Your Essential Tips for Summer Boating
Summer is definitely, undeniably, and undisputedly the boating season. Sure, you might use your boat throughout the rest of the year, but summer is when the experience comes to life. With clear skies and the sun shining bright, anyone would love to spend some time at sea or at lakes or in the ocean to cool themselves and experience fun adventures. Aside from doing fun activities in the water, you can finally put your aluminium plate boat to good use and even boast its beauty and power to your mates once you invite them to your boat for a mini party onboard or for a fishing excursion.
No matter how caught up you get with planning and mentally preparing yourself for your boating activities, you should never disregard safety and a little bit of maintenance work too. Having those things to keep in mind can help prepare your boat better so you’ll be assured that you will have the best time onboard.
So, whether this is your first summer on the water or you have been boating for decades, a few essential summer boating tips can always help you get more from the experience.
De-winterize Your Boat
Many boats sit unused on the harbour for three or more months before summer. This can cause some parts of the boat to rot and other rubber parts to dry from salt air and extreme temperature changes. In addition, fuel in the engine tank may break down, while moisture can lead to the corrosion of metal parts and electrical systems.
If the oil has been in the engine for months, consider draining it out and replacing it with fresh fluids. Old fuel can clog your engine components and possibly cause damage to your boat. Check all of the cables and hoses on your boat engine, including fuel and coolant hoses, and ensure they are tight and secure.
Prepare the rest of your boat as well. Make sure all the equipment you have are working properly. Clean your upholstery from dirt, grime, or dust. Clean your deck with an appropriate cleaner to avoid damaging your boat. If your boat has a self-draining deck, make use of it by washing your deck with water and soap to ensure that you’ve cleaned your boat well.
Bring Watersports Accessories
Depending on the kind of boat you own, adding a few water toys can make the experience more enjoyable for the whole family. You could look for a tube designed to be towed behind the boat, or even just some inflatables that can make it more enjoyable to swim off the side when the motor engine is off.
Boating is great, but it’s fun on another level when you spend your time on the water with the people who matter most in your life. So, as you schedule your boating adventures, be sure to call the friends and family who will make each trip one to remember.
Be Mindful of  Water Traffic
One of the few disadvantages of summer boating is that everyone thinks of doing the same thing; which is doing boating adventures as well. Because of this, the amount of traffic on the water is high. The waterways can get as busy as a highway during rush hour traffic so be smart about when you choose to cruise. If you can’t help but boat around areas where there are a lot of people around, be aware of your surroundings and share the water. Pay attention to the people on the water and give other boats plenty of room. Don’t forget to adhere to the posted speed limit especially if you’re near shores, docks, or properties near the water.
Safety First Always
Given how busy the waterways become during the summer, plan ahead before going out for the day.
Make sure there are enough life jackets on board. Aside from being cautious for any emergencies that may happen, this is also required by law, and if you are pulled over by the coast guard by chance, you may receive a ticket if they find out you’ve not been storing life jackets onboard. And while we’re still on the topic of staying safe onboard, don’t forget to bring important devices such as a VHF radio to communicate with authorities and the Coast Guard who can offer you assistance when things go astray. A depth finder equipment to avoid running aground in shallow waters. A GPS device to help you navigate areas where you’ll be boating so you won’t get lost.
Don’t just focus all your energy on your boat. You also need to take care of your body as well. Fill a cooler with readily accessible water. In extremely hot weather, staying hydrated is critical! Plus there’s no greater feeling than quenching your thirst with a cold bottle of water.
Since it’s summer, the sun is shining its vast glory on anything under it. While being out under the sun can be beneficial and makes you feel better generally, long exposure to the sun can be harmful to your skin. And if you are aboard a boat without a canopy, it can be uncomfortable to stay in it for a long time. The UV rays from the sun can cause sunburns, rashes, discomfort, and even skin cancer. You don’t want any of those things to happen to you, do you? Remember to pack sunscreen or sunblock to keep your skin protected. Slab it on the areas of your body where it will get exposed to the sun and reapply it every few hours. ‍
Explore New Areas
Make it a point to cruise to new destinations with your friends this summer. Make new experiences with those you want to create memories with by trying new things and going to new places. Summer is all about going to new locations, and it should ideally become a yearly goal for you if you can.













