With the summer in full swing and prime boating season among us, it is time to get the boat ready for some fun! A day on the water could be a great adventure or it could turn into a major headache. This summer we have teamed up with Progressive Boat Club to help you learn from our years of experience on the water. This article is here to give you some ideas of what you should never leave the dock without to ensure your day on the water will be nothing but amazing.

Do NOT Leave the Dock Without These 10 Things

1. Boating Safety Gear

This may seem like a no brainer but having all the required gear on hand and easily accessible can be life-saving. Not having the required items could also result in a big ticket. The United States Coast Guard requirements can be found here. In addition to the USCG requirements, you are also required to comply with the regulations and/or laws specific to the state in which you are operating a vessel. Always make sure to check with your local marine agency for any additional requirements that need to be met. For a list of state laws and standards click here. It only takes a few minutes to check your gear. Those few minutes could save your life or at the very least save you from a big fine.

 2. Float Plan

Before heading out on the water make sure to tell someone where you plan on going and when you expect to be back. The USCG offers a free downloadable Float Plan PDF. Fill it out entirely and accurately and leave it with a reliable person who you can depend on to notify the Coast Guard should you not return as planned. Telling someone when you go out and when you should be back in contact can also eliminate the chance of family worrying and alerting marine forces unnecessarily.
A few years ago Billy went sailing offshore and failed to tell his family when he expected to be back in contact. His family grew more and more concerned with passing time and alerted the Coast Guard. Billy was startled by the direct contact from the Coast Guard hailing him on the radio. He learned his lesson after that.

3. Tow Package

Whether you have towing services included with your boat insurance or you pay a yearly subscription to a tow company the payments ARE worth it. Without a tow package, a 5-10 mile tow could cost over $500!! Do not let a simple engine malfunction, running out of fuel, or a grounding cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Many insurance companies offer optional coverage for on-water towing. You can add Sign and Glide On-Water Towing to your Progressive watercraft insurance for $30/year ($50/year in Florida). It is clear that the yearly payments for a tow package are well worth it.

4. SOS Device

There are many different types of devices available. EPIRB’s (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacon), and Satellite messengers all have the ability to contact help and relay location information. EPIRBs are not technically a required piece of safety equipment but they could be just as important in saving your life as PFD’s.

EPIRBS and PLBs use the government-backed SARSAT satellite network and Search and Rescue resources while satellite messengers use a commercial satellite network and a private sector response center to handle emergency calls. Satellite messengers require a subscription on top of the original purchase price because they use commercial systems to provide SOS features. Many of these satellite messengers also offer two-way communication which EPIRB’s and PLB’s do not. At the end of the day, any type of SOS device is better than not having one. Pick one or combine a few depending on your needs and distance you plan to travel.

5. Waterproof VHF Radio

A VHF radio is your main source of communication while on the water. Unlike your cell phone, they are waterproof and can float making them appropriate for the marine environment. VHF radios enable you to contact other boaters and marinas, retrieve weather, and hail the Coast Guard if necessary. Selecting the best VHF radio depends on your specific needs and desired travels.

6. Mask

Always, always keep one on the boat. You never know when you will get something stuck in the prop and have to go diving in to clear it out or better yet you never know when you will run into a beautiful sea creature. Having one mask that permanently lives on the boat means you will never run into a situation where you wish you had one. We learned our lesson about always keeping a mask on the boat when we randomly encountered an endangered whale shark off the coast of Jupiter. There is nothing I wanted more than a mask at that moment but at least we had a camera!

A mask was also an enormous help when we were boarded by the Coast Guard for a safety check and our painter got stuck in the prop. Without a mask, it would have been nearly impossible to see how to remove the line from the prop.

7. Hydration

1. Bringing plenty of drinking water for a day out on the boat is a MUST! Dehydration can cause overheating, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and so on. All of these are symptoms that should be avoided at all cost while on the open water. Staying hydrated while on the boat can sometimes be difficult. When you are surrounded by water it can be hard to remember you must also drink! Keep your water bottle close by and continue sipping throughout the day to prevent any chance of dehydration.

8. Sun Protection

The sun can be brutal! Bringing protection for your face, eyes, and body can save you a lot of pain and health problems in the long run. Sunscreen should always be applied before heading outside. Hats, sunglasses, and UPF shirts can also be a big help in protecting yourself and staying cool. Do not let cool, windy days fool you. They can do the most damage because you do not necessarily feel yourself getting burnt until it is too late. Polarized sunglasses not only protect your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun but they can help you spot things in the water that might otherwise go unnoticed. In the Florida Keys and the Bahamas, they are a HUGE help in spotting coral heads which could do severe damage to your boat.

9. Waterproof Headlamp

If your day trip runs later then expected and you are boating at night a headlamp is a huge help. Especially if something goes wrong with the engine. Repairs can be made much faster with two hands rather than one. If you decide to opt for the non-waterproof headlamp and leave it on the boat it will more than likely not work when you need it.

10. Cash

If you are in a jam on the water a credit card probably will not get you very far. Keeping a little cash on the boat offers a little security. If you run out of gas and need to borrow some from a friendly boater a thank you and a few bucks will keep you in their good graces. A tip for the kid that pumps your gas or helps you tie-up is also always a nice gesture. You will also be glad you brought a few bucks when you pass the floating snack shack and are instantly hungry.

A few more ideas

• Good company, a day on the water is always better with friends!
• Basic tool kit for repairs (screwdriver, adjustable wrench, Allen wrenches)
• Wire brush to clean battery terminals
• Zip Ties to hold things together
• Oil and coolant in case of a leak

No matter what type of boater you are, having these items on board will give you peace of mind while out on the water. Stay safe this summer, and remember do NOT leave the dock without these 10 things 😉

Big thanks to Progressive for sponsoring this article.

~Sierra