[OSMB-News] News Release -Now is the Perfect Time to De-Winterize the Boat

Ashley MASSEY ashley.massey at state.or.us
Mon Mar 23 12:14:26 PDT 2009


For Immediate Release	Date: March 23, 2009

Now is the Perfect Time to De-Winterize the Boat 

When the days get a little longer, that’s the signal to dust off the
cob webs and de-winterize your boat.  The weather is about to take a
turn from gray to sunny and it’s a great feeling to have your boat and
gear prepared for the first opportunity.  The Oregon State Marine Board
offers some reminders and suggestions for getting your boat ready for
the first excursion this season.

First, make sure you have your boater education card.  “The Mandatory
Education Program is officially phased-in, which means all boaters who
operate a motorboat over 10 horse power will need to take a boating
safety course and carry their boater education card with them out on the
water,” says Ashley Massey, Public Affairs Specialist for the Marine
Board.  “Youth ranging from 12 to 15 years of age will need a card to
operate a boat on their own, if the motor is under 10 hp.  If the boat
is over 10 hp, the youth must be supervised directly by a card-holding
adult (16 or older).  Teenagers need to be 16 or older and have their
boater education card to operate a personal watercraft (PWC).  Youth can
operate a PWC if being directly supervised by a card-holding adult over
18.”  For more information about mandatory education, Massey says you
can log onto www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/BoatEd/questions.shtml to learn
more about the program. 
	
Second, make sure your boat registration is current.  “Renewal
reminders were mailed to boaters in early March.  The renewal
notification has a special identification number on it allowing boaters
to renew their registration online.  It’s simple and there’s no
online processing fee.  The best part is you can print a temporary
permit after ordering online, so you can go boating right away,”  
Massey says.  “For folks new to boating or who didn’t renew for a
few years, you can contact the Marine Board and speak with a
registration specialist who can help you or simply send in your payment
to us.  The cost for registering your boat is a flat, $3 per foot fee,
rounded to the nearest foot.  So for most boaters, the cost is close to
a night at the movies, except boat registrations are good for two
calendar years,” Massey adds.
	
Third, make sure your boat is good shape before you get to the water. 
“Prepare ahead of time to ensure a stress-free excursion.  There are
some excellent de-winterizing, do-it-yourself instructions online, like
www.basspro.com that give details about how to take care of the
exterior, interior, motor and trailer.  Mercury Mariner has detailed
information about engine maintenance and blended fuels at
www.algonacharbourclub.com/images/mer_bul.pdf,” says Massey.  For the
not-so-mechanically inclined, many marine centers and boat dealers can
de-winterize your boat for you.
	
Finally, be sure to check your equipment.  “Safety is so
important,” Massey emphatically states.  “Make sure your life
jackets are in good condition (no mold, tears, etc.) and that there are
enough to properly fit everyone on board.  Also be sure to have fire
extinguishers, a sound producing device, and visual distress signals. 
If you are going out for fish, be sure to have a good anchor with plenty
of line and a buoy.  Another reminder is to anchor from the bow, not the
stern.  We lost three boaters last season who anchored from the stern,
which will swamp the boat.”
	
The Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons conduct free vessel
safety checks around the state and alert the boater if any safety
equipment is needed.
	
“One last reminder is to watch the weather and be ready to head in if
the wind picks up.  There’s also a lot of debris in the water, so keep
a sharp lookout any hazards.”
	
Boaters can get all this information and more by visiting
www.boatoregon.com or calling 503-378-8587.  Registration payments
can be mailed to OSMB, P.O. Box 14145, Salem, OR 97309.
###	 


Ashley A. Massey
Public Affairs Specialist
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us

Everything of value takes effort.




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