Loving Your Vessel
Four things to do to your boat today.

The pleasures of boating are accessible to more and more Canadians. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, in 2016 43% of Canadians went boating and over 8.6 million boats were registered by Canadians. Water sports are growing in popularity and for a large number of people the only way into the game is to purchase a pre-owned vessel. Nothing’s wrong with buying a second-hand boat, but we encourage you to stay on top of the maintenance to prolong the beauty, usefulness and life of your vessel.

We’re boaters too, and we take our friends and families out on the water as often as possible. It’s important to maintain and upgrade your boat in order to keep it in reliable running condition but also to improve the boating experience from one season to the next.

From our shop to you, here are four things that will improve your boating experience:

Have it cleaned

Like a cabin that’s been shut up over the winter, readying your boat for summer is more than flicking on the lights and opening the blinds. Professionally cleaning and thoroughly detailing your boat after being docked for over the winter will eliminate salt buildup and corrosion that can damage vital mechanical and electrical components.

Have it inspected

Inspecting your boat before taking it out can be a DIY project or engage the eyes of a professional. Weather, temperature and moisture can have a profound effect on your boats engine, hull and electrical components over the winter months so it’s important to have these items inspected before you hit the water again. Check for any visible oil leaks, the condition of hoses and clamps, battery water level, fuses and wiring. Change the fuel filters, engine zincs and coolant.

Have it tinted

Escaping from the sun to the space inside your cabin after a long day on the water should be relaxing, and with the addition of window tint, you will have legitimate protection from UV rays. Window tint also eliminates glare, regulates the temperature and keeps your family and guests safe from damaging UV rays.

Have it upgraded

Avid boaters eventually personalize their vessel to make the boating experience more fun. Installing a marine-grade stereo, lighting, GPS tracking, navigation, and back-up camera systems are just a few of the options that will enhance your experience and also up the eventual resale value of your boat. Make sure you get marine grade electronics. These are built to marine specifications to withstand salt and corrosion.

Cleaning, inspecting, upgrading and tinting your boat to a marine standard is a great way to enhance your boating experience, protect your vessel and your investment. To find out more, contact Diversity today. Our marine experts will even come to your dock.

Why do our clients choose marine tint?
Here are the top five reasons.

There’s no doubt that boat window tinting is one of the best ways to improve the look and comfort of your Boat or RV. As you cruise, you’ll find that your vessel is much cooler and more comfortable. Boat window tinting also makes the glass safer and the interior is less likely to crack or fade.

Diversity has the experience, skills and tools necessary to get the job done right. Our professional service technicians are trained for marine window tinting applications and styling services. Boat and RV glass often comes with some degree of factory tint although it usually does not supply adequate heat and glare reduction or privacy and does not eliminate harmful UV rays that cause fading.

#1 UV Protection

Diversity’s marine window tinting provides cool view protection by adding a permanent barrier between your boat’s interior and the destructive effects of the sun. Marine and RV manufacturers are producing Luxury and high-end vessels with higher grade interiors, so it has become increasingly crucial to protect these interiors from fading and cracking. Boat window tinting will not only protect seats, carpets, vinyl and leather, but your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard so you’ll save fuel and help extend the life of the air conditioning system.

Our window films cut down on potentially dangerous (UV-A and UV-B) rays caused by the sun. The Skin Cancer Foundation reminds you that time spent in the sun unprotected will put passengers at risk of skin cancer and sun damage. UV rays can easily penetrate windows, so in addition to sunscreen, boat window tinting blocks up to 99% of the suns cancer-causing rays, making it a reliable way to reduce your cancer risk.

In an era where health, youth, and appearance is of great importance to many, studies have shown ultraviolet rays to advance our skin’s aging process, and to cause melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer. Additionally, boat window tinting cuts potentially dangerous glare from the water, reflective surfaces, and from other vessels’ lights at night.

• Reduces up to 99% of the sun’s harmful cancer-causing (UV-A and UV-B) rays
• Increases skin & eye Protection
• Reduces interior fading and cracking
• Prolongs the life of all rubber, wood, cellular phone, audio equipment and speakers
• Lessens eye fatigue
• Improves vision and safety
• Reduces glare and eyestrain for both driver and passengers

#2 Accidental Injury Protection

Boat window tinting offers protection from broken glass when accidents occur. When ordinary annealed glass breaks, it poses considerable danger. The shattered pieces become daggers that can cause serious injury or even death. Engineered with powerful adhesives, boat window tinting reduces the hazard of broken glass by keeping the pieces together and safely attached to the film.

