The Off Season

As the weather continues to get colder and the boats are all tucked away for the winter; we are sitting in our warm houses and wondering now what? This time of year may not be a favorite among boaters but there are some projects you can do now to make your next boating season a great one, not to mention help pass the time.

 

During this time of year it is perfect for doing all those little projects on your boat that you never got to over the summer because you were having way too much fun on the water. You know which ones I'm talking about. Upgrading your navigation system, doing those minor repairs to keep your boat running in like new condition, and doing all those checks to make sure that your equipment and all your boating accessories are working properly. Tackling these little things, or maybe even a couple of big things, over the winter will give you more time in the spring to spend on the water.

 

Maybe by the end of this past boat season you began to grow tired of your boat. It could have been it was just getting older or your boat wasn't delivering to you what you were hoping to get out of. Whatever the reason, this time of year is actually a great time to research and buy yourself a new boat. Take your time to do your research and find the perfect boat for you and your needs. Then during the upcoming boat show season (Jan-March), you can make your purchase. You will never find a better price on a boat than at a boat show.

 

If those reasons were not how you were hoping to spend your winter, you can always take your boat and head south for the season. There are places where the boating season never ends and boaters are always welcome. I know it sounds like a dream, but it is real. Whatever you choose to do with your off season; we will be there to help you.

The Season of the Boat Show

Depending on where you live determines how you celebrate the Christmas season as a boater. Some people go all out and decorate their boats in Christmas lights and throw boat parties and cap everything off with a parade. Those are the people that we envy this time of year because for most of us our boats are tucked away until spring commissioning.


So what can we do to keep boating at the top of our minds during this non boating season? That is the hard part; which is why there was such a thing called boat show season. This season starts the beginning of January and usually goes through March and it is when most of the major boat shows happen.


One of the most important ways that you prepare for a boat show is to get your budget in order before you head out. You don’t want to be at a boat show and have that discussion with your significant other once you have fallen in love with a boat that is way out of your price range. Of course, you don’t have to buy a boat when you go to a boat show. But know what you want to spend whether it is $20 or $200,000.


Now that you know what you can, or can’t, spend, you need to find all the boat shows that you would like to attend during the season. You can do so by using this tool from Discover Boating. Mark those dates in your calendar and start getting excited.


Taking what you have learned today, you can make this boat show season a great one. Leave us a comment telling us what boat show you are most excited about attending.

Boat Load Of Toys

We at Atwood Lake Boats love all of our customers, we love our lake, and we love our community. One of the ways that we are showing our community how much we care for them is by having our 1^st annual Atwood Lake Boats Boat Load of Toys event.



Now through December 7th, you can bring in an unwrapped new toy or new articles of clothing to Atwood Lake Boats- West Marina. We are collecting to donate to the Tuscarawas County Share a Christmas. Need another reason to make your donation? Anyone who donates at our drop off will receive a 20% off shopping spree good for parts, accessories, clothing, water toys and gift shop items.


Why wait? Come in and make your donation now at Atwood Lake Boats-West Marina. For more information including the address for the drop off, click here.

Your Battery Needs Love Too

Boat winterization is a popular topic around the water now a day. Everything from where people are getting theirs done, to how they can DIY their winterization and store their boats at home. One important piece of winterization that is sometimes forgotten is your boats battery. Batteries too need care and maintenance to provide long term service.

 

During the boating season, your battery care includes things like checking to make sure that all the connections are tight, clean and greased. It is also ensuring that the acid isn't boiling away. Now that the end of the boating season is in sight, what should you do with your battery for winter storage?

 

Hauling Your Boat

 

If you are hauling your boat out for the winter, which most of us are, there are a few tips to help preserve its life. The first being charge it up. Once you have the battery charged, remove the negative cable and let it sit for a few hours before checking its status. When you do check on it using a hydrometer, verify that each cell has a specific gravity of between 1.21 and 1.28. If you do not have a hydrometer, you can use a voltmeter. A fully charged battery will read 12.5 volts. Throughout the winter, make sure to check the battery power once a month to ensure that it is keeping its charge.

 

Storing Your Boat

 

If you are storing your boat in the water for the winter months, you will have a whole different list of tips. Keeping the battery and area dry is the first one. You will need to switch off all breakers except the one for the bilge pump. A lot can happen to a boat that is stored in the water when not in use. Because of that you will need to regularly check on your boat at least once a week, and even more in bad weather. Keeping your battery charged is an important priority. You can do so by plugging into shore power and using an installed charger or a regulated battery maintainer. Preforming an acid test should also be done. Do this by checking the electrolyte level of flooded batteries and top off with distilled water just enough to cover the plates.



