It's easy! All it takes is a little preparation, and your boating day trip will be remembered for all the right reasons. Here are some pointers to help get you started:

• Make sure your boat has the proper safety equipment for everyone on board. That means a properly fitted life jacket for everyone on board.

• Bring along a variety of snacks tough enough to survive being tossed about during the day. Think sliced apples and carrot sticks over bananas. Choose Pringles in their sturdy can over easily crushed chips in a bag. Because of the moist environment, this is also a good time to spring for individual serving sizes for the kids’ foods.

• Drinks are another area you definitely want to plan carefully. Have plenty of water and sports drinks. Go light on the sodas and energy drinks because those will go first and won’t help with hydration during a day out in the sun.

• The most important thing to pack is sunscreen and lip balm. Bring plenty so you can reapply throughout the day. Swimming and toweling off takes off your UV protection, and you need to put it back on frequently.

• Dealing with bugs and dirty hands. Make sure you have plenty of insect repellent and hand sanitizer for tidying up before eating all those snacks.

• Be sure to bring along extra swim suits, towels, water shoes, hats and sunglasses, and a change of clothes for the ride home. Somehow, you always need more than you anticipate.

• Don't forget to create a float plan. Whether you choose to inform a family member or staff at your local marina, always be sure let someone on shore know your float plan—that is tell them where you’re going and how long you expect to be gone.