Top Boating Tips for Summer
With warm days and longer evenings, nothing beats Summer on the water! Whether you’re new to boating or a seasoned boater, here are our top boating tips for Summer:
- Safety First. As the skipper, safety is your number 1 priority. You’ll need to have a life jacket for every passenger and make sure they’re on well before you board, especially for kids. There’s nothing worse than having to pull up anchor because of an accident or safety concern (or worse) so always have a first aid kit on deck just in case! By getting into a simple routine as you’re preparing to head out, checking your lights, flares, boat radio and safety gear, you’ll help keep everyone safe.
- Check the Conditions – and check them again! By keeping an eye on the BOM forecast in the lead up to your boating trip and just before you head out, you’ll know what sort of weather you’re heading into and can better plan for it. If the wind is likely to pick up then consider a more sheltered bay or inlet and give yourself extra time for the return trip. If you’re new to boating or in a smaller vessel then you may need to postpone your adventure for a calmer day.
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Be Prepared! Check out the free Deckee App to see how busy the boat ramp is, track other boats in real time, and stay on top of safety alerts and local updates. For tides, fishing bag limits, weather reports, and more handy boating tips, drop by our Boating Information section. Pack the right gear for the conditions and don’t forget a spare towel and extra suncream to avoid unhappy passengers the next day!
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Get to Know Your Boat. Take the time to get to know your boat and how it handles different conditions. Always trust your instincts on the water and consider heading out with a more experienced boatie or starting with smaller, local trips until you build up your confidence and boating hours. If you have any questions then get in touch with our friendly, experienced team or check out our boating articles and tips.
- Enjoy yourself! Unplug, take your time and unwind. Nothing helps shrug off those day to day pressures and work worries like a day waterskiing or kneeboarding, fishing or cruising, and with so many beautiful beaches, bays and rivers up and down our coast, you’ll be spoilt for choice. As the Boating Institute of Australia says: “have fun – and don’t forget to wave!” As you join this great boating community, always wave to fellow boaters as you pass, enjoy boating life and have a great time on the water this Summer.
Need some boating advice or support? At Hunts Marine we can help! With 75 years of experience, Hunts Marine is a third generation, family-owned business with extensive experience in recreational boating. Find out more at HuntsMarine.com.au, give us a call on (02) 9546-1324 or get in touch with our team at Hunts Marine in Sydney, Wollongong or Batemans Bay.
