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One of the most overlooked problems with boat owners is their tendency to put their boats up for the winter with problems that need to be addressed with the idea, ” We will get it fixed in the Spring”. Realizing the boat will not be used much in the winter, it seems reasonable to put off repairs that need to be done until Spring; but, that usually leads to having the boat in the shop when you want it for “Spring Break” or the first real nice weekend.

Inboard boats should be winterized to be sure there is no serious damage done during the winter in the event of freezing. Temperatures below freezing for several days in a row can cause damage that is very expensive to repair. Often boat owners do not think about this and end up with real problems to deal with in the Spring. Be sure and winterize your inboard or have someone do it for you.

Other things that should be addressed in the off-season are such things as tune-ups, battery exchanges, water pump impeller replacement, damaged or broken propellers, pontoon boat pontoons that leak, electrical gages that are not working properly, bad steering cables, leaking transom boots, etc. If you have any of these kinds of problems, you should put your boat in the shop so that it will be repaired and ready to go in the Spring. Lake Conroe Marine is fully staffed with mechanics and propeller repair personnel during the winter months. If you need any kind of service give them a call at 936-890-0676 to make an appointment for service. If you don’t have a boat trailer, give them a call and make arrangements to have them get your boat at a designated time.

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You’ve heard the rules. Slow down in no-wake zones to avoid accidents with boaters or swimmers. Wear PFDs to prevent chance overboard spills from becoming something worse. Put on sunscreen so you won’t get that itchy, irritating red glow. And drink lots of water.

It all sounds like harping from an overprotective parent, but in truth, it’s information that will make your family’s boating experience a lot more enjoyable. Out of those basic rules, the two easiest to neglect – protection from sunburn and dehydration – may be the most dangerous. Severe dehydration can lead to serious health complications. Sunburn can lead to skin cancer.

Part of the allure of a day on the water is spending time in the sun. And undoubtedly, you’ve had your primary care physician and dermatologist remind you to wear sunscreen.

It’s particularly important for children to avoid overexposure. Some studies have suggested that a significant portion of many people’s lifetime exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun occurs by the age of 18, and multiple blistering sunburns during childhood have been linked to increases in skin cancer later in life. It often takes multiple exposures to sun to create a cancer, so starting with lots of sunburns in childhood certainly starts things off on the wrong foot.

Although sunscreen is one of the biggest steps you can take toward UV protection, there are plenty of additional measures to consider. Ample shade with Bimini tops, as well as protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, go a long way toward reducing the chance of unpleasant visits to the dermatologist. Use any restroom breaks or pit stops back at the dock as a time to reapply sunscreen.

The sun is not just zapping you and your kids with radiation; it’s also sapping you of energy and fluids. While you’ve heard of the negative consequences of becoming dehydrated (vomiting, dizziness, nausea), in rare cases there can be even bigger health ramifications.

So, how much water do you need? Surprisingly, overhydrating can have its own negative effects. Drinking way too much water isn’t the answer to avoiding dehydration. Sodium and potassium levels will be diluted, and you may suffer hyponatremia (low level of sodium) or other unpleasantries.

What’s the best way to achieve a healthy balance? Moderation. The standard mantra for water intake is eight glasses a day. A good rule of thumb while you’re out in the water is to drink at least 1 quart of water per hour.

Don’t play catch-up if you can avoid it. Drink plenty of fluids before leaving the dock, and have your children do the same.

What probably sounded like harping as a little kid is actually sage advice. Think of the extra water on board and heavy-duty sunscreen like you do PFDs – standard protocol for a day of boating in the summer.

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Why Should I Wear My Life Jacket?
The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of more than 80 percent of boating fatality victims. As a boat operator, you’re in command of the safety of your passengers. But accidents can and do happen with terrifying speed on the water. There’s rarely time to reach stowed life jackets. The U.S. Coast Guard challenges you and your passengers to wear your life jacket all the time while underway.

New Life Jackets Are Attractive and Easy To Wear
Boaters enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So it’s tempting to boat without wearing a life jacket, especially on nice days. But modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Many are thin and flexible. Some are built right into fishing vests or hunter coats. Others are inflatable – as compact as a scarf or fanny pack until they hit water, when they automatically fill with air.

There’s no excuse not to wear a life jacket on the water! Things to Know:

■Certain life jackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position which permits proper breathing.
■To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and larger must have at least one Type IV throwable device as well.
■All states have regulations regarding life jacket wear by children.
■Adult-sized life jackets will not work for children. Special life jackets are available for children. To work correctly, a life jacket must be worn, fit snugly, and not allow the child’s chin or ears to slip through.
■Life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once each year. Waterlogged, faded or leaky jackets should be discarded.
■Life jackets must be properly stowed.
■A life jacket, especially a snug-fitting flotation coat or deck-suit style, can help you survive in cold water.

How Do Life Jackets Save Lives?

■When capsized in rough water.
■When sinking in unexpectedly heavy sea conditions.
■When thrown from the boat as a result of a collision.
■When injured by rocks or submerged objects.
■When unconscious from carbon monoxide fumes.
■When tossed into freezing water.
■When thrown off balance while fishing.
■When unable to swim because of heavy or waterlogged clothing.
If you have questions or would like more information about life jackets, call 1-800-368-5647.

Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

Lifesaving Devices (PFDs) (Texas Parks & Wildlife Boating & Water Safety Digest. Read and know the Law BEFORE going boating.)
All Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, in serviceable condition, readily accessible, and of the appropriate size for intended user.

All children under 13 years of age in motorboats under 26 feet in length must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD while underway. Underway means not at anchor, made fast to the shore, or aground.

All vessels, including canoes and kayaks, must be equipped with one Type I, II, III or V wearable PFD for each person on board. A Type V PFD is acceptable only if used in accordance with the specific instructions on the label of the device.

Vessels 16 feet and longer, excluding canoes and kayaks, are required to be equipped with one Type IV throwable PFD in addition to the Type I, II, III, or V PFD required for each person on board.

Inflatable PFDs are authorized only when used in accordance with requirements as presented on U.S. Coast Guard approval labels. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use on personal watercraft, waterskiing, or other high speed activity.