| Boating is a wonderful pastime for everyone | | | | the boat before pulling out. Make sure they |
| from fishing enthusiasts to families that are | | | | are in good working order, and also check the |
| simply tired of doing the same old thing on | | | | spotlight just to be safe. |
| the weekends. Making sure each and every | | | | |
| outing is as fun and as safe as possible, | | | | * Safety equipment. A quick run down to make |
| however, is an important undertaking when | | | | sure life vests are ample for everyone |
| considering this hobby. | | | | onboard doesn't hurt. While it's not likely |
| | | | these will be removed from trip to trip, |
| The fact is it's just not smart to buy a boat | | | | damage can happen to them, so a cursory once |
| and expect to be able to turn the key and | | | | over is a smart thing to do before each |
| have a good time. Boating equipment is | | | | outing. |
| necessary and making sure it's in good | | | | |
| working order is vital before taking off from | | | | * Food and water. Even a brief trip out into |
| the dock. | | | | a bay can turn into a longer venture than |
| | | | expected. Making sure there's enough food and |
| It doesn't matter whether the boat purchased | | | | water available to get through a short |
| is a sleeper that can accommodate a family of | | | | emergency is never a bad idea. |
| four or a simple bass boat, the boating | | | | |
| equipment that is used to keep the vessel | | | | * Communication equipment check. It's not a |
| safe and buoyant must undergo some simple | | | | good idea to pull out without making sure |
| checks each and every time a trip is planned. | | | | this vital class of boat equipment is in good |
| Just pulling out and not checking the | | | | working order. |
| equipment in advance can be a recipe for | | | | |
| disaster. There's nothing fun about getting | | | | * Navigation equipment. This equipment, too, |
| stranded in the middle of a lake with an | | | | should be checked for proper function before |
| engine that won't run. | | | | leaving the dock. If it's not working right |
| | | | and the lake is bigger than a pond, fixing it |
| Before pulling away from the dock, it's a | | | | is the smart thing to do. |
| good idea to inspect the following pieces of | | | | |
| boating equipment for any problems and also | | | | * Small tools. Always keep the necessary |
| to make sure certain items are onboard: | | | | tools to fix boat equipment onboard. It's |
| | | | amazing how many people have sat in a lake |
| * Engine. Do an engine check before leaving | | | | overnight for want of a wrench to fix an |
| the dock each and every time. Make sure | | | | engine. |
| there's enough gas onboard to handle the | | | | |
| planned trip and maybe even a little more | | | | Boating is a fantastic way to enjoy the great |
| just in case. An extra gas can sometimes will | | | | outdoors. The hobby is ideal for almost |
| be necessary. Having one available is better | | | | everyone. There are some things boat owners |
| than not. | | | | should do before each and every trip, |
| | | | however, to ensure the fun and safety of all |
| * Lights. Even if the planned outing is for | | | | onboard. A quick boating equipment check |
| the day time only, it's hard to tell when an | | | | before pulling away from the docks can save a |
| emergency will arise. With this in mind, it's | | | | lot of trouble down the road. |
| smart to do a quick check of all lights on | | | | |