Muskoka Watershed Council
BOATING NATURALLY!

Boating - Naturally!
Boating is a large part of recreational water activities, but if care isn't taken, boating can also have some very serious negative impacts on the quality of our water resources. These impacts can range from pollution of drinking water sources, disturbance to wildlife, and erosion to sensitive areas. By taking a few extra minutes and using good boating practices, you can ensure that water quality is protected in our lakes and rivers for years of boating to come.

Boat Maintenance
Responsible and environmentally friendly boating begins even before you put your boat in the water. If your boat was shrink-wrapped for the winter, make sure your marina recycles the wrapping, and consider switching to a reusable tarp next fall. Also, switching from an ethylene glycol antifreeze/coolant to a propylene glycol one reduces the amount of toxins being released into the water next year.

All major maintenance chores should be done on land and far enough away from any water source so as to prevent contamination. When scraping, sanding and stripping your hull, capture all debris in a drop cloth or tarp and dispose of all residue properly. If you are going to put antifouling paint on your hull, consider using hard as it lasts longer and needs less repainting than ablative and non-ablative paints.

A more environmentally friendly option for your hull is to cover it with a regular paint containing vinyl, silicone, Teflon, or organic ingredients such as cayenne pepper (avoid paints containing toxic metals such as copper, mercury, arsenic, or pesticides and biocides), and protect it regularly with a coat of slick bottom wax.

Cleaning
Any major cleaning of your boat should be done on dry land with phosphate-free, non-toxic soaps and detergents. To prevent your contaminating your waterway through runoff, spills and debris should be contained using tarps and collected using a vacuum or broom.

While on the water, you can reduce your need for boat soaps by scrubbing and rinsing your boat with freshwater after each trip. When cleaners are necessary, look for products with the EcoLogo symbol on it to find ones that are less harmful to the environment than typical cleaners. Homemade household cleaners are also effective and the most environmentally friendly choice.

Environmentally Safe Cleaners

• Baking soda ~ use as a scouring agent for shower areas and toilets. To clean stains on fibreglass, use salt and baking soda.
• Vinegar & water ~ use to wash windows and decks. Vinegar, salt and water can be used to clean brass and chrome, and to remove mildew.
• Olive oil ~ use as a natural wood polisher.
• Hydrogen peroxide ~ use in place of bleach as a disinfectant and whitener.

Fuel Spills
Even small fuel spills in the water are enough to kill aquatic species and contaminate drinking water resources. Everything needs to be done to prevent these spills, and the best way you can do this is to fill fuel tanks carefully using a funnel, have cloths ready to catch spills, and to never top off your fuel tank.

Fuel tanks and motors should be checked regularly for leaks, and drip pans should be placed anywhere that a leak might occur. When working with oil, absorbent bilge pads should be handy to catch any spills before they contaminate the bilge water. Contaminated bilge water should never be pumped out overboard, but should be disposed of properly at the marina along with your absorbent bilge pads.

Engine Maintenance
Not many people enjoy a day of boating with the smell of burning oil and fuel in the air and the loud whine of a motor in their ears. To reduce the noise, air and water pollution associated with two-stroke engines, upgrade to a four-stroke engine and breathe a little easier. The higher upfront cost of a four-stroke engine is quickly recuperated through lower fuel and oil costs.

No matter what type of engine you have, it is important to keep your motor well maintained and tuned so it will operate cleanly and more efficiently. Keeping cloths handy and wiping your engine frequently will keep it clean without the use of harmful solvents.

Sewage and Greywater Disposal
Sewage and greywater from boats should always be pumped out into the proper disposal facilities. Human wastes contain disease-causing organisms that can contaminate drinking water supplies and cause illness in people using the water. Greywater should not be discharged overboard because it contains nutrients that cause excessive vegetation growth and water quality problems.

On-shore restrooms should always be used when docked, and long trips should be planned with frequent stops to use onshore bathroom facilities. If your boat has a sanitation system that requires treatment with chemicals, look for chlorine and formaldehyde-free products.

Litter Disposal
It goes without saying that you should never dispose of your trash overboard. Even items such as cigarette butts and liquids should be disposed of properly in garbage bins and recycling bins on shore. To reduce the amount of trash that you bring with you on your trips, repack your items in reusable containers before leaving home, and bring back all containers after the trip is over for use on the next trip.

You should have several disposal containers on your boat for trash to go into, and if you spot garbage floating in the water, pick it up and dispose of it properly. Nothing can ruin a trip more quickly than seeing garbage in a lake and along shorelines.

Boat Wake and Speed
It is not only how you care for your boat that has an impact on the environment, but how you operate your boat also makes a difference. Operating your boat irresponsibly and creating a large wake not only has an impact on the environment, but can also cause harm to people and property.

In Ontario, the law states that power-boaters must slow down to 10 kilometres an hour within 30 metres of a shoreline or face fines of up to $500.00. There are good reasons for this law being in place, and even more reasons for you to obey it. Some of the environmental impacts caused by wakes include shoreline erosion, increased turbidity and plant growth, and destruction of fish spawning sites and waterfowl nests.

It is important to always be aware of your wake and to reduce or eliminate it as posted. Stay out in deeper waters and away from other boats and structures, and position you passengers throughout your boat instead of just at the stern in order to reduce the amount of wake you create.

Clean Marinas
You can also reduce the environmental impact of boating by choosing to do business with Eco-Rated Clean Marinas, which are marinas that have been recognized for their environmental practices and can be identified by the OMOA environmental flag they will be flying.

There are several marinas in the Muskoka area that have demonstrated their commitment to the protection of waterways in Muskoka, and you can do your part by supporting them and also by taking your own steps to preserve the water quality that Muskoka is known for. It is wise to remember that the water you boat in today is the same water you drink tomorrow.

Clean Marine Green Leaf^TM Marinas in Muskoka