This document provides tips and resources for new boaters on preparing a boat for launch, launching it safely into the water, following navigation rules, docking properly, and removing the boat from the water. It covers important safety equipment, terms, weather factors to consider, proper procedures for each step, and links to videos and websites with additional boating information. The overall goal is to educate new boaters on how to operate their vessel safely.

1. BOATINGTIPS AND TRICKSFOR THE NEW BOATER
cnynav.com

2. Learning Objectives for this Tutorial
•Prepare the boat for launch
•Launch the boat into the water
•Navigation rules for safe boating
•Docking the boat
•Taking the boat out of the water

3. Before You Begin
Let’s review some Safe Boating Tips!
Click Here to access a website that will review with you some
safe boating tips.

4. Some Important Terms to Know
Take a moment to review the following terms to prepare yourself for the resources
that will follow:
•LIFE JACKET- personal flotation device (PFD). The most important item you can have
on a boat. A lifesaving must–wear it!
•SIDES OF THE BOAT
•LAUNCH- to move a boat from land into water
•MOORED- when a boat is fastened to a pier or anchored
•WAKE- a wave or rippling of water caused by a boat's passage as it travels through the
water.
•Online Resource http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/kidsknow/glossary.htm

5. Objective 1 - Prepare the Boat for Launch

6. Resources
Please review the following resources regarding the importance of
knowing the weather for safe boating:
• Video: Safe Boating Week PSA: Thunderstorm Safety: Marine
Forecast https://youtu.be/VKR9Vk5lftc
• Website: Obtain the latest marine forecast and warning
information from www.weather.gov/marine
• Website: NOAA's National Weather Service Marine Forecast
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/home.htm

7. Resources Cont.
Please review three important tips for proper boat preparation:
1.Prep boat in appropriate area of the launch pad.
2.Verify plug is in the boat and the boat is not connected to the trailer via the safety cable or
straps.
3.Verify all safety equipment is in check.
Please review the following resources regarding steps for proper boat preparation:
• Website: Before You Launch the Boat
http://www.discoverboating.com/resources/article.aspx?id=580
• Website: Boat US
http://www.boatus.com/magazine/trailering/2013/June/10-step-prelaunch-checklist.asp

8. Follow up!
Click Here to review a Pre-Departure Checklist
to follow up on proper preparation before
launching your boat into the water.

9. Review What You Learned
1. The importance of knowing the weather report.
2. Prep boat in appropriate area of the launch pad.
3. Verify plug is in the boat and the boat is not
connected to the trailer via the safety cable or
straps.
4. Verify all safety equipment is in check.

10. Stop – Please Take the Assessment
Please click on the following link to take this brief assessment.
Click Here for Assessment 1

11. Objective 2 – Launch the Boat into the Water

12. Resources
•Website: How to launch your boat -
http://www.storeyourboard.com/launch-boat.html

13. Resources Cont.
Please review three important tips for proper boat launch:
1.Validate the boat is in the appropriate depth of water before starting boat.
2.Validate boat is operating correctly before pulling away.
3.Load passengers in the correct loading zones.
Please review the following resources regarding proper boat launch:
• Video – Launching a Boat 3.5.5 https://youtu.be/IOM4aTiH2Pc
• Video – How to launch a Boat Stress Free https://youtu.be/luvVC1GtkFI
• Website – www.bestofboating.com

14. Review What You Learned
1. Validate the boat is in the appropriate
depth of water before starting boat.
2. Validate boat is operating correctly before
pulling away.
3. Load passengers in the correct loading
zones.

15. Stop – Please Take the Assessment
Please click on the following link to take this brief assessment.
Click Here for Assessment 2

16. Objective 3 – Navigation Rules for Safe Boating

17. Stop! How much do you know about
boats?

18. Resources
Please review two important tips for proper navigation for safe boating:
1.Show how to approach an oncoming boat safely.
Please review the following resources:
• Video – Boating’s Top 60 Tips – Boat Handling https://youtu.be/jzrk-pi-u9U
• Videos – Navigation Sounds - http://www.boatus.org/guide/navigation_21.html

19. Resources Cont.
2. Identify boat signs.
Website:
http://www.sea-
doo.com/owners/g
uides-and-
information/boatin
g-and-watercraft-
glossary.html

20. Review What You Learned
1. Show how to approach an oncoming boat
safely.
2. Identify boat signs.

21. Stop – Please Take the Assessment
Please click on the following link to take this brief assessment.
Click Here for Assessment 3

22. Objective 4 – Docking the Boat

23. Resources
Please review two important tips for proper navigation for safe boating:
1.Show at what angle to approach a boat dock.
2.Describe what items are necessary for docking such as fenders or docking lines.
Please review the following resources:
• Video – Docking Techniques Seminar https://youtu.be/PoGMAEjiHmU
• Video – How to Approach a Dock When Boating - https://youtu.be/2ghKBhGCdlo
• Video – Boating Tips & Tutorials: How to Tie a Cleat Hitch
https://youtu.be/VMwXjckgiOs

24. Please review before proceeding
A great resource for learning more about dock lines and the
types of docking and/or rafting they are used for, please check
out the website below:
Website: Docklines -
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/articles/docklines.asp

25. Please review before proceeding
A great resource for learning more about fenders and the types
of docking and/or rafting they are used for, please check out the
website below:
Website: Polyform Fender Guide - https://www.polyformus.com/t-
fenderguide.aspx

26. Review What You Learned
1. Show at what angle to approach a boat dock.
2. Describe what items are necessary for docking
such as fenders or docking lines.

27. Stop – Please Take the Assessment
Please click on the following link to take this brief assessment.
Click Here for Assessment 4

28. Objective 5 – Taking the Boat Out of the Water

29. Resources
•Website: Retrieving your Boat -
http://www.onlinetowingguide.com/guidelines/boa
t_retrieve.html

30. Resources
Please review two important tips for taking the boat out of the water:
1.Describe what steps are taken to remove the boat from the water
2.Describe safety measures when taking boat out of water.
Please review the following resources:
• Video – Taking the boat out of the water (live demonstration)
https://youtu.be/1VJxxtJYLAA
• Video – Loading the boat on the Trailer https://youtu.be/iy8JOJgOVRE

31. Let’s Review What You Learned
1. Describe what steps are taken to remove the
boat from the water
2. Describe safety measures when taking boat out
of water.

32. Stop – Please Take the Assessment
Please click on the following link to take this brief assessment.
Click Here for Assessment 5

33. Thanks for taking this Tutorial
More Info:
•Additional Information on boating can be found through your
state’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
•More information on Boater Safety Education Programs can be
found at Boat-ed.com https://www.boat-ed.com/boating_law.html