Things to remember while boating

The first thing I take for granted when explaining to other people how to boat safely is common sense and boating regs. I keep everything on the boat from first aid to life vests to flares. Many weekend boaters forget these common things. Don’t forget that being on the water doesn’t mean you are free from the law. Always keep your boat current and safe. With that said here are the most common things to remember or forget.

· Drinking water, there have been plenty of days in the beginning, we didn’t bring enough water or enough ice for the water.

· A simple hat can make your life a little more pleasurable while boating in the Florida sun.

· Sun glasses, preferably polarized, these allow you to see through the glare of the sun and also makes life a little more comfortable.

· Sun screen, boating in Florida means hot sun and hot sun means you need sun screen. SPF 30 to 50 is recommended.

· Always leave the docks with a full tank, it may be expensive to fill the tank every time but not as expensive as a tow back in.

· A rain poncho, here in Florida the afternoon storms rolling in between 4pm to 6pm mean one thing cold and wet. It doesn’t matter if it’s 95 degrees out when the storms roll in that rain is cold. Seek shelter on a spoil island or dock during a storm to stay out of the adverse weather.

· A radio, if you have a boat not equipped with one. A radio can break up the afternoon lull when the fish stop biting in the Florida area.

· Needle nose pliers are a must, especially with Florida saltwater catfish. I can’t tell you how many times I have been hit by a cat and it still hurts 3 months later.

· Rubber shoe’s sort of what surfers have, with a hard rubber sole, this will allow you to walk on hard bottom if you have to get into the water near an oyster bed. The Oyster beds here in Florida will slice you deep and the wound will get infected quickly.

· One of the most important things to remember is the older the boat the more tools you will need to bring.

· A Jump box or jumper, Can’t tell you how many times this has come in handy. These little battery jumpers can jump your boat or power a fan or a little nine inch TV for the Sunday game.

· Always prepare for the day as if everything will go wrong. If you smoke bring two packs because mother nature tends to make a bad day worse when it gets a chance too.