Colorado Boat Center is thrilled to invite you to the 5th Annual Barletta Owners Regatta, happening on Monday, August 4 at Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins. This much-anticipated summer tradition brings together Barletta Pontoon owners for a day of fun, friendship, and on-the-water celebration. The festivities kick off at 9:00 a.m. with a Barletta boat […]
Registration for 2025 is filled. Stay tuned for 2026 Classes! Boating should be a fun and stress-free experience, and at Colorado Boat Center, we’re dedicated to helping our customers feel confident at the helm. That’s why we’re inviting you to join us at Boyd Lake State Park on Monday, May 19, 2025, for our exclusive Women Making Waves & […]
IF THE RAMP IS STEEP, ENSURE SOMEONE “SPOTS” FOR YOU AS YOU DRIVE UP THE RAMP. BE AWARE OF PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER BOATS. Proper etiquette: Unload fuel and equipment away from the ramp, if possible. Prepare vehicle and trailer for retrieval, and wait your turn.Back the trailer into the water until two-thirds of the bunks […]
Though anchors are not required by federal law, many states have anchor requirements. It is advisable to carry an anchor for both recreational and emergency use. ANCHORS SHOULD HAVE: Line, chain (called “rode”) and anchor (all items together are called “ground tackle”). The chain helps you to set and retrieve the anchor. The amount of […]
5.7 DOCKING AND MOORINGDocking or mooring your vessel can be the most challenging of boating operations. Maneuvering your vessel into a dock or a mooring marker in calm conditions is hard enough – add high traffic, choppy water and windy conditions to the mix and you quickly realize that proper docking and mooring is a […]
All boats handle differently and inexperienced operators need hands-on practice with a capable teacher to become proficient in handling their boat. A motorboat is most easily maneuvered going against the current or wind. When moving with the current, the boat must be going faster than the speed of the current in order to maintain control […]
Prepare for launch: Prepare the boat away from the launch so you will not block any boaters who are waiting to launch or retrieve their boat. Preparation may involve removing all tie-downs except the winch line, loading additional supplies and equipment into the boat, inserting the drain plug if not already done, disconnecting trailer brake […]
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) can save lives, especially when worn. Therefore, the U.S. Coast Guard requires PFDs on board all vessels. When choosing a PFD, please ensure that it can support your size and weight and is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
It is important to check short-term and long-term local weather forecasts on radio, TV or the Internet before any boating trip. You should always take the weather forecast into consideration when preparing your trip plan. Avoid boating in heavy fog. Be particularly mindful of hurricane warnings-never venture out on the water during a hurricane warning.
No two boating trips are the same; every experience is different. It is important not to take any boating trip lightly. In addition, not every boater has the same comfort level or experience on the water. Accidents occur when proper precautions are overlooked. You should use a pre-departure checklist before each trip, regardless of its […]
Boat operators are required to ensure their vessel is equipped with the proper navigation lights when away from the dock between sunset and sunrise, and during periods of reduced visibility due to fog or rain. Navigation light requirements differ according to the type and size of boat. These are navigation light configurations and requirements for […]
Be aware of the small-vessel regulations pertaining to engine power and load capacity. Federal law mandates that boats of less than 20 feet in length must have a capacity plate in the steering or helm area. As a boat owner or operator, you should know the recommended gross load capacity that can be safely carried […]
OUTBOARDOutboard engines are mounted on the transom of the boat. The steering of outboards can be controlled by a hand tiller or a steering wheel, which moves the entire engine when steering is adjusted. In the past, outboards were typically two-stroke engines, but manufacturers have since switched to four-stroke engines. Two-stroke engines require oil to […]
Here are some additional terms that boaters should be familiar with before operating a boat: AFT – near or at the stern of the boat.BEAM – the width of a boat, also the direction at right angles to the centerline of a vessel.BILGE – the lowest point of a boat’s interior hull.DRAFT – the vertical […]
Our Frequent Flyer program is our Customer Rewards Program.
Every time you make a purchase at our dealership you will instantly receive Loyalty Rewards Points which can be used to purchase store Gift Certificates!Our Loyalty Rewards program is completely automated and does not require you to carry a Loyalty Card or fill-out any application forms. Once you make a purchase at our dealership, you will instantly receive an e-mail informing you of all the points you earned and how to redeem those points for a store Gift Certificate.
