Boating allows you to explore new places and unwind in the sea breeze, which is beneficial for your body and mind. But boating is not simple, you need to learn things to have a safe and enjoyable boating experience.
The tips below will be a great help in your first boating experience.
Choosing the Right Boat for Your Journey
Knowing the right boat should be your top priority when planning to have a boating trip.
You need to consider your budget, destination, planned activities, people who will attend, and the weight and size of the boat when renting or buying a new boat for your trip.
Boat Safeness
In operating a boat, you should understand its safety procedures. We know that boating is a fun activity but it sure has some risks too, so you should always keep boat safety in mind. Make sure that you inspect the boat first before leaving or have a trusted boat servicing to check it for you. Always have a life jacket for everyone in the boat, making sure that they are customized for their fitting. And ensure other things that are necessary for boat safety like buoys, fire extinguishers, distress flares, first aid kits, life rings, throw bags, boat hooks, and more.
Always Check the Weather Updates
Before going on a boat trip, always check the weather forecast. So your boating experience will be fun and away from thunderstorms or breezy climates. Checking on the weather update on your planned day is an important tip to keep in mind.
Do a Boat Capacity Check
Always check your boat’s capacity limit for passenger’s weight and should not exceed the boat’s capacity weight to ensure that it will not be unstable, or harder to maneuver, and avoid the risk of capsizing.
Monitor Your Boat Fuel Range
Knowing your boat’s fuel range is important in planning your boat journey. You may avoid getting stranded in the middle of the sea by knowing these tips. Always keep extra fuel on board for unexpected situations, and keep a close eye on how much fuel your boat is using.
Do Regular Maintenance
Performing regular maintenance on your boat will keep your boat running in top conditions. For a boat beginner, keeping your boat in good condition is the key to avoiding breakdowns on water. You should also have a routine maintenance check on your boat’s mechanical and electrical systems to prevent problems.
Always check these things:
- Oil
- Fuel
- Water and other fluids
- Stern glands greasing
Planned Activities
Having well-prepared planned activities for boating is a great thing and having the required item for each activity is a must to have a fun boat time.
Here are some things you should bring for your first-time boating journey:
- Safety Gear
Naturally, the top item on our list is safety gear, and it should be the first item on yours as well. This covers equipment required by the Coast Guard and other supplies you should always have on hand for boating trips.
- Food and Drinks
Food and water are undoubtedly the first things you consider packing for any trip, but there are a few additional items you should have when boating. Having extra water is important to stay hydrated on hot summer days, but you can also have fresh watermelon, yogurt, or any juicy and watery fruit on the boat.
- Extra Lines
Extra lines are useful in unexpected situations. Maybe you’ll take a friend out on a raft or visit a beachfront eatery that has a pier with no line. Additionally, a line is useful for securing objects and your boat.
- Electronic Chargers and Chords
When your cellphone runs its battery down and you are in the middle of the sea, it is important to have a charger or chord for your device to keep you online. Modern boats usually have these USB outlets, so you can charge your phone on it.
- Emergency Repair Items
When you encounter a problem on your boat and you don’t have a fully stocked toolbox to fix it. Then these emergency repair items might help you:
- Duct tape
- Screwdriver
- An adjustable crescent wrench
- Portable jumper pack
- Electrical tape
- Flashlight
Final Thoughts
Boating is a fun experience and as a beginner in boating, you should learn these simple tips to make your boating experience more fun, exciting, safe, and enjoyable.
