Being a boat dealership in Charleston, we have people come in with different degrees of boating knowledge every day. Some have decades out on the water while others have little to no experience operating a boat. To the people who don’t even know where to begin, this blog is for YOU and we’re here to help! We’ve got our top 10 basic tips to help guide the boating student into becoming the boating master!
1. Train your Inner Boater: proper boating techniques are important so make sure to grab an instructor to hit the waterways with and give you formal training on how to operate your boat.
2. License + Registration Please: do your research and get all the paperwork that caters specifically to where you’ll be cruising or living. This is vitally important so don’t put it off!
3. Go-Go Gadget: have your navigation and fishing gadgets handy whether that’s a magnetic compass, tracking aid, radar, depth sounders, GPS receivers, or signaling lights. All this gear matters so make sure you have it.
4. Rain, Rain Go Away: weather is unpredictable and trust me, you’d rather be prepared and know what’s coming your way than be caught off guard in a dangerous situation. Do yourself a favor and check the radar.
5. Check, Check, and Check: write yourself a checklist so you are fully prepared to launch your boat. The last thing you want is to be stuck at the ramp with traffic building up behind you trying to make sure you have all of your kits, safety gear and so on. Pre-departure lists ensure nothing is overlooked.
6. I Like Your Outfit: like I said, weather conditions change and you don’t want to get stuck offshore in cold weather without proper clothing. Layer up because you can always take them off if it gets hot.
7. Safety is Key: always have a float plan by making sure someone onshore knows where you’re boating in case of an emergency. Also, make sure you have all the appropriate flotation devices, life jackets and your radio is working for maximum safety.
8. Help I’ve Fallen: boating can be hazardous so keep your first aid kit handy! A sudden wave could crash, jerking you forward and causing you to fall and injure yourself. Did you cut your hand? Grab the kit. Bad sun burn? KIT. You get it.
9. Tools are NOT for Fools: educate yourself in order to know how to handle minor mechanical and technical problems so you aren’t stuck out in the water for hours waiting on the coast guard when it could potentially be an easy fix.
10. Common Sense: follow the rules, use what you’ve learned in your boating training, trust your gut, maintain a safe speed, avoid collisions, don’t drink alcohol while operating the boat, make sure you have your gear, stay vigilant and most importantly enjoy your boating experience!
