Happy New Year! As you make goals for a better 2020, why not add a handful of boating resolutions to the list? Here are five actions you can take to make this your best boating year yet.
Commit to a regular maintenance schedule
You know that old saying, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?’ Scheduling routine maintenance throughout the year helps prevent costly repairs down the road and ensures your boat looks and runs its best. For your maintenance to-do list: wash and wax regularly to protect the fiberglass; flush the engine after every saltwater trip; keep fittings lubricated; visit your dealer or trusted boat mechanic for oil changes and other professional services.
Consult your owner’s manual or myRobalo for more information about recommended maintenance.
Brush up on boating etiquette
Each boater has a responsibility to learn and practice established boating etiquette. Just like the rules of the road, this code of conduct ensures a safe and courteous experience for everyone sharing the water. From observing right-of-way and watching your wake, to following launching and docking manners, it’s up to all of us to educate ourselves and respect our fellow boaters. For a refresher on boating etiquette, check out this helpful guide from boatsafe.com.
Protect our water ecosystems
Be a good steward for our waterways to preserve them for future generations. Always leave your boating destinations the way you found them. It’s important to always keep your belongings secure and never toss plastic or trash into the water. If you’re out and about and see garbage floating around, take one for the team and clean it up. Also consider volunteering for lakeside and/or ocean cleanups in your community. Remember, boaters share the water with lots of animals, plant life, and delicate ecosystems, and it’s up to us to protect them.
Take a boating safety course
If it’s been a while since you brushed up on your boating safety knowledge, consider taking a course for an update. (Bonus: it may earn you a discount on your boat owner’s insurance.) To find boater safety courses in your state, visit nasbla.org. The first of the year is also a great time to inventory your safety measures. Create or revise your emergency plan and communicate with your crew so you’re prepared in case of an accident. And make sure your life jackets, first aid kits and other safety gear are stocked and in good condition.
Share the love of boating
Have a friend who hasn’t been on a boat or tried a watersport? Make this the year you help them fall in love with lake life! Organize a fun fishing trip, or celebrate #PassTheHandle day by getting someone up on skis or a wakeboard for the first time. Most important, set a goal to enjoy your boat more this year! Life gets busy, but make it a priority to carve out time in your calendar to get out on the water more often with family and friends. The memories you make together will last a lifetime.
At Robalo, building world class fishing boats is a passion and a way of life. A leader in the marine industry since 1968, Robalo is renowned for its heavy-duty construction, legendary ride and unwavering desire to stay on the cutting edge of innovation. We invite you to choose from an incredible lineup of Center Consoles, Cayman Bay Boats, and Dual Consoles.
