By Adriana NotonEsential gear to bring on a boating trip will vary depending on what kind of boat and activity is on the schedule. One person may never step aboard without a six pack of beer, while another wants full life support. However, some things are important enough to go on every type of excursion.
First a boating license is compulsory in Canada. Boats get wet. Wet boats are slippery. Every one on board should have real boating footwear. This does not mean tennis shoes, no matter how sporty. Modern boating shoes have carefully designed grips on the soles to make them non-slip even on smooth surfaces. For maintenance in marine climates, all boats are smooth and shiny, and are usually wet when moving, so this detail should not be overlooked.
Secondly, giving the nod to conventional medical wisdom, you should take sun screen. Hats may blow off, assuredly will interfere with letting the wind blow through your hair, and cannot help protect you from the glare off the surface of the water and the boat itself. You will probably be out for hours, so choose one with a high SPF factor. For those skeptical of the true protection of sun screens, take a spray bottle of dilute vitamin C, take extra CoQ10 for a few days before and a few after your excursion, and have some natural coconut oil along.
What you wear will be a personal choice, as long as it is suited to the weather and the occasion. Rafting on white water will be chilly, since canyons may block the sun and the water is always cold. Wet suits can really help on mountain waters or anywhere in the fall and winter. Of course, cool clothes or bathing suits will be fine on a cruise or leisurely sail.
Boaters have learned from experience, however, that the sun doesn't always shine, so foul weather gear should be stowed somewhere on every vessel. Rain squalls on deep water and thunderstorms over the creeks and rivers can make you wet and cold in seconds. Waterproof gear can be simply a bright yellow shell or a fully lined rain suit, suitable for frostbite sailing and dedicated all-year fishermen.
Portable safety devices include life vests for every passenger, in appropriate sizes. The newer flotation vests are less bulky, come in other colors than blaze orange, and are more adjustable and flexible than the old ones. You will also want to have a first aid kit, lots of water to prevent dehydration and for emergencies, and extra propane if you plan to cook on board. Sunglasses with certified UV protection are a must, since the sun's glare is intensified by the water. The drying effects of wind and sun will make a good lip balm very much appreciated.
Of course, there are many other great ideas: gloves to keep the canoe paddle from wearing away the skin on your hands, a personal flotation device (no longer needs to be blaze orange and bulky, or always under your chin), a strap to keep your sunglasses or goggles firmly in place, a folding ladder to let you swim off the boat and get back in, and fishing gear to let you catch dinner. Towel, good books, radios for music and news, good friends - all of these can make things afloat easier and more pleasant.
Esential gear to bring on a boating trip is worth thinking about ahead of time. Ask boating acquaintances or check official sites for requirements for safety on the water, for yourself, your family, and your friends.
First a boating license is compulsory in Canada. Boats get wet. Wet boats are slippery. Every one on board should have real boating footwear. This does not mean tennis shoes, no matter how sporty. Modern boating shoes have carefully designed grips on the soles to make them non-slip even on smooth surfaces. For maintenance in marine climates, all boats are smooth and shiny, and are usually wet when moving, so this detail should not be overlooked.
Secondly, giving the nod to conventional medical wisdom, you should take sun screen. Hats may blow off, assuredly will interfere with letting the wind blow through your hair, and cannot help protect you from the glare off the surface of the water and the boat itself. You will probably be out for hours, so choose one with a high SPF factor. For those skeptical of the true protection of sun screens, take a spray bottle of dilute vitamin C, take extra CoQ10 for a few days before and a few after your excursion, and have some natural coconut oil along.
What you wear will be a personal choice, as long as it is suited to the weather and the occasion. Rafting on white water will be chilly, since canyons may block the sun and the water is always cold. Wet suits can really help on mountain waters or anywhere in the fall and winter. Of course, cool clothes or bathing suits will be fine on a cruise or leisurely sail.
Boaters have learned from experience, however, that the sun doesn't always shine, so foul weather gear should be stowed somewhere on every vessel. Rain squalls on deep water and thunderstorms over the creeks and rivers can make you wet and cold in seconds. Waterproof gear can be simply a bright yellow shell or a fully lined rain suit, suitable for frostbite sailing and dedicated all-year fishermen.
Portable safety devices include life vests for every passenger, in appropriate sizes. The newer flotation vests are less bulky, come in other colors than blaze orange, and are more adjustable and flexible than the old ones. You will also want to have a first aid kit, lots of water to prevent dehydration and for emergencies, and extra propane if you plan to cook on board. Sunglasses with certified UV protection are a must, since the sun's glare is intensified by the water. The drying effects of wind and sun will make a good lip balm very much appreciated.
Of course, there are many other great ideas: gloves to keep the canoe paddle from wearing away the skin on your hands, a personal flotation device (no longer needs to be blaze orange and bulky, or always under your chin), a strap to keep your sunglasses or goggles firmly in place, a folding ladder to let you swim off the boat and get back in, and fishing gear to let you catch dinner. Towel, good books, radios for music and news, good friends - all of these can make things afloat easier and more pleasant.
Esential gear to bring on a boating trip is worth thinking about ahead of time. Ask boating acquaintances or check official sites for requirements for safety on the water, for yourself, your family, and your friends.
About the Author:
Taking the boat on Lake Ontario this weekend? Don't get caught without an boating exam. Take time today to sit a boat test. You can take the test online and have a pleasure craft operator card.
