Preview Video of the event which took place in October ... hope you didn't miss it, we had a blast!

Contestents taking of from Waterpoint Marina on Day 2 of the Competition.

Being able to find a great marina can be a challenge sometimes, whether it's for boat slip rentals or just for a quick fill up for gas and groceries, it's of the most vital component for a pleasant boating experience. There are plenty of marinas out there to choose from which can make your decision difficult. If your trying to choose a marina for boat dockage or just a boat rental for the day there is plenty to think about. Learning the best way to choose a marina that fits your needs can save you a bit of time.

Here are a few points for you consideration:

What are you going to need from the marina? Just looking for a home for your boat? Your needs could be minimal. If you planning on staying a while or are going to be planning a big trip it will be essential that you plan ahead and have a marina the offers all the services you need.

Here's a quick list of services to consider:
1. Are pump services available?
2. Is there marine fuel available?
3. Are there repair technicians available?
4. Is there a ship's store with essential boating supplies?
5. Are there restrooms and showers for guest use?
6. Is there overnight boat dockage at the marina?

How about resort style marinas? Here's a few thing to look for:
1. Is there a main club house with restaurant?
2. Are there outside lounge areas for relaxing and enjoying a meal or drinks?
3. Are there available on-site laundry facilities?
4. Are there recreational activities available such as a pool, outdoor sports courts or exercise room?
5. Are there cleaning crews available to clean your boat for you?

Now this is just a short list of things to consider but should get you started in the right direction. Next time your out at Lake Conroe check out Waterpoint Marina the have all the amenities you could ever need. They also offer: boat rental, jet ski rental and slip rentals both short term and long term.

What type of boat dock is best for your boat?

First a few things to think consider before you go out and choose a boat dock. What type of boats or watercraft do you own? Are you planning to buy anymore? Does the water experience much fluctuation in water levels? Say from a drought or from one season to the next. Are there big waves the dock will have to endure? Here are the major types of docks: floating, stationary, portable and slip docks. Most of the time there are combinations of dock types that will work all needs.

Stationary and standings docks are best for salt water and places that experience repeated wave abuse. The waves can pass through the standing legs and most of the time the docks are built with wooden pilings that will not easily corrode.

Floating docks are great for deep water such as lakes and marinas. These also work well where the water levels are continually fluctuating or if the bottom is soft. This type dock should stay in the water. The typical "U" shape of floating docks stand up well to heavy waves or boat wakes from boats coming and going from a marina. Floating docks also come in "T" and "L" shapes and can be anchored in numerous ways.

These floating docks also have many types of floatation device that are used to keep them on top of the water. Make sure these are resistant to gas, saltwater and oil. If you're looking for a floating dock at a marina then most of the time you don't have to worry about all of the options but rather trust the pros and just park you boat at the dock and enjoy your slip.

This last type of boat dock is a wheeled boating dock that is ideal for a location that goes through freeze thaw cycles. This type of dock can be wheeled away when the weather changes and the water is about to freeze. There is a bit of a caveat though. The conditions need to be near perfect to use. A gradual slope to wheel it into the water and a firm lake bottom with minimal elevation. These can be handy but may be tough to find a spot perfect for one.

Armed with this advice you can go and make the right choice for your conditions. There are many options available. You can choose docks with slips that are convent for parking right at your dock/location. Most of the time these have nice decks so the suer can enjoy their time at the waterfront. Ever see a dock with a sundeck on top? These are nice for those who plan on entertaining, cooking and general fun. There are limitless combinations these are just a few so get out there and start enjoying your boat dock, sun and water.

 Need a boat slip rental? Check out our boat slip rental page here: http://waterpointmarina.com/slip-rentals.html

Looking for a place to dock your boat? Well then, look no farther my friend. Having a boat slip to dock your boat is a must. Having a slip at a marina offers convenience, security, services, amenities and a social atmosphere to enjoy. Renting a marina boat slip can be a very effective solution for many boat owners. Lets expand on the reasons to dock your boat at a marina slip shall we.

If your a busy boater or just live around the corner the convenience of having your own slip at a marina is a necessity. The ability to get everything in one place is priceless — boat, gas, food, drinks — no need to run all over the place and it's easy to meet friends and family at a huge landmark like a marina.

Now when it comes to security renting a slip at a marina is the only way to go. You can sleep soundly knowing your boat is safe and secure. Marinas tend to be gated and have security cameras. Security guards can be found patrolling the grounds at some marinas and keeping an eye on the boats in their slips.

Having your boat close to basic boating supplies is another reason to look into docking your boat at a marina. Ever get to your boat only find you need a minor repair? We all have … and it sucks. However if your boat was docked at a marina you could just grab what you need and be on your way.

