Winter boating: How to get the most out of seasonal cold snaps

Not only that, but despite what we may think we’re not all die-hard boaters, preferring to duck back under the comfy covers early in the morning rather than leap out of bed, brace the cold and head out on the water.

For many boaters, as soon as the Easter break is over most of us will pack up our ride to store it through the dead of winter, and only dust it off again as the first buds of spring break.

I only used my boat once last winter. However, this year I’m determined to be different. An ultimatum from my girlfriend has been all the motivation I’ve needed: Use the boat more, or sell it.

Challenge accepted. I don’t need to be told twice to go boating.

Winter can offer some of the best boating conditions. The fish don’t disappear with the cold, and the chilly months can offer some of the clearest blue-sky days of the year – and without the crowds.

That said, I wasn’t warmed by the thought of heading out on the water, my fingers so cold that they sting and my head pulsing with what can feel like an ice cream headache.

It got me thinking about how I braved these conditions so often in my youth.

The first trick to enjoying winter boating is to dress the part.

If you’re hitting the ramp at 3am, the choice of clothing is key. Melbournians seem to do this better than the rest of us; these guys know the value of a pair of gloves, a beanie and a good pair of gumboots.

I have even assigned an old pair of ugg boots as boating footwear this winter.

Equally essential is a windproof outer shell of jacket and pants.

A beanie will keep your head warm, but the windproof outerwear will help maintain your core temperature all day long.

Layering – building up levels of more robust clothing – is also essential. If you start out with good layers, you’ll be covered.

In between the southerly snaps that seem to fly up the coast, winter conditions can fall perfectly calm.

On the east coast, early winter mornings can provide low westerly winds that will become more common in autumn.

These conditions can be a boon for offshore anglers, with benign conditions the key to getting out to the good grounds and big fish.

What’s the attraction? The bonus is that you’ll have far less competition to contend with; fewer boats, less pressure and more fish. If only it was that easy.

North of Sydney, quality targets such as kingfish aggregate offshore on reefs in 100 metres of water around June.

If you are committed, you’ll often find you the entire place will be there for you alone to enjoy.

Bluefin tuna move closer to shore for Victorians over winter, and if you haven’t targeted these wonderful sportsfish before, give it a try this season. They fight hard and taste even better as sashimi.

Inshore fishing is another game entirely. The winter months mean water is colder, and the fish more lethargic.

Flathead, a popular target for many anglers, are still swimming, but lethargic, meaning they won’t travel far for a feed. The trick is to slow everything you are doing right down.

That includes the speed of your lure, and make sure you are aiming it right on top of the fish.

In some places, it pays to be a little creative. I’ve seen flathead sitting on rocks in a river literally sunning themselves like a reptile – the rocks are probably warmer than the sand and, just like us, they prefer to be warm.

Bream are another popular target that in winter will school up in large numbers, making them easier to find and catch.

Small vibe-style lures will be most effective in deeper water.

If you aren’t into fishing, a calm, sunny day tucked away in a bay, out of the wind almost can be warm enough to sunbake in.

Less boat traffic means keen watersports enthusiasts can find joy in wakeboarding and water skiing with the appropriate gear.

The calmest part of the day is early morning, and a wetsuit is essential.

Children seem to be able to deal with more temperature variation, but you don’t want anyone to go home with hypothermia.

The better-equipped wakeboarding boats, if you’re lucky enough to be on one, come with inbuilt seat heaters, and I’ve even seen some fishing boats equipped with pie warmers.

The key here is to keep out of any wind. In winter its chill can add an extra few degrees of cold.

Winter boating also can bring a few maintenance problems that regular use in summer months are likely to mask.

A key consideration is power – cold conditions are bad for batteries.

Leaving a boat for weeks in between outings isn’t going to help a battery maintain its charge, with its ability to operate under load declining even more quickly if the battery is old or weak.

It pays to invest in a good quality trickle charger, and hook the boat’s battery up to it when it is parked up. There is an overabundance of options on the market, most are excellent.

I found myself in a difficult situation with a drained battery just a few weeks ago. We started the motor after we beach-launched the boat, and then motored along to our fishing destination not too far away. We ran the sounders until they suddenly and unexpectedly turned themselves off.

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The culprit, we worked out, was a poor charge in the battery. Luckily I own an electric- and pull-start outboard engine; if I couldn’t have pull-started it we would have been stuck with no help in sight. Even if someone was there to help, we were facing a tough row back in through the break.

The colder months are harder on just about every bit of boating equipment. Ensuring your boat and your gear is in top working condition is a must.

Check the usual things such as engine oil more regularly, valves and cocks if it is a big boat, and your safety equipment should always be in tip-top condition.

The best way to maximise your time on the water and ensure your safety is to keep a close watch on the weather forecast.

In winter, this is vital. Cold snaps can arrive suddenly and are on you before you’ve even had time to start the engine in an attempt to outrun the looming dark grey clouds.

While I will endeavour to use my boat at every opportunity, I would never risk it in dangerous conditions.

Come on, accept this winter challenge with me. I look forward to feeding the family more self-caught meals this winter, enjoying the crisp, clear days out on the water and most importantly, keeping my boat.

All the motivation we sometimes need is a friendly push out the door.