Marine Waterline

Best Fuel Stabilizer For Boats To Protect Your Fuel System

When we put fuel in our boats something we don’t think about is the negative effects that the fuel has on our boat’s fuel system. Ethanol is a powerful solvent, powerful enough that it can dissolve fiberglass fuel tanks. It also reacts to fuel filters and carburetors, certainly, it does more harm than good in your boat’s fuel tank. This is why we decided to write about the best fuel stabilizer for boats.

A lot of us don’t have the luxury of using the boat fuel stations offered on major lakes and marinas, which are stocked with ethanol-free fuel. So, we fill our boats up at the same gas stations we use to fill our vehicles.

Fortunately, marine fuel stabilizer can combat the effects of ethanol and help make fuel more friendly to our boats. But, not all fuel stabilizers are created equal, some get the job done and some leave a lot to be desired. Below we’ve reviewed 6 of the best marine fuel stabilizers, to help you choose a product you can rely on.

Comparison To Get The Best Fuel Stabilizer For Boats

Fuel Stabilizer	Duration	Fuel Quantity Treated by 32 oz.	Check Price On Amazon
STA-BIL 360 Marine with Vapor Technology	. 2 years	Up to 320 Gallons	Check Price On Amazon
Sea Foam Marine Motor Treatment for gas and Diesel Engine	2 years	Up to 32 Gallons	Check Price On Amazon
Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment	2 years	Up to 512 Gallons	Check Price On Amazon
Sentry New Technology Fuel Treatment	2 years	Up to80 Gallons	Check Price On Amazon
Bell Performance – Mix-I-Go Concentrate	Unknown	Up to 320 Gallons	Check Price On Amazon
PRI Fuel Stabilizer	3 years	Up to 512 Gallons	Check Price On Amazon
MERCURY Quickstor Fuel Stabilizer	1 year	160 Gallons	Check Price On Amazon
Yamaha ACC-FSTAB-PL-32	1 year	Up to 96 Gallons	Check Price On Amazon

Features Of The Selected Fuel Stabilizers For Boats

Here we selected the eight possibly best fuel stabilizers for boats use:

STA-BIL 360 Marine with Vapor Technology
Sea Foam Marine Motor Treatment for gas and Diesel Engine
Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment
Sentry New Technology Fuel Treatment
Bell Performance – Mix-I-Go Concentrate
PRI-G Fuel Stabilizer
MERCURY Quickstor Fuel Stabilizer
Yamaha ACC-FSTAB-PL-32

STA-BIL 360 Marine with Vapor Technology

Sta-Bil is a popular brand, for good reason. Their 360 Marine version of fuel stabilizer features vapor technology.

The product creates its own vapor, designed to rise above the fuel level and offer its protection, combating the damaging effects of ethanol vapors where other fuel stabilizers can’t reach.

It also helps clean residue left behind and prevents your fuel system from becoming clogged, or corroded.

It is not recommended for storage use over 90 days, after this time frame, the effects of this stabilizer will be jeopardized.

Its ability to preserve the fuel structure and protect your engine will be ineffective. So, if you’re planning to overwinter your boat, this may not be the best choice.

STA-BIL has some more options to fulfill our needs. For example, STA-BIL fuel stabilizer for storage protects the fuel for up to 24 months in storage.

Pros:

Vapor Technology
Made in the USA
Rust Protection

Cons:

Not recommended for fuel storage

Sea Foam Marine Motor Treatment For Gas And Diesel Engine

This EPA registered product is used for all gasoline and diesel engines. The product is good for all types of motor oils, synthetic or conventional.

We can use Sea Foam motor treatment for fuel storing as it stabilizes the fuel for up to 2 years. It prevents the stored fuel from evaporation, vapors, and from the formation of varnish or gum.

It keeps the whole fuel system clean and well lubricated. Normally for general maintenance one ounce is enough for each gallon of fuel but, in the case of cleaning the system, we should use 2 ounces or more per gallon of fuel.

In my opinion, this Sea Foam product is the best fuel stabilizer for boats because of its versatility.

Pros

The versatile product cleans and lubricates the full fuel system with care
Suitable for all diesel and gasoline engines
Contains petroleum-based ingredients that are not harmful at all for engines or parts of the fuel system.

Cons

One ounce treats only one gallon of fuel.

Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment

Star Tron’s fuel treatment works by breaking down impurities and sludge in fuel and preventing separation that can cause poor fuel performance and varnish residue.

The grime is then safely burned away with the gas as you use your boat. Star Tron is a good choice for use when overwintering, or storing your boat for a prolonged period of time. It can help fuel keep its integrity and prevent ethanol damage for up to 2 years.

It is not a marine-specific fuel stabilizer, so it is lacking the higher grade water absorption ability of strictly marine types.

However, it is still a quality product and will help your boat’s fuel system work better, for longer.

Pros:

Stabilizes Fuel Up to 2 Years
Prevents Fuel Separation
Can Help Rejuvenate Old Fuel

Cons:

Not Specifically for Marine Use

Sentry New Technology Fuel Treatment

Sentry’s new gas plus formula is one of the best fuel stabilizers on the market. It is not marine-specific, but it does have the stronger water eliminating effects of brands marketed specifically for marine use.

It stabilizes, cleans, and prevents fuel lines from freezing up. It can be used in your tank before storage and during every fill-up. It can be used to restore quality to old fuel and it can boost mileage.

It comes at a steep price and is significantly more expensive than its competitors. We can’t deny the quality of this product, but the price is a little deterring.

Pros:

Inhibits Line Freezing
Cleans and Protects
Maximum Strength

Cons:

Expensive

Bell Performance – Mix-I-Go Concentrated

Bell Performance Mix-I-Go formula is concentrated 1 ounce treats up to 10 gallons of fuel, making this product convenient to use every time you fill-up. This product has been around for a long time and it has proven its reliability in being a good fuel stabilizer. It prevents ethanol breakdown and removes water from gas just as well as its fancy competitors.

It is not marine-specific, but it can be used in boat tanks. It is not recommended for fuel storage, but it can be used to help bring quality back to old fuel. Overall this product is a diamond in the rough, and a little goes a long way.

Pros:

Concentrated
Boosts Performance

Cons:

Can not be used to store fuel
Not marine Specific

PRI-G Fuel Stabilizer

PRI has almost all the bases covered with their Fuel Stabilizer. It cleans, prevents ethanol damage, and stops fuel breakdown for up to 3 years. It also contains no alcohol and improves fuel efficiency. Whether you’re storing your boat or using it for the weekend, PRI is a good choice. It is a quality product that will get the job done every time.

It is not marine-specific but offers the same benefits as products marketed for marine use. It won’t bring old fuel back to life though. We don’t recommend using this product in E-10 Fuel that has been sitting longer than a month or two, while it prevents separation, it won’t promote remixing.

Pros:

Stabilizes Fuel Up to 3 Years
High Concentration
Good Price

Cons:

Not Marine Specific
Can’t Bring Quality Back to Old Fuel

MERCURY Quickstor Fuel Stabilizer

This Mercury fuel stabilizer is a great one if you are thinking of long-time storage of your boat engine.

Adding this Quickstor stabilizer to the fuel we can remain calm for a period of time before starting another season. The 12-ounce bottle will treat up to 60 gallons against all grades of gas and ethanol blends until one year.

Pros

It stops the normal and ethanol-blended fuel so that the fuel can not break down and oxidize.
Keeps the fuel system corrosion free
Defends gum and varnish from appearing in the fuel
Keep the fuel lines, tanks, carburetors, and injectors clean
Lubricates the injectors and carburetors

Cons

The bottle is a small one.

Yamaha ACC-FSTAB-PL-32

This product stabilizes and conditions your boat’s fuel system, preventing rust, corrosion, and ethanol damage. It is alcohol-free to prevent the buildup of gunk and varnish and it stops fuel separation prolonging the life of your fuel. It is decently priced and is good at what it does.

