FALL SERVICES 2012: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Is it really September already? While the hottest months of the year are behind us, we can still enjoy the scenery and relaxation the fall boating season has to offer. Now is the time to start thinking about protecting your boat and motor as the winter approaches.

We offer a full range of services to ensure that your boat is in its best condition next spring, including storage, winterizing, oil changes, hauling, pull-outs, tube and hull cleaning, boat detailing and shrink-wrapping. We can do any routine winterizing work on almost any outboard, inboard, I/O, jet boat or personal watercraft.

Here are a few things to remember as you prepare your boat for winter:

1. Shrink-wrapping your boat is the best way to maintain the investment you have made in your boat. The money that you spend now to protect your boat from the winter snow, rain, ice and sun will be recouped many times over at resale. Traditional mooring covers offer some protection but the build-up of heavy snow and ice will stretch and tear these covers over the course of the winter. We put shrinkwrap on before the harshest weather hits and take it off in the springtime right before the boat goes back in the water.
2. Ethanol-based gasoline (which you will find almost anywhere these days) continues to be a huge problem for boat motors. The ethanol in today’s gas is corrosive to engine parts and can create problems for all motors if it is left untreated. The best way to help keep your engine in good working condition is to use an ethanol stabilizer treatment. It is $10 for a bottle that will last you all season and it will help keep your gas fresh and functional. We sell this treatment at both marinas.
3. There have been no rate changes this year outside of a small increase in shrink-wrapping (due to increased material costs).
4. We can pull and haul your boat to wherever you would like. We are fully insured and have over 35 years’ experience hauling. For those living in a cottage site around the lake it is $75.
5. Good engine performance begins with fall maintenance. We can winterize your engine by changing lower unit oil, power head oil (four-strokes only), stabilize your gas and fog the power heads. This is good preventative maintenance and helps you hit the water next season with no issues.
6. Have a “Super Clean” done on your boat. Everything comes out and we clean every compartment, under every seat, the carpet both inside and out. You may not recognize it when it comes back to you.
7. For the do-it-yourselfer we sell all of the cleaning and winterizing supplies you need for a wide selection of boats and motors. There is never a bad time of year to service any boat or motor, but don’t forget your trailer. We can re-pack the bearings or sell you the grease and bearings for you to do it. Don’t wait for that trailer tire to blow, replace it now so next spring you are ready to go.

To schedule fall service work for your boat, motor or trailer please call us at 1-800-837-2628 (Charles Mill) or 419-938-6488 (Pleasant Hill).