Rainy-Day Boating Activities
Sometimes, you spend days or weeks planning a boat outing only to be foiled by the weather on the day of your departure. Or you’re already out on the boat when it starts raining and you have to hustle into your cabin to avoid getting drenched. If you’re boating with family or friends, how can you make the best of these rainy days and keep everyone happy and entertained?
L&M Marine in Stapleton is proud to be your Alabama boat dealer. Below, we’ve rounded up a few activities that you and your family can partake in aboard your boat while you’re waiting for the rain to let up.
1. Watch Movies
You don’t need a big set-up to watch movies on your boat. A laptop will do just fine if it’s got a DVD drive. Otherwise, a VCR or DVD player hooked up to a small TV can keep people amused for hours. Keep a stash of movies on your boat for rainy days so you can spend some quality time with the family enjoying a favorite film while the rain pours.
2. Play Games
Games are always a big hit! Because boats can pitch in the water and cause small pieces to scatter, stick to simpler card games and board games with few pieces. You can also invest in some magnetic travel games like the type you would get for a car ride. Or you could play games like I Spy or Charades that don’t require any pieces at all.
If you’ve got a TV, you could even plug in a video game console and compete with the kids. Make sure you’ve got choices that are age-appropriate for the whole family, young and old.
And of course, there are always phone games or tablet games that the kids can play if they’re complaining of boredom; there’s nothing wrong with giving them some device time while it’s rainy outside.
3. Take a Nap
If you’ve got a sleeping berth in your cabin, why not curl up and make the best of it with some shut-eye? The gentle patter of rain on the deck can lull you to sleep. This may not win much favor with younger passengers as their idea of a good time, but pretty much any adult will be more than happy for the chance to rest. Keep some blankets and pillows folded up in a storage compartment so you’re ready to get cozy.
4. Clean & Organize Your Boat
This also won’t win fans with kids and teens, but you may be able to convince them to put in a bit of work if there’s a reward of ice cream at the harbor afterwards. Put on a favorite playlist on your boat stereo and start tidying up your cabin. Wipe down the console, sweep up, organize your emergency supplies and generally spruce things up. Maybe you can even get some needed repairs done!
5. Explore Your Town
If you’re docked at a harbor, why not put on your rain slicker and head to a lakeside restaurant or do some shopping? Many waterfront towns also have arcades, candy shops, toy stores and other great amusements, so there’s plenty for the kids to enjoy until the rain lets up. Have lunch, get ice cream and browse a few shops while you wait for the clouds to clear.
6. Chat With Friends
Got some fellow boat-owners who are also waiting out the storm at the marina? Take over some cold drinks and sit under the canvas or in a cabin to chat and while away the time until you can cruise again.
7. Plot Your Next Trip
Get out your charts and figure out where you want to go on your next boating excursion. Rainy days are a good time to do some planning to figure out how you’ll spend your next sunny day on the water or even plan an overnight trip.
We hope you’ve found some good strategies on our list to keep yourself occupied when you’re boating on a rainy day. In search of a new boat with a nice cabin? Visit our website to see the full display of new and used boats for sale at our dealership in Stapleton, AL. L&M Marine proudly serves the cities of Pensacola, FL, and Mobile, AL.