Tag Archives: engine

Recreational

How to winterize your motorcycle in 7 simple steps

Cold temperatures are settling in, which means motorcycle riding season is coming to an end. Unless you live in the southwest or southern states, odds are you will be putting your ride in storage for the winter months. Unfortunately, simply keeping it covered is not enough.

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Recreational

9 steps to winterizing your collector vehicle

It’s not an ordinary car. It needs more than ordinary care—especially when prepping it for winter hibernation. Collector vehicles face potential hazards all year round, even while sitting still. To help yours survive the cold months, it’s important to pay attention to the details and follow a thorough winterization process. 

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Recreational

Enjoying summer on the water: Essential boating safety tips

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The heat of the summer continues to drive more than 100 million Americans to spend their days boating on the water each year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Swimming, tubing, fishing, there is always something for everyone to enjoy to escape the blistering temperatures.   

But no matter if you are operating a boat or merely along for the ride, boating can pose many dangers if safety isn’t taken seriously. According to the United States Coast Guard, there were 564 fatalities and 2,126 injuries involving boats in 2023. Risks can include drowning, crashing, hazardous conditions, not being aware of your surroundings and countless other injuries that can occur on and off the boat.   

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Recreational

5 boat maintenance tips

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Spending a bit of time on basic maintenance can help you have fun for years to come. Here are a few  ideas to keep your boat ship-shape.

  1. Keep Things Clean: Boating can be a messy business, but a clean and well-kept boat should last longer than its slimy and unmaintained counterpart. Regularly remove scale and algae scum from the hull and watch out for buildup. Upholstery should be maintained with proper marine cleaners and protectants to avoid replacing it down the road.
  2. Maintain the Battery: Marine batteries can last years if properly maintained. Make sure the battery is secured before every trip and firmly mounted to the boat. Immediately after use, recharge your battery fully to decrease the chance of sulfate deposit buildup. If your battery requires it, make sure its water is at the right level.
  3. Check the Engine: Most boats are run hard on the weekends and left idle for the rest of the week. This irregular use is hard on a boat. That’s why it’s so important to inspect and check all the engines components and fluids every time you go boating. If you find a leak, get it properly repaired right away to prevent further damage and keep toxins out of the water.
  4. Check the Propeller: Your propeller needs to be inspected on a regular basis because any dents, knicks, or dings which can hinder performance, drive up fuel costs, and create internal damage. A few times per season remove the entire propeller in order to remove any built up gunk or debris from your prop shaft and relubricate.
  5. Don’t Stop Now: The end of boating season doesn’t mean the end of boat maintenance. Be sure to have your boat professionally winterized to prevent freezing damage to the engine and hull. Then, make sure it’s properly covered for winter storage.

Keeping up with boat maintenance is the key to your craft’s longevity and safety. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or you rely on the professionals, take good care of your boat and it should return the favor with years of boating entertainment.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Sources:

Proper Boat Maintenance can help prevent major repairs. – YouTube
Boat Maintenance Checklist | Sport Fishing Magazine
Beginner’s Boat Maintenance for Dummies | Discover Boating
8 Everyday Boat Maintenance Tips to Give You Total Peace of Mind | BetterBoat Boating Blog
How to Maintain a Marine Battery | Gold Eagle Co.
Boat Maintenance Tips | The Family Handyman

Other, Recreational

5 tips to summer-ize your watercraft

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Summer’s just around the corner and the water’s calling! Time to make sure your watercraft is shipshape. Derek Wolfe, one of our senior watercraft underwriters, offers 5 favorite tips for preparing your vessel. Here’s how to get ready for a season full of fun.

  1. Check the battery. Your wet cell battery probably lost water over the winter. Charging it when it’s low on fluid can invite all sorts of unpleasant surprises—from engine control issues to electrical shorts, even fires. Before you drop it in the boat or on charge, make sure it’s topped off with distilled water.
  2. Show your trailer some love. We could do an entire blog on prepping your trailer. Let’s just say it needs as much affection and attention as your boat does. To keep wheels rolling smoothly, your brakes working well, and protect your boat from scuffs:
    • Pack and lubricate wheel bearings and seals.
    • Bleed brake fluid to keep it clean and free from water and rust.
    • Check trailer bunks for deteriorated wood or worn-out carpet that needs replaced.
  3. Inspect the hoses. Look for deteriorated or dried out hoses, splits or cracks, or foul odors coming from your black or gray water tanks. Even a minor water, fuel or exhaust leak is a problem. While you’re down there, double-check and tighten your hose clamps.
  4. Replace trailer tires. Between summer sun and winter storage, trailer tires may be ripe for replacement long before the tread wears out (usually every 3 years). To see if it’s time, check for any cracks, splits and tread separation. Or just check the date code stamped near the mounting ring.
  5. Protect the top deck. Not all damage happens below the water line. Sealant can shrink and crack over time, loosening fittings and creating gaps in the fiberglass deck. Rainwater loves gaps. Left untreated, it’ll find its way into the cabin, hull and deck. Simply loosen the fitting, apply a high quality marine sealant with UV protection, and tighten it back up.

Of course, if you’re not sure about anything, you can have it inspected or serviced by a qualified marine technician.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Recreational

5 steps to cleaning your collector car

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Proper car maintenance and cleaning of your collector car are not optional—they are vital to ensuring you preserve your vehicle’s allure and value. Follow these 5 steps to give your ride some much needed TLC before you head out for the season’s collector car shows and parades.

Step 1: Paint

  • Get the most of your paint by applying a ceramic coating to provide a protective coating that can last years

Step 2: Jambs

  • Pay attention to the door jambs and the jambs inside the hood and the trunk
  • Clean door jambs thoroughly and apply wax
  • Avoid letting dirt and leaves build up in those areas

Step 3: Weatherstripping

  • Treat the rubber seals for the door and the trunk to keep them from getting hard and brittle, so they last longer and seal better

Step 4: Engine Compartment

  • Check if the engine has oil build up, use an engine degreaser to remove the residue before cleaning the engine compartment
  • Spray the engine compartment down with a multipurpose cleaner and wipe everything dry using old towels
  • If using water to spray off the engine, avoid getting the distributor or coil wet

Step 5: Interior

  • Vacuum and shampoo the carpet
  • Clean the seats with the appropriate cleaning solution for vinyl, leather, or cloth seats
  • Take the time to use a soft paint brush or toothbrush to clean the dash and get all the dust and dirt out of the small crevices
  • Chemically clean hard surfaces like the dash, door panels, and center console
  • Apply a protective coating to hard surfaces
  • Clean the glass thoroughly

Pay attention to small details when cleaning your collector car. Doing a thorough cleaning inside and out and maintaining the car regularly will make the upkeep easier and your ride more enjoyable. 

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.