Replacing Bunk Carpet

The season is creeping up on us! Now is the time to start thinking about the projects you need to complete to make your trips to the lake all about fun and not worrying about what's going to go wrong next. One of those projects facing a lot of you, is replacing the carpet on your trailer bunks. This is an easy repair that can be overlooked. If your carpet is showing any signs of wear, jump the gun and replace it now! Follow these step by step instructions and you'll have one less thing to worry about out there on the lake!

Instructions:

1. Measure your boards and get the appropriate amount of carpet. BoatersOutlet.com carries 10" widths to completely cover a 2x4 and 14" to completely cover a 2x6. We sell by the foot so you can order just what you need, no excess, and no need for seams.

2. Remove the boat from the trailer. I find the best thing to do is take the necessary items to replace the carpet to the lake with you. Take some time after you launch the boat to get the job done.

3. Remove old boards from the trailer. inspect boards for warping, cracks, or breaks. If necessary, replace boards. Remove old carpet.

4. We recommend attaching the carpet with stainless or galvanized staples. This will allow the carpet to have some give when loading the boat on the trailer.

5. Cut your carpet to the appropriate size for your bunk boards. Layout your new carpet with the matte or rubber backing facing up. Place the bunk board evenly right to the edge of the laid out carpet. Leaving enough carpet on either end to completely wrap each end of your bunk. Hold the carpet to the board and start to roll the new carpet onto the bunk board. Staple down the first side. Then roll the board until it is completely covered. When you get to this point take a staple gun and apply staples every 2 to 3 inches along the bottom of the bunk board. There should be about 2 inches or so of carpet left to overlap the first initial bottom side, staple down this excess carpet on top of the existing carpet.

6. Repeat steps for remaining bunks.

7. Reattach bunks to trailer.

8. Go boating!

Replacing the bunk carpet on your trailer can save you a lot of headache and keeps your boat looking proper. Take the time and get it done!

Boat Covers Outlet

Did you know we have a site dedicated strictly to boat covers and bimini tops? Head over to BoatCoversOutlet.com and replace that tattered cover out in the driveway! We offer several ways to find the perfect cover. Our application guide is the easiest and most accurate. Pick you make, model, and year, and our application guide will find the right cover for you. Not sure of your make and model? Use our style finder. The style finder has pictures of the most common style of boats and you just have to find the picture that closely matches your boat. Still not sure? Give us a call or shoot us an email. Our friendly customer service representatives are available Monday through Saturday from 9:00AM until 6:00PM MDT. All of our emails are answered within one business day. You can use our Contact Us page to get a hold of us. Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think!

Social Networking

In the times we live in, social media is huge! This is why we try to take advantage of every avenue we can. That being said, we joined Google+ today! This is in addition to our Facebook, Twitter, and blog pages we already maintain. Social networking can be a full time job in itself. We have some exciting things planned for all of our social networking sites in the coming months. Be sure to share all of our sites with your friends and keep checking back with us for more informative articles, boating tips and tricks, how to's, and much much more! We love our customers and we want you guys to love us too!

Stand Up Paddle Board Craze

Stand up paddle boarding is sweeping the nation! BoatersOutlet.com has hopped on the bandwagon and we will be stocking boards from Connelly and Airhead. Paddle boarding is basically standing on top of a long surfboard and using a paddle to propel yourself along. The appeal to paddle boarding is the ability to do it on any type of water, no waves required. It is also a great full body workout and has become a cross training phenomenon. Hop on today and find out what the craze is all about!

Summer is winding down...

Summer is winding down and that means for many of us, we have to think about putting the boat away for the winter. It's a sad time of year for sure, however the work you put in now will pay off in the spring when the boat is ready to go with no issues.

The following are some steps you will want to take to make sure your boat is properly prepared for extended storage. As always, these are recommendations and you should consult your owners manual or a professional for any additional items that may need to be done.

Inboard Engines

1. Change the oil and filter. The engine should be ran to warm up the oil. This will allow impurities to be drained away with the oil, as well as making the oil easier to pump out if you are using an oil pump.

2. Flush the engine with fresh water. In addition, you should circulate antifreeze through the manifold. This can be easily accomplished with the Star Brite Winterization Kit.

3. Remove the spark plugs and spray fogging oil into each cylinder. If the engine is carbureted, you will want to fog the carburetor as well.

Stern Drive

1. Thoroughly inspect the stern drive and remove any plant life or barnacles from the lower unit.

2. Drain the gear case, inspecting the oil for excessive moisture, or a cloudy appearance. This would indicate a leak that will need to be repaired. Refill with proper gear case lubricant.

4. Grease all fittings and check fluid levels in hydraulic steering or lift pumps.

Outboard Engine

1. Flush engine with fresh water using an engine flusher. Let all water drain from the engine.

2. Disconnect fuel hose and run engine until it stops. Use fogging oil in carburetor and cylinders.

3. Drain the gear case, inspecting the oil for excessive moisture, or a cloudy appearance. This would indicate a leak that will need to be repaired. Refill with proper gear case lubricant.

