Damage from freezing weather can be extensive and unless you have freeze insurance your policy probably doesn’t cover it. Georgia winters are not terrible but there are still several issues related to cold that Peach State boaters should avoid.

1. Outboard engines should be dropped and drained of water immediately after use once freezing weather arrives. Water trapped in the engine can crack your lower unit or damage your water pump.

2. You should think twice about leaving a heater running onboard as a means of keeping you engine from freezing. Heaters won’t run if the power goes out because of a storm and fires from unattended heaters on boats are a common problem.

3. If your boat is on stands because of maintenance that you’re doing, beware of shifting due to freezing rain and snow. Jack stands should be placed as far out from the boat as practical with three per side for boats over 26 feet.

4. Boats have small drain holes throughout the boat to allow water to drain properly. If they get plugged water can build and then freeze during winter and crack whatever is holding the water.

Winterizing is the best answer to most cold related boat issues. If you’re not comfortable with winterizing yourself then it’s recommended that a professional do it. Letting a buddy help you or doing it yourself and forgetting a step can spell disaster. If you choose to winterize yourself, check out the article in Discover Boating below that gives some great tips and reminders for what needs to be done.

Atlanta is a great city, with so much to do, but how lucky are we to have so many great lakes in and around the city, especially as we continue trying to adjust to the ever changing social distancing requirements. Do we shake hands, fist bump, or elbow tap? We have to wear a mask into the restaurant but not while we’re in the restaurant?? And we have to stand 6 feet apart but there’s no chance I could hand you my credit card from that far away so what do I do then???

Thank goodness for our Georgia lakes. Enjoying Georgia lakes is one of the few activities that has remained almost exactly as it was before our lives were upended this past Spring. And full-time “working remotely” has allowed so many more people to turn their Weekend Lake Home into just their Home. Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted or overlook all there is to do at the lake so I thought I would take a stab at a list.

• Boating – it seem obvious but whether it’s fishing, water skiing, cruising, or running around on PWCs, on the water boating activities provide socially distanced exercise, family interaction, and non-air-conditioned fresh air.
• Scenery – with Atlanta being so fast-paced, it’s easy to not see the unbelievable scenery our lakes have to offer. With Fall fast approaching, take a cruise or a drive and stop somewhere to take in the beauty of the changing leaves.
• Restaurants – eating at restaurants on the water is the ultimate to me. Getting there by boat makes the food taste better but even by car it’s better than a restaurant with a view of the parking lot. Check out the Sunset Grille Lakeside on Lake Allatoona or Fish Tales on Lake Lanier (get the Fish Tales Meal, you won’t be disappointed).
• Golf – have you played a round at Reynolds Plantation or Lake Lanier Islands?? If you’re going to be an average golfer it might as well be on an amazing course.
• State Parks – explore some of the amazing spots in our state parks. Check out Jacks River Falls in the Cohutta Wilderness which is part of the Chattahoochee National Forest.
• Out of the Ordinary – do some research and you may find some out of the ordinary activities. Did you know there’s a place near Lake Blue Ridge where you can crush cars with tanks?? Check out Tank Town USA for something off the beaten path.