Wednesday, July 6, 2016

10 Must-Haves for a Day on the Water

Summer is well underway and people are traveling from across the country to visit beautiful Lake of the Ozarks! Whether you own a boat or plant to rent one, there's nothing better than hitting the water for a day of fun with family and friends. Use this checklist from Summerset Boat Lifts to ensure you have everything you need for a successful day out on the water!

Day of Boating Checklist 


1. Boat Registration, Fishing License, Etc. - Make sure your boat registration is current. It's important that you're following state laws while operating your watercraft. If you plan on doing any fishing, check that your fishing license is current and that the fishing regulations haven't changed for the water you will be fishing in.

2. Life Jackets - Not only for your own safety, but also to follow state law, you need to have enough life jackets on board for everyone. According to Missouri state law, children under the age of seven are required to wear a life jacket at all times while on board a watercraft, unless they're down in the cabin.

3. Cell Phone or Marine Radio - Ensure you're never left stranded by having a working cell phone (and charger) or a marine radio on board. Be sure you know how to reach water patrol, the police or the Coast Guard if needed. It also might be a good idea to have a tow boat's number on hand.  It's also a good idea to let someone on land know where you're going and what time you're expected to be back.

4. First Aid Kit - A well-stocked first aid kit can help make sure you can address incidents, everything from small nicks and cuts to sea sickness. You can either buy a kit or make your own that includes gauze, band-aids, scissors, latex gloves, cotton balls, antiseptic lotion, pain relievers and tweezers. In the event someone gets motion sickness, it's also a good idea to include some motion sickness pills or crystallized ginger to each the stomach issues.

5. Sunscreen & Insect Repellent - Hours in the sun with no protection can lead to a bad sunburn. Aside from the few that just tan really well, most people need to have some sunscreen to re-apply throughout the day. Don't forget your lips can burn as well, so bring some lip balm with SPF. With time spent outdoors, comes insects that bite! Minimize the itching by bringing along some bug spray too.

6. Food, Drinks and a Cooler - One of the most important things about being out on the water is staying hydrated. Make sure you bring enough bottled water for everyone on board. Depending on how long you're planning on being out on the Lake, you should also bring lunch or at least some snacks. Keep drinks and perishable foods cold in an air tight cooler. Non-perishable snacks like jerky, fruit snacks, granola bars and nuts will be fine in plastic bags.

7. Sunglasses and a Hat - A good pair of sunglasses can cut the sun's glare off the water. Not only will they make for safe navigation, they also make fishing easier. A nice hat can also help keep the sun out of your face and keep your head from burning.

8. Jacket and Extra Change of Clothes - The weather can change at a moment's notice. When the sun goes down and you're out on the water, it can get a little chilly. Be sure to bring a jacket, maybe even a blanket to keep warm until you arrive home. In addition, if you get caught in the rain and end up soaked, you don't want to stay in wet clothes until you get home. Bring extra clothes and store them in a waterproof bag so you can change when the rain lets up.

9. Towels - Be sure to pack plenty of towels and store them in a waterproof bag as well. They can come in handy to either dry yourself off or your gear.

10. Hand Sanitizer and Baby Wipes - It's nice to be able to clean up, especially if you have messy children. With no bathroom on the boat, it's important to have alternatives like hand sanitizer and baby wipes to clean up with before and after eating. If you're fishing, it's a good idea to clean up after handling bait or the fish that you catch.

If you're having issues with your Lake of the Ozarks boat lift, give Summerset Boat Lifts a call. We service a variety of different brands of lifts, and are ready to help! Plus, if you're in the market for a brand new lift, we offer both pre-owned and brand new Galva-Hoist boat lifts at the Lake of the Ozarks! Give us a call at 573-348-5073 today!

1165 Jeffries Road Osage Beach, MO  65065
573-348-5073
Email:info@summersetboatlifts.com

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