(Undated)– The recreational boating season will soon be upon us. Susan Stocker, Boating Law Administrator and Education Coordinator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says there are several things we should be doing now before actually putting those boats in the water…
“You check the entire boat including the engine and your fluid levels. Inspect the hull for cracks and make sure you propeller is operable and there aren’t any dings or bites out of it. It’s also important to make sure that you check your tire pressures on your trailer, tread conditions and the electrical connections so you can get down the road to the body of water.”
Stocker says it’s also important to make sure your bow and stern lights are working and that your safety equipment is up to snuff…
“Make sure your life jackets don’t have any rips or tears on them and that there are no holes or frays and make sure your fire extinguisher is fully charged and that you have a horn or whistle on your boat. And hey, it never hurts to take a boating safety course. We still have plenty of time and that way you’re proactive for all of those people out there that might not be as observant as you are as the boat operator.”
Stocker adds you should also make sure your boat has the current registration sticker on it…
“Registrations for boats expire 2028 so you need to have all of them expired April 30th
of 2025, so you certainly need to have a new validation sticker on your boat that says 2028.”
Stocker says doing those things ahead of time will ensure your time on the water is enjoyable.
