What to Bring on a Boat Club Outing near Ocean City, NJ

One of the best parts of a boat club is how little you have to haul. No trailer, no fuel cans, no wrestling a cover off the boat. But “show up and go” still works best with a small, smart bag. Here’s our take on what to bring on a boat club outing near Ocean City, NJ, from the folks who watch members head out from our docks all season.

At Jet Drive Exchange, most outings start with a Boat Ride or Ride All membership. Boat Ride gives you unlimited access to one boat per reservation. Ride All gives you one boat or two jet skis per reservation. Either way you’re leaving from one of our two docks, Boat Yard Marina in Somers Point or All Seasons Marina in Marmora, with a 5-hour reservation and a boat that’s already clean and fueled for you.

What the club already handles for you

Before the packing list, it helps to know what you don’t need to bring.

• The boat, ready to go. Boats and skis are topped off and ready for the next member when they come back in, so you start the day with fuel in the tank.
• The ownership chores. No cleaning, storage, winterizing or maintenance on your end. That’s the whole point.
• Insurance. Coverage is included with membership. Check our F.A.Q. for the details.
• Training. Every new member gets a one-on-one orientation covering how our boats run, general navigation, docking tips and watercraft safety before heading out.

Fuel is the one thing you pay as you go. Members pay for the fuel they use, charged to the card on file that night. A slow fishing day burns less than a day of tubing, so you only pay for what you use.

The paperwork: don’t leave the dock without it

This is the one part of the list that isn’t optional.

Your Boaters Safety Certificate. Anyone operating our boats or jet skis needs one. New Jersey residents must carry their New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate on board. Out-of-state visitors have their own rules for proof of a course, and our F.A.Q. links to the NJ State Police guidance. Snap a photo of it too, but keep the real card with you.

A primary member. At least one primary member on the account has to be at the reservation, and only primary members can drive the boat or skis. Guests are welcome to ride along as passengers at no extra cost; they just can’t take the wheel.

Your reservation, confirmed. You book in the Boat Club App (iOS and Android) or the online portal. Double-check your date, time, dock and boat before you leave the house.

The packing list for a 5-hour outing

Five hours goes fast on the bay. Here’s the short list we’d pack for a typical boat day:

• Boaters Safety Certificate and a photo ID
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat with a strap or chin cord
• A light long-sleeve layer or windbreaker; it feels cooler once you’re moving
• Towels and a dry change of clothes for anyone planning to swim
• A small soft cooler with plenty of water and easy snacks
• A dry bag or zip-top bags for phones, keys and wallets
• A phone charger or small battery pack
• Soft-soled, non-marking shoes or sandals that won’t slip
• Trash bags, so everything that comes aboard goes home with you
• Your own fishing gear if fishing is the plan

Keep it compact. Every boat in our fleet has a set passenger capacity, listed on our Fleet page, and deck space goes fast. A couple of soft bags and one cooler beats a wagon full of gear. Soft bags stow easier and are easier to pass down from the dock.

Packing for kids and guests

Plenty of our members bring family and friends. A few things make that day easier:

• A life jacket that fits. If you’re bringing little kids, bring a Coast Guard-approved life jacket sized for them so you know the fit is right before you leave the dock.
• A boat with room to spare. Pick a boat whose capacity comfortably fits your whole crew. If you’re not sure which one works, ask us before you book.
• A quick brief for first-time guests. Tell them where to sit while you’re underway and to keep hands and feet inside the boat when docking.

If your family day is the main reason you’re thinking about a club, our post on planning a family boat day near Ocean City goes deeper on that.

Packing for Ride All jet ski days

With Ride All, some reservations are two jet skis instead of a boat. That’s a lighter list: a swimsuit or rash guard, sunglasses with a strap, sunscreen that stays on in the water, and a small waterproof pouch for a phone. Skip the cooler and big bags; storage on a ski is limited. Still not sure which membership fits how you ride? Read Boat Ride vs Ride All.

Interested in ski-only packages? Just ask and we’ll walk you through them.

Plan the day around the reservation

The 5-hour window is the real planning tool. A few habits our regulars swear by:

• Arrive a little early. Loading a cooler and settling the crew before your start time means more of the five hours is spent on the water.
• Pick a plan that fits five hours. A cruise up toward the Tuckahoe River, a fishing stop, or a slow lap of the bay all fit comfortably. Trying to do everything in one outing usually means rushing back.
• Keep three reservations on the books. Members can hold up to three future reservations at a time, with one of them on a weekend by default. As soon as you finish an outing you can book the next one.
• Check the forecast and use your judgment. If the conditions don’t feel right, it’s never worth forcing it.
• Leave time to unload. Bring everything back off the boat so it’s ready for the next member.

Quick answers before your next outing

Do guests need a boating certificate?

Not to ride as passengers. Only primary members operate the boat or jet skis, and they need a valid Boaters Safety Certificate.

Do I need to bring fuel?

No. Boats are topped off after every return, and you’re billed for the fuel you used that night.

How long is a reservation?

Each reservation is 5 hours. If the slots before or after yours are open on the day, you may be able to extend.

When is the season?

Our season runs May through October.

Can I reserve on short notice?

Same-day reservations are possible by calling, emailing or texting us when a boat is available. Booking a week or two ahead is the best way to get your preferred day, time and boat.

Ready to pack the cooler?

If you’ve been looking for a way to get on the water around Ocean City without the cost and chores of owning, a Boat Ride or Ride All membership is the place to start.

• Join or learn more: jetdriveexchange.com/join
• Book a discovery call: zcal.co/jetdriveexchange/discover
• Call us: 609-224-1773 or 833-CLUB-JDE

See you at the dock.