Boat Camping: Distancing While Vacationing Close to Home
Published: Friday, July 17, 2020
By: Zuzana Prochazka
As a kid, tucked into a sleeping bag on the warm sands of Lake Powell, CO, I remember tired arms from a day of waterskiing and the smell of campfire smoke in my T-shirt. I drifted off to sleep convinced there was nothing better than boat camping. The next morning, a passing boater asked how we were dealing with the scorpions. Umm, what?
Admittedly, that may not be the best advertisement for boat camping but I assure you, it’s fun, easy, affordable and scorpions are not really a thing on the Great Lakes. So in this time of limited long-distance travel, why not toss a sleeping bag on your center console, tow boat or pontoon and head out for a long weekend?
How Does it Work?
A boat provides a base of operations much like an RV with gear storage, sleeping spaces and the option of mobility. But unlike an RV or regular land camping, boat camping may keep you out of crowded campgrounds where neighbors are only a few feet away. It may take a bit of work to find lakes and rivers where you can stay in a marina or at a waterside campground but it’s worth the effort. In some places, you’ll be able to make your own primitive campsite and pitch a tent on land with the boat at anchor.
On the plus side of boat camping are privacy, spontaneity, and adventure. On the minus side are limited access to restrooms, restricted space, and extra safety precautions.
Let’s look at what you’ll need for a successful boat camping outing.
Shelter and Snoozing
First concern is shelter from wind, rain and sun. Tarps can be strung from T-tops or added to existing biminis. If you have the room on a foredeck, pitch a small tent. Sleeping is easy on a sunbed, a convertible dinette or on lounges like you’ll find on a pontoon boat. In a pinch, toss a sleeping bag and an air mattress on deck for a slumber party.
Storage and Necessities
Storage is critical whether you sleep aboard or use your boat as a delivery vehicle to a remote waterfront campsite. Every space is fair game—fish boxes on center consoles, under-sole compartments on sport boats, and any lockable compartments if you plan to leave the boat. Pop-up changing stations provide a canvas mini-room for your portable toilet (self-contained 3-gallon version costs under $100) or a solar shower (5 gallons, under $20).
Bring camp chairs and a collapsible card table if you want to expand the party ashore. But remember that you have to travel with all this stuff, so give some thought to packing so you don’t look like the Beverly Hillbillies or compromise onboard safety.
Finally, an anchor is absolutely necessary. Even if you never swing to the hook for the night and opt instead to pull up on the sandbar or tie off to a tree, if your engine quits, having a way to attach yourself to the bottom and stay put while you call for help or make repairs is the best and cheapest insurance.
This 1996 Viking 60 Cockpit MY is full of “non-traditional” storage including under the steps, dinette, the aft deck couch & more.
CREDIT: Amy Malow, JBYS
Eating Well
A hungry crew is an unhappy bunch so food and the ability to cook it is the next point of focus. Many boats now offer an outdoor galley with a grill, fridge and sink. But if you don’t have these luxuries, bring a basin for washing dishes and shaving. An extra large salad bowl or lobster pot can pull double duty here and a single burner camp cooktop or a detachable rail grill will cook up fish, steaks and even pizza.
If you don’t have a fridge, multiple coolers will work and they can also serve as extra seats. It’s best to pack drinks that are likely to get lots of traffic separately from food to be fixed later in the trip. This will keep the opening of the coolers to a minimum and your food will remain cooler longer. Just remember to secure all the coolers that are not built into the boat unless you want to “hit it” with a skier and have your lunch go flying.
What To Do
Bring some items that lend themselves to the environment. Waterskis, wakeboards, inner tubes and fishing gear will do nicely. Water pistols and Super Soakers are a must. Some double decker pontoon boats have optional water slides which will keep the kids entertained—hopefully for hours. For adults, books and a high-end audio system should do nicely and for nighttime, try board games or cards. Just watch your battery levels when running the stereo and lights, or bring plenty of headlamps that keep your hands free to play games, cook or hold onto little kids so they don’t go swimming in the dark.
Extra Tips
Bring along paper towels, wipes, sponges and plenty of trash bags so you leave nothing behind but footprints or ripples.
Pets have the same needs as anyone else. They need to stay hydrated and fed, they need to pee, and they need to be entertained and exercised. If you have a large dog, think about how to get him ashore when necessary or bring puppy pads.
Frogs and spiders might not be able to get to your anchored boat but mosquitos can go anywhere. Bring lots of bug spray or prepare to be miserable.
Getting on and off a boat or walking along a mucky shore will be safer if you have some form of water shoes, and be sure to bring along a basic tool kit or at least a multi-tool, some rope, and a roll of electrical or duct tape for any odd job that pops up.
Finally, remember that even if your boat is rated for 10+ day guests, that’s not how many can overnight aboard. If you end up with the multitudes at sundown, maybe half can sleep aboard and the rest can go ashore with tents and the dog to guard them.
Boat camping is an easy, fun way to enjoy the waterways this summer and an almost guaranteed way to keep a safe distance.
Just remember to watch for scorpions.
About the Author
Zuzana is a freelance writer and photographer with regular contributions to over 18 sailing and power boating publications. A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana is the founder of a flotilla charter company called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations around the world.
Zuzana serves as an international presenter on charter destinations, safety issues, and technical topics, and she's the Chair of the New Product Awards committee for innovative boats and new gear. She is a member of the American Society of Authors and Journalists and a board member of Boating Writers International.
This article first appeared in the Summer Issue (Jul/Aug) 2020 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Boating 101, Kids & Pets, Lifestyle, Travel
