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Many outboards use fuel tanks filled to 23 liters. Imagine five
one-liter containers of gas and oil deposited in the water with each
23 liter tank of fuel burned. Then, decommission that engine and
replace it with a four stroke motor or an oil-injected two stroke. The
California Air Resources Board (CARB) has created a rating system
regarding engine emissions from one to four stars. One star engines
have 75% lower emissions than conventional two stroke engines.
Four star engines have 90% lower emissions than one star engines,
and you can find them on inboards and stern drives as well.
Regardless of which sort of motor you run, be sure that it’s
properly maintained. The more fuel consumed, the more exhaust
goes into the water or air. And keep oil absorbing pads handy.
Most bilge pumps turn on automatically. An oil absorbing pad
kept in the bilge will absorb the oil and fuel that settles there. This
way, when the pump turns on, the water goes overboard while
the hydrocarbons stay in the pad. Pads are handy for wiping up
hydrocarbon spills before they settle in the bilge too, so keep them
ready whenever you fill your fuel tanks.
BASE CAMP
Having the comforts of home without having to camp may be
what enticed you into having a mothership. Your on-board toilet
(‘head’) is one of those comforts, but it you’re visiting sensitive spots,
those ‘direct deposits’ have direct impacts.
You will eventually need either a holding tank or a treatment
system called a marine sanitation device (MSD) on board. Holding
tanks or MSDs are required in US waters. An increasing number
of areas in the US are designated ‘No Discharge Zones’ where
you can’t pump even treated sewage overboard. Laws in Canada
are changing to require holding tanks here in a few years as well.
Meanwhile, if the boat has a head that discharges straight overboard,
use a portable toilet in lieu of that sort of loo when you’re in low
current areas, shallow areas or most marinas. Holding tanks and
portable toilets should be pumped out at a pump-out station. If
you’re too far from a station, they should be discharged into a heavy
current area. Before you pump overboard into a sweet little cove
thinking it won’t matter since you’re the only one there, remember
that yours is not the first or last vessel to visit. Anybody who swims
or eats shellfish is trusting other boaters to be responsible regarding
sewage discharge.
The grey water that comes out of your galley and shower can also
be a problem depending on what you add to it. Pay attention to the
soaps and cleansers you use. Fresh water fish die in chlorinated
tap water. Chlorine hurts salt water species too and is found in
many cleaning products, in even greater concentrations than in
chlorinated tap water. Marine life is sensitive to many compounds
that we routinely use such as dish soap and laundry detergent.
Avoid use of any products containing chlorine or phosphates and ➝
One kit, 60 hours,
a lifetime of
ADVENTURE
Sea Wolf Wooden Kayak Kits are for the
discriminating paddler who prefers the
beauty, light weight and efficiency of a
wooden kayak.
• Kits include only the highest
quality materials.
• Easily built by anyone with
limited woodworking
experience.
• These kayaks will
last a lifetime
and beyond.
You can
proudly say
“I built it
myself”
ROY FOLLAND WOODEN KAYAKS
130 Como Gardens, Hudson,
Quebec, J0P 1H0
(450) 458-0152
Email: kayak@royfolland.com
www.royfolland.com
June/July 2004 www.WaveLengthMagazine.com
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