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This is to all the mariners and new boaters that have realized that spring is only 2 weeks away. Yes it’s time to get the check list out and start dewinterizing. The following is a check list that will help you get started and I use when doing a pretrip on any vessel I transport.

Captain Chaney’s nautical Services

General
Charts
Navigation lights
Radio
Registration
Engine Check
Fuel level
Coolant level
Oil level
Battery change
Drain plug
Check bilge for fumes
( Trailer if applicable)
Hitch and safety line
Tires
Turn signals and brake lights
Grease wheel bearings
Emergency Gear
Weather radio
Fire extinguishers
Bilge pump
Alternate pump or bailer
Personal floatation devices
Anchor and line
Paddle
Flashlights, searchlight
Flares
Horns or whistles
First aid kit, water, sunscreen
Tools, spare parts, etc.
Head and Galley
Holding tanks
Propane level and test burners
Water level, pressure
Toilet paper (marine)
Disinfectant
Hull and Rigging
Check all blocks and fairleads
Grease winches, shives
Wax mast
Wax hull (above water level)
Check bottom paint
Check shroud tension
Scrub deck, clean and seal all wood
Replace worn lines (main sheet, jib/Genoa sheets, spinnaker sheets, topping
lift, foreguy, etc.)
Check for worn halyards
Inspect lights, wiring
Check sails for tears/weak spots
Rigging charts/books
Clothing
Foul weather gear (wet suit, dry suit, one piece, bibs, hat, etc.)
Extra foul weather gear
Booties
Deck shoes
Gloves
Wool sweater/sweatshirt
Extra change of clothing
Sun glasses
Life vests
Harness
Other, fill in your specific needs to your own boat and you will not be caught off guard when enjoying your day on the water.

 Have a great start to the begging of a new boating season

Everyone is enduring the winter, but just like every year spring comes and where ready for the boating to begin.

Some of you took the time to winterize and some didn’t thinking it’ll only be cold for a little while. Some owners took their boats out for the season or had them hauled to get their bottoms done some didn’t. regardless if you did or did not haul your boat this past fall the new season is coming some things you need to think about what shape is the running gear in and how are the zincs. keeping the bottom up your boat no matter if it’s 10′ or 110′ if the bottom and running gear are not clean and free from marine growth you will burn more fuel, wear out the working parts quicker, and increase the cost of that play time or cruise you want.

I have a simple solution for you start your boat motor(s) at least 1 time every 2 weeks or hire a diver to keep up the bottom for you, this is less costly than repairs, and going the boat yard for a haul out.

The simple task of replacing zincs, cleaning the bottom and running gear cost $100 for the diver plus the zinc from my company, compared to the sling at $8 per foot or rail if you’re a wooden boat. the bigger the boat the more it cost to be hauled out of the water.

Preventive maintenance goes a long way and keeps you at play.  I know that’s funny but really it’s true.

Have a great season and if you need us we’re there for your needs

Now that winter is here there are a few things that need to be done for your boat. (Winterizing) The boat if not used or lived on needs to have any working parts exposed to water, should have antifreeze flushed through the systems to prevent damage. examples of the systems I’m  writing about all raw water systems, fresh water tanks, septic holding system. All water in the lines needs to be flushed out and replaced with antifreeze. The fuel system either needs to be emptied or filled, this prevents water and condensation from building in the tank. Batteries need to be removed to prevent damage from the cell freezing.

Now that this is all done and your ready to call it quits remember to cover the boat keep all outside elements and materials out of the boat . Ok your done for now but in less than 4 months you’ll be undoing what you did to get out and be on the water again, either fishing, skiing, or just cruising around it’ll be time to get the boat ready for the water.

Today I was sitting around thinking about the transport I just finished and decided to write about what had happened out on the water. To set the stage, your on the open water on a 50′ ocean vessel that cruises at 8.5 knots and can run 2800 nautical miles before refueling. Ok the day started out with calm winds the sea’s running 1- 1.5 at 10 seconds, ( for those of you reading tis when you see or hear some one talking about the ocean the waves and currents are whats being described th hight is measured in feet and the interval is measured in seconds). the winds out of the south at 5-10 with temp of 55deg. About 4 hrs into the run I had the vhf’s tuned to channels 16 and 13 to monitor radio traffic, when a call went out from a boat stating they needed help they where suck and unable to move, not a situation that you put much urgency into it’s not uncommon to find a boat aground due to the lack of skill of the operator, and the amount of water needed to keep the keel off the bottom. The person placing the call was either very upset or did not know how to use the radio because the call went something like this ( coast guard, I’m stuck and can’t move.) end of the transmission. The transmission ended without the name of the vessel, location, type of vessel or the number of persons onboard. All of this information is essential to get out on the first call case you only get out the first message so anyone that hears it can relay the call so emergency persons can be dispatched to start the search and rescue. The coast guard tried several times to respond to the vessel calling but the vessel was unable to read there reply, or the vessel had not been receiving incoming radio traffic. Several hours went by and a transmission from the coast guard ask all mariners beware and on the look out for the vessel, but without knowing what vessel to look for or the location it was impossible to help out. By this time the weather had started to change with a storm pushing in from the west and the sea’s had picked up to 2-3 with the winds now 10-15 from the west, and the sun was know low over the horizon. What ever happened to the vessel making the call I don’t know but I can only hope they found  a way to get unstuck and back underway headed for a safe harbor.

