Seven Things to Bring on a Boat
Going out onto the lake is the perfect way to take the edge off a hot day. You can even bundle up and put on a poncho to go out on a cool and cloudy day. Either way, boating is a wonderful way to spend time with friends and family. But you won’t be able to have much fun if you don’t bring the necessary supplies to make yourself more comfortable.
New boat owners may not be sure what exactly to bring with them, which is why we’re here to help. Yankee Boating Center in Lake George is your Upstate New York boat dealer. We’ve drawn up a list of the top seven items we think you should bring on your next boating trip for maximum enjoyment!
1. Dry Bag
A dry bag is a special type of bag that is waterproofed to protect your stuff. It’s a great place to store extra clothing, electronic devices, your wallet, your keys and any other items you may need to bring along that can’t get wet. You could also use a zippered plastic bag, but a dry bag will be your best bet. Some of them can even float so that you can fish them out of the water if they fall overboard.
2. A Well-Stocked Cooler
Snacks and drinks are a must for any good boat outing, especially with younger passengers. Pack plenty of bottled water so everyone can stay hydrated, but you can add sports drinks, sparkling water or juice boxes for some variety. Good boat-friendly snacks include trail mix, sandwiches, crackers, string cheese, fresh fruit, nuts and granola bars. If you have a boat grill, you can really go to town and make a whole meal! Just make sure you’ve got napkins and wet wipes on hand for clean-up.
3. Sunscreen
Everyone has suffered a painful sunburn at some point due to negligence or a lack of awareness about sun damage. Prevent UV damage to your skin by investing in a good water-resistant sunscreen with a high SPF rating, and slather up everyone before you get on the boat. Don’t forget to apply it to the part in your hair, the back of your neck and your shoulders. You should also bring sunglasses that offer good UV protection and you can invest in a good wide-brimmed hat to shield your face further. Skin cancer is serious business, so don’t let the sun catch you off-guard!
4. Extra Clothing
You’re bound to get wet on a boat, even if you don’t get in the water. Sometimes a rogue wave will splash you and drench you, and then what do you do? Hopefully, you change into some dry clothes to stave off hypothermia! You can pack some blankets, too, to cozy up in if the wind picks up. Children will also need full changes of clothes, especially if they’re going swimming.
5. Towels
Speaking of getting wet, towels are going to be necessary! Some big beach towels will help you dry off and they can protect your boat’s seating if kids want to sit down in wet suits. They’re also good to have for the car ride home. Pack more than you think you’ll need in a waterproof storage compartment.
6. Water Toys
If you’re a watersports enthusiast, you’ll want to pack your wakeboard or water skis, but other good water toys include inner tubes, beach balls, floaties and pool noodles. The kids might even love to have a water gun fight!
7. Entertainment
This might be more necessary if you’ve got kids or teens on board, since adults can enjoy the serenity of the water and be perfectly content. Of course, you could bring a book if you’d like. But your younger passengers will love cultivating their own playlist of music to send through some Bluetooth speakers. Other good entertainment options for the kids include handheld video games, coloring books and card games (plastic-coated cards won’t get destroyed in the spray).
Come on down to Lake George Marina & Boat Rentals or check out our Thousand Islands Sales Center or Lake George Showroom & Service Department to see our full selection of new and used boats for sale, as well as rental options. We can also assist you with boat maintenance before your next afternoon on the water. In addition to serving all of our Lake George customers, Yankee Boating Center proudly serves the city of Clayton, New York.