Understand Your Boat

THIS MAY SOUND A LITTLE HARSH!
"BUT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE FACTS"
A BOAT IS A BOAT, AND IS NOTHING LIKE ANY OTHER VEHICLE YOU OWN!

#1 You will have a service call charge if we have to come to your lake to service your boat even if it is a new boat and under warranty. Your warranty does not cover any towing or service call charges. It only covers repairs done at your Marina.
#2 Boat covers are not tuxedos or prom dresses and they do not fit like them. They may hold or puddle water. Make sure your poles are as tight as possible. They are not designed to be towed down the road! they are mooring covers. Some covers will travel without any problems but keep an eye on it when you are traveling.
#3 Gas gauges are never accurate. Most boats have plastic fuel tanks that expand and contract; also the boat is always moving and never sets level. So never believe what it is telling you.
#4 Most speedometers work off water pressure and have plastic pick up's that are easily damaged by weeds, mud or boatlifts. They are also never accurate and very seldom work properly. If your gauge stops working check the pick up on the rear of your boat first.
#5 In-dash depth finders are the biggest waste of money known to man. If it reads one foot deep it's too late. They jump around and give false reading, plus they read the top of the weeds and not the bottom of the lake. If you want to know how deep it really is read the lake map chart or buy a real fish and depth finder for your boat. And yes we already know there is no good place to mount one on your Boats dash.
#6 If you burn the cheapest gas you can find, you will have fuel problems down the road. The fuel you buy on the street is for cars not boats. Read your owner's manual. It will tell you not to use "CORN" or alcohol-based fuel. And buy 89 or higher octane. Not the cheapest gas you can buy. The best fuel for you boat is ValvTect MARINE FUEL this available at better Marina's across the Country.
#7 Green means left and Red means right. Please find out why. Look into a boating safety course if you are new to boating.
#8 Buoys are on the Lake for a reason. If you run in shallow water you can damage your propeller and overheat your engines cooling system.
#9 Boats runs left to right at slow speeds and you can't keep them in a straight line.
This is sidlation and is normal. You may see this more on I/O's but outboards can also do it to.
#10 Boats pull hard to left when the trim is down, this is normal because the prop only turns one way.
If you have power steering on you boat or a no feed back steering system it may help correct this problem.
#11 Pontoon boats set low in the rear because all the weight of the motor, fuel-tank and battery are in the rear of the Pontoon. No your boat is not sinking, this is normal.
#12 All 4 Stroke outboards have unique harmonics and noticeable vibrations at different R.P.M's this is normal. - 4 STROKE MOTORS REQUIRE MUCH MORE SERVICE THAN E-TEC OR 2 STROKE MOTORS
#13 Gel coat is much thicker than paint - it will crack, chip, chalk, fade, and is not cover under the warranty of any Boat manufactures, it is a very thick heavy duty finish that takes a lot of abuse from the Sun and the pounding of the water and trailing. Crazing and cracking is not uncommon.
#14 Complete a boating safety and education course. This is not just for kids! It is good information and may save your life.
#15 Stereos and radios are easily damaged from direct sunlight and moisture - if condensation occurs on the lenses or display unit, the unit will not operate properly. And normally is not covered under warranty.
#16 Many and most pontoons will rev and loose thrust on hard turns this is normal for standard type pontoons if you want a pontoon to perform like a normal speed boat you need to have a performance type of pontoon shapes such as a H.P. taper-toon of a HPV tube with a minimum engine size of 175 H.P
#17 Gages will fog over from time to time, this is normal and will clear up as soon as it gets in the sun.
#18 Every spring we have boaters over heat their boats because the run them in the heavy spring weeds. STAY OUT OF THE WEEDS" If you must run your boat in weeds to in and out of your dock, put you boat in reverse and get them off the prop and water intakes every 100 ft.