Save the dates now. Spend more time boating later.

We shared “8 New Year’s Resolutions for Boaters” in the January issue, and March is an excellent month to revisit two of them:

1) Clear the decks to go boating more often. If you’re serious about spending more time on the water this season, reserve dates to go boating now.

 Step one? Take out your calendar and mark your anticipated launch date. Then, block off time to go boating. Remember, an entire day isn’t required to experience the healthy boost boating delivers, so don’t overlook shorter periods of time. Maybe you could fit in a quick cruise or even stay in your slip to enjoy breakfast aboard your boat. As you create your boating calendar, imagine this: When commitments come clamoring and threaten to crowd boating out of your calendar, you’ll be prepared and can say with a salty smile, “I have plans.” Plus, reserving boating dates now won’t just result in more “seahabilitation” later. Studies have shown that the positive benefits of taking a vacation begin in the planning stage. Since boaters are on vacation each time they get underway, that means you’ve got a whole lot of pre-trip happiness to tap into.

2) Draft your boating bucket list. What boating adventures do you want to experience? Write down what you dream up and pin this work in-progress to the refrigerator so you can keep adding to it. If you think it and ink it, your boating dreams are one step closer to coming true. With your ever-growing bucket list and a calendar filled with boating dates, you’ll be setting the stage for your best season yet. We wish you fair winds and following seas!

 MORE DAYS LIKE THIS? YES, PLEASE! A little planning goes a long way when it comes to spending more time on the water.