Making Memories: How to Plan a Memorable Boat Trip

Is there anything more relaxing than being out on your boat?

How about being out there with the most important people in your life – your family. Planning a memorable boat trip vacation isn’t as easy as it sounds, but it’s always worthwhile.

You have to consider the destination, how you’ll get there, and if the weather will even hold up. On top of that, your family might have different ideas of where they want to go or how they’d like to spend their time. With all of that to consider, you still have to make sure you have provisions and necessities for the trip.

It would be an understatement to say it sounds more stressful than relaxing. In actuality, it doesn’t have to be that hard. We’ve written this comprehensive guide to help you plan a boat trip your family won’t soon forget.

Where Do You Want To Go?

Step one when planning family trips is deciding where to go. It can be fun to throw caution to the wind and set sail, but it won’t make for a good family vacation. You need to consider what you and your family want and pick a sensible destination.

Among your considerations will be location and cost. You’ll also want to keep an eye on how long it would take to boat there. Even if you only plan to sail out to a nearby island or do some family fishing, you shouldn’t leave things unplanned.

One thing that could bite you is not considering local regulations or bylaws. Depending on where you take your boat, you might face restrictions on fishing or swimming. If you’re crossing borders, you’ll be subject to customs laws for things like alcohol as well.

Don’t let paying an avoidable fine become one of your family memories.

Plan the Route

This one is in keeping with the previous tip. Your family will enjoy the trip a lot more if you don’t spend half of it lost and looking for directions. Planning the route is vital for a successful boat trip.

You’ll want to know how long it will take to get to your destination, as well as how long you plan to stay. If it’s a lengthy journey, especially over a few days, you’ll want to plan for nearby boat stops or docks. It’s good for everyone to stretch their legs and have a bit of a break on dry-land.

You can even plan stops according to your vacation. It can be fun to plan your route to drop by interesting locations you want to see. You often hear that the journey is what’s important, and it’s true.

Make the most of your boat trip, and maximize the water adventure. As much as you’ll make wonderful memories at your final destination, you’ll make exactly as many on the way.

Check the Weather

Don’t make the mistake of going out on your boat trip without checking the weather forecast. Nothing ruins a family trip quite like several days of miserable weather. Not only can rain and wind make your trip dreary and uncomfortable, but they can even be dangerous.

Storms and rough waves might put you in danger. This is especially true on longer trips. Even local travel in lakes or down river systems can still get affected by flash-flooding.

Unfavourable weather can also hurt the point of your trip. If you’re planning for calm sunny days to fish or swim, then rain and cold are the last things you want. While you can’t control fate or the weather, you can try to plan around it.

If the forecast looks questionable around the time of your trip, delay or postpone it. Even a 30% chance is risky. That said, most of us don’t get to take the whole family on vacation often, so don’t let your planning go to waste.

A little rain never hurt anyone, and a brief surprise downpour can create memories in itself. You should still bring weatherproof coats and clothing in case you need them. Even the best weather forecasts can be wrong, and you’d rather have everything you need.

That said, everyone will be happier and safer with better weather. If the weather is warm and sunny, then pack swimsuits, towels, and other water items. Remember that bad weather and storms can come at a moment’s notice.

Decide What to See and Do

You’ve planned where to go, how to get there, and what the weather might be like. Now you have to think about what you’ll be doing. We’d recommend sitting the family down for this one.

Listen, we know nothing beats relaxing on your boat and catching some rays with a cold drink. The only thing better might be catching some fish for tonight’s dinner. That said, your family might have other preferences.

If you want to plan a memorable boat trip, then you need a memorable itinerary. Interesting places to see, fun things to do, and any ideas from the family should be part of the trip. Kids especially might find fishing or sunbathing boring.

Try to hit up local attractions or points of interest. If taking your boat to the Caribbean, consider soaking in some history and local culture. Museums, sporting matches, and art or music celebrations can be tons of fun.

You can even find places with marina festivals, where you can enjoy fireworks by the sea. Who needs a Disney Cruise when you can take your family on your very own memorable vacation in your boat.

Safety First

Safety should be everyone’s top concern. If you prepare well, it doesn’t have to stifle your fun either. The first thing is to make sure the boat’s been recently inspected and is good to go.

An experienced boater will know if something is wrong, but it’s worth getting it serviced as well. If your engine gives out on you when you’re far from shore, it can be a disaster in the making. On top of making sure your equipment and instruments work, you’ll need safety gear.

You should always have proper life jackets that fit everyone in your family. In addition, fire extinguishers, blankets, and emergency first aid kits are key. No one likes thinking about the worst-case scenario when planning a family vacation.