Ever get off the lake and feel the need for a shower? If you rented a slip at a marina most have bathrooms, showers, fresh water, telephones, TV, internet connection, game room, just about anything you need to make your day at the lake more comfortable.

Marinas can provide opportunities for entertainment and socializing with friends too. Slip holders tend to gather for happy hours, BBQ, and just hang out and wind down after a day on the lake. Waterpoint Marina on Lake Conroe has a shopping center right next door. Offering many different restaurants, shopping a boardwalk, and more. There is also a Friday night concert during the summer.

Boat slip rental rates will vary but there are many options depending on the size of the slip you will need and the length of your stay. Marinas usually offer a daily, weekly or monthly slip rental payment schedule. Will so many significant advantages to docking your boat in a marina slip and many different payment options there is no reason to delay putting your boat in a marina boat slip.

Alright all you scallywags and wanna be boaters we're going to start your knot tying education today. Just follow along with these simple knots and you will be able to secure your boat like a pro.

Two Half Hitches
Reliable knot is easy to tie for mooring, or docking.
You can also use this knot for tying the bumpers to your pontoon railing.


How to pull it off:
1. Pass the end of a rope around a post or other object.
2. Wrap the short end of rope under and over the long part of rope, pushing the end down through the loop. This is a half hitch.
3. Repeat on the long rope, below first half hitch, and draw tight.

Sheet Bend

Reliable knot for joining two ropes of any size.

Widely used knot for boating.

• Sheet Bend is for joining two ropes
• Use it when towing another boat, to tie your rope to theirs.

• Use it to make a quick repair of a broken or cut ski rope.

• Use it to tie extra rope to the anchor when a longer rope is needed.



Bowline

Does not jam or slip when tied properly.

Widely used by fire and rescue teams.




How to pull it off:
1. Make the overhand loop with the end held toward you, then pass the end through the loop. 
2. Now, pass the end up behind the standing part, then down through the loop again. 
3. Draw tight. 

Cleat Hitch
es
Two ways to tie a rope to a cleat.





Anchor Bend

This knot is used to secure a rope or a line to an anchor.




How to pull it off:
1. Pass two loops through a ring.
2. Place the free end around the long rope.
3. Pass the free end through loops.
4. Complete by making a half hitch.

Clove Hitch

An easy way to tie a rope around a post.
This knot can work loose, so it is best to finish off with 1 or 2 Half Hitches.




How to pull it off: 
1. Make a turn with the rope around the object and over itself.
 2. Take a second turn with the rope around the object.
3. Pull the end up under the second turn so it is between the rope and the object; tighten by pulling on both ends.

Figure Eight

This knot is for the end of a rope, so you can hold on.



How to pull it off:
1. Make an underhand loop, bringing the end around and over the standing part.
2. Pass the rope end under, then up through the loop.
3. Draw tight.

Whipping the End of a Rope

This will Bind the end of a rope.



How to pull it off:
1. Make a small long loop along the rope. 
2. Wind the line around the rope, close and tight.
3. Feed the end through the long loop that is exsposed.
4. Pull both ends of the line tight and also pull the two lines under the wrapped line.

Braiding a Loop with Twisted Rope

Now you can make your own docking lines
This does not have to be perfect.
Just weave each 
of the three rope ends one after the other till you get about 6" of braid.



For more knot tying advice you can check out this animated knot tying website it's easy to follow along and learn how to tie number of knots.

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexboating.php

Check out our boat rentals and jet ski rentals. We always have the best equipment on Lake Conroe.

Looking for some deep water to put your boat in this summer we have plenty boat slips rentals too. 

Well it’s officially Winter. Time put away all the fun summer stuff and prepare for some cold weather. This blog post covers the process of shrink-wrapping your boat. It’s not all that hard to do and you can store your boat right in the backyard safe and sound from any elements. Below is a list of what you need to do.

1. Go our and purchase a shrink-wrap kit and any accessories you might need such as a heat gun. You can buy kits from online retailers or at any boating supply store.

2. Remove the boat from the water and transport it to a storage site

3. Pad any sharp corners that may rip the shrink-wrap.

4. Build a structure made of support poles and strapping lines over the boat to give the shrink wrap something to adhere to. Secure the structure by tying off to the stern, bow and sides of the boat.

5. Unroll the shrink-rap over the boat. Keep it from hitting the ground, as static electricity can draw dirt to the shrink-wrap. Drape the shrink-wrap down to just above the waterline on the boat.

6. Use the heat gun to heat the shrink-wrap, causing it to tighten over the support structure and to the sides of the boat. Start at the bow and work from the bottom of the shrink-wrap up, moving the gun in a wide sweeping motion. Then use a ladder repeat process on top of the boat.

