{"id":9220,"date":"2017-08-09T15:52:42","date_gmt":"2017-08-09T15:52:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.goboatingflorida.com\/?page_id=9220"},"modified":"2026-04-22T18:53:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T18:53:26","slug":"boating-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/goboatingflorida.com\/?page_id=9220","title":{"rendered":"Know Before You Go"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-9220\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-9220-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-9220-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9220-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p class=\"leader\">Boating in Southwest Florida comes with its own set of conditions, waterways, and local considerations, especially if you\u2019re new to the experience. This section is here to help you feel more prepared before you leave the dock, with guidance on navigation, boating safety, and the rules every boater should know. Whether you\u2019re getting ready for your first outing or just want a better understanding of what to expect, the information below is a helpful place to start.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"margin-bottom\" \/>\n<ul class=\"wide-button\">\n<li>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/goboatingflorida.com\/navigation-basics\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block; color:inherit; text-decoration:none;\"><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"margin-bottom:6px;\">Navigation Basics<\/h6>\n<p>      Get to know signs and symbols you\u2019ll see on the water and understand the rules of the road.<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wide-button\">\n<li>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/goboatingflorida.com\/boating-safety\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block; color:inherit; text-decoration:none;\"><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"margin-bottom:6px;\">Boating Safety<\/h6>\n<p>      Know what to watch out for and minimum safety gear requirements.<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wide-button\">\n<li>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/goboatingflorida.com\/pre-launch-checklist\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block; color:inherit; text-decoration:none;\"><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"margin-bottom:6px;\">Pre-Launch Checklist<\/h6>\n<p>      Make sure you and your boat are ready and properly equipped to hit the water.<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wide-button\">\n<li>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/goboatingflorida.com\/marine-manners\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block; color:inherit; text-decoration:none;\"><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"margin-bottom:6px;\">Marine Manners<\/h6>\n<p>      Tips for sharing our waterways in a fun, safe, and stress-free way.<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wide-button\">\n<li>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/goboatingflorida.com\/boating-regulations\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block; color:inherit; text-decoration:none;\"><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"margin-bottom:6px;\">Boating Regulations<\/h6>\n<p>      Avoid a citation by staying up to date on safety and environmental regulations.<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wide-button\">\n<li>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/goboatingflorida.com\/owning-a-boat\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block; color:inherit; text-decoration:none;\"><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"margin-bottom:6px;\">Owning a Boat<\/h6>\n<p>      Find help navigating the purchase process, maintenance, and more.<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wide-button\">\n<li>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/goboatingflorida.com\/boating-basics\/boaters-guide\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block; color:inherit; text-decoration:none;\"><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"margin-bottom:6px;\">Boater\u2019s Guides<\/h6>\n<p>      Comprehensive guides to boating in Southwest Florida, Charlotte Harbor, and Tampa Bay.<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wide-button\">\n<li>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/goboatingflorida.com\/emergency-info\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:block; color:inherit; text-decoration:none;\"><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"margin-bottom:6px;\">Emergency Info<\/h6>\n<p>      Contact 911, 850-488-5600 (FWC), or tune to VHF Channel 16 to call for help.<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Boating in Southwest Florida comes with its own set of conditions, waterways, and local considerations, especially if you\u2019re new to the experience. This section is here to help you feel more prepared before you leave the dock, with guidance on navigation, boating safety, and the rules every boater should know. Whether you\u2019re getting ready for &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-9220","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"clearfix","6":"article"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Know Before You Go - Go Boating Florida<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/goboatingflorida.com\/?page_id=9220\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Know Before You Go - Go Boating Florida\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Boating in Southwest Florida comes with its own set of conditions, waterways, and local considerations, especially if you\u2019re new to the experience. 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