The Ultimate Place for Social Distancing: A Boat

From a kayak to a personal watercraft to a runabout to a motoryacht – a boat is one of the best ways we can socially distance ourselves from the world, and get outside and spend some quality time with our families. Taking the kids out on a boat provides an escape from cabin fever and gets everybody some much-needed fresh air. Here are some tips on staying safe. 

• Don’t be embarrassed to be “over-reactive” when out of the house, and heading down to the marina and your slip. Wear disposable gloves, and consider using a mask. (Yes, we’ve heard they don’t work, but obviously they do since companies are making millions of them.) Avoid crowds, hand railings and doorknobs. Keep separation among people, and if you don’t wear gloves, have a bottle of hand sanitizer to clean your hands after being in a public place, using doorknobs, the handle on the ice cooler, and the like. 
• For trailer boaters, if the fuel tank needs to be topped off beforehand, bring a canister of disinfecting wipes (not baby wipes) to clean off the gas pump handle before using it or wear some disposable gloves. Conduct the transaction at the pump with a credit or debit card and don’t go into the store. 
• Bring your lunch because you will not be stopping at the snuggery across the bay. In fact, you will not be stopping in any public place. Find a quiet cove or beach, anchor there to enjoy the sun, tunes and your loved ones.
• Go to a smaller public ramp to limit contact with other people. At the ramp, touch as little as possible and get the family in and out of the boat as quickly as possible. Have a plan with a task for everyone, even little Johnny. 
• Stay away from public restrooms, which will require planning. If your boat doesn’t have a head, consider buying a portable one in case your family requires relief during a long day.  
• Avoid the bait shop, which is often a busy place in the morning.  Stick with lures if fishing is part of the plan. 
• Boat club members use potent hand sanitizers to rub down steering wheels, throttles, seats and all other things likely to be touched. It only takes a minute. Also, don’t forget to clean boards, skis or tubes with disinfectant wipes before using them. Remember, someone and their family just got out of that boat a few minutes before you. 
• Once out on the water, avoid rafting up with other boats. Even though it’s tempting, and you know the folks in the other boat, it is fool-hearty, and can possibly encourage authorities in charge of launch ramp – or municipal marinas – to close them.  
• When visiting a dealer or marina/club office, businesses are asking people to come in one at a time and with an appointment time. During the appointment, follow any spacing procedures the business has established. Hold meetings outdoors when possible and avoid physical contact with anyone that isn’t a family member.  

This COVID-19 quarantine will not last forever, and when it’s over, we’ll all be able to swap stories of one of the most troubling times of our lives – and how our boat was a saving grace.