Reasons Boat Owners Should Carry Boat Insurance Year
If youre a boat owner, you may be asking yourself: why should I insure my boat year round, especially when I only get to use it for a few months? Its a good question, and one that all boat owners ask at some point. The main reason boat owners cancel their boat insurance after every season is to save money. The truth is, it can actually be more expensive in the long run. If youre considering only getting boat insurance during the boating season, here are five reasons to carry boat insurance year round.
Its most likely required.
Boats are expensive investments. Chances are youve financed yours instead of paying cash upfront. If thats the case, boat owners are usually required by lenders to carry insurance all year round. It makes sense, after all, since the lenders are making an investment as well. They need to protect that investment all year, not just during the boating off-season. Besides lenders, marinas may also require you to have boat insurance in order to dock at their facility.
Theres risk out of the water, too.
At a minimum, boat insurance should protect you from fire, theft and vandalism, which, unfortunately, happen all year round. Moreover, these unforeseen events are more likely to occur in the winter months, when boatyards are typically unattended.
What Kind Of Information Does The Pleasure Craft Electronic Licensing System And The Application For A Pleasure Craft Licence Form Require And How Is This Information Used
The Pleasure Craft Electronic Licensing System ) and the “Application for a Pleasure Craft Licence” form asks for basic contact information on the pleasure craft owner, the previous owner, as well as a description of the vessel.
Information may be disclosed to parties involved in search and rescue activities, as well as law enforcement agencies for the purpose of carrying out a lawful investigation and enforcing any law of Canada, including the requirement to pay provincial sales tax.
At Transport Canada, we protect all information you provide in order to obtain a Pleasure Craft Licence according to the appropriate privacy and access to information legislation. The information collected is described in the Personal Information Bank entitled Pleasure Craft Licences . Under the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act individuals have the right of access to, and protection of, their personal information. Instructions for obtaining personal information are provided in Info Source, a copy of which is available in major public and academic libraries or online.
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Storing A Boat On A Trailer:
Keeping a boat on a trailer at your home is the most economical way to store your boat, but there are some things to consider:
- You need a yard or driveway large enough to store your boat and a vehicle large enough to tow it.
- Is the area where youll store your boat secure?
- Who will shrink wrap the boat for you?
- Going for a spur-of-the-moment trip will be more difficult as youll need to hook up your trailer and commute to the closest boat launch, but you have the flexibility to drive to a variety of locations.
Tips for purchasing a trailer:
Ensure your trailer is the correct size and weight capacity for your boat and that it conforms to;Transport Canadas;marker and light requirements and you meet;MTOs;licensing;and brake requirements.;Your trailer must be insured the fee is generally less than $200 per year.
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Roadie 24 Hard Cooler
Designed with the thermal engineering that YETI known for in a unique slim space saver variety, this Rock 24 Hard Cooler will hold all the days necessities but will also fit behind the drivers seat of a car. Perfect for taking on a boat as well with YETIs tie down kit, its guaranteed to stay put even in the roughest of seas.
Nocry Cut Resistant Gloves
While handling ropes, fishing lines, knives, and many other sharp things on the boat, you may risk cutting your hands. A deep cut on the boat may spoil all the fun you were expecting.
To avoid such misfortune, I would recommend you to invest in NoCry Cut resistant gloves. No matter how many ropes, fishing lines, knives, or sharp tools you play with, your hands are safe from such an injury.
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What Is A Dealer Or Demonstration Licence
A dealer or demonstration licence is a pleasure craft licence used for demonstration purposes only. This type of licence does not apply to any one pleasure craft. A boat dealer applies for a dealer or demonstration licence to use it on any of the unlicensed pleasure craft in the dealer’s name. Dealers must not paint the licence number on any pleasure craft, since pleasure craft owners must apply for another licence number once they purchase the pleasure craft.
Requests for a dealer or demonstration licence can only be submitted by post. Requests sent in by fax will not be processed.
Boat dealers can read our Dealer’s Guide to Pleasure Craft Licensing for information on applying for a pleasure craft licence
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Registration By Dealers Or Manufacturers
Dealers or manufacturers may apply for registration which can be transferred from one vessel to another. A copy of the business license and sales tax number must accompany the application for a dealer or manufacturer number. Such vessels are to be used for demonstration purposes only and more than one vessel may not be operated simultaneously with the same number. In addition, vessels being demonstrated must have the Certificate of Number on board and the registration number must be correctly displayed. However, such vessels may display the number by having it attached to removable signs which can be temporarily but firmly attached to the vessel.; Both original and renewal dealer/manufacture registrations must come to the central office in Nashville and cant be renewed online.
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Towing & Trailering Your Boat
Trailering you boat makes it possible to visit new bodies of water, but for many new boat owners towing safely requires another new skill set that is part of boat ownership.
