Are you carefully planning your next family outing? Why not go on a boating adventure? This wonderful bonding experience will create invaluable and precious memories with your loved ones. It’s the perfect way to unplug from all of your chores and obligations and it will leave you feeling absolutely refreshed and rejuvenated.

Soaking up in the sun to stack up on that vitamin D and enjoying the pleasant view of the water all around you gives you a unique sense of ease and serenity. Research even shows that it can help reduce stress and anxiety. To put it plain and simple, boat trips are good for both body and mind.

As is the case with every holiday, there are several things to take into account when venturing out in the open, including safety, clothing and something to eat. Pack lightly to ensure mobility but pack smartly too, taking all of the essentials for an enjoyable and safe boat ride. Might seem a little complicated, but don’t panic just yet, we’ve put together an adventure holiday checklist to help you pick and choose all the necessities.

Safety Vests for Everyone

Life jackets are the single most important safety item you can bring along on a boat ride. And not just for kids, adults need protection too. The waters can be quite unpredictable and turbulent, depending on the weather conditions. As a result, accidents can easily happen, so better to be safe than sorry.

Wearing a safety vest can quite literally save your life by helping you stay afloat and prevent drowning in cases of emergency. This doesn’t necessarily refer to turbulent waters and strong winds, it can be a simple slip on the deck that gets you into the water, which is why precautions are crucial.

And yes, most people can indeed swim but even the best of swimmers might experience difficulties keeping their heads above the surface of the water, especially during an accident or injury. When you’re unexpectedly thrown into the water, fear and panic quickly ensue which can greatly affect your ability to think rationally. Moreover, life jackets are designed to keep your body warm if you end up in cold water.

Make sure that your safety vest fits properly before sailing out, it shouldn’t be too snug or too loose. Not having the right fit can be extremely dangerous since the life jacket can’t serve its main function to keep your body afloat.

This is especially important when choosing a kids life jacket (yes, they’re different that adult life jackets). Don’t overlook the way the jacket fits around your child’s body, it’s not just an accessory. Teach children the value of having the appropriate safety vest and let them get used to wearing them. The good news is that choosing a comfortable and convenient pfd children’s vest is made easier since they’re available in a variety of vibrant colors and eye-catching designs, making kids actually want to wear them. And don’t forget, baby life jackets are a thing too.

There are a few extra things on a pfd children’s vest that can be quite useful for parents. For instance, some vests have a strap that can be pulled around the crotch area to stop the vest from riding up. You can also find handles on the sides to help you lift your child up from the water which is helpful considering how slippery they can get.

Keep Warm With Wetsuits

Aside from the warmth of the life jacket, you’ll need to wear a wetsuit underneath for some extra padding. Wetsuits are skin-tight bodysuits which allow only limited contact between the cold water and your body. Their thickness can range from 1 mm for warmer days to up to 6 mm for much colder weather conditions. The thicker it is, the warmer you’ll be. A 3 mm wetsuit should be enough in most cases.

The materials are usually quite flexible and comfortable so you shouldn’t feel any discomfort, even after wearing a wetsuit for several hours. Once again, a good fit is essential so don’t rush when deciding on which wetsuit to get.

Avoid Slipping With Sailing Gloves and Boots

Sailing gloves offer the necessary skin protection against physical damage and rope burn. The constant exposure to salt water isn’t helping either. Keep your hands warm and dry by investing in a handy pair of gloves which can contribute to greater dexterity and mobility.

Any deck can easily be a slippery slope if you’re not careful enough. Having a solid pair of sailing boots can help you stand your ground and improve your stability when moving around. Most of them are lightweight and breathable so you don’t have to worry about your foot sweating or any unpleasant smells making an appearance.

Additional Boat Equipment and Accessories

Boats also need to be fully equipped before going on a trip. There are a few must-haves to keep an eye out for before sailing out.

A First Aid Kit

You’ll definitely need first aid kits as well as some basic medication, like for headaches and nausea. When you’re out in the open, medical assistance isn’t readily available and oftentimes you need to act fast in case of emergency.

Fire Extinguisher

As ironic as that sounds, your boat can actually catch fire while being surrounded by water. And yes, you’ll still have to use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.

GPS Navigation

We’ve all heard the stories of boats lost at sea, haven’t we? It can be pretty bad. Do everything in your power to avoid that scenario. This means having electronic navigation with you at all times to help you figure out where you are and find a way to your destination.

Emergency Repair Items

You never know when things can go wrong so having a fully-stocked toolbox ready to go can save the day. Just take out all the wrenches, screwdrivers and flashlights that you need to make repairs.

Take Care of Your Skin With Hats, Sunscreen and Toiletries

Excessive exposure to sun rays can cause extreme skin damage and sunburns. And we all know how tricky those can be. To avoid getting there, wear a hat and reapply your sunscreen every 2-3 hours to maximise protection.

When discussing toiletries, deodorant and moisturiser are quite obvious additions, but you shouldn’t forget about insect repellents either. Bug bites aren’t fun at all.

Bring Extra Towels And Wipes

After some splish-splash fun in the water, drying out with towels is advisable since you shouldn’t stay in wet clothes for too long. Microfiber ones may be the best option since they’re fast-drying and super absorbent. You can even roll up the towel and use it as a pillow on the deck when you’re sunbathing too.

It’s nice to have a few extra wipes lying around as well if you need a quick clean or touch up. They don’t really take up that much space anyway.

Keep Your Tummies Full With Snacks And Drinks

You can’t possibly enjoy any sort of activities on an empty stomach, can you? Your body needs fuel to function. You can stack up on food and drinks in a cooler to keep them from getting warm overtime. But remember to wait a bit before going into the water, your stomach won’t appreciate that and it might get upset.