We all know “he’s” checking his list and checking it twice, but are you? Now that your holiday shopping is through (hopefully), and you may be fortunate enough to enjoy some time off from work, it is the perfect time to create or review your semi-annual boating checklist; an important practice even for the most experienced of boaters.
A boating checklist very easily helps you keep track of maintenance and safety measures that can be literal lifesavers on your vessel.
Semi-Annual Boating Checklist
Corrosion: Inspect your vessel from top to bottom in order to assess if there is any sign of corrosion to the engine control linkage, gear case, engine mounts, through-hulls and more.
Electrical: Ensure that all wiring is approved for marine use, all wires are clear from the exhaust system and that the entire electrical system is protected by fuses or circuit breakers. Also, ensure that your battery is stored in a watertight container and adequately secured.
Fuel: When refueling, be sure to never use gasoline that’s more than 10% ethanol, which could damage your engine. Check for any gas leaks, inspecting for rust, a loose fuel tank, cracked or stiff hoses and other signs of damage. Always have a fuel shut-off valve at both the tank and engine.
Kitchen: If you have a kitchen onboard, be sure that your stove and heating devices are all for marine use, your cabin is ventilated to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning and your shut-off valve is properly secured.
Safety: Check guardrails for corrosion, ensure that fire extinguishers have been checked within the past year and are easily accessible in case of a fire. In addition, inspect all personal floatation devices for damage and ensure that you have an EPIRB onboard to be easily found in an emergency situation.
A full semi-annual boating checklist can be found on the Discover Boating website, along with a conveniently downloadable PDF to print and utilize. Staying on your boat’s nice list has truly never been easier. With these important six-month reminders you can ensure that both you and your boat stay safe into the new year and beyond.
Whether you’re a new boater or hitting the water for the first time in a long time, boating for beginners has never been easier thanks to some great online resources and a worldwide community of boating enthusiasts that are often happy to lend advice. We love being one of these ambassadors to boating, so before your next (or first) boating trip, keep the following beginner tips in mind to have both a safety conscious and fun time with your friends and family on the water.
Boating for Beginners
Make a List and Check it Twice: Good advice for not only the inexperienced, you should always prepare and utilize a pre-departure checklist. These checklists often include the likes of battery, gas, and oil checks, life vest and safety equipment review and weather analysis to name a few. Proper preparation can make all the difference when taking your boat on the water.
Keep the Alcohol on Land: Though you may be the life of the party on land, leave the drinking for after your day of boating is done. Alcohol drastically increases the risk of boating accidents for even the most experienced of boaters.
Safety (Check) First: Did you know that the U.S. Coast Guard offers free vessel safety checks? Not only do these checks help ensure that your boat is in good shape for your next boating trip, but your inspector is also available to give you some key safety advice and answer questions that first-time boaters may have.
Plan on a Float Plan: An easy way to give yourself an additional level of safety is to create a float plan. By filling out a float plan and leaving in the hands of a trusted individual on shore, you give yourself a safety net that provides a description of your vessel, a list of your passengers and planned whereabouts, all of which can be vital to your rescue if you don’t report
Don’t be a Showboat: Operate your vessel safely and obey all posted speed and wake limits. Especially when just getting the hang of your vessel, it’s important to never be reckless while on the water. Stay vigilant and obey the laws of the waterway.
Boating can seem intimidating to some newcomers, but if you’re armed with these safety best practices, you and yours can enjoy the passion of boating that we all share. With a bit of practice, knowledge and experience, boating for beginners can be a breeze.
Information Cited: http://www.discoverboating.com/beginner/safety/tips.aspx
“Boating is too expensive.” “Boating is too hard.” “I caught an 8-foot marlin off the coast of Panama in the early 1980’s.” Boating culture is full of tall tales. Unfortunately some of these myths enter the echochamber with ill intent, keeping people that would otherwise love their time on the water landlocked in fear and doubt based on exaggerations or lies. Check out our hand-selected list of some big myths that surround boat ownership, as well as an important reminder for those already on the water.
Boat Ownership Myths
Pay to Play: Is buying a boat the surefire way to end up in debt that many (often non-boaters) claim it to be? We certainly hope not, but let’s break down some facts. Boats do require an investment of time and money, due to upkeep costs, insurance, gas and more. However, if you place the costs of boat ownership in comparison to other leisure activities such as a season of skiing or golfing with your family, the cost is actually smaller than you’d think. With many boat dealers offering helpful financing options, there may be less between you and the boat of your dreams than you’d think.
