Boating is a beloved pastime for many people, and with good reason. Taking your boat or yacht out on the water allows you to enjoy so much more than the average traveler. From majestic ocean vistas to unique looks at island nations, boating allows you to explore the world up close and personal.
However, boating comes with some challenges. The biggest challenge boaters often face is getting the right upgrades for their vessel. After all, these trips often last for a good while, from just a few days to weeks! You don’t want to be uncomfortable out at sea, right? Here are five great ways you can get your boat into ship shape for your next excursion.
1. Upgrade Your Storage Capacity
One of the easiest ways to improve your yachting experience is to simply bring more stuff! From board games to fine wines, everyone can make use of greater storage on their watercraft. Many vessels have the capacity for greater storage, but their space isn’t used very efficiently.
Getting a craftsman or handy friend to take a look at your cupboards can result in a significant increase in the amount of space you have to store all kinds of things. As long as the person working on your boat has a decent sense of how they’re built, they shouldn’t have any problems getting you some more square inches.
2. Improve Your Protection
Being on a boat or yacht means you’re at the mercy of nature’s whims. Weather can really put a damper on your plans if you don’t have the right protection from the elements! With regards to weather protection, your location comes into play. For example, if you’re planning to go somewhere where sunny skies are guaranteed, then you’ll want to invest in things that increase your shade.
Sprayhoods are great if you intend to do some speedboating or if you expect to see some light rain. And it’s important to plan for the event of a storm with rain gear for yourself and your passengers. When you’re this exposed to the elements, it pays to plan ahead.
3. Elevate Your Surfaces
Surfaces are incredibly important on a yacht. All boats have some level of rock to them, and yachts are no exception. So if you want to stay upright, you’ll need to make sure your flooring is at least somewhat slide-proof. Many people swear by teak, a type of water-resistant wood, but there are also more serious options. From marine vinyl flooring (see here from (snapincarpet.com) to boat carpet, there’s a good flooring option for every yacht out there.
4. Think About Power
One thing that often skips the mind of yacht and boat owners is the power their vessel uses. Most of these vehicles still use gasoline for their motors, but some are upgrading to all-electric motors. While these motors aren’t common yet, in the next few years, they’ll be all over, just like electric cars. There are certain steps you can take in the interim, too, though.
Many people choose to put things like solar panels or water turbines on their boats to generate extra green energy for their vessels. It’s a good idea to, at the very least, start thinking about changing or augmenting your yacht’s power now. If you do so, you’ll find our next upgrade much easier to start up.
5. Look Into Connectivity
Our high-end yacht and superyacht users have ways to upgrade their vessels, too. Luxury travelers don’t have everything, after all. Whether you’re looking to do some deep relaxation or trying to make a difference, you still may need to connect to the world outside.
There are a variety of options for consumers in this emerging market, with a variety of price tags. Are you staying close to the coast? In that case, getting decent service should be relatively cheap and easy. If you’re looking to sail out into the remote ocean, though, that price tag will go up fast. Still, one of the best ways to improve your experience out on the ocean is to bring the Internet, and therefore a piece of home, with you.
6. Get insurance
If you own a yacht, it’s important to have adequate insurance in place. This can protect your boat, crew, and yourself in the event of an accident or theft. There are a number of different types of yacht insurance you can get, so be sure to investigate what’s best for your particular setup.
One common type of yacht insurance is general liability insurance. This covers you and your crew if someone is injured on your boat while performing their job. You also need property insurance if your boat has any value – even if it’s only sentimental – and any money you spend on repairs will be covered.
If you’re planning to charter your yacht out, make sure to get liability and property insurance as well as applicable safety certificates. It’s also a good idea to have a separate insurance policy just for your vessel – this will cover things like lost cargo or damage from natural disasters.
Whatever type of yacht insurance you choose, be sure to get quotes from several providers to find the best deal for you. You never know when something might go wrong, so it’s important to have all the bases covered!
7. Protect your investment
When it comes to your yacht, you want to make sure that you protect your investment. Here are some ways to gear up your yacht for protection:
- Install a security system. A security system can help protect your yacht from people who might want to vandalize or steal it. It can also help protect you and your crew from potential accidents.
- Have a safe on board. A safe on board can store important documents, jewelry, and other valuable items. If something were to happen and the yacht was lost, having a safe onboard would help protect your belongings.
- Equip the yacht with flares and a distress signal. Flares and a distress signal can be used in case of an emergency. If someone is in danger, they can raise the flares and send out a signal for help.
- Have a tracking device installed on the yacht. A tracking device can let you know where your yacht is at all times. This can help you in case of an accident or if you need to find it in case of theft.
Conclusion
Any time you’re getting ready to take your yacht out onto the open sea, you should take inventory of what you have beforehand. There are always ways to improve your sailing experience, whether that be through small upgrades to storage space or changing out your boat’s motor for a new electric one. Any one of these can improve your experience as you sit out on your deck. So, before you hop on for a trip to some tropical paradise somewhere, look into some ways to improve your ride.
Nina Smith