October 16 GRDA Weekly Report

October 16, 2018

Getting Your Boat Ready for the Winter

As the boating season begins to wind down and we enter the months of winter hibernation, there is much to be done to ensure that our property will be ready to go when the season begins next year. Whether your boat will ride out the winter in a dock on a lift or on a trailer on land, it is too expensive of an asset to not properly prepare it to ride out the winter months. Attention to some basic maintenance before the cold sets in can extend the life of your boat and help prevent major inconveniences and expensive repairs.

Here are some important tips to consider when putting your vessel up for the season:

1. Clean it

Use a little elbow grease and get your craft as close to showroom condition as you can. Remove any stains and dirt, apply a nice wax job and make sure the bilges are clean and dry. This will only increase your pride and satisfaction when it’s time to hit the water next year.

2. Inspect it

Now’s the time to check for damage to the propeller, electrical wiring, lights and connections, and for any loose or broken fasteners. Also check the lights and wiring on your trailer. Don’t wait till you’re excited and ready for the start of the next boating season after a long winter.

3. Maintain it

Like any engine, your boat’s power plant needs your attention to keep giving you top performance. It’s best to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations, but the process will likely include:

Changing the crankcase, gear case oils and filters.
Replacing spark plugs.
Lubricating engine fittings and the propeller shaft.
Topping off fuel tanks and adding stabilizer.
Removing hoses from water pumps.
Connecting the batteries to a trickle charger and storing in a cool dry place.
Installing dehumidifiers in the cabin to prevent mildew while it’s under cover.
Remove food, drinks and trash since drinks will freeze and remaining food may attract animals that will trash the inside of your boat.
Winterize the Engines, Heads, A/C’s, Hot water Tanks and Water Systems: Engines will freeze/burst when they aren’t winterized, the same applies with the A/C, head and water systems.
If stored on a trailer- remove the drain plug: Rain water can fill your bilge if the cover fails, and if you attach the drain plug to the steering wheel; next spring you’ll remember to reinstall it.
Clean the boat and Cover it. Use the support poles, and cover it securely.

There is much to do to protect the mechanical investment of your boat, so you may be better served to contact your local marina or boat dealer to have the winterization completed professionally to ensure it is done correctly.

4. Protect it

This is not the place to skimp. A high quality, breathable cover is one of the best investments you can make for your boat’s longevity. A custom cover that prevents UV rays from breaking down the exterior surface will pay for itself over the life of your vessel. Just make sure there’s enough room for airflow. Throw a tarp over everything to extend the life of your cover and for extra protection from the elements.

5. Secure It

Ensure that you have removed all valuables from the boat and your dock. Thieves take advantage of the reduced population at our lakes over the winter months, so make sure you remove all of your electronics and any other items you don’t want to replace in the spring. Motion activated lights on your dock are a good way to thwart those that come on to your property by increasing their risk of being caught and getting your neighbors attention that something is amiss. Surveillance cameras, especially those that record or send you notifications over your phone are a great way to know if your property is disturbed so you can notify authorities. Mark and photograph any property that remains, and ensure your boat is tied to the dock, even when on a lift. That will ensure your boat stays with the dock should your lift fail.

The time and effort you spend now will go a long way towards protecting your valuable recreational asset and maximizing your fun on the water for years to come.

9 pm Routine

Mobilizing Towards Michael

Once again Team GRDA is called into service to help out after another hurricane. A GRDA crew of transmission, maintenance and police personnel left last Tuesday for Tallahassee, Florida, where they are helping with power restoration efforts after category 4 Hurricane Michael made landfall. GRDA Police accompanied the Transmissions crews to provide traffic control and protection support while they work on restoration. The crew is in the area as part of a nationwide mutual aid program established through the American Public Power Association.

It was just a few weeks ago that a group of GRDA Police officers returned from the east coast after deploying to North Carolina to help with the disaster efforts after hurricane Florence struck that area. The fact that Team GRDA is so quickly called into service when others are at need across the country is a testament to the high level of service that we provide!

Get Connected

Dock Remains Closed

Work on the shoreline below the Eco Center continued to progress this week as GRDA personnel installed rip rap on the shoreline

The GRDA courtesy dock at Eco will be closed for use through November. Access to the area has been closed with fencing and barricades

Work continues to progress on the shoreline stabilization project near the Ecosystems and Education Center. The Grand River Dam Authority is working on the shoreline near the courtesy dock located on Grand Lake, just behind the center in Langley, which is closed temporarily. Because of the presence of heavy equipment in the area, it is necessary to close the dock and the access path to allow the work to proceed safely. GRDA anticipates the project will be completed in late November.

Did You Know?

True or False: The nighttime speed limit on GRDA lakes is 35 mph.

Answer: False. GRDA regulations require that boaters operate vessels at a speed of no more than 25 mph from one-half hour after sunset till one-half hour before sunrise.

Safety Education Programs

Updates on the Web

Did you not receive our latest GRDA Update? Do you have a friend that wants to see our Updates? You can now go to our website at GRDA.com to view the latest edition of GRDA Police Updates. Go to the Lakes/River tab, open the GRDA Police tab and click on the GRDA Police Update for the latest version of our email release.

Visit our website for GRDA Police Updates

Boating Tips From the GLSPS

Ever wonder how far you have traveled in your boat, or how long it will take to get there without using a GPS device? How about determining your average speed? There is a simple formula to get those numbers. It is 60 x D=S x T. The “D” stands for distance, “S” for speed and “T” for time.

To figure distance, Speed is multiplied by Time divided by 60. An example: S (6 kn) X T (60 minutes) divided by 60 = D (6 nm).

To figure estimated time of arrival, 60 is multiplied by Distance divided by Speed. An example: 60 x D (6 miles) divided by S (6 knots) = T (60 minutes).

To figure average speed, 60 is multiplied by Distance divided by Time. An example: 60 x D (6 miles) divided by T (60 minutes) = S (6 kn).

Interested in becoming more confident in your boating skills? Boat Smart from the start and take the seamanship course from America’s Boating Club, the United States Power Squadrons. Next course date: October 22, 25, 29, and November 5, 8 and 12 at the Grove Visitor’s Center. Class time is 6 pm to 9 pm, for information call (918) 676-3254. Visit our website at: usps.org/grandlake or on Face Book at GLSPS.

NAV TIME

A Summary of Boating Laws, Navigation Regulations & Tips

That All Boat Operators Should Know

Environmental Considerations

When operating your personal watercraft, consider the effect you may have on the environment.

Make sure that the water you operate in is at least 30 inches deep. Riding in shallow water can cause bottom sediments or aquatic vegetation to be sucked into the pump, damaging your PWC and the environment.

Avoid causing erosion by operating at slow speed and by not creating a wake when operating near shore or in narrow streams or rivers.

Do not dock or beach your PWC in reeds and grasses. This could damage fragile environments.

Take extra care when fueling your PWC in or near the water. Oil and gasoline spills are very detrimental to the aquatic environment. Fuel on land if possible.