As the Fall months creep into our calendars, boat owners in cooler climates acknowledge, with sadness, that it’s time to put the boat away. Outside Storage? It’s a thought and an option but consider that you may be threatened by snow build up, tornadoes or hurricanes. The success of storing your boat outside depends on how well your boat is protected from the conditions outdoors.                          Rinse/Flush Rinsing the outside of your boat and trailer thoroughly with fresh water will remove excess salt. Pay particular attention to your trailer’s leaf springs, wheel hubs and brakes that are constantly submerged during launching and retrieval of your boat. Flush your engine's cooling system with fresh water in line with your engine manufacturer’s salt removal recommendations. This will minimize corrosion and overheating issues come spring. Drain your boat of all water – bilge, head, sink lines, water tanks, sea-cocks, and pipes. If you are in an area with extended periods of freezing, put antifreeze in the low parts if there is still some water present. Salt Watch out for salt. Buy a good salt remover to minimize corrosion. Add fuel stabilizer to top off your fuel tanks. Here is one recommended by CLR Marine. Diesel Formula Fuel Stabilizer & Performance Improver - 32oz *Case of 4* STA-BIL Diesel Formula Fuel Stabilizer is a diesel additive that keeps fuel fresh for quick, easy starts and maximized for engine performance. Designed for use with all diesel engines, and all diesel fuels, Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer Diesel formula prevents sludge and sediment formation, cleans and lubricates fuel injectors to improve performance and helps remove water. It is safe to use and recommended for use at every fill up, with the 32 ounce bottle treating up to 320 gallons of fuel. Batteries Remove the batteries from your boat and store in your garage or basement. Batteries should be connected to a battery charger that will give them a good charge and one that w automatically switches to a float/trickle charge to keep your batteries topped up. Match your charger to the type of battery you are charging. Using a charger manufactured for lead acid batteries to charge an AGM (absorbent glass mat) battery will cause damage to the battery. If you choose to keep your batteries in the boat, connect a solar trickle charger. These chargers will keep your batteries topped off without the hassle of removing heavy batteries from your boat. Cleaning Clean the exterior with the proper fiber glass or wood cleaner needed for your boat. Bright work can be cleaned by removing the wood or cleaning it as it is - installed. Be careful to not get the wood cleaner onto the deck surfaces. The exterior should be dried with a chamois cloth. Vinyl seat cushions and backs should be cleaned with vinyl cleaner. Hard surfaces inside the vessel can be wiped with all purpose cleaners. End your cleaning with a coat of wax to the exterior and polish. Don’t forget the bottom paint. Before you store, spend the time to give your boat a thorough cleaning. CLR Marine has many products by trusted brands such as Powerhouse, Davis Instruments, Jabsco, Shurhold, and Swobbit, to help winterize and clean. You will be grateful in the spring during launch time that your boat is already clean as the new boating season begins. Cover Up If you store outside in your yard, driveway, or a boat yard, a boat cover is a must to prevent damage from winter conditions. Leaving your boat in the water is not recommended. The boat is exposed to rough weather, and has a greater possibility of sinking if you aren’t monitoring it often. https://www.clrmarine.com/462m4/boat-outfitting/winter-covers.html and https://www.clrmarine.com/462m4/winterizing.html Circle May 21, 2022, on your calendar. The date is almost ten days before Memorial Day, next year when most harbors open for the season. Start your prep work, tune-ups, sanding, and painting to get out on the water and a great boating season. In the meantime, during the cold winter months, cozy up to the fire and read your boating manuals, new safety regulations and weather information. Fair winds and smooth sailing.   To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please get in touch with CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/. _________________________________________________________________________ Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com ©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com, 2021.  

