Fall is a wonderful time of year to be outside. The heat of of summer has given way to a pleasant atmosphere that invites you and your family outdoors.
For many, camping is one of the best and most well-rounded outdoor family experiences. For those who own a boat, camping can be even more magical. It can mean camping on your boat.
Boat-based camping provides all of the adventure and wonder of regular, land-based camping, with sunsets and sunrises on the water. What follows is our guide to camping on your boat. It starts with some basic considerations and includes some equipment tips to dial in your setup.
Weather and Temperature Awareness
Safety is the most important consideration when it comes to camping on your boat. In the fall, this means picking the right weather window for your camping trip.
Not only do you want to avoid rain, but make sure not to be on the water during the passage of a cold front. Fall cold fronts not only bring with them frosty temperatures, but pack wind, rain and more.
Being on anchor during high winds can be uncomfortable and poses safety concerns as well. These concerns are magnified if you are camping with kids.
Not only should you watch the forecast carefully, but you should always be prepared when you camp on the boat. Rain gear, extra layers (a sweater and jacket for everyone on the boat), and some extra blankets will provide peace of mind—even if you don’t need to use them.
Any time you are camping on the water, you’d do well to plan for it to be colder than you imagine it might be. If you’re on the lake or bay, you have no cover from the wind. Even a light breeze can seem cooler than normal when you’re sleeping on the water.
Give Yourself Options
No matter how carefully you follow the forecast, there may come a time when the weather does something different than you expect. Even a little rain or a dip of 15 degrees can make boat-based camping less than comfortable. As such, you might consider packing your tent. You can leave it in your truck if you don’t need it. If it does rain or the wind does pick up, however, having the option to take your camp from the water to the land can make all the difference.
Gearing Up for Camping on Your Boat
When it comes to camping on the boat there are perhaps four main categories of gear you’ll need. These include sleeping equipment, lighting, bug control and food.
Sleeping Equipment
The right combination of sleeping gear largely depends on the layout of your boat and who you’re camping with. If you have a large, open deck (i.e. pontoon boat or big center console), you may have room for cots.
The highly portable, really comfortable cots these days are a far cry from the rigid, bulky things of the past. Combining a cot, sleep mat, and sleeping bag for each camper is a great way to get some zzzs on the boat.
If you don’t have space for cots, sleeping bags on sleeping mats or marine bean bags are great options. If you’re camping with younger kids, you’ll need a plan in place to keep an eye on them during the night.
Lighting
Whether camping on land or on the water, you’ll want to consider your lighting options. You’ll want ambient lighting to light up the space as well as self-directed flashlights. There are many great rechargeable LED lighting options these days. These include lanterns, globe lights, and lights that can be clipped on the t-top or the console.
Using these alongside self-directed flashlights can keep the deck of the boat illuminated. Having dedicated camping lights in addition to the lights mounted on your boat is a great option.
You can also use lights to attract fish. Turn on your underwater lights or deploy floating lights to attract fish—this lights up your campsite and allows you and the kids to catch them!
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Bug Control
After a freeze or two, the bugs might not be as bad as they are in the summer. That said, it only takes a handful of mosquitoes to create a nuisance.
Consider packing an area bug control product or a citronella candle or two.
If there are no bugs, you can keep them packed. If you need them, you’ll be glad you have them. If you’re in serious bug country, you can opt for a cot with a mosquito net.
Food and Drink
Keep everyone well fed on the boat-based camping trip and you’ll be a hero. Doing this may well require integrating a mix of prepared food—sandwiches, trail mix, cinnamon rolls, etc.-- that you brought from the house and things that you cook on the boat. Burgers, steaks, hot dogs, and grilled fish are great boat grilling options.
Using your boat grill to make a hot breakfast is a strong move. Remember the thermos of coffee for you and the thermos of hot chocolate for the kids.
Back to Blue Life
For many, camping is one of the best and most well-rounded outdoor family experiences. For those who own a boat, camping can be even more magical. It can mean camping on your boat.
Boat-based camping provides all of the adventure and wonder of regular, land-based camping, with sunsets and sunrises on the water. What follows is our guide to camping on your boat. It starts with some basic considerations and includes some equipment tips to dial in your setup.
Weather and Temperature Awareness
Safety is the most important consideration when it comes to camping on your boat. In the fall, this means picking the right weather window for your camping trip.
Not only do you want to avoid rain, but make sure not to be on the water during the passage of a cold front. Fall cold fronts not only bring with them frosty temperatures, but pack wind, rain and more.
Being on anchor during high winds can be uncomfortable and poses safety concerns as well. These concerns are magnified if you are camping with kids.
Not only should you watch the forecast carefully, but you should always be prepared when you camp on the boat. Rain gear, extra layers (a sweater and jacket for everyone on the boat), and some extra blankets will provide peace of mind—even if you don’t need to use them.
Any time you are camping on the water, you’d do well to plan for it to be colder than you imagine it might be. If you’re on the lake or bay, you have no cover from the wind. Even a light breeze can seem cooler than normal when you’re sleeping on the water.
Give Yourself Options
No matter how carefully you follow the forecast, there may come a time when the weather does something different than you expect. Even a little rain or a dip of 15 degrees can make boat-based camping less than comfortable. As such, you might consider packing your tent. You can leave it in your truck if you don’t need it. If it does rain or the wind does pick up, however, having the option to take your camp from the water to the land can make all the difference.
Gearing Up for Camping on Your Boat
When it comes to camping on the boat there are perhaps four main categories of gear you’ll need. These include sleeping equipment, lighting, bug control and food.
Sleeping Equipment
The right combination of sleeping gear largely depends on the layout of your boat and who you’re camping with. If you have a large, open deck (i.e. pontoon boat or big center console), you may have room for cots.
The highly portable, really comfortable cots these days are a far cry from the rigid, bulky things of the past. Combining a cot, sleep mat, and sleeping bag for each camper is a great way to get some zzzs on the boat.
If you don’t have space for cots, sleeping bags on sleeping mats or marine bean bags are great options. If you’re camping with younger kids, you’ll need a plan in place to keep an eye on them during the night.
Lighting
Whether camping on land or on the water, you’ll want to consider your lighting options. You’ll want ambient lighting to light up the space as well as self-directed flashlights. There are many great rechargeable LED lighting options these days. These include lanterns, globe lights, and lights that can be clipped on the t-top or the console.
Using these alongside self-directed flashlights can keep the deck of the boat illuminated. Having dedicated camping lights in addition to the lights mounted on your boat is a great option.
You can also use lights to attract fish. Turn on your underwater lights or deploy floating lights to attract fish—this lights up your campsite and allows you and the kids to catch them!
Bug Control
After a freeze or two, the bugs might not be as bad as they are in the summer. That said, it only takes a handful of mosquitoes to create a nuisance.
Consider packing an area bug control product or a citronella candle or two.
If there are no bugs, you can keep them packed. If you need them, you’ll be glad you have them. If you’re in serious bug country, you can opt for a cot with a mosquito net.
Food and Drink
Keep everyone well fed on the boat-based camping trip and you’ll be a hero. Doing this may well require integrating a mix of prepared food—sandwiches, trail mix, cinnamon rolls, etc.-- that you brought from the house and things that you cook on the boat. Burgers, steaks, hot dogs, and grilled fish are great boat grilling options.
Using your boat grill to make a hot breakfast is a strong move. Remember the thermos of coffee for you and the thermos of hot chocolate for the kids.
Back to Blue Life
