Cruise Countdown
The best way to get ready for the perfect cruise is to start early and make preparing for the trip part of the fun.
by Alan Jones
The best way to get ready for the perfect cruise is to start early and make preparing for the trip
part of the fun. Be sure to involve the entire family by delegating tasks to each person, so it
isn't just your cruise, but rather one in which everyone has a hand in making it a success. Use
this timeline to help you get organized and avoid the panic of getting everything together at the
last minute.
Three Months Before
Equip your boat with the proper electronics and other hardware. Recent advancements in GPS
chip technology offer enhancements that will make your trip easier. The Navionics Platinum series,
for example, renders a 3D depiction of the sea/lake/river bottom beneath you. You don't want to
rely solely on electronics, though, so make sure you have up-to-date charts. Try to locate cruising
guides in the area you'll be visiting to obtain insider info. This is the time to start planning
your itinerary, complete with contingency plans. However, don't get so ambitious that it resembles
a race from one point to another. Scheduling more than 100 miles a day reduces the amount of time
you'll have for exploring and stopping to smell the roses. After getting an idea of your itinerary,
use the Internet to research each stop for good restaurants, land-based activities and local
history.
Three Weeks Before
Thoroughly review all of the systems on your boat, including batteries, head, engine,
outdrive, seals, belts, hoses, generator, air conditioning and wiring. You’ll want to give yourself
plenty of time to locate potential problems, so you can then order and install any necessary parts.
Not only will you be warming up your enthusiasm for the upcoming boating season by scheduling your
cruise early, but your boat will also be in tiptop shape. Start a checklist of everything you need,
and as you obtain the items, put them in one place (such as in your garage), so when the time comes
you can locate them quickly. Compile a travel toolkit and some stock parts you might need along the
way like belts, an extra prop, and a water pump. Also, don’t forget “family-togetherness” types of
entertainment, such as cards and board games.
One Week Before
Start packing early. Bulky items that you may not use, such as extra blankets, should be
vacuum-sealed in storage bags to conserve space. Give the kids two soft-sided duffel bags each —
one for clothes and the other for personal items. Plan your menu and do your shopping early so you
can begin preparing your meals in advance, and freeze them in plastic bags. A vacuum sealer is a
great help and allows you to heat bagged meals in the microwave or in boiling water. A great idea
is to pre-cook some ribs on the barbecue, freeze them, and then pop them on the grill 30 minutes
before serving. Tupperware or similar containers are also great for storing food on a boat. For
some mysterious reason, bread on board always gets squished into mangled parallelograms, so make
sure you keep it in a hard container.
The Morning Of
Finish packing the boat, and keep a notebook that tells you where everything’s located, so
you can readily find stored items. Use clear, 30-gallon Hefty Cinch Saks to store items like
clothing so you can see at a glance what’s inside each bag. Double-check to make sure your house is
ready for your departure, and adjust your home’s climate-control to save electricity. Leave your
cell phone number with neighbors, and have someone gather your mail and newspapers so thieves won’t
be able to see you’re away from home. File a float plan with a marina, and remember to advise the
dockmaster upon your return. It’s practically a law of the sea that there will be unforeseen
delays, so plan an easy first day, and get your cruise off to a relaxing start. A cruise can be a
wonderful family-bonding experience, and you can start that process long before you board the boat.