However, it won’t clean the gunk that has already accumulated in your fuel system, and it doesn’t have the water fighting capabilities of some of the other products on our list. It is not recommended for fuel storage and works better as a per fill-up additive.

Pros:

Prevents Rust
Alcohol-Free
Prevents Breakdown and Separation

Cons:

Doesn’t Clean
Not for Storage

How To Choose The Best Boat Fuel Stabilizer

The best marine fuel stabilizer is not just the one that is a quality product, but the one that also meets your specific needs, at a fair price. Before deciding on a product for your boat fuel system ask yourself these questions:

Do I need a Marine Fuel Stabilizer?
How often do I use my boat?
Do I store my boat for prolonged periods of time?

Do You Need A Marine Fuel Stabilizer?

If you purchase fuel for your boat from gas stations, the answer is yes. Unless you’re purchasing fuel from an on-water refuel station, the fuel will contain ethanol.

Marinas aren’t required to have ethanol additives in their fuel because ethanol is extremely damaging to the fuel systems of boats. We should keep fuel stabilizers for boats in the boat winterization checklist.

How Often Do You Use Your Boat?

If you use your boat frequently and refuel the tank a lot you’ll want a fuel stabilizer that is fairly inexpensive, as you’ll use more of it.

As well as one that enhances running performance, so you can get the most from your fuel and do the least damage to your boat motor.

Do I Store My Boat For Prolonged Periods Of Time?

If you use your boat only a few months out of the year, you’ll want a product that can be used to maintain the integrity of fuel over time.

By choosing a fuel stabilizer with this feature you’ll avoid the hassle of having to drain your tank each time you plan to let your boat sit for more than a few weeks.

Fuel with added ethanol starts to break down in a very short time, after 90 days it will burn poorly and your boat won’t run well.

Select The Fuel Stabilizer Or Additive That Meets Your Particular Needs

If you want to enhance your engine performance and try to do that with a fuel stabilizer for storage, that may not work as your expectation. There are some versatile products also for our use, but, some are specially made for a particular function.

The period of time that a fuel stabilizer works properly can be an important point to check when we need a stabilizer. We must keep in mind our particular requirements before choosing an adequate fuel stabilizer.

Calculate The Quantity Of Boat Fuel Stabilizer You Will Need

Try to calculate the quantity of stabilizer you will need for your particular use and this is how we can select the right size of the container of different stabilizers. Remember, some stabilizers don’t work after a certain period of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fuel Stabilizer And Why Do I Need It?

A fuel stabilizer is a fuel additive designed to maintain the integrity of fuel. Fuel is a volatile substance and it begins evaporating as soon as it enters your tank.

In ethanol-based fuel, separation is included in this breakdown. In some engines like those found in cars this breakdown causes minimal effects, but in boats, it can cause damage fairly quickly.

As the fuel breaks down, evaporates, and separates the ethanol leaves behind a varnish-like residue that can clog fuel lines and creates a vapor that can cause rust and corrosion.

This molecule meltdown can even cause irreversible damage to fiberglass tanks, fuel lines, fuel filters, and the motor itself.

Can A Fuel Stabilizer Make Bad Fuel Good Again?

Some fuel stabilizers can improve the integrity of untreated fuel nearing its 90-day mark. However, no fuel stabilizer can return aging fuel to its original quality. In addition, adding a fuel stabilizer to old fuel won’t help it at all.

How Can I Be Sure That A Fuel Stabilizer Is Not Just normal Oil?

To be sure that you’re always getting a quality product, that does what it says it will do, be leery of huge claims.

If a product claims something that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. For example, while some items boost fuel efficiency, don’t trust a brand that claims it will allow you to get 30% more fuel efficiency per gallon.

Some products are concentrated and require less product per gallon of gas for effective treatment. But, don’t trust a product that claims to treat a full tank of gas with one drop.

If you avoid the outrageous claims, you’ll get a better product, from a more reputable brand.

Can I mix Different Fuel Stabilizers For Boats?

If you have the rest of the fuel stabilizer in your tank and want to add some more stabilizer, we recommend not to mix the fuel stabilizers if they are different.

For example, Yamaha fuel stabilizer should not be mixed with another fuel stabilizer from Mercury. They can be different in functions also.

Conclusion

A fuel stabilizer for boats is not just for saving our consumption of fuel but it keeps our fuel systems and engines clean and in perfect condition, It increases the lifetime of our engine.

A fuel stabilizer is also for protecting the fuel system and the engine from damage. It can be a small product but the importance is simply bigger than we often imagine. Maintaining the engine and the fuel system clean we can have better combustion of the engine. This can reduce fire hazards on board and will help us to think about searching a better place for fire extinguishers on the boat.

How Does A Fish Finder Work? How To Use A Fish Finder?

The world is absorbed into constant technology innovations and advancements in almost all fields. Talk of farming, education, employment, and business, just to mention a few. Regardless of the field that one can venture in, it has experienced tremendous technological growth from ancestral procedures of doing things. Fishing has not been left behind in the world of technology and innovation. In this article, we will focus on what the fish finder does, how does a fish finder work, how it’s used, and how to take readings from it, among other things. Enjoy your reading.

What Is A Fish Finder

It’s a device used by fishermen to discover the position of fish in the water or simply a device used by fishermen to find fish. In summary, they assist in the following.

Identifying other objects underneath
Ascertaining the approximate number of fish
Recognizing the location of fish masses
Finding the depth of water
Detecting the type of fish beneath
Measuring the water temperature
Measuring the speed with which your boat is traveling on
Learning how fish respond to your bait

How Does A Fish Finder Work Using Transducers?

The device sends sonar signals to water using transducers, which upon hitting the object (fish), take the estimated features of the object. An echo-sound is then returned to the device which is then converted into an image of what is happening underneath. Finally, the image is displayed on a screen for elucidation.

Let’s watch a video about how does a fish finder work using sonar waves. In this case, we have taken the example of a Humminbird fish finder as the principle of working is the same.

For improved aftermath, most fish finders use more than one frequency. The frequency used is proportional to the clarity and details received. Most of them have built-in GPS that aid in locating the geographical location.

Reading and interpreting the readings can be very tricky, but you don’t have to worry, by the end of this article, you will get all the information needed for accurate judgment. What does this reading really entail?

Reading A Fish Finder Screen

Understanding or interpreting the images on the screen can be an uphill task, especially for beginners. In this article, we are just about to educate you on this.

By interpreting your screen, you can recognize where to target. The fish finders have a Fish-ID technology which has an aptitude to locate fish and other objects icons on the screen. All you need is to just read and comprehend the depth of each icon displayed. It won’t be any magic when you cast your net to a region of a high fish population only to come out with rocks and plants, some fish finders come with a few shortcomings. However, with time and experience, you will be accustomed to doing these things.

Fish arches can be your better selection though it also comes with a fair share of challenges. An arch fish finder represents fish as arches that are clearer than fish IDs. The bigger the arches the bigger the fish, though not in all cases. Although it’s somewhat cumbersome to isolate trees and rocks from arches, you will learn the skill with time.

You can agree with me that reading the screen is not as complex as it is portrayed sometimes, let’s now take time to know the available varieties of such devices.

Types Of Fish Finders

The market provides several types and brands of fish finders, their use depends on the objectives and nature of fishing.

Fishing in shallow water needs a higher frequency, over 200 kHz while deepwater needs a lower frequency. Fishing on salt waters will also need a lower frequency.

Fish finders with chartplotter, real-time mapping, better transducer, quality screen are most desired by the fishermen. A perfect example of that is the Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 fish finding device.

