10 Tips and Tricks for New Boat Owners

A favorite pastime to enjoy a day of fun with friends and family is getting on the water and going on a boat ride. Summer is just around the corner which means that boaters all across the country will soon return to the water and many more will venture out for the very first time. Experienced boat owners will tell you that being on any kind of boat requires proper training, navigational skills, and experience. There are many things that new boat owners need to know to stay safe while out on the water and at the docks. If you are a rookie at boating, here are a few tips and tricks to help you on your first boating season.

#1: Boat Training Course

Knowing how to properly handle a boat is really difficult to do without prior training. Do not jump into a boat and take off without having some knowledge of what you are doing. Whether your state requires it or not, we recommend you take a boating course. A boating course is important because it will train you on the skills you need to pilot your boat safely. You will learn how to properly handle a boat and you and your passengers will be much safer.

Bonus Tip: If there are no boating courses in your area, it is a good idea to ask an experienced boater friend to guide and instruct you on handling a boat.

#2: Have the Legal Requirements

Having the legal requirements for a boat is essential. It is illegal to operate your boat if you do not have the proper registration for it. The registration requirements vary from state to state and will also depend on whether the boat is used on rivers, canals or other waterways, whether the boat’s for cruising or living on as a houseboat, the boat’s length and the duration of the license (from one day to one year). Aside from the registration, our boat must also have the registration number and validation decal on display when the boat is being operated.

#3: Safety Equipment

The United States Coast Guard requires boat owners to have certain safety equipment items available when you are operating your boat. If you do not have these items on board the coast guard can fine you. Below is a list of the minimum required equipment you need to have on board when operating your boat.

Bonus Tip: Some states may have additional equipment items so make sure to look up your state's requirements.

Life Jackets: You must have one approved (Type I, II, III, or V) life jacket per person on board. They must be easily accessible, in good working condition, and fit the individual it is intended for properly.
Floating Device: If your boat is 16 feet or more in length, you must have one throwable floatation device (Type IV).
Fire Extinguisher: All boats must have a Coast Guard-approved hand portable fire extinguisher. The number of fire extinguishers needed will depend on what type of boat you have,
Bells and Whistles: A boat under 40 feet should have an efficient sound producing device such as a horn or whistle, and boats over 40 feet are required to carry a bell and whistle.
Visual Distress Signals: While in Coastal Waters, the Great Lakes, and any U.S. owned boats which are on the high seas, if less than 16 feet in length must carry three approved night signals. Boats over 16 feet must have three day and three-night signals on board.
First Aid Kit: Have an onboard first-aid kit to be prepared to treat yourself or your passengers until you can get back to land.

#4 Have a Float Plan

Before heading out on the boat for the day make sure you have a plan. Do not just go out into the water without knowing where you will be going or telling someone on shore where you will be. We recommend you keep a float plan on the shore so that, should something go wrong on the water somebody onshore would know where and when to go looking for you.

#5: Check the Weather Before you hit the Water

It is always a good idea to make sure you check the weather immediately before you head out. Weather changes can be pretty unpredictable and unexpected and you do not want to get caught up in a surprise storm. It is better to avoid the situation and postpone your boat trip than to risk the lives of you and your passengers in a dangerous squall or other dangerous weather patterns.

#6: Dress in Layers

Dressing appropriately for a boat trip is important because you need to be able to tackle any changes in the weather. We recommend that you dress in layers so that you can be prepared for all weather conditions. It might be warm when you are on land, but you do not want to be cold if the breeze escalates on the water. If the weather remains warm, you can simply take off your sweater. Being comfortable on a boat trip is essential so it is important that you do not let the weather ruin your fun.

#7: Learn to Launch the Boat

Although spending a day our on a boat is endless fun you must first launch your boat to get on the water. Launching your boat is when you release your boat to the water from the trailer by backing into the water ramp. Learning how to launch a boat can be stressful for many boat owners because you do not want to see your truck disappear into the water along with your trailer.

Click HERE for a step by step process on how to properly launch your boat!

#8: Go Slow When Docking

Just like launching, docking your boat can also be stressful because wind, currents, and other boats can make docking a bit difficult. The key to docking is to do it very slow and steady. If you rush into it you can damage your boat, the dock, or even other boats nearby. If it does not go well the first try, do not be afraid to back up and start to dock the boat again.

Bonus Tip: Understanding your boat’s acceleration sensitivity can be a big help when docking. Continue to practice a slow and steady, controlled approach and you will be able to dock your boat in no time.

#9: Have a Tool Box Handy

There is nothing worse than having a mechanical problem in the middle of your boat trip and having to be stuck on the water waiting for help to arrive. It is important to know how to handle minor technical/mechanical problems while on the water. Have a toolbox on board and maybe even some spare parts available so that you can fix the problem yourself and continue to enjoy your boat day.

#10: Pack a “Boat Bag”

When on a boat you will not have any access to any stores and/or food services so it is important to pack some important essentials. Some boaters call this “packing a boat bag” because it is all the additional items needed for a successful boat trip. We recommend you pack enough snacks and water for you and your passengers, a pair of sunglasses and sunscreen to protect you from the sun and any other items you feel will make your boat trip more comfortable. You’ll never be caught in a jam without these items.

Conclusion:

Owning a boat is awesome because you can enjoy a day of fun with friends and family, but not having the proper training, navigational skills, and experience can turn your day around for the worst. It is important for new boat owners to know the tips and tricks to stay safe while out in the water. Being prepared with the appropriate equipment and knowing how to launch and dock your boat will help you have a successful boat trip.

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