New Boat Owner Guide

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Congratulations! You Now Have Your Ticket for a Vacation on Demand. Don’t Let Owning a Boat Be Intimidating, Let It Be Fun! To Get Started, Here Are a Few Resources We Have Put Together for You...

It is recommended that all first time boat owners take a boater safety course, click HERE to register for one in your state.

Boating tips from our staff and boat owners:

Be sure to bring lots of snacks on the water. Everyone is happier when they are well fed and extra water is never a bad idea either.
Make sure to bring a waterproof bag or zip lock for cell phone, keys, wallet, etc.
When backing up a trailer put your hand at the bottom of the wheel. The direction that you turn the wheel is the direction that the trailer will go.
Slow is pro when docking.
Learn the ways of the water
Don’t forget the plug
Learn and obey what the buoy markers mean
Keep an eye out for swimmers
Keep an extra plug in your vehicle and in your boat

Q&A: The top 20 questions new boat owners ask:

Q: What are the common terms used in boating?

Bow: refers to the front end of a boat.
Stern: refers to the rear end of a boat.
Port: standing at the rear of a boat and looking forward, “port” refers to the entire left side of the boat.
Starboard: standing at the rear of a boat and looking forward, “starboard” refers to the entire right side of the boat.
Port bow: refers to the front left of a boat.
Starboard bow: refers to the front right of a boat.
Port Quarter: refers to the rear left side of a boat.
Starboard Quarter: refers to the rear right of a boat.
Throw-able: refers to a type of personal flotation device.
Knots: A measurement of speed in nautical miles per hour.

Q: What should I keep in my boat?

Life Jackets and wearable personal flotation devices (PFDs)
Throw-able flotation devices
Legal documentation (title, licensing, and registration)
Fire extinguishers
Visual signaling devices (flares, colored smoke, etc.)
Sound signaling devices (portable horn and whistles)
First Aid Kit
Anchor
Cellphone
Flashlight
Knife
VHF radio
Fenders
Lines

Q: What are the “Rules of the Road”?

In a situation with two boats coming head on, if possible, both vessels turn to starboard and pass port to port. That way, there’s no guesswork about the intentions of the other captain and a collision is avoided.
If you’re being overtaken, your responsibility is to maintain course and speed. If that scenario puts anyone in harm’s way, just slow down and let the other pass because the first job of any captain is to avoid a collision regardless of who has the right-of-way.
If a vessel approaches you from the right, they’re the stand-on vessel.
Human powered vessels (kayaks, SUPs, canoes, etc.) have the right-of-way over any other vessel including a sailboat.
If another vessel is restricted in its ability to maneuver (due to its size, draft or any other reason) it’s the stand-on vessel and you should accommodate it.

Q: What do I need to trailer a boat?

A capable tow vehicle
Reliable tie-downs for the stern

Q: What are the basics to trailering a boat?

Always allow extra following distances and braking times
Never start like a jackrabbit. Even if you went through the checklist and know the boat is securely tied to the trailer, things can break.
Swing wide around turns, to avoid clipping the curb with a trailer tire.
If you sense any swaying in the rig, pull over and redistribute weight. The tongue weight (how heavy the front of the trailer is) should be between 10 to 15 percent of the overall load weight. If its not proper the trailer can sway from side to side and swaying can lead to accidents.
Change lanes very slowly. You may not be able to see cars directly behind you boat (unless you’re towing a small boat) and they may sometimes whip out from behind you and accelerate unexpectedly.

Q: How do I launch my boat?

Step 1. In a staging area, check to make sure the drain plug is installed, and the key is in the ignition.
Step 2. Load all your gear and necessities into the boat- coolers, food, tubes, skis, fishing tackle, etc.
Step 3. Attach Fenders to the dock side of the boat and remove the transom tie down straps. Step 4. Attach dock lines to the bow and stern cleats.
Step 5. Unplug trailer lights from the tow vehicle to keep cold water from damaging hot bulbs. Step 6. Move your tow vehicle in position and back down the ramp, reverse slowly so you have time to correct if needed.
Step 7. Continue to back down until you see the stern of the boat begin to float.
Step 8. Put your vehicle in park with the parking brake and release the trailer winch and safety chain.
Step 9. Use the bow line, give the boat a push and let it slide slowly off the trailer to float in the water.