Boating for Dummies: Isn’t boating extremely difficult and complicated to do without years of experience? Well, like most skills, it’s often easier the more often you do it. This is where the widely available safety and boating basics courses can make a big difference in your confidence and competence when setting off on your first boat trip.
DUI Still Applies: Drinking and boating isn’t nearly as dangerous as drinking and driving, right? Wrong. According to Boat U.S. Foundation, nearly half of all boating accidents involve alcohol. As mentioned above, driving a boat is skill-based activity. If your skills are hindered due to inebriation, you cannot captain your boat as safely or efficiently as you could sober. Florida law doesn’t mince words: boating with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or higher is illegal.
The bottom line is, we love boating and would love nothing more than to share that passion with others interested in jumping into this wonderful hobby and lifestyle. Do your research, learn the hard facts and, hopefully, we’ll see you on the water soon!
Florida is known for many things: theme parks, beaches, sunshine and oranges all rank highly on popularity polls. However, for many boaters, Florida fishing is the real reason to call The Sunshine State home. From freshwater to deep sea, lagoons to lakes, Florida is an undeniable treasure trove for fishing enthusiasts around the world.
Though many boaters’ favorite fishing spots are often kept something like a chef’s secret recipe, we’d like to share a few popular spots to enjoy boating and Florida fishing opportunities in virtually every corner of the state.
Indian River Lagoon: If you want redfish, these eastern lagoons offer them in droves. These waterways are known for their natural beauty just off the eastern coast of Florida, located in Titusville.
Miami: This South Florida city is not only known for being home to millionaires and serving up killer Cuban coffee. Miami offers a large variety of saltwater fish to reel in on your next trip, including the prized swordfish.
Jacksonville: Known as The River City by the Sea, Jacksonville is a perfect mix of saltwater, freshwater, deep sea and fly fishing opportunities. Don’t miss the annual Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament if you’re planning a visit in July.
The Florida Keys: Not just beautiful, unique and independent beach towns, the Florida Keys boast some truly world-class Florida fishing opportunities. Sailfish, marlin, bonefish, tarpon and so many others inhabit the blue waters surprisingly close to the shores of Cuba.
Sarasota: Featuring offshore, deep sea and intercoastal fishing, this Gulf-of-Mexico-adjacent town is great for luring in the likes of Spanish mackerel, flounder, bluefish, tarpon, red snapper and more.
If you’re a newcomer to any of the above, fishing-friendly towns, look into asking local guides for tips on their favorite spots to cast a reel under the famous Florida sun. There’s no shortage of reasons to get out on the water, so get out the poles and have some fun with your family and friends.
Though boating is a pastime that we love, it does come with some inherent dangers that any boater should be prepared for. How do you prepare for emergencies on the water? Well, a little education and a lot of practice can go a long way when staying safe on your next boating trip. It may not be the most fun activity to do on your day of leisure, but practicing regular boating safety drills is vital to the safety of yourself, your friends and loved ones while on the water.
Important Safety Drills to Practice
Fire Drill: Unlike the drills you remember from grade school, these fire drills test to ensure you know your extinguisher placement on all decks, as well as illustrating if there are enough extinguishers onboard to avoid being trapped by potential flames. Unlike on land, there is nowhere to run if your boat becomes overwhelmed with flames. Run through some worst-case scenarios to make sure your boat can handle the heat.
Man Overboard (MOB): It’s a nightmare scenario, and one that can happen all too often; a passenger falls overboard. In the case of a MOB, it’s vital to not only know what to do (such as keeping the MOB in sight at all times and how to maneuver your vessel properly), but also to demand that all passengers, and yourself, wear life jackets. Practice this scenario by tossing a spare life jacket into the water and seeing if you and your passengers can safely and quickly rescue the dummy MOB.
Sinking Ship: In the extreme circumstance that your vessel is going down, you must have the knowhow and preparation to abandon ship quickly and safely. Common life-saving items include a fully stocked ditch bag and Personal Location Beacon (PLB) or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). In a drill scenario, make sure you would be able to send out a distress call, turn on your beacon and grab your ditch bag without issue.
Though boating is incredible fun for people of all ages and from all walks of life, it’s a recreational activity that requires you to respect its inherent dangers. Ensure that you not only have vital safety equipment (such as life jackets, fire extinguishers and location devices) but can also use them in an extreme, emergency situation. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by practicing safety drills and following boating best practices while on the water; It may just save your life someday.
