Reignite Your Love of Boating - Let the Good Times Keep Rolling

For some boaters, their boating activities can gradually become less interesting. Travelling to a short list of places to eat, or taking friends to the same destinations, can become less exciting over time. Even heading to your favourite fishing spot can become routine. All too familiar boating habits can result in your time on the water losing the spark that makes boating such a great sport. What used to be happy things that you did in your boat can begin to seem like driving your car to work.

If this is happening to you, I would like to suggest a few activities for you to consider that could re-ignite your boating enthusiasm and put a whole new spin on the things you do with your boat.

1) Do It Alone

Boating is generally a social sport, but going by yourself provides a different perspective and a unique opportunity to reflect on things on your mind without interruption. It doesn’t require the sort of planning that taking other people demands and while you are a solo operator you can contemplate things without interruption. Solo time is classed as quality time. You may even practice a few of those tricky docking procedures.

(Related- Boating Home Alone)

2) Do It At Night

Following a similar route that you follow during the daytime, but doing it at night, gives you a totally different experience. Prepare properly, taking a first mate with you, along with the recommended equipment, such as warm clothes, a good spotlight, a GPS, and a chart. It can be as safe as you make it. It can also be a very romantic endeavor. (Related- #QuickTips - Boating at Night)

3) Replace a Business Golf Game (or Lunch) with a Business Boat Ride

Keep a short boat ride in mind as a fun substitute for your usual fun activity with a group of business associates. It is better than golf if your game sucks like mine and better than lunch if one of your associates is on a diet.

4) Take Underprivileged Kids for a Ride

There are plenty of programs available where you can learn ways to help underprivileged kids. Agencies such as child welfare, juvenile justice, social service agencies, boys and girls clubs, 4-H Clubs, YMCA, and scouting organizations, can all provide you with information about children in need that reside close to where you boat. You don’t need a full day on the water to give these kids an experience they will never forget. A half day on the water with any of these children will make them happy and you proud. I guarantee you will want to do it again.

5) Eat In the Boat

Sometimes packing a lunch and dropping anchor in a back channel can be more fun than going to a pricey restaurant. After eating, everyone can drop a fishing line and try to catch dinner. Not only is a picnic very relaxing, but kids love it. It is also one of the less expensive boating activities.

6) Take up Fishing

If you don’t already go fishing in your boat, I can tell you that fishing is one of the most popular applications for boats. Fishing could grow to surpass many of the existing boating activities that you currently enjoy, and provide a new frequent use for your boat.

7) Practice Some Boating Drills

Use your time on the water to improve your skills. Think of a boating maneuver that could use some practice, such as turning very sharply to avoid hitting an object. Confirm the best way to drive the specific move at the helm, then perform the maneuver several times until it sticks and you feel comfortable doing it.

(Related- Smooth Operator: 4 Techniques for Traversing Wakes)

8) Enter a Predicted Log Event

A predicted log competition involves operating your boat at selected speeds over a course set between various nautical markers. It is not as easy as you might think and it sharpens your awareness of time and distance. Many clubs and associations offer predicted log events. Speed is not a factor. The skipper who predicts his times most accurately is the winner.

9) Vary Your Cruising Speed

This plan sounds like it is too simple to mean much, but we are creatures of habit and we usually cruise our boat at consistent speed levels. Try altering the RPMs to a different number for parts of your travel time. You will notice that the different speeds you choose will result in different comfort levels and provide a reference for future days on the water. Driving fast is a different sensation but also try running very slowly. You will be pleasantly surprised at the things you see that had gone unnoticed on previous outings. And Aunt Maude will compliment you on the ride. (Related- #QuickTips - Finding the Cruising Sweet Spot)

10) Do a History Trip       

Research historic or significant locations in your area and read up on their significance. Boat your passengers to each of the areas that you have researched and explain to them the history behind these interesting places. Explaining points of interest to passengers will always make a trip more interesting for your passengers. And they may think you are smarter than you are. (Related- Cruising the Historic Lower Ottawa River)

11) Do a Family Overnight Trip

If your boat does not have overnight accommodations, no problem. This is your opportunity to explore some of those B&B's along the route. I know that once you do a couple of overnight trips, you will soon be planning a week long journey. There are multiple exciting week long boat trips for you to choose from.

12) Hit the Beach

If you can drive your boat to a beach, try driving up onto it and securing it with your anchor. Everyone loves time on a beach. It adds casual walks to your agenda and gives passengers a welcome addition to a simple boat ride. If you are in tidal waters, be sure to beach your boat on an incoming tide, or anchor it just offshore.

13) Trailer Your Boat to a Different Lake

A sure way to expand your interest in boating is to go boating on a different lake. It's easy to do if you have a good trailer and the other lake is not too far away. Check for launch ramp availability, GPS coverage and be sure to have a local chart.

(Related- To Trailer or Not to Trailer - That is the Question)

14) Test Drive a New Boat

As you would expect, dealers are always happy to show you the latest features on one of their boats and seeing new stuff keeps you current. He may even offer you a test drive where you can compare the ride and handling to your own boat. It will put new life into your boating interest, plus it is always good to keep in touch with your local dealer. (Related- How to Test Drive a Boat or Yacht You Want to Buy)

15) Enter a Charity Run or a Poker Run

Charity runs are very popular these days. You ask friends to sponsor you for a fixed amount of money, (usually just a few dollars), and if you complete the event’s route, you collect their agreed dollars to donation. These events are usually just a group of boats traveling together, to predetermined stops. If you would prefer a little more excitement in the event you choose, enter a poker run. A poker run is not a race. Every boat is handed a playing card in a sealed envelope at each stop. At the end of the day, the envelopes are opened and the best hands win prizes. (Related- The Clayton 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run & My Experience Aboard Mystic's M5200)

16) Tow Sports

Tow sports are huge and can provide many hours of fun use for your boat. From tubing to wake boarding, tow sports can inject a whole new dimension into your boating, especially if you have young people in your family.

Any or all of these additions to your boating activities can re purpose your fun on the water. This is what keeps boating such an amazing sport. Keep it fresh!

#tips