For areas you are not familiar with, use a depth fish finder. Finally, if you will be fishing on ice water, you will need a wider cone angle so that you can see both deep in water and the environment around you. In modern ice fishing techniques, this type of fish finder is often used for better results. It should be added to your ice fishing gear list.

Some of them are portable yet others are fixed, especially for large boats.

Depending on your choice of a fish finder, the following modifications and overall options are available during your application of these devices in fishing.

Using A Fish Finder

We would like to share with you the best practices for handling your devices.

1. Thorough comprehension of the display

Reading your manual. Your device will surely come with a guide, read through it, and refer to it again when necessary.
Study the basic information about the speed of your boat, temperature, and the depth it can measure. This information is usually found on a screen of your fish finder.
Since the screen will display the latest information towards the right, read your screen from your right to the left.
It’s important to note that the topmost image on your screen is your boat, therefore, it’s good to take the reading from to top to the bottom

2. Locate the fish on the screen

Look out for smaller patches for smaller fish and large patches/dots for the big fish
Identify the nature of the terrain beneath. The tick line at the bottom of your screen describes the bottom. The presence of a line means that you’re floating on soft (sand or mud) ground while the absence of a line could mean that you’re on the hard or rocky ground.
Combine your fish finder with a chart plotter which helps mark areas of interest to be revisited later.

3. Adjust the screen display

When you notice an area of interest, zoom in for maximum clarity
Adjust color resolution until the images are very clear
Increase your fish finder speed so that you will be receiving updated images
In case you are not conversant with reading the screen, use fish symbols that you are used to

4. Pick the transducer

Adjust your device’s sensitivity when it inaccurately detects fish locations, this can be done manually.

Depending on the fish finder you’re using, adjust the range, usually at least thrice the depth
Increase the sensitivity of your fish finder until two reading lines appear on the screen.

We must mention that not all the procedures as highlighted apply to all fish finders, you will be required to make an appropriate selection of technique, based on the several above mentioned aspects.

After reading the article this far, you are now in a position to purchase yours, but how will you go about it? Keep reading.

Factors To Consider Before Buying A Fish Finder

At this point, I think we all know how does a fish finder work using sonar technology. Before selecting the right fish finder for our purpose we should know something more about the devices.

1. Choose between the fixed or portable

The choice is yours but consider the below factors.

A portable has the following advantages.

They’re versatile i.e. they allow all types of fishing, both canoe or lake fishing
They’re good for fishermen who rent boats and can be useful as a kayak fish finder.
They’re light and easy to transport and move around with

A fixed one has the following advantages.

They’re high-tech hence perform best
Can accommodate large screen for clear images
Good for people who own boats

2. Consider the screen size

A large screen gives more space to display pictures as obtained from below leading to improved clarity. However, do not sacrifice vital specifications for a screen.

The other important aspect to consider is the number of pixels, the higher the number, the more the clarity. Also, remember to ensure that your screen is waterproof.

3. Glare protection during sunny days

During bright sun in the sea, it gets to point that you cannot read your screen. Since it’s hard to get shade in the sea, buy screens whose brightness and contrast can be lowered. You can as well consider buying glare-resistant screens.

4. Power

Devices with more power (wattage) are more powerful to give higher speed and accuracy.

5. Screen Backlight

If you will be fishing late in the night or early morning, buy fish finders whose screens have some backlight.

6. GPS

Unlike pier or shoreline fishing, boat or kayak fishing require GPS integrated fish finder.

7. Price

Don’t consider price only in making your purchase, but consider all factors as listed above. Even if the cost is high, it’s worth the investment.

8. Frequency

The preferred frequency will be determined by the nature of fishing to be done.

Using Bluetooth, iOS, iPhone, & Android In Fishing

Fishing is getting interesting and convenient. There are fish finders that are compatible and can be used with mobile phones and tablets.

These Bluetooth fish finders usually float on water near the fisherman. They emit ultrasound waves downwards to the waters which interact with fish and the objects beneath.

The data generated is then sent to a mobile device or tablet via Bluetooth for reading and interpretation. Once you identify where the school of fish is, you can cast your rod.

There are recommended applications that help read the signals from your fish finder, which you must install on your mobile device. Below are three main aspects to look for in the app.

It should be updated regularly with a change in technology
It should be reliable whenever needed
Finally, it should have several features to be able to do everything you need.

If you are a technology enthusiast, this is the way to go, just ensure that you buy a gadget (Smartphone) that is compatible with fish finders, and then make use of technology.

Final Comments

I am only left to imagine the nature of fishing for 50 years to come, perhaps it will undergo extraordinary technological mutation. Today I know how does a fish finder work but, within a few years, it can be totally different.

Evidently, the ease with which fish is caught has transformed the fishing industry. In this article, all the current information about it has been articulated, we believe that you are transformed too. Based on the features and processes described above, you can select the best brand and type of your device from the varieties offered in the market. For further details, you can read reviews for different brands.

Certainly, you have noticed that technology is not static and wouldn’t wish to be left behind, keep visiting our site for updates as and when we receive them. We are delighted that you’re enlightened.

Best Boat Seat Cleaner | Vinyl Cleaner That Protects

To most if not all of the boat owners, boats are a great investment which means that it is up to you to take care of them. Among the most significant ways of taking care of a boat is the cleaning and treating it with protectants to ensure that its finish and materials are safe from UV rays. This is why we need to find out the best boat seat cleaner and the other interior cleaners according to our needs.

The only point where some of us go wrong is picking any boat seat cleaner which results in a waste of money since such a cleaner cannot result in the desired outcome.

To help you pick the right product, that is a boat cleaner that is easy to use, one that needs a little amount for it to work, one that eliminates dirt fast, and one that doesn’t damage the boat materials, below is a review of the seven best boat seat cleaners in 2020. Keep reading and give a try to the product that suits your needs best so that you can protect your property and get the best value for money.

Compare To Select The Best Boat Seat Cleaner For Your Needs

Boat Seat Cleaner	Quantity	Adequate Surfaces	Protection	View On Amazon
Marine 31 mildew remover	2 Packs Of 20 oz	All marine surfaces, vinyl seats, rubbers, canopies, fiberglass, gel coat etc.	No damage to the surfaces	Check Price On Amazon
Star Brite mildew stain remover	128 oz	Vinyl, rubber, plastic, tile, grout, cushions, vinyl upholstery etc	Good protection to the surfaces	Check Price On Amazon
Obex Mperial Boat and RV Wash	160 oz	Vinyl, boat seats, carpets, fiberglass, cabin furniture etc	Longtime protection	Check Price On Amazon
3G Mold, Mildew & Stain Remover	32 oz	Boat covers, boat seats, golf carts, furniture etc	No damage to the surfaces	Check Price On Amazon
Mold and Mildew Remover by 303 Products	16 oz	Vinyl, boat seats, metal, fiberglass, tile, leather and more.	Well protection	Check Price On Amazon
RV Trailer Camper Cleaners 303 Aerospace Protectant	16 oz	Rubbers, clear vinyl, plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, leather	Quality protection	Check Price On Amazon
3D Leather, Vinyl & Plastic Cleaner	128 oz	Vinyl, leather, plastic, car interior	Does not harm the surfaces	Check Price On Amazon

Features Noted Of The Possible Best Boat Seat Cleaner

Here are the reviews of the top boat seat cleaners with the features, uses, advantages, and disadvantages:

Marine 31 mildew remover
Star Brite mildew stain remover
Obex Mperial Boat and RV Wash
3G Mold, Mildew & Stain Remover
Mold and Mildew Remover by 303 Products
RV Trailer Camper Cleaners 303 Aerospace Protectant
3D Leather, Vinyl & Plastic Cleaner

Marine 31 Mildew Remover (2 Pack of 20 Oz)

Acquire two bottles of the Marine 31 mildew remover so that you can get rid of stubborn mildew stains without dulling, discoloring, or drying out the vinyl surfaces. Unlike most over-the-counter mildew cleaners that include heavy bleach concentration, this product is moderately manufactured. Because of this, you can expect it to remove the mildew stains without damaging the product being cleaned.

