Overnight Boating

If you’re looking for a way to escape, destress, and enjoy the great outdoors, spending the night on your boat can be the perfect solution. You’ll be able to take advantage of the seclusion and allow the sounds of the ocean waves to wash over you. Overnight boating is pretty easy when you take the right steps to plan and prepare. If this is your first time embarking on an overnight boating trip, you’ve come to the right place. Yankee Boating Center has assembled this helpful guide to get you started.

For those who are still in the market for a boat, be sure to stop by our dealership. You’ll find us in Lake George, NY, near Haverstraw and Albany.

How to Prepare

Before you head out, there are a few steps you’ll want to take to prepare. You want to make sure your boat is fully stocked with everything you’ll need. A good way to start preparing is by making a list of everything you will need.

This kind of extended trip out on the water means you’ll need to plan for meals, even if that’s simply dinner and breakfast. Pack a cooler with foods that you can eat cold, such as salads or sandwiches. You can also pack foods that can be easily heated up with a small portable grill.

Unless you’ve got a luxury boat that’s equipped with its own galley where you can cook hot foods, you’ll want to plan accordingly. You might even consider bringing two coolers. This way, you’ll have one for your food and one for your beverages. This is especially useful if you’re planning to have some guests along for the fun.

You should also remember to pack comfortable pillows and blankets to keep everyone warm while they’re sleeping on the boat. If you have a small generator, it will come in handy for powering electronic devices. You’ll be able to play music or watch movies out on the water. You should also pack earplugs, sleep masks, medications, toothbrushes, and anything else you need on a nightly basis that’ll keep you comfortable.

Don’t forget to pack your usual safety equipment, like first aid kits, flares, life jackets, a fire extinguisher, an emergency radio, and so on. You’ll also want to have an anchor handy that is heavy enough for your boat so you can easily moor it in a cove. The general rule for an anchor is that it should be one pound of weight for every two feet of boat length. However, you may want to skew heavier on an overnight trip so your boat remains secure in place for the night.

When To Go

It would be wise not to plan your overnight boating trip during the coldest time of the year. You should also do your best to steer clear of inclement weather. You should always check the forecast when you’re planning your trip. If you see storms brewing for the area you had in mind, you may want to look for another spot or postpone your journey. After all, the last thing you want is to wake up to high winds and heavy rains tossing your boat around in the water.

Tell Someone About Your Plans

Last, but not least, you should tell someone about your plans. This is a step you should take any time you go out on your boat. You should notify them of where you’re going, how long you expect to be gone, and when you should return. Give them your contact information as well and check in with them periodically. If you think you’ll be delayed, be sure to let them know. They can contact authorities if you fail to return on time and let them know of your intended whereabouts.

We hope that these tips for overnight boating have been helpful. If you’re still shopping around for the perfect boat, visit us at Yankee Boating Center. We’re located in Lake George, NY near Haverstraw and Albany.