Powerboating Basics to Remember This Summer

If you’re anything like me, summer isn’t just a season, it’s a reward. After months of surviving back-to-back classes, late-night studying, team practices, and whatever part-time job helps cover textbooks and burritos, summer feels like freedom. And for me, freedom usually looks like a boat, a big open lake, and zero deadlines.

Powerboating became one of my favorite things during my first year of university. A buddy of mine invited me out one weekend, and that was it; I was hooked. There’s something about skimming across the water with the sun on your back and your playlist bumping that just clears your head like nothing else. But before you go all “captain of the summer,” here are a few basics I’ve learned (some the hard way) that are worth remembering before you hit the throttle.

1. Don’t Skip the Safety Stuff (I Know, I Know)

Life jackets, flares, a whistle: it can feel like overkill sometimes, even for me. But then, when the wind picked up one afternoon and we had to tow in another boat that had engine trouble, I realized - things can go sideways fast.

So now I double-check the essentials before every ride:

Life jackets for everyone (the kind that actually fit)

A whistle or air horn

A throwable flotation cushion

Fire extinguisher

Charged phone in a dry bag

First aid kit (even just Band-Aids and Advil)

It’s five extra minutes that could seriously save the day.

2. Respect the Water—and the Weather

Here’s a scene I don’t recommend: stuck in the middle of the lake, rain slamming sideways, with your friend’s dog whining in the back because someone (me) thought “it’ll probably blow over.”

Check the weather. Not just the temp—look at wind, cloud cover, and any chance of storms. And if the clouds start rolling in, head back early. Boating is about fun, not being in survival mode.

3. Know Your Basics (Or at Least Pretend You Do)

When I first started, I thought driving a boat was like a go-kart with waves. It’s definitely not. Steering takes practice. Docking takes a lot of patience. And those red and green buoys? They actually mean something.

So take a sec to learn the rules. Watch a quick YouTube video on “right of way” and “no-wake zones.” Trust me—it saves you from angry stares (and possibly fines).

4. Pack Like You’ve Done This Before

Here’s what’s always in my bag now:

Water (more than you think)

Snacks (sun makes you weirdly hungry)

Sunscreen and a hat

Towels (also more than you think)

Sunglasses with a strap (lost two pairs last year)

A speaker, if you want that boat day playlist to hit just right

Also, dry bags are worth every penny. Nothing kills the vibe like a soaked phone.

5. Keep It Chill

Boating is supposed to be fun, not stressful. Don’t try to show off or take sharp turns just because someone’s filming for TikTok. Go easy on the throttle until you know the area. Slow down near the docks and where people are swimming. And when in doubt, ask someone who's done it before.

6. Bring Good People

This one’s underrated. A boat is a small space. You don’t need someone complaining about the heat, hogging the cooler, or blasting classic country when the vibe is clearly summer jam throwbacks. Bring friends who help with cleanup, laugh off bad docking attempts, and are down to jump in the water just because.

Boating, for me, is like pressing pause on everything else. When I’m out there, it’s just the sound of the engine, the wind in my face, and the people I care about. If you get the chance to be on a boat this summer, take it. But take it seriously, too, because the water doesn’t mess around.

Get your gear right, know the basics, pack for the unexpected, and most of all, enjoy it. Make some memories. Summer doesn’t last forever, but the stories will.

See you out there!

P.S. If you're new, don't worry about being perfect. We all mess up our first docking attempt. Just wave, laugh it off, and try again. That's part of the fun.