Before You Launch Your Boat

Know your boating laws

State and local laws are designed for the safety of you, your passengers, other boaters and property. Make sure you are aware of the regulations that apply to the bodies of water where you boat.

Canada maintains unique requirements for boat operator competency, as well as vessel age and horsepower restrictions. Before boating on Canadian waters, call the Canadian Coast Guard at 1-800-267-6687 (in Canada only). Or visit the Canadian Coast Guard's website at ccg-gcc.gc.ca for information on laws and regulations.

Pack the right gear

Before going on the water, check local boating laws to make sure your boat has the necessary equipment required for its size, such as life jackets, fire extinguishers and sound-producing devices.

Having the proper equipment can be the difference between life and death. The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards suggest you have the following items on your boat to help you prepare for emergencies such as severe weather, accidents or mechanical breakdown:

• AM radio or AM/FM weather radio
• First aid kit
• Charts of local area and compass
• Personal items (sunscreen, medicines, sunburn lotion, sunglasses)
• Food and water
• Additional clothing (warm clothes, hat, foul weather gear)
• Anchor and extra line
• Tool kit for repairs
• Paddles
• Bailer or bilge pump
• VHF/FM marine radio

Get hitched safely

The next step is to make sure your boat, trailer and tow vehicle are ready for the road.

• Choose a trailer with a load capacity greater than the weight of the boat and its equipment.
• The boat should fit snugly on the trailer's rollers and other contact points and support the boat's hull.
• Secure tie-downs so the boat won't shift during transport.
• Distribute gear evenly in the boat.
• Read your tow vehicle owners manual and make sure your vehicle and hitch are properly rated to tow your boat.
• Make sure the trailer tow ball matches the trailer coupler (for example, 2-inch ball to 2-inch coupler).
• Make sure all trailer lights are working.
• Make sure safety chains are connected in an X to the frame of the towing vehicle.
• The winch cable should pass under the bow roller stop.
• Check all trailer parts for tightness and proper operation.
• Inflate car and trailer tires to proper pressures.
• Check wheel bearings and trailer hitch for safe operation.

Use caution when towing

Taking your boat on the road requires extra caution. Your car now takes longer to accelerate and requires more stopping distance. Turning and passing other cars require more distance with your boat in tow.