The best part of planning a boating trip happens right at the start, with the planning of the trip itself. This includes coming up with a loose itinerary, picking the majority of the stops you would like to make, highlighting any new spots you would like to visit, and noting any friends or family who you want to meet up with along the way, either on water or on land.
The specifics of your trip will depend on a few things, such as:
- If you’ll be crossing international waters, you’ll need passports for everyone on board, as well as an updated insurance policy that covers you in the countries you are planning on visiting.
- If you’ll be traveling with your family or traveling with pets, you’ll have extra considerations to make for each situation.
- If the weather or climate is unpredictable where you’re headed, you’ll need clothing and possibly extra equipment for the unexpected.
- If you’ll be docking up at a marina for overnight stays rather than anchoring offshore, you’ll need to budget for this.
- If you’ll be packing most of your own groceries, follow our guide to stocking the best foods for your yacht.
While planning your route, it can be handy to consult those who have been there before you, and those boaters are happy to share their experiences. Meet other boaters at your local marina and through yachting and cruising groups and forums on social media. Follow your favourite boating websites, and pick up physical copies of boating magazines, cruising guides, and annotated charts. You should stay on the lookout for localized information on:
- Top-rated routes, tracks, and safe passages
- The notable depth and shoaling challenges
- Placements of navigational markers
- Tides and currents
- Locations and opening times of locks and gates
- Nearby marinas and potential anchorages
