A great BIA Victoria initiative returning for its fifth year at this year’s BIA Melbourne Boat Show is the free Boat Handling Course for everyone who buys a boat at the Show. The half-day course with boating expert Alan Rice gives one-on-one instruction in the essentials of safe, enjoyable boating:

• Boat Trailers - maintenance
• Reversing your boat trailer
• Launching safely and efficiently
• Close quarter manoeuvrers
• Coming alongside
• Use of fenders
• Use of lines
• Safe boat operation - safety gear, weather, sea state
• Retrieving your vessel safely back onto the trailer
• After-use care of vessel

 When you buy a boat, the dealer will give you a voucher. To organise your free boat handling course take the voucher to the Organiser’s Office to register your purchase and arrange how to redeem the offer.