Boat prep basics and troubleshooting

July 6, 2023

For many anglers with boats, their boating knowledge was passed down through the generations. boat

Either their parents or grandparents taught them the basics of putting the boat on and off the trailer, getting it on the water and starting it safely.

Yet for those like me, who grew up in a country town and with no boater in the family, you had to learn the hard way.

That meant learning everything – from reversing the boat down the ramp to trailering the boat safely and getting the boat started on the water.

When I started learning about three decades ago, there was a lot of trial and error.

The occasional fishing magazine article was written about it but nothing that could have fully prepared me for what I learnt on the water and at the ramp over the years.

That’s the reason for this article – to hopefully help those new to boating minimise mistakes and, when the boat won’t start, know what the simple solution might be.

Safety checks

First things first – if you’ve just bought a second-hand boat, you want to make certain it’s free of damage and leaks.

You also want to ensure the boat and trailer registrations are up to date and that you have at least third-party insurance on both in the event of an accident.

You then need to make sure you have all the appropriate and within-date safety gear onboard that is suitable for the type of water you’ll be fishing.

Check your relevant state marine safety authority, such as Maritime Safety Queensland, for the classification of the waters you intend to fish and the safety gear required.

As an example, much of Moreton Bay is classified as partially smooth water, so you need the equipment associated with partially smooth water.

This includes flares and appropriate life jackets.

You need to check the former are within date and, in the case of the later, do annual checks to ensure they are in good condition.

It is also worth storing your complete set of safety gear in a floating waterproof grab bag, in the event you do go in the water.

Another thing you want to check is that the trailer’s connecting chain is in good condition and that the shackle on the chain that connects your trailer to your car is appropriately weight rated.

Again, check the website, don’t assume it’s OK because someone had it before you.

Then ensure your boat is fitted with the appropriate navigation and anchoring lights for being on the water in fading light or at night.

Finally, I strongly encourage all boat users to join a marine assist service, such as Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland or Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, in case you run into trouble on the water.

Pre-water checks

Once you’re certain you’ve got all your safety gear, there are a few important checks you should do before you leave home for the ramp:

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Sean caught the fishing bug bad one very cold Canberra day 20 years ago when he was bored and picked up and read Angler's Almanac by the fireplace. Since then he has filled his mind with knowledge from fishing magazines, books, the internet, TAFE fishing courses, guiding fishing charters (estuaries, beach, bay and mountain lakes) and of course 'on water' experience. He and a group of mates formed a social fishing club and soon started to share what they learnt and caught online. Sean is the admin for Ontour Fishing Australia on Facebook, which is a page that shares information, reports and sponsor giveaways and welcomes all to the site. He plans to move into blogging on his new website when time allows.

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