Fuel

Alway store your boat with a full tank of gas. This will prevent condensation inside the tank over the winter months. Change the fuel filter. Add a fuel stabilizer to keep the fuel over the winter.

Bilge

Make sure the bilge is clean and dry. Antifreeze can be poured into the bilge to keep any water from freezing.

Fresh Water System

Completely drain the fresh water tank and water heater. Disconnect the in and out lines from the water heater. Pump a non-toxic antifreeze into the system and turn on all faucets, including the shower and any washdown areas, until you see the antifreeze coming out. Also put the non-toxic antifreeze into the water heater.

Head

Pump out the holding tank. Be sure to add fresh water to the bowl and flush several times. Fill holding tank with fresh water and pump out again. Add antifreeze and pump through the hoses, holding tank, y-valve, macerator, and discharge hose. Be sure to check your owners manual to be sure an alcohol based antifreeze won't damage your system.

Using the above techniques, you should be good to go for winter. Always be sure to consult your owners manual to be sure you have taken all necessary precautions. If you feel at all uncomfortable, please consult a professional to perform the job for you.

Neither BoatersOutlet.com or the authors of additional information provided in the links in this article are responsible for damage or injuries that may occur as a result of this information.

How to select a life jacket

Life Jackets or P.F.D. (Personal Flotation Devices)

There are five ratings or “Types” of PFD listed by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). They are as follows:

1. Type I - Off shore vest: Provides the most buoyancy of any USCG type PFD and is the only vest designed to turn an unconscious person to a face-up position. They are ideal for remote or rough waters where the possibility of rescue may take some time. They are bulky and it is unlikely they would be used for recreational use such as waterskiing or wakeboarding.
2. Type II - Near shore buoyancy vest: Designed to turn “some” unconscious persons to a face-up position. Intended for calm inland waters or where there is a good chance of a relatively quick rescue. Examples of these vests would the orange inexpensive vests most boaters have onboard.
3. Type III - Flotation Aid: Designed so wearers can place “themselves” in a face-up position and would be ideal in situations where quick rescue is possible. This is the most common jacket used for recreational purposes such as; waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, inland fishing and general boating. The PFD's are not intended for rough water or the open sea. This vest comes in many different sizes, styles and colors. This type of vest is the most comfortable for continuous wear. Boater's Outlet has thousands of Type III ski vests in stock in a variety of colors and sizes.
4. Type IV - Throwable Device: Designed to be thrown to a person in the water, grasped and held by the user until rescued. This type of flotation device is either a life ring (ring buoy) or a throwable cushion. Boater's Outlet stocks 20”, 24” and 30” ring buoys. In the Type IV cushions, we stock a variety of colors including: red, white, blue and camouflage.
5. Type V - Special Use Device: Designed and approved only for activities listed on label. Such as commercial whitewater rafting, kayaking or canoeing.

A Closer look at Type III PFD

Since the most common PFD for water skiing, wake boarding, towable tubes, fishing and general boating is the Type III, we will talk a little more in depth about this type of ski jacket.

PFD Materials

P.E. and Ensolite Foam-The guts of the ski vest are shaped pieces of either Ensolite or P.E. foam. The P.E. foam is white, thinly layered pieces that are found in most ski jackets on the market today because of the relatively inexpensive cost. The drawback is that these layers can bunch up or roll inside the jacket over time. Ski Jackets with P.E. foam are generally a cheaper priced jacket. The layered foam ski vests are usually your only choice at a general sporting goods or a big box discounters stores. Ensolite foam is higher quality foam that is a single sheet that won't separate and resists losing it shape.

Ski Vest Exterior

Vinyl Ski Jackets - Years ago, this type of life vest construction was very popular. It is made with high quality Ensolite closed-cell foam that is hot-dipped in liquid vinyl for a shiny, tough finish. This ski jacket, which is still available, is loved by waterskiers because unlike the nylon covered ski jackets, when wet, they are not cold to the skin. Boater's Outlet stocks these vinyl ski jackets. Sizes available, Childs sizes are XS, SM & MD. Adult sizes are XS, SM, MD, LG, XL and XXL.

Nylon Life Vests - The nylon exterior life vest is the one most people are familiar with. Boater's Outlet has thousands of nylon ski jackets in stock in a variety of colors and sizes. Children’s sizes available are Infant, Child, Youth and Teen. Women's sizes are XS, SM, MD and LG. Men’s sizes are XS, SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL and XXXL.

Neoprene Life Vests - In our opinion, the neoprene life vest is the most comfortable and easiest P.F.D. to fit for our customers. Because of the stretchy “wetsuit material”, the wearer can buckle up just a little bit tighter, which is great for safety and also for the wearers comfort level. The neoprene ski vest is quickly becoming the ski jacket of choice. Boater's Outlet stocks an assortment of neoprene life jackets in different colors and sizes. Children's neoprene life jackets come in sizes Infant, Child, Youth and Teen. Women's neoprene life jackets come in sizes XS, SM, MD and LG. Men's neoprene life jackets come in sizes SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL and XXXL.

