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Keep everything ship shape
TOPIC: Watersports & Recreation
By: Eugene Bonthuys
May 03, 2011
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The water is one of the great attractions of Cayman and whether you budget stretches to a pleasure craft, a Jet Ski, or can just about manage a kayak or a rod and reel, Kirk Marine has a wide selection of ways to have some fun on the water.

Yet no matter what piece of equipment you own, keeping everything ship shape is vitally important, not merely for your enjoyment, but also for safety.

It is especially important to pay attention to the condition of your boat and its engines, as the last thing you want on lazy Sunday afternoon is to get stuck in the middle of the North Sound, or even worse, start getting that sinking feeling.

Tim Kelley, the new service manager at Kirk Marine, believes the team they have assembled is very well equipped to address all your needs. Tim is an expert when it comes to servicing BRP Evinrude ETEC outboards, but the range of services extend much wider, running the gamut from high performance jet skis by Eric Burton, a former champion Jet Ski racer, to custom rod and reel repairs by Joel.

For those who enjoy tinkering with their boats just as much as taking them out on the water, Kirk Marine also stocks bulk boat repair products such as resins, gelcoat, Awlgrip paints, chop strand and woven fibreglass, epoxies, fillers and tools to get the job done, so you can keep your boat looking good and on the water, where it belongs.

Of course, for those who don’t have a boat to play with yet, Kirk Marine offers a very good selection of watercraft, including Sea-Doo watercraft and boats, so you can scale your fun according to your budget. Whether you are buying a toy for yourself of the kids, a personal watercraft is a great option, while a boat is a brilliant option for those looking to take the entire family out on the water. Can there be a better way to spend a weekend?

Kirk Marine also stocks Continental and Triton trailers, Eduardono boats, kayaks, boat and Jet Ski accessories, trailer repair supplies, and a huge fishing tackle and equipment selection.

For more information, call 946-3575 or
visit kirkmarine.ky

Tim’s Top Tips

When it comes to engines, you need to develop a feel for how the engine looks, feels and sounds when it’s running properly.

Get to know your boat:
The more time you spend on it, the better able you’ll be to spot potential problems and have them addressed before they become a major headache and expense.

If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t:
If something doesn’t look, feel, or sound right, it probably isn’t and you should call your dealer immediately. Ignoring a problem will usually make things much worse, which translates to a much more expensive repair and a lot of lost boating time when there is a complete failure due to an ignored symptom.

Keep your engine clean:
Lift the engine cover off and gently rinse your engine down per your owner’s manuals’ instructions, and ALWAYS flush the engine with fresh water while it’s running for 10 minutes or more, preferably with Salt Away or a similar product. Keep the outside of your engine clean and wax the covers frequently to keep its shiny finish. Routinely grease all fittings and joints, per the manufacturer’s recommendations, and apply a corrosion protection spray to components under the engines cover and any external components that your engine manufacturer suggests.

Take note:
Take notice of any signs of damage, corrosion, or fluid leakage and schedule your boat for service if you do notice any of these items. Little things have a way of turning into big problems if ignored.
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