Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stop boating! Many people love the bracing feeling of cold spray on their faces and the way everything has an idyllic calm about it in the winter months. Provided you take sufficient precautions, you can keep yourself and your passengers cozy and warm during winter cruises.
This guide from Dalton Marine offers some expert advice on winter boating! If you need a new boat for your winter boating adventures, come shop with us today. Dalton Marine is your local boat dealer in Acworth and Dalton, GA, serving customers from Marietta and beyond.
Dress in Layers
Start with your wardrobe. You can’t just throw on a heavy overcoat over your street clothes and call it good when you’re going out boating in the cold. Layer up instead! Wear thin, wicking layers of wool or polyester, starting with thermal underwear and adding more to keep yourself comfortable. For example, you could wear leggings under jeans or cargo pants and a long-sleeved shirt under a wool sweater and fleece pullover. Your outermost layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring some additional layers in a dry bag to add to your ensemble as needed or to replace garments if they get wet.
Accessorize
You can’t stop with your clothes. You also have to accessorize appropriately for the cold. Thick wool socks (with an extra pair in your dry bag) with tall waterproof boots will keep your feet warm and dry. A neck gaiter, cowl or thick scarf, along with a wool cap with earflaps, should keep your head and neck warm. Fingerless gloves allow you to manipulate controls or put bait on your hook without frigid hands, or you could go for convertible mittens to keep your fingers warm between tasks. You might even want to pick up some hand-warming packets that activate with a twist or snap to keep in your pockets for a little extra warmth!
Pack Blankets
This is a low-tech solution, but having some blankets in your storage compartments is always a good idea. Bundle up the kids while they’re on the deck admiring the view, or drape a throw over your lap while waiting for the fish to bite. Wool and fleece are good, water-resistant options in terms of materials. Be sure that you’re washing and drying your blankets on a regular basis to prevent mold and mildew from taking hold and making them smell rank.
Invest in a Heater
Portable heaters can help to warm up your boat’s cabin when it’s chilly outside, and they’ll prove especially useful on longer excursions that take you further out onto the open water. Look for marine heaters that will work with your boat’s voltage. These models should come with a shut-off switch that activates if they tip over to prevent a fire. Don’t forget to add a carbon monoxide alarm and a fire extinguisher to your boat when you have a heater on board, and make sure it’s always off and unplugged when not in use.
Need more tips on winter boating? Feel free to consult the staff here at Dalton Marine! We serve customers all the way from Chattanooga, TN, at our dealerships in Acworth and Dalton, GA.