FAQ

In Canada, insurance for recreational boats is not a requirement but we highly recommend it. Purchasing insurance will help protect your investment and the people you invite on board. Policies vary depending on boat size, motor size and engine type. Talk to one of our sales or finance team and we can make some recommendations on Marine specific insurance providers in our area. sales@buckeyemarine.com

Many boaters, especially first time boaters, have questions about the types of items that they should have on board their boat. Many of these items are dependent on the size of your boat, the number of passengers, size of passengers, type of cruise you are planning and your destination. There are many great tools and resources to help you decide what you should
have on board for a journey and we recommend www.smartboater.ca.
In addition to the necessary safety gear, including the following items may improve the comfort of your boating adventure: first aid kit, bottled water, compass, sun protection, batteries, small tool kit, knife, waterproof matches, granola bars (or rations of some kind) , dry clothing, sun glasses & a water tight container (for storage of emergency equipment).

Life jackets/PFDs are a mandatory safety item required for all people on all boats. While life jacket/PFD wear is currently optional, all boaters MUST make sure that there is a properly sized life jacket/PFD on board for them. Life jackets and PDF's must be approved by Transport Canada, Department of Transport or the Canadian Coast Guard. Life jackets and PFDs are marked with a weight and or chest size which should be adhered to. Life jackets and PFDs must be in good working order to maintain their approved status which means they must be free of rips, tears and damage and can not have been repaired. Life jackets and PFDs come in many different types, sizes, shapes and colours to suit your needs and preferences so please choose one that works best for you. Most of all we suggest that you wear your life jacket or PFD...They save lives.

The Trent-Severn Waterway is a National Historic Site of Canada.  This historic Waterway across south-central Ontario, links Lake Ontario to Port Severn on Georgian Bay.  It is 386 km long and includes the Trent, Otonabee and Severn Rivers, a chain of lakes and canal cuts all connected by controlled dams and navigation locks. For more on the TSW click here

A: You can find mooring facilities within Ontario on the page for the Boating Ontario Web site

If you are looking to moor outside of Ontario you can find links to other Canadian sites at www.discoverboating.ca

We want to ensure that you are completely comfortable operating your new vessel no matter what the size. If, after your water test, you get your boat home and you are still uncomfortable with any part of its operation, please let us know. We can help you with complex actions such as docking and using trim to more simplistic actions. For example putting up canvas or turning on the battery. Please contact our Service Dept or Customer Service Dept. for help.  We will arrange for someone to  coach you until you are completely comfortable. We may be able to assist you by phone, helping you to walk your  way through, depending on your  level of comfort and the problem at hand.

In September 1999, Pleasure Craft Operators Cards were enacted by the Canadian Government. Currently a "license", or Pleasure Craft Operators Card is required by all people operating any vessel fitted with an engine, regardless of age. Any operator under the age of 16 is required to have a Card and must be accompanied by an adult who holds a PCOCard as well as a valid driver's license. An unaccompanied minor 12 and under is restricted to operating a motorized vessel under 10hp only with a PCOCard and and unaccompanied minor between 13-16 is restricted to less than 40hp. For further information on restrictions and legislation click here

We recommend that every boat and trailer has proper tie down straps to ensure that your boat is very secure on the trailer. It is not recommended that you tow a boat with the convertible top up at any time. If you do not have a trailering cover (mooring, tonneau, or cockpit cover) make sure that all loose items are stowed away in locked compartments and all cushions are fastened down so that they will not fly out. If you are uncomfortable driving with your boat on a trailer, please contact our service dept. and they will arrange for someone to assist you.

According to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario laws, any trailer that is carrying a boat over 2500lbs. must have its own brakes. For more information on this law and other laws having to do with trailering visit the M.T.O. Web site.

Yes, in our climate it is required to avoid major damage from freezing. At Buckeye, we winterize all makes and models including small outboards, sterndrives, inboards,  and jet engines. See pricing and details for winterization here; Winter Service Rates - 2021 | Buckeye Marine. Book your appointment today service@buckeyemarine.com

All boats (besides from jetboats) have a raw water impeller to pump water from the lake into the motor for cooling. Different engines house this impeller in different places but its function remains the same. To draw water from the lake to cool the engine. Raw water impellers are a rubber wear part that has a lifespan. Depending on the engine they should be changed from annually to every 3 years depending on manufacturer specification. Because of their composition runtime has very little bearing on how often the impeller should be changed and an impeller with low hours is actually more susceptible than an engine with high hours as the rubber dries out and cracks. Impellers should be replaced in the spring prior to launch as this is when they are most susceptible to failure. A failure with the impeller typically causes catastrophic engine overheat.  

There are several schools of thought on this topic. It is our recommendation to leave the boat as empty as possible. Modern fuel has a very low shelf life, and all grades contain various additives that are prone to separation. Although part of the winterization process is to add and run fuel preservative to the tank the quality of fuel is so bad that leaving a tank completely full and running spoiled gas through the engine is more likely to cause issue than leaving the tank empty and the tank generating a small amount of condensation. It is our recommendation to leave the tank as empty as possible and add preservative. Then in the spring, fill with the best quality fuel available as well as adding fuel preservative to the new gas to ensure best performance and minimize damage to the engine from bad fuel.

The skeg on the bottom of the outdrive protects the propeller, and aids in steering the boat. A bent skeg can cause your boat to steer improperly. A damaged skeg or one in bad condition will affect the water flowing at the propeller and the cavitation will cause your boat to run less efficiently.  

If your boat has an overheat alarm sound and it is safe to do so turn off your motor immediately. Assess for smoke or damage from heat. Be prepared for fire. Check for obstructions on the water intake of the engine. If water intakes are obstructed allow engine to air cool. If there is no fire and it is safe to do so open engine hatch to allow the engine to air cool more quickly. Call for help or a tow and bring your boat into a certified service provider ASAP. 

Yes, once a refundable deposit has been placed, we will setup a viewing and water test appointment. We have full time Water Test Captains that will take you out on the water in your new boat before we finalize a sale. This test drive will usually take 1-2 hours and during this time the captain will show you how to operate your new boat, discuss maintenance, manufacturer warranty and go over safety equipment required. If you have more questions about the boat buying process, please reach out to our sales team sales@buckeyemarine.com

Regal Marine- www.regalboats.com

Princecraft- www.princecraft.com

MasterCraft- www.mastercraft.com

NauticStar - www.nauticstarboats.com

Mercury/Mercruiser- www.mercurymarine.com

Volvo Penta Canada- www.volvopenta.com

Yamaha Motors Canada- www.yamaha-motor.ca

Yes, we offer consignment for many makes and models of boats. Please speak with David at finance@buckeyemarine.com to discuss. 

All registrations are done through Transport Canada online. Please visit the following website and follow the instructions https://www.pcl-pep.snbservices.ca/1001/pubweb/default.aspx?lang=en-CA

A documentation fee is an administrative fee that is charged to every sale of new and pre-owned boats, motors, trailers and packages. This fee includes vessel registration, transfer of vessel, (for Buckeye pre-owned & consignment) and the maintenance of each file for seven years.