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Beginner's Guide to Launching and Unloading a Boat By Yourself: Boating is often a better experience when you go out with others, but sometimes you just want to enjoy the water by yourself. The major downside of going alone is that you have to have to try and unload a boat by yourself. If you go out on a busy day with other boaters, asking someone to lend a hand is often the best practice. But what if you're truly by yourself, with no one around to help you? Here are the major steps you should follow in order to launch and unload a boat by yourself and into the water: Step 1: Do the prep-work before you're on the boat ramp. If you have others with you, it's easy to do all of the necessary pre-work to unload you're boat right before you get in the water. It can...

Is Ethanol Fuel Good for Boat Engines? When it comes to operating a boat, one of the most important things to keep track of is your fuel. After all, your engine isn't going to get you far with an empty fuel tank. So while you're at the gas station, you've probably asked yourself this exact question: is ethanol fuel good for boat engines? Can you use it instead of traditional fuel? The short answer is that you can, as long as it's an E10 rated ethanol fuel or smaller. However, depending on when your boat was made along with the type of engine can all affect the answer as well. As such, here are the facts you'll want to know when using ethanol fuel with your boat engine: What is Ethanol Fuel? Ethanol fuel is very high proof alcohol made from products like corn, sugar cane, or what that is...

5 Must-Have Boat Accessories for Your Malibu Boat Whether you're a longtime Malibu owner or just purchased your first vessel, custom Malibu boat accessories let you enjoy the water on your terms. Here are five of the best accessories for Malibu boats no matter where you sail. Motor Box Protector Shock Tube This 48-inch shock tube hooks around the ski pylon to prevent damage to the motor box or rear engine hatch. It also absorbs rope tension, which helps avoid the "slingshot effect" if a rider takes a tumble. Perko Step Plates A pair of gunnel step plates provide traction so passengers can safely board when surfaces are wet. Perko plates have soft black pads and a chrome-plated zinc alloy frame for a stunning look. Tower Mirror Bracket With a mirror bracket, you can get the rearview mirror off the windshield for a better look at what's behind you. These...

DIY Boat Upholstery Repair: What You'll Need and What Cost to Expect Just like a car, the upholstery on your boat seats can get faded, stained or ripped over time. If the seats need a refresh - or if you just want to change up the look - our DIY marine upholstery repair guide will help you get started. Do-it-yourself boat upholstery can be a big money-saver versus a repair shop. But the exact process can vary greatly depending on the type of upholstery, the seat style and even what boat you own. For this guide, we're going to focus on the items you need and how much you can expect boat seat upholstery repair to cost. Boat Upholstery Supplies List & Preparation For small tears and holes, a boat seat vinyl repair kit may be all you need. Make sure to get a quality kit with mixing compounds or...

Understanding Your Engine Control Module: When it comes to operating a boat, one of the most frustrating and difficult components to troubleshoot is the Engine Control Module, or ECM. Also known as the Engine Control Unit, or ECU, the ECM monitors your engine to ensure optimal performance. Due to their importance, all types of motor vehicles rely on ECMs, including carts and boats alike. When working properly, a ECM will even learn from your driving habits and make adjustments to your engine accordingly. An ECM traditionally monitors four different aspects of your boat's operating system: the air-fuel ratio, variable valve timing, ignition timing, and the idle speed. Within each of these categories there are likely additional sensors, such as oxygen sensors, air-fuel sensors, and for boats specifically other water related sensors. If your engine not performing correctly? Something may be wrong with the ECM. Here are a few symptoms of...

Looking for a Boat for Your Lake House? These are the Best Boat Types for Lakes A lake house is a dream for those who love the water. If you've achieved that dream, you're also going to need the right boat so you can take advantage of having a lake in your backyard. There are many factors to consider when choosing a lake boat, including the size of the lake and what activities you plan to use it for. The experts at Bakes Marine have made our picks for the best inboard lake boats and what you should consider before taking the plunge. Pontoon Boats The pontoon boat is one of the most versatile lake boats around. They were originally designed for slow cruising; however, some modern pontoons can reach speeds of 40 mph. They come in many sizes with signature wraparound seating and use an outboard motor to propel...

Best Gifts for the Boater in Your Life Need the perfect gift for people who someone whose first love is the water? Drop anchor in our boating gift guide! We've come up with our favorite affordable gifts for sailors to surprise them on birthdays, holidays or other special occasions. Boat Accessories Gifts Marine Cup Holders - Boating is better with a refreshing beverage, and the Chrome Flip-Up Adjustable Cup Holder is a stylish place to set your drink so it won't spill. Cooler Bags - Make sure drinks and snacks taste great all day with a Malibu Boats Insulated Cooler Bag that keeps them cold. Boat Decals - Help a boat captain customize their watercraft or towing vehicle with peel-and-stick boat stickers featuring logos and cool artwork. Apparel - Logo T-shirts, hoodies, hats and other marine-grade clothing will look great while holding up to the rigors of the surf. Boat...

How to Choose a Bilge Pump for Your Boat Boats need a bilge pump to keep water from accumulating in the bottom of the hull, but how do you choose the best one for your boat? At Bakes Marine, our in-house boating experts have created a collection of the best bilge pumps for any size recreational boat. Bilge Pump Basics A bilge pump is designed to discharge the water at the bottom of your boat's hull (the bilge) that can collect, becoming smelly and dirty if you don't do anything about it. Hence, the bilge pump. Choose a manual bilge pump for boats or an automatic bilge pump for boats. While an automatic bilge pump is often recommended for larger boats (over 20 ft. in size), automatic bilge pumps are smart buys for smaller boats, too. They're rated by GPH, or gallons per hour, which is the maximum amount of...

The Ultimate Guide to Boat Parts for Beginners Knowing your boat parts basics will help you feel more confident from the start of your new adventures in boating. Knowing where to get the best boat parts at the lowest prices is easy: Bakes Marine has the biggest selections of boat and marine parts and accessories. Boat's Bow and Stern Your Boat Parts 101 begins with the front and back of your boat. The bow is the front of the boat, and the stern is the back. Once you know that, you can determine what's port and what's starboard. Port is the left side of the boat when you're facing the bow, or the front of the boat. Starboard is the right side of the boat when you're facing the bow.   ABCs of Boat Parts If we begin with the letter A, we're talking anchors. This heavy piece of metal...

Choosing the Right Boat Propeller If you want to know how to choose the right propeller for your boat, you've made a smart first step in turning to Bakes Marine. We can share more than 30 years of expertise with you, in addition to offering affordable prices on our big inventory of props for boats. Props is the nickname that boating veterans use when choosing propellers for boats. A prop (propeller) is a critical component to your vessels' propulsion system. If you are using your boat for wakeboarding, wake surfing or other watersports, the right prop becomes an even more important piece of equipment when it comes to achieving maximum acceleration and performance. Whether you're buying a new propeller, or replacing a damaged one, always consult your boat owner's manual first to confirm compatibility. By having Bakes Marine in your corner, you can also call the experts at our Washington...