Bob’s Tip For Boaters #321 – Don’t Ask, Check For Yourself

Whether it’s your boat or you are a guest of somebody else there are lots of little things you may be tempted to ask.  If it’s worth asking its worth checking yourself.

Did you put the plug in?  You are anxious to hit the water and don’t want to waste a second.  Not checking just once will cost you a lot more than the time to personally walk around the back of the boat and look for yourself thousands of times.  I’ve had to pull the boat back out because I forgot the drain plug, and I’ve been with other people who have as well.

Did you latch the hitch? You are risking your equipment and maybe somebody’s life if you don’t check this one.  I’d call it negligence.  Even if the person going out with you is an experienced boater themselves, they may be anxious to get rolling and say “Yeah, yeah, sure.”  Don’t ask.  Just walk back and look for yourself.  In fact while you are there you can see if the safety chains are connected the way you like, and the light plug is properly connected as well.

I put the keys in the ignition of the boat before i leave and generally don’t take them out until I roll the boat back into its parking place int he shop, but I still have arrived at the lake with no keys.  Go look.  If they aren’t in the ignition, check your pockets or the place in the tow vehicle where you keep them.  Go look for yourself.

There are a whole bunch of things you should check before you ever head out onto the road.  Go check for yourself and make sure they are done.  Don’t ask.  Check for yourself.