Tips To Stay Warm On A Boat

The start of cold weather doesn’t mean that you can’t go boating anymore. There are still plenty of anglers out on the water for late-season fishing as well as families enjoying cruising around the bay even as the days get colder. When you go out on your boat in cold weather, you need to find ways to stay warm or you’ll end up falling sick. We at Nisswa Marine have rounded up some ways for you to beat the cold and stay cozy. If you’re looking for boats for sale in Minnesota, visit our dealership in Nisswa. We welcome all our patrons from Minneapolis and St. Cloud.

Layer up

The key to staying warm on your boat is layering up. With each layer you insulate the air, which helps keep you warm. That doesn’t mean you throw on a random set of odd clothes. Layering up has to be more strategic than that. Remember that layering also allows you to remove a layer or two if the weather should turn warmer when you’re out and about.

The base layer should be a wicking layer that will keep sweat and other moisture from sticking to your skin. Choose items like synthetic or polypropylene long johns. After that, the next layer should be lightly insulating, like a light fleece or thin wool sweater. On top of that, you can add a heavy insulating layer, such as heavier fleece or wool. For the outer layer, choose something that blocks the cold air as much as possible, like a windproof jacket made of breathable fabrics that evaporate sweat, keeping you warm and dry.

Right Accessories

Extremities like feet, hands and face get cold the fastest, so you’ll need the right gear for them.Your socks should be thick enough to provide warmth but they shouldn’t be so thick that they cramp your feet or cause limited circulation. Gear like gloves and mittens are necessary but they can also interfere with boat activities like tying on a fishing lure or tying knots. Thick fingerless gloves are a good solution for when you want to stay warm yet need to use your hands. Or get convertible mittens that cover your fingers and flip open to fingerless gloves!

Finally, you’ll want to keep your head warm. Look for a hat that’ll cover your ears. If you don’t like wool knit caps, try a baseball cap with a fleece neck gaiter. If it’s warm enough to help people while skiing, it’ll definitely keep you warm on the water!

Insulation

Your home is insulated to keep you warm. This is something that can benefit your boat too! When you insulate your boat’s hull, it helps keep cold air out and cozy warm air in. It also reduces the amount of internal combustion, which makes the boating experience more comfortable.

Electric Heater

A great way to add some warmth is to get a portable electric heater. For a boat, though, you can’t just pick out any odd heater. It should be stable enough to stay upright despite the waves. It should also have a feature that turns it off in case it does tip over. Make sure to pay attention to the amount of power it consumes. You may need another shore power connection if you plan on running multiple heaters. Review your wiring before you plug anything in to prevent an electrical short.

It’s also wise to pick up a carbon monoxide detector if you don’t already have one on your boat. Carbon monoxide is a safety threat with portable heaters. There are many options on the market specifically designed for boats.

Blankets

One of the easiest ways to keep yourself warm is to simply get a blanket. Wrap yourself up in them as you cruise across the bay or sit waiting for the fish to nibble. Wool’s insulating qualities and water resistance make it ideal for boating. If you’re pulling your winter blankets out of storage, ensure they aren’t musty and that they don’t have any mildew. It’s a good idea to wash them when you pull them out so that they’ll be fresh and ready to go for your boating adventures!

We hope you’ll use these tips to stay warmer on your boat. For any additional help or if you’re still looking for a quality boat, visit Nisswa Marine. We’re proud to serve our friends from Minneapolis and St. Cloud.