Discover Boating
Discover Boating has a great website to recommend to your friends and neighbors who are interested in becoming boaters. There is a wealth of information for seasoned as well as new boaters, with interactive tools such as a Boating Affordability budget planner, Spousal Conversion kit, Marina and Ramp locators and much more. Visit www.discoverboating.com.

Food Coloring Finds Fresh Water Leak
If your boat's fresh water pump keeps turning on and off by itself when faucets are turned off, this is an indication there is a leak in the system. Fresh water system leaks can be hard to find. Here is a little trick: add a little food coloring to your fresh water tank to color the water and make it much easier to trace the leak. The choice of color is your preference, and you may want to empty the tank after fixing the leak to keep from surprising your passengers with colored water! The owner's manual for your boat has a diagram of the fresh water system that will aid in finding fittings locations.

Fanny Pack Life Jacket
Coast Guard statistics show that less than 10% of power boaters wear life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs) while boating, the reason most often given being that they are uncomfortable to wear. The good news is that the newest inflatable Coast Guard approved (Type III) PFDs are small, lightweight and comfortable. Some can even be worn around your waist like a fanny pack. Prices start around $69.95 for a manual inflating fanny pack to more expensive vests that automatically inflate when submersed in water. This could be the best money you'll ever spend!

Top Off Your Tank
It is important to keep your fuel tank topped off as much as possible. A half-full tank is half-full of air, and air contains moisture. As temperatures change, air moisture condensates and ends up as water in your fuel. It also is important not to overfill the tank. Check your fuel gauge before pumping to get an estimate of how much is needed to top off. When you approach this estimated amount either stop filling or continue until you hear the fuel start coming up the fill hose, and then stop. If you fill until the fuel nozzle clicks off, stop! Do not try to pump more fuel. Keeping the tank full is especially important if you are using ethanol (E10) fuel. To learn more about ethanol see the frequently asked question (FAQ) section at either www.gradywhite.com/faq or http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard.

Hardtop and T-Top Frames
Saltwater and airborne pollution can damage hardtop or T-Top aluminum framing, even with its protective anodized coat. It's very important to wash the framing often with plenty of fresh water and a mild liquid soap. Pay particular attention to the areas directly under the fiberglass or canvas top-these areas do not receive natural rinsing from rainwater. Metal protectors should be applied on a regular basis to prevent surface pitting. Here are a couple of metal protection products we recommend:
Aluma Guard, Rupp Marine, 561-286-5300
Boeshield T-9, PMA Products, Inc., 800-962-1732

IMPORTANT: Do not use metal polishes like Flitz on aluminum. These polishes will remove the protective anodized coat. Flitz or other metal polishes may be used on stainless steel and bronze fittings.