How to Stay Safe While Boating

If you are planning on going boating, it’s wise to be prepared and plans ahead of time. Know what you can do during emergency situations and do your best to prevent accidents from happening. At the end of the day, the experience will be great if you plan for it accordingly. So here are some tips to help you stay safe when you go on your next boat ride.

Check the weather before you start riding

Weather patterns can tell you when it’s not appropriate to go boating. Avoid water bodies during periods of high tides. Watch out for quick weather changes that may put you in a dangerous situation whenever you choose to go boating. If you are not so sure about the weather and tides, it’s best to postpone the boat ride.

Wear appropriate life jackets

Always wear a life jacket when on a boat. It doesn’t matter how good a swimmer you are; a good life jacket will help you to keep your face above the water in the event of an emergency. Make sure the lifejacket is the right size and the straps are tight enough.

Have a reliable means of communicating in case of an emergency

Anything can happen while on a boat ride and that’s why it is important to take all the necessary steps to keep yourself safe until you get help. First, always tell other people where you are planning on going and when you expect to be back. Secondly, carry with you something that you can use to alert others during an emergency such as a whistle, a flare or your mobile phone. If you are using the phone, make sure it’s waterproof and fully charged. However, don’t rely so much on the phone because it may lose signal if you decide to go further away from land.

Attend a boating safety course

This gives you the opportunity to learn about boating safety from the professionals. You can also have your vessel checked by the authorities to ensure it is safe for use. Such causes will cover the basics of identifying signs of danger and how to protect yourself and your loved ones from any danger. You may also need to enroll in CPR training so as to know how to help someone in an emergency situation.   

Avoid alcoholic drinks when boating

Drinking while on your boat ride is not recommended because a lot can go wrong when you are not sober. Some people may even insist on jumping into the water for a swim while drunk and this can be life threatening. Wait until you get back on land to enjoy your drink.

Have an alarm or sensors installed on the boat

They can help to notify you in case of danger such as fumes that are emanating from the engine. When you know the source of danger, it is easy to work towards eliminating it. Sensors or an alarm system on your boat may seem like a costly installation but it may end up saving a life.  

Posted By: Stowaway Marine  http://stowawaymarine.net

5 Tips That Help You Properly Price Your Boat For Sale

When you're ready to sell your boat, trying to determine its boat book value can be tough. You don't want to put the price to high because no one will buy. On the other hand, you don't want to list the boat price much too low because you'll sell quickly, but you definitely won't get its full worth. The price needs to be just right to make your buyer and your wallet happy. When you're ready to start trying to find the right price to sell your boat at, keep these 5 helpful and informative tips in mind.

1. Do your research about your particular boat

The best place to start to discover your boat book value is online. Run a Google search on the year and model of your boat; you can also include keywords that offer more information like used, for sale, and price. The goal of this exercise is to see what other boat owners are pricing your particular boat at. Of course, this isn't an exact number because other factors like condition and use come into play.

2. Check out other boats for sell in your area

If possible, search seller pages like Craigslist for other boats for sale in your area. Sometimes the state, city, or area where a boat is being sold will have an impact on its price. Try to run a search for you model of boat being sold in your area. This will give you an even better understanding of what a boat book value would be for a sale in your area.

3. Talk to a local dealer

Sometimes it's best to talk to a professional. If there's a local dealer in your area, make an appointment to go in and ask a few questions. Remember to take photos of your boat and any questions you have with you to the meeting. As the local dealer what he or she thinks might be the best boat book value.

4. Sell at the beginning of boating season

Some boat owners advise that the best time to get a great price for your boat would be at the beginning of boating season. This is when people are really looking to purchase, and if everything else is either taken or priced too high, they'll look toward purchasing a used boat from an owner.

5. Prep your boat for sale

After you've decided on your boat book value, begin to prepare for the sale. You'll want to clean and detail your boat. When taking photos to post on websites for sale, be sure that you're taking clear and high-resolution photos. Sometimes people will want to try and negotiate over the price that you've asked for. Whether you will entertain negotiations or not is absolutely your decision. If you do decide to accept offers, people might be more comfortable buying a higher priced clean boat.

Posted By: Stowaway Marine  http://stowawaymarine.net