Boat Outfitting Equipment and Supplies When it comes time for outfitting your boat, you can get all your boating supplies and boating accessories from us. You will never need to go anywhere else for your boat outfitting, because we have all the boat supplies you need. If you're looking for anchors/chain/rope, anodes, antifouling systems or boarding ladders, we have you covered. We can also offer you a selection of bottom paint and bow thrusters to choose from. You may also want cleaning supplies that offer deck/galley options so you can get your boat sparkling and ready to enjoy. We also have display mounts and docking accessories to complete your outfitting needs.

The new year is in full swing meaning the boat show season began the week of January 9th. The big three across the USA are the Annapolis, Chicago, and Miami boat shows, all touting the latest and greatest in gadgets, trends, and equipment. The shows draw water sports enthusiasts from fishing, kiteboarding, diving, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, surfing, wakeboarding, and more. Engines and engine technology, water safety, and equipment seminars are great learning experiences for any boater.   During the third week of January, Dusseldorf, Germany, hosts the world's largest boat and water sports show, with more than 250,000 visitors attending from 70 countries. The nine-day event showcases equipment and seminars from 2,000 exhibitors.   The International Boat Builders' Exhibition and Conference, IBEX, held in Tampa each October, is the largest marine equipment trade show in North America. This conference is not open to the public.   More knowledge about boating is the universal focus of all conferences and exhibitions, and safety and security are the front row focus now more than ever. Two of the hottest trends for boating, smart lighting and remote monitoring are at the core foundation of peace of mind when it comes to safety and security.   Smart Lighting   Most boaters already know about trendy lighting such as mood lighting, (because you are always in a mood). Underwater lighting (old school); and lit up drink holders, so you can always find your drink, have some new gadgetry as well.   For 2020, Smart Lighting is operated from a multi-function display, or better yet, your Smart Phone. You can choose the right color hue from a color pallet that creates hundreds of color combinations. You can program the on/off displays, so your boat is fully lit as you walk down the dock.  Keep a toggle light switch on board in the event that remote systems have a problem. Battery powered lanterns and flashlights should always be on board.   Remote Monitoring   Whether out at sea or sitting in your easy chair at home, boaters want to be connected. New cloud-based remote monitoring systems let you keep a watchful eye on your boat from a monitor at home or an app on your phone. How fantastic is it to check your boat battery levels from the comfort of your home, or see if the bilge pump is doing its job?   Setting up a boat security system in the form of a geofence and camera system would alert you if an unwanted visitor decides to take your boat for a ride. For skippers with added luxuries and amenities such as air-conditioning (my dad is rolling over in his grave on this one) or refrigeration, you can turn on both as you are driving to the harbor.   Soft Decking   The flooring with soft decking is a hot item this year for the added comfort of our feet, knees, and almost all body parts. Consider that while comfortable boating shoes should be the norm, lots of visitors to your boat will be barefoot, wearing flip-flops, sandals, or shoes never meant for a slippery deck. In my sailing experience, I had one woman show up in spiked high heels, and another brought her daughter along who was sporting an ankle plaster cast. Both were not invited back on board.   Good quality soft decking can add to the life of your boat, and help prevent added injury when there is a fall. Soft-touch foam is a more comfortable alternative to carpeting or nonskid material. It is softer on bare feet and still provides nonskid. The foam also stays cool and dries more quickly. Foammaker Non-Slip Boat Flooring Decking Pad and 6mm Thickness EVA Foam Faux Teak Marine Mat are just a few of the decking items causing a lot of buzz at the boat shows.   Whether you are setting sail for the first time, or you are an old salt who could circumnavigate while blindfolded, visit one of the many boat shows happening during the first quarter of 2020. Think about the added knowledge you'll gain for fun on the water, fair winds, and smooth sailing.   To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/   ____________________________________________________________________________   Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com  

Deck and Galley Equipment, Grills to Drink Holders and everything in between. Use our Shipping Cost and Time Estimator on the Shopping Cart page of CLR Marine. You will need to add the item to the cart to get an estimate. We ship Monday-Friday (excluding Holidays and some weather days) and almost always ship same day when your order is placed before 2:30 PM Eastern Time if in stock.  

