Tag Archives: boat safety

Summer Boating Safety Guide – Do’s and Don’ts

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Spending a hot, summer day riding a boat out on the water is a match made in heaven, but one important thing to keep in mind when boating is everyone on board’s safety – it should be a top priority. When at the lake, a nice, relaxing day can turn into a bad situation very quickly if the proper safety precautions aren’t put in place. At Motor Boatin’, we want everyone on the water to not only have fun but be safe throughout the day.

Boating Do’s:

  • Life vests: When boating during any time of the year, it is important to have life vests on the boat as they can be the difference between a life and death situation. It is important to know that it is a North Carolina law that anyone 13 AND under MUST be wearing a life vest while the boat is moving.   
  • Pay attention: In the summertime, crowded waters are more common. Everyone is out on the water enjoying the beautiful weather so paying attention and keeping a watch out for others is essential. For more tips on how to navigate crowded waters, check out our blog post here.
  • Take a course: If you aren’t 100% fully confident in your boating skills, consider taking a course to sharpen your boating abilities and to feel more at ease when out on the water. Take a FREE boating safety course here.

Boating Don’ts:

  • Drinking and boating: When on a boat, the person driving the boat should not be drinking at any time. Alcohol impairs your vision and can hinder the way you drive a boat, much like when driving a car. This is not only important for your own safety but also for all the riders on board, so don’t make these decisions that could affect the lives of others.
  • Overcrowd the boat: Going on the boat with a bunch of family and friends is fun, but make sure to keep the boat’s capacity regulations in mind. Overcrowding the boat can be bad for many different reasons. First, it can affect the balance of the boat. Second, having too many people on a boat can be very distracting for the driver.

When boating in a safe manner, it is bound to be lots of fun. Spend the summer right and grab some friends and rent a boat today!

Easy Steps to Improve Your Boat Handling Skills

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Being behind the wheel of a boat is very different than being behind the wheel of a car. For starters, there are new factors when it comes to steering a boat that you don’t see on the road—like currents and waves. As a result, when you steer a boat, it may not always go exactly as planned. This is why it’s important to improve your boat handling skills. At Motor-Boatin’, we have some easy steps to improve your skills on the water.

For starters, we always recommend that you enroll in a boating safety and training course. Here is a free one. After that, here are some other steps to keep in mind:

  1. Remember that boats don’t have brakes: The only way to slow down your boat is to let up on throttle. That means pulling it back towards the neutral position. You also must be conscious of how you adjust your speed and how long it takes your boat to slow down or stop. Individuals believing that boats have brakes is a more common misunderstanding than you might think.
  2. Practice your navigation skills: Rather than relying on a water GPS, it’s a better practice to read maps and look for all navigation markers on a lake. The more comfortable you are at navigating, the more you are able to explore areas without worrying about getting lost.
  3. Realize that every boat drives differently: How a sports car drives is completely different than how a full-sized pickup drives. Boats are the same. How a pontoon drives varies a lot from a fishing boat. If you’re driving a new boat for the first time, take a few moments to get comfortable with it before you push the throttle forward.
  4. Know your knot: Do you know the difference between a cleat hitch and a clove hitch? When docking a boat and tying it up, it’s important to understand which knot works best. The same is true for the anchor, ski line, etc.
  5. Be 360-degree aware: There are no stop lights, yield signs, or yellow lines on the water. Other watercraft can approach you from any angle at any speed and shallow areas can pop up out of seemingly nowhere. Proper handling means being aware of your entire surroundings—in and out of the boat. Practice situational awareness.

For more tips and ideas on having a fun yet safe time on the lake, contact us at Motor Boatin’ today. We’re never going to steer you wrong!

Beat the Heat: Tips for Bringing Furry Friends Boating

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Spending any day on the lake is bound to be fun and bringing along your dog with you makes it even better. At Motor Boatin’, we realize that many consider their dogs to be a part of their family, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy a lake day by having their furry friends by their side. This makes that lake day experience even better. However, as always, safety should be a priority which is why we want to offer some tips for bringing pets along during the summer months.

