Overnight Boating
There are few more soothing sounds than the gentle lapping of water on your hull, and few sights more soothing than starlight on water. Whether by necessity or for fun, sleeping on your boat can be fun and exciting and is guaranteed to bring you closer to nature. But being on a boat at night at all requires careful preparation and a few precautions, and that goes double for if you plan on sleeping.
To help you stay safe, we here at Germaine Marine have put together some of our favorite overnight boating tips. If you have more questions by the end, or if you’re on the market for a new boat to try these with, contact our store in either American Fork, Utah, or Mesa, Arizona. Our friendly and experienced staff will find you what you need at prices you want.
Supplies
It may sound like common sense, but sleeping on your boat means you need all the proper tools and supplies before hitting the proverbial hay. Make a list beforehand of everything you’ll need to stay in good shape and make sure it’s all safely stowed away aboard your vessel.
Food
Like any night away from home, you’re going to want to plan ahead for any and all meals during your trip. If your boat has a galley, make sure you know what you’re cooking and that you have all the necessary ingredients and cookware to do so. Otherwise, pack up a cooler or two with foods you can eat cold like sandwiches and salads, or foods you can heat up easily with a portable grill. Just be careful not to set anything on fire! We also recommend a cooler dedicated just to drinks, especially if you’re bringing someone or a group with you.
Comfort
You’re going to need lots of comfortable pillows and blankets and/or sleeping bags to make sure everyone aboard is warm and cozy while they sleep. If possible, a portable generator can help keep electronics like mobile devices or computers charged to keep you connected or allow for a maritime movie night. You’ll also want any and all supplies you’d use at home, including any sleep masks, earplugs, medications, and toiletries you use before bed or after waking up. Remember to conserve water while brushing your teeth!
Safety
As with any boat ride, the most important supplies are safety-oriented. Bring everything you’d normally bring while boating, including life jackets, first aid kits, flares, a fire extinguisher, and a radio. Make sure you have an anchor that’s heavy enough to keep your boat still overnight. Generally, anchors should have one pound of weight for every two feet of boat length, but for an overnight trip, err on the side of caution and go a bit heavier.
Timing
Always check the weather before planning any boat-related outing, and especially when staying in the boat overnight. If the temperatures are hitting freezing, there’s a lot of wind, or there’s precipitation and your boat has an exposed deck, you may want to reschedule your planned trip. This is especially important if storms are brewing. Even if you’ve got covered shelter on your craft, high winds and storms can buffet your boat and, at best, make for an uncomfortable night’s sleep.
Check In With Someone
This is a good habit to get into with boating in general. Before you head out, tell someone ashore where you’ll be and when you expect to be back. Make sure these people have your contact information and check in with them whenever you can, especially if there are any unexpected delays. If you don’t come back on time or you report that you’re having trouble, these people can contact authorities to help you and direct them to you. That lifeline can save lives.
The Right Boat
Naturally, the type of boat you go out in makes a big difference in whether you go overnight boating and how. Don’t try to spend the night in a small flat-bottom fishing boat or canoe, both because it’s impractical and uncomfortable, and because it’s outright unsafe. Ideally, do this in a boat that has an enclosed cabin, a head (bathroom), and sleeping berths for maximum comfort. A galley is optional but can make your meals much nicer. Overall, you want a larger boat with some covered shelter of some kind to make the most of this trip.
We hope we’ve helped you improve your next overnight boating trip! If you’re looking for more tips, or you want to see the boats we have for sale, contact us at Germaine Marine. We proudly serve the people of Utah and Arizona—let us serve you today!