This sense of waiting makes February feel even longer—even though it’s just 28 days—especially when cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean tempt us with sun-soaked voyages to destinations much more exciting than our daily commute.
But before you start pricing cruises to escape the winter blues, let’s be realistic. Nothing beats the feeling of being on your own boat with friends and family in the summer sun. Right now, though, that seems far off, and my cabin fever is setting in.
I like to think I’m more tolerant of the cold and snowy weather than most. I may be guilty of dreaming of living in a region someday where the concept of winterizing a boat is as foreign as a lighthouse in the mountains. However, these long winters help me appreciate the boating season…at least, that’s my own justification as I try to convince myself that the off-season is necessary and a good thing.
With all that in mind, what can we actually do to pass the time? Besides boat shows, one possible solution is to avoid winter altogether. The grass really is greener on the other side, but only because it’s not covered with two feet of snow. However, if you can’t afford to move, the next best thing might be to simply run a hot bath, throw on your swimsuit and floaters, and visualize summer coming early. Okay, not helpful. I get it.
It is a good idea to check on your boat throughout the winter to ensure everything is in order, so a trip to storage could be beneficial. Boatus.com has some tips and checklists to help get your boat through the winter. When you go to check, don’t bring cheese and a bottle of wine with you. No one wants to see that.
If that’s not quite enough, maybe it’s best just to embrace the cold. The snow might make everything look like a flour factory explosion, but winter activities can offer new adventures. For example, snowmobiling is a personal favorite, and it’s a bit like boating—except the water is frozen. Involving the kids with tubes or sleds just adds to the fun and brings a summer spirit to the snow.
Alternatively, you could bring the summer party indoors. Just because it’s cold and snowing outside doesn’t mean you can’t recreate warmth inside. Host a barbecue or a “cook-in.” It’s cold out, but don’t let that stop you from wearing loose-fitting floral shirts and baggy shorts. Break out the sandals and rock out to some music. The truly ambitious could repurpose their basement as a temporary beach. You’re aiming for total summer immersion with this. The more you feel like it’s summer, the easier it will be to forget that it’s not.
And if these ideas still don’t quite chase away the February blues, consider turning your attention to next season. Use this downtime to plan: maybe a trip with your boat to a new lake you’ve never been to before could be fun. Or maybe organizing a marina party when warm weather returns. Stay positive and keep looking forward—spring should (hopefully) be just around the corner.
Pontoon & Deck Boat Editor
