Before you get started boating this summer at the Lake of the Ozarks review the top boating tips by McGrath Insurance.
Beginning of Season Inspection
Before taking your boat out on Lake of the Ozarks for the first run of the season, give it a thorough inspection. The place to start your inspection should be your trailer. Make sure all lights are functioning properly, and check the wheel bearings and tires because a boat without a trailer to haul it does little good. Checking your fluid levels and any visible hoses is another simple task that could save you headaches later. Even if you’ve recently had your boat de-winterized, double-checking is a good idea, just in case. Make sure to check your battery; most boat batteries seem to have a lifespan of around three years. Before heading out, charge it if need be, and most importantly, test it to see if you need to replace it. Last but not least, you should make sure you have enough life jackets on the boat for each individual with you. Not only will these help to save your life in an emergency, they will also keep you from getting fined if caught without them.
Keeping Your Boat Clean
While cleaning may be among your least favorite chores when it comes to your boat, waxing may help to reduce the amount of time you ultimately spend keeping it clean. By waxing, you are filling in all the scratches and pores on your boat, helping to reduce the number of areas that require an extra dose of elbow grease to scrub. If you’ve waxed your boat, simply giving it a quick wipe down should clean off pollen or just about anything else with little fuss. You can also use wax on windows and windshields, but you should avoid using it on your boat’s rubber seals, as it could be a pain to remove.
Insurance
Boating Insurance is a good idea when it comes to something of significant value to you, and your boat shouldn’t be an exception. While we all know that you should have insurance because accidents happen, there are also other reasons for having insurance for your boat. Roadside assistance is probably one of the best reasons to have boat insurance because, while a day on the lake is a great time, sitting on the side of the road because of a flat tire on your boat trailer is definitely not. Another good reason to have boat insurance is that most policies include on-water towing, meaning you can get a tow for a breakdown while on the water.
Navigation Lights
Navigation lights are something that often get overlooked because most people don’t use them until they need them, and they don’t think to test them. Keeping a spare bulb on hand can be helpful for such occasions, or failing that, you can use a flashlight by covering it with red or green fabric.
Follow All Boating Laws and Regulations
All the regulations and laws are there for a reason — to keep you and everybody else safe. Just like driving a car, being aware of your surroundings is probably the most important thing you can do. Make sure to look for any other boats before turning to help avoid an accident or collision. You should always drive on the right side of a cove or channel and maintain an appropriate speed. Keep in mind it’s illegal to operate above 30 mph from half-hour before sunset to an hour before sunrise in Missouri. Also, remember that just because you’re on the water doesn’t mean that it’s okay to drink and drive. Operating a boat while intoxicated is illegal, so if you plan on drinking, let a designated driver take the wheel.
