Tag Archives: winter

Recreational

4 key snowmobiling safety tips for navigating the winter wonderland

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The snowflakes slowly begin to fall, the weather drops to bitter cold temperatures and the time has come to uncover your snowmobile for the season. But before you do, it’s important no matter if you’re a first timer or seasoned rider, that you prioritize safety while operating the machine.

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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

5 steps to winterize your boat the easy way

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It happens every year. The season comes to an end, and we have to put our boat away for the winter. Before you say your final farewell, however, take a little time for some maintenance. Handling these five winterization steps now, says Derek Wolfe, Watercraft Claims Specialist at American Modern, will make saying hello to your boat next spring even more joyful.

  1. Before winter storage, clean out all the damp and wet materials including any fabrics that can hold moisture. This will help prevent musty smells in the boat after the long winter.
  2. Be sure to clean and protect the canvas that protects your boat all season long. The reason for most canvas leaks is due to dirt being trapped between the canvas threads. The dirt will act like a funnel and allow water to pass straight through. Don’t forget to reapply a protectant to the canvas to preserve it from the elements.
  3. One of the most highly neglected boating accessories is not even on the boat—it’s the trailer your boat sits on. You trust the trailer to get your boat to and from the lake, but it’s rarely maintained until something breaks. Maintenance tasks such as brake service, paint protection, tire checks, lubing, and greasing the brakes and bearings will keep your trips on schedule.
  4. Remember to pull your boat’s hull drain plug when it’s stored out of the water. If your shrink-wrap or covers fail during the off-season, rainwater buildup could fill the bilge and submerge the motor and systems for a long period of time. That’ll ruin next season in a hurry!
  5. Be sure to have your boat, motor, and all systems professionally winterized. Most important, remember to have marine antifreeze installed. Marine antifreeze not only protects the systems from freezing temperatures, but it has corrosion inhibitors that help control the decay of metals inside the cooling systems. Relying on a knowledgeable marine service professional can put your mind at ease, because typically damage from freezing is not covered by most insurance policies.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Prevention Tips, Recreational

7 ways to stay safe while snowmobiling

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If you’re lucky enough to live in a winter wonderland, hitting the trails on your snowmobile is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. However, snowmobiles are fast and heavy motorized vehicles that can quickly turn dangerous. Reduce your risk of injury with these easy ways to stay safe (and still have fun) while snowmobiling.

  1. Dress Appropriately: Hypothermia is a leading cause of injury in any winter sport. Always dress in insulated clothing with a waterproof outer layer to stay warm and dry. Protect your extremities with high-quality gloves, socks, and boots. And don’t forget a well-fitting helmet and safety goggles!
  2. Stay Sober: Alcohol and snowmobiles do not mix. Not only does alcohol impair your reaction time, motor skills, and decision making, it increases your risk of hypothermia as well. Depending on the state, you could even face DUI charges.
  3. Look Up State Requirements: Many states require some sort of license or safety certificate before you can operate a snowmobile, especially for out-of-state renters. Check out what your state (or the state you plan to visit) requires before you hit the trails.
  4. Slow Down: Unsafe speeds can lead to poor traction and a general lack of control. Tame your need for speed and stay within any posted speed limits. If there’s no set speed limit, drive at a speed that allows plenty of time to react to any situations you may encounter on the trails.
  5. Don’t Travel Over Water: Avoid driving through or on top of any body of water, no matter how thick the ice may seem. There is always a risk of falling through or losing traction. Look out for frozen lakes and streams that may be hidden under snow.
  6. Drive on the Right: Just like when driving a car, keep to the right side as much as possible on trails. This reduces the risk of collision on two-way trails. You can venture to the left when passing another vehicle, but only if they’ve waved you on.  
  7. Bring a Friend: Riding alone puts you in a dangerous situation if you were to get lost or injured. Snowmobiling with a group of friends or family is always safer. The more the merrier! 

For informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations.

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