"I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by…."
~John Masefield

Photo by mjio

Boaters worship a hot day on the lake. Whether you’re swimming, fishing for muskie, or tubing, a hot summer day is a good day for boating. However, with the good boating is a warning to mind the sun on the water.

The reflective surface of the water sets up a scenario for nasty sunburns and heat exhaustion. Throw in a few beers and a lack of water and you have the recipe for a bad boating day. Here are a few tips to remember while enjoying the summer heat on the water.

One glass of water for every alcoholic beverage.

The sun doesn’t something mysterious and magical when you are out on the water. It is no where more evident than when consuming mojitos or beer on the boat. To offset its effects, stay hydrated. Alcohol isn’t the same thing as drinking water due to its diuretic effects. Avoid a dehydration headache. Drink water too. You may also want to savor those drinks on the boat.

Take a break from the sun every hour.

It’s important to give your body time to cool down. Get under the bimini or down in the cabin to get a respite from the heat before your brain fries.

Don’t forget the sunscreen.

One thing you have to remember about tanning is that it is a body defense mechanism. Your body is fighting sun exposure at that point. A sunburn is when the power of the sun overwhelms the skin. Never go out on the boat without plenty of sunscreen of at least SPF 30 as per the American Dermatology Association recommendations.

Boating is the quintessential summer activity. Make it and enjoyable experience after you’ve returned to land. Mind the sun on the water and prevent the ill effects from sun exposure.

My mother was always fascinated by lighthouses. I wasn’t sure if it was the difficult work of being a lighthouse keeper or the beauty of the structures themselves which attracted her. As a boater, I can appreciate the vital role they played in navigation. Welcome to National Lighthouse Day!

Because of my mom, I’ve toured several lighthouses. When you view the waters from the lighthouse perspective, you can understand their importance. You can also emphasize with the loneliness of lighthouse keepers.

To live in a place with little outside contact had to be a true labor of love. Though if you love the water, it was certainly the right profession. A loner like me would certainly enjoy the quiet lifestyle. Sign me up!

If you boat on freshwater lakes other than the Great Lakes, lighthouses may just seem a bit of novelty. Today, take the time to appreciate their role in waters without channel markers or warning buoys. Lighthouses played a vital role in water navigation.

Photo by gimbok

They are the unsung heroes. They are the ones who are the first responders to tragedy. Their task involves rescuing survivors or recovering our dead. They endure extreme weather all in the fight to make our waters safe. Welcome to National U.S. Coast Guard Day!

You have to thank the Coast Guard every time you don a life jacket. Your life jacket is Coast Guard-approved for safely. According to accident figures, 90 percent of fatal boat accidents involved people not wearing these basic safety devices.

I salute the work of the brave men and women who make our waters safe. I appreciate the effort and the labor they take to do their job. I sympathize with the death they experience. I applaud their courage. Thank you, the U.S. Coast Guard! You are most appreciated!

An open letter to the U.S. Coast Guard on National Coast Guard Day.

Let me personally thank your organization for the vital role you play protecting our waters and shorelines. Because of your guidance, boaters can navigate our nation’s waters safer. Your insight helps protect our children in boats, canoes, and kayaks while we take the time to enjoy the water.

Thank you for the risks you take to rescue those of us who lack the respect for water. You provide assistance no matter what the cause or the cost. You take on the weighty task of rescuing and recovering our dead. You do the job that no one else would do.

Thank you for your sense of duty. You do your job no matter what the circumstances. You are our heroes.

Our boating has evolved from its early days. Just being on the boat was an incredible experience. Our lake has a few, though not a lot, of restaurants. What fun it is to boat to a place, tie up, and then have dinner!

We still occasionally indulge in the experience despite the expense. Lakeshore property comes at a premium here. Our favorite way to dine is to enjoy the best seat in the house, namely our boat.

I make it a point to plan a meal for the boat. It’s usually lunch fare, so it’s not fancy. Some days it is just sandwiches. Other days, I’ll prepare a special meal and serve it on board. It is the epitome of luxury to eat on the water with wine and the most fabulous dining atmosphere ever.

I’ve become quite adept at preparing our meal. I have boating flatware, dishes, and cups. There are even special boating napkins to follow through with the nautical theme.

The point is that with boating, as with many things, you have to seek your own adventure. It may not always fall in your lap. Rest assured that the looking can be just as fun as the reward.