Sunrise Marine's Blog

Winterize Your Boat Yourself and Save Hundreds of Dollars

2010-12-08T08:11:00.001-08:00

It’s the end of the season and time to put away the Hawaiian shirts and water skis. The days are getting shorter. There’s a chill in the evening air. Days on the boat will soon be precious memories, it’s time to winterize your boat. Fall lay-up is quite possibly the single most important maintenance duty a boater will perform. Proper winterization will prevent costly damage that can result from freezing, dormancy, corrosion and moisture, and will allow for a smooth launch come springtime.

Without fogging the cylinders with fogging oil, severe rust may occur. Without flushing the cooling system or draining the gear oil case, trapped water can freeze, expand and destroy the expensive housing. Three or four hours of work and some inexpensive maintenance materials and tools can get the job done right.

Here is a fairly comprehensive list to guide you through the process. Depending on what type of boat you have, some of this may not apply, but for most boats, following these steps will provide safe haven for your boat and all of its parts throughout the winter. All of the materials are available at your local boating supply store.

Clean

Clean your boat and apply a rust inhibitor on the metal hardware and on your steering and control cables.
Use "No Damp" or other mildew control bags or buckets throughout the cabin and any enclosed lockers or compartments

Drain

Drain the fluid from your engine block and manifolds, water pumps and coolers. Consult your engine manual for the location of all of the drain plugs.
Drain and fill the gearcase with gearcase lubricant.
Drain Porta-Potty and fresh water system. Add freshwater antifreeze to water tank and Porta-Potty

Fill

Fill up the gas tank and stabilize with additives. Run the engine for approximately 15 minutes to ensure that the additive reaches the gasoline in your fuel lines.
Pump antifreeze into the supply lines that lead to the faucets and shower.
Fill block, manifold, and circulating pump with propylene glycol antifreeze (-200 antifreeze is best for engines).
Backwash the cooling system and lower unit of the sterndrive to get rid of salt, sediment and rust flakes, by using an earmuff style flushing kit that clamps onto the water intake. Use a winterization kit to pull antifreeze into the cooling system.

Change

Replace the fuel-water separator.
Change oil and oil filters.
Inspect belts and hoses, replace if necessary.
Replace any sacrificial anodes (zincs in saltwater, magnesiums in fresh water) that are less than half of their original size.

Lubricate

Grease the sterndrive gimbal bearing and engine coupler.
Inspect and lubricate steering and trim.
Grease your trailer bearings.

Fog

Test run the engine and spray fogging oil on the cylinders until the engine stalls. This protects the inside parts from corrosion.

Paint

Sand down and repaint the lower unit to prevent rust.

Take Home

Remove the battery and store it in a safe dry place. Check battery fluid levels.
Remove interior cushions and jumpseats and store in a cool, dry place. Otherwise, place the cushions on ends to allow for maximum ventilation, thereby reducing mildew damage.
Be sure to remove any food or drink from the boat. Rodents cannot refuse that Snickers bar and love to rear their young in boats. Also remove any charts, linens, electronics that could be damaged by moisture.

Also

Store boat in a garage or other temperature controlled facility if possible. If not, cover the boat with shrink-wrap or a large tarp.
If your boat is stored on a trailer, block the wheels so they are off the ground and loosen tie-down straps to reduce stress on the hull.
Store your inflatables away from rodents, who love to eat hypalon and PVC fabrics. Also, do not leave the inflatable exposed to the elements - clouds do not inhibit UV rays.

Our First Chaparral Test: The 284 Sunesta

2010-11-22T08:29:00.000-08:00

Chaparral is widely known for building high end boats that also add great looks to the package. They are more expensive than many similar boats, but that means owning one carries along with it a hefty dose of pride of ownership, because they’re not for everyone. Even a casual look will tell you that the 284 Sunesta was not thrown together, but when we looked closer we found some surprises. When we were taking our initial look around the hull of our test boat, we counted four innovative factors, and we weren’t even onboard yet. This is one boat we recommend you see for yourself.

Key Features

* Kevlar reinforced hull
* Extended V-Plane hull
* Quad-radial lamination
* Maxguard gelcoat and hydropel resin
* Aft power slide lounge seating converts to sun lounge
* Stainless steel Eliptical grab rails and bow rails
* Stainless steel bows on oversized Bimini top
* Integrated extended swim platform
* Walk-thru transom with stainless steel gate
* Cockpit wet bar with sink, trash chute, & solid surface top
* Enclosed head with Porta-Potti and opening port light

Prepare Your Boat for Winter!