The weeks before Christmas are fleeting by and shopping for gifts can be a frantic time.  Let's be clear. Gifts for your skipper don't have to be for Christmas or Hanukkah. During these winter months, it is prime buying time for boat products, so you can take advantage of Black Friday sales, and to peruse boating catalogs while you are sitting by a warm fire. Gift Ideas Give it some thought. Maybe it is a gift for the captain, but also something that will make your own life better on the high seas. Does it ever annoy you that swim ladders seem about two rungs too short? Take a look at the CLR Marine Extend Your Step Ladder. It adds several rungs to your existing swim ladder, and hangs on the bottom most rung. It lengthens your ladder by several additional rungs. Extend Your Step stays right on your boarding ladder, so you never need to store it.     While you are sailing, at some point you have to drop anchor, or tie up to a dock. It may be raining, so what better way to sit out a storm, or catch up with your favorite football game, than a Jensen 19" 12 volt television.      No guilt allowed about  closing the hatches or watching some late night television while you are anchored. The 19" LED DC TV packs a punch with an integrated HDTV tuner and JCOM, allowing it to communicate with your Jensen HDMI-equipped stereos.    Maybe it's time to treat yourself to some updated foul weather gear. Onyx 7501 Flotation Jackets and First Watch H20 Flac jackets are popular  this season.The Onyx 7501provides better hypothermia protection than a traditional, vest style life jacket in colder water conditions. The First Watch H20 Flack jacket is engineered for warmth, breathability and rugged performance.     While most fishermen prefer to pick out their own rod and reel, a great gift to compliment the pole is an organizational bucket for lures, tools and line. Wild River Rigger 5 Gallon Bucket has many compartments to keep a fisherman organized while casting.     It doesn’t matter who cooks the grub for the crew, but it makes lots of sense to keep the cook happy. Why not outfit the galley with new cookware, or an updated stern grill. Everything a galley cook needs is in the full set of Magma Nesting 10-Piece Induction Compatible Cookware with its Magma Red Exterior & Slate Black Ceramica Non-Stick Interior. All ten pieces are easy to store. A Magma Chef’s Mate gas grill is easy to install, is transportable, and folds away for easy storage. It excels with equal heat distribution. Making the skipper happy with some new tools and gear is fodder for a great sailing season.   Enjoy the holidays.   Fair Winds and Smooth Sailing. All items listed above are available at www.clrmarine.com .   Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past-Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 - Chicago region.   ©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com, 2021.

Several of our most recent blogs have been about emergencies while on board. This blog presents probably the most critical type of emergency and rescue in the form of airlift by a helicopter from your boat to shore. A helicopter is brought in when this is the only way to immediate safety and medical services.     Two events prompt evacuation by helicopter: Weather so severe that you will perish without removal, and a medical emergency where time is critical.   First, your VHF radio must be tuned to Channel 16 at high volume. When you make the emergency call for the helicopter, know your position. The helicopter pilot will give instructions as to what your course heading should be, and your speed. Clear your deck of any loose items that could blow into the water or create problems, such as coolers, soda cans, garbage cans, buckets, towels, jackets, etc. Lower all antennas, if possible. If you are on a sailboat, all sails should be lowered and secured.   The only passengers on deck should be the one rescued and those who can help. All others should be below.   Important things, every skipper should know. 1. The helicopter pilot sits in the starboard seat, and the retrieving cable is launched from the starboard side of the helicopter. 2. No spotlights or flares are launched or shined in the direction of the aircraft.   Your boat and the helicopter work better when both are aligned and underway on the same heading. If the boat engine is not working, then the vessel should still be set to the course indicated by the helicopter pilot.   Follow through with all instructions from the helicopter pilot before the helicopter is overhead. Once the aircraft is overhead, be prepared for extreme noise and windy conditions. At this point, the only signals from boat to helicopter will be hand signals because of the noise.   When an item is lowered from the helicopter – a static discharge cable is usally attached to the, stretcher, hook, or equipment – the spinning blades act like a generator and can generate thousands of volts of electricity into the cable. To avoid an electrical shock, let the static discharge cable touch down on the boat or in the water before touching it.    If the helicopter is lowering a person, the person may be lowered directly to the boat. Another way to lower a person or item to the vessel is with a high wire safely flown to the vessel's deck, and then the equipment will be lowered. Never secure a cable to the boat that is directly attached to the helicopter. If an ill or injured person is being secured into a gurney on deck, the helicopter will move away until the individual is ready to be hoisted up.   In extreme weather where the entire crew needs to be evacuated, know that the boat will be lost. There won't be anyone from the rescue squad that will be bringing the boat back to shore.   Rescue by helicopter is most likely a life and death situation. Remain calm. Listen to the directions of the emergency personnel. Review safety instructions with all visitors to your boat.   Fair winds. Smooth sailing.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------   Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com    ©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com   To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/.  

