There are some outdoor hobbies that are perfect for winter. Skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing— folks who like to do these things wait all year for winter.
Boating? Well, not so much.
But even if you live in a place where winter turns your water solid, there are plenty of things you can do to kindle your passion for being on the water. Here is our guide to staying connected to boating through winter.
Inventory
Winter is a great time to take inventory of your boating kit. What do you have? What do you need?
It is the perfect time to inspect your life jackets, dock lines, fenders, anchor, anchor chains, and the like. Check your batteries and chargers, navigation lights, radios, electronics, and trailer equipment (lights, lugs, tires, and spares).
Physically inspecting these items has several advantages. First, you’ll know what you have and what you’re missing. Secondly, you’ll know which items are worn out and which may need to be replaced.
Having such an inventory allows you to plan to buy the items you need ahead of time. This approach saves money, affords better selection, and causes much less stress than having to buy whatever happens to be on hand at the marina store at your favorite lake or point of departure.
What Has Changed
Once you get a handle on what you have and what you need, it’s time to figure what has changed. One of the great things about modern boating is the speed of innovation in boats, systems, and accessories.
Marine electronics seem like they’re advancing at the speed of light. From real-time sonars and chart and map upgrades, there is much to like.
Multi-function displays are getting bigger and higher resolution all the time. Not only that, but you can now run most boat systems through the screen.
Perhaps the best part of all of this is that most modern systems are NMEA 2000® networking compliant. This means that that systems and components of different brands and models can be configured to work together as a single system.
Gone are the days of having to upgrade your boat all at once, with a single brand and single model of equipment. These days you can upgrade your boat a system at time, with the reasonable expectation that the new accessories will mesh with your existing system (Note—read the product description and refer to the owner’s manual after description to determine compatibility, and of course you should expect that it might not go perfectly smoothly).
So, How Do You Know What’s New?
Magazines
One of the best things about boating and fishing, is that it is served by such a robust media landscape. Magazines and websites are great sources of trip and new product inspiration. Many outlets publish new gear and product listings this time of year.
If your boating involves saltwater, you might consider checking out:
Marlin Magazine—offshore sportfishing and boating.
SaltWater Sportsman—general saltwater fishing, gear, and tactics.
If you’re a freshwater boater, you might benefit from:
In-Fisherman—general freshwater fishing with a Midwest focus, techniques, and tactics.
BassMaster—iconic bass fishing publication and membership club
In addition to these national publications, there are a great many regional publications. A magazine subscription or two will keep you engaged in boating and excited to check the mailbox.
Boat Shows
Shows and conventions are a great way to see what’s available for your boat. From shopping for a whole new boat, to upgrading electronics packages, or just seeing all of the latest and greatest in one spot, boat shows are a good option.
If you plan to make a large purchase—say an entire electronics package—heading to a national boat show has several advantages. You can not only see and use the systems on hand, but you can often meet technical representatives from the companies.
They can provide expert instruction on how to use the system and provide confidence that you are getting the right equipment for your boat. If you get their business card, you can even follow up with them after the fact—to help with tech support or fine-tuning your system
through time.
There are lots of shows across the United States. Generally speaking, boat shows cater to the audience of the location of the show. Here is a list of shows in 2026.
ICAST®, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, takes place every July in Orlando. An industry only show (not open to the general public), ICAST® is where brands announce next year’s product lines. This is a great resource for boaters.
Here is the 2025 new product showcase winners from the 2025 ICAST®. You can also search product category listings from ICAST®— editors from many media outlets offer their picks and the reasons why they like them. This is a great way to see what’s new and what is generating excitement on the boating landscape.
Trips to The Dealership, Service Center
Once you have a handle on what you have and what you need, winter is a great time to schedule a visit your local dealership or boat maintenance service. Scheduling your annual service right before the start of the season is a great way to have everything in order.
And like everything else, every dollar you spend on maintenance and preparation, will save you $10 on repair later down the road. And if you plan to haul your boat, don’t forget to service and lubricate your trailer.