When I make transports there are many things that go into the pretrip planning to make sure all the details are worked out to keep the trip as safe as I can and ensure that I am able to keep my vessel and crew safe, thats what makes paid mariners professionals, and liable for their actions or inactions. This is something that recreation mariners don’t understand or think about, most just want to get out on their boats and head out to play without taking into consideration the condition of their boat and equipment, or the weather conditions that are out there.

If you take anything from this please be prepared for any situation that might happen out there on the water you will find your self out there on the water and no one there to help when  an emergency occurs.

Check out the weather and sea conditions, check out the vessel and all the equipment on board and make sure you have the equipment needed and required for safety on the water. Make sure you know how to use all the equipment, and ensure the guest you bring know the emergency procedure and where the safety equipment is located. Taking a boaters safety class was recommended in he years past but now are mandated depending on the age and state you ive in, but I strongly encourage a boaters safety course and equipment class prior the next trip to your boat.  

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During the winter and the weather turns cold no one seems to venture out to their boat, because either it’s cold or they can’t find the time to see how wonderful being on the water is during the winter months especially around the christmas holiday’s.

Things around my home are festive the lights are lit and the tree is decorated.  I live on the water where life is always at a pace the life should very relaxed and there are no pressures of the big city and people care about their friends and those that live around them. when the leaves have fallen and the summer time crowds have gone home those of us that live the maritime life year-round enjoy the peace and serenity that the water brings.

One thing I want to convey in  this to anyone that read the short message is life is good and should be enjoyed no matter what it is for me it’s the waterman life.

Merry Christmas to all and may the new year bring you happiness and prosperity. 

I hope to see everyone on the water next year.

Captain H. Chaney

No matter what size you are no matter if your on land or in the water Teresa can get the job done and take the money

you spent buying the pleasure craft and make worth something again.

This is an investment don’t be like the Ponzi or market put our $$$ to good use and keep the value in your pride and joy, it’s saves money over time. Why? you’re not calling the insurance company telling them you have damages and a claim is on the way. Preventive  care and maintainance on your boat (cosmetics and mechanical) goes a long way reducing the cost of owning a water craft and keeps the money you make out of the pockets of high cost mechanics and boat yards.

\Teresa’s Yacht detailing is cost effective and very good at getting your boat back into shape as well as bringing the value back in line so when the time comes to sell because your ready to upgrade the value is there.

Be proud when your on board either at the dock or cruising and hear the commit ”I love the way that boat looks” and you’re the envy of the crowd because you have the best looking and running boat around. Pride is what the boat is about as well as being able to enjoy the time away on the boat everyone wants.

Teresa’s Yacht detailing is located at; Olverson’s Marina 1161 Melrose rd. Lottsburg, Va. 22511 Phone (804) 313-0236

E-mail primetime60@yahoo.com  This is the Northern Neck of Va. Which is the Chesapeake Bay where every boaters wants to enjoy the life style.

The purpose of this article is to help every boater or those that want to enter into the world of boating and are looking for the boat of there dreams. Every one wants the mega yacht life style and travel the seas of the world, then reality sets in.

Knowing what your able to buy as well as the maintenance required to keep her afloat, and balancing the family budget so your not working  just to make the payment can be a challenge unless you’re wealthy.The cost of maintaining the boat can get out of hand unless your on a schedule to keep the operating systems and hull in good shape, here’s the example of a maintenance schedule, cleaning the hull and running gear, changing the filters on the motor, keeping the sails and lines clean and dry. When you buy a boat either sail, power, you need to have knowledge of how to operate it, and what the rules are for recreational boaters. There are several place to look for the information, the state you live in will offer on line tutorial of the states boater laws. The U.S. Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers class room training on boating. These are all good resources to get you started, but this is only the first step of what you need to be safe and operate your investment with out causing you a major head ache for you or others around you.

Hands on training by a professional captain can ensure that you are getting the information and skills needed to perform the task of operating your vessel in a safe manner and still have fun while out on the water. The areas you’ll learn pre trip inspection, close quarter maneuvering, navigation with use of the gps, depth finders, and charts, water way makers, light and sound signals for navigation, rules of the road. after you spent time with your captain learning the operational aspects of driving the boat you’ll need to move into safety  procedures fire drills, man over board drills, emergency radio procedures to call for help. The time spent learning in the beginning can make the difference between enjoying your self and coming close to a mental break down when an emergency happens.

At the end of the day and you have done all the research and decided that the boating world i where you want to be remember one thing boats are like your spouse if you give them attention they need and spend time taking care of there needs the cost ismuch less than repairing the broken part after being towed in or re-floating after it sunk. Small preventive maintenance task can save the motors, transmissions, and water systems. knowing how to operate safely can prevent accidents all cost saving ideas. google, yahoo or use your favor it web browser to find the captain able to fill your needs this is what I tell all of my students. We all had to start some where when it comes to boating, and learning is something you’ll do every day.

Be safe and enjoy the water I do.

Planning for you the next boat movement and class to learn.

Capt. Hank

one way to travel to work

my way to travel