Driving a boat for the first time can be fun yet intimidating; thus, this post by Synthetic Oil Inc. in AMSOIL: Synthetic Oil Inc: L.L.C. : Steve and Linda Cross will guide you through a few tips on having a successful first-time boating experience.

With the arrival of spring, many boaters will want to make the best out of the good weather to go fishing, wakeboarding, or just sunbathing and enjoying the water with family and friends. In that regard, many will be getting behind the wheel of a boat for the first time. If you're planning to buy a boat and become a boater this spring, you're probably feeling excited and nervous at the same time; after all, driving a boat without experience can be intimidating. Hence, this post from Synthetic Oil Inc. has put together a list of good tips for riding a boat for the first time.

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How to Have a Safe and Succesful First-Time Boating Experience

Understand and Comply With State Boating Laws and Requirements

Are you familiar with the state requirements you must follow to operate a boat? As you might expect, knowing and complying with these state boating laws is the first step to a safe and successful first boating trip. For example, during this year, California law requires any boater between 16 and 45 years old to have a boater card to navigate the state waterways (next year, the age range to hold this card will include 50-year-olds, and the year after that, 60-year-olds, and so on through 2025). With the above in mind, call or visit the California Department of Parks and Recreation website to learn more about current state boating laws.

Decide What Type of Boating Activities Do You Want to Try

After complying with all the requirements to operate your boat lawfully, it's time to equip it and make it suitable for your favorite activity on the water. Of course, there are many things you can do; however, you should choose which main boating activity you plan on doing to invest in the necessary accessories. For example, if you prefer to use your boat for fishing with your friends, you can focus on installing a fighting chair if necessary; and get a rod holder, lures, reels, fish finders, and everything else you need. Likewise, you can equip your boat for wakeboarding, snorkeling, wake surfing, and even cooking on board if you want to use your boat to relax on weekends with your family.

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Make a Pre-Departure Boating Checklist

When it comes to boating for the first time, you must prepare for the unexpected by making a checklist with all the items you may need onboard to ensure the safest and most enjoyable experience possible. Regarding your safety on board, it is of utmost importance that you include the following equipment on your list:

• Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
• A fire extinguisher.
• A sound-producing device (whistle, horn, or siren).
• Throwable flotation devices.
• Visual distress signals.

Other essentials for your checklist include water, food (preferably hydrating fruits such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and oranges), a first aid kit, a VHF radio to call for help in case of an emergency on the water, and essential tools to repair your boat if needed. As you can imagine, you must learn how to use all the items on your list to use them effectively. To know which other things you may need for your first boating experience, visit the U.S. Coast Guard website.

Pay Attention to the Weather

Finally, it is of utmost importance that the weather plays in your favor during your first sailing experience, so we suggest you check the weather forecast before going out on the water. To that end, you can find many weather apps for boating. First-time boating is safer to do on a day that is not too windy so that the swell periods are slow and the wave heights are not too high. If the weather conditions are adverse, choose to postpone your trip to the water.

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