• Boat Registration Cards Are In The Mail
• Be Safe, Save Money: Winterize Your Boat Now

Boat Registration Cards Are In The Mail

Time flies, or in this case, floats on by. The Oregon State Marine Board, Oregon's Recreational Boating Agency, is mailing 100,346 courtesy postcards this week to remind Oregon boat owners that it's time to renew their boat's registration.

"Boats are registered on a two-year cycle, so in 2000, about half of our state's registered boats will need to be re-registered," said Randy Henry, of the Marine Board. "We encourage people to send in their registration renewal promptly so they don't miss any boating opportunity in the spring when the weather gets nice." Each spring and summer, tens of thousands of boaters end up in a last-minute rush because they didn't register their boat in the winter when their was plenty of time. "It doesn't save you any money to wait, but it may cost you boating time when the good weather arrives," said Henry.

The blue postcard is simply a courtesy reminder that, according to Marine Board records, a boat's registration will expire January 1. A boat with an "00" registration decal is good until Jan. 1, 2001. The postcard includes registration fees and other information. If you have questions, please contact your local boat registration agent or call the Marine Board at (503) 378-8587, or visit the Marine Board web site at www.osmb.state.or.us.

Be Safe, Save Money: Winterize Your Boat Now

Boat owners can save money and frustration if they take time now to winterize their boats. Another cold, wet winter is forecast for Oregon, which can wreak havoc on improperly stored boats and motors. The Oregon State Marine Board, Oregon's recreational boating agency, has put together some winterizing tips to help protect your boat through the coming season.

Your Boat

• The best place to store your boat for the winter is ashore. The bulkhead, keel and motor are the critical areas needing support. Cradles work best, but don't store your boat on a cradle that was designed for a different model.
• If you store your boat in the water, close all through-hull fittings, gatevalves and seacocks. Do not close cockpit drains. Plug exhaust ports. Check your boat occasionally to make sure lines are secure, bumpers are in place, and the bilge is dry.
• Cover the boat. Using a frame is best, but plastic works too. Make sure you leave vents in it to allow condensation to escape. Allow for drainage if you're storing outside.
• Add non-toxic anti-freeze to water tanks, toilets and septic holding tanks. Never use engine anti-freeze in a freshwater system.
• Remove electronic equipment, important documents and other valuables that could tempt thieves.

Your Engine

• Drain the cooling system and add anti-freeze.
• Disconnect the battery and store in a warm, dry place. If you have to leave it on board to operate an alarm or bilge pump, fill battery cells with distilled water and fully charge it so it doesn't freeze. Apply petroleum jelly to clean terminals to prevent corrosion.
• Oil: Drain and replace the engine, transmission and outdrive oil. Replace gear oil in outdrives. Use internal oil fogger while the engine is warm to prevent corrosion.
• Top off fuel tanks, leaving a little room for expansion. Add a fuel stabilizer.
• To keep water from collecting in outdrives, leave them in the down position.

Your Trailer

• Rust spreads easily, so inspect your trailer before storing. Sand off and prime any rust spots you find.
• Check tire inflation and brakes and brake fluid. Consider raising the trailer onto blocks to take stress off the tires and suspension.
• Lubricate all rollers, pivot points, the winch, and the coupler.
• Look for signs of cracking or metal fatigue. Tighten bolts and screws and inspect the electrical system for worn wires or loose connections. The bulb bases inside taillights can be sprayed with WD-40 to keep moisture out.

Protecting your boat now against the extremes of winter will save you time and money in the long run.