A shipshape bout is a safe boat. Firesafety 1s something that everyone who owns of operates a bout should practice. Each year, boating fires and explasions injure hundreds of Canadians and cause millions of dollars in property damage. While there is a greater chance for a fire or an explosion on a boat than on land, many of these accidents can be prevented. fuel and fuel vapors are ewo of the leading ingredients in all boating accidents invoiving fires and explosions. Keep fuel and vapors in their proper places and make all of your boating trigs firesafe. The Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons offer the following helpful reminders: IN GENERAL OR SEASONAL 1, Be alert for damaye to your boat's fuel system. Over a period of time, fuel fit- tings and fuel hoses wear out. Inspect chese fittings and hoses regularly, especially near the engine where engine heat can accelerate deterioration. 2. Inspect fuel canks annually. Pay particular attention to bottom surfaces which may have been in contact with bilge water and any part of the tank which touch- es the boat structure. The tank could have rusted or could have been dasnage due to rubbing and abrasion. Pennanently installed fuel tanks should be vented to the outside of the hull as well as closed compartinents, 3. Be sure the fuel pipe is tightly fitted to the plate and located outside closed compurtinents. The fill pipe should also be located where any spilled fuel will be ditceted overboard. Look for fuel fll hoses that are dry and cracked of soft and mushy. Such hoses should te replaced with marine fuel hoses immediately. 4. Ifa hose or fuel tank is leaking, replace it before usity your boat. 5. Ona buat with portable fuel ranks, make sure the vents can be clawed and chat the ranks have a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap. The vent ona portable tank should be open when the motor is cunning, but when the tank is not in use, the vent and the cap should he tightly closed. 6. tf the boat has powered venislation (a bile blower), make sure dhe blower operates. 7.Be sure heating and cooking appliances on boand ate secured and operate prop- List $17,540 “SALE 15,785 Payments fram $229 G.A.C., $2,800 down Te0 Force by Mercuny Galvinized trailer List $15,280 erly. Refer to the owner's manual for the appliance for guidance on inspecting leaks in valve and connections; never use a match. 8. Make sure that flammable iteins are stawed safely and cannot come into con- tact with cooking ot heating appliances or hot engine parts. 9, Make sure Coast Guard Approved fire extinguishers on board are in working order - that gauges register and that nozzels ate clear. Take a buating safety course that teaches the correct use of a fire extinguisher abuard a boat. The time to tearm is before a fire occurs. 10. Look for hare wires or loose electzical connections. They might cause a short in your boat's electrical system, which could start a fire. 11. Cao nut store small disposable propane cylinders or charcoal lighting fluid on board. 12. Conduct a bow to stern inspection checking for loose fuel, gas fumes and any malfunctioning instruments. BEFORE CASTING OFF Get in the habit of performing these brief steps: LSniff” your bilges. Usually your nose is the best fuel/vapor detector. It'll mean getting down on your hands and knees, but its the best way to do it. 2, Operate the bile blower for at least FOUR MINUTES before starting an inboard engine. If you still smell fumes, try to find what is causing chem and make tepairs before starting the engine. 3. Make sure chat che location uf your fire extinguisher is known to all passengers. 4.When refueling, close all hatches, parts and other openings; shut of all engines and tnotors; and refrain from smoking, Fill all portable tanks on the dock. 5. After refueling, wipe up or wash any excess or spilled fuel; open all hatches and ports; and let che buat air out. “Sniff” your bilges. Operate the bilge blower for at least four minutes before starting an inboard engine. Tie up the boat securely, Stop engines and unload passengers. Do not smoke, extinguish all open flame, close all openings: port holes, hatches, etc. Fill portable tanks out of the boat. Do not operate electrical switches. Keep the nozzle in contact with the fill pipe, and avoid overfilling. Put cap back on. Operate blower for at least five minutes. Wipe up spilled fuel. Check for fuel smell. Start up engines and reload passengers. . Gatvinized trailer Uist $18,710 SALE 15,839) Payments from $244 @. wht 1750 CAPRI LS BOWRIDER 120 Force by Mercury Satvinized trailer - list $19,480 SALE 17,892 Payments from $263 0.A.€.. $3,000 dewn SALE 17,892 Payments from $263 0.A.C., $3,000 dawn % 1800 CAPRI LS BOWRIDER 1956 CAPRI BOWRIDER . Twin 5.71. Mercrulsers — : : 7 2 1” beam List $134.499 SALE 121,049 } Payments from $1,382 0.A.C. $20,000 down SL Mercruiser °°. List $43,270 SALE 338,944. Payments from $454 0.A.C. $6,600 down . 3255 AVANT! SUNERIDGE