What Your Family Should Know Before Boating Season

The image source is Pexels.

Boating season can be absolutely amazing, especially if you plan to make lots of memories with your family. However, spending quality time on a lake isn't as simple as just hopping on a boat, there's quite a bit of prep you'll need to do in order for everything to be ready. Here are some things you should definitely consider before heading out.

Make Sure Your Motor Is In Good Shape

If you use your boat frequently enough or have had it for several years, it's probably a good idea to at least check your motor, or better yet, just replace it. You don't want to go all the way out in the middle of a body of water only to have probably the most vital piece of equipment at your disposal fail on you. Make sure you go with motor components that are solid. Cheap might be tempting due to its affordability, but it's not going to be doing you any favors long-term and more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better at the same time. Consider getting your hands on some mercury outboard parts; they're pretty reliable and come with various horsepower compatibilities, ranging from 60 to 450 hp.

Always, Always, Always Check Weather Forecasts

There's nothing quite like spending a quiet, calm, Saturday afternoon with your family under a beautiful sunset. It's an idyllic scenario, but it's probably not going to be one you encounter if you're not careful. Thunderstorms and heavy wind can make your boating trips an absolute nightmare. Instead of facing the warm sun, you'll end up feeling cold and wet under a dreary sky. If the weather's really bad enough, it can cause waves to crop up that make navigation overly difficult. Not only can bad weather be unpleasant, it also has the potential to be very dangerous, so make sure you have a good idea of what the weather's going to be like before you head out.

Spruce Up Your Knowledge of Boating Laws

Piloting boats can be a hazardous task, so understandably, there are a lot of regulations regarding boat safety. Most places require you to have a requisite boater safety education card on hand to demonstrate that you know how to properly operate vessels on the water, so make sure you've got one on hand (if needed). There is also a laundry list of boat storage regulations, necessary safety features, and speeding laws you need to pay attention to in order to properly use a boat. Failure to do this doesn't always result in severe repercussions, usually a fine, but it can still ruin what would normally be a pleasant trip. If you're unaware of all the laws and regulations you'll need to follow, you can usually look up everything you'll need to know on state government websites.

Safety First!

Just as how people are reluctant to use their seatbelts when they get in a car, the idea of having all the necessary safety features in order when on a boat ride might skip people's minds. The truth is though, the water can be a vastly more dangerous place than on land, since there's very little recourse if something goes wrong. Taking a "safety first" approach to family boat trips is incredibly important and shouldn't be overlooked. This includes always having a life raft onboard, wearing life jackets at all times, and not speeding. Cold water can easily cause hypothermia and if you hit a rogue wave when moving fast, serious injury can result.

Get A Vessel Check

Especially if you're not super aware of how boats work structurally, it's a good idea to get a vessel check from the United States Coast Guard. They'll professionally examine your boat to see if everything is in correct order and probably give you some useful tips on how to be safe on the water.

Making Memories

Never underestimate the value a nice boating trip or two will do for your family. You'll be able to make some wonderful memories that will last for years to come.

Conclusion

However, boating trips aren't just something you can do on a whim; they require a substantial amount of preparation.