You can use this mildew remover to clean all marine surfaces including rubber fenders, canopies, vinyl seat cushions, fiberglass, and rubbers. Besides that, the mildew remover is perfect for cleaning bathtubs, sinks, tiles, counters, and grout.

The mildew remover is easy to use since all that is required is for you to spray it onto the surface, leave the cleaner to penetrate the surface for up to 3 minutes, and brush the surface or wipe it using a towel.

Highlighted features

The mildew cleaner comes as a pack of two 20oz bottles.

Pros

The remover eliminates dirt fast.
It doesn’t damage or dull surfaces.
The remover eliminates dirt on some surfaces without the need for scrubbing or brushing.

Cons

The bottles do not include a list of the ingredients

Star Brite Mildew Stain Remover

Forget about the heavy scrubbing that is involved when you want to get rid of mildew stains once you get the Star Brite mildew stain remover. The seat cleaner is designed to remove mildew stains once it contacts the dirty surface without calling for heavy scrubbing.

It can remove stains on vinyl upholstery without harming the vinyl or the threads. Furthermore, the stain remover can be used on awnings, bolsters, rubber, sidings, fiberglass, tiles, and grout where it can get rid of mildew stains fast and easily. Star Brite is a famous name for marine cleaning whether it is for cleaning a boat hull or interior.

Highlighted features

It includes clear directions to enhance ease of use

Pros

The remover is easy to use since all it requires is for you to spray, scrub lightly and rinse the stains.
It acts fast enabling it to eliminate stains within a short time.
It can eliminate stains on surfaces without the need for scrubbing.

Cons

The product can’t be used on wood or painted surfaces.
It can take time before it removes the stains, but with a little patience, it eliminates the stains.

Obex Mperial Boat and RV Wash 1 Gallon

Whether you want to eliminate fungi, bacteria, mold, or mildew, you can be sure to do exactly that when you purchase Obex Mperial boat and RV wash.

The fact that the seat cleaner is EPA registered to eliminate 99.9% of the stains makes it a great choice when you want to remove stubborn stains. Besides that, the seat cleaner acts as a great pick when you want to eliminate dirt and grime built up with much ease. The reason behind this is its superior cleaning power which enables it to eliminate the dirt with a little effort.

You can get this product when you are looking for one that is designed to clean a variety of materials since it is designed for use on marine boats, outdoor reaction materials such as tents, sports and athletic equipment such as knee pads, automotive car interior, home and garden carpets, furniture among others.

Besides that, the seat cleaner serves as a great pick for one that is safe to use since it includes low suds while it is free of phosphate.

Pros

The formula is suitable for use on a variety of surfaces.
You do not have to use a lot of solution to get the job done.
The RV wash helps in reducing odor and foul in textiles and carpets.
It eliminates dirt fast and easily.
It doesn’t fade clothes and textile.

Cons

The formula is a little bit expensive.

3G Mold, Mildew & Stain Remover/Cleaner for Golf Cart and Boat Seats

Next, we have the 3G mold mildew and stain remover. As the name suggests, you can get this product when you want to get rid of stains, mold, and mildew.

Besides using the formula for cleaning boat seats, you can use it to clean bricks, ATV seats, bathroom tiles, ceilings, canopies, shower curtains, tub mats, walls, outdoor furniture, among others. The seat cleaner comes in a 1-quart bottle but this lasts for a while since you do not need to apply a lot of it so that it can act.

Highlighted features

A mint fragrance helps to eliminate odor.

Pros

You do not need to scrub a surface to eliminate stains once you adopt this product.
The cleaner gets rid of stains fast and effectively.
It doesn’t bleach a surface. So, you don’t have to worry about fading a surface.

Cons

The product is expensive.
Its packaging makes it quite inconvenient to apply since you cannot spray it on a surface.

Mold and Mildew Remover by 303 Products

The answer to a boat seat cleaner that is designed to eliminate tough mold and mildew stains on a variety of surfaces is the 303 products mold and mildew remover.

Unlike competitor products, this cleaner acts as a cleaner and blocker. Because of this, you can expect it to clean a variety of surfaces safely and prevent mold and mildew stains from reoccurring.

Another advantage of the 303 products mold and mildew remover is that it doesn’t contain any bleach. This means that you do not have to worry about the cleaner having to damage or dull the surfaces.

You can get this seat cleaner when you are looking for one that is designed to clean a variety of surfaces since it is designed for use on sealed leather, grout, metal, seats, fiberglass, and vinyl. Furthermore, the seat cleaner can withstand being dampened which makes it suitable for cleaning a variety of surfaces.

Highlighted features

The mildew cleaner acts a blocker enabling to kill the mildew-causing elements so that the stains cannot reoccur.

Pros

The cleaner doesn’t bleach the surfaces being cleaned.
It leaves a fresh scent on the product.
It can remove mold and mildew spots fast and easily
The cleaner can remove mold and mildew stains from any water-safe surface.
It is easy to spray on a variety of surfaces.

RV Trailer Camper Cleaners 303 Aerospace Protectant 16 Oz. (1)

Maintain the “new-like” look of UV-sensitive materials once you treat them with the RV trailer aerospace protectant. The protectant is designed to protect such surfaces against harmful UV rays which assures you of getting a product that will enhance the durability of the product being cleaned.

Also, it is designed to provide 100% prevention of UV-caused slow fade further assuring you of getting a product that will enhance the long life of the product you are treating.

You can use the aerospace protectant for aeroscope and aviation applications since it is designed to restore lost color and luster. Furthermore, the protectant helps the surfaces to resist soiling, staining, and dust because of the enduring cosmetic properties.

The protectant is safe and effective when you need a protectant for use on synthetic/natural rubber, clear vinyl, fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber, and finished leather.

Highlighted features

“SPF 40 sunscreen” design enables the protectant to provide superior protection against harmful UV rays.
Enduring cosmetic properties enables the treated surfaces to resist soiling and staining.

Pros

The protectant doesn’t leave a greasy and oily residue.
It helps to restore lost color and luster.
It is easy to spray on the surface and wipe dry.
The user doesn’t need to apply a lot of the protectant for it to function.

3D Leather, Vinyl & Plastic Cleaner

Remove stains from vinyl, plastic, and leather once you adopt the 3D Auto detailing products vinyl and plastic cleaner. The cleaner is highly concentrated, which means that you can dilute it before using so that you can benefit from the best value for money.

It works great on car interiors and features a leather smell so that you can apply it when you want your car to regain its “new-like” scent and look. You can sue the cleaner to remove ink marks from leather or dashboards which makes it an effective product for cleaning car interiors.

Highlighted features

“New car/leather” smell makes it suitable when you want to your car to regain its original properties.
Biodegradable design guarantees that it is safe to use.
VOC-compliant product assures you that the cleaner is safe and effective when in use.

Pros

The product restores old drum and plexiglass to their original look.
It works well on synthetic leather.
The cleaner is concentrated, so you don’t need a lot of it for it to work.
It is easy to apply and wipe out.

Cons

The bottle can crack once it is left in hot temperatures.

How to choose A Perfect boat seat cleaner

We need to maintain the boat seats clean and protected all the time we use the boat. When we need to make a boat winterization checklist, these products will play a vital role as we need to clean the boat interior properly before winterizing the boat.

Here are the things that we need to keep in mind when selecting an effective cleaner for our boat seats.

Avoid products with bleaching elements

For you to select a perfect seat cleaner, you must eliminate all products that include an ingredient that bleaches surfaces. The reason behind this is that you do not want it to dull the color of the surfaces you will be cleaning.

