Boating

canoe trip

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. –H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Whether you’re heading out on your next three-hour tour or bobbing along the beaches off the coast of Florida, boating allows you to be the captain of your own ship anytime you want to.

Whether you’re looking for the serenity that comes from floating along the water or looking to travel to places you’ve never seen before, going out on the deep blue sea (or any body of water) can open up whole new avenues exploration for you. Rivers, lakes, and even the ocean are some of nature’s greatest highways, so why should the fish get all the fun?

Of course, there are certain things you should always have with you going out of the water, but the most important thing to pack is your sense of adventure and your willingness to make pirate jokes along the way. Some of the world’s greatest literature is been written about the sea, and mankind has been trying to find ways to make themselves more buoyant for thousands of years.

So so tighten up the main sale and get ready to push off from the port. Your maiden voyage awaits.

Set Sail for Adventure

Boating, canoeing, and kayaking all allow you to explore the open water, no matter where you want to explore. Boats are great for when you want to stay on the water and enjoy the scenery without doing too much paddling, or when you want to bring some friends along. Whether you are looking for a rowboat, towable tube, motorboat, inflatable kayak, or anything in between, making sure you leave the docks with the right muscle, otherwise you might be in for a sore trip. And make sure they are wearing men’s water shoes so they have the right footwear for the task.

When it comes to choosing a kayak or canoe, you want to keep in mind how many people you want to take on your adventure. A kayak usually sits 1 to 2 people, but there are larger kayaks for group outings. Canoes, on the other hand, are built to take more people with you, whether you’re going for a day trip or following the river to your campsite. While there’s nothing quite like fishing on a boat, you want to make sure that you have the right spincast reel, portable fish finder, lures and supplies to catch your next trophy (or come home with the next one-that-got-away story).

Stand up paddle boards (SUPs) are another fun option for enjoying the open water. requiring a little more balance and stamina than the average boat or kayak, these boards can be loads of fun. While you may need a rack to transport traditional epoxy boards, inflatable paddle boards can be deflated for easy transportation. If you decide to go this route, make sure you are willing to get wet as they can be tricky to master.

Whether you’re going swimming, fishing, or just floating on your wakeboard, boating lets you take a step away from the mainland and all of its stress, even if only for an hour as you let the sun shine down on you and find a peace of mind that only comes from listening to the waves.

You don’t have to be an expert sailor to strike out on your own, but you do want to make sure that you pack on enough supplies to last you for your entire journey. Otherwise, you’ll be up a creek without a paddle, literally.

Take on Supplies

The most important thing to bring with you on a boating trip is a good life jacket. Most states make it illegal to go out on the water without a lifejacket of some sorts, either on you or somewhere on the boat where it can be easily grabbed in a crisis. While you might think you’re not that bad of a swimmer, a life jacket can be the difference between sinking or swimming if you’re stuck in the water for multiple hours. You want to make sure that you pick the right life jackets to fit each passenger. If are still able to pull the shoulder straps above your ears once your life jacket is fully tightened, it is too loose and has the potential to come off when you get in the water. A snug life jacket is a good life jacket, after all. It can also give you peace of mind to have a life jacket watching your back when you’re surrounded by nothing but the open water.

It’s also important to pack paddles, no matter what boat you’re on. It’s especially important to pack backup paddles, since losing one paddle is frustrating but losing both of your paddles is an emergency situation. If you are going snorkeling you will need a good full face snorkel.
You should also make sure to bring basic supplies with, like a gas canister for your motorboat, some water to make sure that you stay hydrated, and some sunscreen and a hat to protect your head. You may also want to bring a dry bag to keep all of your gear from getting wet. Depending on whether you were looking for a strenuous venture or a nice, leisurely boating trip, being prepared is the difference between pleasure cruise and setting sail with Captain Ahab. You should also always do a safety check to make sure your craft is seaworthy before you leave. Having a reliable marine battery or trolling motor battery can save you from getting stranded on the open water. Maintenance of your watercraft is critical to make sure your trips go on without a hitch. One easy way to keep your boat in top condition is to make sure you have a boat cover on it whenever not using it.

The nice thing about boating is that you can find a port almost anywhere. Whether you are looking to explore the rivers in the rainforest or coast down the Mississippi River to your heart’s content, wherever you find yourself, waterways are sure to follow.
So explore the lazy byways and streams along the way, just make sure that you have a waterproof action camera to record all of your adventures. And of course, make sure that Gilligan is nowhere in sight before you leave the shore.