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Boating is a great way to escape from the city and the many stresses COVID-19 has created.
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No signs of slowing for boating
Start now if you plan to purchase in 2022
Special to Vacation News USA TODAY NETWORK
Marine dealers may be on track for another record-setting year for boat sales. After experiencing a high demand for new and pre-owned boats in 2020 as people took to the water for recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the market continues to show signs of growth. Lake of the Ozarks is considered a hub for the marine industry in Missouri, rivaling other areas of the state and nation for boat and personal watercraft sales.
Late last week, the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association announced the annual fall boat show was being postponed. The September Boat Show has always been billed as an “end of current model year” clearance show. As 2021 saw many local boat dealers across the nation with record sales numbers for 2021, the LOMDA board of directors made the decision to cancel out of concern for the shortage of current model year product for their boating customers and the many show attendees, and that as a result, that the association could not promote a full show as attendees were used to seeing in years past.
The trend in recreational boating is showing no signs of slowing down.
According to a statement provided by LOMDA, all of the local dealer members have reacted and have been very aggressive with their purchases of product to ensure an abundance of watercraft for the upcoming 2022 boating season. These dealers are, however, highly encouraging potential shoppers that are wanting to get a new boat for 2022, to have that dialogue with your dealer now to ensure spring delivery in 2022.
LOMDA will be featuring the new 2021 product lines at the association’s 2022 Overland Park Boat Show that runs from Jan. 27 thru Jan. 30, 2022 and at the St. Charles Boat Show Mar. 3 thru Mar. 6, 2022. Products for 2022 will be delivered and on exhibit.
Mike Kenagy, the Marine Dealers Association’s Executive Director said, “with the influx of new Lake of the Ozarks homeowners moving into our area, the demand for watercraft has been high. Our local marine dealers have done an excellent job in getting those new residents the boats they need so that they can enjoy the water in their new home here at the lake”.
Mark Maasen, president of the Marine Dealers Association said with the boat manufactures coming back online after an unprecedented year in 2021, “we see the opportunity for product at the lake to increase like we have never seen before for 2022 and on.”
The Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association is made up of over 40 lake area marine dealers, representing all the top lines of boats, marine accessories, docks, personal watercraft and everything else to promote fun on our local waters.
For more information visit www.Lake OzarkBoatDealers.com. n
18 SMaple St, Eldon MO •Downtown Eldon
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Fueling safety for boaters
Joyce L. Miller
Lake Sun | USA TODAY NETWORK
After responding to a rash of boat fires already this season, lake area fire officials are reminding boaters to make sure they know what they are doing when they pull up to a gas dock.
An afternoon of summer fun can quickly turn into a dangerous situation when proper fueling procedures aren’t followed. Learning how to properly fuel a boat is one of the first and most important lessons boat operators need to know.
Mid-County Fire Chief Scott Frandsen said boat fires are not only dangerous for boaters onboard but also those on the docks and nearby boats. A boat fire/explosion that gets out-of-control can spread quickly. ExpertsThe Lake of the Ozarks Captain’s Association’s recommends boaters provide tips run blowers for at least 5 minutes to get rid of any fuel fumes trapped in the bilge/engine compartment. Keep on boat safety after the engine hatch open while running the blower. Do a sniff test for any fuel several boat odor. explosions “Something to consider … it is not a bad practice to run your blower each occur on time before you start your engine,” Lake of the said Capt. Doug Beck, of LOCA and the Lake of the Ozarks Water Safety Ozarks Council. “On a hot summer day, the fuel fumes/vapors can build in the bilge/engine compartment. So before leaving the dock, take a few extra minutes that could save you a lifetime of regret.”
LOCA Capt. Bob May said personal watercraft operators also need to take precautions by ventilating the engine compartment and doing a sniff test.
May said boaters may want to look at upgrades that can improve safety.
“New gas fume sensors are making their way into the manufacturers’ newer boats but there are aftermarket units that can be installed,” he said. “If they sense fumes, a light and buzzer on the dashboard signals to the operator there is a problem.
Another device takes that electronic fume detector one step further. If gas fumes are detected, this unit disables the starter motor(s) and prevents the operator from starting the boat.”
Even with those types of devices, May said boaters still need to follow fueling safety guidelines.
Here’s what the experts recommend: 1. Make sure the engines are off when fueling.
2. Do not smoke anywhere around fueling. 3. Do not use your cell phone while refueling. 4. If you have a metal boat or a boat with metal, touch the boat well away from the fuel fill to discharge any static electricity. Also, keep the nozzle in contact with the fuel fill to avoid a static electric discharge 5. Close all windows, hatches and vents to prevent fuel fumes from entering the boat. 6. If the motors are inboard, be sure you run your blowers for five minutes after fueling (or whatever is recommended by your boat’s manufacturer). 7. Prior to taking the boat out from your dock run the blowers. Also check the bilge area to make sure that there is no fuel present. If you smell gasoline or see gasoline in your bilge do not start the boat and call a service technician. The best gas leak detector is your nose! If you smell gasoline do not start the boat. 8. On larger boats make certain that you are putting the fuel in the fuel tank. We have had instances where the operator put fuel in the wastewater or freshwater tanks. Again if this happens do not start the boat and call a service technician. On most boats the fuel, wastewater and fresh water fill ports look very similar
9. While fueling, during startup and during operation always wear a PFD. In an emergency such as a boat explosion you will not have time to locate one and you will have to abandon the boat. 10. Make sure that no one is on the boat when fueling. 11. If you are using any form of portable fuel can, always fill them on shore way from the boat. 12. Always stay at the nozzle when fueling. Do not rely on the auto shutoff.
Boating checklist
Engine Electrical : Wiring harnesses and starters cause a disproportionate number of fires on boats more than 25 years old. If you have a vintage boat and those parts are original, consider replacing them. Most of these older boats had relatively simple wiring harnesses, so if the manufacturer is no longer in business, or the part is no longer available, a good electrical technician can put one together for you.
Other DC Electrical: While loose battery connections, chafed battery cables, and aged battery switches can all cause fires aboard, the most common cause of battery-related fires is operator error: reversing the battery cables or connecting them in series when they should have been in parallel, or vice versa. If you're disconnecting your batteries for any reason, photograph the configuration with your phone first, label the battery cables, and mark the positive lug with red fingernail polish to make sure you avoid a shocking experience when you reconnect them.
AC Electrical: Bringing air conditioning, microwaves, electric heaters, and other AC appliances aboard makes life on the dock more comfortable and convenient but also greatly increases the risk of fire. Most AC electrical fires start somewhere between the marina pedestal and the shorepower inlet on the boat.
Other Engine: Any interruption of cooling water can lead to overheating and then to a fire. In this case, a blockage of the raw-water intake caused the overheating. Other exhaust fires are caused by impeller failures due to age or to sediment in the water. If your engine overheats, check the engine compartment before getting underway again. Change your impeller every other year, and after a grounding, or operating in particularly dirty waters.
Batteries: On older outboards, the voltage regulator is by far the most common cause of fires. The failure rate increases with age after 10 years, so if your outboard is 15 years old or more, replacing the regulator may well keep you from having a bad day on the water. n
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