If you’re heading out on the boat for a day of fishing, diving or snorkeling, you’ll need to pack a cooler. If you get it right, you’ll have cold beer, crisp chips and dry towels. Mess this up and you might be a little miserable. Read on to see how the pros do it.
TIP ONE: BRING TWO COOLERS – ONE FOR DRINKS, ONE FOR FOOD
Place water, soda and beers in the bottom of one cooler, then generously cover with ice.
In the second cooler, pour the ice in first. This cooler will act more like a refrigerator. The food will rest on top of the ice in plastic containers.
TIP TWO: BUY PLENTY OF ICE
You’ll need at least 40 pounds (2 twenty pound bags) of ice for 2 large coolers.
TIP THREE: BUY PLENTY OF PRE-PACKAGED FOOD
A variety of Subway six inch subs, boxes of Publix fried chicken-transferred into sturdy plastic containers, and pre-made potato and mac salads in tightly sealed plastic containers are the way to go. Place these containers on top of the ice.
TIP FOUR: PACK A DRY FOOD TOTE
Pack plenty of napkins, sturdy Chinet plates, plastic silverware, a couple of metal serving spoons, one good knife and wet-wipes. Throw in a couple of freezer bags for guests to use to protect cell phones etc. Throw at least one large lawn and leaf bag in the mix for collecting garbage. Place all these items in a tote bag. Top off the bag with a few large bags of assorted chips.
TIP FIVE: PACK A SECOND DRY TOTE
This second tote can be prepared in advance, and should always accompany you on the boat. Think of it as your on-the-water comfort kit. This tote should include the following:
Sunscreen, a small mirror, Tylenol, Dramamine, wet- wipes, a first-aid kit, a hairbrush, a small bottle of dish soap, a roll of toilet paper, an adjustable wrench, a Phillips and flat head screwdriver, and at least 2 working flashlights. Top off this tote with dry, warm comfortable clothes (hoodies, sweat pants) and some extra towels. If you boat often, keep this tote packed and ready all the time.
TIP SIX: WRITE DOWN IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Before you go…you’ll need to have a list of information you can reference if you loose your cell phone signal. The name of the place where you rented the boat, The name of the resort where you are staying, the name of the place where you are visiting (the sand bar, a particular reef, etc.) and the VHS radio station you should use to call for assistance.
TIP SEVEN:
If possible, store your dry totes in the boats somewhere where they will stay dry, in the boats cabin, galley or under the seats.
