With gas prices topping $1.52 a litre here in B.C., conserving gas is on everyone’s mind, especially cottagers. There is a general consensus among our neighbours that boat traffic on our lake is way down from previous years. Is it the high price of gas or the high price of real estate that is deterring recreational enthusiasts?

Lindsay, from DiscoverBoating.ca has some great advice on how to lower fuel consumption. Here are five things she recommends to help trim fuel costs:

1. Minimize the amount of time you idle on the dock. This also applies to motor vehicles. With fuel injection systems, cars don’t use as much gas getting started, so if you’re idling for more than one minute, it’s worth shutting off the engine.
2. Travel at slower speeds and accelerate gradually.
3. A well tuned engine uses less fuel.
4. The proper use of trim tabs reduce drag, especially while accelerating up to planing speeds. See Trimming Your Boat for more information.
5. Check your propeller. If your boat is slow “out of the hole,” or lacks top-end speed, you might have the wrong propeller.

If the high gas prices are driving down your fun take heart. According to Lindsay, the average boater uses the same amount of gasoline for an entire summer that it would take to fill an SUV three times.

Cheers,

Julie

PS Our new boat, Sea Ray 176 uses way less fuel than our old 2 stroke outboard engine. Having a newer engine, ideally with a three star rating, will definitely save gas.

I must confess, when it comes to figuring out the trim button on our boat I’m lost. I know to raise it when I get into shallow waters, or when we’re taking the boat in and out of the lake, but the rest of the time I leave the little button alone. Which is likely why we ended up getting a new boat.

Bill, my loving and understanding husband, experienced my “trim frustration” first hand. As the official boat driver, he was often on the receiving end of my snarky comments. They usually went something like this, “Why were you driving so slowly? It was all I could do to pull myself out of the water?!!!” The situation was worse the more people we had in the boat. We weren’t sure where the trim should be when pulling a water skier or a wakeboarder.

According to ClubMarine.com: To accelerate to planing speed, nearly all hulls like their tabs down, and/or their drive leg trimmed in. So, to start our familiarization process, trim the leg all the way in, and/or apply maximum downward angle of the tabs, then give the throttle a burst to boost the hull onto the plane. It’s important a boat be trimmed in if it’s full of supplies or people. Start with the trim down to help get the boat to plan, then trim up gradually as you gather more speed. If you don’t trim in, your guests are going to get wet.

If you’re alone in the boat, the boat is lighter - trim up to go faster. An engine trimmed up forces the bow higher at speed - trim up, drive leg out. Be careful, too much trim will cause the boat to porpoise and you will go bouncing down the lake.

If you are pulling a water skier or a tube or anything else - start with the trim all the way down. As the boat starts to pick up speed - trim up gradually. If you have a load of people in the boat - try to move them to the front or make sure the weight is evenly dispersed.

We’re heading to the cabin this weekend. I’m going to start playing with the trim on our boat, so if you have a cabin on Horne Lake and see a boat bobing up and down in the water, be sure to wave.

Cheers,

Julie

This past weekend gas hit $1.46 a litre in Vancouver. We’re bracing ourselves for a $1.50 a litre, which the experts are predicting will happen this summer. With gas now over $6.00 a gallon, I’m curious to know if this will affect how you “play” at the cabin.

We sold our old two stroke engine for a more gas efficient inboard model. While Bill likes to throttle our new 17′ SeaRay wide open, my eye is on the gas gage. I’m not sure if we will take the kids for as long a tube ride or as many this summer given the high price of petro.

I know boats are expensive toys to own and operate, but I’m wondering if other’s are thinking the same thing.

Like cars, boats burn fuel more efficiently when they are properly serviced and maintained. Cottage Life has a great article on spring maintenance for outboards.

One thing is certain, the faster we go, the more fuel we’re going to burn, especially since our new boat is heavier than our old one.

I’m thinking we’ll still make good use of our new boat, but I’m betting we’ll be going a little slower and maybe not quite as often. I’m also thinking my kayak is going to be getting a lot more use.

