Because we're human, we appreciate analogies. Analogies help us to understand new concepts. If, for example, we're familiar with X, and someone says, "Well, Y is like X, only it has feathers," we'll have a pretty good idea of what Y's like, even if we've never seen or heard of Y before. As boaters we hear analogies all the time, most often when someone describes a boat as being "like a luxury car/sports car/SUV on the water." Since most of us are more familiar with autos than boats, the analogy works. But it's not a perfect analogy. Even though there are similarities, boats aren't cars, and sometimes we need to be reminded that our aquatic transport needs to be treated a little differently than the four-wheeler that carries us over the asphalt.

WASHDOWN
For one thing, very, very few of us would ever dream of washing our car every single time we drive it. Boats, on the other hand, should be thoroughly washed down every time they come out of the water, no matter if that water is fresh or salty. Admittedly, not all boaters are as conscientious about the end-of-day washdown as they should be, but that doesn't make it any less important.

The hazards of salt water are pretty well known, including corrosion and electrolysis. The worst part about these consequences is that they're insidious hazards, which usually don't make themselves evident right away, preferring to wait until they've done serious, expensive damage to your boat before they're noticed. Your engine is the most vulnerable to effects of salt water, from electrolysis of the propeller to corrosion of the cooling system.
Fortunately, you can counter virtually all of salt water's deleterious effects by simply taking the time to flush your engine - or engines - thoroughly after every outing. Yes, it's a bit of a pain to hook up a freshwater hose to the cooling system for the flushing. And, yes, you could certainly get your feet wet standing at the transom and hosing down the prop, hull and trailer (salt water is murder on wheel bearings - wash ‘em down well). But it's what you should do if you want to extend the life of your saltwater boat.

Freshwater boaters don't have to worry as much about corrosion and electrolysis. However, they, too, need to be diligent about giving their boats - and trailers - a thorough rinsing every time they come off the water. The concern in this case is the transport and spread of invasive plants such as hydrilla. This has become enough of a concern in some areas that washing down your boat and trailer when you leave the water is now the law, and you could be facing a hefty fine if you're caught driving away from a launch ramp with a few strands of plant life hanging off your prop - something you don't usually worry about when you're driving your car, truck or SUV around town.

STORAGE
Most of us don't give two thoughts about where we keep our cars when we're not driving them. For the most part, that's OK - cars, trucks and SUVs do pretty well whether they're parked in a garage, a car port, under a shade tree, or even in direct sun in a parking lot. As long as we remember to take our keys with us and lock the doors, our road transportation will be there, ready to go, when we return.

Boats are another story. For starters, simply taking the keys out of the ignition doesn't secure a boat. If the boat's on a trailer, you have to lock and secure the trailer; if the boat's in a marina slip, you'll want to either use a key-operated dock lift system or invest in a locking system for your boat's canvas cover. And you'll still want to take the keys out of the ignition and with you when you leave, just for added safety.

If your boat's stored in that marina slip, or if you have access to covered storage, you won't have to worry as much about the sun's damaging UV rays as you will if your boat will be stored on a trailer in your driveway. Even so, you'll want to not only invest in a canvas cover, but you'll also want to use it, covering the boat every time you put it away.

By covering the boat, you not only add a layer of security, you also add protection against the elements. Although it's true that boats - both exterior and interior - are designed to withstand the effects of sun, wind and water, the intense heat of direct sunlight and the attendant UV rays can still break down and damage both the hull and deck gelcoat, as well as the upholstery, especially the stitching. Add in the effects of less savory items, such as bird droppings, and it should be clear that your boat needs to be covered whenever it's not in use - especially if it's an open deck design (anything without a covered cabin). Even then, you should cover any open areas whenever the boat is stored.

WINTERIZATION
As a rule, when we pull our cars or trucks into our driveways and garages at the end of the day, it's a pretty safe bet that we'll be starting them back up within a day or two at the most. As a result, we don't worry about draining fluids to protect hoses, or putting the car up on blocks to preserve the tires. Again, boats are different. Every time we put our boat away after a day on the water, it's entirely possible we won't use it again for a good while. And for boaters north of, say, Atlanta or Oklahoma City, every Halloween or so, the boat gets put away until the weather warms up, three or four months later.

Entropy is a cruel mistress, and it can start to wreak its havoc on your boat and motor much more quickly than you may realize. Fluids sitting still in hydraulic lines can collect sediment or condensation that will foul systems. Hoses can grow brittle. Minor gelcoat damage can spread.

Luckily, these effects can be easily avoided by simply taking the boat to the dealership and having a full winterization service performed before putting it away. (For boaters with a little hands-on know-how, it's also possible to winterize it yourself.) And it's a great opportunity to take your boat in for its annual service and maintenance, a sort of good-owner twofer.

Even if you're a year-round boater, any time you see an extended period of non-boating looming on the horizon (let's say, two months or longer), it's not a bad idea to take your boat in for "winterizing" services, just to be sure it's in great shape and ready to go when you're ready to get back on the water.