Your Tow Vehicle
The first item to check is that your tow vehicle is rated to tow the boat you will buy.
- Check the vehicle owners manual carefully to find the maximum tow rating, and the Gross Combined Vehicle Rating , which is the weight of the tow vehicle and the boat and trailer; and that weight should include the weight of boat fuel, water and gear.
- Dont buy a boat only to discover youll need a new truck to tow it.
Insurance Coverage for Roadside Assistance
You may also want to consider getting insurance coverage for roadside assistance, in case your tow vehicle breaks down while trailering your boat. Progressives Roadside Assistance, for example, provides 24/7 coverage including towing, jump starts, winching, fuel delivery, vehicle lockout, and flat tires.
Pro Tip: If your boat sways from side to side when trailering, pull over and redistribute the load. Swaying is very dangerous, and usually results from improper tongue weight . In most cases, tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of the overall package weight.
West Marine Aluminum Boat Hook
Prevent those dangerously long reaches and off-balance grabs by keeping a West Marine Aluminum Boat Hook close at hand.
It telescopes from 45 out to 8 so its easy to stow but extends your reach a long;way. Plus the nylon head has a non-scratching tip, and if you drop it by accident theres no worries because it floats.
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Cushioned Helm Station Pad
Standing at the helm of a boat all day can be tiring on the legs, feet and back. The SeaDek helm station pad gives a nice, cushiony feel to the feet.
Its made of 13mm EVA foam, and the peel-and-stick backing keeps it from sliding around. Its available in several color combinations for the fashion-conscious boater.
Seafoam Colored Stainless Steel Colster
Keep your drinks cool and secure with this stainless steel colster that comes with a double wall vacuum insulator to ensure your drinks stay the way you want them and a reliable gasket to secure the drink even during a rough ride.
Very high-quality Duracoat color that is weather resistant and durable. Ideal for most standard bottle sizes and cans. Check prices
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Adjustable Face Spanner Wrench
Adjustable Face Spanner Wrench
This tool has multiple applications serving as a deck key for fuel- and water-fill caps, access deck plates, sea-strainer caps, water filters, some pumps, and outboard motors. Stop using the double screwdriver twist method and butchering your deck plates and strainer caps; get out your wallet and purchase the right tool. The bronze one is made by Groco and can be found at West Marine for $20. A stainless steel model by Facom can be purchased from Grainger for about $80.
This article originally appeared in the April 2015 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
Elide Fire Extinguishing Ball
Just like having a fire extinguisher on hand in your home, the same idea should be applied to your boat. You can boost your fire-suppression savvy by adding an Elide Fire Extinguishing Ball to your boat. Mounted in an engine room or cabin, if open flame touches a Fire Extinguishing Ball within three to five seconds it will activate and disburse a non-toxic dry chemical fire-fighting agent.
You can also remove a Fire Extinguishing Ball from its mount and throw or roll it into an open fire, to suppress those flames.
This product is coming soon, but in the meantime
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Safe & Responsible Boating
Safe boating is always fun boating for everyone. Consider taking a boating safety and education course such as those offered by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, or by your state or local authorities. You can find out more by visiting our Safe Boating Guide.
Pro Tip: Different boating activities can raise some different safety concerns.
- If you plan on fishing, be sure to check out Fishing Safety Tips.
There Are Some Places Only A Boat Can Take You
Roads and highways can take you to some amazing places, but the route is the same each time, and you dont get to set it yourself. A boat lets you travel to some spectacular destinations, but the real joy is in the journey.;Every trip on the water is an adventure, and its never the same one twice.
As you think about purchasing a boat, there is a lot to consider; what journeys do you want to take? The answer will help determine which boat is;right for you,;where to buy;and;store;it, find out if you need to;licence;or;register;it, and when youre ready to move on, how to;sell;or;dispose;of it.;
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I Am Submitting My Request For A Pleasure Craft Licence Online What Documents Do I Need And What Format Must They Be In
Based on the application type you have chosen, the following supporting documentation is to be uploaded with your online submission. The required supporting documentation will be noted once you have selected your application type. Please ensure you have the documents in the proper file format ready for upload before you begin the online process.
- The minimum print resolution per document is 300 dpi .
- The maximum size for upload of any file is 5 MB .
Only the following file formats are acceptable: PDF, JPG, TIFF or PNG.
If you are applying for a NEW pleasure craft licence or requesting the TRANSFER of a licensed Canadian pleasure craft, you must attach copies of the following documents:
- A current full side-view colour photograph of the pleasure craft ; and
- A Sample Third Party Authorization Letter *
For NEW HOME BUILT boats, in addition to the above, you must also provide the following:
- A Declaration under Oath that states who built the boat. You may use the sample declaration or another similar document as long as the form contains all the required information.