Leave me a comment and let me know if the high price of gas is going to change the way you play at the cabin.

Cheers,

Julie

P.S. If gas seems expensive here, folks in England are paying over $9 a gallon. Ouch!

Having just purchased a new boat, it’s now time to sell the old one. Chris Caswell of Boats.com writes, “Most boaters put far more energy into buying a boat than they do selling it. While they price shop carefully before buying, they tend to simply slap a price on the windshield.”

Oh if only it were that easy. For anyone who’s ever sold a used boat, it’s not unlike selling a used car. A lot of energy goes into making the boat presentable, figuring out the asking price, listing it for sale and arranging for viewings.

Make Sure the Boat is Ship Shape - Clean it

In our case, the boat needs to be pulled out of storage, tuned up, battery replaced, scrubbed and polished, carpets cleaned and chrome polished.

Price it Right

Next comes the valuation. Caswell recommends people start by checking local classifieds - we used Buy and Sell, Boats.com and NADA. The reality is, there are not a lot of used Bowriders for sale especially at the $5,000 mark. Variations like freshwater use and extra equipment can also raise the boat’s value. Make sure you include them in your listing.

Paperwork

Because we’re selling the boat ourselves, we will need to write up the bill of sale. It includes price, buyer and seller names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, type and size of boat, registration numbers (don’t forget the VIN number from the trailer if one’s included), and a list of the major equipment included. The bill of sale can serve as a receipt for payment.

When it comes to down payments, Cross suggests to take non-refundable deposits so that you don’t take the boat off the market for an uncommitted buyer.

Signing the back of the pink slip or title isn’t enough. You also need to send a form (usually included with the pink slip_ to the boat registration agency specifying when, to whom, and for how much you sold your boat. Otherwise you will remain liable for accidents or liens caused by the new owner.

Cancel your insurance as soon as the transaction is complete and the boat leaves your control.

Cross also recommends you be as up front as possible about the boat’s condition. There is no legal obligation to withhold information, but I follow the laws of Karma. What comes around goes around. While Bill says I’m too honest, I don’t want anyone buying our boat and wasting a whole lot of money, like we did, trying to fix things that are beyond repair.

Besides, if one of my neighbour’s ends up buying our boat, I don’t want them cursing me every time they pass by my cabin. Cross recommends documenting any defects. I wished our boat’s previous owners had done that. We found out the expensive way.

When it comes to taking the boat for a test drive, you may want to have a firm non-refundable deposit to cover any costs such as gas or launching.

Listing the Boat

I’ve got our boat listed in two free online locations: www.buyandsell.ca and Craig’s List. While it’s a bit of a hassle, I’ve included photos - a must. I also sent an email out to the other cottagers on Horne Lake. So far, we have equal responses from all sources. The challenge for us is going to be arranging for folks to view the boat. We’re in Vancouver - it’s on Vancouver Island.

Fielding the calls, answering questions and arranging for viewings is actually the hardest part, but timing is everything. The best time to sell a boat is at the start of boating season.

Here’s hoping we’re successful.

Cheers,

Julie

It’s Saturday morning and we’re towing our brand new - actually used - 2003 Sea Ray boat to the cabin. As we lurch along highway 99 Bill asks me, “So do you love the boat?”

“It’s nice,” I reply.

“What do you think?” I ask him back.

“Ummm, it’s OK,” he says.

And there you have it. We have just bought a new boat and we’re not excited. What’s worse - we both know it. Suddenly, a chrome blue Mastercraft wakeboard boat pulls along beside us. Its hulking frame dwarfs our little 17 foot Bowrider. “Now there’s a boat!” we both exclaim. It’s clear we’ve bought practical when what we’re both craving is something fun and totally irresponsible.

Seeing the Mastercraft sail on down the highway is like watching the cool, cute looking guy walk on by. Even at 42 I still want to be cool and apparently so does my husband. When it comes to boats - looks matter.

Don’t get me wrong our Sea Ray is a beautiful boat - a very distinguished, well coiffed lady. Our neighbour describes her as sleek, with beautiful lines. I gotta agree, she’s absolutely right. But I’m still feeling a little disappointed, that is until I take her for her first test drive and that’s when it starts to happen.

