When the temperatures climb here in Southern California, many families load up their boats with ice-cold refreshments and head down to the water. If you ask us, cruising around on your boat is the perfect way to spend a hot summer day! That being said, you should never get so carried away with summer fun that you discard the basic principles of boating safety. The following tips from Schock Boats can help you plan a safe and successful summer outing!
Schock Boats is your trusted boat dealer in Huntington Beach, CA. If you need a new boat for the season ahead, come shop with us today! We have a wide selection of makes and models to choose from, and we welcome customers from Costa Mesa and beyond.
Gear Up for Safety
First and foremost, make sure everyone on your boat is wearing a correctly fitted life jacket. Children under the age of 13 are required by California law to wear a life jacket at all times on vessels less than 27 feet in length. But life jackets aren’t only for kids! Adults should also wear life jackets, both for their own safety and to lead by example.
Sunscreen is another essential for safe boating in the summertime, and UPF fabrics can provide additional protection from UV rays. Meanwhile, sunglasses are not only a fashion statement – they can also improve your vision and prevent sun blindness.
Pack Plenty of Refreshments
No matter how many people are in your boating party, it’s always best to overestimate how many refreshments you need! Staying well-fed and hydrated goes a long way toward preventing heat exhaustion. Of course, you’ll also hear a lot fewer complaints from the crew if everyone has their favorite snacks and drinks within reach!
If you have a large crew, you might consider bringing several coolers on board. Make sure they are well-stocked with ice or ice packs, and keep the lids closed tight to keep everything cool. Packing a few non-perishable snack items is also a good idea, in case you end up being out on the water a lot longer than you planned.
Don’t Drink and Boat
We all know boating under the influence is against the law, but the summer heat can make it tempting to indulge in a few cold ones anyway. It’s important to resist that urge, and remember that alcohol is a lot more dangerous when you’re on the water!
Alcohol can interfere with your cognitive abilities and throw off your balance, which doesn’t bode well when you’re surrounded on all sides by water. In fact, alcohol is involved in about one-third of all boating fatalities. Don’t become a statistic! Stay on the right side of the law, and avoid alcohol when operating your boat this summer.
We hope you found these tips helpful! If you need more advice on summer boating, feel free to consult the team here at Schock Boats. We proudly serve boaters in Huntington Beach, CA.