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Winterizing your boat protects more than just the engine, and skipping it is how a small fix turns into a spring repair bill.

Start with the owner's manual, then work through the engine or motor, the fuel system, and the bilge before moving to freshwater tanks and the head. Fill the fuel tank and add a stabilizer to prevent condensation. Drain and treat freshwater systems with non-toxic antifreeze. Whether you handle it yourself or hire a pro, the goal is the same: no water left where it can freeze and crack something.

We've put together everything you need to know: https://www.boaterexam.com/blog/how-do-you-winterize-a-boat-follow-our-expert-guide/

How to Winterize a Boat: Step-by-Step Expert Guide (2026) Learn how to winterize a boat step by step (engine, plumbing and storage prep) plus DIY vs. professional costs to protect your boat through a Canadian winter.

Boating season doesn't have to end when summer does.

Fall means quieter waterways, great fishing, and comfortable days on the water without the crowds. It also means shorter daylight and weather that can shift faster than it did a month ago, so it's worth staying a little more aware out there. Plan your timing around sunset, keep an eye on the forecast, and enjoy one of the best stretches of the season.

BOATERexam's official course has you covered whatever the season looks like.

Get certified today at BOATERexam.com.

Fall fishing trips feel calmer than peak summer boating, fewer boats, quieter water, less to watch for. That calm can work against you if it makes you relax on the basics.

Stay attentive at the helm, keep your PFD on rather than just on board, check the marine forecast before you leave, and make sure someone on shore knows your plan. Quiet water doesn't mean lower risk. It just means fewer people around if something goes wrong.

BOATERexam's official course covers what matters every time you're on the water, quiet day or not.

Get certified today.

Sunset is arriving earlier every week now, which means more of your trips are ending closer to dusk than they were a month ago.

Before your next outing, check that your navigation lights actually work: red and green up front, white in back. A quick test at the dock takes a minute and saves you from finding out they're dead once you're already out on darkening water.

BOATERexam's official course covers navigation lights and night operation in full.

Get certified today.

The air can feel warm. The water doesn't have to.

Water below about 70°F carries a real risk of cold water shock and hypothermia, even on a sunny day. Immersion in cold water can be far more dangerous than the air temperature alone would suggest, since it affects breathing and muscle control almost immediately. As water temperatures start dropping this time of year, wearing your life jacket matters more than just having one on board.

BOATERexam's official course covers cold water immersion and the rest of what you need to boat safely as the seasons change.

Get certified today at BOATERexam.c.

A float plan only works if someone actually has it, and knows what to do if you're late.

Before you leave the dock, give someone on shore your route, a description of your vessel, who's on board, and your expected return time. Just as important: tell them exactly when to worry and who to call. A float plan sitting in your glove box doesn't help anyone.

BOATERexam's official course covers float plans and the rest of what you need to boat safely, whatever the season.

Get certified today at BOATERexam.com.

Most boaters can name a couple of required safety items. Few can name all thirteen.

Life jackets, a fire extinguisher, sound-signaling devices, navigation lights, visual distress signals, a marine radio, a first aid kit, a throwable flotation device, an anchor and line, a bilge pump or bailer, navigation backups like a compass and charts, a carbon monoxide detector, and a basic tool kit. Requirements can vary by region and vessel type, so it's worth checking what applies to yours.

We put together the complete guide, why each item matters, and how to keep it all in working order, on the blog.

Read the full guide here: https://www.boaterexam.com/blog/what-safety-equipment-is-required-on-a-boat-heres-your-guide/

Required Boat Safety Equipment Checklist (Canada & US, 2026) See the boat safety equipment required by law (life jackets, flares, fire extinguisher, sound device, and more) for Canada and the US.

Labor Day gets treated like the closing bell on boating season, but the water hasn't gotten the memo.

Ramps are quieter, marinas have more open slips, and a lot of regions still have weeks of good boating weather left. If you've been putting off a trip because summer felt like it was wrapping up, this is actually one of the better stretches to get out there.

BOATERexam's official course has you covered whether it's your first trip of the year or your last one.

Get certified today at BOATERexam.com.

Labor Day weekend is a good excuse for another day on the water. Just don’t let the rush to get out there turn into forgetting something important.

Check the forecast, make sure your safety gear is where it should be, and take a look at the boat before you leave the dock. Water temperatures may already be cooling off too, even when the afternoon still feels like summer.

A little prep before the weekend leaves more time for the part you actually came for.

Have a safe Labor Day weekend from BOATERexam.

A good knot is one of those boating skills you don’t think much about until you need it.

From tying up at the dock to securing an anchor or joining two lines, different jobs call for different knots. Our latest guide covers six worth knowing, including the bowline, cleat hitch, clove hitch, figure eight, sheet bend, and anchor bend.

How many can you tie without looking them up?

Read our guide:

How to Tie 6 Types of Knots Boaters Should Know Learn the 6 essential boating knots (cleat hitch, bowline, clove hitch and more) what each is used for, and simple step-by-step instructions to tie them.