Sailboat Rides

Here are ten handy and helpful reminders as well as mandatory and suggested items that you should keep on your boat. Get your boat ready for the inland boating season this summer.

The Importance of Push Button Signal Horn & Aerial Signal Kit. In case of emergency, fog, or warning signal, have an air horn on board. Stores just about anywhere on your boat. It's also a good idea to keep an aerial signal kit such as a flare gun kit incase your stranded on a large lake.

The Importance of a Personal Flotation Device or PDF. Make sure you have enough PDF's on board so that every passenger has one readily available. Providing children with one that fits them correctly is also important. Also, you need to make sure that they are USCG Approved.

What about First Aid Kit? Having a first aid kit handy is a great idea in case there is an emergency. Bandages, gauze, instant cold compress, alcohol cleaning pads, aspirin, antibiotic cream etc. are just some of the basics that should be included in it.

The Importance of a Boat Anchor. If you want to go to the beach, plan on docking, or are in an emergency situation, then you must have the correct size anchor. We suggest that you have an anchor onboard for the rear of the boat and for the front.

Tow Ropes. Keep an extra towrope with you incase you or someone else is stranded on the water. You will then be towed to shore by someone in the event that you or someone else breaks down and needs a lift.

The Importance of a Fire Extinguisher. Keeping a fire extinguisher with you while you are on the water is a must. You need to have a quality A-B-C extinguisher on your boat. Hopefully you'll never need to use it, but if you do you'll know it's there.

What about Universal Boat Cushion? Keep a few brightly colored boat / life cushions on the boat. You can use them to toss to anyone that happens to fall over or needs a hand swimming back to the boat.

What about Boat Registration? Always make sure your registration is current and on board with you. It's a fact that the DNR can pull over anytime to check and see if your boat is legal.

The Importance of Dock Lines. For docking your boat to your pier or to someone else's pier, you should keep a few dock lines. Having a few loops already tied into the rope is what we would suggest to make it handy when you need different sizes.

The Importance of a Cell Phone or Radio. Be sure that you have an onboard radio, cell phone or walkie-talkie with you. These would come in handy if someone wants to come out and join you for a ride or when you need to get a tow back.

Go ahead and enjoy a great and safe summer on your boat this year!