Gainesville Marina

Online Newsletter


2011-05-19
Skogies is NOW serving Breakfast Sat & Sun 8am - 10:30am

Skogies is NOW OPEN WED thru SUN
11am -9pm

Whether you're coming by boat or car, Skogie's is conveniently located on Lake Lanier at Gainesville Marina where you will enjoy lunch or dinner while overlooking the lake. 678-450-1310





2011-04-12
WELCOME TO ALL OF OUR NEW SLIP HOLDERS. THANKS FOR DROPPING ANCHOR HERE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, GIVE US A CALL AT 770-536-2171.



2011-04-12
CONGRATULATIONS TO DAVID KEVIN & KAREN CLAYTON ON BEING THE WINNER OF A $100 SERVICE GIFT CERTIFICATE, FOR FILLING OUT AND RETURNING OUR SERVICE SURVEY POSTCARD.

WE WILL HAVE A DRAWING FOR A $100 SERVICE GIFT CERTIFICATE. ALL RETURNED (SERVICE) CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY POSTCARDS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR DRAWING. GOOD LUCK!




2011-03-31
Please send us your email address so we may build a data base file and be able to inform and update you of Marina information and notices. Please send to
info@gainesvillemarina.com

Thanks
CJ


2010-11-29
We want our customers to be aware that all gasoline will contain Ethanol by the beginning of 2009 and to have some information about Ethanol fuel.

What is Ethanol?

Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane fuel additive that is produced from renewable sources. At its most basic, ethanol fuel additive is denatured alcohol, produced from crops such as corn or sugar cane. Adding ethanol to gasoline "oxygenates" the fuel, adding oxygen to the fuel mixture, so that it burns more completely and reduces polluting emissions, such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the use of oxygenated gasoline to improve air quality. Many regions use Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE), but it is gradually being eliminated, due to its contamination of ground water systems and soil through leaking underground storage tanks.

What is the Problem?

Ethanol is a hygroscopic substance, meaning it attracts water. The presence of ethanol in fuels may contribute to decreased fuel surface tension, which in turn may promote increased fuel tank condensation from air moisture.

Another problem with the introduction of ethanol comes from the mixing of old MTBE gas with the ethanol gasoline, especially if water is present in the fuel. If a significant amount of water is present in a fuel tank with gasoline that contains ethanol, the water will be drawn into the fuel, until the saturation point is reached, resulting in the three-component mixture of water + gasoline + ethanol. It is at this point that phase separation may occur. Phase separation is a process that can cause most of the ethanol and water to separate from the fuel and settle to the bottom of the tank. This leaves your gasoline with a significantly reduced level of ethanol in the upper phase, while the lower phase of the gas would contain a gelatinous mixture of water and ethanol. If the lower phase is large enough to reach the fuel inlet, it could be pumped directly to the engine and cause significant problems.

Ethanol is also a very good solvent, which allows it to loosen rust and debris that might lie undisturbed in fuel systems. Since ethanol has such good solvent properties, it can more readily remove plasticizers and resins from certain materials that might not be affected by gasoline alone. Loose debris will plug filters and can interfere with engine operation.

Reasons Boat Engines Can Have More Problems with Ethanol Gas:

Boaters, often store gas in tanks longer than recommended for E10 (90 days). Cars, unlike boats, usually replace fuel every week or two, which will successfully prevent the possibility of water-contamination/phase separation.
Boat engines live in a water environment - Alcohol gas loves to absorb water. Ethanol E10 gas can absorb large amounts of water into the fuel tank, MTBE in conventional gasoline did not.

Plus, boat engines usually last longer than cars. Still owning and using a marine engine from the 1970's or 1980's is not uncommon. These older engine parts and tanks were not usually designed or tested to withstand the damaging effects of alcohol gas.

* Several older marine engines (made prior to 1992) have plastic and rubber parts, and fiberglass tanks that are NOT compatible with E10 alcohol fuel.

Tips from the captain:

1. Install a 10-micron, water-separating fuel filter on your boat, or switch from the standard 30-micron element to a 10-micron element if you've already got a canister-type filter between your fuel tank and your engine.

2. Carry spare filters and water separators on board, Change filters and separators after the first three full tanks. This will help to remove debris and water that often accumulate during the initial change over.

3. Try to keep your boat's fuel tank filled. This will reduce the volume of the air-void space above the fuel in the tank, and reduce the flow of air in and out of the tank through the vent line that happens with changes in temperature (from cool nights to warm days, for example).

