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Will your boat be the belle of the ball come spring, or will it be a blind date with bad breath, an awful dress, and legs that need a shave? If your relationship with your boat is on the rocks, here are 10 ways to rekindle the flame.
1. WORN AND CRACKED RUBRAILS. Learn to maneuver your boat better around the dock, but in the meantime, a new rubrail will bedeck and protect your sheerline. Replacing the rub strip also gives you the chance to patch and reseal the hull-to-deck joint.
2. SMELLY CABIN. You can't blame the dog for everything. Lift deck and cockpit hatches to bring the breeze aboard. Replace musty carpet and ratty hull liners. Replace mildew-laden PFDs. Open the anchor rode locker door and let the line dry.
3. TURN OF THE SCREW. You won't see an owl and seagull mate. So why mix Phillips and flathead screws on fittings and hardware? Your boat will tell the tale if you steal screws from one place to fix another.
4. DUCT TAPE. Great to have aboard for emergencies, but if shiny-gray tape covers 75 percent of your boat, it's time to peel and fix.
