Capt. Bob Hovey
The first step in my mind for boating safe, is to make a copy of all documents and keep the originals at home.
I then take the document copies that are kept on the boat, and put them into a vacuum sealed or zip lock bag, to prevent water damage.
Even a copy of your driver’s license “could” get you out of a ticket if you happen to forget your wallet in the truck.
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So with that in mind, here's a quick rundown of some other "legal stuff" items I recommend you definitely have with you on your vessel:
- Copy of Driver's License
- Vessel Registration
- Trailer Registration
- Fishing/Lobster Licenses (smart to also have a copy of current rules and regulations)
Unwrap That Toy
I know it’s been a long cold winter, so just take a minute to step back and admire your boat. Now, let’s give her some extra attention to keep her at peak performance this summer.
This list could go on forever so I’m just going to point out the following key items:
- Battery
Your boat's battery probably the single most important maintenance item you have on your boat. Your battery should have been on a trickle charger all winter. If not, get it on one NOW.
If your battery is in good shape, clean the terminals, all the leads and then apply a generous amount of electrode grease (or something comparable) to keep the corrosion down.
If you have not changed your battery in a few years, or you are unsure of its lasting ability, take the time to get it tested, or just invest in a new one and move on.
*If your significant other gives you that look, when you tell her you’re buying a new battery, just tell her it’s a new battery or a new paddle with her name on it…
- Motor
I highly recommend taking your motor to a certified mechanic and having a thorough maintenance cycle completed. Have things such as spark plugs, fuel filter, oil filter, new engine oil, new lower unit oil, and water pump checked.
I always tell my mechanics that if it looks like it’s going to fail or is somewhat questionable, change it!
- Propeller
Don’t forget to pull your prop off and check for that guys line you sucked up when you cut him off last year because he was fishing in your spot.
Fire It Up
Once all the prep work is done, get the boat running in your yard before you take off to the ramp. This will allow you to make sure it’s running smooth, as well as check on some crucial safety items that may have been ruined by the long cold winter.
Here are 3 items I always check before I pull out of the drive way, especially for the first time:
- Navigation Lights (I carry a spare battery powered Nav light in my safety kit)
- Bilge Pump (good idea to also carry a hand pump)
- Fire Extinguisher (holding a charge and not expired)
Also be sure to run through all your switches making sure everything is getting power. Make note of the different fuses you have in line with your electronics and pumps. I can't tell you how many times having an extra variety pack of 25 cent fuses has saved my day.
The Walk Around
Just like how it sounds, give the boat and trailer a good once over before you hit the road.
- Make sure the registration numbers are visible
- The motor is up and locked
- The winch is tight with the safety chain on
- Trailer tires are properly inflated
- Fenders are not rubbing on the tire or boat
- Trailer lights are working
- Emergency break cable is working
- Safety chains are connected
- Trailer tongue is locked onto the ball
- Boat plug is in
Please, please, please make sure the plug is in! I recommend you never take the plug out of your boat for the entire season. If your bilge pump works, then why take it out?
I recommend not being concerned about that gallon of water in your hull. It is just not worth it; leave the plug in. If you absolutely must remove the plug, carry an extra $3 plug in the boat, and in your truck, just in case.
Don’t Look Like a "Googan" at the Ramp
However you like to launch your boat, take the time to go to your favorite ramp and just get used to backing down again. Take your first mate and go over how everything works.
Remember what side you back down the ramp and where you like your first mate to stand so you can see and hear them. Communicate this clearly to your mate.
Make a mental note where the fenders should be in the water for optimal launching and loading. Reacquaint yourself with how the winch works. Look and see how you want your dock lines set up so you can have them pre-staged and ready to go.
Tool Bag
Many times I have got myself out of a potentially costly situation because I had some basic tools and extra items.
Here is a list of a few things I keep on the boat with me:
- Extra bow light
- Multi-pack of fuses
- Zip ties
- Basic 20-piece tool kit
- Wire brush
- Fluid film
- Assorted wire connectors
- 50 feet of speaker wire
- Wire strippers/cutters
- Volt meter/continuity checker
- 2 extra bilge pumps
- Fuel filter
- Head lamp
- Lighter
Safety Items
Assuming you know the required gear to have on board, here are a few extra items you might not have thought of. It’s a good rule of thumb to know that in an emergency, the only items you will have with you after the event, will be the ones that are tied to you.
I will put a * by the items that I physically tie to myself when I am alone or I am going far off shore.
It is also good practice to have your throw-able flotation device out free on the deck in case the boat goes down.
It is for that reason, if you happen to be of those lone pirates on the water, I highly recommend a compact manual inflatable flotation device you can where like a belt.
- *EPIRB* (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon)
- *Hand-held VHF Radio
- *One Chem Light
- Signal mirror
- Wire brush
- Fluid film
- Assorted wire connectors
- 50 feet of speaker wire
- Wire strippers/cutters
- Volt meter/continuity checker
- 2 extra bilge pumps
- Fuel filter
- Head lamp
- Lighter
- Whistle
- Neoprene cap
- Signal mirror
- and of course - life jackets!
