Imagine you’ve been invited to a boat party, and you’re excited to go, but when the boat leaves the dock, everything goes wrong.
There’s no music because the sound system doesn’t work. There’s not enough food and drink to go around. Some people didn’t make it on time, and the boat left without them.
If you want to avoid this kind of scenario for your boat party, you need to avoid the main errors in planning boat parties. So what are some of the main mistakes you need to be aware of? This article lists 7 of the top planning errors you need to avoid.
- Not Planning in Advance
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when planning a boat party and choosing boats for boat parties is not giving yourself enough time. People often underestimate how much planning goes into a boat party.
This means they often leave things until the last minute. Remember that you not only need to rent the boat, but you’ll also need to figure out party food and drinks, and invitations. These things can take time, so always start your preparations well in advance.
- Not Considering the Capacity
You also need to remember that there’s a hard limit to how many people you can bring onto your boat. For safety reasons, you’ll only be able to bring a limited number of people on board.
Always make sure your whole party guest list will be able to fit comfortably on board. The last thing you want is to have to turn people away at the dock because the boat got too full. Any boat will have a specific limit to how many guests it can carry, so always ask in advance.
- Not Thinking About the Weather
The weather can significantly impact how enjoyable your boat party is. Whenever you pick a boat party destination, you always need to think about what the weather will be like.
Of course, rain could cause problems, but you also need to consider the wind. Wind can cause rough water conditions and leave your guests feeling seasick.
You’ll need to plan your party well before any weather forecast is available, so you’ll need to look at the typical weather during your chosen time period. Of course, you can’t control the weather, so even if you pick an optimal timeslot, there’s no guarantee that rain or wind won’t spoil the party. Since you can never fully account for the weather, consider having backup plans in case your boat party can’t go ahead.
- Poor Communication With Guests
Boat parties are different from conventional parties in that once the party starts, you’re cut off from the rest of the world. This means your guests must arrive on time and bring everything they need on board.
This means you must ensure everyone brings appropriate clothing and knows the boarding time. Using multiple communication channels is the best way to ensure everyone stays informed. While some people check their email multiple times daily, some leave thousands of unread emails in their inboxes.
Consider combining email with other communication methods, such as social media messages.
- Not Enough Food and Drink
Once the boat leaves the dock, you won’t go back to dry land until the end of your party. Since you won’t be able to run to the store to pick up anything you forgot, you’ll need to triple-check that you have enough food and drink for the party.
Nothing will dampen the party mood faster than running out of drinks, so you should consider bringing extra just to account for any problems you might encounter. For example, your party could drink more than you anticipated, or a case of beer could accidentally fall overboard. By bringing extra, you ensure the party can continue.
You should also think about dietary restrictions for your guests. Many people have diets where they can’t eat certain types of food.
If you don’t take this into account, some of your guests may go hungry. Always communicate with your guests about any dietary requirements in the early stages of planning.
- Not Thinking About Safety
It’s also crucial that you consider the safety of your guests. Boat parties are generally very safe, but there are dangers if your guests are irresponsible. When booking a boat party, always ensure the service provider takes the safety of their passengers seriously.
For example, the boat should have life jackets and first aid supplies and someone who undergoes training for first aid and cpr.
Before your party leaves the dock, you’ll need to ensure all your guests are familiar with the safety process. If you’re taking something like a midnight cruise, you’ll need to make sure there’s adequate lighting on board.
- Neglecting on Board Entertainment
While being on a boat is certainly great fun, the novelty won’t last for the whole party. If you really want your boat party to succeed, you’ll need to consider some onboard entertainment options. The option you choose depends a lot on the type of party you want.
If you want to have a festive and loud event, consider hiring a DJ. On the other hand, if you want something a bit more low-key, you could consider other options such as games and activities.
Always ensure your chosen entertainment is compatible with the boat. For example, if you hire a DJ, does the boat have an electrical system that can accommodate their setup?
Avoid These Errors in Planning Boat Parties
While there are many potential errors in planning boat parties, this doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. The key thing you need to remember is that once the boat leaves, you’ll be stuck on board for the duration of the party. This means careful advanced planning is key.
If you want to learn more about other topics related to party planning, check out the rest of our blog posts.