How to Stay Safe When Boating in Rough Waters

Have you ever been boating and suddenly found yourself staring down a huge storm? Boating can be an extremely enjoyable pastime, but it can also be incredibly nerve-wracking when the weather conditions unexpectedly change. Knowing what to do and what not to do when boating in rough water could possibly save your life. Here are our tips.

The Importance of Being Prepared

Checking the weather forecast before setting out is obviously important. If storms, inclement weather, or rough water are predicted, you’re usually better off staying on dry land. Still, the weather has the potential to change at any time. This makes it essential that you’re well-prepared before heading out on the water. 

Specifically, you’ll want to ensure that your boat has plenty of fuel. Bad weather can significantly slow your progress and cause your boat to use much more fuel. Therefore, it is vital that you fill up your boat with fuel before leaving shore even if the weather forecast looks perfect.

Be Ready Before Rough Water Strikes

If your boat has a radar, it’s a good idea to continuously check it so you’re aware of any storms that might be coming. If you do see that a storm is approaching or the water starts getting rough, you’ll want to take a few important steps before things get bad. Stow or secure any loose items to prevent them from moving around when the water gets rough Turn on your navigation lights to ensure other boats can still see you if the visibility suddenly lowers.

Tips for Navigating Rough Water

The first thing you’ll want to do when encountering rough waters or large waves is to slow your speed. Going slower gives you more time to react. Also, slower speeds will enable your boat to gently ride over the waves instead of crashing into them. 

Another important thing to remember is that you should never approach large waves or wakes head-on. Instead, you should always slow down and try to hit the waves at a 45-degree angle. This may require you to zig-zag towards your destination instead of going in a straight line. While this will obviously take longer, the added safety makes it well worth the extra time.

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