How to Read a Chart - SEMINAR

Planning a trip with your boat this summer?

Charts are a great tool in understanding the waterways in which you plan to boat. But what do all of those symbols represent anyway? HAVE NO FEAR - HELP IS ON THE WAY!

Peters Marine Service and the US Power Squadron will be offering the following course:

'How to Read a Chart'

When: Saturday January 31st from 10:00 to Noon

Where: Peters Marine's Boating Safety and Skills Classroom, 1402 Union Blvd, Allentown, PA

Cost: $30 Materials Fee (Participants will receive the NOAA Chart #1 and Student Note Book)

CALL TODAY and RESERVE your seat: 610-433-1606.

This seminar walks you through what you really need to know in an entertaining and interesting fashion, and provides you with a Maptech Waterproof flip-fold waterproof Chart Symbols and On-the-Water Guide to take along on the boat with you. In addition to showing you all about your chart, this seminar walks you through the essentials of laying out a safe course, steps to measure a course with the USPS plotter, and even a quick guide to the rules of the road.

Even with GPS and electronic navigation, the chart is needed to tell you what is around you and between you and your intended destination. A system of symbols is used to tell you what lies below the surface of the water and the depths of water. There is key information about visible landmarks and navigation aids to help you navigate your course. The chart also is your link with the GPS via its grid scale, compass rose, and distance scales. A brief introduction to latitude and longitude provides insight to the operation of GPS receivers.

Are wax & polish the same thing?

When talking with customers about how to care for a fiberglass boat, I am often asked about the difference between wax and polish. The quick answer is they are used for different purposes. One can not be used in lieu of the other. Polish is used to make the gelcoat shiny. Wax is used to protect the gelcoat (fiberglass).

When applying them, start with a clean, freshly washed hull. Be sure the hull is dry before you start with wax and polish. An "applicator pad" will make applying the product much easier while at the same time using less product. Make sure you have plenty of clean towels on hand for the removal process. As soon as you feel the towel starting to get "sticky", switch to a clean section or a new towel. Don't try to make that towel last "just a bit longer". While it can't always be avoided, the best results will be had if you keep the boat out of the direct sun. A cloudy day is best, but early morning or evening can be OK, too. If you do it in the evening, just make sure you finish up before the dew starts to form on the boat.

Before you start waxing, assess the gelcoat - does it feel smooth? If it feels chalky or rough, you'll have to start with a compound - often termed Oxidation Remover. But, for now, let's assume your gelcoat is nice and smooth. The next step would be to apply the polish. This will feed the gelcoat with "nutrients" to help it retain it's shine and luster. Polish is put on and removed the same way wax is - just like you would for your car. After the polish is removed, you can put on a coat of wax to protect the shine and help keep the sun's UV rays from - yup, you guessed it - oxidizing the surface. Just like your engine, a little preventative maintenance for your gelcoat will keep it from ever oxidizing in the first place - thus saving you time and money.

Depending on how much time your boat spends in the elements and where you live, you'll want to do this anywhere between twice a year to possibly as much as a half dozen. Have you ever noticed that the hull (below the rubrail) stays looking nicer than the deck (above the rubrail)? The hull doesn't get hit by strongest, direct rays of the sun. Because of this, you may find that you want to wax the deck a little more often than the hull. The good thing is that on a typical boat, the deck has less surface area. By the way do not, under any circumstances, wax the non-skid! I think you can figure out why. Just wash it.

One last tip: don't skimp out and buy cheap wax or use what you have laying around the garage for your car. Boat wax is specially formulated for gelcoat to stand up to the harsh, marine environment - there is a difference! In the end, you'll be glad you did it right. Afterall, you've probably made a considerable investment in your boat. Spend that extra dollar or two on a reputable polish and wax to help keep your baby looking good for years to come.

Looking to Sell Your Boat? - Or maybe you know someone who is.

WE CAN HELP - It has been a VERY successful winter season here at Peters Marine and we are VERY low on pre-owned inventory.


WE ARE ALWAYS in search of CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED boats to supplement our stock of Quality Boats.

WE WILL TAKE THE TIME to showcase your boat in the most sellable fashion with the use of pictures, relevent text, and a feature video presentation. Your boat will be presented on 4 PREMIUM boating websites and other printed medium. Additionally, our sales staff is NON-commission based so you can be sure that your boat gets just as much attention as our own stock.

YOUR Boat Listing Might Look Like This, CLICK HERE... or: http://www.petersmarine.com/DisplayBoat.aspx?vid=331

YOUR Video Presentation Might Look Like This, CLICK HERE... or: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7765789688176327594

Click here to MEET OUR CARING STAFF who will sincerely treat your boat as if it were their own.

Call TED or BARRY for more details! 610-433-1606