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Just a few helpful boating tips and hints:
working on the boat today, thought I would share some tips/tricks that help
make sure you are aware of the boating rules and regs.
The BoatUS Foundation provides this study guide to not only help with passing our free online boating safety course, but to provide a knowledge base for anyone wanting to learn about boating.
www.boatus.org
Regulations
https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-safety-courses.php
Boarding Ladders:
tie a bit of line onto the last rung on that 4-rung, 5-rung, or 6-rung telescoping ladder. tie the other end off on the first rung, then coil the rest and hang from a cleat. That will allow you to retrieve it. especially if you're turning vintage and going chrome. trying to pull 6 rungs of ladder up with one arm can be difficult.
Anchor and rode:
store your anchor rode in a milk crate vs a bucket. the milk crate allows the rope to spool out properly and the line can dry in the air. consider getting anchor chocks. this will allow you to deploy the anchor quickly
Insurance:
Consider having tow insurance along with your regular boating insurance. while most boat insurance will reimburse you for towing, that is after you pay out of pocket. my last 23 mile tow would have cost me $1150 out of pocket if I did not have tow insurance.
Bumpers/Fenders:
keep a bit of line tied to your bumpers with a bowline knot. also have a loop tied on the other end. this will allow you to quickly secure the bumpers to cleats and toss over the side when coming into dock
General boating:
Always have an extra un-used line on the boat.
Always have a few bottles of water on the boat.
Keep your boaters hook handy. especially if you wear a hat.
keep a lanyard on your sun glasses. see above.
standard PFD's are nice, and will save your life. however because they are bulky, people do not wear them. consider inflatable PFD's
water should not be in your bilge. look for the leak.
boating requires preventative maintenance. to quote the old adage, an ounce of prevention is cheaper than a pound of cure. Fix that leaking caulk seam, wax that boat , follow your motor/drives factory manual for the maintenance schedule.
When buying a new to you boat, do not be in such a hurry to splash it. 99.5% of the time, the prior owner did not do any of the required maintenance. Service the engine, drive, gear lube, alignment, cooling system, etc. prior to needing to be towed in.
When boating alone, inform someone what ramp and if you know what area of the lake you will be at and approx time expected home. This is known as a float plan
Here is a link to a float plan form you can also put on your dash https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/download/USCGFloatPlan.pdf
if you have a helpful tip, simply hit the report button, add the tip and the mod team will amend it.
working on the boat today, thought I would share some tips/tricks that help
make sure you are aware of the boating rules and regs.
Rules of the Road : BoatUS Foundation
The BoatUS Foundation provides this study guide to not only help with passing our free online boating safety course, but to provide a knowledge base for anyone wanting to learn about boating.
www.boatus.org
Regulations
https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-safety-courses.php
Boarding Ladders:
tie a bit of line onto the last rung on that 4-rung, 5-rung, or 6-rung telescoping ladder. tie the other end off on the first rung, then coil the rest and hang from a cleat. That will allow you to retrieve it. especially if you're turning vintage and going chrome. trying to pull 6 rungs of ladder up with one arm can be difficult.
Anchor and rode:
store your anchor rode in a milk crate vs a bucket. the milk crate allows the rope to spool out properly and the line can dry in the air. consider getting anchor chocks. this will allow you to deploy the anchor quickly
Insurance:
Consider having tow insurance along with your regular boating insurance. while most boat insurance will reimburse you for towing, that is after you pay out of pocket. my last 23 mile tow would have cost me $1150 out of pocket if I did not have tow insurance.
Bumpers/Fenders:
keep a bit of line tied to your bumpers with a bowline knot. also have a loop tied on the other end. this will allow you to quickly secure the bumpers to cleats and toss over the side when coming into dock
General boating:
Always have an extra un-used line on the boat.
Always have a few bottles of water on the boat.
Keep your boaters hook handy. especially if you wear a hat.
keep a lanyard on your sun glasses. see above.
standard PFD's are nice, and will save your life. however because they are bulky, people do not wear them. consider inflatable PFD's
water should not be in your bilge. look for the leak.
boating requires preventative maintenance. to quote the old adage, an ounce of prevention is cheaper than a pound of cure. Fix that leaking caulk seam, wax that boat , follow your motor/drives factory manual for the maintenance schedule.
When buying a new to you boat, do not be in such a hurry to splash it. 99.5% of the time, the prior owner did not do any of the required maintenance. Service the engine, drive, gear lube, alignment, cooling system, etc. prior to needing to be towed in.
When boating alone, inform someone what ramp and if you know what area of the lake you will be at and approx time expected home. This is known as a float plan
Here is a link to a float plan form you can also put on your dash https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/download/USCGFloatPlan.pdf
if you have a helpful tip, simply hit the report button, add the tip and the mod team will amend it.
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