So, ensure that you pick a product that doesn’t bleach the surfaces you are cleaning.

Should result in a fresh smell

Pick a product that leaves a fresh smell on the product you are cleaning. The reason behind this is that you will want the cleaner to not only clean the surface but to also add a fresh smell on the surface you will be cleaning.

For instance, if you want to clean leather products or the interior of the car, you can opt to purchase the 3D Leather, Vinyl & Plastic Cleaner which features a “new-car”/leather smell.

Should be easy to apply

No one wants to get a seat cleaner that is difficult to apply or one that will leak out when applying.

For this reason, I recommend that you begin by identifying the method you will be using when cleaning the surface at hand so that you can pick a product that comes with the right bottle.

For instance, if you want to spray the cleaner, get a product that features a sprayer on the bottle. On the other hand, if you want to dilute the cleaner and use it when diluted in another basin, you will be good to go with a product that doesn’t include the sprayer option.

Fast-acting ingredients

Who wants to get a sprayer that will take ages for it to remove the stains? I don’t believe that you fall in such a category. Hence, read various customer reviews and get a product that many users recommend due to its fast-acting property.

In fact, the best types should remove stains on contact without the need for scrubbing. So, opt for a cleaner that features fast-acting ingredients.

A little amount should deliver the required result

For the best value for money, I recommend that you acquire a cleaner that is highly concentrated so that you will not have to apply a lot of it for it to deliver the desired results.

Should clean a variety of surfaces

Besides cleaning a boat seat, you will make the best value for money when you acquire a product that is safe for cleaning carpets, tents, car dashboards, furniture, vinyl, among others.

For this reason, ensure that the product you acquire is safe to use on different types of surfaces. That way, you can clean different surfaces without having to worry about damaging them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long does a boat seat cleaner take for it to get rid of stains?

A1: It depends on the type. Some cleaners act instantly while others take some time since they need to be absorbed. Therefore, read previous user reviews for you to get an idea of the reaction time.

Q2: Are boat cleaners toxic?

A2: Some are some aren’t. So, be sure to read the caution on the user manual for you to get a brief idea about the dangers of the formula you will be using.

Q3: Can I use a boat cleaner on carpets and RV awnings?

A3: It depends on the formula. Look for a product that is universally-safe if you are looking for a seat cleaner that will work on a variety of materials.

Q4: What quantity should I use so that the boat seat cleaner can get rid of the stains?

A4: Again, this depends on the formula. Some seat cleaners are highly concentrated which means that a little amount will do when others call for you to use more amount.

Conclusion

If you have read this review, no doubt that you are looking for the best boat seat cleaner, that is a cleaner that is designed to deliver the best within a short time and without damaging the product being cleaned.

That said, I recommend that you select any of the reviewed items since these are safe to use on a variety of materials whereas they are designed in such a way that you can use a little amount and still get the desired results. My favorite, in this case, is Marine 31 mildew remover.

How To Catch Big Fishes? In Rivers Or Lakes & From Shore

It is probably summer. You have been dreaming about hitting the nearest lake or river for some great fishing since fall. Also, you finally want to challenge yourself to go for the bigger fish. However, imagine that you have no clear idea about how to catch big fishes. You have no idea about the type of fish you would like to go for, the time to catch the specific fish, and what tactics to use when fishing big fish.

In this article, we will seek to delve into these aspects. In addition, we will look into the instruments you will need to catch the fish as well as what to expect when fishing in rivers, lakes, or on the shore. Once you catch your big fish, you will be sure to get hooked. (Pun intended)

Types Of Big Fish To Catch

Some people say that the number of fishes you catch is most important. On the other hand, others say that the type of big fish you catch is the real deal.

Whichever side you are on, the first thing to understand is the different types of big fish to catch. They are Paddlefish, Blue Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Lake Trout, Striped Bass, and some others.

Different big fish have different tactics of being caught. Also, they require different instruments because of their difference in size and weight. Lastly, the period or season of fishing is dependent on the type of fish.

So, before going out to strike the bigger fishes, you must decide which fish you are going to try. Below is a detailed view of the different aspects in relation to the type of fish.

Catching A Big Striped Bass!

This is a fish with a streamlined, silvery body marked with longitudinal dark stripes, which run from behind the gills to the base of the tail. It commonly matures to a size of 8-40 pounds with a maximum length of 1.8m.

Period Of Fishing

It is advisable to fish during the end of March to mid-May. This is during springtime.

The reason for this is because the striped bass starts to spawn around this time. This, in turn, will make it difficult to catch as their main focus in on the babies.

Tactic To Use

As much as artificial lures can do the trick, the best tactic to use to catch them is big live bait. The stripers tend to be drawn to this because of the scent and the bigger profile of the baits.

When you drop the bait, the next step is to drop planer boards. Thereafter, use the motor to move throughout the area.

Instruments Required

This type of fish is known to be too big and strong. It is for this reason that you require adequate gear to avoid tackling and busting.

Get A Bigger Lake Trout!

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of catching fish, the lake trout is for you. With this fish, you are assured of catching one or more even at the shore.

Period Of Fishing

The best time to go trout fishing is at the beginning of the year all through the end of May. This period offers the best treatment to anglers for a great catch.

Tactic To Use

It is said that one of the best ways to catch this type of fish, is by using three-way rigs. Firstly, gather your school of bait. After that, drop the three-way rig all the way to the bottom.

Here, the wind or current will help push you, which ultimately aids in trolling the bait through the feeding area.

Instruments Required

As opposed to catching striped bass with heavy gear, this fish can easily be caught using light gear regardless of its size. Medium-action 7-foot rods paired with a bait caster can get you started on your fishing adventure.

Fishing Largemouth Bass

They are not necessarily categorized as big fish. However, when you talk about teeners, it fits right into the category of big fishes.

Period Of Fishing

The best time to fish for them is during the month of February. The reasoning behind this is that this is the period they begin to move away from the deeper parts of the water to the shallow ones for spawning.

Tactic To Use

Once you hook your trout as the baits, focus on ledges, humps, and points in the 15-40-foot range. The trick here is to cast from the shallowest point to deep water while letting the bait sink to the bottom. This will ultimately help with steady retrieval.

Instruments Required

You can choose from numerous swimbaits for an assured catch. It all depends on your budget and preference.

Catch Blue Catfish

This type of fish can be caught almost anywhere since they are found in most big rivers and tributaries in the central and eastern parts of the United States.

Nonetheless, James River in Virginia is known to be the best place to get them. As an angler, you can land a fish of up to 50-60 pounds in weight.

Period Of Fishing

For the Blue Catfish, the colder months are known to be the best for an assured catch. This is because big fish become more predictable during this weather.

As long as the bait is there, they will come running. Also, the depth of the water is a non-issue as you catch them as shallow as 6-feet and as deep as 60-feet.

Tactic To Use

The most important thing here is the bait you use to catch the blue catfish. For them to be hooked, use a fresh-cut gizzard shad, preferably in 1-4-inch chunks. These big boys will come rushing like wildfire for it. Going for a blue big catfish is not that much different from catching catfish in general.

Instruments Required

As opposed to the lake trout, with this, you will require hefty gear. This is because this fish is not only huge but also the strongest among the catfish.

Whichever decision you make on the rod and rig to use, the catch here is to fish using multiple rigs where legal. This is a smart way to attract the fish to the bait through the scent.

Go For Paddlefish!

This is a freshwater fish that can be best caught at Grand Lake. They are said to be the biggest and most unusual fish. At this lake, you can land a paddlefish that weighs more than 50 pounds.

Period Of Fishing

Like most other fish, the period to catch them is when they are moving into the tributaries to spawn. For the paddlefish, this is around the months of March and April.

