Note AWhat should I wear on a boat ride?
Wear sun protection, including UV400 sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Ask your operator about non-marking shoes and suitable layers before choosing your outfit.
Required equipment and rental inclusions
A USCG Approved wearable life jacket must be on board for each person, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The agency also says wearable jackets must be readily accessible and possible to put on within a reasonable time in an emergency. They must be properly fitted and serviceable; do not let bags or other gear block access.
Federal law requires children under 13 to wear a USCG Approved life jacket or buoyancy aid while the vessel is underway, except below deck or inside an enclosed cabin, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Tell the operator about children before departure and confirm that suitable jackets are included. Children’s jackets should have a crotch strap and neck collar for better protection.
Boats 16 feet and longer need a life jacket for each person plus a throwable cushion or ring buoy near the steering station. A sound-making device is also required for signaling and emergencies. Ask the operator to show you this equipment before departure, rather than treating it as something to add to your personal packing list.
Confirm what the rental includes before you pack: life jackets, towels, drinking water, and storage for belongings. Ask which other required safety equipment applies to that boat and have the operator identify it during the briefing. Check your group size against the operator’s passenger limit using the boat capacity guide; having enough jackets does not replace that limit.
Clothing and your packing list
Sun protection, drinking water, and towels belong on your packing list unless the operator confirms they are included. Bring sunscreen, UV-protective sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. Hurricane Boats’ 2023 article recommends towels, food, and water for long days afloat.
Ask about shoes that do not mark the deck, extra layers, and clothing before choosing your boat-ride or yacht-party outfit. Bring a shirt, shorts, and sandals for stops at eateries along the delta, where you need to be fully clothed. Confirm whether your rental operator allows sandals or requests something else.
Confirm document and storage requirements before leaving home. Ask which ID you need, whether a boater card is required, and whether the boat has dry storage or you should bring a dry bag. Use the boating license checker to separate agency requirements from the rental company’s own conditions.
- Sunscreen: bring at least SPF 50, waterproof up to 80 minutes, with reapplication every 80 minutes.
- Sunglasses and hat: choose at least UV400 protection and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Water and food: confirm what is included before packing your own.
- Towels: ask whether they are included or you need to bring them.
- Shoes and layers: confirm the deck-footwear policy and ask what clothing suits the planned trip.
- Dry bag, ID, and boater card: check storage options and document requirements with the operator.