How to Keep Your Boat from Sinking

Thousands of boats sink every year, The exact number is not known because there are no statistics on boat sinkings, but ask any marine insurance company and they will tell you that the number is too high.

In fact, sinking is the number one cause of marine losses, and one of the primary reasons why insurance for boats are to high. To make sure your boat won’t end up a “submarine”, here are some tips on how to keep your boat afloat.

First, check the weather before you set sail, and don’t hesitate to postpone you outing if poor conditions are forecasted. If you do find yourself in bad weather, slow down and turn on your navigational lights. Use your radio to stay informed of conditions as well as to update your location, and head to safety if things get worse.

To prevent accidentally going around, make use of your maps and charts. Conditions may that such that you can’t recognize your position from landmarks and even your compass may not help, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area. When calculating whether it’s safe to pass over an area, add at least three feet to the depth of your hull to be safe, and slow down if you’re not sure what the ground underneath is.

Keep your eye open for changes. You don’t want to find yourself in an area shallower than you had expected; and don’t find yourself in a situation where we the weather is too much to for your boat to handle. In the first hint of bad weather, the best choice is to head for port. Better to lose a day boating that to lose your boat

And make sure your boat has been fully protected by high quality Canvas Covering from CMC Canvas LLC.