One item that every boat owner is very familiar with is boat engines

We rely on them to get a sailboat away from the dock, the yacht across the sea, or the humble dinghy out to the best fishing area.

If you are on a budget when you buy your boat, you might be tempted to buy a second-hand outboard engine. This is a great way to save money, but you should inspect the boat engine carefully before committing your wallet. Make sure that there is no rust or dents that could cause leaks or other potential problems down the road. The propellers should be in good condition, not bent or dented or cracked. Ask about the history of the boat engine that you are considering. If they have been run aground or banged into, it’s better to give it a miss. Look for a top-notch engine instead.

When using a motorized watercraft you need to be careful. Children should never sit within reach of boat engines. They have a natural curiosity that might lead them to reach into the water and try to touch the propellers, resulting in a very tragic accident. Although it is common sense to keep limbs away from moving parts of boat engines, there are an alarming number of such accidents every year, so it pays to take precautions.

Another danger when operating a boat involves ropes and cords. Make sure all lines are inside the boat. Even a line that hangs in the water at the prow of the boat could cause problems if it is sucked under the boat and catches in the propellers. Double checking before leaving the dock is the best way to avoid this problem. Children can be put to work coiling the lines inside the boat to occupy them and to keep things neat.

Anytime you have an accident in a boat, the engine should be checked over. In incidents where there has been a crash or the boat has run aground, the boat engines should be checked and repaired if necessary. Unnoticed cracks could lead to fuel leakage and a potential fire or explosion, at worst. The best case scenario, you won’t have any major problems, but will run out of fuel in the middle of the lake, which isn’t that fun, either!

Speaking of fuel, it is worth mentioning that it’s essential to bring extra fuel with you. Even if you are certain you have enough to get there and back twice, bring extra. A little backup never hurt anyone and it could save you from an embarrassing incident with the Coast Guard or a cold night spent drifting at sea.