7. Check over the entire boat when finished for any holes in the shrink-wrap. Patch holes with tape included in the installation kit, if necessary. Install self-adhesive vents to keep out mold and mildew that might form under the shrink wrap.

THE SHRINKING PROCESS
Once the film is on the boat (after you have heat-welded around the perimeter band) there are a few steps that can help in achieving a wrinkle-free, tight cover. You must install the belly-bands immediately after heat welding around the perimeter band on the boat. These taut straps pull the slack from the wrap allowing it to become tighter when heated. The shrinking order is as follows: Seal all pleats in cover, including the bow and stern. Begin applying heat at the bottom of the cover near one end (never in the middle). Guide the shrinking with the heat gun to the other end of the boat, up to the rub rail. Starting at the bottom of the cover allows the heat to rise and helps you shrink more quickly. Now you can shrink the top; be careful not to put excess heat on the corners or sharp protruding objects. Avoiding these areas allows the shrink-wrap to maintain its full thickness at these points.

HOLE PATROL
When the over is completely done make sure to check for any holes. The most effective way of repairing a hole is to use shrink-wrap tape which should be included in your kit. When the tape is applied it MUST be rubbed to remove air bubbles and activate the adhesives in the tape. The tape should also be lightly warmed using the gun so that the tape will adhere better.

VENTS AND DOORS
Vents and doors are installed after the cover is completely shrunk. They are not heated onto the cover at all. Vents are self-adhesive and the adhesive on them must be hand warmed and rubbed to have a complete seal. Doors are taped to the cover using either 2” or 4” shrink-wrap tape. The door is then unzipped and a hole cut underneath the zippered area.

That’s it! Your boat is all safe and sound for the winter.

For all of you that have personal boats and don’t rent boats this post is for you.

Now that summer is gone and winter is creeping up on is there is one more major thing you should do to make sure you boat is ready to go next year and that is winterize your boat. This should be done now so that when spring comes around your boat is ready to go with very little work. Not to mention winterization of your boat greatly extends the life of your investment.

Okay here we go. The first step is to make sure the boat’s fuel tank is topped off so there is little room for expansion. Don’t forget to add a fuel stabilizer. If the tank is not full you can run the risk of corroding the fuel tank due to condensation forming inside the fuel tank. Make sure to turn off all fuel valves and seal all exhaust ports. Replace the water separator and the fuel filter.

Protecting your engine

Run the engine for a while to warm it up and change the oil while it's warm. This allows many of the impurities in the oil to be drained away. Change the oil filters. If the engine uses coolant make sure to drain it and replace with a propylene glycol antifreeze.

When a boat is not being used, oil tends to settle at the bottom of the engine block, exposing the pistons and valves to air, humidity and other corrosive materials. To avoid this situation remove the spark plugs and spray "fogging oil" inside the carburetor and into each cylinder. Replace the spark plugs without reconnecting the wires. Replace the engine's old gear oil with fresh oil.

For all you outboard engine owners

Flush engines with fresh water. Allow all water to drain from the engine and wash down the engine with soap and water. Disconnect the fuel hose and run the engine out of fuel. You want to make sure all fuel is drained from the carburetor. Use fogging oil in the cylinders. Apply water resistant grease to propeller shaft and threads, and lightly lubricate the exterior of the engine. Change the gear oil in the lower unit.

If you will be storing your boat out of the water, disconnect the batter and store it at home. Boats left in the water should have the battery in place and functioning so the bilge pump with function as required. Make sure to keep the battery charged or keep it on a trickle charger. Don’t forget to check the fluid level in the battery from time to time.
Propeller maintenance

This is also a good time to check your boat's propeller and hub. Bent or nicked propeller blades will diminish performance. The hub may also be have sustained extensive wear. If this type of damage is apparent, replace the propeller and make any necessary repairs during the winterizing process.

This is a great time to make sure your boat is spotless.

Take the time to clean out your boat thoroughly, both inside and out. Take the time to scrub the outside of the boat remove and scum or barnacles that have formed. These will be much harder to remove when it comes time to take your boat out again. Once the outside has been thoroughly cleaned apply a quality polish. Clean the interior of the boat making sure to pay attention to any wood surfaces. Clean the carpet and vinyl so everything is ready to go in the spring.

To help keep your boat free from mildew, you may wish to install a dehumidifier or use a moisture absorber. Turn any cushions up on edge so that air can circulate around them, or better yet, remove them from the boat.

Drain and clean the bilges. (If your boat will be stored out of the water remove all drain plugs and put them in a place where they'll be easy to find when re-launching your boat in the spring.) Spray the bilges with moisture displacing lubricant and add a little antifreeze.

