#1 STAY OVERNIGHT
It’s great to stay in the marina and sleep on your boat but it’s even more fun to find a quiet bay or cove and put down anchor for the night. Do your research beforehand to find the safest spots in your area. If you know the local seas or your inland bodies of water well, then you should have no problem finding the perfect spot to overnight on your boat.
#2 GO SPORT FISHING
If you’ve never had the strong tug of a tuna or billfish on the end of your line, it’s time you added a fishing charter to your bucket list. You’ll usually come home dog tired and very satisfied, with fish. Try and choose a charter operator that has been around for some time.
#3 RIDE A PWC
PWCs are great for those who want to ride around doing jumps and tricks, but they’re equally good for just cruising with friends and having fun. Find a PWC rental agent in your area and take the plunge. It’s exhilirating fun for the whole family and it’s also good exercise.
#4 NEW HORIZONS
If your boat is trailered, pick a new body of water that you have not visited before, pack the whole family into the car with the boat in tow and mosey on down to these unchartered waters. It’s always exciting to discover new water bodies and meet new people.
#5 RAFT UP
Join your boat together with other boats on a sandbar in an inland waterway and enjoy a lavish lunch. Have fun and make sure you have a good swim while you’re there. Rafting up is a social occasion and should be filled with a lot of fun in the sun.
#6 SPEEDY SUCCESS
Take a trip as a passenger in a high-performance speed boat. When you hit triple digits, you’ll have achieved a milestone in high-speed boating. The pure speed of the experience, as you hurtle across the water, will definitely get the old ticker beating faster than usual.
#7 DIVE RIGHT IN
The ocean is a place of wonder and everybody should behold this wonderful spectacle. Take a basic scuba diving course and then go out with one of the dive crews in your area.
#8 SHARK CAGE DIVING
Viewing apex predators in action from the safe confines of a dive cage is a great way to develop an appreciation for the sea. What an exciting way to spend a day, up close and personal with the sharks in your area.
#9 NAVIGATION
Take a navigation course that teaches you how to navigate by the stars. After the completion of such a course you will be less reliant on the electronic equipment aboard your boat and you’ll have new respect for the early explorers and seafarers.
#10 RESTORE AN OLD BOAT
Restoring a boat is a great feat to tick off on your bucket list, but don’t dive headlong into this task unless you have a good general all-round knowledge of boats. Always consult the wife before purchasing a rotting ark that needs repair because she has an aversion to unsightly things taking up the entire front lawn.
#11 WATERSPORTS
If you’ve never experienced the thrill of skiing, wakeboarding or wakesurfing, now’s your chance to give it a bash. There are many inland water bodies that have coaches offering lessons. It won’t be long before you’re skiing gracefully behind the boat or shredding up the wake on your wakeboard.
#12 GO TO A BOAT SHOW
What better way than attending a boat show to peruse all the new boats on the market in all shapes and sizes. Check out the different models and glean information from the builders and suppliers. There are boat shows in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town every year – see you there!
#13 TAKE A SUNSET CRUISE
It’s surprising how few people have taken a sunset cruise. Get out there, opt for the champagne cruise and enjoy the beauty of the water from the vantage point of a luxury cruiser. Clink your glass with a loved one and reaffirm the good life.
#14 KAYAKS, SUPS & CANOES
Rent a SUP, canoe or kayak and do some paddling. You’ll be at one with the water and the exercise is great for bringing your happy endorphins alive. Do it with friends to increase your levels of enjoyment and do some fishing while you’re at it.
#15 RENT A HOUSEBOAT
One of the most wonderful boating pastimes to undertake is to rent a houseboat. It’s a great way to spend quality time on the water and get some much needed rest.
