Helpful tips for boaters

ummer has officially started and the boating season is now in full swing. We are also experiencing record high gas prices this year so the following tips from BoatU.S. may help you get the most for your buck while enjoying these hot summer days on the water.

TIPS For Getting the Most from a Tank of Gas

1.	Leave the extra 'junk' home: Don't load the boat up with weight you don't need. Do a little spring cleaning - unused equipment that has been collecting mildew in the bottom of lockers for years should be taken home.
2.	Water weight: At 8.33 pounds per gallon, why keep the water in the tank topped off if you're only going out for the afternoon?
3.	Tune her up: A tune-up is an excellent investment and should easily pay for itself over the summer.
4.	Tune your prop: You can lose up to 5 mph of boat speed with a poorly tuned prop. If your boat goes 50 mph with a like-new prop and only 45 mph with a prop that's dinged and out of pitch, you've lost 10% of your speed but are still using the same amount of fuel. That converts to a 10% loss in fuel economy.
5.	Clean the boat's bottom: A fouled bottom is like a dull knife; it takes a lot more effort - fuel - to push it through the water. Barnacles and slime slow the boat dramatically and increase fuel consumption.
6.	Keep the boat in trim: Either by using trim tabs or with weight distribution. A boat that is trimmed correctly will move through the water with less effort - and less fuel.
7.	Install a fuel flow meter: A fuel flow meter is like a heart monitor; when consumption starts to rise, it's an early warning that something is amiss. A fuel flow meter also allows you to select a comfortable cruising speed that optimizes the amount of fuel being consumed. If you don't want to spring for a fuel flow meter (about $300), you can calculate your fuel mileage by dividing distance traveled by gallons at fill-up. Using your logbook, you can then approximate fuel flow using average speeds and time underway.
8.	Get a discount: Many of the 800 BoatU.S. Cooperating Marinas around the country offer up to 10 cents off a gallon of gas. To get the discount all you have to do is to show your BoatU.S. membership card. If you aren't already a member, join online now for a special rate of $14.00 by going to BoatUS.com/membership or call 800-395-2628.

With more & more boats on the water, launch ramps are becoming extremely busy (especially on the weekends). The following tips also from BoatU.S. may help the more inexperienced boater from becoming this weekends entertainment.

TIPS on How to Avoid Stress, Stares and Honking Horns at the Launch Ramp

1.	Prior to backing down the ramp... Have everything that needs to be transferred from the tow vehicle placed in the boat. Trailer boaters who wait until their vessel is in the water cause delays and get nasty stares.
2.	Concrete and fiberglass don't mix... Unhook the boat from the winch after the vessel is in the water, not before. Once your boat is splashed, have your crew secure it to the dock while you park your tow vehicle and trailer, leaving the ramp open for the next launch.
3.	Don't make others wait... While you're having a discussion with your crew on where to go or else those waiting in line behind you will happily offer suggestions.
4.	Offer assistance... If someone needs help. If you have never backed down a ramp, practice in a large parking lot prior to launching.
5.	If you're on the ramp and would like help... Be succinct. This is not the time to ask questions about bleeding the brakes or to debate the advantages of bias ply tires.
6.	Trailer parking spaces... Are for tow vehicles and trailers only. Guests should park elsewhere.
7.	Get into a routine... At the ramp and use a checklist. It will make your life easier.
8.	When returning to a ramp... Drop off the person who will get the tow vehicle and trailer from the parking lot first and wait for them in an out-of-the-way location while they retrieve the vehicle.
9.	Once the boat is on the trailer... Secure safety chain to the bow eye and move up the ramp. Secure the remaining tie downs and transfer stuff back to the tow vehicle when you get to the parking lot - not on the ramp.
10.	If you'd like to talk to other boaters about launch ramp etiquette... Your experiences at boat ramps or other boating related issues, go to the messages boards at BoatUS.com.

We hope you have a safe, fun summer of boating. Be courteous to your fellow boaters and follow the rules of the road. We hope to see you all July 16th at the 7th Annual Missouri River Poker Run being held this year at Dodge Park Marina.