How to Winterize Your Boat

There’s a good reason many animals hibernate during the winter. Preparing for long periods of inactivity and seeking protection against extreme climatic conditions are necessary steps for survival. It’s no different when it comes to your boat and motor. Proper “winterization” is a must for protecting your craft, and ensuring that it’s in ship-shape condition when spring rolls around. Learn some tips for safeguarding your boat during the off-season.

Attention ABA Members:

Purchase all of your winterization products at BoatersWorld.com and receive your 5% ABA member discount, along with paying no sales tax on all of your purchases. Shop now.

Return to Top

Life Jacket Poll Results

We recently conducted a poll on whether or not you and your passengers wear a life jacket while boating. About half of the respondents wear life jackets when boating, and the other half only use them for younger children or when the weather/water conditions warrant it.

Almost half of the respondents support the federal regulations mandating life jackets, where as a little more than half don't or just support it for smaller boats.

Of those that responded, 24% said life jackets shouldn't be mandatory on any size boat, 24% said life jackets should be mandatory on all size boats, 19% said that they should be mandatory on boats 15' or less, 16% said that they should be mandatory on boats 18' or less, and 16% said that they should be mandatory on boats 23' or less.

Thanks to those of you who participated. Take ABA’s new poll.

Return to Top

Take ABA's Latest Poll

Return to Top

Boating Apps Make for Smooth Sailing

by Mike Anderson, ABA Staff Member and Fellow Boater

Advances in technology, like the GPS and Chartplotters, have made boating safer and more accessible to more people than ever. Along comes the Smartphone with access to even more information and resources, right in the palm of your hands.

Click here for a boatload of iPhone apps (many free) that you might find useful to your boating experience.

Return to Top

Boat Loans That Won’t Break Your Budget

Whether your dreams include purchasing your first boat, upgrading or refinancing your existing boat, the ABA Boat Finance Program can make them come true.

ABA has partnered with a nationwide boat finance company, which has over 20 years of experience in the boat finance industry to offer financing for a full range of boats. Key features of the program are:

• A detailed understanding of the boat financing market
• Boat loans and refinancing starting at $25,000
• Pre-approvals to help you move quickly through the purchase process
• Competitive rates
• Terms up to 20 years for qualifying loans (depending on loan size)
• Fast turnaround and exceptional service

For further details, visit the ABA Boat Finance Program or call 800-231-4003 and mention ABA.

Return to Top

Winter Maintenance

by Tim Harrington, Madison Marine and ABA Member

When you finally pull your boat from the water this fall, give it a good looking over. If you notice maintenance that needs to be done, the temptation will be to put it off until next spring. However, many of these projects are perfect winter projects. By taking care of maintenance issues this winter, you will avoid the inevitable rush that occurs at marinas every spring as owners scramble to get their boat ready for launching. Learn more.

Return to Top

Save Up to 10% or More on Insurance

With great ABA member discounts and benefits, we think we could save you money on your auto insurance with special discounts from MetLife Auto & Home®:

• Up to 10% automatic group discount
• Up to 20% tenure discount based on your years of membership with ABA
• Up to 12% superior driver discount just for maintaining an outstanding driving record
• Plus additional benefits.

Not an ABA member? Join today and take advantage of this benefit.

Return to Top

Boating Pointers

Winter Inventory ~ Winter is a good time to review the U.S. Coast Guard list of minimum required safety equipment to assure that these items are up to standard and in sound operating condition. Learn more.

Winterization Mistakes ~ Don’t make mistakes which might cost you big bucks or even your boat. Learn more.

Learn more boating pointers.

Return to Top

Boating Humor

Return to Top

Thank you for your ABA membership and/or subscription to Seamanship Training®. Every time you use your member benefits, you not only benefit personally, you help support ABA’s mission to promote boating safety, affordability, growth, and a clean environment.

Thank you and safe boating to you!