5 Tips To Get Your Boat Ready For The Water
Summer is around the corner and that means it’s time to get your boat ready for the water! If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry – here are five tips to help you get started.
1. Inspect for Damage
The first thing you’ll want to do is inspect your boat for any damage. Make sure there are no cracks in the hull, and that all of the seals are in good condition.
2. Clean up
Once you’ve inspected for damage, it’s time to clean your boat. Make sure all of the surfaces are free of dirt, oil, and debris.
3. Check Engine and Boat control
Next, check the engine and boat controls. Make sure everything is in good working order, and that all of the cables are properly connected.
4. Replenish Proper Safety equipment
Ensure you have all the proper safety equipment onboard.
5 Must-Haves:
- Life jackets and wearable personal flotation devices (PFDs)
- Throwable flotation devices
- Fire extinguishers
- Visual signaling devices
- Sound signaling devices
12 Should-Haves:
- Medical kit for cuts, scrapes, seasickness or small emergencies
- Anchor with line to hold your boat in place while you wait for help to arrive
- Bailing device or bucket to dewater and stay afloat
- Oars or paddles if the engine quits
- Cellphone to call for help
- VHF radio to call for help
- Knife to cut a line around a fouled propeller
- Snorkel mask to inspect what’s going on under the boat
- Heavy duty flashlight
- Skier or diver down flag
- Working running lights if your boat is equipped with them
- A way to get weather updates because things can change quickly even on a lake
5. Insurance
Check to see if you have adequate and up to date insurance. Accidents can happen, and if something happens to your boat, you want to make sure you are covered. Check out our website or contact one of our expert advisors today!