The Marine Retailers Association of America urges all its members  and there customers to contact their U.S. Senators, asking them to co-sponsor S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008.   Introduced earlier this month by Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., S. 2766 is similar to the Recreational Boating Act of 2007, which is pending in the House and Senate.   The bill would permanently restore a longstanding exemption for recreational boaters from federal and state permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act.   The issue stems from a September 2006 U.S. District Court ruling that ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate ballast water discharges and mandated a deadline of September 2008 to put it in place.   “Congress has only six months to correct a terrible wrong imposed on recreational boating by a Federal District judge that would require every boat owner to obtain a yearly federal or state permit to operate every boat owned in every state the boat operates in,” MRAA said in its Dealer Alert. “The cost could go to $2,000 per boat, per state.”   These permits would apply to deck runoff, bilge water, engine cooling water and any other water-based operational discharge from a recreational boat. The fines based on citizen suits range up to $32,000 per day, according to the MRAA. The EPA is already writing the required new federal rule, which is set to go operational on Oct. 1.   The National Marine Manufacturers Association is also urging industry stakeholders to contact their senators to support the legislation.   “This issue has been a cloud hanging over our industry,” Scott Gudes, vice president of government relations for the NMMA, said in a statement. “Without legislative relief soon, everyday boaters would be required by federal law to apply for the same expensive permits as ocean-going commercial vessels and land-based industrial facilities.”   Visit www.boatblue.org. Once there, type in your zip code and click Send.

Choose Enviro-Friendly Products Flexdel's Aquagard products are considered "Environmentally Preferable" because they release low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and heavy metals compared to other competing products.   Flitz Products Are Safe For The Environment You can feel good knowing Flitz products are formulated to be safe for you and the environment. For over 30 years, Flitz has been a world leader in the manufacturing of Premium Polishing Products. During that time, the Flitz brand has become known as "The Good Stuff." Ask any user why they buy Flitz products and they will tell you, "Flitz just works the best".   Best Boat Cleaning Products Welcome to Shurhold's "One Handle Does It All!" system. This system quickly and easily allows you to snap over 40 different accessories to the same fixed length or telescoping handles. Shurhold understands that space is limited on your boat and storage is a premium. That is why these boat detailing products are designed to save you time, money and space. One handle on your boat can quickly snap to several different boat cleaning brushes, deck mops, or great boating attachments like a boat hook or paddle.   A More Efficient Way To Clean Swobbit is a more efficient way to clean. Swobbit offers a variety of products including washing brushes and tools, drying mops and cloths, water blades, scrub pads and plates, microfiber products and maintenance k its. The Swobbit System is everything you need to keep your boat looking as clean and new as the day you bought it.  

