Camping on your boat, also known as “hanging on the hook,” is a worthwhile addition to your boating bucket list. Imagine, looking up at the clear night sky, surrounded by nature and the open air, while the water gently rocks you to sleep… What could be better? In this post, we’ll share some top tips for organizing a successful boat camping adventure: from finding the perfect spot; to packing the right gear; and planning activities that the whole family will love.
Find The Right Anchorage Spot
Just as you’d seek out the best campsites for your outdoor adventures, you’ll want to spend some time researching routes and anchorages for the right spot to safely sleep onboard your boat. If you’re feeling adventurous, look for quiet coves that offer a peaceful respite from the daily grind, or hit the coast. If you’re bringing the family along, you may want to consider an anchorage spot with nearby bathroom facilities, like state parks or public beaches.
Not sure where to go? Check out Discover Boating’s interactive map of the best places to fish and boat around the U.S.
Safety First
If it’s your first time spending a night on your boat, research overnight anchoring to ensure you have the best equipment and techniques for the task. You don’t want to wake up down-river or out to sea! We recommend a daytime test run with your equipment before your first night on the water. Practice anchoring, docking, and tying off in the light of day until you get it just right; bonus points if you can do it at your planned camping location. Be sure to pack an LED anchor light that projects bright white light so other boaters can see you from all sides. This is a requirement for boats longer than 23 feet, but a good safe practice for vessels of all sizes.
As always, make sure your safety gear is fully-stocked and in good condition, and bring along plenty of water and a phone charger. (Try out a portable solar power bank as an emergency power backup; when fully recharged via adapter or solar power, it can charge an iPhone 2-3 times.)
Pack Smart
In addition to the safety supplies mentioned above, bring along your favorite camping essentials: sleeping bags, air mattresses, a camping stove, jackets and sweaters to layer in case the weather shifts, insect repellent, flashlights and LED lanterns, and plenty of food and provisions. Don’t forget the s’mores!
Plan For Family Fun
Spending a night (or two!) onboard your boat is a great way to spend quality time with the family and make memories to last a lifetime. There probably won’t be WiFi, so make sure you have plenty of activities lined up to keep the kids occupied and engaged. Let them get involved in the meal planning and cooking, bring some games they love, or do some stargazing and chart out the constellations with the help of a star map or astronomy app. If you have access to power, make it a movie night; you just need a big white sheet to hang from the bimini and a portable iPhone projector to play their favorite downloaded movies and shows on the “big screen”.
Whether you’re looking into boat camping for a fishing trip, family vacation or solo voyage to get away from it all, it’s definitely worth the time researching and planning to get it just right. We’d love to see the way you spend a night on the water; tag us in all your Robalo boating adventures on Instagram at @robaloboats!
At Robalo, building world class fishing boats is a passion and a way of life. A leader in the marine industry since 1968, Robalo is renowned for its heavy-duty construction, legendary ride and unwavering desire to stay on the cutting edge of innovation. We invite you to choose from an incredible lineup of Center Consoles, Cayman Bay Boats, and Dual Consoles.
