How to Host the Ultimate Boat Party
Whether you are looking to celebrate a milestone birthday, mark some other occasion, host a memorable bachelorette party, or even throw a casual summer get-together with friends, heading out on the water can give you the perfect opportunity to do it in style. A boat party can be the ideal vehicle to gather, enjoy, and make memories for years to come. From preparation to execution, this guide will give you the ins and outs for hosting the ultimate boat party.
Planning your Boat Party
If you are looking to host a boat party, your planning starts by figuring out a few party planning basics, including budget, guest list, and, of course, the cost of the boat rental.
Figuring your Budget
Decide what you can spend on your boat party and stick to it. Once you know your budget, list out the big-ticket items, like the boat rental, entertainment, food, and drinks.
Most people throwing a party do not have an unlimited budget. Spending your money wisely means figuring out what is most important. Is it music? If so, maybe you want to drop a bigger part of your budget on a DJ. If not, maybe a Spotify playlist will do and you can drop more of your budget on something else. Is providing your guests with good eats and fun cocktails more of what you have in mind? If so, put your budget on these items. If not, you can also make it more casual with bottled drinks and easy shareables. The trick is to decide what kind of party you are looking to throw and line your budget up towards the things that will pull it off.
Setting your Guest List
For any party, you need to know how many people will be joining the fun. Setting your guest list is one of the top things you need to decide for your boat party. The size of your guest list will also be dictated by your budget. There are yachts that can accommodate hundreds, but will require a big budget. There are other smaller boats suitable for hosting a party of between 8-15 people that are available at reasonable rental rates.
If you have a guest of honor for the party, like for a birthday or bachelor of bachelorette party, then you want to ask them who they want to have at the party. Since they are the guest of honor, you want to honor who they want there. If you are hosting the party as a summer get-together, invite the family and friends you want to gather with.
Selecting the Right Boat
The basis of your boat party is, of course, your boat. Selecting the right boat for your party means having the right vessel, literally, for your celebration. A boat rental service can help you with the options that are available to meet your party needs. This selection will also be the biggest part of your budget, so rent from a reputable boat rental company that will work with you to provide a well-maintained boat and all the extras you need.
Pontoon boats, with their open deck design and versatile seating options, can accommodate a large group of people comfortably. Smaller pontoons can accommodate up to eight people while larger ones can easily fit up to 15. Some pontoons are designed more for luxury cruising, while others are better for engaging in water sports. Know what you want to do during your boat party when selecting your boat. Again, a full-service boat rental company can help.
Taking your Boat Party to the Next Level
Although heading out on a boat with friends and family comes with built-in fun, you can take it to the next level by providing your party boat with a theme. You might want to plan a theme that fits the interests of your guest of honor. Maybe they want a nautical-theme to go all in on the boating adventure, or maybe it is something tropical, or more like Hollywood glam, or maybe even retro 80’s that is more their style. If you are looking for a summer get-together with family and friends a more casual beach theme may work too. Let your imagination fly and come up with something fitting for your celebration.
Once you land on a theme, you can plan your invites, some festive decorations, your food and drink offers, and music to go along with your chosen theme. Again, have fun and use your imagination. A tropical theme with umbrella laden drinks may be just the thing, but maybe it’s a 70’s music-infused disco party, or a summer barbeque complete with grilled goodies and ice-cold beverages.
Planning Activities and Entertainment
There is lots of fun on a boat to be had when gathering with friends and family. Planning your party on a boat includes organizing activities and entertainment for your guests. Some fun boat party ideas can include swimming, snorkeling, or water sports, but maybe it's dancing on a sandbar, cruising on the open water while sharing food, drink, and conversation, or an island-hopping adventure.
If you have a guest of honor, this is another area of your planning to discuss with them. You do not want to plan a slew of water sports for someone who has no interest in partaking. However, if they have always dreamt of a dance party, you can deliver their dream and then some.
Communicate with your Guests
There is such a wide range of activities that a boat party can entail and different types of activities require different preparation for your guests. If you are planning an island-hopping excursion to take in the sites and you have guests arriving dressed and ready to take on water sports, then you will have created a disconnect that could sink your party. Communicate what kind of party you are planning and let your guests know what to expect. Supply them with an itinerary and build the excitement around your theme and planned activities.
Read More: Guide to Renting a Boat: Tips and Considerations
Ensure your Guests’ Safety
The purpose of boating parties is to have fun, but taking a boat out on the water, for whatever reason, is not a risk-free adventure. Ensuring the safety of your guests is as important as anything else you plan for your boat party.
There needs to be enough life jackets for all guests on board the boat. You also need to know the local boating laws, and make sure all participants follow them.
Brief your guest on the safety rules before setting out to make sure everyone understands them. Show everyone on board where the life-saving equipment is located, what to do in case of an emergency, and what proper behavior is expected on the water.
It is also important to follow safety rules around drinking and boating. The number one rule is that drinking and driving a boat is the same as drinking and driving a car. Don’t do it. Have a designated driver who is responsible for driving the boat and staying sober.
Other safety tips include:
Don’t use glass drinkware on a boat. Use plastic or metal options to keep your boat clean and safe.
Make sure the boat is equipped with a first aid kit.
Look out for the weather and do not head out if a storm is forecast.
Remind your guests to wear sunscreen and sun protective clothing. Pack extra just in case.
Don’t exceed your boat’s capacity. Plan your guest list and stick to it.
The Ultimate Boat Party
In the end, no matter the reason for gathering, planning the ultimate boat party is all about creating an event that celebrates the moment and creates memories for a lifetime. Set your budget, plan ahead, communicate with your guests about what the party will entail, practice safe boating, and set out on a fun-filled day.
