Five Earth Day Tips for Boaters That Keep the Green in Your Wallet
Save money and keep boating clean & green

Posted Tuesday, April 20, 2010

 
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Annapolis, Md., April 19, 2010 - Being good to the environment doesn't have to cost
money. With Earth Day coming Thursday, April 22, these five clean boating tips from
the BoatUS Foundation will improve stewardship of the waterways without breaking
your bank:

1. When you wash your boat, will so-called "environmentally friendly" boat cleaners
get the job done? You can learn which products scored the highest -- both in
effectiveness and ecology -- in BoatUS Foundation cleaning products tests. View a
series of short videos as well as a full report, "Foundation Findings #47 - Green
Cleaners Testing," at http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation/findings/47 .

2. If you trailer your boat to different waterways each summer, leave the uninvited
aquatic hitchhikers at home by ensuring it is cleaned thoroughly (including any
tackle or watersports gear) and allow it to dry completely before splashing in a
different lake or river. This will help ensure any
http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation/cleanwater/invadespecies.asp are not transported to
invade new habitat.

3. Lighten the load. Remove any unnecessary gear or equipment from your boat to
improve fuel economy. For boats kept in the water, keep the hull and running gear
free of marine growth that can sap fuel efficiency. An engine tune up in the spring
can also pay for itself over the course of the summer.

4. Stash your trash. Make a rule aboard your boat that nothing gets thrown
overboard, including partially eaten food and cigarette butts. Be especially
vigilant with plastic bags that can take flight underway and later kill marine life
when ingested. Discard butts in special containers and
http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation/Monofilament/ .

5. Fill her up -- without spilling a drop. Learn about safe and clean refueling
tips, such the use of absorbent pads and "donuts," or learn how to not overfill your
boat's gas tank, all at http://www.helpstopthedrops.com .

For a complete list of 21 Steps to Clean Boating, go to
http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation/cleanwater . Or, to make a tax-deductible donation
to the Foundation that will help keep waters clean for boating and angling all year
round, go to http://www.BoatUS.org/givegreen .