2010-10-21T06:48:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again where it is important to begin thinking about preparing your boat for winter!

Winterization is important because it protects your boat from the harsh conditions of the season, such as strong winds, low temperatures, and snow. By setting aside the time to winterize, you are protecting your favorite investment - your boat!

There are many steps to the winterization process and the more technical preparations are best tackled by consulting a qualified boat mechanic. Below is an abbreviated list of some of the steps that should be taken to prepare your boat for winter.

Verify that all your lights and switches are working, even those on the trailer. You don't want to be bothered with a blown light come springtime.

Change the oil and filters on all engines and fog the engines.

Fill your gas tank and add gas stabilizers. Next, run your engine for 15 minutes to ensure that the additives reach the gas in your fuel lines.

Go through each storage compartment and remove anything that is no longer needed or liquid.

Place stern drives in the full down position

Remove the battery and store it in a dry place

Remove everything from your cooler, refrigerator, ice maker, etc. Clean these thoroughly!

Dispose of all food to keep the pests away!

Drain your porta potti and fresh water system. Then add freshwater antifreeze to the water tank and porta potti.

Place a dehumidifier or mildew control bags throughout the cabin and in compartments to prevent mildew.

Store your boat in a temperature controlled facility or shrink wrap your boat.

Overwhelmed by the list above? Don't worry - Sunrise Marine is here to help! We offer winterization services, including engine service and boat shrink wrapping. To set up an appointment, visit our website at www.destinsunrisemarine.com or call us at 850-243-0414.

Your New Skeeter Dealership!!

2010-10-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that Sunrise Marine is now a dealer for Skeeter boats!

To celebrate, we are giving away a Skeeter Prize Pack to one of our lucky Facebook Fans! Simply 'like' Sunrise Marine on Facebook to be entered. On the afternoon of October 15th we will draw one name to receive the prize!

Over sixty years ago, Skeeter built its first boat, which also happened to be the world's first bass boat. Three years later, Skeeter also developed the first bass boat from fiberglass, a significant manufacturing event! Skeeter continues to raise the bar, leaving the rest of the boating industry in a 'wake of innovation'! Skeeter is committed to providing the ultimate fishing experience for passionate anglers by offering the highest quality products and services.

Come see the Skeeter difference by visiting Sunrise Marine today!

Sunrise Marine Tag Sale: October 1st and 2nd!

2010-09-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Sunrise Marine is pleased to announce a Tag Sale will be held on Friday October 1st and Saturday October 2nd from 8:30am to 5:30pm.

We will have a wide selection of inventory for sale, including bimini tops, upholstery, deck lids, and more! As you've come to expect, our experienced staff will be on hand to assist you with your purchases.

Burgers and drinks will also be provided in the afternoon.

Look for the big Yamaha tent and balloons! Sunrise Marine is located on Hwy 98 West in Mary Esther. We are 1 mile west of Hurlburt Field.

Recycled Boat Crosses Ocean

2010-07-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

A boat made out of 12,500 recycled plastic bottles has reached dry land after sailing across the Pacific Ocean.

Click here for full story and video!

Choosing the right electronics for your boat

2010-07-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

When equipping your boat with electronics, it's important to consider several factors in your electronics choices. Choosing the right electronics will make your boating experience more enjoyable and give you much needed safety on the water. So before you buy, take in account some important factors when choosing which electronics are right for you and for your boat. And remember, Sunrise Marine can help you with any of your electronics questions (and we are just a phone call away)!

1. The boat electronics you should choose should be an automatic identification system, or AIS. It is used by boats and by the Vessel Traffic Services to find and identify boats. Your AIS gear is the most important electronic device you'll buy. It allows vessels to exchange electronic data including position, identification, and course. The AIS transponder will cause your vessel to show up on computer screens at Vessel Traffic Services stations. If you have an emergency or should become lost this is critical.

2. A GPS system is another important piece of boat electronics your boat should have. One of the more popular choices is for a multifunction display that puts several different instruments onto one screen. Such multifunction machines can even allow you to run radar and fishfinder data through one display. They are also relatively easy to expand for other functions and displays.

3. If you have a choice of displays, remember that the larger it is, the easier it will be to see. And keep in mind that on a boat, viewing conditions can be far from optimal due to sun glare, storms, and swells. If you can afford a 10 to 12 inch display, that's best, but you should definitely choose at least a 7 inch display for your boating electronics.

