A trailerable boat is your ticket to explore waters near and far. Let us show you how to get to and from the water safely and with ease.
Saltwater Boating Basics
If you live near the coast and crave a life of adventure, saltwater boating offers a world of freedom and exploration. Imagine crisscrossing a vast network of inshore waters or venturing out beyond the soft sand beaches to a sea of endless horizons. Our Saltwater Boating Basics series outfits you with the skills and knowledge to achieve whatever your imagination can dream up. The perfect springboard for a life of sun rays and salty days on the ocean and its connected waters.
Operation & Navigation
Basic Operation
Let’s get started! This video lays the boating groundwork with basic terminology and an overview of controls.
Trim, Tilt & Trim Tabs
Little adjustments to the trim and trim tabs can make a big difference in efficiency and the smoothness of your ride.
Basic Navigation
Understanding buoys, channel markers and other navigational aids is part of mastering the rules of the road on waterways, which is vital for safe navigation.
Trailering & Launching
Getting Ready to Tow
Before you can go, you need to get your boat and trailer ready to tow. Follow these steps for getting your rig road ready.
Towing Your Boat
At the Ramp
Great days on the water can begin at the ramp. Learn the easy steps to ready, launch and load your boat like a seasoned pro.
Safety & Weather
First Aid
Plan for the best. Prepare for the worst. A simple first-aid kit and some basic know-how will give you the peace of mind to explore.
Safety
The first step in any great boating adventure is outfitting yourself with the supplies and knowledge you need to get out and back safely.
Weather
Weather can be unpredictable, but you can trust our experts to help you navigate whatever conditions Mother Nature gives you.
Electronics
We believe in better boating through smarter technology. These helpful devices actually make it easier to disconnect and enjoy the outdoors.
Prepare for the Water
Be First-Aid Ready
A well-stocked first-aid kit can be your ounce of prevention and your pound of cure. Stored in a waterproof container, it could prevent minor incidents from derailing your entire boating adventure.
Keep it Dry
Dry bags are invaluable for protecting important items on board your boat. Use them to store extra clothes, electronics, important paperwork and more.
Grab Your Gear
Don’t forget your essentials: spare clothes, communication devices, headlamps with extra batteries, water, sun protection, personal flotation devices (PFDs) and any safety equipment required for where you boat.
More Education & Inspiration
Subscribe and Receive Our Digital Guidebook
We’re all about making boating even easier. When you subscribe to receive Mercury emails, we’ll send the latest news, tips and more straight to your inbox, starting with our new Digital Guidebook. It includes helpful boating checklists to get your on-water adventures started off right.
Explore the Mercury Dockline
The Mercury Dockline blog is the place to learn, explore and enjoy all things boating. Get expert advice to help you enjoy your favorite on-water activities and hear incredible stories about conservation, adventure and more. You can even sign up to have the latest Dockline stories and videos sent directly to your inbox.