If you have a toilet on board… empty it already

Pump out the holding tank at an approved facility. While pumping, add fresh water to the bowl and flush several times. Use an approved cleaner for your type of system, and let the solution sit for a few minutes before adding more fresh water and pumping it out again. Add antifreeze and pump the coolant through the hoses, holding tank, Y-valve, macerator and discharge hose. Check your owner's manual to be sure that an alcohol based antifreeze won't damage your system.

Drain the water tanks

Be sure to drain the water tanks. Isolate the hot water heater by disconnecting the in and out lines and connecting them together. Put in a non-toxic antifreeze and run it through the whole system including taps and shower until the antifreeze starts coming out. Add a non-toxic antifreeze to the water heater.

Get your boat out of the water

If have a trailer put the boat on the trailer and put the trailer up on blocks to avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on the tires. Make sure to check the tire pressure and inspect them for wear and tear.

Put the boat undercover. If you are storing your boat outside you’ll need to get a boat cover. This should protect your boat against dirt, bugs and bird droppings.

Can't decide on weather or not to buy a boat or grab a boat rental? At the very least it's a good idea to rent a few different boats to take out on the water it may also be a good idea to rent a boat just to see if it's a good fit for you and your family before you actually think of buying a boat. Most recreational boaters don't need to purchase their own boat. Boats are just more accessible now then ever before. Just about every marina will rent you a boat. All you have to do is ask.

The day to day maintenance and monthly storage payments of a boat can be a little overwhelming. Especially when you take into account how much a boat depreciates as soon as it's put on a trailer and driven off the lot. If your just looking to get out on the water and go boating a couple of times  a year, then renting is the way to go. With a boat rental you have the luxury of not having to clean and detail the boat every time you take it out on the lake.

Still not sure which way you want to go? Just think how much a new boat cost. A new 24-foot boat goes for $40,000-$60,000. Then you need a trailer and a place to store it too. That stuff is not exactly free. About $1,000-$2,500 for insurance. Routine maintenance in the range of $6,000-$8,000 a year. The there is storage fees too. All of that starts to add up pretty quickly.

So if you are just a recreational boater it may be better to rent a boat. You can take out more than one kind of boat too. One day may be a really fast and fun boat, another could be a ski/wakeboard boat. Say you have a bunch of family in town you could rent a pontoon boat that's big enough for everyone. If you own a boat you usually just have one. Not to many options there.

Rent a boat with us on Lake Conroe … visit the site at www.waterpointmarina.com

Boating safety is important anytime you are on a boat and should never be overlooked. Accidents happen when boating but most can be prevented. Here are few tips to keep your next boating outing as safe as possible. Whether you are renting a boat or have your own follow these tips.

The first thing you should avoid while boating but many don’t think about it is to avoid drinking alcohol. The impaired judgement and slowed reaction times may just be the cause of your next accident. The best think to do is be responsible and don’t mess around with alcohol while driving a boat.

One of the most common safety tips that people choose to ignore while out boating on the lake is not wearing their life jacket. This could be the difference between life and death. What would you do if you where to be knocked out or something? You can’t swim when your unconscious. Make sure you don’t forget about the little ones, make sure they have their life vest on at all times when out on the water or on jet skis or boats.

If the weather is bad or is forecast to be questionable don’t go out on a boat or jet ski. Make sure to pay attention to the weather. Watch out for wind, rain clouds, fronts moving in, dark skies, lightning or any other sign that bad weather could be moving in. If you see any signs it’s time to take the boat or jet ski back to the marina. The last thing you need is to be stuck out in bad weather and in uncomfortable conditions especially if you are not a seasoned boater.

Make sure your boat is in good condition before heading out from the dock. If you rent a boat or jet ski they should be in good working order but make sure you ask the attendant to go over the boat or jet ski you rented for any flaws or repairs that may be needed. Make sure you have a first aid kit on board and you are well stocked on food and beverages as well. When you get dehydrated or hungry bad decisions can be made.

Make sure someone knows where you are heading before heading out on the water. Someone should know when you headed out and when you returned. This could make all the difference if someone is looking for you. The last tip we will leave you with today is is  B E S A F E -

KNOW YOUR...

Boat

Equipment

Safety devices and PFDs

Alcohol limits

First aid and emergency procedures

Environment (area and weather)

This is a video from one of our deck assistants and his buds. Done very nicely and worth a look. Next time you are at the marina for a boat rental take out one of our ski boats,  and try it for yourself. You can also grab one of our tubes and pull it behind the boat too, it's a blast. Don't forget about our jet ski rentals also.