How to stay safe on your boat this summer

Summer is here, which means that for most of Australia it’s peak season for boating. But if you only get out on the water occasionally, and especially if your boat has been in storage through the cooler months, it’s well worth dusting off your boating safety knowledge too.

Fortunately, here at boatsales we have a heap of great advice articles that provide a wealth of information on all sorts of aspects of boating safety.

Pulling your boat out for the first time in a long time? Check out Five things to do before taking your boat out of hibernation. Boats typically don't respond well to long periods of sitting idle, when issues like stale fuel, flat batteries and dodgy bilge pumps can potentially spell disaster for your next boating adventure.

In a similar vein, How to keep your boat in good shape provides the good oil on basic boat maintenance tips that will reward careful boaties with faithful, dependable performance on the water. From cleaning the boat to ensuring your outboard is in top shape to inspecting your boat's electrics, it’s a case of the old adage, ‘A stitch in time saves nine’.

While legal requirements for boating safety items may vary depending on the style of boat and where it’s operating, there are crucial bits of gear that can make all the difference in an on-water emergency. Boating safety essentials looks at eight essential items that will help you out in a tight spot, from PFDs and distress flares to EPIRBs to marine radios.

Want to ‘deep dive’ into lifejackets and what specific sort you need for your boating pursuit? Head to What type of lifejacket do I need to buy? to find out.

If you need help on the water in a hurry then you need effective communications gear. What VHF radio do I need for my boat looks at the pros and cons of handheld versus fixed marine radios, the benefits of radios with digital selective calling (DSC) technology, and a whole lot more, and we’ve even got an article that shows you How to keep a satellite phone in top condition.

No one wants to contemplate the unthinkable, but being prepared for all boating eventualities will help you out if plans do head south. What to do if your outboard engine dies out on the water takes you step by step through an action plan to address what can be a hair-raising scenario, while Top 11 tips for boating in bad weather provides crucial info on what to do when foul weather catches you out.

Finally, blistering heat is part and parcel of an Aussie summer, but if your boat doesn't offer any cover there are still things you can do to stay safe and protected. Check out How to survive the heat in a tinnie for our top tips.