These days it seems there’s an app everything. The recreational boating world is no stranger to the information metamorphosis happening around us as just about anything you want to know about boating is accessible at the click of a smart-phone button.
As an excellent resource for novice and expert boaters alike, Discover Boating does it again with a list of special offers for great boating apps. Check it out!
I immediately visualize loud colors, big hair, jumpsuits, and geometric shaped…everything. Music was much more feel good and light heartened than the social activism-inspired songs of the 60’s and 70’s and the bleeding-heart grunge inspired sounds of the 90’s.
The song “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes is a direct reflection of the tone and style of the 80’s era. The song itself may not have defined the decade but it quickly became (and still remains) a quirky and timeless classic.
The lyrics were inspired by a want-ad Rupert read while idly perusing the personals. As he put it, “I thought, what would happen to me if I answered this ad? I’d go and see if it was my own wife who was bored with me.” The chorus originally started with “if you like Humphrey Bogart”, which Rupert changed at the last minute, replacing the actor’s name with the name of the first exotic cocktail he could think of.
Today, because of its silly melody and descriptive nature, the song is an incredibly popular boating song. You can almost sense the waves, the sun, and a Piña Colada in your hand as you follow along. We’ve played this song on a couple of our cruising events and it’s always a crowd pleaser.
Enjoy! (and since this song will likely have you craving a Piña Colada, we’ve included a recipe that is great for entertaining out on the water)
Piña Colada Recipe
6 oz Bacardi black rum
8 oz Coco Lopez cream of coconut
8 oz pineapple juice
1 pineapple wedge
Combine rum, cream of coconut and pineapple juice in a regular sized blender. Blend on low speed, and fill with ice. Blend on high speed until ice is grainy. Pour into a hurricane glass, garnish with a pineapple wedge, and serve.
Have a great weekend everyone!
I was tired of my lady,
We’d been together too long,
Like a worn out recording,
Of a favorite song.
So while she lay there sleepin’,
I read the paper in bed,
And in the personal columns,
There was this letter I read.
If you like piña coladas,
And getting caught in the rain,
If you’re not into yoga,
If you have half a brain,
If you like making love at midnight,
In the dunes of the cape,
Then I’m the love that you’ve looked for,
Write to me and escape.
I didn’t think about my lady,
I know that sounds kind of mean,
But me and my old lady,
Had fallen into the same old dull routine,
So I wrote to the paper,
Took out a personal ad,
And though I’m nobody’s poet,
I thought it wasn’t half bad.
Yes I like piña coladas,
And getting caught in the rain,
I’m not much into health food,
I am into champagne,
I’ve got to meet you by tomorrow noon,
And cut through all this red tape,
At a bar called O’Malley’s,
Where we’ll plan our escape.
So I waited with high hopes,
And she walked in the place,
I knew her smile in an instant,
I knew the curve of her face,
It was my own lovely lady,
And she said, “Aw, it’s you”,
Then we laughed for a moment,
And I said, “I never knew”.
That you like piña coladas,
And gettin’ caught in the rain,
And the feel of the ocean,
And the taste of champagne,
If you like making love at midnight,
In the dunes on the cape,
You’re the lady I’ve looked for,
Come with me and escape.
If you like piña coladas,
And getting caught in the rain,
If you’re not into yoga,
If you have half a brain,
If you like making love at midnight,
In the dunes on the cape,
Then I’m the love that you’ve looked for,
Write to me and escape.
Okay, I realize this information is coming a little late, considering we are in the first week of January, but in our defense the Florida weather has been b-e-a-utiful this past month. How can one think of winterizing their boat when the weather gods have blessed us with high 70’s-lightly-cloudy-with-no-chance-of-rain conditions each day?
But, alas, mother nature has reminded us she is completely unpredictable and should never be taken for granted. One day we are basking in the radiant sunshine, soaking up all its glory, and the next we are dusting off our heaviest coats, scarfs, mittens and boots to brave nearly hypothermic conditions.
Let’s face it, 40 degrees to a Floridian is downright frightening. And now that winter has burst into our lives with no apology or sign of reprieve, we must winterize.
Discover Boating has a plethora of information that is helpful to both the novice and veteran. They’ve put together some great tips on how to winterize your boat, which are listed below. Thank you Discover Boating!
Do you have any other tips? Feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions, we’d love to hear from you!
