Boating is a great pastime for water lovers of all ages and walks of life. Whether you’re taking your fishing boat out for a day of angling with friends or cruising in an outboard boat or jet boat on the lake with your family, you’ll have an incredible time and make lasting memories while escaping ordinary life for an afternoon. Take some time to relax and admire nature in your boat!
Just make sure that you’re thoroughly prepared for your boating excursion so that you can handle any eventuality and ensure the comfort and safety of your passengers. This guide to preparing for a day of boating by RVs and Boats For Less will help you get ready without a lot of stress and worry.
Carry Sufficient Documentation
You need to have several important documents on board your vessel at all times to comply with laws. Make sure that you have your boat’s registration and your boating license and that both are up to date. Keep these with your boat insurance papers and store this in a waterproof folio or pouch in a secure place on your boat, like a watertight storage compartment or safe. Photocopy all of these documents just in case they’re lost or damaged. If you’re traveling in international waters or to a port in another country, then you’ll need to have passports and identification for all passengers, too.
Pack Extra Clothes & Blankets
Because temperatures can be much cooler out on the water than on land, you’ll want to have extra clothes and blankets on hand. This is also handy in case someone gets wet, or for swimmers returning from the water. Children are particularly vulnerable to cold, so make sure to keep them wrapped up and warm to prevent hypothermia from setting in, especially if they get wet. Never let anyone stay in wet clothes!
Be Medically Prepared
A well-stocked first aid kit is a vital necessity aboard your boat; fill it with bandages, gauze, tweezers, stomach medications, painkillers and any prescription medications that you might need while you’re on the water. Seasickness medications or home remedies like ginger candy or tea are also practical to have on hand! You’ll want to have plenty of water for everyone to drink as well as sufficient food to keep up everyone’s energy and stave off hunger.
Focus On Safety
You should make sure that every passenger, adult and child, has a life jacket to wear during your boating excursion. You’ll also want to equip your boat with a throwable life ring for anyone who falls overboard.
Make sure that you check weather and tidal forecasts before you set out and delay or cancel your trip if a serious storm is brewing. You don’t want to be out on the water with lightning, hail, heavy rains or high winds on the horizon!
Keep an emergency radio, a paper map of the area you’re boating in, emergency flares, a compass and a GPS on your boat with you, too. Let someone on shore know where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone, and make sure to check in with them if you think you’ll be delayed in your return.
Visit RVs and Boats For Less in Chubbuck, ID, to see our full selection of new and used boats for sale! We carry fishing boats, outboard boats and jet boats, so you’ll be able to find a boat that suits your needs! RVs and Boats For Less serves the cities of Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Twin Falls, Idaho. We also welcome our customers coming north from Logan and Salt Lake City, Utah.
