Ten “Blue” Boating Tips

Use these tips to minimize your impact on the environment while maximizing the efficiency and performance of your boat. These suggestions can help to reduce pollution and lower your fuel consumption.

1. Choose Environmentally Friendly Products

Use the cleanest maintenance products that do the job. Look for Pure Oceans or other products with the EPA "Design for the Environment" label. This mark identifies products that are safer for you and the environment.

2. Use The Right Prop

Use a prop with the right pitch so your engine reaches its designed wide-open-throttle RPM.

3. Don't Push Water

Install and use trim tabs or hydrofoils to improve hole-shot acceleration and reduce fuel consumption.

4. Keep The Bilge Clean

Avoid the accidental discharge of oily water by using a sorbent in each bilge area.

5. Retire That 2-Stroke Outboard!

Reduce noise, fumes, fuel consumption and pollution with a modern injected four-stroke outboard engine.

6. Recycle Your Lead-Acid Batteries

12V batteries are among themost recycled products in the world. Get up to a $10.00 credit* on a new battery when you return your core to anyWestMarine store.

* Amount varies by State

7. Prevent Fuel Spills

Use or install a device to prevent overboard discharges from your tank vent.

8. Use An Autopilot

Modern autopilots can steer better than most helmspersons and they don't have a limited attention span.

9. Recycle Your Fishing Line

Recycle your line at West Marine stores or shore side recycling locations.

10. Choose Seafood That's Good For You, And The Oceans

In spite of the vastness of the oceans, many fish species are seriously depleted. Use the Seafood Mini Guide to choose sustainable seafood at restaurants and grocery stores. For your free copy, go to blueocean.org.