A great boat day shouldn’t feel complicated. With a little prep and a few smart habits, you can make every trip smoother, more flexible, and completely stress-free. After watching thousands of launches across all Club locations, our crew has narrowed down the simplest ways Members can make any day on the water easier — no overthinking, no extra gear, and no long checklists required.
Here are the ten habits we see make the biggest difference.
1. Start With a Simple 10-Minute Prep Routine
Before you even leave home, run through this quick reset:
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Charge your phone
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Check tides, wind, and radar
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Pack your cooler (pre-chilled if possible)
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Grab your permanent boat bag
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Load your playlist or download offline music
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Confirm your reservation + guest list
Ten minutes now saves thirty minutes at the dock — and sets the tone for an easy day.
2. Keep a “Permanent Boat Bag” Ready to Go
This is the single habit the most experienced boaters use.
Your boat bag should always include:
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Sunscreen
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Hats
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Sunglasses
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A small first-aid kit
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Towels
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A phone charger
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Hand wipes
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Dry snacks
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A trash bag
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A small dry pouch for keys
Restock it after each trip. Then just grab and go.
3. Use the Three Apps Every Boater Should Have
Whether you’re cruising, anchoring, or running the inlet, these three apps make your day easier:
1. Windy or WindAlert — spot wind shifts before they affect your route
2. Navionics — simple chart plotting, depths, and local navigation
3. Tides Near Me — fast tide checks at every inlet and sandbar
You don’t need a dozen apps — just these three.
4. Pack a Smarter Cooler (Without Overthinking It)
A few basics go a long way:
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Pre-chill your drinks
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Freeze water bottles to use as long-lasting ice
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Layer from bottom to top: ice → drinks → snacks → essentials
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Choose foods that hold up well (wraps, fruit, dips, pretzels)
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Keep the things you’ll reach for first at the top
A tidy cooler = a tidy boat day.
5. Plan a Day That Flexes With Weather & Crowds
Conditions shift — the smartest boaters shift with them.
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Wind picks up? Stay inside the ICW.
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Crowds at your usual sandbar? Move north or south for quieter pockets.
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Storm approaching? Enjoy a dockside lunch while it passes.
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Crystal-clear water at low tide? Swap your plan and snorkel first.
A flexible mindset makes the whole day feel easier.
6. Bring Only What You’ll Use in the First Three Hours
Most overpacking happens “just in case.”
Instead, pack for now:
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Drinks
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Lunch
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Towels
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Sunscreen
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Light bag of personal items
Everything else can stay in the car.
7. Share the Roles on Board
Boat days run smoother when each person has a simple job:
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Cooler carrier
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Bluetooth DJ
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Dock line helper
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Snack organizer
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“Where’s the sunscreen?” captain
Clear roles = less chaos.
8. Learn the Conditions That Matter Most
You don’t need to be an expert — just know the basics:
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Wind direction affects chop
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Tide height affects snorkeling, sandbars, and inlet behavior
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Afternoon storms are predictable and usually fast-moving
Ask the dock crew — we check the forecast every morning.
9. Refresh Your Safety Basics
Simple safety habits make every rider feel more relaxed:
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Life jackets accessible
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Know where the horn + fire extinguisher are
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Check your anchor before swimming
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Keep the swim ladder down when in the water
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Use the engine cutoff lanyard when appropriate
Small habits → big peace of mind.
10. Let the Crew Make Your Day Easier
Half the work of boating disappears the moment you join GBC.
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Your boat is fueled
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Safety gear is checked
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Engines are inspected
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Lines are ready
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The decks are cleaned
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The crew reviews conditions for you
When you don’t spend your day prepping, fixing, or cleaning, every trip becomes easy.
A Better Boat Day Comes Down to Simple Habits
You don’t need more equipment, more planning, or more steps.
Just a few repeatable habits — and a crew that handles the rest.
Show up relaxed.
Step aboard.
Let the day take it from there.
