Boating Resources

Boater Checklists

Three printable checklists: before you leave the dock, the safety gear the Coast Guard requires, and putting the boat away for winter.

Print these checklists

1. Pre-launch & departure checklist

At home / at the ramp

Check the weather and marine forecast for the whole trip, including wind and thunderstorms.
File a float plan: tell someone where you are going, who is aboard and when you will be back.
Registration certificate (or documentation) aboard; numbers and current decal on the bow.
Trailer: lights work, tires inflated, safety chains crossed, straps and winch secure, hub bearings OK.
Drain plug installed before launch.
Remove transom tie-downs and the motor support before launch.

Before starting the engine

Fuel: enough for the trip with at least a third in reserve (1/3 out, 1/3 back, 1/3 reserve).
Sniff the bilge and engine compartment for fuel vapor; run the blower at least 4 minutes on gasoline inboards.
Check oil and coolant levels; look for loose belts, hoses and fuel leaks.
Battery charged, connections tight; bilge pump works.
Engine cut-off switch lanyard attached to the operator.
Navigation lights tested, even for a day trip.
Radio check: VHF on and working; phone charged and in a waterproof case.

Safety & crew

A properly fitting USCG-approved life jacket for every person; kids wearing theirs.
Throwable device within reach (boats 16 ft and over).
Fire extinguisher(s) charged, dated and reachable.
Visual distress signals current (coastal waters and Great Lakes).
Horn or whistle aboard.
Anchor with enough line for the depth, plus dock lines and fenders.
First-aid kit, sunscreen, drinking water, and a flashlight.
Brief the crew: life jacket locations, fire extinguisher, how to stop the engine and use the radio.
Assign a sober skipper. Alcohol is a leading factor in fatal boating accidents.

2. USCG required safety equipment (summary)

Federal minimum requirements for recreational boats, summarized from the U.S. Coast Guard's A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats and the BoatUS Foundation equipment requirements. Your state may require more, and requirements depend on boat length and type.

Item	Federal requirement (summary)
Life jackets (PFDs)	One USCG-approved wearable life jacket of the right size for each person aboard, in good condition and readily accessible. Boats 16 ft and longer (except canoes and kayaks) also need one throwable device. Children under 13 must wear one on a moving boat unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin, where the state has no rule of its own.
Fire extinguishers	Required on motorboats with features such as enclosed engine compartments, closed living spaces or permanently installed fuel tanks. The number and rating (e.g. 5-B, 20-B) depend on length. Disposable extinguishers expire 12 years after the manufacture date.
Visual distress signals	Required on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and connected waters up to where they narrow to 2 miles. Boats 16 ft and over need day and night signals; smaller boats need night signals when out between sunset and sunrise.
Sound-producing devices	Boats under 12 meters (39.4 ft) need some means of making an efficient sound signal (horn or whistle). Larger boats need a whistle, and a bell at 20 meters and up.
Navigation lights	Required from sunset to sunrise and in restricted visibility, matched to the boat's size and type.
Ventilation	Gasoline boats with enclosed engine or fuel compartments need working natural or powered ventilation. Run the blower before starting.
Backfire flame arrester	Required on gasoline engines other than outboards.
Engine cut-off switch	On boats under 26 ft with 3 hp or more that are equipped with one, the operator must use it when on plane or above displacement speed.
Marine sanitation device	An installed toilet must be connected to a USCG-certified marine sanitation device.
Pollution placards	Boats 26 ft and longer must post an oil discharge placard and a garbage disposal placard. Oceangoing boats 40 ft and over also need a written waste management plan.
Navigation rules	Boats 12 meters (39.4 ft) and longer must carry a copy of the Inland Navigation Rules.
Registration	Certificate of number aboard; registration number and validation decal displayed. See registration rules by state.

Get a free Vessel Safety Check from the Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to confirm your boat is equipped.

3. End-of-season winterizing checklist

General steps only. Always follow your engine and boat manufacturers' winterizing procedures, or have a marine technician do it.

Engine & fuel

Fill the tank to about 90% and add fuel stabilizer; run the engine to circulate it.
Change engine oil and filter while warm.
Change lower-unit (gear) oil on outboards and sterndrives; check for water in the old oil.
Flush raw-water cooling with fresh water, then drain or fill with non-toxic antifreeze per the manual.
Fog the engine cylinders if your manufacturer recommends it.
Replace fuel/water separator filter.
Grease steering, fittings and the trailer hubs.

Water systems

Drain fresh-water tanks, water heater and lines, or fill with non-toxic RV/marine antifreeze.
Pump out and flush the holding tank; winterize the head.
Drain livewells, baitwells and washdown pumps.

Hull, deck & storage

Wash, inspect and wax the hull; note any blisters, cracks or damage.
Check your lettering and registration numbers; replace any that are peeling or faded before spring.
Remove electronics, cushions, life jackets and anything that can mildew; leave lockers open to air.
Remove or maintain batteries on a smart charger; clean terminals.
Remove the drain plug (and store it somewhere you will remember).
Cover or shrink-wrap the boat with ventilation to prevent mildew.
Check the trailer tires and lights; block the trailer if storing long-term.
Inventory safety gear and replace expired flares and extinguishers before next season.