TIPS:
Inboard Engine(s)
You should run the engine(s) to warm it up and change the oil while it is warm. This tends to allow impurities to be drained away with the oil. You should also change the oil filter(s). Flush the engine(s) with fresh water. You should circulate antifreeze through the manifold by using a pickup hose from the waterpump to a bucket of antifreeze. Start the engine and allow the antifreeze to circulate until water starts to exit the exhaust. This process will vary slightly depending on whether you have a “Raw Water” cooling system or an “Enclosed Fresh Water” cooling system. While you’re in the engine room you should also change the fluid in your transmission. Remove spark plugs and use “fogging oil” to spray into each cylinder. Wipe down the engine with a shop towel sprayed with a little fogging oil or WD-40.
Stern Drive(s)
You should thoroughly inspect the stern drive and remove any plant life or barnacles from the lower unit. Drain the gear case and check for excessive moisture in the oil. This could indicate leaking seals and should be repaired. Clean the lower unit with soap and water. If your stern drive has a rubber boot, check it for cracks or pinholes. Grease all fittings and check fluid levels in hydraulic steering or lift pumps. Check with your owner’s manual for additional recommendations by the manufacturer.
Outboard Engine(s)
Flush engine with fresh water using flush muffs or similar device attached to the raw water pickup. Let all water drain from the engine. Wash engine down with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Disconnect fuel hose and run engine until it stops. It is important to follow a step by step process to make sure that all fuel is drained from the carburetor to prevent build-up of deposits from evaporated fuel. Use fogging oil in the cylinders to lubricate the cylinder walls and pistons. Apply water resistant grease to propeller shaft and threads. Change the gear oil in the lower unit. Lightly lubricate the exterior of the engine or polish with a good wax.
Fuel
Fill your fuel tank(s) to avoid a build up of condensation over the winter months. Add a fuel stabilizer by following the instructions on the product. Change the fuel filter(s) and water separator(s).
Bilges
Make sure the bilges are clean and dry. Use soap, hot water and a stiff brush to clean up any oil spills. Once the bilges are clean, spray with a moisture displacing lubricant and add a little antifreeze to prevent any water from freezing.
Fresh Water System
Completely drain the fresh water tank and hot water heater. Isolate the hot water heater by disconnecting the in and out lines and connect them together. Pump a non-toxic antifreeze into the system and turn on all the facets including the shower and any wash-down areas until you see the antifreeze coming out. Also put non-toxic antifreeze in the water heater.
Head
Pump out the holding tank at an approved facility. While pumping, add fresh water to the bowl and flush several times. Use Vanish crystals or whatever your owner’s manual recommends that will not harm your system and let sit for a few minutes. Again add fresh water and pump out again. Add antifreeze and pump through hoses, holding tank, y-valve, macerator and discharge hose. Again, check your owners manual to make sure that an alcohol-based antifreeze won’t damage your system.
Interior
Once you have taken care of the system you should remove any valuables, electronics, lines, PFD, fire extinguishers, flares, fenders, etc. Over the winter these items can be cleaned, checked and replaced as necessary. Open all drawers and lockers and clean thoroughly. Turn cushions up on edge so that air is able to circulate around them or, better yet, bring them home to a climate controlled area. Open and clean the refrigerator and freezer. To keep your boat dry and mildew-free you might want to install a dehumidifier or use some of the commercially available odor and moisture absorber products such as “No Damp,” “Damp Away” or “Sportsman’s Mate.”
Out of Water Storage
Pressure wash hull, clean barnacles off props and shafts, rudders, struts and trim tabs. Clean all thru-hulls and strainers. Open seacocks to allow any water to drain. Check the hull for blisters and if you find any that should be attended to you might want to open them to drain over the winter. While you’re at it, why not give the hull a good wax job? It is probably best to take the batteries out of the boat and take them home and either put them on a trickle charger or charge them every 30-60 days.
In Water Storage
Close all seacocks and check rudder shafts and stuffing boxes for leaks, tighten or repack as necessary. Check your battery to make sure it is fully charged, clean terminals, add water if necessary and make sure your charging system is working. Check bilge pumps to ensure they are working and that float switches properly activate the pumps and that they are not hindered by debris. Make sure either to check your boat periodically or have the marina check it and report to you. If in an area where the water you are docked or moored in actually freezes, you should have a de-icing device or bubbling system around your boat.
Yachting Prose 