Q: How to load boat on a trailer

Step 1. Start by idling up to the launch-ramp dock and putting your vehicle driver and crew ashore. While they walk up to the parking lot and prepare to back down the ramp, you can idle and wait out of the way.
Step 2. When you see your tow vehicle backing down the ramp, get the boat in position.
Step 3. The driver should put the vehicle Park and set the parking brake.
Step 4. Your driver can now be ready to hop on the trailer tongue or step into the water to help secure the boat on the trailer.
Step 5. The trailer should be backed into the water as straight as possible, and at a depth that allows the boat to float over the rear two-thirds of the trailer bunks.
Step 6. Now, you can idle the boat over the bunks, aligning the bow peak with the trailer bow stop.
Step 7. If the ramp is shallow you may need to trim your outboard motor or sterndrive up a bit, so the prop doesn’t hit bottom.
Step 8.When the boat bumps the bow stop on the winch post, or gets close, your helper can clip the winch strap to the bow eye and use the winch to pull the boat up snug to the winch post, and then secure the safety chain.
Step 9. If the boat ends up a little crooked on the trailer, try backing down the ramp just a little to allow the boat to float and center itself. Now tilt the motor or drive up, and the vehicle driver can slowly pull the boat and trailer up the ramp.
Step 10. Just as when launching, you’ll want to pull your rig out of the way of ramp activity to unload gear and prepare the trailer and boat for the highway.

Q: Where do I store my boat?

A: Many boaters store their boat on their own property. Some trailer boaters rent yard space from storage facilities. You can also seek out a marina or boatyard. For winter storage (or any long-term, nonuse storage), yards and marinas offer storage inside and outside at varying rates.

Q: How much is winter boat storage?

A: It varies in different parts of the nation and according to your boat’s size. To get a general idea of the potential costs, you can figure on spending somewhere between $50 and $200 per foot of boat indoors and $20 to $50 per foot of boat for outdoor storage, per season.

Q: How much does boat storage cost?

A: The cost of storing a boat year-round is no different during summer and winter months for most dry stack facilities, and if you store your boat on land through all four seasons, again, the above-mentioned prices can give you some guidelines. When storing your boat in the water in a wet slip, the costs will vary by geography and boat size.

Q: How to wrap a boat for winter storage?

A: The best way to wrap a boat for winter storage is to have it shrink-wrapped by a professional. The blue tarp method helps to protect your boat, but if the tarp isn’t supported and secured just right, leaks, rips, and complete collapses are common.

Q: How much does dry boat storage cost?

A: As we mentioned earlier there’s a wide variation in cost depending on boat size and geography, however, remember that covered boat storage is more expensive than open storage and indoor dry boat storage costs significantly more than outdoor boat storage. If you’re wondering, “where is covered boat storage near me?” then you have some searching to do, but remember, in parts of the nation where boating is popular there are usually plenty of options.

Q: How to cover a boat for winter storage?

A: A professional shrink-wrap job is by far the best way to cover a boat for winter storage.

Q: What is dry storage for boats?

A: Dry storage for boats is generally considered to be any sort of storage where the boat isn’t kept in a wet slip, in the water.

Q: What are the basics of winterizing a boat?

A: If you aren’t handy at maintenance issues, any local marina or boat repair shop can winterize a boat for you. The basics include:

Running antifreeze through the water systems
Removing batteries and storing in a safe place
Spraying fogging oil into the motor so that internal parts don’t corrode
Flushing out the cooling systems
Add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank to minimize rusting and freezing

Q: How to do I maintain my boat?

A: The most basic maintenance tasks are simply keeping things clean and, where appropriate, well-lubricated. This has a huge impact on a boat. The fiberglass gel coat, for example, will oxidize and turn chalky if you don’t wash and wax it regularly. So, a basic boat hull maintenance chore with any fiberglass boat is washing and waxing. Dirt that sits on canvass and upholstery allows mold and mildew to attach and grow, so again, regular cleanings are very important. And having a dirty bilge means you may not spot leaking fuel or fluids and can lead to clogged bilge pumps.

Q: How to clean a boats interior?

