When considering the legal consequences of drinking and boating or any other summer activities, also weigh the health risks of drinking mixed with the hot summer weather. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect. When the body temperature rises, the body perspires and the sweat evaporates to cool the body. Alcohol compounds this problem because of the dehydrating effect. The alcohol acts as a diuretic and causes the body to lose more fluid through urine.
Water is the best fluid replacement, especially during hot weather.
Heat exhaustion is characterized by extreme fatigue, a feeling of being over-heated and losing a great deal of water or sweat. In some cases, heat strokes can cause death. And since alcohol impairs a drinker's judgement, many times the person cannot decide when to get out of the heat. Whether in the heat or not, women are more susceptible to the effects of alcohol than men. Anyone who plans to drink, especially if they are going to be out in the heat, should not do so on an empty stomach.