How to Plan a Successful Boat Trip
It is sensible to hire a local skipper when you're boating in unfamiliar territory. However, if that is not possible, you can use your boat electronics chart to plan your route. If you don't prepare properly for your trip, you could end up getting lost or in trouble with the law. You can relax on the boat if you plan well and prepare with local knowledge.
Check the Weather Conditions
Before you do anything, make sure to check the weather forecast for that day. You can also use local weather websites. However, we recommend that you use weather and tidal applications specifically designed for boaters.
Get the Marine Weather Forecast Pro
You can still check the weather even after you push the dock. Make sure to download the NOAA marine weather app for the most current weather information. It provides real-time buoy data and historical wave trends for six hours, hourly tide forecasts, NOAA Weather Map overlays, severe weather reports, and NOAA weather maps overlays.
Check out the Tidal Charts to see the Ebb and Flow
Tides can make a huge difference in where you want to go. This depends on where your boat is anchored and how deep your boat draft is. Although you can find a tide chart or an almanac online, most people just do a quick internet search for the area where they will be boating. It doesn't matter what, it is important to know the tides in the area you are heading for.
The impact of currents can also be significant. A couple of knots of wind can make a difference to your arrival at a destination, and the time it takes you to return home. This is especially true for sailors and those who are on slower powerboats. It can be dangerous to transit in areas with strong currents.
Navigate Your Journey
Navigation on water is essential, but you can also plan your route ahead of time to avoid getting lost. This can be done the traditional way with dividers or parallel rules. However, digital tools are becoming more popular these days.
You can pre-plot a course even though your chartplotter may be mounted onboard. It can be done on your smartphone or tablet with an app such as Navionics or C-Map. This app allows you to upload your route later to your chartplotter. You can do it via Bluetooth, WiFi, or a data card. Even if your chartplotter does not have this capability, you can still track the channel markers and coordinates along the route and then quickly add them to the chartplotter.
You can also use NOAA online navigation charts from your home computer. These interactive digital charts allow you to calculate distances, view contours, determine slow speeds zones and obtain GPS coordinates all from one click. These charts can be printed and taken to your boat with you.
Get the US Coast Guard Mobile App
The U.S. The U.S. Coast Guard app gives you 24/7 access to the most important and frequently requested resources for recreational boating. You can find out about boating safety laws and requirements in your state. Additionally, you can request a safety check for your vessel from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. The app can also help you identify the safety equipment that you need and suggest additional safety measures depending on the size and type of your boat.
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