Boating Trip tips for Intermediates
- May 21, 2026
- 17
- Uncategorized
Right now, you’re not a novice on the water, but you’re not an expert either. Unfortunately, there isn’t much content on the internet to help people who are genuinely intermediate in their boating trip skills. Fortunately, this guide is here to help. We take a look at some of the key tips you need to know if you’re an intermediate when you’re travelling.
Get to grips with weather and sea state management
The biggest challenge facing many intermediate boating enthusiasts is the weather and sea state. Wind vs. current dynamics can be complex, especially when combined with wave intervals. The wind vs. current trap is real: when the wind is blowing at 15 knots east and the tidal current is rushing west, they crash into each other. This creates so-called square waves that make for a chaotic chop that increases the danger of your trip. Therefore, you need to understand these dynamics in advance.
Also, a 3 ft wave with a 3-second interval is harsh and bone-rattling. Ideally, you want a 3 ft wave with a 7-second interval so it feels more like a gentle swell that bobs your boat up and down.
Understand navigational self-reliance
Whether you’re renting Sylvan boats in West Michigan or going across the Pacific, understanding navigation is critical. Relying on a single chart puppet or your phone’s GPS is a beginner’s habit.
Navigation at sea requires multiple redundancies. You need several methods of charting your course so you don’t get lost and stranded. Ideally, you want a paper baseline. Keeping a physical chart or printout of your route on board is useful if all of your electronics and other equipment fail. In the worst-case scenario, you can erect a sail and take your boat to shore that way.
You should also keep a compass on board. This will tell you which direction you are going in at all times, so you can eventually make landfall.
Upgrade your safety tools
If you’re planning a vacation or a trip on a boat as an intermediate, it’s a good idea to upgrade your safety tooling. This is now your responsibility.
- Make sure you have basic fire extinguishers and lifejackets on board.
- Don’t rely on cell service. Make sure you have a proper VHF radio. Cell towers are directional and usually point inland, whereas marine VHF connects you to the Coast Guard instantly so you can tell them where you are.
- Have a float plan. Don’t leave the dock without texting or emailing somebody to tell them where you’re going.
- If you’re not at a specific destination by a certain time, get them to raise the alarm and start a search.
Understand close quarters handling
Finally, as an intermediate boater planning a travel trip, you want to make sure that you understand close quarters handling. Docking in a calm slip is simple, but intermediate skills allow you to park up even when conditions aren’t ideal. Make sure you do things like:
- Neutral your engines for 10 seconds in open water.
- Approach fuel docks or slips slowly.
- Use the wind or current to act as a natural brake as you approach.
