Stay Legal on the Water
Hurray for spring and boating season! Although we are inland, Arkansas has an abundance of lakes, streams, rushing rivers, lazy rivers, and rich water resources perfect for fishing and exploring.
Storing Your Boat
When Not in Use
It's best to store your boat out of water. Constant exposure to water can cause your boat to rust, which may ultimately lead to holes and leaks. Storing your boat on a trailer is an easy way to transport it to different bodies of water. Keep your boat covered, whether that's in a shed, garage, or simply with a tarp.
Remove your battery and place it on a trickle charger to keep your battery from running down when your boat's not in use.
The End of the Season
Are you storing your boat for a long while or at the end of the season? You'll want to drain out the fuel, replace it with new fuel, and finally add a fuel stabilizer. You may want to choose a climate-controlled facility to help protect your boat from cracking in the long-run.
Storing your boat clean helps cut down on rust and mold. Pressure wash the hull and use a soft-bristle marine brush to clean the underside. Make sure you don't leave any food or perishables in the compartment. No need to invite wild animals (however cute they may be!) to nest in your vessel. Use a weatherproofer if your boat will be stored outside.
Finally, shrink-wrap your boat! Yes, really! It puts a waterproof layer between your vessel and the elements.
Boat Insurance In Arkansas
State Requirements
In Arkansas, all boat-owners must carry liability insurance on vessels with engines of over 50 horsepower, and you are required to register all boats with engines or sails that will use public waterways. If you're hauling your boat on a trailer, you'll also need to register and present a title for the trailer. You can do both of these with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.
Your insurance provider must be licensed in Arkansas, and your policy must meet our state's $50,000 liability coverage minimum.
Types of Policies
Boat Owners Insurance is available from Arkansas Farm Bureau® Insurance Company. We insure most non-commercial boats and watercraft.
You may also want to ask your agent about uninsured boaters insurance and medical coverage in the event of a collision or boating accident.
Coverage for your boat equipment is included in the policy, and there are options to increase the coverage amount. Fishing gear and contents of a houseboat are other optional coverages available to you.
Keep up your insurance off-season. Fire, vandalism, theft, and tornadoes are still threats to your property, even if that property is in storage. And you'd be surprised at the damage (particularly engine damage) rodents or even a nest of insects can do!
Insure Your Boat with Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance Company
We've outlined why you need boat owners insurance above. Homeowner's insurance does not cover most boats, so you need a separate policy. (The exception may be small craft, such as limited coverage on a canoe or sailboat.)
To learn more about coverages for your boat, contact a Farm Bureau agent.
Sources
https://www.discoverboating.com/ownership/storage/winterizing https://www.discoverboating.com/ownership/insurance
