Boat Trip Planning: Tips for a Perfect Getaway
Few things soothe the soul like a day spent on the water. From the stunning scenery to the lazy roll of the waves, planning a boat trip for you and your crew adds both relaxation and adventure to any beautiful afternoon. Unfortunately, not all of us own a boat that can facilitate this magical pastime.
If you don’t have a boat of your own, you will need to rent one. This is where even a rudimentary knowledge of boat trip planning comes in handy. Let’s look at some of the things you can expect when planning your outing, as well as the dos and don’ts of boat trip planning.
Reviewing the basics beforehand will give you the knowledge you need to rent a boat for the afternoon without any hiccups. Here’s how to plan a boat trip you and your family will love.
Boat Trip Planning 101
If you’re considering planning a boating trip for your tribe, there are some things you should know before you depart. Proper planning will help ensure your day is a memorable one for all the right reasons. Failure to plan can land you in hot water, so let’s review the things you should know in advance to make your trip a safe and unforgettable occasion.
Plan your destination
The first step in boat trip planning is deciding where you want to go. In some locations, there may be only one lake within a hundred miles. In these cases, the decision pretty much makes itself. However, if you live in an area with abundant lakes like the Northwoods of Minnesota and Wisconsin, you’ll want to look into boat friendly locations with ample opportunity for the activity you’re after.
Planning a fishing trip vs a day of cruising and sand bars requires that you look at different sets of criteria. The best recreational lakes aren’t always the best fishing lakes, and vice versa. Do your research before booking your boat rental.
Your Boat Club offers outings at over 40 great locations. Visit our site to explore your options and learn which sites offer the specific trip you’re after. Still have questions? Chat with our team for more detailed information about specific locations by filling out our quick contact form here.
Once you’ve locked in your location, give yourself a quick refresher on the things you’ll need to know to ensure you have a great trip.
Safety
It’s always good to incorporate a safety recap in your boat trip planning session. No one wants their trip to take a turn for the worse, so the more you know about safety, the better off you’ll be.
Safety Items
There are some items that every boat should have to ensure safety on the water. In fact, many of them are required by law. A reputable boat rental company like Your Boat Club will typically provide these required items. But knowing what they are beforehand will alert you to any potentially missing items and allow you to inquire about them before you find yourself miles from shore. For the safety of you and your loved ones, make sure the following items are present and accounted for:
A US Coast Guard approved Type I, II, or III personal floatation device (PFD) for every person on board
Throwable PFDs such as cushions or life rings
A working fire extinguisher
Both visual and audible distress signals, such as unexpired flares and an air horn or whistle
All required documentation, which may include boat markings, fishing licenses, and your boating safety certificate
Ensuring all these items are on your boat before leaving the shore will guarantee you have all the things you need to respond to an emergency situation, should one arise. In addition to this basic list of safety items, it is incredibly helpful to have a few additional tools at your disposal. These may include:
An anchor with enough sturdy rope or chain to reach the bottom
A bucket or other tool for bailing any water, should the boat take any on
A well-stocked first aid kit
A well-stocked tool kit
A radio to call for help if you need it
A compass and knowledge of how to use it
A map to help you navigate larger bodies of water
A depth finder
Check the weather
A good boat trip planner will always remember to check the weather before departing. Better yet, Download a weather app on your phone to have a handy, up-to-date weather reference. Your Boat Club recommends Windy, AccuWeather, and WeatherBug.
Conditions can change quickly on the water, so it’s important to get a feel for what to expect before you hit the waves. If the wind picks up and the waves swell, you won’t be able to safely open it up and cruise back to the rental location. This can leave you stuck in the wind and rain for an extended period until you can make it back to shore if you’re out too far when it hits.
It’s also always a big plus to have rain gear on any boat trip. If you start to feel a few drops, you’ll be glad you have it along. Keeping yourself dry will prevent any wind from chilling you to the bone. Even if it doesn’t rain, a good set of rain gear can effectively cut the wind and help keep you warm in cooler morning and evening weather.
Bring the essentials
Choosing a reputable company in the boat trip planning phase should ensure you have all the necessary safety items on board. That said, there are some things you will need to have arranged before you rent a boat.
You’ll want to make sure you have all the essentials you’ll need for a comfortable day. Chief among those essentials are food and water. An hours-long chartered cruise will often provide drinks, snacks, and a small meal, but in many cases, you will be on your own to provide the necessary nourishment to get you through the day. Make sure you have enough to keep everyone hydrated and happy.
Proper boat trip planning also requires remembering things like a hat and sunblock or UPF clothing on a scorching summer boating excursion, but don’t forget to plan for cold or rain as well. Extra layers and rain gear may not seem like essentials on a beautiful summer day, but as stated earlier, conditions can change in a hurry on the water. Plus, you can expect it to be a few degrees cooler on the water, especially if the wind picks up. Make sure you bring enough extra layers to keep you comfortable throughout.
Things to avoid
There is always some chance for trouble when operating heavy machinery in nature. Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. Understanding the basic rules of the road, as it were, will ensure you and your crew have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Items that may damage the boat
While it’s encouraged for you to bring the things that will make your boat getaway great, be mindful to avoid things that may cause damage to the boat. For example, you’ll want snacks to keep your energy up. Things like red wine or chocolate can spill or melt and ruin the boat’s upholstery. Additionally, snacks like sunflower seeds, crackers, and lollipops are discouraged due to the fact that they can create quite a mess. Substituting these items for water, white wine, canned seltzer and beer, meat and cheese trays, fruit and veggies, and anything else that can be eaten without causing damage or creating a mess.
Animals are also best avoided. They may or may not be welcome, so always check with your boat rental company or owner to see if it's okay before bringing them aboard.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough water under the hot summer sun can produce similar effects to those of alcohol and other controlled substances. Plus, dehydration can have serious effects on our bodies. Be aware of the symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, these symptoms in adults may involve:
Extreme thirst
Less frequent urination
Dark-colored urine
Fatigue
Dizziness
Confusion
If you find yourself feeling dehydrated, it can affect your perception and judgment, and lead to an unpleasant experience. Make sure you have enough water to keep your crew hydrated. On particularly hot days, bring more than you may think you need.
Unsafe situations
Lakes, rivers, and oceans can be full of potential dangers if you don’t have knowledge of the body or sufficient experience operating a boat. Understanding how to adapt to different cruising conditions and other boaters, as well as having some knowledge of the depth of the water in different lake locations, can help you avoid trouble. Even an experienced boater can get caught off guard by rapidly evolving weather or hidden obstacles below the surface. If you ever feel uneasy, take it slow and steady.
It’s also important not to create any unsafe situations with the actions of those onboard. Be mindful of where you sit, stand, and swim. For example, never jump off the back of the boat when the motor is running. It’s incredibly unsafe. Also, steer clear of the driver when the boat is in motion. They have an important job in keeping you safe while navigating the water. Lastly, avoid sitting on the bow of the boat while it is moving. Use the seating provided and don't overfill capacity. Following these recommendations will keep you safe and extend your fun boat trip.
Boat trip planning: the outcome
As you may have gathered, proper planning is an essential part of a rental boat trip you’ll remember for a lifetime. If you’ve taken your boat trip planning duties seriously, you’ll spend a dream day in an ideal location with great friends and few issues. Even if you run into a bit of inclement weather or it gets a few degrees hotter than forecast, you’ll be prepared.
You can take a lot of that burden off of your shoulders by renting from a boat rental company that takes boat trip planning just as seriously. We know the lake and how to have fun on it. Contact us to learn more.
