Boat Insurance

With the 4th of July weekend starting tomorrow (or today for some!), it’s a good time for boaters to get their water crafts in tip-top shop before jetting out into open waters for the first time this season. In the rush to push away from the dock we can sometimes forget important safety tips and procedures.

Prepare your Boat for Summer

1- Life Jackets- Make sure you have enough for every passenger on the boat and check their condition for rips or other defects. Replace any that are damaged and have a spare just in case.

2-Fire Extinguisher- Fire extinguishers can discharge over the winter so make sure you have a functional fire extinguisher in an accessible place.

3- Registration and Insurance- It’s easy so forget about paperwork when you’re thinking about basking in the sun but make sure your boat registration and boat insurance are valid. Make sure you have copies on the boat so you can produce them if you need to.

4-Battery Check- Often overlooked yet extremely important! Check your boat batteries for a strong charge and have a back-up available at all times.

5- Electrical- Check your electrical system including lights, gauges and the bilge pump. Electrical systems have a tendency to fail over the winter season.

6- Trailer-If you have a trailer, make sure it is in good shape by greasing the bearings and checking the winch for functionality.

7- Gas- If you left gas in the boat over the winter it’s usually a good idea to replace it and fill it up with fresh. Gas it up and get out on the water!