Keep your old flares, just make sure you have some that have not expired. Your flare gun may never "expire" but it can break, and does dry rot. I like to carry an extra. Of course a signal mirror never runs out of batteries and is always good to have nearby.
A whistle never runs out of pressure like a horn does, and aeoprene cap or full head and neck hood, with bright color and/or retro reflective tape is smart when off Cape Cod.
Studies vary, but some say you can lose 25-30% of your body heat through your head.
If you do not heed any of this advice then please at least file a float plan with a person you owe money to!
great check list Bob, sounds like one should take the cape very seriously thank you
Captain Bob Hovey,
Best small craft checklist I have seen. I sold a Boston Whaler Sakonnet in late 1960s to co-worker in Brockport, NY named Bob Hovey. He moved his family to North Carolina. We lost touch.
He was a serious small boat captain and fisherman. Any relation?
WOW yes, I think its my grand father you are taking about, or my dad. I have heard countless stories about that boat. They fished it alot. Even took it off Ptown where they caught a record flounder. I think he got a silver governors cup for it. Anyway I just forwarded this to my dad. It has to be related. My fathers phone number is 904-568-4021 ( Bob Hovey) please call
Thank you for the reply of Sept, 2017. Regret I did not check in again until now. I will try a call to Bob Hovey. We once did an overnight cruise down the Erie Canal together to Seneca Lake.
Bob,
Excellent information for safe boating. Thank you sharing your experience, knowledge, and your service to Our Country.
Frank
Great info. Thanks Bob
Great article. Ryan, Please consider sharing this at the CC Salties Meeting in April.
Sounds terrific Jay, looking forward to it!
Thanks Bob, great tips here. I’m in the market for a new handheld VHF radio after my last ‘waterproof’ version got dunked. Can you shed any light on the GMDSS features? I like the idea of having vessel information on file and GPS tracking.
LOL not so waterproof it seems!
I’ll give Bob a shout and see if he can shed any light on GMDSS
Thanks Chris
I don’t know a ton, but I’ll tell you what I know. You will notice that the radios in your marine stores are not just Very High Frequecy radios. They are now VHF with Digital Selective Calling. (VHF-DSC radios)
This I believe is a requirement now on all hard mounted radios. Now there are a few handheld radios with this capability. I cannot tell you the difference between all the emergency frequencies.
All these emergency sending acronyms are relatively the same. EPIRB for example is a positioning beacon that is sent from the device to the shore.
GMDSS is integrated into a radio that can send lots of information not only from the device to shore but also to other vessels in the area with the same capabilities.
The USCG has seen an increase in false distress calls because of improper use.
I cannot stress enough if you own one of these features and rely on it as a life-saving device you need to know how to use it. The more information the USCG gets at the time of your distress, the faster the rescue process.
If you can afford it, I highly recommend using these available assets but you have to know how to use them. I hope that helped a little bit.
There are a lot of details I could get into but I tried to keep it short and sweet.
Very good article, thanks!!
Excellent article, thanks again Bob for contributing. I learned A LOT from this post.
Bob, how would you recommend I tie certain items to my belt? Is there a specific type of belt you use for this?
Ryan,
I use “type 1 cord” to make lanyards for my tools and certain boat items. If your not sure what type 1 cord is; it is very similar to 550 cord AKA Parachute cord, just about half the diameter and half the breaking strength. 550 cord is probably more common and is fine to use. I tie a bowline with a stopper knot whenever I can. I use this knot mainly because it’s so easy to untie. Any belt or belt loop is perfect to attach your lanyard to. If your wearing a fishing jacket or bibs, a lot of the newer ones have attachment loops or buckles strategically placed just for this reason. You can also find tiny snap hooks or clips to put on items you will regularly use to make it quick and easy.
Awesome! Thanks Bob I appreciate it.
Chris French (friend and member here on MFCC) was curious about having vessel information on file and GPS tracking, with his VHF radio.
Can you shed any light on the GMDSS features of some VHF hand held radios?
I don’t know a ton, but I’ll tell you what I know. You will notice that the radios in your marine stores are not just Very High Frequecy radios. They are now VHF with Digital Selective Calling. (VHF-DSC radios)
This I believe is a requirement now on all hard mounted radios. Now there are a few handheld radios with this capability. I cannot tell you the difference between all the emergency frequencies.
All these emergency sending acronyms are relatively the same. EPIRB for example is a positioning beacon that is sent from the device to the shore.
GMDSS is integrated into a radio that can send lots of information not only from the device to shore but also to other vessels in the area with the same capabilities.
The USCG has seen an increase in false distress calls because of improper use.
I cannot stress enough if you own one of these features and rely on it as a life-saving device you need to know how to use it. The more information the USCG gets at the time of your distress, the faster the rescue process.
If you can afford it, I highly recommend using these available assets but you have to know how to use them. I hope that helped a little bit.
There are a lot of details I could get into but I tried to keep it short and sweet.
Bob,
Great, detailed article! Many things that I would never think of, or even want to envision a situation where I would need them.
More than one person will be very grateful that they read this.
Dax,
Thank you for taking the time to read the artical and for the encouragement. There will be more to come this season.