Using these helpful tips will ensure that your batter will last through the off season making it easier for you to hit the water in the spring. For further information on battery storage, click here. 

What Will This Winter Hold?

The seasons are changing which is not a happy time for most boaters. We are winterizing and storing our boats for the winter months. You might be wondering about the lake, what is happening to the lake this winter and when will lake drawdown be happening this year. We will answer those questions for you.


This winter will be a very busy time in the area. There is an estimated $1.25 million worth of shoreline stabilization projects happening throughout the area this winter. That is the total for 13 projects that will be completed over the off season. On our very own Atwood Lake, there are two projects that will be completed over the winter.


Every year there are sites that are chosen to receive the shoreline rejuvenation and at the end of this winters projects, there will have been a total of more than 80 individual shoreline projects in four years that have been completed.


These off season projects happen once lake drawdown is completed. As part of the flood-risk management operation of the reservoirs and dams, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conduct annually a temporary reduction in the lake water levels. Doing this allows the lakes to have the storage capacity of floodwaters from rain and melting snow.


This year's drawdown on Atwood Lake will begin on November 1 and the waters will drawdown to an 8 foot depth. Not to worry, starting in February 2014 they will start to pump up the lake to its summer level for all of us to enjoy. Do you want to learn more about the shoreline rejuvenation projects? Click here.

My First Time Fishing

So you want to get started in fishing? Congratulations! Fishing is a great sport, hobby, and past time for millions of Americans. Now, you will get to call yourself an angler. Do you have everything you will need in order to have a successful first fishing trip?


One of the most important pieces of equipment you will need for your first trip to the water is a fishing pole. When picking a pole it can be a little overwhelming. There are many different sizes and styles to choose from. Since we will be fishing mostly at Lake Atwood and not in the open ocean, those huge poles will not be the ones you will want or need. Find yourself a medium weight rod and let’s get going.


The next important piece of your fishing equipment is the bait that you are going to use. There are a variety of different baits out on the market and everyone has their own opinion about which one is the best. It is up to you to decide which bait is right for you. There is live bait, dead bait, and artificial bait. They are all just like they sound. Live bait is living insects & worms. Dead bait could be cut up pieces of fish, dead insects & dead worms. Artificial bait is that brightly colored weird looking bait that you see in the fishing isle. You can pick the bait that works best for you.


You have your pole; you have your bait, now it sounds like you are just about ready to start fishing. So where will you do your fishing? Yes, most likely it will be on Lake Atwood, but you have your option as to whether you choose to stand (or sit) on the shore line or to hop in your boat and find that perfect spot in the middle of the water. Whatever you choose, you are bound to have a great time. So go and pack your cooler, grab your gear and round up a couple of friends, and lets go fishing!

Do You Know How To Change A Spark Plug?

With today's modern fuel injection changing your spark plugs is few and far between, that day will come that you will need to know how to properly change a spark plug on your boat. That is where we come in. Here are some tips and tricks for changing your spark plugs.

Choose The Right Plug

To short or to long, or even not the right heat range could make for a costly mistake. "Close enough" will not work when installing spark plugs. The best way to figure out the right spark plug is to contact the manufacturer. 

Using The Right Wrench

Spark plugs have a protective foam cover over a  porcelain tip. Using a standard socket wrench could crack the porcelain. which is not what you want to happen. You will need a steady hand, socket extension and a tight griping socket.

Using The Right Torque

One of the most common mistakes is over tightening of the spark plug. If you over tighten the spark plug when reinstalling it, your could strip the cylinder which would be another costly mistake. If that happens, you would have to remove the cylinder have it re-threaded. The average torque wrench setting should be between 18-20 pounds per square inch. Make sure to check with the manufacturer before use.

Using The Right Gap

Gap: The distance the spark has to jump from the plug to the engine. If you have a gapless engine, then this is one step that you do not have to worry with. If your sparks need to be gapped, I would suggest investing in feeler gages. The gap setting can be found on the emissions plate of the engine or in the owner's manual

Quick Tip: As you are changing your plug, check the others. Look for water droplets, aluminum bits, or a white substance on them. If you find any, take it to your dealer before you head out again. Those are all signs of a bigger problem in the works. It is better to get it checked out before it becomes a problem.

Now that you know how to change your spark plugs, don't let the fear of what might go wrong stop you from enjoy a day relaxing on the water. If you are looking for some more tips on the subject, check these out.