Let’s make this summer our best summer ever. If your plan is to hit the river or lake as early as possible, here are 5 tips to help maximise your fun.

1. GET YOUR BOAT SERVICED EARLY

Book in as early as you can with your dealer to have your boat serviced and ready to go for summer.  Servicing gets busier the closer we get to summer, so the sooner you can book in, the more likely your boat and trailer will be ready to go when you are.

2. BOUGHT A NEW BOAT? RUN IT IN NOW

We recommend putting 10 hours on a new boat prior to filling ballast and towing riders.  This is also the recommended time in line with your Australian Factory warranty for the boat to have its first service.  Your dealer will work with you to advise how best to run your boat in, but it’s a great opportunity to do this during the cooler months when the gang aren’t busting to get in and on the water.  Running your boat in now means it will be ready to tow as soon as you’re ready to hit the water in summer.

3. CHECK OVER YOUR EQUIPMENT

There’s nothing worse than getting out on the water for the first time in the season and realising that the kids have outgrown their safety vests, or someone borrowed the paling bucket from the safety kit over winter and didn’t replace it.  It’s a good idea to check that both your safety kit and your first aid kit are fully stocked, ready for the season start. Make sure life vests are available for everyone on the boat and that they’re appropriate for age and size. You might also want to check over the state of your towing equipment – are the ropes in good nick? are there any punctures in the tubes? are all board bindings secure?

4. STAY INFORMED

While you might feel like you know your local waterways like the back of your hand, it’s important to stay informed of any changes that might have come about during the ‘off-season’.  Local council may have completed or be in the process of upgrading local boat ramps; changes might have been made to speed or wake enhancing restrictions along your favourite run; water levels might mean that your go-to ramp is no longer in the water; or in this current climate, there may still be local restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Regardless of any changes (or no changes), it’s wise to have checked things out before you get to the boat ramp.

5. SET SOME GOALS FOR THE SEASON

As a family or group of friends, what do you want to achieve this summer?  How are you going to make this summer your best summer ever?  This could include trying and/or mastering new tricks or giving a new sport a go (challenge the wakeboarders to get up on a single ski).  Or it may be that this is the summer a few more people learn to reverse the trailer and launch and dock the boat.  It helps to do this early in the season so you can take your time in the absence of too many spectators and/or a crowded boat ramp. Or maybe your goal is to share the fun of the Malibu lifestyle with more family and friends this summer.  Whatever your goals are this summer, we hope that it’s your best summer ever.

What are you waiting for?  Contact one of our Malibu Specialists and get set for your best summer ever.