Stretching the Season

If one of your annual post Labour Day rituals is to pull the boat and put it away for the winter, you’re missing out on a spectacular fall boating season. While swimming and watersports may lose their lustre as the water temperature cools, taking in the Fall colours of the shoreline from the water is nothing short of breathtaking. Pristine anchorages, normally clogged during July and August with hundreds of boats, now offer quiet solitude. And, for anglers, the action is hot with fish actively feeding ahead of the long winter freeze-over. The benefits of fall boating necessitate extra attention and an ability to be self-sufficient because there are fewer boaters in the immediate vicinity should you require assistance. Consider these precautions to maximize your safety and enjoyment as you stretch your boating season. Before heading out, be sure to check the weather forecast. Well into October, daytime temperatures can occasionally be balmy but resist the urge to bring your shorts and T-shirt back out of the closet. Dressing for the water temperature will help slow the onset of hypothermia should the unexpected happen and you find yourself in the water.

The Canadian Safe Boating Council would like boaters to enjoy all that fall boating has to offer but make sure that both they and their boats are prepared should the unexpected occur.

For more information on boat safety and tips for staying safe on the water please visit http://csbc.ca/en/.