Packing for a Day of Boating on the Big Rideau Lake

Boating season here for those of us that love the water! Getting your boat packed to ensure that your family and friends enjoy a beautiful day on the lake can be simple and easy with a little pre-planning... We like to plan trips as well as be spontaneous with our boating and will often spend an entire day on the lake or end up sleeping over at a friend's place on the water or camping! It can be easier than you may think. I plan for the summer rather than a day. Whether you have a new or a used boat, or own a pontoon, deck boat or a bowrider, the essentials remain the same!

For packing clothes and towels giant Ziplock storage baggies (if you are careful not to rip them) or bins that seal tightly and fit the dimensions of your boat are a fabulous purchase. I would measure first. It will be very frustrating if you have everything ready to go and then it won't fit in the space! My family is young so I always pack extras. I permanently keep some things on my boat in sealed water-proof containers... Warm sweaters, windbreakers, pajamas, bathing suits, towels, hats , sunglasses and a spare outfit... (Basic colours that match with anything). I also have essential toiletries, wipes, sunscreen and first aid supplies. These stay permanently on the boat and just get replaced as used. For planned day trips I will pack these items and leave the sealed ones untouched. It gives us flexibility and the opportunity to have organized spontaneity. Our boat, although a bow rider has lots of storage so we also sometimes keep sleeping bags, pillows and a tent! Don't forget tubes, skis and wakeboards if you are into water sports. We have enough life-jackets for the capacity of our boat and actually extra as my family is big into water sports. Having a spare dry lifejacket is great for the kids to come in off the lake after changing into dry clothes.  We also have wake vests that are more comfortable for wakeboarding than traditional pfds.

Pre-planning meals can also help to make a successful day. Pack things that your family likes and that are easy to prepare...keeping it simple.There are some things that also stay permanently on my boat. I put salt and pepper, a thin table cloth, paper plates and cutlery in sealed containers that I just leave in the boat so that I don't have to do it everytime. I have food lockable containers that fit the dimensions of my cooler exactly. We stick with bottled water for simplicity and just keep flavoured singles if we feel like something different. I tend to stick with one container for fruit, one veg, one starch and one meat with condiments or dips on the side as necessary. There are endless combinations and because I always use the same containers I already know that it will fit in the cooler.    

To get ready for a day trip I've made a simple checklist. 

•bathing suits  

•towels   

•cover-ups