{"id":337,"date":"2014-04-03T15:25:30","date_gmt":"2014-04-03T19:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thefloridainsuranceblog.com\/?p=337"},"modified":"2026-05-13T06:06:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T10:06:17","slug":"getting-boat-ship-shape-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/2014\/getting-boat-ship-shape-spring\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Your Boat Ship Shape for Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\"><img alt=\"Florida Boat Insurance\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-339 lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.thefloridainsuranceblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/FloridaBoatInsurance-300x180.png\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"180\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/180;margin: 15px;\" width=\"300\"\/>As spring break approaches and the weather warms up across Florida, many boaters will be putting their vessels in the water for the first time this year.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Whether, relaxing in the sun, cruising around to soak up the scenery or fishing, boating provides the opportunity to unplug from distractions and give people a different perspective. Part of enjoying the journey is the satisfaction that comes from being prepared and protected.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/floridaboatinsurancefaq.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Boat Insurance\">Boat insurance<\/a> protects you and your vessel from accidents, theft, vandalism and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Insurance Agency\">personal liability<\/a>,\u201d said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/aboutus.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Insurance Franchise\"><\/a><a _blank=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dustyns\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dustyn Shroff<\/a>, Vice President of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Insurance Agency\">GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cMany boat owners are under the misconception that their boat is covered under their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/floridahomeownersinsurancefaq.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Homeowners Insurance\">homeowner\u2019s insurance policy<\/a>, but separate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/floridaboatinsurancefaq.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Boat Insurance\">boat insurance<\/a> coverage is required.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/floridaboatinsurancefaq.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Boat Insurance\">Boat insurance<\/a> needs will depend on the type of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/floridaboatinsurancefaq.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Watercraft Insurance\">watercraft being insured<\/a> as well as the amount of coverage desired. Savings can usually be found when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/floridaboatinsurancefaq.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Boat Insurance\">boat insurance<\/a> is combined with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/floridahomeownersinsurancefaq.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Homeowners Insurance\">homeowner\u2019s insurance<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/floridaautoinsurancefaq.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Auto Insurance\">auto insurance policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The following maintenance and safety tips will prepare Floridians to launch their boat this spring for a successful voyage.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Those born on or after January 1, 1988, are required to get the Florida Boating Safety Education I.D. card to operate any powered watercraft over 10 horsepower including personal watercraft, (PWC).<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Check that the appropriate amount of life preservers on board.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Replace outdated flares.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Refill and replace fire extinguishers.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Make sure gas tanks are vented.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Complete a safety inspection of the engine, hull and other systems.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Always be aware of the current boat location, consider investing into a navigation system.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Check the weather.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Use alcohol responsibly, it is the leading factor in boating fatalities.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Do not forget to check the trailer- inspect tires and always keep a spare. Make sure to test bearings and tail and back up lights.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Boat Insurance Agency\">GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a> covers a wide variety of boats including yachts, a bowrider, center console, cuddy cabin, walk-around, ski boat, pontoon, jet boats, sailboats, bass boats, commercial vessels and P&amp;I, private pleasure craft from $50,000 \u2013 $200,000,000, cargo commercial fishing and charter international risks.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">They also cover personal watercraft such as a WaveRunner, Jet Ski or Sea Doo. Additional coverage is available for fishing equipment and injury caused by an uninsured boater.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Damage can also happen out of the water or while towing a boat, physical damage or comprehensive and collision will cover any out of water incidents.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Call 888-478-7801 or go online to\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/\">www.greatflorida.com<\/a>for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/get-a-quote\">free quote<\/a>. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/agentsearch.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Florida Insurance Agents\">local insurance agent<\/a> will help you find affordable insurance to suit your needs.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As spring break approaches and the weather warms up across Florida, many boaters will be putting their vessels in the water for the first time this year. Whether, relaxing in the sun, cruising around to soak up the scenery or fishing, boating provides the opportunity to unplug from distractions and give people a different perspective. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1219,"featured_media":339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,30,1],"tags":[31,33,34,32],"class_list":{"0":"post-337","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-boat-insurance","8":"category-flood-insurance","9":"category-floridainsurance","10":"tag-florida-boat-insurance","11":"tag-florida-marine-insurance","12":"tag-florida-watercraft-insurance","13":"tag-florida-yacht-insurance"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/337","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1219"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=337"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/337\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14415,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/337\/revisions\/14415"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=337"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}