Ahhh! The summer blast furnace has finally eased to air as crisp as a fresh-picked apple, while the leaves turn fiery hues and flocks of migrating birds point toward warmer climes. This time of year somehow seems so much more vibrant when viewed from a boat.
Whether you’re squeezing in one last outing before closing things up for the season, want to chase some different fish species, or you live in a region that doesn’t freeze solid, extending your boating season may bring delights that fair-weather boaters miss. The promise of tranquility from having the waters mostly to yourself is always a big draw.
But boating in shoulder- or off-seasons requires extra precautions. A good rule of thumb for knowing when you need additional safeguards is to add together the air and water temps. If that number is less than 100, follow these measures to keep you and your crew safe. (For paddlesports or other activities where you’re more likely to get wet, use 120 as your guideline.)
1. Wear a life jacket.
Sure, we always recommend wearing a life jacket while boating. But donning one in cooler weather has additional benefits. Not only will it provide an extra layer for warmth, but it may save your life if you fall overboard, keeping you afloat as your body deals with the shock of cold water and helping maintain core heat as you wait for assistance. With fewer boats on the water, rescue may take longer than during high season.
If you’re on the water a lot in cold weather, consider investing in a U.S. Coast Guard-approved float coat (and maybe even floatation bib pants) instead of your regular life jacket. Inside the traditional-looking winter parka outer shell is a layer of closed-cell foam insulation to keep you floating and delay the onset of hypothermia if submersed in water. Lenny Rudow, BoatU.S. Magazine’s fishing editor, who boats most of the year in Maryland, is a big fan. “My warmest winter coat is my float coat, hands down.”
BoatU.S. Foundation’s director of boating safety Ted Sensenbrenner also offers this important reminder: If you regularly wear inflatable life jackets, remember, most manufacturers don’t recommend using them in temperatures 40 F and colder. They provide less buoyancy and inflate more slowly as temps approach freezing. Always check manufacturer recommendations for each specific model.
2. Dress properly.
As our planet experiences warming temperatures, it’s becoming more common to have unexpected short-sleeve weather in late fall or early spring. But don’t be fooled: Hypothermia is a serious concern once water temps drop below 70 F.
You may have heard the saying, “Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.” While you might be tempted to wear your favorite cotton Jimmy Buffett tee when ambient temps are mild, it’s critical to dress in layers – with that top layer being a life jacket or float coat. Sensenbrenner adds that wearing brightly colored outer clothing can make you easier to spot in the water if rescue is required.
Speaking of layers, your base layer should be made from a synthetic material or merino wool. Cotton isn’t a good choice because, once wet, it stops providing insulation and pulls heat away from the body, rapidly lowering your body temperature. Also, cotton takes much longer to dry than clothing made with comparably weighted synthetic fabrics.
If you’re planning to do any paddlesports or other activities like dinghy sailing and windsurfing where the likelihood of falling in is especially great, a wetsuit or dry suit is critical.
To keep those fingers nimble, “Don’t settle for cheap gloves,” advises Rudow, who says anglers need fingerless gloves to feel the bite and use the reel. “You can spend $10 on a cheap pair and your hands will still freeze. But if you spend $75 on a good pair, you’ll not only get fold-over mitts you can wear while driving the boat then fold out of the way to fish or turn a dial on your electronics, but they’ll also be waterproof and last several seasons.”
He also suggests investing in a good pair of insulated deck boots. “You want waterproof, but unlined boots get frigid fast.”
And avoid layering socks, as doing so will change the fit and make your feet colder by eliminating the air pocket inside the shoe, which is what keeps your toes toasty.
Sensenbrenner recommends bringing an extra set of clothing on the boat, stored in a dry bag, “so you have something to change into if your clothes get wet.”
3. Add a few space blankets to your first-aid kit.
Mylar foil emergency blankets are lightweight, inexpensive, and take up very little room aboard, but they can be life-savers. The metalized plastic traps body heat, and they’re also waterproof and windproof. These can come in handy if your trip has an unplanned delay and the temps drop while you’re waiting for help.