Look for the following ski jacket brands at Boater's Outlet: Ski Warm, Kent, Super Soft and Sub Zero.

Selecting the Correct Size Life Jacket

Be familiar with the sizing and how it works.

Adult (men & women) - Persons over 90 lbs and are fit by taking a measurement around the chest. For instance, a men's medium is generally 36” - 40” chest size. Women's medium is also 36” - 40”, but the ski jacket is about 2” shorter in length, since women tend to be slightly shorter.

Infant - Coast Guard Type II rating. Infant ski vests are rated up to 30 lbs, they have a support “pillow” and depending on the design, usually most or all the foam is removed from the back area. What this does is position the child face up with their head above the water. A safety strap is placed between the child's legs for extra security.

Note: An adult must be present and remain by the childs side to ensure their safety.

Child - Coast Guard Type II rating. Child ski vests are rated 30 lbs to 50 lbs, a safety strap is placed between the childs legs for extra security.

Note: An adult must be present and remain by the childs side to ensure their safety.

Youth - Coast Guard Type II rating. Child ski vests are rated 50 lbs to 90 lbs.

Note: An adult must be present and remain by the childs side to ensure their safety.

The ski jacket should not have any movement. If the jacket overlaps in the front, it is too big. Consider for a moment, your child is waterskiing and she loses control and goes into the water, if the ski jacket is too big, the ski jacket may come off. At Boater's Outlet, we like to do a small test. First buckle and/or zip the wearer completely up, then grab the ski jacket shoulders and try to lift them off the ground (kids love this). Did the ski jacket slide up? If it did, try the next smaller size. If there is a gap in the front of the ski jacket or the wearer is having a hard time breathing, it's probably too small, try the next size up and do the pull test method above

Parents please, do not get a size or two too big “because she will grow into it”. Not only is this thinking not safe, it's not legal.

Coast Guard approved PFD's of proper size, in serviceable condition, and readily available for each person aboard. All PFD's must be used in accordance with the age, weight activity, and use restrictions listed on the U.S. Coast Guard approval label. Excerpt “Highlights From Utah's boating Laws & Rules” Rev. 6/02

Slightly tight is better than too big.

Ski Belts

We also carry ski belts. They come in single and double belts and sizes SM, MD, LG and XL. Great for pool exercise.

Ski belts are not an approved Personal Flotation Device by the Coast Guard.

*Note: The items listed on this page are suggestions only! It is up to the individual(s) to make sure that they obey the law and to make sure the P.F.D. is properly sized, the appropriate PFD is used, and the PFD is in good condition. We highly recommend anyone who is going boating to have the local Coast Guard Auxiliary or similar agency to inspect all safety gear including his or her Personal Flotation Devices.

SE Sport Hydrofoil Product Spotlight

One of the biggest complaints we hear about peoples boats, is their in ability to get on plane quickly. The SE Sport by Sport Marine Technologies, is designed to help alleviate this problem. Not only does it accomplish this, it also has some other great benefits. The SE Sport will keep your boat on plane at lower speeds. Couple this with the decreased planing time, and the SE Sport will save a substantial amount of fuel.

Another bonus with the SE Sport is speed. With it's patented sleek shape, the SE Sport has been rated the fastest in 0-30 and top speed tests by Trailer Boats magazine, and fastest top end speed by Bass and Walleye Boats magazine. The narrow footprint of the SE Sport assures less resistance at any trim position for greater speed. The SE Sport also allows you to maintain a speed without the constant minor throttle adjustments.

Cavitation can cause a lot of problems with your outdrive and propllers. The SE Sport will reduce or totally eliminate the loss of prop efficiency and prop blowout.

The SE Sport also incorporates their exclusive Turbo Trac system. This adds more stability and control to your steering. You will notice a reduction/elimination in chine-walk, porpoising, and a crisper responce with better handling from the controlled water flow. This will also help with deep-V wander movements at slow speeds.

New for 2010, Sport Marine Technologies has introduced the Hydrofoil Sport Clip. This allows the SE Sport Hydrofoil to be installed without drilling holes into the cavitation plate of your outdrive. The Sport Clip will work with most outrives and outboards excluding the following:

• All Volvos
• Mercury 50HP Two Stroke
• Mercury 40, 50, 60 HP Four Stroke (does fit BigFoot models)
• Mercury Bravo II & Mercury Bravo III (does fit Bravo III models with two round anodes on bottom plate)
• Honda 200HP/225HP
• 

The SE Sport and Sport Clip can help make your next trip a little easier. Don't forget to check back often for moreproduct spotlights as well as informative articles and general boating and watersports information.