Firstmate Controls

This week is bound to be a busy one on the water with Independence day on the horizon. Boaters will be out in force to take in the extra days off they'll be enjoying and watching the firework shows by water. Since not everyone has the luxury of having their boat dock sitting in a quiet calm cove, your boat is likely to be subjected to rough waters from other boat wakes that are bound to cause the water to become rough. So, now is the time to be proactive in preventing against damage.  Firstmate Controls  has some tips on how you can prevent damage to your boat, dock, and lift! Properly Securing Your Dock will Prevent Expensive Damage Rough waters can cause a number of problems on the water, especially to docks. That's why it's so important to regularly inspect your dock for any potential repairs needed. What may seem like a small issue at the time could turn into a huge and costly problem down the road. The last thing you want is to get a call from your neighbors sayin

Boating is a favorite pastime for many people. There is no better feeling than spending a day out on the water with friends and family. Naturally, if you have children you will want to include them in your on-the-water fun. This week,  Firstmate Controls  offers some tips to make boating fun and safe when children are present: WEARING LIFE JACKETS Even the best swimmers should still practice safe boating by wearing a life jacket. Since you never know what could happen at any given moment, it's best to wear a life jacket at all times to avoid drowning. Your child’s life jacket should fit snugly and have a collar that will turn the child face up if he/she enters the water. Choose a jacket or vest that has a handle on it and is brightly colored for high visibility. By getting your child used to wearing their life jacket regularly while on the boat, they will be less likely to resist this requirement and more likely to keep it on. TEACH YOUR CHILD TO SWIM In addition to

The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day to get out on the water! But what to do once you're there? Sure, you could just idle your way downstream and enjoy soaking up the sun. But when there's so many other activities you could be doing instead, why wouldn't you take advantage of the opportunity?  Firstmate Controls  has some great boating activities for you to try out - check them out! Spend the Afternoon Fishing You already know how the fishing is at your normal go-to spot. Spend the day visiting different fishing spots, or you can simply drop anchor at a new spot to see what you can catch. You never know, you may stumble upon a sweet spot and catch some of the biggest fish you've ever caught! But even if you don't come home with anything, the day is not wasted when you get to spend time on the water casting a line. Get Adventurous with Water Sports Going out on the boat doesn't have to mean just sitting on the boat. There are plenty of advent

You love spending time on the water, and enjoy entertaining guests on both your boat and dock. When enjoying a fun-filled day on the water with friends and family, an accident on the dock is the last thing anyone wants to deal with. Common sense and proper precautions will help ensure a safe summer on the water.  Firstmate Controls  has 5 simple tips to ensure proper dock safety and maintenance to help prevent dock mishaps. 1. Have Your Dock Inspected With the natural elements that a dock is constantly under, any number of problems and malfunctions can occur. So, an important step in maintaining a dock is to ensure proper installation and maintenance of electrical equipment on docks and on boats. Have a professional electrician inspect all of the electrical systems on or near the water and bring them up to code, and periodically check the dock cables for frays or breaks and replace any worn out or damaged cables. 2. Keep Your Dock Clear of Debris If you allow your dock to becom