4. Add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank if you are not going to use the boat for more than a few weeks. This will inhibit oxidation of the fuel, which leads to the formation of deposits – commonly called varnish, gum, or gunk – in the fuel system. Follow the directions on the stabilizer, and then run the outboard for about 10 minutes to get the stabilized fuel all the way through the fuel system.

5. Always ventilate your engine room, open access hatches, visually inspect, and sniff for fumes before starting your engine. Boaters should periodically inspect all fuel lines for cracks and air leaks due to the high heat conditions of engine compartments. Fuel lines located over or close to battery boxes will break down quicker and should be monitored closely. Visual inspection of fuel lines may appear in good condition until they are test bent and stressed to reveal cracks and dry rot. With your engine running or turning over to start, listen for hissing sounds as air is sucked through initial cracks in fuel lines. You may notice a drop in power, or difficulty starting your engine before visual wet leaks becomes evident. This is an early sign that may prevent a fire.

6. If, you have a fishing boat with a kicker, make sure it's also protected with stabilizer and a 10-micron fuel filter.


Always remember safe boating is fun boating!



2010-11-28
IF YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR TRAILERS HERE AND HAVEN’T MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE LEASING OFFICE, PLEASE CONTACT US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ANY TRAILER LEFT HERE FOR MORE THAN A WEEK THAT IS NOT UNDER AN LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE MARINA, WILL BE CONSIDERED ABANDONED AND IS SUBJECT TO TOWING.
CALL TIANNA AT 770-536-2171
FOR MORE INFORMATION


2010-01-08
TENANTS CAN RESERVE THE 30X52 PAVILION FOR YOUR NEXT FAMILY OUTING

$100 DEPOSIT REQUIRED AT TIME OF RESERVATION

WATER AND ELECTRIC AT THE PAVILION

DEPOSIT WILL BE REFUNDED IN FULL IF YOU LEAVE THE PAVILION AS CLEAN AS YOU FOUND IT. PUT ALL TRASH IN THE DUMPSTER, TAKE DOWN ANY DECORATION THAT YOU PUT UP.

PLEASE CALL CJ OR TIANNA AT 770-536-2171 TO MAKE RESERVATION




2008-08-13
Don’t get caught with dead batteries. Have the service dept. check them out. Water level in the batteries should be checked every 6-8 weeks if you are using a battery charger. Make sure to keep checking during the rainy season to ensure your bilge pumps will work when needed.


2008-03-12
As you know, swimming in marinas is not allowed. It is not allowed for basically several reasons, 1) it is not a designated swimming area, and 2) it is not safe. Lakes have undulating bottoms with sharp drop-offs and
unknown depths. Swimming in designated areas is the smart thing to do. It is an area designed to allow swimming and has been constructed to help keep
the activity as safe as possible. By have a buoyed area, people are limited and encouraged to the area designed to be within the prescribed standards, which includes a gradual bottom slope and a limited depth. This is why you may see, as the lake goes down, we do not extend the buoy lines. You will see the Corps beaches with the buoys having very little water within the buoy line, because the swimming area doesn't meet the standards beyond the buoy line. As for not being safe, what marina can be safe with boat traffic, anchor cables, gasoline dispensing and sanitary pump-out stations, and of
course, docks with electricity? This does not even account for the unknown lake contour of the lake bottom and water depths, or persons who may have changed
the wiring on their boats causing them to discharge electricity into the lake, or persons who might illegally dump their sewage in the marina instead of pumping out.





2008-03-12
To prevent spills into the bilge when you're replacing your oil and fuel filters, line the area with newspapers, paper towels, or oilsorb pads. When changing the filter, wrap a plastic bag around it before breaking it free. Any spills will drain into the bag instead of the bilge. Be sure to dispose of oils and filters at a proper disposal/recycling facility or you may use our waste oil tank outside of our parts dept. Remember that Federal Law prohibits discharge of these materials into the water - you could be fined!

PLEASE REMEMBER FUELING YOUR BOAT FROM YOUR SLIP/DOCK IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN!! YOU MAY HOWEVER USE THE GAS DOCK TO FUEL YOUR BOAT WITH YOUR OWN GAS FROM A APPROVED 6 GAL OR LESS CONTAINER.



