From the Boathouse: Spend time on the water with your family

Ahoy, it is National Fishing and Boating Week!

This week celebrates boating and fishing because they are the No. 1 outdoor recreational pursuits for families. Let’s stop and think about that for a moment: Boating and fishing are No. 1 over any other activity, such as football, baseball, soccer and hunting.

The week is organized by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Organization’s “Take Me Fishing” campaign, which encourages everyone to celebrate summer the old-fashioned way by getting off the couch and going outside to make some real memories on the water.

There are special events planned across the nation this week; however, I do not see any local events in our harbors, lakes or yacht clubs. National Fishing and Boating Week falls annually on the heels of National Safe Boating Week that I mentioned in an earlier column.

Most states coincide their free fishing days with this week, but in California, the Department of Fish and Game offers this year’s on July 6 and Sept. 7. On these two days, anyone can fish without a sport fishing license, giving newbie anglers the opportunity to try their hands at one of the No. 1 outdoor activities.

You can see a list of events, all the states’ free fishing days, and a boating and fishing spot near you at https://www.takemefishing.org/community/events-and-attractions/national-celebrations/national-fishing-and-boating-week.

Tip of the week is that BoatUS has released five boating tips from their marine insurance files. Four apply to our boating environment.

BoatUS’s publication, Seaworthy, is celebrating 30 years of being in print. Follow these tips, here and across the country, to avoid becoming a statistic this season.

Let’s start with boats sinking at the dock, which have seasonal causes. Of course in the winter, snow and ice can build up on a boat causing it to sink or capsize due to the weight. In spring many boats sink after being launched. The causes are usually forgetting the drain plug, rotted or broken hoses, cracked outdrive boots, and loose hose clamps. Inspect your boat every time and remember to double clamp every hose connection.

Fire is a top hazard aboard most boats as evidenced by how many there were this past winter. The majority are electrical related. Water and electricity do not mix well. BoatUS recommends that you make maintaining your boat’s electrical system a priority this season. Whether your DC system or the AC shore power connection, you need to inspect the wiring or hire a boat mechanic to check your electrical systems.

On a hot summer day many people love to jump off the docks at a marina into the cool refreshing water, but that can be dangerous. Neighboring boats or the dock’s wiring can be faulty and stray electrical currents are being leaked in the water, which can electrocute swimmers. The stray current will paralyze a swimmer, causing him or to her drown. Marinas need to have a qualified electrician check the waters around the docks and slips for stray AC current, and identify what is producing the electrical fault in the water.

Lastly, ethanol blended gasoline has become a problem to engines, fuel tanks, fuel lines and fuel filters. This is particularly true for those who trailer their boats and fill up the fuel tanks at a local gas station. The ethanol is deteriorating fuel tanks and lines, which could cause a serious problem if the fuel leaks into the bilges. Additionally, ethanol attracts water, which gums up filters, especially in the fuel water separators, injectors and carburetors. Most ethanol blends are E10 rated, and no one knows what will happen to boat’s fuel systems when E15 rated fuel is pumped into your boat’s fuel tank.

You can read more maintenance tips in Seaworthy at boatus.com/seaworthy.

Please be boat smart and boat safe. Lastly, please boat responsively and look behind you before the turn the wheel at the helm.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating radio talk show in the nation, “Boathouse Radio Show,” broadcasting live coast-to-coast on the CRN Digital Talk Radio syndicated network. See times at https://www.BoathouseTV.com, https://www.facebook.com/boathouseradio and https://www.twitter.com/BoathouseRadio.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is a boating columnist for the Daily Pilot. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to https://www.boathousetv.com.