·

Boat Smart: The Importance of Planning and Proper Preparedness for Your Boating Vacations

Plan Your Boating Trip

May 23, 2024

Summer on the water is what we’re all dreaming about, and with access to some of Ontario’s best boating destinations right here on Georgian Bay, you’ve probably already started picking dates and new anchorages to explore. Preparing for your next trip, especially if you plan to explore new locations, requires thorough planning and prioritizing safety to ensure you have an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

Start your season off with a thorough pre-trip maintenance review, making a list of supplies you need for the boat, and any service work that needs to be completed by a marine mechanic. Summer is a busy time of year, so sourcing parts and booking service work at your local marina may be challenging. By completing your maintenance check as early as possible and proactively addressing potential issues, you can ensure your boat will be voyage-ready for your target trip date.

Once your boat is ready for the trip, it is crucial to map your route using marine charts and GPS technologies. Marine charts, available at your local marinas, provide critical details about water depths, hazards, and landmarks along the way. These charts, paired with modern navigation tools, allow boaters to familiarize themselves with the waterways they’re exploring and map their route to ensure navigation accuracy and safety.

Weather will be another key factor to consider in advance of your trip. Start tracking any potential weather systems that could be on the horizon. Knowing the weather forecast allows you to anticipate and prepare for the changing conditions, choose safe harbor dates and locations, or decide if you need to adjust your travel and anchoring dates. Always ensure you have access to weather updates throughout your journey and enable notifications in case of an unexpected storm system.

After planning your route and tracking the weather forecast, ensure your boat is stocked with essential safety supplies. This includes life jackets, flares, ropes, and any other necessary equipment. Regularly check these items to ensure they are in good condition and not expired.

With all preparations complete, you’re ready to start cruising and enjoying your time on the water. If you’re looking for popular destinations to explore, we highly recommend Bone Island, Frying Pan Bay, Port Rawson, Colins Inlet, or heading further north to Killarney and Little Current, for a longer adventure. Wherever your boating adventure takes you, be safe, have fun, and make a splash.

With 9 marinas across Georgian Bay, Maple Leaf Marinas is your one-stop source for service, support on the water, and the Ultimate Boating Lifestyle. www.mlmarinas.com

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Starcraft SV 16 OB

By Craig Ritchie

Photos by Starcraft Marine

Building great boats has always come down to a mix of art and science, and that’s particularly true when it comes to meeting the biggest challenge of all—creating an appealing yet affordable family runabout. Buyers want a boat that is affordable but not stripped to the bare bones.

Enter Starcraft and its delightful SV 16 OB, an all-new-for-2025 family deck boat that elegantly balances comfort, amenities and affordability.

Read More

Destinations

The Erie Canal – An Extraordinary Waterway

By Mark Stevens

Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens

As I shift our chartered canal boat into neutral, I’m soothed by the soundtrack of bird calls, the occasional plaintive horn of a distant train and the hum of our engine.

I reach for the VHF to radio the lockmaster in charge of Erie Canal’s Lock 32 dead ahead. Our boat spins gently in the current like a maple key in a mud puddle.

“This is Onondaga,” I say. “Headed westbound and requesting passage.”

Read More

Lifestyle