5 tips EVERY Boater Should Know
Whether you are a new or experienced boater, it is always good to have a mental checklist that you can go over every time you hit the lake. Some things might seem like they are a little obvious or simple, but following these tips can save you from a lot of headaches!
1. Make sure you insert/remove your drain plug before and after every use
Inserting your drain plug before you drop your boat in the water is probably the single most important thing you can do. Again, this may seem very simple, but without it you are leaving an exposed hole directly into your bilge which allows for water to flow in until, eventually, your boat sinks. If you do, however, forget to insert your drain plug and notice that you are taking on water, get back to the boat ramp immediately! Keep your boat moving if you can. This will result in you taking on less water. If you've been around the water for any period of time then chances are you've heard a story similar to this from a fellow boater. Take our advice and learn for their mistakes! Always double-check.
Removing your drain plug, while not as crucial as inserting, is best practice when you're time on the lake is through for the day. This will drain your bilge of excess water which allows your boat to breathe while not in use. This is important because it prevents certain components from corrosion. You are also saving your boat in the event of a hard rain. When your boat sits in the rain with the drain plug in, any water that gets in will have no way to escape, eventually filling the bilge and potentially damaging electronics. Save some $$$ and pull your drain plug!
2. Always switch your batteries off when you're not using the boat
Having charged batteries is pretty important when you head out to the lake and one of the best, and one of the easiest ways to prevent you from being dead in the water is to turn you battery switch to "OFF" when you're done for the day. If you do leave your batteries on, they will slowly lose power over time, and the only way to prevent this is to double check that both are completely off. Another useful tip; switch to use only one battery if you decide to tie up and listen to music when you're at the lake. This way both batteries won't be dead when it's time to head back to the boat ramp.
3. Don't leave your engine running when you're between riders
Whenever a rider is finishing up or getting ready to ride the boat should be switched to off to avoid accidents! Even when the throttle is in neutral, if the engine is still running, you run the risk of accidentally bumping into gear. Same rule applies for when you're starting your boat back up. Make sure all riders and swimmers are clear of the platform/propeller before you fire up the boat.
Not only is this a great safety tip but it will also help you in the long run. It may not seem like much, but you are still throwing hours on the odometer even when the engine is idling in neutral. By killing the engine, overtime, you will have a boat with lower hours so that when you come back to Waterski America to upgrade, you get top trade-in value!
4. Get engine up to operating temp
As you drop your boat in the water and before you back off the trailer, go ahead and start your engine and let it idle for a quick minute or two. Doing so allows for you to pop open your rear hatches and make sure that no water is visually leaking from any hoses. Once you've idled for a minute or two, and you see that your operating temp is acting normal, then you're all set! If you do, however, see any leaking water or notice that your engine is running hot, kill the motor and contact the Waterski America Service Department immediately. Either of these signs can be an indication that further diagnostic is required.
5. Wipe your boat down!
This last tip may not seem as important as some of the others, but will definitely help you in the long run! Make sure you keep your boat nice and clean after every use to ensure the longevity of your vinyl and gel coat. Too often do we see boats come in after years of neglect with hard, cracked vinyl, and faded gel coat. On the other hand, however, we see plenty of older boats come by that look like they've never even seen the water because they're so clean. So what's the difference? Well, by wiping your boat down with a wax cleaner after every use you not only keep the gel coat looking nice and shiny, but you also prevent the accumulation of water spots that can be hard to remove. So always wipe your boat down! Same idea applies to the vinyl. Make sure to clean your interior periodically, and apply a conditioner that will keep your seats from drying out and cracking in the sun. Following these simple steps will keep your boat looking new for years to come! We recommend using Babe's Boat Products, and you can find a cleaner for all of the above right here in the Waterski America Pro Shop!
