Archive for the ‘Newsletters’ Category

With gas prices in the Northwest reaching sticker shock levels, it is a good time to remind all of our customers that Washington State will refund them approximately 13 cents per gallon on gas purchased for use in their boats.

To get the refund, boaters need to call the Washington State Department of Licensing’s Fuel Tax Section at (360) 664-1838. The department will give them a permit number and send them a claim form to use in applying for the refund. Since boats under power don’t use roads, the state refunds the portion of the state gas taxes dedicated by law to road maintenance.

The boater completes the form and mails it to the department of licensing with receipts attached for gas purchased for his boat. As mentioned earlier, this refund currently averages 13 cents per gallon. This can add up!

Unfortunately, we at Lighthouse Marine cannot pass out the refund forms to you; the department’s procedure is to issue a permit number to each boater before it sends the refund form. The phone number again is (360) 664-1838

One of the most common repairs on boat motors is the replacement of the water pump impeller and related parts. This repair is considered a maintenance item and should be done every 2 to 4 years depending on the motor that you have.

Checking the exhaust or telltale for spray every time you start the engine can sometimes prevent impeller damage-if you react quickly to dry exhaust. But despite your vigilance, sooner or later the pump will fail, and rarely at an opportune time. To avoid consequences of pump failure, routine impeller replacement is a good practice. Many boaters replace the impeller annually; how often you should replace yours depends more on the particular water pump design that your specific motor has. The amount of use or non-use is less important than the design. In some cases it takes a trained eye to determine by the water flow if an impeller is getting worn. It also takes experience with the different motors through the years to know which water pump design needs to be replaced more often. We can help you in determining this.

Please call us with any questions or help on this subject. We carry most all the water pump parts for most motors and we can advise you on the repair.

E as in: Environment.
TEC as in: Technology
E-TEC, as in you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Evinrude E-TEC motors were introduced in February of 2003.
With its state-of-the-art design and innovative features
it is set apart from the competition.

Environmentally Responsible
These motors optimize oil and gas consumption and create 80% less carbon monoxide than a 4-stroke engine at idle. They also use 50% less oil than traditional direct injection systems and 75% less than traditional 2-strokes.

Quiet Operation
This motor is extremely quiet due to a molded foam inner liner, an air silencer, a Helmholtz resonator, an improved piston, an enhanced idle relief and an idle air bypass.

Low Maintenance
The best feature of the E-TEC motor is that there is no need for scheduled maintenance or tune-ups for 3 YEARS. And you do not have to change engine oil.

Reliable and Durable
The “Sure Start System” designed to fire within one revolution is controlled by the EMM onboard computer. The sealed fuel system is designed for long-term storage as well as heavy-duty usage. It also has corrosion protection that resists high temperatures.

Call us at Lighthouse Marine, Inc. and we can guide you to the best motor for your needs at the most competitive price. 253-858-7280

Starting in 2008 boaters 20 years old and younger will be required to have a Boaters Education Card issued by the Washington Stater Parks Department to operate most boats.

In 2009 it affects all boaters 25 and younger and more boaters will be affected as the years roll by. To meet this education requirement the Bremerton Sail and Power Squadron will b offering America’s Boating Course on March 31st and April 1st.

The two-day class will begin on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. with a half-hour break for lunch. It is recommended that you bring a sack lunch. On Sunday the final session will begin at 12:00 p.m and end at 4:30 p.m. The class will be held at the Port Orchard Yacht Club, 201 Bay Street, Port Orchard.

The course is for all boaters. Subjects include boat handling under normal conditions, adverse conditions and emergencies: types of boats and boating terminology: required and recommended equipment: boating regulations and navigation rules: lines and knots: aids to navigation: marine radiotelephone usage: and trailer boating.

Course materials is suitable for those 16 and older. The workbook is $35.00. A $5.00 fee is charged for those (from the same household) sharing a book.

Pre-registration is not required. The course meets the educational requirements for boating operation in all states. Boaters may receive a discount on their boat insurance upon successful completion of the class.

For information, call Mike Shutes at (360) 895-2731.

This article is courtesy of the Gateway

Some Sobering Facts about Alcohol

Over 1,000 people die in boating accidents every year. Nine out of ten of them drown. About half of those deaths involve alochol. Its a tragic fact and not a joke, but 50% of drunk men who drown have their fly unzipped. Enough said?

Four hours of exposure to powerboat noise, vibration, sun, glare, wind, and motion produces a kind of “boater’s hypnosis”. This slows reactions almost as much as being legally drunk. Adding alcohol to this sun exposure intensifies the effects. As the chart shows, sometiimes just a couple of beers are too many.

When you’re “tipsy”, you’re much more likely to fall overboard. Alcohol alos reduces your body’s ability to protect against cold water. So within minutes you may not be able to call for help, or swim to safety. Actually, a drunk person whose head is immersed can be confused and swim down to death instead of up to safety.

Life Jackets (PFDs) – The Choice Is Yours

Get and wear a Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) that fits well: make sure it is the proper type and approved for your specific usage. Actually put it on, adjust and test it in the water, so you’ll know how it will feel when needed. Do the same for all family members – especially children. Knowing what to expect in the water can prevent panic. Non – swimmers should wear a PFD on any small boat.

Never leave PFDs sealed in plastic wrapping. They must be ready to put on fast.

Whenever water conditions or weather cause concern, have everybody aboard immediately put on a PFD.

And if you fall in the water, stay with the boat.

Offshore Life Jackets (Type I): Bulky; but floats you the best; best for open, rough, or remote water. Turns most unconscious persons face-up in the water.

Near shore buoyant vests (Type II): Yoke type, less bulky than Type I and more comfortable to wear. Will hold head of many unconscious persons out of water.

Flotation Aids (Type III): Vest style; popular among recreational boaters. Only designed for calm water with good chance of fast rescue. Wearer may have to hold head back to keep face out of water, which can contribute to exhaustion and hypothermia. May not hold face of unconscious wearer out of water.

Throwable Devices (Type IV): Life rings and floating cushions.

Special Use Devices (Type V): Approved only for the activities listed on the label. Some are approved specifically for white water rafting, board sailing, etc. Also includes new Hybrid PFDs with foam flotation and an inflatable chamber. Type V Hybrid PFDs are as comfortable to wear as Type III, but when fully inflated have the flotation performance of Type II or better.

Hypothermia – Here’s How To Fight This Killer

Exposure causes loss of body heat. This is called hypothermia. Hypothermia can kill. Defense against hypothermia is to avoid exposure to cold. Do this by staying dry and avoiding the wind. Put on rain gear before you get wet. If you fall into cold water, do not discard clothing; it will help trap heat. Avoid moving as much as possible. A life jacked helps in two ways: it reduces the need to move, and it helps insulate against heat loss. When you wear a life jacket, draw knees up into a H.E.L.P. (Heat Escape Lessening Position). If several persons are in the water, huddle together so you can conserve heat and stay alive. Care involves getting the victim out of the wet clothes. Warm the victim gradually by wrapping him or her in blankets or putting on dry clothing and moving into a warm environment. If the victim is alert, give warm liquids to drink that do not contain alcohol or caffeine. DO NOT warm the victim to quickly, by immersing in warm water, for instance, as this can cause dangerous heart rhythms. Transport the victim to a medical facility.

Hypothermia Chart