Hot days are creeping in, the stress of finals is beginning to wane, bikinis are busting out left and right, and everyone is starting to get stoked on this new freedom we only find at end of a semester. Now, despite the couple of rando chilly days,  I’m still going to have to say: boat season has finally arrived! We Texans know hot, and if you just moved here, you’ll soon understand what I’m speaking of.  So what to do on a blistering day without classes? Yachts on the reg, that’s what. But before suiting up and hopping on the nearest friend’s boat, I’d like to shoot out a couple of reminders:

1. Being without on a boat totally sucks.

This might seem like common sense, but hey, it’s true, so a mental check list can never hurt. Remember, if you forget something, you’re stuck on the water at the mercy of your driver. This is rarely an ideal situation. Especially when heading out to places like Devil’s Cove, you need to realize you’re probably in for an all day extravaganza. I recommend bringing along a ‘dry bag,’ it’s probably the most important thing because will almost never fail in saving your a**.

—Dry Bag Inhabitants:

• Sunscreen. I don’t care if your that guy or gal who “never burns.” 8 hours in the sun with little to no shade or coverage in 100 degree weather  without sunscreen is moronic. Even if you are that freak of nature wouldn’t burn badly, I assure you, your skin will  at least begin to dry out which looks nasty, makes for some sweet wrinkles a few years down, and is almost an instant recipe for hangovers. Don’t be dumb, protect yourself from the sun.
• Sunglasses. They do a great job of hiding those dark smudges that always seem inevitable after a little swim, makes a great substitute for make up all together, you can pass out in them and no body will notice (that was a joke), protect your eyes from harmful rays, plus they make everyone look cool. Oh yea, I went there.
• A koozie. This one is probably more important than you would think on the surface. When tons of boats tie up, everyone is jumping around on and off everyone else’s boats. And because this is America (f*** yea), most of them will probably have copious amounts beer, also likely that a majority of them will have the same kind. In a sea of 50 Bud Lights on one table, it’s near impossible to pick out your own, especially after a couple,  and you never know what creepers may be lurking around spreading some things you don’t want to be involved with (cooties, herpes, roofies, etc.). Bring a koozie, it’s just much easier to keep track of your drink.
• Water. Always at least just bring a bottle. Drinking on the lake all day in the sun?  Need I say more, really? And for all you hardcore drinkers out there who don’t need it, you never know when a friend might. Dehydration is a friend of no one.
• A dry throw on clothes and flip flops. Whether it’s a swim suit malfunction, a burn that just can no longer be exposed, random chilly winds, or a surprise, “we’re going out to eat” upon return; a dry sundress or t-shirt and some flip flops are always a good idea.
• Snack. Being on the lake all day can be extremely famishing, save yourself the stomachache and lessen your chances for alcohol poisoning. I know the “nothing makes me feel like more of a fatty than eating in a bikini” feeling. Then again, you’ll look a lot better not puking  and passing out. Just throw in a healthy little snack: breakfast bar, trail mix, fruit, whatever, and you’ll be solid.
• Tampon. Pretty self explanatory, even in a just in case scenario, it’s better safe than sorry.

The glory of the dry bag is once it’s packed you don’t even have to deal with it anymore. When aboard, just chunk it in a compartment and it’s there for whenever disaster strikes…or you just need to lather up. Dry bag means essential comforts covered, don’t find yourself without!

2. No-no’s

• Glass. It is illegal to have glass bottles on any body of water in Texas. Although it is common to find many people do it anyway, it’s still not such a great idea. With all the barefooted people hopping around, a broken bottle on the floor can end the day real quick. Glass in the lake, not pretty either. As for liquor, just pour it in water bottles. And plenty of bottled beers you can find in cans, so save yourself the chance of injury and ticket, don’t bring glass bottles.
• Camera. Unless it is waterproof, breaking it out in the midst of a boat party is a recipe for a broken camera. Get a waterproof one, most of them are shockproof as well. Also, get a buoy, just because it is waterproof doesn’t mean it floats!

3. Safety

• Life jackets. By law, there needs to be one life jacket for every person on the boat. You can get a ticket up to $200 per missing jacket! This is probably the number one thing to not forget. They save lives, your wallet, and make great floaties for beer drinking in the water. One per person!

For more information on rules and regulations on the water, look to the LCRA.