As the “Winter that Never Happened” passes, and signs of
Spring threaten to show themselves along our shores and marsh, it’s also time
to think about boating again.
Our community has a strong connection with the surrounding
Bay and creeks, and we want to ensure OHCA residents can get the most from
these waters. Each year we try to
improve our Piers and Harbors wherever we can.
The addition of a pump-out on the Booker Street pier has saved many
boaters the long trip to Annapolis for a pump out. Electricity and dock upgrades have made
keeping your boat in a slip easier and more enjoyable.
We are always looking for ways to improve the services we
offer. To aid us, we have created a
questionnaire with a few questions that can help us gauge what new services to
offer the community. Please take 2
minutes and fill it out at OHCA Piers Survey
If you own a boat, one of the big logistics items is taking
care of where to dock it. Fortunately
Oyster Harbor offers multiple docks and racks for boat storage. Here is a list of things to help you plan
where to keep your boat in 2012.
Dinghy Racks
- If you have your boat in a dinghy rack, please check to make sure its sitting safely and not about to fall off.
- Check that it is locked and protected from UV rays.
- Check that your OHCA sticker is visible. If not, contact Claire at Manager@oysterharbor.org for a sticker.
Slips
- If you have a slip lease, please email (Eric Epstein) eric@epstein.bz or Manager@oysterharbor.org to let us know if you plan to renew your slip for the May 2012 to April 2013 Lease year.
- If you left your boat tied up to a pier in 2011, but did not have a slip. Contact Eric Epstein for a slip. In 2012 OHCA will begin removing boats that do not have slip leases.
- If you see maintenance that is needed on your slip, please let us know so we can schedule repairs. This includes electrical issues.
- Refresh your familiarity with the OCHA Piers and Harbors Regulations.
- Ensure your boat's liability insurance, or homeowners insurance is current and covers your boat and damage it may cause to piers or to other boats
- Ensure your Maryland boat registration is current
- Think about who may be using the boat this year and if they will need to have a Maryland Boater Safety Course to operate the boat
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or
concerns.
| Eric Epstein, Piers and Harbors Chairman, 410-575-4001 |
Spring also includes that annual rite and hallowed seafaring
tradition of “Spring Commissioning”. In
case you don’t have a handy check list of spring boat preparation tasks, here
is a list of combined boat, sailboat, and engine to dos that may make the chores
a bit easier.
Kayaks, Row Boats and other small boats
- Inspect the seats, hull, fittings and dolly for damage from winter weather and wear from last year
- Inspect your safety gear and change batteries in non-rechargeable devices.
- Make sure you have up to date charts on the areas you plan to venture to
- Replace lines, fix sails, and inspect for wear on all the movable parts of the boat and riggings
- Refresh your knowledge of Maryland regulations for life jackets, fire extinguishers,safety gear, etc.
Outboard Motors
- Replace spark plugs.
- Check external gasoline tanks for corrosion, and replace if necessary. Look for cracks in the priming bulb, and test it for firmness and resiliency. If it collapses, replace it.
- Note the color of the lube oil in the lower unit. If it’s cloudy, there’s probably a leak around the prop-shaft seal. Fix it and change the oil.
- Look for leaks around the trim cylinders.
- Check for corrosion around the lower unit and on accessory items such as electronic tilt motors
Gasoline and Diesel Inboard Engines
- Replace spark plugs. (Not on Diesels)
- Clean flame arrestor
- Clean air filter, if installed.
- Flush Anti-freeze (Don’t dump old anti-freeze in streets, storm drains, or yard as it VERY poisonous)
- Change engine oil (Don’t dump old oil anywhere. Take it to a recycling facility, marina, or gas station to be recycled)
- Inspect engine drive belts. There should be no more than 1/2-inch play between pulleys. If there is, the belt is stretched and should be replaced. Also make sure there are no splits, gouges, tears, or glazing. Keep spares onboard.
- Change lube and transmission/lower unit oil and fuel filters if you didn’t do it while winterizing. When changing fuel filters, do not prime them with unfiltered fuel. Use your engine’s priming pump if you have one. If not, filter enough fuel to fill the canister by pouring it through a spare. Keep spare filters onboard and at least enough oil for one complete oil change.
Larger boats
- Drain and flush the antifreeze material you used for your head and galley water system until the water runs clear. (Even though most of these types of antifreeze are non-toxic, please do not dump them in the Bay.)
- Check the amount of material left on your engine zincs, and replace any that are half-gone. Keep spares onboard.
- Make sure all through-hull fittings are in working order and free of corrosion. Work them back and forth until they move smoothly. Clean and grease if necessary, and leave in the open position.
- Inspect all hoses and hose clamps, and replace if any signs of wear–splitting, soft spots, corrosion–are present. Keep spares onboard.
- Charge batteries, and check the state of charge in each cell with a hydrometer. Clean the top surfaces with a solution of one box of baking soda to a quart of water. Brush on and wipe off after any bubbling stops. Rinse with fresh water and wipe dry. Also check cables and wiring for corrosion and wear, and replace if necessary. Terminals and connections should be shiny. If not, clean with an emery cloth and coat with a liquid insulating material such as Star brite’s Liquid Electrical Tape.
- Replace all nonengine zincs. If any signs of wear are present, replace them. That way you’ll be confident that you have a full year of protection.
- Inspect all pump impellers, especially those on raw-water pumps, and replace as needed. Keep spares onboard.
- Examine the hull above and below the waterline for blistering. If any blisters are present, repair before launching.
- Inspect ground-tackle shackles. Check your anchor line for fraying or degradation, especially where chafing occurs during normal lowering and hauling of the anchor.
- Wash down the entire boat.
- If you used ablative bottom paint last year, clean and repaint the bottom. Most nonablative paints are good for two seasons.
- Start the engines and check fuel lines, oil lines, filters, pumps, and pressure caps for leaks. Turn on all electric switches to make sure everything works, and test all lights for burned-out bulbs.
- Inspect fuel/water separators, and drain any water present. Clean or replace filter element as necessary.
- Check under carpets and runners and especially in closets for mold and mildew, and wash with a mild solution of bleach and water–two parts water to one-half part bleach–or use one of the many products on the market designed for this purpose.
- If you’re replacing props on inboard-engine boats, install new cotter pins.
