Your Pre-Departure Checklist: Keep This on the Boat!

When you're getting ready to go out on the water, there are a lot of things to keep track of and plan for before you leave. Even experienced boaters can forget something or make a mistake that causes damage or injury. (Check out Firstmate Controls' own story of how a dangerous situation turned into the birth of our incredible remote-controlled boat lift system!) That's why it's important to have a complete and reliable pre-departure checklist to use every time you're getting ready to head out on the boat. We are going to help you get started with a basic checklist that you can personalize to make sure everything is in order for your day of boating... Check it out!

1. Weather

First and foremost, check the weather forecast in the area you'll be boating and for the full timeframe that you plan to be out on the water. Weather is often unpredictable and can change quickly, so just stepping outside to test the temperature is not a good indicator of what it's going to be like in a few hours. Check for storms, high-speed winds, and temperature drops. Each of these changes in weather could catch you unaware out on the water and cause serious damage and possibly even injury. If the weather looks good, you can move on to the rest of your checklist!

2. Legal Requirements

Every area has specific requirements about what you must carry on the boat at all times. Some of the rules even state where the items need to be placed in order to be in compliance with the local safety laws. Be sure to check your state's laws and the regulations of the body of water where you'll be boating before you finalize your checklist. In general, though, these items are legally required on most boats...

Verify Life Jackets - Must be Coast-Guard-Approved and the right size and weight rating for your passengers. Review with all passengers where they are located and how to get to them in case of emergency.
Verify Throwable Device - Flotation device that you can throw to someone who's fallen overboard.
Check Navigation Lights - Make sure they have the right placement and color and that they are working properly.
Verify Signaling Devices - Check to make sure your flares, flags, and horns are all in working condition and in an accessible location.
Check Fire Extinguisher - Verify that your fire extinguisher has the proper rating for the size and type of boat you're driving. Also verify that it has not expired and make sure it is secured in an easily accessible location on the boat.

3. Condition of Your Boat

This is important to do every time you go out, but especially if it's the first outing of the season.

Damage - Check for damage, especially the kind of damage that could affect the integrity of the boat.
Electrical - Make sure the lights and electrical system are working.
Fuel - Make sure there are no fuel leaks anywhere in the boat; check the fuel levels and make note if you need to stop and fill up before heading out for the day. (A good rule for fuel is to have one-third to go out, one-third to return, and one-third in reserve.)
Oil - Check for leaks and check the oil level.
Batteries - Make sure the engine battery is fully charged, make sure the selector switch is in the right position if you have a dual charging system, check the batteries in all of the devices you have on board (flashlight, radio, etc.).
Controls - Make sure all of your controls, steering, and throttle are working and responding properly.

4. Other Essential Equipment

While these items aren't legal requirements on the boat, they are absolutely essential to having a good and safe day out on the water. Add them to your checklist to make sure you're ready before going out for the day.

Boater's License - In the state of Missouri, you MUST have your boater's license in order to operate a watercraft if you were born after January 1st, 1984.
Anchor & Line - If you plan on "coving out", you need to make sure you have the right anchor for your size of boat and the type of lake you'll be boating on. Check to make sure your anchor, chain, and line are all in good shape and not frayed or worn out.
Keys with a Float Attached - Obviously, you need the keys to start the boat. These are SO essential, you really should have something attached to your keys to make sure they will float if they accidentally fall into the water. Make sure you have something to secure your keys.
First Aid Kit - You never know what's going to happen out there on the water, so it's important to be prepared. Check your first aid kit and replace anything that you used last time you were out. (For a complete list of items you should add to your first aid kit for the boat, check out our blog post: mmm)
Toys - You may be going out just to cruise around on the boat - fun! But, if you are going out on the boat to go somewhere or do something else too, it's important to make sure you bring everything you'll need for that activity:

Water mat, pool noodles, floaties
Skis, wakeboards, tubes and their ropes and flags
Fishing poles, bait, tackle, cooler
Coverups and shoes for the lakefront bar or restaurant

5. Fun & Comfort

This list should be customized to what you typically want to bring with you for your day out on the water, but there are a few things that just about everyone is going to need. Add these items to your checklist and make sure you have them on the boat before you get underway. (Pro Tip: Some boaters like to keep these items in a tub that they make sure to bring on the boat every time they go out.)

Sunscreen - SPF 50 or higher
Sunglasses and/or Hat - Bring a spare in case you lose yours
Towels
Change of Clothes or Coverup
Battery Pack - For charging your devices
Drink of Choice
Water!
Snacks
Cash - For dock attendants
Wallet (money and ID) - In case you stop at any lakefront attractions
Music - Don't drain your battery with the boat radio!

Get on the Water Faster

This checklist might seem like a lot, but they are really important steps to making sure your boating experience is safe and fun. To shorten the amount of time it takes to go from docked to feeling the wind in your hair, consider installing a Firstmate Controls' boat lift control box on your dock! Our remote-controlled system makes it easy to board and get out on the water with just the press of a button. (It even makes docking easier!) Check out our website and order your system today.

Boat Lift Controls You Can Count On!

Firstmate Controls

410 Century Business Drive

Labadie, MO 63055

Phone: (866) 570-9707

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