Everything You Need to Know to Own a Boat in Florida

The state of Florida is made up of close to 19% water. From the marshy Everglades to the tarpon-rich waters near Boca Grande, it’s a boater’s paradise. Join the ranks of those discovering the restorative nature of boat life.

Here is everything you need to know about owning a boat in Florida.

Basic Boat Safety Tips

The number one most important element to consider when purchasing a boat in Florida is the boating prowess of the owner. That’s right: before you consider engines, hulls, power poles, or any navigational equipment, be honest about your experience level and your commitment to the craft. Purchase a boat you are comfortable captaining. A vessel that is too large, or that demands more than your training level, may leave you sitting on the shore, uncertain. Research the different types of boats thoroughly and select one that you feel confident driving.

Having a high level of confidence regarding the craft you captain is the most basic of basic boat safety tips. The next ‘must have’ element for every boat owner is the boat safety kit, which should always remain aboard.

Just as a Florida homeowner is advised to keep a hurricane preparedness kit just in case, so too must the Florida boat owner have a selection of items that help in the event of an accident or loss of power.

Common safety kit items

Flashlight (and batteries) – Should your vessel break down in the nighttime hours, you’ll be glad to have the illumination.
Emergency radio – We’ve all been in situations without a phone charger when we really need it. The emergency radio is there even if your cell phone isn’t – a link between you and those on shore.
Mirror for signaling and whistle for alerting – Hold a mirror up to the sun, and you can deflect that sunlight far away. Even if your electronic equipment fails, that signal can be seen for miles. A whistle is a simple object that can help to alert others of your presence and need for help.
Properly prepared first aid kit – There are many different types of first aid kits. Compile your own or purchase a kit specifically packed for Florida boaters. Inside, you’ll find the usual bandages, ointments, etc. We recommend adding sunscreen to the mix (that Florida sun can be brutal, and if you’re stranded, you’ll be glad to have it).
Fire extinguisher and garbage bags – The need for the fire extinguisher is apparent, but garbage bags? – Yes, they are a worthy addition to the Florida boater safety kit. Use garbage bags as ponchos if it rains or to help conserve heat in cold weather.
Life jackets – There needs to be one life jacket for every person aboard, regardless of age, even if they are expert swimmers. They should be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Duct tape, buckets, and ropes – Duct tape might not fix everything, but it can plug a small leak and give you enough time to get your craft back to shore. A simple bucket plays an important role if you need to bail out. And ropes are a must on any craft, at least to tie up to docks and rescue an overboard passenger.

Now that you have the items necessary to make up a Florida boat safety kit, it’s time to educate yourself regarding active, in-the-moment boat safety practices. Hopefully, if you follow the guidance of your boating safety class, you will never need the safety kit at all.

Recommended Boating Safety Courses

Did you know that you are required to take a boat safety course? If you are operating a motorized boat of more than 10 horsepower and were born during or after 1988, you are required to do so – an important part of keeping our waterways safe.

Look for a course that is Florida-approved; different options exist, including online selections. We suggest this one from Boat Ed. You can also peruse the list curated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for a solid list of options.

After you’ve aced your Florida boating safety course, make sure you know what to do if your boat breaks down or is involved in an accident. Knowledge gives peace of mind–that’s why we’ve compiled this boating accident and breakdown guide for a quick snapshot regarding what to do if your Florida boat runs into trouble.

Boating Accident and Breakdown Guide

Should a boating accident or breakdown occur, do an immediate check of everyone aboard for injury and to see what medical attention, if any, is needed. Break out the Florida boat first aid kit and tend to any wounds. Then, call for help using your cell phone or the emergency radio aboard.

What to do when involved in a boating accident

Document the moment as much as possible. In the frenzy of stress that always accompanies a boating accident, major details can be lost. Take pictures of any damage and, instead of writing things down, you can dictate what happened and save the recording in your phone.
Determine if the U.S. Coast Guard should be notified.
Call your marine insurance agent and let them know what has happened. Hopefully, you’ve opted for comprehensive insurance protection that has you, your passengers, and your beloved boat covered.