Initially, I like the way she handles. I’ve never driven a boat with power steering. Then, as I gently eased the throttle down, there’s no hesitation. We’re practically gliding across the water - her weight holds us steady and minimizes the bumps from the other boats’ wakes.

By Sunday at about 5 p.m. I’ve fallen in love - the Mastercraft’s long forgotten. Our new boat’s like a cougar -she’s been around the block and has got a few miles on her, but like any mature woman it only adds to her character.

This is the start of a beautiful relationship.

Cheers,

Julie

Our adventures in boat shopping reminds me of the following Taoism story, The Farmer’s Luck. See below:

There was once an old farmer who worked his crops for many years. One day, his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbours came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically. “Maybe,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses. Such good luck!” the neighbours exclaimed. “Maybe,” replied the farmer.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg. Again, the neighbours came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. “Such bad luck!” they said. “Maybe, answered the farmer.

The day after that, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army to fight in a war. Seeing the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. “Such good luck!” cried the neighbours. “Maybe,” said the farmer.

Deciding which boat to buy, or not buy, can be a very stressful process. We made an offer on a boat only to have it turned down. Is this a blessing or a lost opportunity? Only time will tell.

Cheers,

Julie

Here on the West Coast, I’m almost giddy with joy. The weather report for the long weekend, now only five sleeps away, is forecasting hot - 28 degrees hot, at least for Thursday and Friday. I so hope they’ve got this one right. It hasn’t been that warm since last August. According to the weather channel lady, “The west is the place to be from Thursday onward.” It’s about time.

Has it stopped snowing in Calgary yet???

In preparation for summer, Billy and I were checking out boats on Boats.com this past weekend. This is could be the most expensive Mother’s Day present yet. We found a sweet little Sea Ray that Bill’s going to take for a test run after work tonight. The US dollar is making boat buying a whole lot more affordable.

If anyone is considering buying a new or used boat this year, here are a couple of websites we found very helpful:

1. Shopping for New and Used Boats - Boats.com and BoatDealer.ca
2. Appraisal or Book Value :We used the NADA guide. This online guide is from the same folks who publish the auto industry’s little blue books. They provide pricing information on boats dating back to 1970.
3. Importing a boat from the US: click here for all the details and paperwork required to clear customs

If anyone else has been been boat shopping I’d love to hear from you.

Cheers,

Julie

For anyone considering a pontoon boat, the Loon, built near Orilla, Ont., is an emissions-free electric boat. Solar-assisted, this pontoon boat comes with built-in battery charger. The panels charge the eight - six volt deep cell batteries that operate the Briggs and Stratton electric outboard motor.

On a sunny day, the boat can travel up to 50 km at a cruising speed of about five knots. The six-metre, eight passenger Loon weighs about 1,000 kilograms, slightly heavier than it’s gas-guzzling cousin. According to the boat’s builder, Monte Gisborne, the Loon can travel at least eight times further on a unit of energy than the most efficient gas-powered boat.

Monte concedes that the solar panels (installed on the roof) will provide about 16 km of free travel on a sunny day and you can even stretch it to 32 km, but you won’t be going anywhere after that, as the batteries will need to be recharged, either by sun or by plugging in the boat the grid.

The boats sell for anywhere from $25,000 to $35,000, but a new prototype is currently under construction so don’t quote me on that figure. While the boats save money on gas, the break-even point is somewhere between five to seven years, assuming people spend $100 a weekend on gas over 16 week period.

If you’d like more information on Tamarack Lake Electric Boats visit www.tamarackelectricboats.com TheNew York State Energy Research and Development department recently offered this company a $500,000 grant, so there is a chance they may be relocating to the US, but according to Monte, the Loon will still be available for sale in Canada.

Cheers,

Julie

Did you know there are over 8 million Canadians involved in recreational boating activities every year?

On average, there will be roughly 6,000 water related accidents, of which 150 will result in fatalities. Promoting safe boating practices is the best way to reduce the number of careless accidents in which alcohol plays a leading role.