Tactic To Use

They are filter feeders, so a lure or bait will not cut it. You need to snag them. When you find a number of them using your electronics, position your boat above them. After that, position your snag hook to the bottom.

Instruments Required

An 8-foot heavy-action saltwater rod works well when trying to catch them. This is because a long rod moves more line when trying to jerk a hook through the leathery skin of a spoonbill.

How To Catch Big Fishes In Lakes

One of the most popular big fish to catch in a lake is the lake trout. They are mostly found in the cold and deep waters. The following are tips to follow to catch one.

(1) Use A Light-Action Rod

You can use such a rod with a 4 to the 6-pound test line. This is one of the best rods to use as it allows you to use a variety of techniques to catch your trout. The lighter line has less friction with the water, which means you can cast your line to the very bottom of the lake with ease.

Keep in mind that some lake trouts can weigh over 35 pounds. You should, therefore, carry a heavier rod just in case you get one. Also, use either number 6 or number 10 hook to increase your chances of a catch.

(2) Choose A Lure Mimicking Native Baitfish

Lake trouts are known to feed on a number of different native species. Therefore, the best lure is one that closely mimics their individual food preferences.

Ask around local bait and tackle shops if you are not sure about which lure is best. The small weightless lures and spinners make the best artificial baits. Additionally, you can add shiny metal foil or beads to further attract the trout.

(3) Live Bait

If you plan on using live bait, nightcrawlers, minnows or salmon should be your best picks. Minnow traps and nets will be useful for the task. Ask the local bait shop about what the fish in your area have been biting lately.

It is important to note that fish have different preferences depending on the season and region. To keep the live bait alive we should use proper livewell pumps for aerating the tank.

(4) Use A Fishfinder GPS Combo

If you can manage an appropriate fishfinder GPS combo to locate the fish and to get some additional information about the lakes and rivers that should be great. This can help but not an essential thing to have. One can fish well without these machines too.

How to Catch Big Fishes in A River

With rivers, a point to remember is that some are fast flowing, others are slow moving and almost all of them are shaped differently. On top of that, they all have a variety of different shelters by the shoreline. These, on top of the equipment needed and type of fish to catch, are all important points when catching big fishes in rivers.

(1) Be Keen On The Sheltered Spaces

The biggest tip here is to look for areas that are calm in the river as they are most popular for the growth of weeds. With weeds comes a large number of big fishes such as the largemouth bass.

In addition, the lighter the currents the better. Also, with areas where they are overhanging trees, you are most likely to find fish in the shelter.

(2) Contact The Locals

The best advice and guidance come from the people living in the area you would like to fish. Ask questions from the local bait shop in regards to the bait they use and how the weather is dependent on the location of the fish.

Additionally, ask about the best time to catch fish. Talk to other anglers who are found up and down the area as well.

(3) Use Live Bait Bouncing To Trick The Fish

This is one of the most effective tips. Hook yourself up with some live bait and bounce it off the bottom of the river bed, in the direction of the current to make it look natural. The fish will fall for this trick and you will have your successful catch.

(4) Use The Right Colors To Fish

The colors of the bait play a major role in catching fish. Many baits can be used for different types of fish. It is advisable to use red and yellow baits as they attract the fish down to the river bed. This, in turn, increases the rate of success in getting your catch.

(5) Use X-Ray Vision

This is not meant to be taken literally. What this means is that you can use a pair of polarized glasses that will help you see through the water. This will guide in seeing the fish you would like to catch.

This tip is however dependent on the river you are fishing and weather conditions. All in all, remember that fishing can be dangerous because of different types of currents and depths. Also, be considerate of other anglers fishing in the same river to avoid accidents and misplacement of gears.

How to Catch Big Fishes From Shore

If you do not have a boat or want to avoid the expense and hassle of boat ownership, fishing on the shore is the best for you. When catching big fish from the shore, you will require lots of commitment, practice, and attention to detail.

(1) Walk Around

The first thing to do when you get to a shore fishing location is not to start casting. You should take a walk around the perimeter of the shore and observe the water body.

Look for any fishy structure such as vegetation. After you have come up with a good mental layout of the spot, create a game plan before you begin fishing. This will ensure you concentrate on the most productive areas. At this point, be on the lookout for a big fish like the striped bass. Also, see if there is a bunch of baitfish, as this will draw you to the big fish.

(2) Stay Low

Most shore fishing spots such as ponds and streams do not provide you with a way of staying under cover. Here, you can easily blow your cover and the fish may disappear even before you cast.

If you can, try and stand next to a tree, some grass, or dock piling to hide your shadow. If it is sunny, keep your shadow away from the water because most fish identify shadows with birds of prey and herons. This means that they will move away when your shadow is visible.

(3) Cast Parallel

Most people assume that with shore fishing, you should lob a cast far towards the middle of the water mass. However, this is a mistake because most of the big fishes hang around the shore or on the first major drop-off close to the shore.

Therefore, avoid casting too far and make parallel cuts along the bank or quartering away. This, in turn, keeps your bait in the capture zone longer, thus resulting in more bites.

(4) Downsize The Baits

You will catch more fish if you use baits and presentations that closely take after the big fish you are trying to catch. On the shore, where the water is shallow, the most used baitfish species are generally stunted panfish and minnows.

As a piece of advice, downsize your baits to increase the action. For example, if you are fishing a worm, opt for a 4- or 5-inch model rather than a 9-inch.

(5) Pack Light

When fishing at the shore, your movement tends to be limited. You can only fish until where your feet can go. This means lots of walking for you. Imagine that, coupled with carrying a bunch of rod or reel combos and tackle box. It is too much work.

The smartest thing to do is to pack light. Choose a single multi-purpose rod/reel combo and a small backpack with a few baits. Ultimately, walking will be easier and you will have more time focusing on making a catch other than installing the gear.

Catching Bigger Fishes At Night

For catching larger fishes at night is sometimes better than the day time. There are always fewer competitors for the fish at night. The technique is to use underwater fishing lights for night fishing. These lights attract a big amount of small fishes, minnows, and insects to the light which is your fishing spot actually.

Then, the bigger fishes come to minnows and the to other insects like a storm. That is when you should capture them with patience.

Conclusion

If you know how to catch big fishes then you must agree that patience, dedication, experience, and luck everything is important for catching bigger fishes like a striped bass or lake trout or something else.

Only strategy, techniques, and instruments will not be enough sometimes. Motivation and confidence will definitely help in difficult moments. Be calm, your turn will come automatically.

Lowrance Hook2 4x Bullet Review | Fish finder & GPS Plotter

Modern fishfinders have changed angling and are widely considered as must-have equipment for anyone who does the fishing. One challenge has always been picking the right one. We have taken the challenge and after detailed research, we think the Lowrance hook2 4X bullet review is worthy enough. This fish finder with GPS plotter is one of the best units for kayaks and boats with less space today.

There are many manufacturers of fishfinder units thus led to an influx of these products that are found. Just imagine problems first-timers will have to endure before they arrive at their ideal unit.

This is a remarkable unit that has significantly increased the amount of fish that you can net during each fishing expedition. It is widely accepted among pro anglers. This unit faces stiff competition from Garmin, Helix, and Humminbird fish finders but has on numerous occasions proven to be number one in doing its work.

The product that you are seeing here is rated as being lower in the revitalized Hook 2 Series. Having said that, it still gives a surprising amount of value that makes it perfect for most of your basic needs.

This amazing product comes in two different models. There is one with a GPS antenna and another one without. The difference you will get between these two items ranges from about $20 and with both of them costing less than $150, there is little reason why you should not pick the commodity that has a GPS antenna. A fish finder with a GPS antenna detects fish better than one without.

Features Noted In The Lowrance Hook2 4X Bullet Review

To be considered most reliable, these are some features that it possesses that make it stand out from others. These features combine to greatly eminence our unit’s power to actually locate fish. Here are some of its features found in the Lowrance hook2 4x bullet review.