If you make a safety checklist and tick it off before you set sail, you’ll feel confident should anything happen. Part of your kit should include emergency provisions, a flare gun, batteries, and a way of calling for help. If an accident happens, regardless of how major or minor, you can deal with it with ease.

You want your trip to be memorable for the right reasons. Know the basic boat safety tips onboard. Make sure everyone’s safety is your top priority.

Capture Your Memories

Time plays tricks on us and muddles even our deepest memories. It can happen when we get older and when we’re too young to remember everything fully. Videos, photographs, and mementos are fantastic ways to immortalize our memories.

Don’t think of it as cheating. If you’ve planned the trip well, then you’re sure to have fun. If you’ve nailed things, then the trip will go down in the family history books.

What capturing your memories does is provide anchors for your family to look and reminisce on. It puts a physical photo to the story of dad catching a prize fish or a son reeling in his first. You can capture funnier and more embarrassing stories too.

The point is to support the good memories with physical reminders. Something as simple as a souvenir can bring back all sorts of extra memories and finer details. When the years roll by, and your kids seem too old to go on trips with the family as often, these physical memories can bring the family together.

Also, try not to rely on your phones too much. Enjoy the old-school experience of making memories by using actual cameras and camcorders. If possible, do activities that leave you with tokens to remember the trip by.

If using social media to post your pictures, do it at the end of the day or while taking a break on land. You won’t make many lasting memories if you’re glued to your phones.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

Something about boating activities that is never stressed enough is sunscreen. Spending quality family time together leads to great memories, but you know what’s sure to sour them? Spending the next two days recovering from bad sunburns.

As a running theme, it might make for a funny memory at dad’s expense, but it’s better to avoid. Pack good quality sunscreen, as well as after-sun cream and lotion. UV’s are no joke, and they can get you regardless of how long you plan to be out on the water.

While you’re at it, it isn’t a bad idea to throw in some insect repellent. Depending on the season and climate, mosquitoes can put a damper on any trip. Keep your family focused on enjoying themselves rather than fighting the sun and local insects.

Stay Hydrated and Well-Stocked

It doesn’t matter if you’re going out for a few hours or a few days. Starvation and thirst can do a number on anyone. It’s not something you ever want to risk.

Always carry ample water and food with you, and make sure they’re in proper storage containers. The last thing you want is to deal with an insect or pest infestation. You also want to keep food from rotting or getting stale.

Your idea of a boating holiday might involve frequent stops near civilization. That might mean access to food, drink, and other amenities. It’s still in your best interest to keep at least two days’ worth of food on your boat.

Depending on the size of your boat and the length of your trip, you should consider extending that. It doesn’t have to be all emergency rations, either. You can pack your family’s favourites and have gorgeous waterside meals together.

It’s good practice to have a sensible and complete boat travel packing list. Even without the risks of running out of necessities, it’s nice to not have to interrupt your vacation due to a shortage of something. This goes for everything from hotdogs and gas to adult drinks for parents and sweets for the kiddos.

Remember, a comfortable trip is a happier trip. You’ll have some laughs and good memories if dad forgot to bring toilet paper, but on the whole, you want things to go as smoothly as possible.

Eat Local

This one might not apply to everyone, depending on your trip and perspective. If you’re planning a long family trip in distant or foreign parts, consider eating local. Some of the best memories during family vacations occur during meal times.

Why cheapen the experience by eating at a restaurant you could find at home? If you stop by a small town or region known for a certain food, give it a try. If it’s something unique, you’ll remember it for the rest of your life.

This advice to eat local can also apply to those who don’t leave the boat or prefer remote locations. What’s more local than fresh fish right from your boat? By all means, bring some BBQ from home, but explore what’s around you too.

Food is a wonderful vehicle through which to experience family bonding time. Putting away the phones and screens will also ensure that this quality time was well spent. Social interaction is one of the biggest keys to building great memories.

Make sure you and your family make the most of your relaxing time together.

Make Your Family Boat Trip One to Remember

There’s a lot to consider when planning a memorable boat trip with your family. You need to have a plan, make sure everyone is on board, and keep everyone comfy and safe. All of this is no small feat for the average family to pull off, but it’s all necessary to build happy memories to last a lifetime.

Another thing to consider is the boat you’ll take on your trip. Trust us when we say you want the right vessel for the job to ensure things go off without a hitch. At Westshore Marine & Leisure, we know how to help you find what you’re looking for, so don’t be afraid to give us a call.