Adult life can be a little hectic at times. Between grocery shopping, cleaning, socializing, and still completing all your other responsibilities, it’s easy to end up getting scattered along the way.
If you are anything like me, you have so many things buzzing around in that noggin of yours that when you are planning an outing on the boat, you tend to play the guess-and-find-out-later game. It is a game where you grab handfuls of whatever is in reach for your trip and then end up forgetting about everything else you might need. Let’s set up a couple of ground rules to remember that will help with getting organized before a boating trip.
The Basics
One that I tend to forget is towels. Actually, I’m so bad about it that I have started keeping a few onboard under the seats just in case. For some of these other items, it may be clever to keep them on board too. Besides extra towels, items such a spare first-aid kit, a flashlight, basic tools and a VHF radio are great items to leave on the boat. These are some of the essentials that are not only convenient to have around in general, but come in handy should there be any safety issues while on the water.
Sea Legs
Now, I love boating as much as the next person, but I am the first to admit that I get seasick, and I’m sure I am not the only one in this predicament. That is why whenever I go out on a pontoon I make sure I have some medication that will combat motion sickness. I have also found that green apples or something minty helps reduce nausea. For those who face this struggle, make sure these go on board with you. After all, no one wants to spend a trip sick to their stomach the entire time.
Lather Up
Sunblock is a must as well. No one likes coming home from a day out on the water just to spend a week with stinging and burning skin or, in really bad cases, catching a sunburn-induced fever. This is one I am adamant about in spite of my fiancé’s dismay. Sure, sunscreen makes your skin feel a little sticky, but what is worse: feeling a little over-moisturized or being redder than a lobster?
Noise Control
In that same vein, boating noise can cause headaches. Maybe I’m just a quiet type of person, generally speaking, but one of my weaknesses is headaches from consistent, loud noises. Maybe this is in your first-aid kit, or maybe you just keep it with you, but it is always nice to have ibuprofen or Excedrin handy.
Spare Prop
If you hit a rut of bad luck and your propeller gets damaged while you are smack-dab in the middle of your fun, it is pretty wise to have a spare propeller on board. Vacations are fun, but they are not fun when you are stuck in one. Just to be safe, it is valuable to keep a backup propeller (along with the tools to change it) that could get you back to the dock.
Smile Big
Cameras are also highly important. Do you want to know what the worst part of a vacation is? Not having any pictures to show for it. Pontooning and hitting that water is such an adventure, and there are so many things to see that are simply breathtaking. With the development of smartphones you have a camera in your back pocket at all times. However, taking a higher quality camera with you never hurts. It all depends on your preferences, not to mention the amazing shots of candid smiles you can capture. There is nothing more gorgeous than the moment you see your teenager, without any technology in sight, smiling at nature. The bonds you will create are souvenir enough in a lot of cases – but catching a few for the photo album is priceless.
Notes
This one is for the artists out there. It’s not a typical essential, but I like to take a notepad with me to jot down ideas or thoughts. For me, being on the water clears my mind. I’m away from the world with nothing but my family and nature around me. In those blissful moments, I get struck by a spirit of creativity and I have to run to get that idea down ASAP.
Sure, you can jot your notes down in your phone in some app, and that might be satisfactory for some folks, but I always leave the vaguest notes that way so I never know what I meant when I get back to the land and try to recreate my idea. It may seem like a risky idea because paper and water are not friends, so maybe have a notebook you use only for boating.
Final Thoughts
Packing can be a panic and I’m sure that is something we can all admit. That is why it proves beneficial to have a good sense of what the essentials are. These can change per boater, and it is a great idea to personalize the list of things you bring aboard to you and your family’s needs. However, if you are having a hard time finding a starting point, these items will help get you going.