To UPDATE information on your pleasure craft licence you must provide the following supporting documentation:
- A signed copy of a valid piece of government issued identification from each owner whose name appears on the pleasure craft licence; and
- A current full side-view colour photograph of the pleasure craft
To request a DUPLICATE of your pleasure craft licence
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How Do I License A Pleasure Craft That I Bought In The United States Or That I Bought In A Country Other Than Canada
To license a new or used pleasure craft you bought in the United States, or in any country other than Canada, follow the application instructions given for I just bought a new pleasure craft. How do I license it? You may apply for a Pleasure Craft Licence online through the Pleasure Craft Electronic Licensing System , or you may submit your application, by post.
NOTE: In the PCELS, when completing the New Application: Vessel Information, select the “Imported” button, as Origin of Craft : .
On the Application Form, “FOREIGN” must be indicated/checked in section “C” – Unlicensed pleasure craft.
You do not need to provide customs clearance documents to license a pleasure craft that you purchased outside of Canada, but you still need to remit duty and taxes on the purchase to the Canada Border Services Agency.
For information on how to remit duty and taxes on the purchase of a pleasure craft, please visit the Canada Border Services Agency Web site or call 1-800-461-9999.
A pleasure craft can only have one licence issued either in Canada or in the United States . It cannot have both. Displaying both licence numbers can result in a fine.
In order for a pleasure craft to be eligible for a Canadian licence, it must be principally maintained and operated in Canada.
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Ryobi Pinless Moisture Meter
Ryobi Pinless Moisture Meter
If you have a pesky water leak around a deck hatch or window and when squirting it with water, you cant see the path of the water, you may need to up your game. I suggest adding a moisture meter to your kit. When I bought my first one, I took it everywhere in my pocket, even to Flanagans Sports Bar. I played with that darn thing until I started to understand its characteristics. You too will need to spend some time with this tool for it to be effective for you as well, but its time well spent. There are several brands, but make sure you buy a pinless model, meaning it does not have to actually probe the surface to read moisture. Instead it lays flat on the surfaces. Lowes or Home Depot is a good source for this. Prices range from $40 to $60.
Sunscreen And Lip Balm
Nobody wants severely sunburned skin after a fun-filled day on the boat. I would recommend you to keep a good quality sunscreen to protect yourself from the sunlight.
Continuous exposure can result in overly dry, irritated, and burnt skin.
Just like sunscreen, lip balm is highly essential. A full day under the sun with no protection for your lips may end up into dry, chapped lips. In some cases, people get blisters, so do not overlook the importance of a lip balm or chapstick.
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Sea To Summit 20 Liter Dry Sack
Available in many colors, the Sea to Summit Dry Sack is a must-have. It is a waterproof bag that can keep all of your belongings safe and dry. It is very lightweight with attractive design.
Keep your phone, keys, wallet, sunscreen, and many other belongings secure in the sea to summit dry sack. The folding bag comes with a single strap design for secure handling.
First Aid And Safety Kit
It is also important to have a first aid kit on board while you are out on the water.
This will help you deal with any emergency that might arise while out on the water or even at the beach.
In your safety kit, you will also need emergency equipment.
You need to make sure it contains:
- Flares in case you need to signify your location. This electronic flare never expires and meets USCG regulations.
- Bandages etc.
- A handy multi-tool with a screwdriver, cutting edges, different wrench sizes, etc.
- A loud whistle
- A water-proof case
A properly packed safety kit can help you in any emergency. You should place all this in a dry box and store it somewhere on the vessel.
The WindRider USCG Boating Safety Kit has an electric flare, a first aid kit, a whistle, a multi-tool, and it comes in a waterproof case!
Be aware that some US Coast Guard vessel classifications require a first aid manual and adequate supplies.
Some other things that you could keep in case of emergency are spare towels or spare clothes.
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Completing The Bill Of Sale
In order to transfer the ownership of the boat, you must complete a form known as a bill of sale. This form confirms the ID number of the vessel, its official name and its current port, listed in the registry. The form will also include the details of your name and address, as well as the name and address of the buyer or buyers. You must complete this form before you fill in any other type of paperwork, in order to establish the transaction in a document.
Completing The Statement Of Qualification
Alongside the bill of sale, you must also submit a document known as the statement of qualification. This is a document which establishes the citizenship or residency of the buyer. You must submit this form with the bill of sale, and if there is more than one buyer, each new owner must complete and submit this form. If the documentation is not completed satisfactorily, the sale may not be held in the registry. This could be bad news for you in the future.
What Happens When Transfer Of Ownership Isnt Acknowledged
Record Your Sale With Transport Canada