Frequency

This is actually one of those areas that the product actually beats others. Together with Garmin, Lowrance has been one of the companies that have played a key role to ensure that radar technology is a must-have for a good fish finder.

Higher brands at times like to isolate some frequency channels for given settings, they too also have a CHIRP system as their main approach alongside whatever other systems that they choose to include.

The radar has huge popularity because it does not use a single pulsation rather it sends out a range of frequencies that have an incremental order. When you look at most designs, the most common frequencies included are 50, 83,192, and 200 kHz. These different frequencies allow the sonar to provide a varying range and detail level that is collected and analyzed by fishfinder software to present the best accurate representation that it can.

However, it does not have a way to change the pulsation settings. Therefore, one has to rely on a collated image. Collated images can give desired results for novice users but may not be appropriate for professional purposes.

Display

Lowrance HOOK2 Fish Finder with Bullet Transducer and GPS Plotter

This product has a 4-inch display panel to display whatever is processed by fish finder software. Screen size is comparable to other high-end fish finders on the market however it is not the largest that you can find.

Its screen has a SolarMAX technology that comes in handy specifically during extremely bright days at the lake or sea. Technology allows the screen to adjust brightness levels according to the amount of light that is shone on it.

It has a technology that also allows the display to give a user a wide range of viewing angles so you don’t need to necessarily stand directly on top of the screen to view images being processed. The screen is also backlit so if you go fishing at night you will be able to see all images. Light is perfect for you and will not be noticeable by fish.

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Beam

This product gives a single wide-angle sonar beam. It essentially entails that you will not miss detecting fish in a wide range of areas. However, you will not have detailed information when you are directly above fish

Power

Lowrance uses only 200 RMS watts, even though it is accepted by most fishermen, it is somehow rated on a lower end of the spectrum hence it will have much more importance depending on the frequency of sonar.

At 200 watts, it can provide a 50Hz signal image of up to 800’. However, at 200 kHz, the unit can only display an image that is 200’ deep at 200watts of power. This is a feature that does not meet the expectations of most users.

Installation

This model will provide versatile mounting options. The skimmer has a front dash gimbal and quick release bracket mounts. What this entails is that you can position your fish finder on your canoe without worrying whether it is securely mounted.

Keypad

The product also relies on a keypad interface rather than the touchscreen option that is found on high-end fishfinders. A major advantage of having such a feature is that they are well labeled and can be accessed easily. If you at one time feel like going deeper into setting levels.

The trackpad navigation system makes it easier to choose various options using a single hand. Thus allowing you to keep another hand on the fishing rod.

Menus

This product uses simple menu layouts that are easy to navigate. All options are large and unique from one another so you can easily find and alter settings that you wish to change.

Screen’s interface is simple and most used functions that a fisherman constantly adjusts are accessible by a single button.

Advantages Of The Lowrance Hook2 4x Bullet Fish Finder

Sonar Autotuning. Gives you the best images by automatically adjusting the settings gradually as water conditions change.
The inclusion of fish ID feature. It is possible through the inclusion of Splitshot transducer that lets you track bait and fish.
The unit has a depth alarm and shallow water alarm
It has wide-angle broadband (240 kHz/40o). Enables users to see more fish and cover more water by using the least time possible.
Bullet skimmer transducer has been included. It is a feature that makes it a perfect fish finder for kayaks and small fishing boats.
The unit can read the temperature of the water.
GPS plotter is simple and accurate. Allows anyone to narrow his/her search for productive water features and give you a bird’s eye view of what lies beneath the water surface.
It has waypoints, routes, and tracking functions.
SolarMax technology used provides improved readability from sharp angles.

Disadvantages

Single beam radar system.
No split view feature.
Smaller display screen when compared to other high-end fish finders.
No A-Scope function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the unit have an SD Slot to upgrade maps?

Fish finder does not have an SD card slot. Maps are integrated into the product during manufacture.

Can you monitor canoe speed?

Yes. GPS system will show the speed that the canoe or boat is moving, on the screen.

What type of warranty does your product have?

Normally, the unit has a 1-year warranty.

Lowrance Fish Finder Updates

Lowrance is always working to make better fish finders. They have different updated versions. But, I love the Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 fish finder with a real-time mapping system. This device with a 3-in-1 transducer works really great.

Evolution & Benefits Of A Modern Fish Finder

We can all agree that the traditional fishing method of just using a fishing rod, a fishing line, and bait does not guarantee that you will catch fish easily.

Anglers are always confronted with three challenges when they want to catch fish. The first issue is that you have to entice fish for it to strike your lure or bait and secondly you must set the hook and play fish before you get him up on your boat. However, a bigger challenge is actually locating fish first.

For a very long time, anglers had to rely on powers of observation and experience to catch fish. This usually never had good results because fish are rarely visible from above hence you can pinpoint their exact location just like a hunter would clearly see birds or deer.

The perfect solution to locating fish easily when you are on your fishing expeditions is to use a good fish finder. Fish finders were made first in the early portions of the 20th century.

Most manufacturers of these amazing products began to develop and sell radar units. Sonar units gave anglers a picture of what lied beneath the water surface.

One problem with early types of fish finders is that they were only helpful when it comes to determining large-scale structures and depth of water. However, after further research and thanks to the constant advancement of technology, the capabilities of these fish finders grew exponentially.

The modern fish finders do not only enable us to find things like rivers sources or ways and find out the depth of water, but they also display incredibly detailed images.

Most of these modern devices have the power to display things as small as baitfish and rocks. These products give fishermen a lot of supplemental data and capabilities like wireless connectivity and GPS information. Data is then transmitted from the fish finder to a display panel for processing by anyone who is fishing.

Conclusion

The Lowrance hook2 4X bullet review discovered that this fish finder with GPS Plotter will definitely be a perfect choice for beginners. It is made by a reputable company and is one of the reasons why I easily recommend it to anyone.

The fact that you get all those features at an affordable price range makes it a go-to product for anyone shopping for a good fish finder. Don’t go for cheaper knockoffs that do not last for long.

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Where Should Fire Extinguishers Be Stored on a Boat & How?

When you are out on your boat, whether for a pleasure cruise with friends or by yourself to enjoy the water, you should always think about safety first – and that includes keeping a fire extinguisher on board. The question is, where should fire extinguishers be stored on a boat? Let’s talk and discuss in details.

Where Should Fire Extinguishers Be Stored On A Boat For Our Safety?

Fire extinguishers should not be stored where you cannot reach them or where they can be damaged. Fire extinguishers should be mounted in an open area, standing upright, easily accessible, and in a place where they can be inspected regularly. This usually means the kitchen, the hull, the cabin, and the bilge. You want to think about where your high-traffic areas are on the boat. Do not put the extinguisher where it can easily be damaged.

If you are unsure as to where to put an extinguisher – or more than one – ask yourself the following questions to decide correctly:

Where are flammable liquids stored on the boat?
Where is the kitchen or galley? Is it cleaned regularly?
Where do people spend the most time on the boat?
Where is the gas tank located on the boat?
How often is the boat cleaned of debris and garbage?

When mounting a fire extinguisher, there should be a three-foot clearance around it to ensure easy access in an emergency situation. It should also be mounted at an angle so that chemicals do not settle at the bottom of the extinguisher container.

Figuring out the best place to put a fire extinguisher should be easy, as well. For example, you might want to consider putting one where you cook, or one near the gas tank – any place that might potentially be a hazard for fire. The extinguishers should be USCG approved with the approval number.

How To Mount Fire Extinguishers Safely On A Boat?

I always use a proper holder for the fire extinguisher on my boat. With the movement of the boat, anything on the boat will move and can be displaced easily. If an object is moving on board it can hurt the passengers or can be lost in the water.

