Make the Most of Shore Time: 8 Ways to Become a Safer Boater

Many recreational boaters found their spring launch plans postponed by the coronavirus pandemic, leaving extra time on land when the season would normally be getting underway. Rather than letting those weeks pass unused, you can sharpen your skills, prepare your boat, and support the local boating community from shore. The Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) gathered practical, actionable ideas to help you become a more confident and safer operator before you return to the water.

1. Take online courses to build core skills.

   BoatUS has partnered with several training providers to offer online instruction. For example, Offshore Sailing School’s Learn to Sail course and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Modern Marine Navigation course were made available through BoatUS’s course offerings; at one point these were offered free through May 15 using the coupon code “learnfree.” Even if offers change, searching BoatUS’s online course catalog will connect you with reputable, instructor-created programs that improve knowledge of navigation, rules of the road, and seamanship.

2. Create laminated checklists for safe outings.

   Writing, printing, and laminating checklists is one of the simplest changes that delivers real safety benefits. Make separate checklists for pre-launch inspections, trailering and launch procedures, and onboard safety briefings. A laminated sheet resists water and can be stored near your helm or in your glove compartment so you and your crew follow the same routine every time.

3. Support local waterfront businesses with gift cards.

   Marinas, chandlers, tackle shops, instructors, and local delivery services are part of a fragile seasonal economy. Buying gift cards for future use not only helps those businesses stay afloat during closures, it ensures you’ll have services and supplies available when you’re ready to get back on the water.

4. Refresh docking and close-quarters handling skills.

   BoatUS produces a How to Dock a Boat playlist that covers a range of docking scenarios, including wind and current corrections, use of spring lines, and crew communications. Watching and mentally rehearsing these techniques helps you approach actual docking with greater confidence and fewer mistakes.

5. Assemble a ditch kit and emergency gear.

   Preparing for the unexpected is about more than safety regulations — it’s peace of mind. A ditch kit should include items such as a VHF handheld radio, personal locator beacon or PLB, spare life jacket, signaling devices, a compact first-aid kit, waterproof flashlight, and a small supply of drinking water. Review and refresh this kit regularly so critical items are ready if you ever need to abandon ship.

6. Complete maintenance and upgrades while the boat is at home.

   If your boat and trailer are on your property, now is the ideal time to tackle deferred maintenance: check trailer lights, bearings, tires, and brakes; service the engine and battery; inspect thru-hulls and hoses; and update electronics software. BoatUS’s Trailer Boat resources provide step-by-step tips for common trailer and hull chores that reduce risk when the season resumes.

7. Practice and learn essential knots.

   Tying reliable knots is a foundational boating skill. Use downtime to practice cleat hitches, bowlines, clove hitches, and rolling hitches until they are second nature. BoatUS’s Essential Boating Knots content demonstrates clear, repeatable techniques you can practice with a length of rope at home to improve safety when docking and securing the boat.

8. Take a clean-boating course to protect waterways.

   Reducing your environmental impact benefits everyone who uses the water. The BoatUS Foundation offers a Clean Boating course that covers fuel handling, waste management, invasive species prevention, and best practices for minimizing pollution. Learning these habits onshore makes it easy to adopt and teach them to crew once you return to the boat.

Use this unexpected shore time to strengthen skills that matter most when you’re afloat: navigation, emergency preparedness, vessel upkeep, and environmental stewardship. Simple actions now — laminated checklists, practiced knots, updated safety gear, and online training — translate into safer, more enjoyable days on the water. And by supporting local waterfront businesses while you wait, you help ensure the boating community is ready to welcome you back when conditions allow.