What to do in the event of a breakdown

Try to move your craft out of the way, if possible, if you are on a heavily-traveled waterway. This could save your boat from a collision.
Call the nearest harbor master, or break out the emergency radio and call for help. Different tow services exist to help boaters who are stranded, or the Coast Guard may come to your aid if appropriate.

Where to store your boat

It’s important to know what to do on the water, but how are you protecting your boat when you’re not exploring the Florida waterways? There are several options available to you.

Storing your boat in Florida is quite easy. You could leave it outside your residence–keeping the vessel nearby and avoiding marina fees There are some drawbacks to this commonsense approach, however.

Exposing your craft to the elements is a surefire way for it to deteriorate more quickly. A pervasive example of this is upholstery. Even the most watertight boat cushions are going to eventually disintegrate, and the more you expose a boat to the elements, the quicker this will occur. You could keep your boat in the garage, of course, but the vessel will take up most of that valuable storage and parking space.

Lift storage

Perhaps you have a lift outside your home, ready for your boat to be perched and lowered. This is a solid Florida boat storage selection, but make sure that if a hurricane or tropical storm looms, you’ve taken the necessary precautions to keep that on-site boat secured.

Marina storage

Storage at a marina is another viable way to keep your boat safe and at the ready for future voyages. Often, marinas will offer security details–but you should still never keep expensive equipment aboard when storing your boat.

For those who don’t live on the water, or who don’t want to keep a boat on their property, a marina can be a wonderful choice. Before you select one, make sure to thoroughly understand their rules and regulations, especially how easy (or difficult) it will be to access your craft whenever you’d like.

Dry stack storage

In dry stacking, boats are placed on racks, often indoors and away from the elements. To retrieve your boat, you’ll need to call the storage facility ahead of time and have it lowered and prepared to move safely to your trailer via forklift. This storage option is attractive to those who boat rarely or don’t reside in Florida permanently.

Boatyard storage

Boatyard storage is a hybrid Florida boat storage option that combines dry stack storage with near-marina storage. In this case, the stacked boats are kept outside but not necessarily on the water. This is less expensive than marina storage and keeps you relatively close to an embarkation point. You’ll need to follow the same call-ahead process you’d use when dry docking.

No matter which Florida boat storage mode you select, resist the impulse to keep the vessel in the water for an extended period of time. Salt water is highly corrosive to boats and, for those not in salt water, weather damage can be catastrophic. At the very least, lift the boat out of the water and remove any electronic equipment and valuables after every excursion.

Importance of marine insurance

Florida marine insurance is so absolutely vital. When it comes to everything you need to know to own a boat in this beautiful state, understanding marine insurance ranks near the top of requirements for safe boating.

Marine insurance is the ultimate protection for your vessel. Consider it a sort of ‘invisible life jacket’ you carry with you as you navigate the waterways. Before you ever load the fishing gear and cooler, stock the first aid kit, or chart that first Sunshine State boating excursion, you must protect yourself, your passengers, and your vessel from the unexpected. No one can predict the future–but marine insurance can safeguard you against many unexpected troubles.

Things to consider when purchasing Florida marine insurance

Insurance cost depends on the type of vessel, the surrounding environment, the contents aboard, and how you’ll use the boat. You will want to consider physical damage coverage and liability while also considering optimal coverages available to you.
Call an experienced advisor to compile a personalized policy, as it is easy to miss a vital part of insurance protection. A marine insurance advisor considers multiple elements before ever suggesting a policy.
If an accident were to occur, would your passengers’ medical care be covered? Who is liable for those injury-related costs? Your marine insurance advisor can help answer these questions and propose solutions.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. That’s what Florida marine insurance is there for– to protect you and your craft in a worst-case scenario, while allowing you to go on every voyage with the calm that comes from that protection.

Stay Protected with W3 Insurance

Florida marine insurance is the ultimate life jacket. Cover your vessel and those aboard, and set off to explore the Sunshine State’s famous waterways. Stay covered with help from W3 Marine Insurance–and bon voyage! Speak with an experienced marine insurance advisor and request a quote today.