Archive for Boating Tips

How to Change A Yamaha Fuel/ Water Separator

Video on How to Check and Change Your Yamaha Outboard Fuel/Water Separator

There are fuel/water filters on your Yamaha Outboard motor that need to be check and changed every 50 hours. Filtering out water and stopping debris from entering your engine in the first place will always be better for the life and performance of your outboard.

New Florida Boat Laws for 2010

New Boating Laws for Florida

Finally! The winter chills we’ve experienced for the past two months are beginning to fade and when they do, we boaters begin to feel the call of the water. It’s time to begin the annual spring ritual of cleaning, polishing, swabbing decks, having our motors serviced and making sure we comply with all state and federal boating regulations.

Yamaha Motor Battery Service Maintenance Tips

Yamaha Motor Battery Service is both straightforward and yet complex

Boat Battery, Cannons Marina, Longboat Key, Florida Yamaha DealerYamaha Motor battery service and maintenance is simple but keep in mind that different motors require different batteries and this blog is specific to Yamaha Outboard Motors.

If you have another brand of motor I recommend consulting your local certified dealer for help and advice.

The main thing that we want to address is your battery’s size, type and the general maintenance will vary and that Yamaha Motor’s recommends a very specific size and type of battery based on the size of your motor.

The manufacture’s  recommendations can be found in the owner’s manual. If you do not have an owner’s manual,  you can try to find one online or just call the marina we will be pleased to help locate the information that is specific to your motor.

Yamaha Motor Fuel Additives, Long Term Money & Engine Savers

Fuel Additives, Yamaha Motors, Cannons MarinaFuel Additives are not Hype and here is why.

Over time, carbon and impurities can build up in your engine, causing premature wear and avoidable maintenance costs.

Yamaha recommends adding two fuel additives that can actually
protect your engine and save you money in the long run.

Ring Free is recommended to clean away the build-up of carbon and fuel impurities that can affect ring lands, pistons, combustion chambers, manifolds, ports, valves, the vapor separator and carburetors in either two- or four-stroke engines.

Boating Safety

Boating Safety, Cannons Marina, Florida Yamaha DealerThe Gulf Coast of Florida offers nearly perfect boating weather just about everyday.

While heading out  to fish or simply to take a relaxing cruise, here are a few basic things we feel every boater needs to do before leaving the dock:

Boating Safety 101: Life Jackets – Save Lives.

Boating Safety 101: Life Jackets

Boating Safety, Cannons Marina, Longboat Key FloridaDid you know that the cause of death in over 70% of all boating accidents each year is drowning and that 85% of those drownings involve men, women and children who were not wearing life jackets or PFDs?

Sobering thought.

Help. I have a hook in my hand!

Fish Hook, Cannons Marina, Longboat KeyI was out on my boat fishing last week, having the time of my life, when all of a sudden I got an Eagle Claw 2/0 fishing hook stuck in my right ring finger.

Damn it hurt!

It was in past the barb, so firmly stuck, and I wasn’t sure how to get it out. So I stowed my gear and motored over to an “old salt” friend of mine who, I hoped, would surely have the answer.

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, here’s what “we” did. “We” really means “him,” as I couldn’t look.He looped a long piece of heavy fishing line around the hook’s bend.

Then he pushed down on the end of the hook, the end where you normally tie your line, so it touched my skin. And then, and here’s the part I couldn’t watch, he jerked the line and the hook straight out. It actually hurt more than it did getting stuck, but it was out.

Dog Gone? Dogs on Board Boating Safety Tips.

Cannons Marina promotes safe boating for you AND your fur-faced best friend. Paws Aboard’s Doggy Life Jackets and Designer Doggy Life Jackets help keep pets safe on the water.

Dogs, Boats, Cannons Marina, Longboat Key, Florida Boat DealerConstructed to provide Fido with buoyancy, along with a cozy, secure fit, the jackets feature an advanced breathable mesh underbelly for proper draining and drying, which gives your little buddy both comfort and a sporty appearance on the bow of your new Grady White Boat. Safety features include reflective strips for maximum visibility, a bright neon-yellow color and a handle on top for sure and easy grabbing.

Looking To Buy A New Boat? Guidelines To Help You With Your Purchase.

So You Want To Buy A New Boat?

Boat, Cannons Marina, Florida Boat Dealer, Longboat KeyAs someone who has been in the marina business for over 50 years, here’s some “inside” advice we’d like to share with you, the first time boat buyer.

Boats will boost your opportunities for fun and add an entirely new aspect to your recreational activities. They’ll also rev up your social life. Just buy a boat and you’ll have at lest 20 new best friends!

But remember, buying a boat takes time, research and a clear understanding of how you want to use it. For now, forget all the great deals out there, and they are there, and step away from the emotional side of becoming a boat owner. Abide by the guiding principles that follow and you’re well on your way to finding exactly what you need and becoming a happy boater.

Photos of Your Special “Once in a Lifetime” Fish.

Photos of a special fish, magic light on the natural world, or an outing
with a friend hold the promise of years of enjoyment.  Digital cameras make
capturing a moment in time easy, fun and allow you  to develop your vision
in the digital darkroom. The best part is that you can enjoy this amazing
technology no matter what your level of expertise. Most digital cameras come
with software that let you enhance the image, crop the size, and share the
final product in a number of ways. You can send the images via e-mail, or
print them out to frame and display.  There are a few basic rules that will
help you capture the best possible digital image:
Before you leave the dock, make sure you have fresh batteries, memory
cards (digital film), and a clean lens.

Boating knots: 4 basic but important knots to know.

What to look for in a used boat?

So you’re in the market for a used boat, outboard motor or trailer. According to the Cannons Marina team, here’s what we think that you need to do before buying a used boat:

First find local Florida boat dealer or marina that have good reputations for quality boat sales and service. These local Florida boat dealers usually have good used boats in stock that have been inspected, certified and are ready for delivery. By using a local boat dealer or marina, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that if you have a problem your local seller is right down the road. This also acts as a benefit when you do your annual boat and motor maintenance, as the boat dealership will know your boat.

Why flush your Yamaha motor?


Yamaha Motor Maintenance Tips from Cannons Marina on Vimeo.

Safety Tips for Kids and Family on the Boat