4. If you are interested in on-board entertainment, you can coordinate your display for several peripheral boat electronics. Other devises like satellite receivers, computers, DVD players and music systems can be connected. All of these are great extras to have, however, don't get them in lue of choosing quality safety gear. And make sure that all your navigation equipment is mounted where it access is easy.

5. Another good investment in the safety of your boat is a depth sounder or fishfinder. If the weather turns bad, a depth sounder combined with your GPS plotter can help get you safely back to shore.

6. There is an ever changing selection of marine electronics products made available for the boating industry. There are now laptop computers designed specifically for use in boats. These computers perform like standard laptops do, but they can also be equipped with special software like RayTech RNS 6.1, which allows multi-format charting, hsb2 electronics integration, and worldwide tides and currents among its many functions.

In summary, your AIS device, GPS plotter, and depth sounder are the most critical pieces of boat electronics for your vessel because they pertain to your safety and the safety of your passengers. Have these pieces in place first, and if it's in your budget, there are plenty of extras you can add in the way of entertainment equipment and fish finding devices that you can have fun with. If you have questions about what electronics are right for you, give Sunrise Marine a call at 850-243-0414 and we will be happy to help you!

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Performing an annual service on Yamaha outboard - Sunrise Marine

2010-05-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

Introducing: Bennington Pontoons

2010-04-02T06:33:00.000-07:00

Great news! Sunrise Marine is now a dealer for Bennington pontoons! Bennington is a top line in the pontoon industry and offers quality product at a competitive price. Below you'll find more information about Bennington and why they are one of the best pontoons you can by:

"Since its inception in 1997, Bennington Marine strives to lead the pontoon industry in quality and value for the money. Little did we know that just 5 years later, we would begin receiving the country's most prestigious customer satisfaction awards from both the National Marine Manufacturer's Association and JD Powers. Bennington has placed either first or second with JD Powers since the independent research firm began awarding pontoon manufacturers in 2002

Look no further than Bennington Marine to find the most well-constructed boat in the industry. If you had the ability to speak with one of our many supplier partners, you would hear, without question, about the facilities, people and materials that make Bennington a step above the rest.

Bennington leads and others follow, copy, emulate, well... you get the idea!"

Rebates on Century Repos!

2010-02-03T13:49:00.000-08:00

If you have been waiting for the perfect time to buy a salt water fishing boat, you're wait it over! We really mean it - we have brand new dealer repossessed Century boats that are selling at unprecedentedly low prices and then we are throwing a manufacturer rebate in on top of that! Never in our years of being in the boating industry have we seen or been able to offer new boats at such low prices!

For specifics on rebates, please visit our website at www.DestinSunriseMarine.com or give us a call at 850-243-0414

Pensacola Boating Safety Class

2009-09-24T11:24:00.001-07:00

Pensacola Sail and Power Squadron is sponsoring a boating safety class Saturday to educate boat and watercraft owners about rules, laws and regulations.

The class will cover a wide array of topics, including Florida boating laws, anchoring, navigation rules and trailering. The course meets the state educational requirements for boater identification.

The class is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Room 3410 at the Pensacola Junior College Warrington campus, 5555 West U.S. 98.

Course instruction is free. The textbook and CD are $35.

To register, call Alan Wright, 432-8716 or Ron Swope, 453-5303.

2009-09-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

ECONOMIC DOWNTURN NOT HURTING MOST BOATERS?

2009-05-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

The results of a Boat Owners Association of The United States (Boat U.S) membership survey, released May 15th, suggest that 96 percent of respondents said the economic downturn would not lead them to "stop using their boat this summer." While some boaters are seeing their boating activities curtailed, most remain positive about their boating plans for this summer, according to a statement from Boat U.S.

"Last summer, high fuel prices kept some boaters off the water," said Boat U.S. President Nancy Michelman. "But this year, despite the economy, our members are largely optimistic and are determined to make good use of their boats."

The survey also found:

52 percent reported they are not changing the way they use their boat, compared to last summer.
If this summer's gas prices are lower than last summer's, 39 percent said they expect to go boating more often.
Only 1 percent of respondents say they would not boat this year.
Some changes in the way respondents plan to use their boat this summer include: reducing cruising distances or selecting boating destinations closer to home (24 percent), reducing the number of boating trips/days (17 percent), spending more time anchored out (17 percent), spending more time at their home marina (13 percent), running the motor less (13 percent), and sharing costs (10 percent).
The majority of respondents (30 percent) reported having total yearly estimated boating expenses of $3,000-$5,999, or about the price of a week's vacation with airfare at Disney World for a family of four. 68 percent reported having boating expenses less than $5,999 annually.
26 percent would sacrifice dining out and 25 percent would give up, reduce or postpone taking a vacation to afford boating this summer.
Over two-thirds of respondents (69 percent) said spending time boating brings the family together.
46 percent admitted that as a boater, they had more friends.
72 percent said the boating lifestyle helps maintain or improve their health.
The Fourth of July is by far the most favorite summer boating holiday (49 percent).