So, we must take care of securing the fire extinguishers using adequate brackets or mounts. These brackets, mounts or belts are normally available with the fire extinguishers which can help us to prevent unexpected incidents on a boat.

What Are Fire Extinguishers Made Of?

Fire extinguishers are made of an extinguishing agent and usually a pressurized gas such as carbon dioxide. The fire suppressant inside can be foam-based, water-based, wet chemical-based, carbon-dioxide based, and chemical powder-based.

Water-based: These are probably the least effective. Water is really only good for putting out paper or wood fires, and small ones at best. They are not that effective on boats when chemicals or a combustible like gasoline may be a factor.

Carbon dioxide: These extinguishers are environmentally safe as carbon dioxide is a clean, odorless gas. It is usually discharged from a fire extinguisher as a “cloud of snow” that suffocates the oxygen in the fire, causing it to go out.

Wet chemical: These consist of potassium salts that are sprayed out in a fine mist that creates a soapy film that suffocates the fire.

Powder: These extinguishers contain a heavy sodium chloride powder that when it makes contact with the heat of a fire, it cakes and forms an exterior crust, which excludes air and results in the fire going out.

Which Fire Extinguisher Is Right For Your Boat?

Extinguishers are “classed” by the type of fire they can extinguish efficiently:

Class A: Designed for combustible solid materials such as wood, paper, or textiles.

Class B: Designed for flammable or combustible liquid such as kerosene, grease, gasoline or oil.

Class C: Designed for use with electrical fires.

Class D: Designed for fires that involve flammable metals. This class of fire is not common like class A and B. Flames must be addressed to avoid rapid spread, intense heat, and excessive damage.

Class K: Designed for cooking fires such as those started by cooking oil, grease, animal and vegetable fats.

There are also tri-classed fire extinguishers available, that are all-purpose extinguishers that usually can take care of fires started by wood, flammable liquids, and electrical fires.

What Are The Requirements For Fire Extinguishers On Boats?

According to Small Vessel Regulations from the U.S. Coast Guard, the number of fire extinguishers required for your boat depends on the size of your boat. Here are two tables to understand which extinguishers fit you.

Extinguisher Type & Size

Classification Foam

Carbon Dioxide CO₂

Dry Chemical

B-I

1.25 gallons minimum

4 pounds minimum

2 LBS minimum

B-II

2.50 Gallons sminimum

15 pounds minimum

10 LBS minimum

Vessel Length (Feet)	No Installed Fire Extinguisher System	With Installed Fire Extinguisher System
Smaller Than 26 ft	One B-I	None
26 ft to 40 ft	Two B-I or One B-II	One B-I
40 ft to < 65 ft	Three B-I or One B-II & One B-I	Two B-I or One B-II

For boats over 40 feet to 65 feet:

Three B-I marine fire extinguishers

For boats 26-40 feet:

Two B-I marine fire extinguishers

For a boat under 26 feet:

With only an outboard motor, a small boat under 26 feet generally does not need a fire extinguisher. But if these vessels are used for carrying passengers commercially or if the boat construction allows trapping explosive or flammable gases or vapors, then the rule is different. Lastly, it is always recommended to carry at least one fire extinguisher for remaining safe. So the small boats & inflatable boats for fishing and recreation do not need a fire extinguisher.

Inboard Engines

When the engine compartment is equipped with a built-in extinguishing system, one less B-I extinguisher is required onboard.

The “B” is for combustible liquids, and the “I” has to do with the weight of the extinguisher, I being smaller than II. On boats, the main concern is for the combustible fuels. Use of the right fuel stabilizer for boats will reduce the chance of bad combustion of the engine and will keep the fuel system cleaner.

However, you can also use the checklist below to figure out exactly what you need. Generally, if your boat has even one of the following, you will need an extinguisher on board:

Enclosed area for living and cooking;

Fuel tanks that are permanently installed;

Fuel tanks that are too heavy or cannot be moved;

Engine components that are enclosed;

Seat compartments that could store engine tanks;

Double bottoms that are not used to permanently seal to the hull; and,

Other areas not filled with floatation devices.

Boats Larger Than 65 Feet

For boats larger than 65 feet, federal requirements must be met. This often means installing an actual fire extinguishing system. Fixed fire systems are rated by cubic feet of coverage, so you will have to have your engine room measured. Inside the fixed fire-extinguishing system are fire suppressants, which are usually stored as a liquid, but which are emitted as a gas.

Fixed systems trigger automatically with a temperature sensor, or can be set off manually, if necessary. However, if the fixed system triggers while you are moving, you will need to react quickly. You will need to shut off engines, blowers, generators, and other equipment, or they may need fresh oxygen to restart and to expel fire suppressant.

In addition, boats larger than 65 feet may also require a ventilation system for each compartment in the boat that contains:

A permanently installed gas engine;

Openings between it and a compartment that requires venting;

A permanent fuel tank and an electrical component that is not ignition-protected;

A fuel tank that vents into a compartment; and/or

A non-metallic fuel tank.

This U.S. Coast Guard requirement applies to all boats built on or after August 1, 1980. The boat owner is responsible for making sure openings are free of obstruction, ducts are not blocked or torn, blowers operate properly, and worn components are replaced with Coast Guard-approved equipment.

Maintenance Of Fire Extinguishers stored On A Boat

We are thinking about where should fire extinguishers be stored on a boat, but it will be useless if we don’t follow the maintenance of the extinguishers. All fire extinguishers in the United States are under the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which creates the National Fire Code.

The National Fire Code (NFPA1) requires fire extinguishers to be inspected every 30 days or less and to be maintained and tested no less than yearly. In addition, it should be replaced, no more than 10 years after it is installed. A fire extinguisher should have a date stamped on the neck or bottom of the extinguisher – it should be embossed or stamped on the steel canister. Fire extinguishers should be checked for the following:

Hoses, as well as seals, for leaks or damage;
Tamper indicators to see if they are broken or missing;
Pressure gauges or other indicators; and,
There should be no obvious sign of physical damage, rust, corrosion, leakage or clogged nozzles.

You want to ensure that your fire extinguisher is in good condition and working well. If it isn’t, plan to replace it right away.

Boating Safety Classes

It might be a good idea to take a boating safety class. In most states, these classes feature in-depth safety including how to obtain a boating license or safety certification. Many times these classes are required for boat insurance and offer a discount to those who successfully complete the course.

Topics of safety classes include

Introduction to boating, which features information about the types of boats available, such as sailboats, paddleboats, houseboats, power boats, and outboards.

Boating law, which outlines federal, state and local laws and protecting the marine environment.

Equipment safety, which features information about life jackets, fire extinguishers, visual distress signals, first aid, anchors and other equipment.

Safe boating such as loading a boat, fueling portable and permanent tanks, steering with a tiller and a wheel, knots, using an anchor and general water safety.

Navigation: The U.S. Aids to Navigation system, buoys and beacons, navigation rules, avoiding collisions, and sound signals.

Boating problems: such as accidents and rescues, man-overboard rescue, capsizing, river hazards, emergency radio calls, engine and equipment failures, carbon monoxide problems.

Storing your boat: Types of trailers and hitches, tires, where to store and how to store it (reading the boat for storage).

One Of The Basic Things To Remember When Using A Fire Extinguisher Is PASS

Pull the security pin
Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire from a distance that is not dangerous
Squeeze the lever to expel the extinguishing material (liquid, powder, gas, foam etc.)
Sweep the nozzle or hose from one side to the other to give the fire full coverage until the fire is extinguished.

One Final Note

Now we know where should fire extinguishers be stored on a boat and the basics related to the extinguishers. But, If flames get higher than your waist or there is a dangerous fuel burning, you should contact 9-1-1 and have a professional firefighter with the proper safety equipment handle the fire. You should have a boat evacuation plan, as well.