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

Our top 5 tips for boat maintenance

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Any day spent on the water is a good day. And who wouldn’t want more fun, sun and getting nothin’ done? Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or you rely on the pros, you can help your boat run well, stay safe and last a long time. The key is investing some time in regular boat maintenance.  

Doesn’t matter if you’re out for family, fun or fishing, take good care of your boat and it’ll return the favor. Here’s a quick maintenance checklist for keeping your boat ship-shape. 

  1. Keep Things Clean: Boating can be a messy business, but a clean, well-kept vessel should last longer than its slimy, shabby counterpart. Regularly remove scale and algae scum from the hull and watch out for buildup. Maintain upholstery with proper marine cleaners and protectants to avoid replacing it down the road.
  2. Stay charged up: Marine batteries can last years if properly cared for. Make sure the battery is secured and firmly mounted to the boat before every trip. Recharge it fully after each use to decrease the chance of sulfate deposit buildup. And make sure its water is always at the right level. 
  3. Eye the engine: Most boats are run hard on the weekends and left idle the rest of the week. This irregular use is hard on any watercraft. That’s why it’s so important to check all engine components and fluids every time you hit the water. If you find a leak, get it fixed right away to prevent more damage and keep toxins out of the water. 
  4. Check the prop: Your propeller needs to be inspected regularly. Any dents, nicks, or dings can slow things down, drive up fuel costs, and create internal damage. A few times each season, remove the entire propeller and get rid of any built-up gunk or debris around your prop shaft, and relubricate. 
  5. Don’t Stop Now: Don’t stop now: The end of boating season doesn’t mean the end of boat maintenance. Boats aren’t built to be cold. Have yours professionally winterized to prevent freezing damage to the engine and hull, and make sure it’s properly covered for winter storage. 

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

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

The 5 key steps to cleaning your classic car

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Getting collector car people to agree on anything is next to impossible. Except this—the details matter. When you pay attention to the little things and make the extra effort, people notice. Especially during car show and parade season. 

Proper maintenance and regular cleaning are simply not optional. These details preserve your vehicle’s value. They protect performance. Most of all, they’re really the difference between being show ready and being a show stopper. 

Step 1: Paint 

  • Get the most of your paint by applying a ceramic coating for extra protection that can last years 

Step 2: Jambs 

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

Step 3: Weatherstripping 

  • Treat the rubber seals doors and trunk to keep them from getting hard and brittle 

Step 4: Engine compartment 

  • Check the engine for oil build-up; use an engine degreaser to remove 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 
  • Take the time to use a soft paint brush or toothbrush to clean the dash and get all the dust and dirt out of 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 

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.