By Diane Tait Image courtesy Pixabay One of the great benefits of living in Jacksonville is there’s so much to do on the water. If you own a boat, you know there are many ways to enjoy yourself both inshore and offshore. Whether you’re looking to go sailing on the St. Johns River, motor down the intracoastal waterway to St. Augustine, or head out to sea to do some fishing, north Florida is one of the few places in the country where you can go boating year around. While enjoying a day on the water is a great way to spend your leisure time, there comes a time in every boater’s life when the motor quits, and they find themselves adrift. The difference between this becoming an inconvenience or a life-threatening experience comes down to just two things: experience and preparation. To help all you boaters out there keep yourself, your crew, and your guests safe while afloat, I’ve created a list of eight things you need to do to make sure your day on the water doesn’t become a wa