Whether you are going out boating for fun, fishing, or just got started in the sport, it is important to keep in mind a few valuable safety rules and precautions. 

Make Sure You Stay Safe and Prepared When Using Your Boat This Summer

The warm weather makes it ideal to head out on the waters and have some fun. However, along with the fun comes the responsibility of staying safe. That is why today we want to share a few important tips and advice that you need to keep in mind in order to ensure that you have a safe boating experience. and it is crucial that you work on this

Stay on Top of Your Boat's Maintenance Tasks

One of the most important aspects of boating is making sure that your boat or watercraft is always in top shape and working conditions. In order to do this, you must verify that all components are working. The battery should be fully functional, the steering wheel should be in perfect state, all the wiring and electrical components should be in good conditions. Another very important and crucial aspect of your boat´s maintenance is the engine oil. It is imperative that you regularly check the oil and change it as needed.

Make Sure You Check and Change the Oil in Your Boat Regularly

Check the oil regularly and always before heading out so you can stay vigilant of when it needs to be replaced or topped off. Do not neglect oil changes as this is essential to the lifespan of your engine. Most manufacturers recommend that you change the oil in your boat every 50-100 hours of use but you should verify in your owner´s manual the recommended interval time for your specific engine. Also, if your boat is new it might be a good idea for you to change the oil every 20 hours of operation for the first 100 hours until it has been broken in.

Use Quality Lubricant in Every Oil Change

Even though regular oil changes are necessary when you use your boat a lot, they are also crucial if it has been sitting around for a while without being used. The motor oil that is just sitting there inside the engine will continue to deteriorate, in many cases, it will become acidic and will no longer work. Therefore, it is important that you remove and replace it before you use your boat again. Make sure you use quality lubricants designed for boating applications and verify that you use the right one based on your boat engine specifications. AMSOIL carries a wide range of boating synthetic oils created to enhance the performance of your engine and prolong its durability. Check out their marine synthetic oil online catalog or contact Cerberus Systems, Inc. directly, for help in selecting the ideal lubricant for your boat.

Other Boating Safety Measures You Need to Take

• Check the weather. Before heading out you need to make sure that you check the weather. You should make it a point to be well aware of the weather at all times of the day. Even on very sunny days, there could still be a chance of changing winds or clouds sneaking up so it is wise to check and be aware. Avoid going out boating on days where a storm can possibly be on its way and keep the weather forecast and radio warnings on at all times when boating so you can be aware of any weather news that affects you.
• Follow a pre-departure checklist. You should always try to follow a pre-departure checklist that allows you to make sure you are not forgetting to pack or verify anything that you might need when out on the waters. For a helpful checklist, you can follow and print check out the one provided by the Discover Boating website, here.
• Wear a life jacket. No matter how close you stay to shore, wearing a life jacket is a must the minute you step into the boat. Even the most insignificant accident can turn into a disaster if you or your companion is not wearing a life jacket. In fact, the U.S. Coast Guard reports that in  84% of the boating deaths caused by drowning the victims were not wearing a life jacket. So make sure you don´t forget to put it on.

All the Products You Need for Your Boat's Synthetic Oil Change in Hagerstown

Staying on top of oil changes and other maintenance tasks can help prevent malfunctions and incidents. Don´t forget to purchase quality products for the care and maintenance of your boat. In the AMSOIL online catalog, you can find everything you need to keep your boat in top shape. You can also contact Cerberus Systems, Inc. at (717) 658-1256 for assistance in finding the items you want or to place your order and have all your product questions answered.