Tips For Boating in Cold Weather

With the fall months come cooler temperatures, which means that anyone who wants to go boating needs to be prepared to deal with the cold. While temperatures here in the Pacific Northwest don’t get too brisk until winter, the temperature out on the water, especially if you’re out in the ocean, can get deceptively cold, so it pays to be ready. Here are some of our top tips for boating in cold weather.

Layer Up

The best strategy against the cold is to layer up your clothing so that you can easily add or remove layers as needed. If you grow too warm or your layers get wet, remove them and replace them with dry clothing. 

Start your layering with a base of thermal underwear or leggings and a long-sleeved shirt. Add a thin pullover and a thicker sweater and then a coat. Wear rugged pants over your leggings. Make sure that you have insulated gloves and socks, a close-fitting wool cap, and a scarf for good measure.

Add Warmth

There are a few ways you can make your boat warmer in the cold. If you have sufficient power and an enclosed cabin, you may want to invest in a marine-friendly electric heater that you can plug in to keep things toasty. Just keep the heater away from anything flammable and install a carbon-monoxide detector for safety.

Some lower-tech solutions for adding warmth to your boat include bringing several wool and fleece blankets and disposable pocket handwarmers. 

Bring Snacks

When you’re cold, you shiver in order to generate warmth, but shivering burns calories. That’s why it’s important to bring sufficient snacks and drinks for everyone on your boat. A few thermoses of hot tea or soup can help to stave off the chill, and nutritious snacks like sandwiches, cheese, nuts, granola, and dried fruit can help you keep your energy levels up.

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