First boat, now what?
You finally got a boat. Congratulations! We know that is a huge accomplishment and can be a little overwhelming as well. Owning a boat should be fun, exhilarating, and even rewarding. Whether your boat is new, or “new to you” there are a few things that first time boat owners will want to make sure and cover before getting on the water. Hopefully we can help go over some areas and alleviate some of that stress.
Registration and Insurance
First things first, register your boat/vessel with the DMV and make sure you have boat insurance. Nothing is worse than having all that excitement built up and you are ready to take your maiden voyage and something happens, regrettably uninsured. This is true for all boat owners, not just first time boat owners. You only make those kind of mistakes once.
Life Jackets
Second, safety! First time boat owners can tend to want to get going and jump right on the water. We absolutely understand. You’ve got the boat, so let’s go! Unfortunately, there are some safety measures you will want to guarantee a good time.
Make sure you have PFD’s (personal flotation devices, also known as life jackets) for every passenger in your boat. Your passengers are your responsibility. Check for appropriate fitting and US Coast Guard approval. Online purchases can be made from companies like Overtons, or Barts. Local boat or sports stores like Academy are great avenues as well.
More safety items to include are a fire extinguisher, whistle and/or horn, and a throwable water rescue flotation device.
Trailering
Make certain your vehicle is rated to the capacity of the boat. Don’t forget to add the weight of fuel, trailer, and equipment. Additional checklist items will also include checking your lights, tires, and ensure you have a spare.
Properly trailering the boat is a skill. Sometimes, that means practicing. We recommend finding an empty parking lot, or visit the boat ramp during non-peak hours when it isn’t swarmed with people. Practice backing up to make your first trip a little smoother than most. You will also find it helpful to practice launching and retrieving as well.
Keys, wallet, phone.
We all know the normal routine before leaving the house. Check for keys, wallet, and phone. While those are essentials we have a couple more to add when going out on the water.
- Be sure to make sure your drain plug is installed and tightened.
- It’s always good measure to make sure you have some cash on hand for the launch fees. Not all require payments, but better safe than sorry.
- Check the engine fluid levels like gas and coolant. Do a test start before leaving. Nothing puts a damper on the day like a dead battery.
- Check to ensure you have good ventilation. This is more for inboard boat owners.
Have fun!
Eventually each and every one of us develops our own routine before heading out. Remember, all of us were first time boat owners at one point. With more practice and more trips out you will develop your own routine. Give yourself some slack and be patient with the things that don’t immediately go the way you would like.
Take a deep breath and enjoy the breeze.