Here are a few tips on how to beat the summer heat and bring your furry friends boating:

  1. Pack doggy life vests: Having life vests onboard is one of the most important safety rules for every boat trip, and that also applies to boating with your dog. While most dogs can swim, not all can, and that risk is not one worth taking. Even for dogs that are strong swimmers, fatigue and water conditions can always get in the way. When purchasing a canine life vest, make sure to opt for a brighter color so it is easier to spot your pup in the water.
  2. Bring enough water for you and your pets: Being out in the sun all day, your dog is bound to get thirsty. Make sure to bring a water bowl for them so they can stay hydrated throughout the day. It is also important to keep your dog from drinking the lake water as much as possible. Lakes are often polluted from boats and there can be harmful organisms living in the water, so keeping that water out of your dog’s digestive system is always a good call.
  3. Make a bathroom plan beforehand: Pets need bathroom breaks just like humans. Planning ahead and making a schedule for times to include these breaks to find some patches of grass is crucial to make the day run more smoothly. In addition, make sure to bring plenty of doggy bags and towels. With a long day on the lake, having a plan and the proper tools to take care of your pup is essential.
  4. Check if your pet is up to date on heart worm, flea, and tick prevention: Spending the full day outdoors, your dog can be exposed to a multitude of bugs and other organisms which can transmit diseases if bitten. If your pet isn’t up to date, consider booking an appointment at your local veterinarian to make sure your dog is fully ready to take on the lake day.

A nice, relaxing day on the lake with your furry friends is attainable and easy if you prepare ahead of time. For any boat rental questions, reach out today.

Diving into the Best Practices for Boat Safety

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To ensure a long, fun-filled day out on the lake, safety must be a number one priority for all individuals looking to ride or operate any type of watercraft. At Motor Boatin, we know and understand the importance of boating safety.

Here are five tips to ensure the safety of all passengers onboard:

  1. Take a course: At Motor Boatin, a lot of our boaters are beginners. This is why safety courses can be extremely helpful. They can help boaters feel more comfortable and confident when out on the water. Here is a free online course.
  2. Know how to properly use life jackets: Life jackets can be the difference between life and death. Even the most experienced swimmers should consider wearing a life jacket. In North Carolina, children under 13 are required to wear an appropriate life vest when the vessel is underway.
  3. Don’t overload the boat: Parties should always follow the specified person limit when deciding how many individuals will be on the boat. It is especially crucial to not gather at the end of one side of the boat. This can cause the boat to flip and people to potentially drown, therefore, it is extremely dangerous to overcrowd the boat.
  4. Avoid alcohol: Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol is illegal. It can severely affect your sense of judgement and is one of the leading causes of boat accidents. Keep yourself and your party safe by just avoiding alcohol altogether when operating a watercraft.
  5. Regularly check the hourly weather conditions: It is important to check the hourly weather conditions in the nearby area because as a storm approaches, so do unsafe boating conditions. Remember that, at Motor Boatin, rentals can be rescheduled before reservation date with no penalty. Going out on the water during an extreme storm is not worth risking your life.

Safety always comes first! If you feel like venturing out on the water for the first time, reserve a rental from Motor Boatin today. Our goal is to make everyone feel confident when boating. Contact us for more information.

5 Helpful Spring Cleaning Tips for Every Boat

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Spring is here and warmer weather is on the way. Time to get the boats ready for the season with some spring cleaning tips from Motor Boatin’. Our boats are always kept up to a high standard of cleanliness and safety regulated for boat rentals.

Get a boat ready for spring by cleaning:Spring Cleaning Tips for Every Boat in North Carolina

  • Boat upholstery: Use the right type of brush to address stubborn dirt. Do research on the best cleaners for each type of upholstery. Using the correct materials helps shorten the cleaning process while also making sure the cleaner used is not causing damage.
  • Windshields: Use window cleaning solution with a soft cloth to clean off window stains. The cloth helps to prevent streaks. Clean windshields when it is cooler outside and the windshield is out of direct sunlight.
  • Deck: Use a hose and a boat cleaning solution for the boat deck. Measure out the correct proportion of water to cleaner. Use a brush to get difficult dried on dirt and stains out.
  • Exteriors: Use a hose with a nozzle that propels more water over a larger surface, but it is NOT a pressure/power washer. If it is the type of hose that already mixes in the cleaner, measure out the proportions correctly. Use buckets with a water and cleaning solution and a sponge to get to harder to clean spots. Rinse throughout the process to prevent the sun from drying the cleaner’s solvents onto the boat. Use soft and absorbent towels to dry off the boat. Use the appropriate wax and wax amount to seal the boat against the sun’s rays and water’s corrosive properties.

As always, it is good to have a cleaning kit on board for messes and spills. Keep some cleaning wipes, window cleaner, paper towels, and cloths for quick fixes. For more tips on keeping boats clean and ready for spring, contact Motor Boatin’.