Dan's Papers - March 7, 2008 - Ready, Set, Sail

It's only March, but for die-hard boaters it's never too early to start preparing for the season - from the practical stuff to the totally unnecessary but fun gadgets. Of course, the most important thing you can do before getting your sailboat in the water is to inspect your sails for any damage. Doing this isn't rocket science, but is often overlooked by sailors who are anxious to get new rigging or painting done. The best way to inspect your sails is to simply spread them out on the floor inside your home. If you can't find ample space in your home for all the sails, then lay them out individually in a systematic fashion. Don't put your sails on grass or concrete. Grass can stain and concrete can tear them, so it's best to do this process indoors. When inspecting your sails, look for small tears as well as undesirable stains that can come from just about anything. The smaller the tear, the smaller the cost of repair. However, if it goes unnoticed, the tear will undoubtedly grow bigger and become more expensive.

Up next, at least for this sailor, is to make sure the engine is in order. If you have your engine winterized at a marina, let them know that you are getting ready to put your boat in the water. It is always good to be on the top of the list when it comes to the countless number of engines that a workshop has to maintain.

Now is also the time to browse through the annual catalog from West Marine to order anything on your boat that needs replacing. Don't let your cracked compass go unchecked - West Marine has got you covered. If you don't want to handle this responsibility yourself, ask your marina manager if he or she can offer any advice for outdated parts you may have overlooked.

For some, bottom painting is a bi-annual process. But don't let this be you. Having a fresh coat of paint on the bottom of your sailboat is important for so many reasons, and should be taken seriously. Unless you have somebody with experience to guide you, do not do this on your own. Boat paint is extremely unhealthy for you if it makes contact with your skin. Inhaling the vapors is always unhealthy. Hiring a professional to do this is best, but if you are anxious to bond with your boat in this way, be sure to get a plastic suit, with rubber gloves and a mask.

I'm also a huge fan of having a professional clean my boat so that it feels brand new. Again, you can do this on your own, but professionals with large and tall rod brushes will get every nook that you might miss with your dish sponge.

As far as new gadgets, get the ones that you want now so you have them on your first sail - and you'll find lower prices at this time of year. I love night vision binoculars because of the large amount of night sailing I did last summer. You can pick up a decent pair for about $600. You can also get a scope for around $300, but the scopes are pretty boring if you ask me. I'd recommend Night Owl's NOXB3 with night vision and infrared to have on board when moonlight just isn't cutting it.

I also like the new folding solar panels and polycrystalline solar panels from Sharp - not because they are environmentally friendly, but they are practical to trickle charge your battery while your boat is docked. Having a healthy battery ensures that your engine will start, but that your lights, both interior and exterior will work, as well as your sound system. Which brings me to the next gadget on my wish list.

There is nothing quite like having classical music or a great Broadway score blasting as you unfurl your sail out onto the open sea. My personal favorite is Les Miserables, but it would be a hell of a lot more fun if I could do it through a real sound system instead of my twenty-dollar portable iPod speakers. Hooking up a sound system on your boat really isn't a big deal - you just have to get the right products. My favorite brands are Bose speakers because a Brown engineering student once told me that they are the best. I'd say his word is better then mine. You can get a nice pair of Bose 151 SE Environmental Speakers or a pair of Bose flush mount speakers. Run a wire into an amplifier, another into a subwoofer and another into a stereo receiver and you have yourself one sweet system for your sailboat. Might be time to bust out the Guns N' Roses.