Inland Boater Forum

I Need A “QUICK FIX”

2009-04-22T08:53:49-05:00

I store my boat outside with a shrinkwrap cover for the winter. A few weeks ago, I uncovered it and after a few days, my boat had to be moved to accommodate a boat stored behind me that was ready for Spring launch. Rather than slip me back in my original spot, the boatyard guys moved me out into the open parking lot area with my portside in clear view of the warm afternoon and evening sun. I thought the spot was great until I noticed (on the first really warm day) that the fuel in my portside tank began to squirt out the overflow vent on the side of the boat (I believe) from expansion. It seems to discharge about a good 8 ounces of gas (or so) every couple of hours depending on how warm it is. I did fill both tanks close to full last fall before pulling her out of the water but this has never happened before in my 25+ years of boating.

My first and only defense has been to open the gas cap to relieve the pressure in the tank but that didn’t seem to help. I then completely removed the cap with the same result. I asked the gas dock manager what to do but he said after removing the gas cap, there was nothing else left to do but “Don’t smoke around the boat” (obviously)!

Well I don’t smoke but I sure hate to just sit there and watch my $4+ gas from last year drain out of my portside tank onto the ground. So far, I guess I’ve watched more gas spill on the ground than I burned most of last year cruising on the water! I’ve got another week of work to do before I can have her launched which (I hope) will end the problem but I sure would like to stop the flow now.

So does anybody have any ideas on stopping the leak?

Keep your gas filters clean

2008-03-19T23:54:00-05:00

As an owner of a Carver Aft Cabin, I have found that you need to make sure that you change out all of your gas filters, especially the one right before the injectors. If you are pulling off of your auxillary tank, the gas has to pass through four filters before entering the injectors. If that last filter gets clogged, man you can forget it, those puppies will start missing and eventually die on you. Keep ‘em clean and they will fly!

SHould your boat always be in the water?

2009-09-23T08:45:55-05:00

I’ve heard a couple of different takes on this. Some people feel that your boat should be put up in dry dock no matter what the size. Others say bigger boats should stay in the water (provided there’s no freeze where you are) even in winter. I’ve left my boat in for the last three seasons. Pulling it out once a year to clean the bottom and change zincs etc. We do have to paint the bottom here. I have aa friend who left his boat in for the last seven years and now has it laid up because he has “hull problems.”

Any Advice?

Wax versus Sealer

2009-02-10T22:24:29-05:00

I was just surfing around the web when I ran across this product called the Vertglas Gel Coat Restoration System. It says its a better alternative to “waxing” because of it’s sealing action for fiberglas surfaces. The application process seems very attractive as compared to my normal cleaning and waxing ritual I don’t look forward to every spring launch.

Has anybody out there tried this product? If so, give me your comments.

After waxing for the last twenty-two years, I’m ready for “Change” if it makes life easier and the application lasts as long as they say.

Bottom Paint

2008-05-07T09:39:52-05:00

I hear the fresh water boaters don’t have to paint their boat bottoms. But in the great lakes, Don’t you get algae growth and Zebra muscles and that sort of thing attached to your boat bottom. How do you deal with that?

The Chesapeake Bay has brackish water so we use bottom paint ot keep barnacles at bay.

Brains’ teak Project

2008-05-12T22:55:20-05:00

Hey Brains. Did youo finish the teak and the other stuff you were going to install?

Lemme know

New Senior Member

2008-04-28T21:48:14-05:00

Just got my Sr. member card. anging out with the big boys again!!

R U READYYYY?

2008-03-25T06:31:04-05:00

Don’t know about you, but I’m ready (mentally) for this upcoming boating season. It has been a cool early spring so far, so I’m just waiting for the weather warm up a bit more so that I can get out there, get the wraps off and start cleaning.....and cleaning....and cleaning. Oh yeah, got to figure out how much part-time work I have to do to make some gas money so that we can go somewhere after all of that cleaning.

Bilge Cleaning Tips Wanted

2008-04-07T16:25:37-05:00

I would like to get my bilge as clean and white as it can be without re painting. Any suggestions on products that will remove all manner of bilge stuff and leave behind a really clean surface? I’ve used the bilge cleaner from West Marine and some people have even suggested putting wisk in the bilge. I haven’t tried the wisk but I’m open to all sugestions.