#3 Violent Weather Protection

Glass can be one of the first casualties during a storm. When glass breaks during a storm, wind, rain and flying debris are given full access, causing damage and destruction.

Boat window tinting is able to withstand extraordinary wind and force, security film helps prevent entry of water and wind-borne debris, providing superior protection 24-hours a day. Disasters can strike with little or no warning; boat window tints are always ready.

#4 Crime Prevention

Windows and doors are the most vulnerable points of entry for criminals and smash-and-grab thieves. Glass is an inviting target for vandal’s intent on mischief or worse.

Alarms and security systems are helpful, but provide little protection from experienced or determined intruders. With boat window tinting, intruders cannot readily penetrate the glass, even by striking it with a heavy implement. Usually they become discouraged and quickly depart for some easier target.

#5 Increased Safety Overall

In an instant, an explosion can fire broken glass fragments at lethal speeds. Research conducted after explosions, points to flying and broken glass as one of the main causes of death or injury. While nothing can completely protect against powerful explosions, marine window tinting has proven effective in these moments of extreme danger.

Window films will:

• Provide an extra barrier of protection for increased safety
• Reduces window shattering to tiny sharp pieces of glass
• Marine window tinting holds shattered glass in place to increase safety

Ready to take the next step?

We would love to field any of your questions and help give you a personalized installation plan. Just give us a shout and you can chat directly with an installation technician.

Tips For Greener Boating

If we want to enjoy the clean open waters of Vancouver Island, we need to care for it.

Sometimes we tune out the buzzword “green”, because it’s everywhere. The one main place I perk up and pay close attention is when “green” is applied to boating. Being on the water is a way I practice environmental stewardship, and having the privilege of having access to our oceans motivates me to ensure my vessel is as eco-friendly as possible.

If you’re new to boating or simply want more ideas on ways to be greener, here are a few tips to get you started:

Keep A Waste Receptacle On Board

Boats tend to roll around, and with the added help of wind it’s easy for trash to end up in the water. Secure all trash immediately in a lined waste container, so the lining can be removed and disposed of when you disembark. It’s not uncommon for garbage, especially plastic bags to get caught in a fellow boaters intake or wrapped around their propeller, costing them money and hassle.

Recycle When Possible

Aluminum cans, plastic bottles, batteries of all sizes are environmental hazards if not disposed of properly at a recycling centre. Many boat yards provide recycling services for old oil, and follow strict containment policies. If you need motivation to recycle your plastics, learn more about how plastics impact wildlife.

Start At The Dock

Keep your bilge clean! Water in your bilge will be evacuated by your bilge pump into the open water, along with any oil or contaminates that happen to be there. If you notice an oily ring around your boat, clean the spill with absorbent pads and fix the source of the problem asap.

Watch Your Fuel

Fuel spills are a nasty business, so be vigilant. Take care when refuelling and keep an absorbent cloth at hand to deal with overflow. A lighter boat equals improved fuel economy, so assess how much weight your boat carries, and store gear you don’t need in a dock box. Keeping the hull clean is another way to minimize drag and improve your fuel economy.

Be In Tune

A well tuned engine will save you money. It burns far more efficiently, won’t tax auxiliary power and doesn’t emit unnecessary pollutants. Managing the functionality of your drivetrain and propeller will ensure maximum energy is converted to thrust, and you do this by keeping a regular maintenance schedule.

Use Pumpout Stations

If you absolutely have to dump sewage offshore, do so only in deep open water, away from anchorages, sensitive areas, shellfish beds and swimmers. If at all possible, use a pumpout station.

Careful Trailering

Invasive species are a huge concern. Trailering your Formula from one body of water to another can accidentally transport unwanted marine life. Make it a habit to hose out the bilge, flush the motors and spray down the boat and trailer before you trailer to the next launch site.

Green Cleaning

A list of environmentally responsible cleaners, approved by Green Seal (an independent, non-profit eco-awareness organization) can be found here. Alternatively, cleaning procedures can be made from common, non-toxic household items such as vinegar, lemon, and baking soda. Sometimes, they even do a better job than the store-bought stuff!

Share Your Love Of Boating

Boating is an amazing vehicle to teach others about the environment. Sharing your passion for green boating is one of the best ways to ensure its legacy.