Here are some facts about boating and alcohol that you may not know, taken from BoaterExam.com.

Boating Facts

1. At least 40% of all power-boating fatality victims had a blood alcohol level above the legal driving limit.

2. Fatigue, sun, wind and the motion of the boat dull the senses and alcohol intensifies these effects.

3. There is no distinction between driving a car and driving a boat if the operator is impaired; the offence is the same.

4. More than 60% of drownings occur after the victim accidentally falls off a dock, shoreline or vessel into the water. Autopsies show that more than one-third of the victims of such falls (mostly men) were impaired by alcohol at the time of the accident.

5. More than one-half of boating accidents occur when occupants are standing. Given that alcohol affects balance, anyone who stands up in a boat after drinking alcohol is more likely to fall overboard.

6. As the blood-alcohol level rises, people are less and less capable of coordinating their movements and reflexes. An intoxicated person will find it very difficult to swim or grab onto a lifebouy, regardless of their ability when sober. Alcohol also affects vision.

Blood-Alcohol Levels - Calculating Your Legal Limit

The following chart allows a calculation of when it becomes dangerous to drive after drinking alcohol. The chart was developed by the Toronto Police Department for car drivers, but it also applies to persons operating vessels.

The Criminal Code of Canada reports the legal limit for alcohol as 80 milligrams of ethyl alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (80 mg%). This is also often expressed as 0.08 grams of ethyl alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Note: One drink = 1.5 oz of liquor (40% alcohol) = 5 oz. of table wine (10-14% alcohol) = 12 oz of regular beer (5% alcohol).

Attention: The time elapsed since drinking and other factors can affect the data in the chart. For women, blood/alcohol concentrations are higher than specified in the chart.

It’s no secret that alcohol affects your judgement; I have many embarrassing stories to prove it. An intoxicated person overestimates their abilities or takes risk that they wouldn’t normally take under normal circumstances.

Canadian Boating License

While I have yet to get my Operator Pleasure Craft card, I have vowed that before I step foot in my boat this year, I will have my license. Anyone else interested in joining me?

Here’s to safe boating.

Cheers,

Julie

Every five years the Horne Lake Planning Committee sends out a questionnaire to its residents to verify and establish the priorities for our community. Included in this year’s summary are also the results from five years ago.

While this seems like a tedious process, it’s invaluable to maintaining the quality of our lakeside experience. It’s also a great way to educate cottagers on issues that they may not even be aware exist.

Take wake boats for example. Five years ago one of the biggest issues vexing cottagers were jet skis. For those folks who didn’t own one, having to listen to their neighbor’s insistent throttling motor as they tore donuts around the lake, swamping canoes with their waves generated a lot of negative feedback. According to Murray Hamilton the Horne Lake Property Manager, the owners of these pleasure crafts grew up and moved on. Jet skis have ceased to be an issue on the lake.

It seems wake boats have taken their place according to this year’s survey. The big waves generated by these powerful boats are being blamed for shoreline erosion, dock damage and general annoyances. The underlying culprit, according to Hamilton, is a lack of respect and education. “Owners of these boats think everyone wants to enjoy it with them. Running these boats parallel to the shore is just wrong,” Hamilton explains. He goes on to add, “There is a way to enjoy them without disturbing your neighbors.”

I must admit, I secretly covet the big black Malibu that lives across the bay. I love it’s big chrome lights and metal tower. Pulsing down the lake with its throaty stereo blasting just screams cool. I also concede with my neighbors. Scrambling to grab my kids so they don’t get knocked off the dock from its massive waves breaking against the shoreline is a huge pain.

Can we have our wake and enjoy it too? I think so. While the provincial government owns the water and protects the riparian areas, it’s the federal government who regulates boating. According to Hamilton, wake boats are not on the docket at least not for now, so the onus is on us, the cottager, to manage our behavior.

Next week we will be looking at boating manners 101. I’m betting it’s not just our lake that’s grappling with this behavioral problem.

Cheers,

Julie