Spring boating is finally here! If you haven’t been out yet, or even if you have, we’re here with some friendly reminders to help keep you safe on the water. We want to help you create a lifetime of memories this Summer, and every Summer after. That begins with proper safety and preparation. 

Getting Your Boat Ready

Before hitting the water, thoroughly inspect and prep your boat. This includes engine maintenance, hull maintenance, ensuring your batteries are charged and working, and even changing your oil. Take time to clean your boat of any dirt and grime that may have built up over the winter.

Not sure what maintenance your boat’s engine might need? Mercury’s VesselView mobile is a great tool for monitoring the health of your Mercury motor and tracks maintenance so you don’t need to question when you’re due. 

Navigational Tips 

If you’re the adventurous type, safe boating is paramount. Brushing up on your navigational skills at the beginning of each season is always important. Do a quick review of reading charts and understanding buoys and markers, because they provide essential information on water depth, hazards, and navigational routes. Equip yourself with a GPS to plan your routes in advance, and download a reliable weather app so you can track weather conditions before you head out for the day. 

If your fish finder doubles as a GPS, take the time to test it out in familiar waters before boating in a new territory. 

Safety First!

Safe boating practices are a key part of creating those on-water memories. Some steps you can take to ensure you and your passengers are boating safely include:

• Encouraging everyone to wear a life jacket 
• Maintain a proper lookout for other watercraft 
• Keep an eye out for swimmers 
• Know and adhere to the right-of-way rules of the water 

These are things you can do to be safe while you’re on the water, but is there anything you can do to prepare beforehand? There is! Before heading out for the day, make sure your phone is charged (or you have a charging cable with you), ensure everyone’s life jackets fit properly, and check for expiry dates on safety items like flares. 

Enjoy another season of creating memories with your favourite people, but don’t forget to take steps to ensure you can get the most out of your time on the water! From doing proper maintenance to ensuring you’re following safety best practices, you’re setting yourself up to create a lifetime of memories on the water.