Are you excited about your family boating trip? Whether you are heading out on a nearby lake or the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, you need to have a plan in place. Long boating trips on an ocean that is ranked 9th on the list of “Biggest Oceans in the World” with a small first-aid kid, a bag of food, and a change of clothes won’t offer you any kind of safety.
If you have kids onboard, you need to be prepared in advance so that if an emergency arises, you know what to do. With that being said, let’s take a look at how to prepare for your family boating trip:
Sailing Checklist
Let’s say that you are a family of 5 – husband, wife, and three kids – heading out for a 7-day sail. Here are all the essentials you need to pack:
Sailing Essentials
- Sailing maps and guides
- Rope
- Swiss army knife
- Bungees
- Snorkeling mask
- Swim goggles
- Sailing gloves
- Headlamp
- Flashlight
- Underwater camera
Clothing (For the Entire Family)
- PJ’s
- Underwear
- Long sleeve shirts
- Bathing suits
- hiking pants
- Rash guards
- Shorts
- Fleece jacket
- Smock to stay dry in case you have to get into a dinghy ride
- T-shirts (Lots of them)
- Headwear for sun protection
- Flip flops
- Casual outfits for dinners
- Sailing boots
- Raincoat
Extras
- Sunglasses
- Water-resistant watch
- Ziploc bags
- Garbage bags
- Duct tape
- Wipes
- Clothes pins
- Aluminum foil
- Small laundry detergent
- Books/Kindle
- List of emergency contacts
- Cell phones/chargers
- Board games/cards
- Power pack
Toiletries
- Lip balm
- After sun lotion
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Skincare products
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shower cap
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Hair ties
- Nail file and clipper
- Brush
- Makeup
Food
- Snacks (Chips, juices, candies, mini sandwiches, etc.)
- Coffee and filters
- Cereal bars
Health Care Items
- First Aid Kit
- Tweezers
- Benadryl
- Prescription meds
- Dramamine
- Aspirin /Advil
- Antacids
- Allergy Medicine
- Pepto-Bismol
- Aloe
- Anti-itch spray
- Calamine Lotion
- Eye flush solution
- Liquid Band-Aid
- Band-Aids
- Cold Medicine
- Bug repellant
Get a Crew Member
If you have the budget, get a crew member to sail with you. They can navigate the boat when you feel tired or sleep, cook and clean, and do regular engine checks to ensure you are good to sail for the next days.
Sailing is about the journey, not following an itinerary, so throw it in the ocean and be in the moment. Explore your surrounding and come up with games to enjoy with your family. Brainstorm and create new ones while having a snack, try water skiing, relax on an inflatable toy and sip a margarita… do whatever comes to your mind.
Visit the EZ Dock Texas website and browse their products section for floating docks and dock accessories. For more information, call on (800) 654-8168.
