The Best (And Worst) Boating Weather

As summer heats up and more people head out on the water, Coast Guard Cmdr. Dan DeAngelo has a message for boaters: Proper planning and a healthy respect for Mother Nature can mean the difference between a fun day and a life-threatening situation.

Cmdr. DeAngelo outlined the three biggest mistakes he sees boaters make, and the surprisingly simple tips that can help prevent the need for a dramatic Coast Guard rescue.

“Respect Mother Nature because there’s going to be a time where it’s going to become more than you can handle,” DeAngelo said. “So, the more you proper plan, you educate yourself, you learn about it, more enjoyable and more relaxed you’re going to be out there ... being on the water, going fishing, what have you.”

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(MORE: Man, Dog Rescued In High Wind And Waves)

Don’t Be Fooled By A Sunny Start

One of the most dangerous assumptions boaters make is that a clear morning means smooth sailing all day. Summer storms can sneak up fast, especially in the South.

“You can go out there and start the day with a beautiful blue sky, white puffy clouds," he explained. "But little do you know, later in that day the heating is going, and the moisture content is going to build that convection."

“What used to be a puffy cloud in the sky now has grown into a giant cumulonimbus cloud, or a very strong localized convective thunderstorm with downdrafts and gust fronts and hail shafts.”

DeAngelo added, “I would not want to be stuck out in the 16-foot jon boat in that.”

How (And When) To Check The Weather

To stay safe, DeAngelo recommends checking the marine forecast the night before your outing.

“If you're going to go out for just simply the day, I would be looking probably the night prior," he advised. "Looking at the extended forecast for the next 24 hours."

Once you're out on the water, don’t lose track of changing skies. “Every four to six hours, we do see some of those changes,” he said.

His advice? Bring a marine radio or weather-capable device onboard.

“Definitely have the ability to have a radio, have a phone, or Wi-Fi coverage," he said. "Keep an eye on, see if the weather is progressing as it tracks."

The Top 3 Mistakes Boaters Make

DeAngelo says the most common missteps that put boaters at risk include:

1. Not filing a float plan.
2. Not carrying enough life jackets or flotation devices.
3. Not having an emergency beacon.

“Electronic personal indicating, radio beacon (EPIRB), it’s a little device that pings the signal up to a satellite. I’ve had more search and rescue cases be successful because people had this," DeAngelo explained. "Had we not had that beacon, it becomes more search ... not as much rescue.”

He emphasized that failing to do any of the above, especially in combination with ignoring the weather forecast, creates a “perfect storm” that leads to emergency rescues.

“Eventually, you're going to get into a condition where you might not be comfortable handling that condition ... or that boat,” he added. “And then, that's never good.”

(MORE: Most Important Life Jacket Tip, According To The Coast Guard)

There’s no shame in turning back if the wind picks up or waves grow too high. One of DeAngelo’s own rules of thumb?

“If you can start seeing whitecaps on the water, it's usually 15-ish to 20 knots of wind,” he said. “That can start kicking up smaller wave sets ... you might have a swamping threat. I would start maybe reconsidering something there.”

He emphasized that conditions you might be comfortable with on a large ship could overwhelm a smaller recreational boat.

Holiday Crowds Bring Extra Risk

Holiday weekends like Memorial Day and July Fourth tend to bring an influx of inexperienced boaters.

“With boating, not everybody out there on a boat, unfortunately, may know the proper way to operate ... or the etiquette to do so,” DeAngelo noted.

(MORE: Watch Coast Guard Race To Free Frozen Ship)

He urged all boaters to plan ahead, watch the skies, and above all, respect the water.

“That not paying respect to Mother Nature to plan accordingly, that’s what usually catches people off guard and puts them in a rescue scenario.”

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.