Today was forecast cloudy with a chance of showers but the sun peeked out this afternoon and my hubby and son braved a trip to the lake. They managed to dodge any rainstorms they skirted around to the north of us. Momma stayed home to tend to the housework today. It was a great day for father and son on Lake Butler. Swimming in February! Must have been fun because our little guy fell asleep at 7:30!
Today I wanted to give a few tips for taking the boat on a long haul, a trip that is at least 50 miles from home. Here's how we prep:

1. Make sure your tow vehicle is in great working order and has a spare. (A jack is helpful too) A good roadside service plan works well too.

2. Make sure the trailer is in good working order this is a time to make sure the axle's are greased. Also a spare for the trailer.

3. Pack the cooler when traveling to the river or beach there are not always restaurants and if your vehicle or boat breaks down you have drinks and a little food.

4. Plenty of sunblock and sun shelter. Typically if your driving far from home you plan to make a day of it so prepare for long sun exposure.

5. Know your conditions. Check the weather and beach reports for weather that could pop up in the afternoon or wave conditions. It's also important to know what kind of waves your boat can withstand. If going on the inter-coastal or along the beach you have to know how your boat can take choppy rough water because conditions change. Usually these waters are rougher than lakes and rivers so test things out before you go full throttle. Tides go high and low so what was deep water in the morning can be low and bottom out the boat in the afternoon. When you anchor next to and island or sandbar get a little distance from shore tides go low and you'll find yourself beached or the prop beating against the bottom. (speaking from experience )

6. Keep a GPS device on your boat, we can't say it enough! You'll know your way back or be able to tell where you are in case of an emergency. It will also tell you channel markers on rivers and along the beach. Know how to work your radio on board and by all means have one.

7. Tell someone when and where you put in and when you get out. On large bodies of water and rivers it's important for someone to have an idea of where to look for you if you're in distress. If the whole families out I'll text my sister. You can never be too cautious.

Long hauls are a lot of fun winding up the river to the springs or swimming along with the dolphins at a sandbar at the beach it's the good life. We've had our share of tire blow outs, tires coming off the trailer while driving back, the boat's fuel pump going out in the bay off Miami and traveling back thirty miles at idle speed, severe weather but we're none the worse for the ware. With a little extra prep and care you'll enjoy wonderful boat trips wherever you want to go. See you on the lake or river or coast!