4. Check your communication options.
While the beauty of this time of year is fewer boaters on the water, that’s also a downside if you have an emergency or breakdown. Make sure your VHF radio works, and if it has DSC, be sure you’ve programmed in your unique MMSI number, which will transmit your information to emergency responders at the touch of a button. (Visit BoatUS.com/MMSI to request a number – a free benefit for BoatU.S. members!)
As a backup, Sensenbrenner suggests adding a Personal Locator Beacon, or PLB, to your equipment for each passenger. This reasonably priced device, the size of a small handheld VHF, can be attached to your life jacket or to your person and used to summon help.
5. Charge your batteries.
Cold temperatures can reduce battery capacity, causing them to drain faster than usual. Before you head out, make sure your marine batteries are fully charged. The same goes for any critical accessories, like a handheld VHF or cellphone. This is especially important if you rely on your cellphone or other smart device for navigation or emergency communications. Carry a portable power bank and appropriate cables as a backup.
Rudow suggests dropping a battery-powered hand warmer in one pocket and keeping your phone in that pocket to help keep it juiced up.
And make sure your BoatU.S. Towing Membership is active (BoatUS.com/Towing) in case your boat’s battery needs a jump to get you home.
6. Inspect — and use — navigation lights and sound-producing devices.
Nav lights are required equipment after dark and in reduced visibility. Fog is more prevalent this time of year, and daylight fades quickly, especially if you’re delayed due to a breakdown, weather, or other unexpected event. Before you head out, make sure your lights work, and remember to use them in the correct configuration for your vessel.
7. Check the marine forecast.
Conditions on the water can be very different from the weather you’re experiencing at home, even if the locations are in close proximity. The combination of strong winds and sea surface cooling creates instabilities that lead to stronger currents and waves in the fall and winter – great for surfers, but not so much for boaters.
8. Bring snacks & drinks.
The colder you are, the more calories you’ll burn to stay warm. Keep some nosh on board to help boost your energy, especially as air temps get lower or you’re outside longer. It’s also important to stay hydrated. You may not feel as thirsty as in warm weather, but you’re still losing fluids. Having some food and nonalcoholic beverages (warm or cold) available will also come in handy if you find yourself waiting for assistance.
9. Be careful with heaters.
Portable electric heaters may work well to provide extra warmth in a house or office but need to be used with extreme caution aboard a boat. Standard household models are top-heavy and can fall over easily. There are portable heaters made for use in boats that are low-profile with a wide base so they cannot easily fall over. Open-flame heaters must never be left unattended, and that includes while sleeping.
Sensenbrenner reminds boaters that carbon monoxide poisoning is a potentially deadly concern when using some types of heaters. If you’re using any type of heater aboard, make sure you read, understand, and follow all manufacturer recommendations and cautions for use.
10. Tell someone where you’re going.
Filing a float plan or simply telling a trusted friend or family member where you are headed and when you expect to be home is always an excellent idea no matter when you boat. But it might be even more critical when temps have dropped, daylight is short, and hypothermia can set in quickly. Remember, too, to let that person know when you’re back.
Cold-weather boating isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so those who do venture out may be more likely to do so solo. If your boat has an engine cutoff switch (ECOS), consider going wireless. A virtual tether allows the skipper to move freely around the boat and will shut off the engine within seconds of a break in the connection between the transmitter and receiver.
Some systems like ACR’s OLAS Tag (acrartex.com) connect to an app to track crew members, too. If a guest or pet wearing a linked transmitter goes overboard, the mobile device will sound an alarm, log GPS data, and clearly direct the crew to the location where the MOB occurred. In addition, the app offers solo mode, which, when activated, will automatically text GPS coordinates to an emergency contact from your phone in the event you get separated from your boat.
11. Call ahead.
If you may need services like fuel, water, or pumpouts, be sure to check hours and availability before you go. Some businesses may be winterized or on off-season schedules.