2008-03-01
Depending on the size of the wake you are crossing, you may be forced to slow your speed to keep from pounding the bow of the boat or even leaving the water entirely.
Both can do damage to the boat and or your engine.
The best way to handle wakes, if traffic allows is as follows:
* If you are approaching a wake caused by a boat coming in the opposite direction, approach with your bow at approximately a 45 degree angle to the oncoming wake. This will allow the bow to move up and over with a little roll and lessen the bow pounding. If the wake is large, you will need to slow your speed to keep from falling off the top of the oncoming wake.
* If the vessel making the wake has passed you ( going in the same direction you are going ) and if traffic allows, turn so that your stern is at a 45 degree angle to the approaching wake. This lets the wake roll under the stern and pick it up while keeping the motor in the water.
* Keep an eye on your skier when making any of these maneuvers.


2008-01-03
The trim on outboards and inboard/outboards is used to balance the boat in various conditions. You should start with the motor in the vertical, 90 degree angle, to the water's surface. once you are "on plane" you can adjust the trim down or up to balance or flatten the boat. Trimming will help compensate for different conditions, weight distributation, etc. By trimming "down" which puts the lower unit closer to the transom, the stern will be pushed up and the bow will plow. On the other hand, if you trim "up" meaning that the lower unit is further from the transom, the stern is pushed down and the bow is pushed up. In smooth water with the bow trimmed "up" slightly, you may get a little more speed. In rough water you may get a slightly smother ride with the bow trimmed down slightly. Simply put, tilt is what the inboard/ out board or outboard does. Trim is the effect that it has on the boat. Trim is the horizontal adjustment of the boat which makes the bow and stern move up and down.

More Tips To The Captain: To prevent spills into the bilge when you're replacing your oil filter, line the area with newspaper, paper towels, or oilsorb pads. when changing the filter, wrap a plastic bag around it before breaking it free. Any spills will drain into the bag instead of the bilge,
Be sure to dispose of oils and filters at a proper disposal / recycling facility or you may use our oil bin and remember that Federal Law prohibits discharge of these materials into the water- You could be fined!

Dont forget to check your batteries.


2008-01-03
To all Dock Tenants: We want to remind you about some Boating Laws. Please abide by them at all times, we would hate to see any one get a ticket.
* All boat occupants should have a life jacket that fits.
* Any boat with an enclosed fuel system needs a fire
extinguisher.
* Motorized boats are required to have a registration.
* Personal watercraft cannot come within 100 feet of
each other or a boat, land or dock unless at idle.
* A child between 12 and 15 years old cannot drive a
personal watercraft unless they have completed a boat
safety coarse and an adult is present or supervising.
* Boat drivers must be sober.
* Proper identification is required for watercraft operators
16 and older. You must have your ID on board.
* Watercraft operators are responsible for any damage
from the wake of their vessel.
For more info on boating laws call DNR at 770-535-5499


2008-01-03
1. Always wear your life jacket when underway.
2. Make sure you file a float plan with a responsible
adult so they know where you are going and when you
should return.
3.Study and know the rules of the road so you are aware
of which boat has the right of way.
4.Keep a good look out for other boats. Even if you know
the rules others may not, so you have to operate
defensively.
5.Always operate at a safe speed, at a safe
distance from the shore and other boats, and in
a responsible manner.


2008-01-03
* Children under age 10 must wear an
appropriately sized PFD when the vessel is under way, unless the child is within a fully enclosed, roofed cabin.
*Personal watercraft (jetski) cannot be operated in excess of 5 mph when within 100 feet of any moored or anchored vessel, shore, dock, pier, wharf, piling, bridge, or person in the water.
*Almost one-half of the boating accidents in Georgia are caused by collision with another boat or an object. Practically all boating accidents occur because of carelessness, inexperience or ignorance of safe boating practices.


2008-01-03
*Tighten connections frequently. Engine vibration and rough water can loosen them.
*Always remove portable tanks from the boat before fueling.
*Turn off all engines and electrical equipment; shut off all fuel valves; close all windows, doors and openings. Try to fuel in daylight.
*If light is required, use a flash- light or a light that is spark proof.

NEVER SMOKE OR STRIKE A MATCH WHILE FUELING OR WHEN NEAR A FUELING DOCK
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFE FUELING PROCEDURE:

If your boat is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for at least four minutes after fueling, prior to starting your engine. This eliminates gas vapors in the bilge.

PLEASE REMEMBER FUELING YOUR BOAT FROM YOUR SLIP/DOCK IS STRICTLY AGAINST MARINA POLICY. YOU MAY HOWEVER USE THE GAS DOCK TO FUEL YOUR BOAT WITH YOUR OWN GAS, in an approved container, 6 gallons or less.