Whether you want to rent a boat or buy one, there are many things you should consider for your next boating adventure—other than the boat itself, of course. There are some options to consider, including a Riviera or a Cigarette boat for sale. But also, from lifejackets to anchors, there's a list of gear and equipment you need to follow before you go in the water. The Coast Guard usually has a checklist of items you must have whenever you go out in the sea.
This way, you'll be prepared for any emergency in your boat. But what are the items that you need exactly? Well, luckily for you, that's what we will talk about today. Here are some essential items you need to bring for your next boating adventure.
Life Jackets
First on the list is life jackets. Life jackets are usually packed inside the boat, especially when renting it. However, if the boat is new, you may have to prepare them yourself. Some would say, "Life jackets are unnecessary since I know how to swim." That's very careless and ignorant. There are a lot of emergencies that can render a person unable to swim.
One good example of this is being too drunk to swim or falling unconscious overboard. That said, to prepare life jackets, you need to account for all the people who are coming with you. If you have children on board, you should also account for children's life jackets that are more suitable for kids.
Anchor and Rode
Many people usually don't bring anchors for boats as they don't plan to anchor in the middle of the sea, especially on short trips. This is a very common mistake, unfortunately. It's not a wise move since these items can be very handy in many situations. Not only are they important equipment for the ship, but they are also considered safety devices.
For example, if your boat has broken down in the middle of the sea, you must keep your position so the coast guard can find you easily. An anchor can help you stay in position until help reaches you. Another example of this is when someone went overboard. You want your boat to stay positioned as the person swims toward the throwable floatation device.
Throwable Floatation Devices
If you've ever seen a water accident type of movie before, you have probably seen this device in action. Throwable floatation devices are devices you throw toward someone on the water to pull them to safety.
It's essential, especially for people who don't know how to swim since they can grab onto it to stay afloat. That said, it's usually required for all boats to have at least one TYPE IV PFD. However, you must note that they are not a substitute for life jackets, as they are meant for emergencies.
Emergency Repair Items
While a boating trip can be tons of fun, there will be times that you'll have emergency repairs that you need to do to keep being safe on the water. With this in mind, having emergency toolbox items, spare parts, and an instruction manual is essential so you can always be ready to fix your boat when the situation calls for it.
They will ensure your safety and the assurance that you'll get on the shore safe and sound. But what items should you have in your emergency repair box? Here are some of them:
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Portable jump jack
- Screwdriver set
- Adjustable crescent wrench
Emergency Rations
You never know if you'll get stranded in the sea. In that scenario, you should conserve your energy as much as possible, and you can do that by having emergency rations. If you're traveling with other people, it's important to have enough emergency rations for everyone on board. There are a ton of movies that already talk about emergencies like this, so you should know what you should expect already, especially when it comes to food and water.
Communication Devices
If you're on a big boat or even yacht, it's always important to have some communication devices onboard that you can use to contact friends, family, and the authorities. You can bring several devices onboard, but the choices can be limiting since you're on the water. With that in mind, you can always install them if your boat doesn't have them yet.
You can also bring your phone for handheld gadgets, especially if you're not planning to head out very far from the shore. It also pays to have a marine radio on board if your phone is unavailable. Just ensure that these devices are waterproof by using waterproof containers.
The boat transport service safely delivers vessels of all sizes to their destinations, ensuring peace of mind for boat owners during relocation or maintenance.
Whether you want to rent boat on lake travis or buy one, there are many things you should consider for your next boating adventure—other than the boat itself, of course.
Final Words
The key to having a hassle-free boating adventure is always being prepared for any situation. It will be a fun time for you, your family, and your friends, so being prepared always ensures that nothing will destroy the fun you have prepared for your loved ones. With that in mind, be safe and always prepared, especially at sea.