7 Tips for a Greener Sailing Trip

In 2019, Greta Thunberg proved a point about boating when she sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe to the U.S. and vice versa in November: traveling by boat is more sustainable than other types of travel.

When traveling, consider making a trip via green boating. Sustainable boating may sound expensive, but overall it will decrease carbon emissions and make the world a greener place.

Even if you’re not making as far a trip as Greta did, you can still learn how to boat sustainably for shorter distances. Here are seven tips you can follow for an ideal green boating trip.

Table of Contents

1. Keep Your Carbon Footprint Low

Sustainable boating is inherently tied to keeping your carbon footprint low. This is part of why Greta Thunberg traveled by boat across the Atlantic Ocean.

If sustainable sailing is an option for you, consider having your boat powered by wind rather than gas. If your boat does operate by gas, there are some tips you can follow to keep fuel consumption at an all-time low.

If all else fails, offsetting your carbon footprint monetarily is an option. If you have the money for it, carbon offsets are an excellent way to keep carbon footprints down.

2. Food Sourced From Local Places

This means avoiding packaged food onboard. If you can, avoid eating food packaged in plastic. You can bring your fresh vegetables, fruit, and other food in reusable containers to help keep your waste at bay.

If you choose to fish, good for you! Just remember not to fish up endangered sea life. Be a responsible green boating tourist by understanding sustainable fishing. This requires research before arriving.

If you dock to go on land, eat local and support the local economy rather than big-name corporations and chains.

3. Proper Waste Management Techniques

With green boating, you need to commit to knowing how to boat sustainably.

This may seem intuitive, but think again: this means you need to rethink your waste management techniques on your boat.

If your boat is fueled by gas, do not spill oil into the water when refueling. Be careful not to go over your fill line.

You can also avoid using single-use plastics and products onboard. This will cut down how much waste you accumulate, in addition to keeping your recyclables until your next stop.

The last waste management technique to consider is how you get rid of black water (or sewage). You should only get rid of black water in certain areas, so abide by local laws and regulations. It is illegal to dispose of it wherever you want and environmentally irresponsible.

4. Do Boat Repairs and Upkeep on Land, Not on Water

If you do boat maintenance on the water, you risk releasing waste into the water you’re on, and that is not green boating.

When doing boat upkeep, do so on land. This will ensure that it will not make your boat leak oil or other toxic fluids into the water when you are boating.

That’s why investing in a Duffy is a great choice! As an electric boat company, Duffy can help you in your promise to offset your carbon footprint. It won’t dump fuel into the water either.

5. Avoid Using Plastic Onboard

This is a good rule beyond food too. Without plastic bags and water bottles, you can be sure you are doing your due diligence in making sure plastic does not end up in the water.

Reusable cups or tumblers are just one way you can avoid using plastic onboard your boat. Also, consider reusable plates instead of paper plates too.

With over 380 million tons of plastic added to our oceans every year (not including freshwater lakes and rivers), for the ultimate green boating experience, you must dedicate yourself to a no—or low–plastic use when onboard.

6. EPA-Approved Cleaning Products

Toxic waste includes toxic chemicals! So many of our household cleaning products have toxic chemicals that do not belong in the water (and not in our homes, but that is a topic for a different day).

EPA-approved cleaning products with natural ingredients will help you keep your promise to true green boating. It will also help you reduce how much waste you accumulate onboard.

Besides, if you have to get rid of waste onboard, a biodegradable product won’t hurt the water nearly as much as one full of toxic chemicals. Go natural, so you don’t mess with nature!

7. Don’t Mess With Nature

If you are interested in green boating, chances are that you respect nature. That’s a beautiful trait! Here are more specific ways to appreciate nature beyond the six tips above.

If you see wildlife, don’t get too close. You should not impact their habitat, so admire them from afar.

You also don’t want to contribute to too much noise pollution. If you are in an area with a lot of wildlife, keep your voice and music down. Otherwise, you may disturb those living in that natural setting.

Use These Tips for Green Boating

Green boating is the way of the future, and it is lovely you want to commit to it! With these seven tips, you will contribute to a sustainable boating culture.

We’re the first and finest electric boat since 1970! Duffy is here to help contribute too! Contact us today to get an idea of our electric boat offerings to help you on your green sailing journey.