Month: January 2021

Getting ready to spend the night on your boat? Use this overnight boating checklist to make sure you have everything you need for a safe, enjoyable experience!

If you’d like to purchase a new craft, design one to fit your exact needs with our Build Your Scout tool. You can add features for fishing, water sports, entertainment, comfort, and more to best enjoy your boating experience!

A Boat in General Working Order

Before leaving for overnight boating, give the craft a complete and thorough check. Make sure the engine is running smoothly and that there are no mechanical issues. You’ll also want to verify that all the lights are functioning as needed.

Plenty of Water

Fresh drinking water is essential on an overnight boating trip, and you can’t just run to the grocery store for another gallon. If your boat is equipped with one, make sure the fresh water tank is full. You should also pack plenty of extra water bottles for the trip.

Food and Snacks

You don’t want to get too hungry while boating overnight. Make sure you pack more than enough food for your entire trip so your group stays happy all through your adventure. The last thing you want on an overnight boating trip is hungry, grumpy passengers!

Flashlights

Even if your boat is well lit from front to back, you should have at least one flashlight on board. You may need it for walking on islands or in case of an emergency, so make sure it’s easy to find and ready to use. Extra batteries for the flashlight should also be onboard.

Signaling Tools

If there is an emergency, such as a stalled engine, you need to be able to signal for help. You can’t always rely on technology, so be sure to have manual tools like flares and air horns onboard, which can be used to signal other boats even if the radio is broken.

Blankets & Jackets

Even in summer, nights can get cold on the water. Make sure you bring plenty of blankets and each passenger has a jacket to prepare for chilly evenings. Being cold while on the water is quite unpleasant, especially throughout the night.

Toiletries

All the little things that make modern living so clean and comfortable need to come with you on the boat. This means biodegradable toilet paper, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, soap, and more.

Fully-Stocked First Aid Kit

A first aid kit can be critical on a boat. Make sure it’s fully stocked with all the right items, including burn ointment, antiseptic ointment, and bandages. Lip balm, sun protection, and bug repellant are also great to include in your first aid kit.

Purchase a Luxury Craft from Scout Boats

We hope this overnight boating checklist assists you. If you want to have an outstanding boating experience, a craft from Scout Boats can thoroughly enhance your time on the water. With refined features and advanced technology that are customizable using our Build Your Scout tool, you can create a craft that suits your exact needs!

If you’re a first-time boat owner, there’s a lot to keep track of regarding this recent purchase. However, this first-time boat owner checklist will ensure you’re thoroughly prepared to safely take your new craft out on the water.

If you’d like to purchase a new craft, design one to fit your exact needs with our Build Your Scout tool. You can add features for fishing, sporting, entertainment, and more to best enjoy your boating experience!

Boat Insurance

Your boat should have enough insurance to cover you legally and provide protection from liability. Like car insurance, there are many different types of boat insurance, and they come at a variety of coverage levels. If you keep your boat in a marina, you may need insurance to pay for damage caused to your boat or pay for the cost of recovering a sunken boat. There may also be special insurance requirements for boats in hurricane zones and other areas.

Storage

Where will you keep your boat when it’s not in use? If you are planning to buy a boat, you need to think about storage, as well as the potential for additional costs. If you keep the boat at home, you’ll need to consider if you have enough space. Will you move a car out of the garage to make room for it? Can the boat be parked beside the house? Are their neighborhood restrictions against this?

Or, if you plan to store the boat at a facility, you need to research into costs. Winter storage can cost be quite expensive, but it saves you the trouble of having to find space on your property.

Trailer

It’s easy to forget about the trailer if you’re a first-time boat owner. Trailering the boat makes it possible to move from one body of water to another, and you need the right trailer to ensure safe travels. A good trailer will have all the right fittings to properly connect and secure your boat. It will have good tires and balance properly so there is not too much weight on the hitch. Even if you plan to keep the boat at a marina, it’s always possible that you may want to take your vessel to a new location. Don’t forget this expense when you’re buying a boat.

Documents

Before going out on the water, you need the right documents. You should have your title, registration, and proof of insurance on the boat at all times. Make sure they are up-to-date and have your name on the appropriate documents.

Safety Equipment

Safety is crucial on a boat, so make sure you have life jackets, fire extinguishers, and other important safety equipment. Your safety checklist should also include tools for calling for help, including lights, flares, and horns.

Tools

If a problem occurs, it helps to have tools on your boat. Wrenches, screwdrivers, and flashlights are critical. You should also have tape for temporary fixes (enough to get you back to dock), as well as extra parts like lights, fuel filters, bulbs, plugs, engine oil, and spark plugs.

Purchase a Luxury Craft from Scout Boats

We hope this first-time boat owner checklist assists you. If you want to have an outstanding boating experience, a craft from Scout Boats can thoroughly enhance your time on the water. With refined features and advanced technology that are customizable using our Build Your Scout tool, you can create a craft that suits your exact needs!

Getting ready to head out on the water? Before you leave the dock, make sure you have everything you need for a safe, fun, and enjoyable ride. This convenient boating pre-departure checklist will help ensure you’re prepared!

If you’d like to purchase a new craft, design one to fit your exact needs with our Build Your Scout tool. You can add features for fishing, sporting, entertainment, and more to best enjoy your boating experience!

Check the Weather

You don’t want to get stuck in unpleasant weather on the water. Before doing anything else, check a local news outlet to make sure there are no expected storms, rain, or high winds. Do this first so you know whether it’s a good day for boating or if you should stay on land. You can always go another day!

Registration and Legal Documents

Having all the proper documents on your boat is critical. It will be especially important if you are checked by the Coast Guard or a state department. Make sure you have everything you need to prove your boat is registered and legal for operation.

Life Jackets

Safety is crucial on a boat. Before leaving, check to make sure you have the proper number of life jackets. There should be at least one for every passenger on board. There should also be at least one throwable floatation device on every boat. Of all the pre-departure items, this may be the most important.

Emergency Horn

To help signal others in case of trouble, you should have an emergency horn or another sound device. If anything happens and you need to use the device, remember that three is the universal signal for help (e.g. three blasts from an air horn, three light flashes, etc.)

Working Lights

Even if you are not going out at night and you expect to be back well before sundown, you should have working lights. You should also have a bright flashlight or lantern that can be used to signal for help.

Tools

A small toolbox with screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, and other basic tools is essential. Keep these tools in your boat so you can make quick repairs if needed.

Plenty of Fuel and Oil

It seems like a no-brainer, but every year people leave the dock without enough gas and become stranded on the water. In most cases, it’s simply embarrassing. But it can also lead to an emergency if you are left adrift for hours on end.

Fire Extinguisher

A working fire extinguisher is an important part of your boat’s safety. Make sure there is a fire extinguisher onboard that is usable and up-to-date.

Ropes, Bumpers, and Anchor

You need ropes and bumpers to tie to docks and other boats. An anchor is also necessary for securing your boat safely and securely to the ocean floor.

Communicate the Boating Plan

Someone on shore should know where you are going and when you plan to return. In case of an emergency, this person can guide rescuers to your likely location. Communicate the plan to another person and stick to this general route.

Purchase a Luxury Craft from Scout Boats

We hope this boating pre-departure checklist assists you. If you want to have an outstanding boating experience, a craft from Scout Boats can thoroughly enhance your time on the water. With refined features and advanced technology that are customizable using our Build Your Scout tool, you can create a craft that suits your exact needs!