Website Improvements
www.BoatingWithDawsons.com has changed! Now it is easier
for you
to find what you are looking for.
Constant Menu Bar
The new site features a constant menu bar on the left
side
of your screen. This menu allows you to jump around our site
without being forced to "back up" to go elsewhere.
The new home page informs you of all the things we do and
offer. As you read through the text, each item of interest
is hyperlinked to the appropriate page. Similarly, there are
many other hyperlinks for navigating throughout the site.
The short top menu bar will take you directly to "Home", "Site Map" or "Products" or "About
Us". The Products page lists all
our products; whereas, the side menu divides our products and services
into groups or categories.
www.PiggyBankMarketing.com designed
our site so that we can manage it ourselves and only call on them
for major changes or problems. We can alter and improve things
without delay or great expense.
We invite you to be interactive and add your suggestions, tips, questions,
or comments. Just send to Tips@boatingwithdawsons.com.
We will continue to email the newsletter and link the
articles to the Website.
Click on those you wish to read about. Archived articles will be on the
Blog page listed by date with
the Author name.
Search all Entries
You will now be able to search all the entries by
word or
phrase or category to find all the articles that have
anything to do with your search. For example, if you want
all the articles relating to First Mates, search on "First
Mate". If you want all the articles on Check Lists, search on
that. We have only started the blog, so there isn't a lot
there yet, but articles will be added continuously. Your
newsletter will alert you to new postings.
We look forward to your tips, questions, suggestions.
Inspect & Test Your Boat
at the Beginning of the Season
Before your first trip away from the dock, you want to inspect and test
all the equipment aboard to make sure everything works the way it is
supposed to.
A few minutes inspecting and testing while still at the dock first thing
in the season is one of the best investments you can make. It can prevent
anything from disappointment to disaster. You don’t want to get
out on the water to find that you have no gears, and your VHF is on the
fritz. Then when you throw your anchor over, much to your dismay, it’s
not connected. You’re on the rocks.
Do a thorough inspection of your boat. Turn everything on and test it.
Pull out all the lines including the anchor line and check for any problems.
Your checking is better done if you go area by area around the boat
so that nothing gets overlooked. You don’t want anything to let
you down when you are out on the water enjoying boating with your family
and/or friends.
The Helm
At the helm, start the motor(s). Test the shift, throttle and steering.
Turn on the VHF and do a radio check. Make sure all other electronic
equipment is operational. Now is the time. Not later when you are out
and depending on it.
The Engine
Get down beside your motor. Pull the dip stick. Check the oil. Even
though the mechanic may have just summarized it, do your own check. Check
all other fluid levels like power steering, trim, battery fluid. Look
at all the belts for frays and tightness.
The Bilge
Check the bilge for fresh oil and/or water. Run the bilge pump. If the
bilge is empty, put some water in with the dock hose to be sure it actually
pumps and not just makes a noise. Switch on the water pressure and check
for leaks throughout the whole system. Once all the air is out, the pump
shouldn’t run. If it does, check for leaks.
The Galley
Now that you’ve checked the engine room plumbing, go to the galley
and head and ensure the sink taps and drains don’t leak and the
toilet joints are dry. Flush the toilet. Recharge the chemical if it
hasn’t been done already.
Inspect and test all your galley appliances, doors, drawers, etc. Does
the frig cool and the stove heat? Do all switches and dials work? Make
sure all cupboard doors and drawers open and close without binding and
that the catches catch. You don’t want your food all over the floor
when you hit the first wave.
The Safety Equipment
Pull out all your safety equipment. Confirm the expiry dates on date
sensitive items like flares and fire extinguishers. Clean, repair recharge
or replace if necessary.
Inspect your PFDs and make sure they haven’t been damaged by moisture
or 4-legged critters over the winter. You don’t want nasty surprises
later.
Electrical And Electronics
Test all other electrical and electronic systems to make sure they haven’t
forgotten how to their jobs. For example, are your way points still in
your GPS or were they lost when you replaced the batteries?
Turn on your running lights. Are all the bulbs lit? Does your horn work?
Check all other lights on the boat in the cockpit and through the cabin.
For Sailors
Sailors should raise the sails on a calm day in the slip to verify that
all the rigging is in good condition and nothing jams. Make sure all
equipment functions properly like winches and furling.
For Fishermen
Fishermen also need to check all their fish finders, downriggers,
bait well pumps etc.
For Cruising Boaters
Cruising boaters should test their anchor winch for jams and frays and
wiring connections and basic stuff like is the anchor shackled to the
line? Pull out, check and inventory all your other anchors and rodes.
Also, equipment related to long trips and remote anchorages.
Leave the Dock With Confidence
Once everything is inspected, tested and
operational, you can leave the dock with the confidence that your boat’s
equipment won’t
let you down.
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