us/administration.html
http://www.paulsmiths.edu/totem.pl
http://www.earthcam.com/cams/newyork/adirondacks/
http://www.ilsnow.com/html/wx.html
http://www.guideboatrealty.com/webcam.html

On a more somber note, our hearts go out to the families of the victims who lost their lives on Lake George last Sunday. We offer our deepest sympathies.

Sincerely,
Captain Jim
captjim@shipstore.com

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~ CAPTAIN'S TIP: Hauling and Cleaning Your Boat
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As if the end of the boating season weren't depressing enough, hauling your boat is the "icing on the cake"! It can be a frustrating and stressful ordeal.

But let's face it, for those of us boating in regions that endure harsh weather during the winter, hauling, cleaning and winterizing our vessels is an essential ritual each autumn. And even in warmer climes, hauling and cleaning your boat at least once a year will is a prudent investment in the long, maintenance free life of your boat. And remember, your insurance policy may likely exclude damage resulting from lack of maintenance or neglect.

Once you've pulled your boat out of the water (our North Country winters don't give us any option!), the algae and grime begin to solidify and permanently stain your gelcoat. Removing dried slime can take 6-8 hours for the same boat that would take less than an hour to clean while still we. In short, we recommend cleaning your hull at the same time you pull your boat out of the water because the longer it sits, the harder it's going to be to clean.

So, while the boat's still wet, immediately pressure wash the hull. This will quickly and efficiently remove the algae and aquatic growth. Be sure to clean the waterline which is particularly prone to growth, and ensure that marine life (barnacles, zebra muscles, etc.) is removed from propeller(s), shaft(s), strut(s), rudder, and trim tabs.

If you don't have access to a pressure washer, the slime will often come off with a sturdy but non-abrasive scrub brush. It'll take a little extra "elbow grease", but you'll be pleased with the results.

We use ON & OFF Bottom Cleaner, but please be careful since this product is an acid:

http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/MKT/MKT2032.html

Once your boat is clean and dry, careful inspect the hull, prop, shaft(s), strut(s), rudder, and trim tabs for spots that need a second round of scrubbing to get clean. Check out the "Autumn Boat Cleaning Specials" section below for a few additional items to make cleaning your hull easier and more effective.

If, while cleaning your hull, you notice any hull damage (chips, cracks, blisters), add this to your Spring To Do List. Better to repair your hull when it's dry after months of storage rather than when the damaged area is saturated with water.

Once your hull is totally dry (and if you feel a bit ambitious), consider polishing it. I know, it's tough to get motivated for polishing a boat you won't be using until spring, but there are a couple of advantages to doing this. First of all, most of the polishes on the market today help protect your gelcoat, decelerating your hull's aging and chalking processes. And secondly, it'll make your spring launch that much easier and faster.

Now your boat's hull is nice and clean, wasn't very tough was it? And you can enjoy that sense of accomplishment all fall and winter each time you think about your boat snuggled away. If you'd like additional information about how to winterize your boat, check out these previous newsletters:

Winterize Your Boat 101 (Engine, etc.)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/NEWS/NEWSbeacon021.html

Winterize Your Boat 201 (Hull, Head, etc.)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/NEWS/NEWSbeacon020.html

Scrub-a-dub! Good luck, and I'll catch up with you next week.

George Davis, Beacon Editor
editor@shipstore.com

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~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: Autumn Boat Cleaning Specials
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SPRAY NINE Marine Spray Cleaner, 32 ounce
Sale Price: $ 6.99
http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/SPN/SPN26932.html

SPRAY NINE Marine Bottom Cleaner, 32 ounce
Sale Price: $ 6.60
http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/SPN/SPN30832.html

MEGUIARS Boat Wash, 64 ounce
Sale Price: $ 6.94
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/MEG/MEGM4364.html

MARYKATE SHIP SHAPE Black Streak Remover, Quart
Captain's Note: Captain Jim says, "It has no equal!"
Sale Price: $ 7.99
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/MKT/MKT6732.html

