What To Pack on A Boating Holiday: A Quick Guide

By Amanda Miller

Summer is the season of beautiful weather and planning vacations with family/friends. With an estimated one hundred and thirteen million Americans planning to enjoy a holiday with their loved ones this summer, there are hundreds of ways to rejoice in the freedom of summer with family/friends, from city breaks and luxury holidays to all-inclusive and boating holidays. 

The latter has become increasingly popular in our post-pandemic age since it gives holidaymakers more freedom over their holiday. But due to the unique experience, it might confuse the packing process. 

To prevent this, we’ve created this quick guide detailing what to bring on your boating holiday, whether you plan to embark on a relaxing cruise or a family sailing adventure. From safety essentials to warm clothing like a crewneck sweater – this quick guide will prepare you for your family boating adventure. 

Warm Clothing 

Choosing the appropriate clothing/footwear is imperative no matter what kind of holiday you’re going on to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience. For a boating holiday, your clothing/footwear considerations are even more critical as you’ll be sailing through various weather/sea conditions and many other factors. 

Typically, you’ll need lightweight, quick-drying clothing such as bathing suits, cover-ups, t-shirts, non-slip boat shoes, flip-flops, and a few layers such as a crewneck sweater in case of unexpected weather changes. 

While you might be reluctant to pack a crewneck sweater, especially if the weather forecast is shaping out to be pleasant, being on the water can make it seem colder than it is since water takes much more energy to heat/cool than land. But keeping warm doesn’t have to be unfashionable; consider looking at these 10 awesome crewnecks from the Sweater Shop for inspiration. 

Visit their website to browse their entire range of crewneck sweaters, read customer testimonials, take advantage of their styling tips, etc., and find the perfect crewneck sweater for your family boating holiday today. 

Safety Essentials 

While someone getting hurt is the last thing you want to think about when preparing for a boating vacation with your loved ones, no matter how careful you are, everyone onboard is still susceptible to accidents. Therefore, it is essential that you have the necessary safety equipment on board with you, such as lifejackets, a first-aid kit, and any required prescription medicines. 

Having all these items on board with you can make the difference between a minor and a major accident, enabling you to provide primary medical aid until the person affected can receive professional medical attention. It will allow you to provide medical attention as required and give you peace of mind should an accident occur. 

On-Deck Entertainment 

While you’d like to think that the open water will provide all the entertainment you’ll need if you’re bringing young children (or even worse, teenagers!), they’ll soon start exclaiming that they’re bored. To prevent this, ensure that you bring other forms of entertainment on board to keep your crewmates entertained and the atmosphere as relaxing as possible. 

While electronics might not be the brightest idea unless they’re in waterproof/floating phone cases to protect them from water damage, you could consider bringing books, magazines, board games, playing cards, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, etc., to provide relief when the waterways aren’t doing it for you.

About the Author

New York Trend is a weekly news publication that focuses on issues and lifestyles of the African & Caribbean American communities throughout the New York metropolitan area and Nassau and Suffolk Counties of Long Island. It is a respected and well recognized news publication that has been in existence since 1989. Owner, Publisher and Executive Director, Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams has been at the helm of this award-winning publication since its inception. New York Trend continues to be the only black woman-owned, metropolitan newspaper in New York and Long island. New York Trend is the largest black-owned newspaper throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.