It’s the middle of fall — the last Halloween decorations are being taken down and people are pretty much over their upset stomachs after having indulged in treats for weeks.

Also, people have begun planning their Thanksgiving menus and budgets! Bustle is all around, but for some, fall remains tinged with a certain degree of wistfulness. It’s not just that the days keep getting shorter and shorter.

The matter is that cold, rainy, or snowy weather means that one’s boats must be kept away in their storage spaces. Seamen can’t help but pine for that ineffable state of nature that ever so kindly permits weekend outings with beautiful marine engines. Depending on which weather region they find themselves in, the wait may be rather long — snow is not the easiest thing to melt, surprisingly enough.

Still, there are many ways to find adequate consolation, even in the dreariest of frosty weather. For one thing, fall and winter are perfect for shopping. It’s an unequivocally opportune time to find great deals on marine parts — those important bits that must be ordered with some anticipation. When high season for boating arrives, you don’t want to waste one splendid day of sunshine waiting around for a part delivery. And here’s something to further comfort your boatsman’s heart:

Mercury outboard parts can be purchased chimney-side while drinking a toasty, nutmeg-y hot chocolate with marshmallows (minis or jumbos). Certainly, some would prefer toasting bread and cheese cubes on a skew, but that might be hard to do while looking at, and touching, a screen. Ogling at Mercury outboard parts might be an activity best reserved for when the attention they deserve can be uninterruptedly given.

The overall point is that there’s plenty to do even while waiting for nature to turn a new leaf. Proper maintenance, on-time cleaning, storage space inspections, and ensuring that transportation equipment is working all constitute laudable tasks. Experienced boaters know that the adventurous pursuit is really a year-long activity.

Maintenance and care is just as important and engaging as taking the beauty out for a spin. So, where will you be ordering your Mercruiser parts from?

Sam Walters is a writer living in Los Angeles. Her writing appears in print and online.