How to Stay Warm on a Boat

When it’s cold out there, boating isn’t an activity that everyone is going to be interested in. However, the snowy landscapes provide a beautiful setting for spending a relaxing afternoon on the water. If you too enjoy boating in the winter, it’s important that you prevent hypothermia and frostbite by making smart choices about what you wear and how you outfit your craft for the cold.

Layer Up Your Clothing

The easiest thing you can do to stay warm is to dress for the weather. Instead of tossing a big overcoat on top of your street clothes, strategically layer what you wear to better insulate your body and trap more heat. The advantage of layering is that you can add or remove parts of what you wear to suit your comfort level if the weather changes.

Invest in Cold-Weather Accessories

Next, you’ll want to add some accessories to your clothing to keep your extremities warm. A thick wool hat with earflaps will keep your head warm and dry. Pair it with a muffler, cowl, or scarf. Insulated and waterproof gloves will keep your hands warm, and you can invest in convertible gloves or fingerless mitts to allow you more dexterity. Thick wool socks are insulating and water-resistant so they’re a good choice to wear with boots. 

Add Insulation

Your boat may have some insulation in it, but you can always add more to the hull to make things cozier and less drafty. If your craft has an enclosed cabin, you can warm it up by purchasing a portable electric heater. You’ll need to get a model that is marine-friendly and not likely to tip over in choppy water.

Last but not least, having some blankets on board is always useful for keeping your passengers cozy!

We hope these tips help you stay warm on your vessel. Are you still looking to buy a boat? Stop by Chatlee Boat & Marine in Sanford, NC, to check out our full selection of new and used boats for sale! We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Raleigh and Greensboro.