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On today’s Discover Better Boating, Dave White gives us some safety tips for winter boating, including hunting, fishing, and those that go on the ice, and the life jacket winter “Wear It” law.

As the summer boating season comes to an end, there are several things we all need to remember to insure our boats are put away properly. Dave White tells us what we need to know about storing your boat.

Welcome aboard Discover Better Boating. As fall comes upon us many boaters will need to "dump" or "pump out" their boats head. YNN’s Dave White takes a look at how to be good boating stewards.

Welcome aboard Discover Better Boating. This month we are talking about the opportunity for everyone to have boating fun on New York's lakes, rivers and bays by renting a boat. Our Dave White reports.

Welcome aboard Discover Better Boating. This month we are talking about the opportunity for everyone to have boating fun on NY's lakes, rivers and bays by renting a boat.

We are started out on Cayuga Lake with a great family boat, a pontoon boat. Monica Sacco from Trade-A-Yacht Inc. at Hibiscus Harbor says, “pontoon boats provide an extremely fun experience for families because you can fit so many people on the boat. When you go out you can do everything from tubing to skiing or hanging out in shallow cove areas and doing a ton of swimming.”

Over on Skaneateles Lake we check out a 22’ sailboat. Schyler Barnes from Skaneateles Sailboat Shop tells us about what it takes to rent a sailboat, “renters are prequalified on the phone. We talk to them about their previous experience and boats they’ve sailed on their own. On the water we will ask them to do a checkout to demonstrate they can go to and from the dock safely. If you are not proficient there are other areas that can charter a boat with a captain to take you out.”

Also there are several rental locations where you can rent a fishing boat, a ski boat, or personal watercraft. There are specific rules on renting personal water crafts so be sure to discuss them with the renting company.

When planning your summer boating fun don't forget about the great places we have to enjoy paddling a canoe or kayak. Be sure to join us next month as we talk about being good boat stewards.

Discover Better Boating is brought to you by the Boating Industries Association of Upstate New York, and New York Sea Grant.

Gas prices remain high across the region and the cost is hurting more than just drivers. In this month's edition of Discover Better Boating, we'll help you get the most out of each gallon to maximize your fun on the water.

With gas at marinas this summer topping $4, increasing your fuel efficiency will be important to many boaters. Joining me to provide us with fuel saving tips is Kevin Cooper from Coopers Marina.

Q: What can you do before you hit the water?

A: "Make sure your trailer is in good shape, check the tire pressure and brakes to make sure everything is in good shape," said Kevin Cooper with Cooper's Marina.

Q: What are some things a boater can do while boating?

A: "Follow the recommended RPM for best gas mileage. This should be in your boat's owner's manual. Turn the engine off if you are anchored or at a dock," said Cooper.

Ethanol: E-15 gasoline may begin to appear at gas stations and if used in boats can degrade boat fuel systems, damage engines and lead to high repair bills, and in some cases E-10 can also cause problems.

If using E-10 you will have to change the fuel filter more often; make sure your hoses are for E-10; and do not use fiberglass fuel tanks unless built for ethanol. Unless you have a boat built after 2007 do not use E-15. The pump will be marked with a special warning sign.

Be sure to join us next month as we help put U in boating fun by renting a boat.

Discover Better Boating is brought to you by the Boating Industries Association of Upstate New York, and New York Sea Grant.

Welcome to Discover Better Boating. I'm Dave White and joining me today as we kick off National Safe Boating Week is Dale Currier from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Let's talk about three of the most important things a boater should have on board to be a safe boater.

Q What about life jackets?

A There a number of different type of life jackets. The most common is the Type2 , which is designed for calm waters where people would be rescued quickly. A second kind is the Type 3, designed for different types of boating such as kayaking to power boating. Type 4, like a cushion or life ring, which can be thrown into the water for a rescue. Then you have the Type 5, inflatable, designed for someone who knows how to swim and only categorizes as a life jacket if it's worn.

Q Tell us about fire extinguishers.

A The extinguisher is required on all power boats. Things to remember: make sure it's charged, flip it around occasionally to keep the material loose and be sure you know how to operate it.

Q What about flares?

A Make sure they're not outdated. Keep them out of the package so they're accessible and know how they operate.

Welcome to Discover Better Boating, a new series that we hope will provide NY boaters with helpful information to better enjoy your boating season. On behalf of New York Sea Grant, the Boating Industries Association, and YNN, let's talk about preparing your boat. Joining us is Wayne Carroll at Brewerton Boatyard.

Q: A boater first has to decide if they will do the work themselves or use a marine mechanic, if a boater chooses to use a mechanic what are some things they should look for?

A: First thing he wants to do is go to a dealer or a mechanic that is familiar with the engine that he has on his boat whether it be Mercrusier or Volvo Penta there's a lot of dealers out there that just do boats.

Q: Great advice, but if a boater likes to prepare their boat themselves, lets first focus on the electric system.

A: You want to make sure the battery is in good condition by that I mean have it load tested, the age of the battery is going to be a factor as well, the older the battery the less life it's going to have. Also, when you install it you want to clean the terminals and seal them.

Q: How about hoses?

A: You want to make sure there's no cracking, make sure there's no leaking and also make sure the clamps are tight," said Carroll.

For more information on getting the boat ready visit Discoverbetterboating.com or click here for a printable checklist.

NEXT MONTH:

Be sure to join us next month when we discuss the required and recommended safety equipment on board for a safe and enjoyable day on the water.

UPSTATE NEW YORK -- It's almost boating season across our region, and YNN wants to make sure you get the most out of your time on the water.

This Saturday, we will start a monthly feature, Discover Better Boating. This week, experts from New York SeaGrant and the Boating Industries Association of Upstate New York will tell you everything you need to know to get your boat ready to launch.

Also discussed in the series will be clean and safe boating. It will show you how boaters, anglers and other water recreation users can prevent and slow the spread of aquatic invasive species in New York waters.The 2011 Discover Clean & Safe Boating campaign.

“We are excited to travel through the Great Lakes region to talk with the diverse types of groups and individuals about clean and safe boating and the opportunity they have to make a positive impact on the spread of aquatic invasive species by following easy-to-implement practices,” said campaign developer and New York Sea Grant Coastal Recreation and Tourism Specialist Dave White.

Watch Discover Better Boating, once an hour, starting Saturday morning on YNN.

Welcome to Discover Better Boating, a new series that we hope will provide NY boaters with helpful information allowing you to better enjoy your boating season. In the first segment series host and boating expert Dave White will take us the Brewerton Boatyard to learn about what you need to do to prepare your boat. That segment will be available Saturday, April 23rd. Check back for this segment on Saturday, and again every third Saturday of the month for new segments throughout the boating season.