A: Items to consider include: Marine carpet, non-slip fiberglass, vinyl, cushions, and heads.

Marine carpet is best cleaned by vacuuming first to remove loss dirt and the give it an old-fashioned scrub down with a stiff-bristle brush, soap, and water.
Non-slip fiberglass cleaning is done by scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush, soap and water. Avoid using wax as this will make the fiberglass slippery and may cause injuries. Tougher stains can be attacked with a cleaner that has a bit of bleach but use reasonable amounts since bleach is tough on fiberglass surfaces.
Marine vinyl come with a factory treated coat that protects against mold and mildew so stay away from using harsh chemical cleaners that can remove them. Instead to keep vinyl’s as clean as possible give them a wash down with gentle soapy water and a soft rag after every time you use the boat.
Cushions can become musty overtime, blemished by spills, and invaded by mildew. To clean, first remove the covers and wash them in cold water. As for the foam sprinkle baking soda on both sides of the cushion, let it sit for a few hours, then shake it off. Then mist the foam with a 50-50 mix of vinegar and water. Place the cushion in a well-ventilated area for a few days until the smell of the vinegar goes away. Then spray then down with a hose and squeeze the water out and spray them again. It may take a few soakings to get all the grime out. After the final time, let them air dry.
Marine heads can be cleaned like the toilets at home but cleaning the lines where scale and calcium deposits can collect is different story. Once a month run a few cups of white vinegar through the lines.

Q: How to clean a boats exterior?

A: Okay—the inside’s all set. Now, let’s look at how to clean the boat’s exterior. Items to address include: Hull, gel-coat surfaces, canvas, and engines.

Hull and Gel coat surfaces need serious protection and maintenance to stay shiny and avoid oxidation. This starts with a base coat of two layers of paste wax, each spring. Monthly give the boat a shine by applying a liquid carnauba wax. After each use wash the boat down with a boat specific soap.
Canvas will need to be cleaned monthly, to prevent staining and keep dirt from becoming embedded in the material. Hose it down with water and give it a gentle scrub with a soft bristle brush and mild soap.
Outboard engines start b waxing the cowl and exterior then washing them down with soap and water after every use. Using microfiber cloths or wash mitts will provide best results. For an inboard motor regularly wipe away accumulated dirt and grime. Remember that there are electrical wires and components that can be damaged by some cleaners and chemicals. So, beyond a superficial wipe down, its usually best to leave the cleaning to a pro.

Q: How do I get my boat ready for spring season?

A: For many boaters, annual preparation and cleaning projects are necessary rites of spring that help prevent problems that could keep them off the water once the season is underway. Make sure to check the following:

Fuel System: Look for leaks and damage to fuel hoses, connections, and tank surfaces
Electric System: Check for corrosion, battery connection, and clean wires.
Propellers and Hulls: Inspect for dings, cracks, and secured bearings
Belts, Cables, and Hoses: Check for tightness of belts, cracks or swells on throttle jacket, and remove black residue if present.
Fluid Levels: Check engine oil, power steering, power trim, reservoirs and coolant.
Safety Gear: Make sure all life jackets are in good working condition, fire extinguishers are onboard, and there are more than enough life jackets and throwables.

Q: What does each buoy mean?

Port Hand Buoy (Green) is on the left side of the channel when heading up stream.

Starboard Hand Buoy (Red) is on the right side of the channel when heading up stream.

Information Buoy displays information to the driver of the boat.

Hazard Buoy marks random hazards such as rocks and shoal. It is white with an organe diamond on two opposite sides and two horizontal bands.

Control Buoy marks an area where boating is restricted.

Keep Out Buoy indicates an area closed to navigation.

Swimming Buoy defines a swimming area.

Mooring Buoy marks an area for mooring or securing vessels.

Other Resources

Boat Towing & Trailering Guide – Click Here

Storing your Boat – Click Here

Boat Maintenance – Click Here

Safety – Click Here

Boating Etiquette – Click Here

Onboard Boat Items Checklist – Click Here

How to Save a Drowning Victim – Click Here

If you are Caught in a Storm – Click Here

Understanding Navigation Markers – Click Here

How to Keep your Dog Safe on the Lake – Click Here

Happy Boating!

New Boat Owner Guide

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