US Watercraft of Portsmouth, R.I., was chosen the new builder for J Boats' J/105 in the United States. “As a licensed builder and service provider of the J/22 and J/24, US Watercraft is ideally positioned to carry the torch forward on the J/105,” said Jeff Johnstone, J Boats' president. “Randy Borges and his team know one-design perhaps better than anyone.”   The 2008 model J/105 includes several upgrades such as race-ready keel and rudder, composite tiller, racing mainsheet system and new galley layout.    J Boats is based in Newport, R.I.  

 Boating with Kids   Boating with Kids  Boating is a great way to spend time with your children. There are many tasks that can be assigned to youngsters while out on the water to teach them responsibility and provide them with valuable life lessons. It's important to establish some boating safety rules and procedures that will help reduce the chance of trouble or injury during your excursion.   Also, if youngsters are joining you, there are a few features to consider for your boat:  consider a boat that has a cuddy cabin. Runabouts, bow riders and deck boats, even some center console fishing boats, are sometimes equipped with a small cuddy cabin to offer refuge for the kids if they need a nap, are getting too much sun.  Buy a good life jacket or life vest with a collar that turns a child face up in the water. It must have strong waist and crotch straps, a handle on the collar, and preferably be a bright yellow or orange color for good visibility.   Attach a plastic safety whistle to the life jacket and practice using it with the child.  Teach them it is not a toy and should only be used when in DANGER.       Specials   Closeouts    Remanufactured    Rebates  

Babyfoot Manual Galley Foot Operated Pump Whale's manual galley pumps are truly design classics. Since the 1960s these manual pumps have been designed, refined and manufactured by our skilled UK based workforce. Self-priming foot pump designed for easy installation and use. Features Simple foot operated solution for pumping water in the galley Smooth and easy operation Comfortable to use - angled top section Compact for installing in confined spaces Ideal as a priming pump for use with Whale in line impeller electric pumps The ideal foot pump for a simple freshwater system WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Gusher Foot Operated Galley Pump Right Handed Lever Whale's manual galley pumps are truly design classics. Since the 1960s these manual pumps have been designed, refined and manufactured by our skilled UK based workforce. The simple solution for fresh water dellivery in small galleys. Features Smooth double action Self primes and operates dry without damage Easy, smooth hands free operation Ease of installation- Multi-directional inlet and outlet hose connections 3 mounting options (including thru bulkhead) Left and right oriented foot lever versions available Also ideally used to prime Whale In-Line Booster pumps Pumps fresh and salt water 15 ltrs (4 US gals) per minute WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Gusher Foot Operated Galley Pump Left Handed Lever Whale's manual galley pumps are truly design classics. Since the 1960s these manual pumps have been designed, refined and manufactured by our skilled UK based workforce. The simple solution for fresh water dellivery in small galleys. Features Smooth double action Self primes and operates dry without damage Easy, smooth hands free operation Ease of installation- Multi-directional inlet and outlet hose connections 3 mounting options (including thru bulkhead) Left and right oriented foot lever versions available Also ideally used to prime Whale In-Line Booster pumps Pumps fresh and salt water 15 ltrs (4 US gals) per minute WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.

High Flow Submersible Electric Galley Pump - 12V Whale electric galley pump range includes models with the very latest electronic technology. All pumps are manufactured from only highest quality inhouse molded parts and robust motors. Whale has developed the pump designs based on more than 60 years of expertise. Today Whale has used that experience to develop the most compact, quiet, lightweight high performance electric galley pumps. Features: Simple and compact High flow submersible Ideal for up to 2/3 mixer outlets 15.8 liters per minute maximum flow rate 3.8 Amps power consumption 12V

Chrome Galley Mixer with Swivel Spout This Galley mixer is Scandvik's most popular galley mixer design. Features: 1/4 turn ceramic valves Swivel spout Specifications: Water Connection: Flexible supply lines with 1/2 NPS-F fittings Material: Chrome-plated brass Mounting Hole: 1-1/4 in. Shipping Weight: 5 lbs. *The "P" within the part number indicates retail packaging