This article is provided by Boating Industry Magazine.

A DOG'S BEST FRIEND (ON THE WATER)

2009-05-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

You make your kids wear a life jacket when boating and swimming but what about your dog? Dozens of dogs are lost each year from drowning due to panic, exhaustion, and cold water immersion.

We know that dogs can swim, after all, that’s where we get the term “doggy paddle” from, but just like your kids, your dog can get tired and this could be dangerous in the water. A dog life vest will help keep him/her afloat should he/she tire easily. This is really important for very young dogs, sick dogs, over weight dogs, and elderly dogs as they may not have the strength to swim for long periods.

Purchasing dog PFDs are quite common these days and can be found at most boating stores in a variety of sizes.

A couple of important things to look for in life jackets for dogs is to be sure they are a bright color and have reflectors so that your dog will be easily visible in the water to boaters and a handle on the back so you can easily pull your dog up and out (this really comes in handy if you want to pull your pet onto your boat).

Another important thing to consider is to make sure the life jacket fits your dog properly! It should be snug, but not too tight and should come with adjustable straps. Make sure your dog can swim in it properly without any loose straps or getting tangled. If the straps are uncomfortable for your dog, this could result in injury to your dog or chewing of the life vest.

Now, it’s important to note that a dog life vest is supposed to help with buoyancy and allow your dog to swim more without getting tired. Since life jackets for dogs are made to keep your dog floating in a swimming position, most do not do a good job of keeping the dogs nose out of the water should he become unconscious – it’s not like a human life jacket which is designed so the person can float on their back and keep their face out of the water.

All in all, a dog life jacket is a safety must for your pet if you spend any time near the water. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Information courtesy of Dogs 123 and Oregon Sate Marine Board

HOW TO BUY A REPO

2009-04-08T12:48:00.001-07:00

www.boatandrvliquidators.com

With so many questions on how to buy a repossessed boat, we decided to post a blog. We did this so that we can offer some advice as well as hear to your comments or questions. Buying a repo from Sunrise Marine is a fairly quick an easy process, so let's look at it from a step by step process:

1.) Know what you can afford - Once you've found your boat at Sunrise Marine, you have the opportunity to name your own price; however, the bank must approve all bids in order to sell the boat. Bid on the boat you really want, this is your chance to get the boat you've been dreaming about.

Your boat was previously owned by a dealer that bought it new. That dealer went out of business leaving the bank to foot the bill. The bank isn't looking to make a profit; they simply want to break even at best (they will lose money on repo boats in many cases). So from that perspective, get an idea of how much you are willing to bid and what you think the bank will accept as a "break-even" for them. Obviously they will not take bids that are $0.10 to the dollar, but they may take your bid if you can offer the bank close to what they are looking for. All repos sell at different bids based on the brand, the model, the engine/options, and the year.

2.) Ask for advice - Sunrise Marine has 6 full-time reps to answer all of your bidding questions. They are here Mon.-Sat. from 8:30-5:30pm (central time). Our sales reps will work with you to come up with an accurate bid that gives you the most bang for the buck. We will provide you with a list price to help formulate your bid accurately. We want you to get a great deal and we want you to tell everyone what a great deal you got! That's why we are here to help you, so make your bid count and talk with us!

3.) Submit your bid - Once you've come up with the amount you feel the bank will approve, you'll submit it to Sunrise Marine using our bid form. Print out a bid form from our site (http://www.boatandrvliquidators.com/bidprocess.php) and fax it to 850-244-1014. The $50 charge for your first bid on a single boat can be processed over the phone or in person. We will process your bid once we've collected payment. We will submit the bid with the bank and the bank will contact us within 3-4 business days if they either accept or counter-offer the bid. Many times, they will counter-offer. In this occurrence, you will submit another bid if you wish to accept or counter their counter (you will not be charged the processing fee of $50 again).

4.) Enjoy the savings! - If you've successfully offered what the bank is looking for, the boat is yours! Now enjoy the fact you just bought a boat for thousands of dealer price and tell all of your friends!