MILLER MARINE Y-10 Fiberglass Stain Remover
Sale Price: $ 7.99
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/PRM/PRMY10.html

SEAFARER Bilge Cleaner, 32 ounce
Sale Price: $ 4.99
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/SEA/SEA208001.html

CAPTAINS CHOICE Boat Wash Brush with 9" Firm Bristles
Sale Price: $ 10.99
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/CAP/CAPM753.html

CAPTAINS CHOICE 54" Wooden Handle for Boat Brush
Sale Price: $ 5.99
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/CAP/CAPM1054.html

CAPTAINS CHOICE 8" Propylene Deck Brush
Sale Price: $ 5.49
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/CAP/CAPM740.html

SHURHOLD INDUSTRIES Hand Held Dip and Scrub Brush
Sale Price: $ 5.15
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/SHD/SHD274.html

SHURHOLD INDUSTRIES Hand Held Utility Brush
Sale Price: $ 3.43
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/SHD/SHD270.html

SHURHOLD INDUSTRIES Detailing Brush
Sale Price: $ 3.43
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/SHD/SHD278.html

ENCORE INDUSTRIES White 5 Gallon Plastic Pail
Sale Price: $ 7.50
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/ENC/ENC50640.html

BOSS GLOVES Boat Bottom Washing Gloves, Large
Sale Price: $ 6.99
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/BSG/BSG118.html

WD-40 is the perfect addition to your fall cleaning regime! Not only does it penetrate, unfreeze and lubricate your marine hardware, but it also protects parts from further rust and oxidation.

WD-40 Spray Lubricant/Penetrant, 2 ounce
Sale Price: $ 2.54
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/WDC/WDC10002.html

WD-40 Spray Lubricant/Penetrant, 8 ounce
Sale Price: $ 3.43
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/WDC/WDC10008.html

GILMOUR Flat Garden Hose 5/8" x 50 feet
Sale Price: $ 13.64
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/GIL/GIL1558050.html

GILMOUR Flat Hose on Reel 1/2" x 50 feet
Sale Price: $ 17.99
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/GIL/GIL1112050R.html

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~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree!" Drawing
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Win a $100.00 credit at ShipStore.com by submitting your 4th of July photos for the First Annual Independence Day Photo Contest. Photos should clearly capture the Independence Day theme, but the subject is totally up to you. Get creative. To be eligible, all you have to do is send us your photo(s) before August 1. If you have a digital camera, please send your photos as an attachment, preferably in JPG format. If your photos are printed, please scan them and send the digitals as an email attachment to: editor@shipstore.com . It's that easy!

You'll be sent a confirmation email to let you know that we've received your submission. Good luck.

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If you prefer not to receive to the ShipStore.com Beacon newsletter, please send a BLANK e-mail to beacon-on@list.shipstore.com with "Subscribe" (remove the quotation marks) in the Subject Field. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE, please send a BLANK e-mail to beacon-off@list.shipstore.com. If you have any questions or suggestions contact the editor by e-mail editor@shipstore.com. Please include a helpful subject like "Question for the Captain", "Suggestion for Article" or "Remove Duplicate Mailing" to help us sort through the e-mails more easily.

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COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
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COPYRIGHT 2005 ShipStore.com (tm) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Permission is granted to electronically copy, print or forward this newsletter for use as a shopping, boating or travel resource as long as it is not altered in any way and sent in its entirety. Any other use of materials on this Web site--including reproduction for purposes other than those noted above, modification, distribution, or republication--without the prior written permission of Westport Marina, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

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CONTACT INFORMATION
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ShipStore.com
6039 Route 9N
Westport, NY 12993
Telephone: 518-962-2700
Toll Free: 877-SHIPSTORE (US and Canada)
Fax: 518-962-4582

E-Mail sales@shipstore.com with any questions.