Mercury Report
Whether you bought your boat a week ago, a year ago or a decade ago, one thing is for sure: You want to keep it as well-protected as possible.
Keeping a boat under cover means soft goods such as seat cushions and canvas will last longer, the boat’s shiny finish will stay shiny longer and the boat will be cleaner every time you use it. Plus, a boat represents a major financial outlay for most of us. Keeping your boat under a cover and protected from the wind and weather will help maintain its value. But, how will you know which boat cover is the best to choose?
Boat Cover Materials
Your main fabric options when choosing a boat cover are vinyl, polyester and acrylic. Vinyl covers have the advantage of being waterproof, but there’s a big downside in that they don’t breathe. This can lead to mold and mildew issues, so you don’t see many vinyl boat covers on the market. But you do see some, and they can get the job done as long as they’re well-vented. Polyester and acrylic are much more common. Both are water-resistant (though they aren’t 100% waterproof), both breathe and both offer good strength. As a general rule, polyester is stronger coming out of the box, but there’s a catch: It weakens more quickly than acrylic does with age and exposure. In an exposed environment where a polyester cover provides a useable life span of five to seven years, an acrylic cover will likely last more like seven to 10 years.
By Louie Stout
Mercury Report
Poor-quality gas and ethanol blends can lead to issues with a boat’s fuel system, yet they’re often the only options available near remote fisheries.
Thankfully, even though fuel quality can’t always be controlled, it can certainly be managed with the Mercury Fuel Care System. The system includes three additive formulas: Quickare®, Quickleen® and Quickstor®.
Quickare Fuel Treatment can be added at every fill-up to help maximize engine performance. Quickleen Engine & Fuel System Cleaner is designed to be used intermittently throughout the season. It helps optimize fuel and remove deposits. Quickstor Fuel Stabilizer is especially important for anglers and boaters who live in the home region of Mercury Pro Team member and 2021 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Seth Feider. A Minnesotan, Feider launched his career up north, where fishing seasons are short and storage seasons are – unfortunately – all too long. He knows that gas left in an idle boat can lead to fuel-related problems down the road if preventive measures aren’t taken.
The fact is, no matter the initial quality, all gas starts to break down after several months. The longer it is left in a boat, the greater the chance of it causing problems, such as hard starting, gumming or varnish formation in the fuel system.
In the video below, Feider shows how easy it is to prevent such troubles by using Mercury Quickstor to stabilize a boat’s fuel system. It only takes 1 ounce to treat 5 gallons of fuel. Once the Quickstor is in the system, it will help prevent the fuel from breaking down and can help keep the fuel system clean for a full year during storage. Using Quickstor is simple and affordable assurance that when the next fishing season kicks off, your engine will be ready to rip.
Keep in mind that stabilizing fuel isn’t limited only to winter prep – and it’s certainly not limited to anglers. It’s a smart move to stabilize fuel in any boat that might sit for more than a couple of weeks, like a boat stored at a summer cabin or a family boat that is used only on occasion due to other obligations competing for your time. Quickstor has you covered. It works with any brand and type of gasoline-powered marine engine, whether carbureted or fuel injected. It can even be used in lawnmowers, ATVs and other small engines before storage.
So when you are ready to winterize, watch the included video for Feider’s advice. Then follow these steps to get the job done right.
How to Stabilize Fuel with Quickstor:
Winterization Matters
Quickstor should be a part of the winterization process for any marine engine. Also be sure to replace the fuel filter and, if servicing a four-stroke engine, to change the oil and oil filter. Then follow any other winterization procedures recommended in your engine owner’s manual before putting the boat up for the season. If you’re not interested in DIY, a Mercury Authorized Dealer can always help you out, too.
Proper fuel care during boating season and ahead of storage will make sure your engine will be ready to go next spring, whether you plan to chase fishing’s biggest titles, like Feider, or you simply want to enjoy fun and adventure on your local waters.