"Did you put the plug in?"

All responsible boaters have a pre-departure check list. The last thing you want is to get all of your family and stuff into your boat only to have something go wrong. Even worse is having a problem out on the water. However, taking a few simple steps before you depart for your boating adventure, will go a long way toward an enjoyable day on the water. First of all, check the weather. Mama doesn't like getting rained on. Secondly, check the steering and throttle controls for proper operation. Also, you never know when your day may turn into night so make sure all running lights are operational. You should also check all battery connections and make the battery is fully charged. Check all fuel and water hoses for leaks and repair or replace damaged ones. Count all PFD's and replace bad ones. Next, let someone know where you are going and an approximate time you will return. And finally, MAKE SURE YOU PUT THE PLUG IN THE BOAT! If you take these few simple steps, you are less likely to have your outing spoiled by an unexpected occurrence.