Even if you’re not planning to travel in any of South Florida’s floating parades, a holiday-decorated boat is still a delightful sight, especially for on-board get-togethers.

Many boaters decorate their craft for the same reasons they adorn their homes with lights, figures and more. It’s fun and helps spark holiday spirit.

Here’s a few tips to make your boat stand out at its dock, or during a nighttime December cruise.

l Your boat determines what it can best display. Keep in mind that sailboats look better with designs showing off the boat’s height, while a horizontal design is preferable for powerboats. For example, many sailboat owners will use the height of their sails to simulate a Christmas tree.

l Safety is foremost. Use outdoor-rated LED lighting, which is safer because less heat is used. Avoid packing on more lights than your power source can handle. Keep your fire extinguishers handy.

l Since most boats are white, white lighting often fails to make the design pop. But if you’re using a nautical theme, blue lights could be stunning.

l While lights can be strung around the craft, they can also be strategically placed to illuminate figures. For example, lights can be strung through holes drilled in a wooden wreath to stand out in the dark.
l Fringe is one of the best ways to decorate your hull!

l Blow-up lawn figures also work well on boats.

l Use coroplast, foam board, bead board, corrugated plastic sheets or Styrofoam, for fun and creative designs. Draw designs, then paint or outline in rope lighting. Acrylic or vinyl paint is best. Do not use spray paint on foam as it will dissolve.

l Attach decorations to the boat using plastic tie wraps for figures and lights.

Tie the corners and anywhere else necessary. Consider that wind can move objects — use the plastic tie wraps in all corners of the foam board.

l Be creative. It doesn’t have to be all Santas and trees to be festive. Lots of people pay homage to South Florida’s tropical landscape by displaying turtles, manatees and palm trees on their boats. Why not add a personal touch? For example, the Boston Whaler used for fishing might display lighted fish and rods. The rules are your own.

Information provided by Winterfest Boat Parade and BoatUS.