Earning Your Boating Badges of Honour

As boaters, we all share that special bond. We all know that the boater wave has been earned over the years through the different trials and tribulations. However, along with the joys of boating, we’ve all suffered the same embarrassing moments and shameful errors.

However, these boating incidents are a right of passage and should be worn like a badge of honour. They are a direct result of the lessons you’ve learned along the way that classify you as a true boater.

Check out the list below for boating badges of honour only true boaters will understand. How many boating badges have you earned?

Docking is a true test of skill that not just anyone can achieve. It takes years of finesse and practice to properly dock a boat on the first attempt.

So, it’s a true boating badge of honour when you finally successfully dock a boat for the first time. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer joy you and your family will experience when this art form is done correctly and adequately.

It’s a right of passage and once you’ve mastered the technique, there’s really nothing else you can’t do. You’ll encourage the onlookers to watch because you are a true boater now, and no one can stop you.

While on the water, there are a lot of things you need to be aware of and think about at once. As the captain, you have numerous safety factors to consider.

It always helps when you have a co-captain to help you out, but it’s important to stay alert. When you let your guard down and the bottom of the boat scrapes that rock that “came out of nowhere,” you might be looking at some pretty serious damage.

But don’t be too hard on yourself; we’ve all been there.

The “Captain’s Log” Badge

Boaters understand the importance of this trick. Keeping a boating journal can be extremely useful for future trips or for tracking your boat’s fuel consumption.

Avid boaters know that the more detailed they are, the better future boat outings will be. You can use an older ship’s log as an itinerary for a future journey. It can help map out a great trip that you and your family can enjoy.

This may arguably be the most embarrassing thing to happen as a boater: running out of gas and having to paddle your boat home in front of all the cottages. It’s super embarrassing.

The practical standard to avoid this tragedy at all costs is to allow a third of your tank to get out, a third to get home, and leave a third in reserve. However, you may have an unreliable gas gauge and, alas, be tormented by the scrutiny of the passers-by as you paddle your way back to the dock.

We won’t judge you, though. We totally get how you can get completely wrapped up in the day on the water and engulfed in the task at hand. The best way to truly avoid this from happening is by keeping track of your fuel load and making it part of your routine.

You show up at the boat launch, you’re ready to back the trailer and boat into the water, and no one is around. You think to yourself, “Great! no pressure. I can take my time with it. I got this!”

Cut to five other vehicles pulling up out of nowhere, and you now have a full audience watching and waiting. You would have been completely fine had these boaters not shown up and provided you with a case of stage fright. You try and play it cool, but as you’re backing the boat and trailer up, you jack-knife it not once but three times!

This is an epic fail, and there was a live audience watching you crash and burn.

The “Getting Caught In the Rain” Badge

The forecast called for sun all day with zero chance of rain. You’re out on your boat enjoying the day when, all of a sudden, the ominous clouds roll in.

You have two choices in this scenario, and only two. You can race the “rain line” back to the dock only to lose to Mother Nature, or you can keep ripping on the tube!

We’re a big fan of the latter (until it starts lightning, then it’s time to drive safely back to shore).

With the hot sun beating down on you all day, true boaters know that their cooler game needs to be strong.

Boaters realize that the supplies you bring onboard are all you have for the entire day. It’s all about the heavy-duty coolers that will keep your drinks refreshing well into the late afternoon.

Just don’t forget the ice! No one wants a warm drink in the middle of the afternoon.

Earn Your “Boating Safety” Badge With BOATsmart!

Boaters, we know it’s not always easy to have a perfect docking score or remember the ice when there are 20 other things on your checklist — but these minor hardships are nothing to be ashamed of.

You should wear those boating badges of honour proudly because you’ve earned them. You can now call yourself a true boater!

There’s one last badge of honour you need before hitting the water — and this one is important. You need your boater card after passing a boater education course! With this “badge,” you have the knowledge to avoid boating accidents, stock your boat with the right safety equipment, and what to do if something goes wrong while on the water. 

BOATsmart! can help you get this badge (or card)! Take our online boating education course for Canadians, pass the exam, and then your card will be on the way.