Essential Cold-Weather Boating Gear

Now that winter has set in, many Pacific Northwestern boaters are eager to get out on the water for some winter fishing or weekend relaxation. However, it’s important to make sure that you and your passengers are adequately prepared for the cold. Temperatures out on the water can be several degrees chillier than they are on land, and being stuck out in the cold for hours can be very dangerous if you’re not ready to deal with the cold or any potential crises.

Signal Flares

A set of signal flares or a flare gun can help you alert people on shore to your need for assistance. These signals are widely understood to indicate distress, so if you’re stranded or need help, you can simply fire them up into the sky.

Layers

Dressing in layers is the best way to stay warm in cold temperatures. You can add or remove layers as necessary, if you get too hot or if your clothes get wet. Bring extra wool socks, thin sweaters, and accessories with you.

Dry Suit

To keep you cozy and prevent your clothes from getting wet, you can wear a dry suit. These insulated suits tend to be waterproof and they’re especially good if you boat in choppy waters or extremely cold temperatures.

Personal Position Locator Beacon

Being able to alert others to your location when you’re stranded or lost is very important during winter boat trips. You’ll want to have a personal position locator beacon (PLB) handy so that rescuers can find where you are. Some models even automatically trigger when they land in the water so that a signal is sent out regardless of whether you can activate the beacon yourself.

Stop by our dealership located in Aurora, OR, to check out our wide inventory of new and used boats for sale. River City Boat Sales & Marine Services welcomes our Oregon customers coming from the cities of Canby and Wilsonville.