Safe Boating week is May 18th through May 24th. For more information, visit www.safeboatingcampaign.com
One of the take-aways from the ACBS Symposium delivered at the Sunnyland Boat Festival on March 23, 2018 was a laminated
CHECK LIST FOR FIRST TIME OPERATION.
This list was first compiled by Lou Rauh and is now shared by Brian Keen, President of Motor Boat Garage in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CHECK LIST FOR FIRST TIME OPERATION Click here if you wish to download a printable copy.
- Take a “buddy” with you
- Go to launch area, but away from the ramp
- CHECK TO BE SURE THAT DRAIN PLUG IS INSTALLED
- Attach mooring lines and lead them to the side of the boat where dock will be once boat is launched.
- Attach fenders to same side of boat where dock will be
- Check to be sure you have all safety equipment (maybe before you leave home)
- Life jackets for each person – include potential passengers
- Anchor and anchor line
- Paddle and throw cushion
- Fire extinguisher and distress flag
- Whistle/horn and first aid kit
- Check to be sure that fresh water sea cock is open
- If boat has battery switch, be sure it is turned on
- Check engine oil level
- Check fuel level
- Remove all tie down straps except one on the bow eye
- Proceed to launch ramp, back up to just short of the water
- Remove line from trailer to bow eye
- Have “buddy” pick up dock lines and walk on dock as you back up trailer
- Back up trailer so that boat/trailer are parallel to dock about one yard away from dock
- As boat floats off of trailer, “buddy” pulls it back and free of trailer, then brings it in to dock
- Pull tow vehicle and trailer slowly out of water and to proper parking spot
- Join “buddy” at the dock and snugly tie boat to dock preventing it from moving forward
- If equipped, turn on bilge blower
- If no bilge blower, lift engine box/hatch to smell for gas fumes
- If no gas fumes, put gear shift in neutral
- If boat is equipped with manual choke, pull it out completely
- Crack open the throttle about ¼”
- Press starter, as soon as engine starts, depress choke
- Go to back of boat to observe that there is water being expelled from exhaust pipe. Do not proceed if there is no discharge
- Back in driver seat; observe that you have oil pressure. Do not proceed if you do not have oil pressure
- If boat is creeping forward on the mooring line, touch the shifter with a little reverse
- Have your “buddy” release lines and place in the boat. He/she should board boat as you back out
- “Buddy” should secure lines so they are accessible, but won’t accidentally go into the water
- As you clear the dock, have “Buddy” remove the fenders, then sit down
- Most straight inboards back to the left. Use this trait to help you turn – back to the left and forward to the right
- As you move out of the “no wake” zone, begin to apply throttle, slowly increasing rpm to 2-2.5K
- Observe oil pressure, amp, and temp gauges
- Lift floor board or engine hatch to see if you are taking on water
- Have FUN and be SAFE