Welcome to the Web Ed's Blog. in these pages Jane will be bringing you news about the Boat Mart website and magazine along with general thoughts and observations about the world of boating. She would love to hear your feedback on any of these blogs. Enjoy!
Those boaters who already have to comply with the Boat Safety Scheme or registration for inland waterways might not see the need as their craft already have a form of registration, but this doesn't create a national database of all boats does it? However, as with everything these days, perhaps it comes down to cost. With prices going up all around us on a regular basis we hardly want to add another bill to the pile. Money, and the additional paperwork, aside though, surely there’s no harm in having a register of boats in the UK. It would definitely help when buying and selling boats in terms of proof of ownership, and similarly might help to deter boat thefts if craft become harder to sell on. However, it’s nice to have something in Britain which isn’t overly regulated and there is the argument that registration could be the first step towards introducing licences and compulsory training. Not a bad thing many of you will say, but the idea and the reality can often be very different, and not always good. Only time will tell where this one is going to lead us, but for now let’s just concentrate on enjoying our boats and the freedom they give us.
Written by Jane Monday, 23 August 2010 14:53
We hope that with regular maintenance and vigilance, our boat will stay in the water where it belongs, giving us maximum enjoyment. Continue with the regular checks for trailer, boat and engine. In addition, you may like to check or perform the following jobs over the month:
TRAILER
1. Flush the trailer following every salt-water immersion; this will prolong its useful life.
2. Continually adding gear to your boat increases the all up weight. A little extra is no problem, but it does add up year on year. This is one aspect that needs monitoring.
3. Conduct a visual inspection of the winch cable strap to check for fraying or kinks.
4. Apply a light coat of bearing grease to the hitch ball, and check the winch handle securing nut is secure.
ENGINE
1. Check the propeller for damage and file any small burrs back to shape. If a blade has serious damage, either replace it or send it for specialist repair.
2. Check all hose clips ensuring that double clipped hoses have the securing and tightening drive part of the clip at opposites.
3. If applicable, check the stuffing box on inboard engines.
BOAT
1. The key to a fabulously shiny gelcoat is constant washing. A coat of wax or polish will contribute to keeping the surface smooth, making it easier to remove debris and staining whilst washing. It will also help counteract the long-term effects of ultra violet light. Remove any surface stains first, and if necessary gently cut back with a fine cutting paste before polishing.
2. Mooring lines and warps will benefit by remaining clean and correctly coiled or stowed, followed by the occasional wash in warm, fresh water with a mild soap. Allow natural drying, and they will come up as good as new.
3. Boat windscreen wipers do not always do the job efficiently; why not try an alternative product called Rain X. This product forms a microscopic layer on the glass repelling rain and dirt. With careful preparation and application, a single coat can last months. At around £7 for 0.28kg it offers good value, and should be sufficient for several applications.
Hello there, I just wanted to let you know the new issue of Boat Mart is now available and is looking really good (as usual!). As always there are hundreds of boats for sale, top value kit, essential boat buying advice and everything you need to know about the wonderful world of affordable boating.
In Boat Mart we regularly discuss whether you can get afloat for a few thousand (or even hundred) pounds and do it safely, with all the necessary kit and enjoy yourself, that is to say that you end up with a boat that you and your family will actually want to use. It can be tempting, and many a boater has fallen into this trap, to buy a boat just because it’s in your price bracket, only to find that it doesn’t suit your needs or it wasn’t quite the bargain it first appeared when the maintenance costs start adding up.
Whether you intend to buy a boat or spend the summer simply enjoying lazy days on a boat, Boat Mart is the magazine for you. It's not only packed with boats for sale and boat accessories, but has pages and pages of buying advice, boating news and top tips to help you really make the most of your boating.