When the snow is 3 feet deep in your driveway and you have to bundle up just to go to the mailbox, there’s no better cure for the wintertime blues than scheduling a boating road trip. Not only is the journey itself fun, but the planning and anticipation of your upcoming trip is almost as enjoyable and will help you keep the boating flame alive. So start your homework early, involve the entire family, and enjoy the whole process.

Setting The Budget

The first step in planning a successful trip is setting your budget, because there’s nothing that kills the fun of a family getaway worse than worrying about overspending. The sooner you arrive at a number that’s comfortably within your budget, the more time you’ll have to save for it and be able to find affordable accommodations, dining and entertainment. Although it’s hard to pin down exact numbers on items like fuel costs, make an estimate on the high side to be safe. Don’t forget to set aside some extra money in case you stumble across something interesting or have some unanticipated expenses. Most people underestimate the funds they’ll need, so be conservative when budgeting, because it’s a lot more relaxing to come home with money you didn’t spend than to spend money you didn’t have.

Where To Go

Obviously, you want to go somewhere warm. Though some states just below the Mason-Dixon Line can be quite clement in the winter, you don’t want to take a chance. When most people think of winter boating, many automatically think of coastal Florida — which is a great choice, but the center of the state can be pretty fun too. Orlando isn’t just a world-class tourist destination — the boating opportunities there are practically endless. Don’t forget the coast of Georgia, which might be small, but is a fantastic area for boating. Another overlooked area is the Panhandle of Florida and points west, including Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, which all can be affordable. For boaters on the West Coast, head south to San Diego, where the winter temperatures usually hit the low 70s. If you have a seaworthy boat, Ensenada, Mexico, is even warmer, and in calm weather, only a few hours’ cruise south of the border.

Finding The Best Deal

Once you’ve narrowed your destination choices down, work on getting the best deal for your accommodations. Those who are on a tight budget might consider camping out for at least part of the vacation. There are many state parks in the South that are adjacent to outstanding boating, and many feature cabins for those who don’t want to rough it. Instead of starting from scratch and reinventing the wheel, check out websites like www.boatingworld.com, which has numerous articles that highlight the best accommodations and attractions in many great boating areas. Websites that search multiple hotel and travel agency sites at the same time, like www.kayak.com or www.sidestep.com, are great time and money savers. Condos can also be a good choice because they have kitchens, which can save you a great deal of money on dining.

Getting Your Boat Ready

Preparing your boat for a winter trip is basically the same procedure as springtime commissioning. Scru-tinize your trailer to make sure it’s in good condition by inspecting your wheel bearings, hitch connection, springs, tires and lights. Don’t forget to charge and install your boat’s batteries. If it’s below freezing when you’re getting ready to check out your boat, you might defer this part until you head south. Do some research to find a reputable service center at your destination, because if your boat needs work, it’ll be easier to find service down there than at your usual repair facility, which might be closed for the winter. And don’t forget to winterize your boat before returning home. There’s nothing like a wintertime boat trailering adventure to beat the I-can’t-go-boating blues, so plan to hook up the family boat and point it south this winter.