Boating is a wonderful pastime for everyone from fishing enthusiasts to families that are simply tired of doing the same old thing on the weekends. Making sure each and every outing is as fun and as safe as possible, however, is an important undertaking when considering this hobby.
The fact is it’s just not smart to buy a boat and expect to be able to turn the key and have a good time. Boating equipment is necessary and making sure it’s in good working order is vital before taking off from the dock.
It doesn’t matter whether the boat purchased is a sleeper that can accommodate a family of four or a simple bass boat, the boating equipment that is used to keep the vessel safe and buoyant must undergo some simple checks each and every time a trip is planned. Just pulling out and not checking the equipment in advance can be a recipe for disaster. There’s nothing fun about getting stranded in the middle of a lake with an engine that won’t run.
Before pulling away from the dock, it’s a good idea to inspect the following pieces of boating equipment for any problems and also to make sure certain items are onboard:
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