Back to Blue Life
Boating? Well, not so much.
But even if you live in a place where winter turns your water solid, there are plenty of things you can do to kindle your passion for being on the water. Here is our guide to staying connected to boating through winter.
Inventory
Winter is a great time to take inventory of your boating kit. What do you have? What do you need?
It is the perfect time to inspect your life jackets, dock lines, fenders, anchor, anchor chains, and the like. Check your batteries and chargers, navigation lights, radios, electronics, and trailer equipment (lights, lugs, tires, and spares).
Physically inspecting these items has several advantages. First, you’ll know what you have and what you’re missing. Secondly, you’ll know which items are worn out and which may need to be replaced.
Having such an inventory allows you to plan to buy the items you need ahead of time. This approach saves money, affords better selection, and causes much less stress than having to buy whatever happens to be on hand at the marina store at your favorite lake or point of departure.
What Has Changed
Once you get a handle on what you have and what you need, it’s time to figure what has changed. One of the great things about modern boating is the speed of innovation in boats, systems, and accessories.
Marine electronics seem like they’re advancing at the speed of light. From real-time sonars and chart and map upgrades, there is much to like.
Multi-function displays are getting bigger and higher resolution all the time. Not only that, but you can now run most boat systems through the screen.
Perhaps the best part of all of this is that most modern systems are NMEA 2000® networking compliant. This means that that systems and components of different brands and models can be configured to work together as a single system.
Gone are the days of having to upgrade your boat all at once, with a single brand and single model of equipment. These days you can upgrade your boat a system at time, with the reasonable expectation that the new accessories will mesh with your existing system (Note—read the product description and refer to the owner’s manual after description to determine compatibility, and of course you should expect that it might not go perfectly smoothly).
So, How Do You Know What’s New?
Magazines
One of the best things about boating and fishing, is that it is served by such a robust media landscape. Magazines and websites are great sources of trip and new product inspiration. Many outlets publish new gear and product listings this time of year.
If your boating involves saltwater, you might consider checking out:
Marlin Magazine—offshore sportfishing and boating.
SaltWater Sportsman—general saltwater fishing, gear, and tactics.
If you’re a freshwater boater, you might benefit from:
In-Fisherman—general freshwater fishing with a Midwest focus, techniques, and tactics.
BassMaster—iconic bass fishing publication and membership club
In addition to these national publications, there are a great many regional publications. A magazine subscription or two will keep you engaged in boating and excited to check the mailbox.
Boat Shows
Shows and conventions are a great way to see what’s available for your boat. From shopping for a whole new boat, to upgrading electronics packages, or just seeing all of the latest and greatest in one spot, boat shows are a good option.
If you plan to make a large purchase—say an entire electronics package—heading to a national boat show has several advantages. You can not only see and use the systems on hand, but you can often meet technical representatives from the companies.
They can provide expert instruction on how to use the system and provide confidence that you are getting the right equipment for your boat. If you get their business card, you can even follow up with them after the fact—to help with tech support or fine-tuning your system
through time.
There are lots of shows across the United States. Generally speaking, boat shows cater to the audience of the location of the show. Here is a list of shows in 2026.
ICAST®, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, takes place every July in Orlando. An industry only show (not open to the general public), ICAST® is where brands announce next year’s product lines. This is a great resource for boaters.
Here is the 2025 new product showcase winners from the 2025 ICAST®. You can also search product category listings from ICAST®— editors from many media outlets offer their picks and the reasons why they like them. This is a great way to see what’s new and what is generating excitement on the boating landscape.
Trips to The Dealership, Service Center
Once you have a handle on what you have and what you need, winter is a great time to schedule a visit your local dealership or boat maintenance service. Scheduling your annual service right before the start of the season is a great way to have everything in order.
And like everything else, every dollar you spend on maintenance and preparation, will save you $10 on repair later down the road. And if you plan to haul your boat, don’t forget to service and lubricate your trailer.
Back to Blue Life