![]() Learn more by reading Clean Boating: Best Practices for Boaters. You’ll also want to refuel while avoiding spills, even a few drops. To learn more about issues with ethanol and marine engines, go to Choosing the Right Fuel and Oil for your Marine Engine. Consult your owner's manual for any fuel octane requirements, and note especially that marine engines may not use motor fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol (E10). The first is putting the correct fuel in your boat. Gas gauge getting low? It’s time to re-fuel your boat, which presents two areas of concern. Check out our Pre-Departure Checklist for more “pre-float” ideas designed to help make your day on the water safe and enjoyable. You should file a “float plan” with family or friends ashore before heading out for the day, just so someone knows where you are headed and when you expect to return. Departure ChecklistĪ pilot always files a flight plan before takeoff. There are other items that often are not part of a new-boat purchase, including dock lines, and fenders to protect the side of the boat when it’s docked. Of course, you’ll need a life jacket (also called a personal flotation device, or PFD) for every person onboard, but what other items are you required to keep on the vessel? Check out our Boat Safety Checklist & Safety Equipment. If you live in a cold climate the boat will need to be “winterized” for off-season storage. Powerboats and personal watercrafts (PWCs) will require at least annual basic engine maintenance, usually an oil and filter change and a fuel filter change, a change of gearcase lubricant, and perhaps propeller inspection. There are many other boat-storage options, from a dry stack valet service to mooring in a marina.įor ideas on storage go to Boat Storage: What Are My Options? Basic Boat Maintenance Will your boat trailer fit in your garage? Maybe you need a trailer with a swing-away tongue. You might store your new boat on its trailer, but where will you park it? Not all communities permit boats to be parked-long-term in a residential driveway. Knowing the drill will help you keep your stress level down and get your day on the water off to a great start.įor tips on backing down the ramp and launching check out How to Launch a Boat. The boat launch ramp has its own etiquette, developed to keep things moving smoothly even on the busiest weekend morning. Don’t buy a boat only to discover you’ll need a new truck to tow it.įor more information on towing, visit our Boat Towing & Trailering guide. Check the vehicle owner’s manual carefully to find the maximum tow rating, and the Gross Combined Vehicle Rating (GCVR), which is the weight of the tow vehicle and the boat and trailer and that weight should include the weight of boat fuel, water and gear. The first item to check is that your tow vehicle is rated to tow the boat you will buy. Trailering you boat makes it possible to visit new bodies of water, but for many new boat owners towing safely requires another new skill set that is part of boat ownership. Other factors to consider are special requirements for boats in hurricane zones, and boats leaving U.S. ![]() Check both policies to make sure you are covered. If your trailer causes injuries to people or damage to property your auto policy should cover the liability. If you have an accident while towing, your boat policy pays to repair or replace the trailer. For example, a policy with specific fuel-spill liability protects you from clean-up claims or third-party damage caused by the accidental discharge of oil or fuel, if you boat were to sink in a marina. ![]() But there are some types of coverage that are specific to boats. You need to insure your boat, both for liability and for damage to the boat, and in that regard boat insurance is similar to a policy that covers your automobile. Always practice safe and responsibly boating.Master basic on-the-water operating skills.Stock your boat with the proper equipment.Understand basic maintenance requirements.Determine where you will store your boat.Learn how to launch and retrieve your boat. ![]()
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