Key Boating Accessories
So you purchased the boat of your dreams with the help of our boat selection guide, but now you have to outfit the boat with gear and accessories and you don’t want to forget anything. Here are some key boating accessories that will make your day on the water much more enjoyable, not to mention safer.
Some of these items are legally required on a boat, some are recommended, and some are just very useful. We recommend you contact your state to verify the legal requirements as there are differences from state to state.
1. Lifejackets
Our first and most important boating accessory is lifejackets. Most states require that you have 1 lifejacket on board per passenger. Typically, boats in the 26’ or less range have a maximum capacity of passengers. In this case, it’s a good idea to match your maximum capacity with lifejackets. This way you are covered should you have extra passengers that you weren’t planning on.
Larger boats are usually yacht-certified. In this case, we recommend having plenty of lifejackets as long as you have enough storage space. Better safe than sorry.
There are a wide range of lifejacket styles available on the market today, so the type of vests you want to purchase will probably depend on the type of boating you plan to do. The most economical type of vest is the Type II PDF. Here is an example of a Type II Vest from ONYX. These are the orange vests that go around your neck and strap in front. They are coast guard approved, and they are functional, but the comfort level leaves something to be desired. Some boaters use these as extra vests to make sure they legally have enough vests on the boat, but plan to use them only in case of emergency.
The most popular style of vest is the foam core, polyester shell 3-4 buckle vest. Here is an example of a traditional 3-buckle vest from Stearns. These are much more comfortable and are great for watersports. They are shaped like an actual vest and fit snug around the body. They are still fairly economical, and a good combination would be several of these vests along with some Type II vests to cover the boat capacity.
Neoprene vests are the next level up from the traditional 3-4 bucket foam vest. O’Brien makes a very nice neoprene vest for a good price. They are shaped the same, but they are made of neoprene and are very comfortable. Neoprene vests typically have a zip-up front with buckle, and they are the top choice if you are doing lots of watersports such as skiing, wakeboarding etc. They are around double the price of the traditional foam vest.
Inflatable life vests are another choice that some boaters prefer. They come with either a manual inflate or automatic inflate feature. Absolute Outdoor makes a great inflatable vest that can either be inflated manually, or will automatically inflate upon water immersion.
2. Throwable
The second item on our list of key boating assessories is a throwable life preserver. This is also typically a legal requirement. This is what you would use if you had a man overboard situation. You can then throw them a life preserver. They typically come in 2 different styles; the throwable ring or throwable cushion. The ring is the traditional version that you see on many large ships. They have a great look and can even be used for decoration. The more commonly used version is the throwable cushion. This is a square shaped cushion with 2 straps. It is a foam core just like many traditional life jackets. They can also be used for a seat cushion. Flowt makes a Coast Guard Approved Type IV throwable Cushion.
3. Fire Extinguisher
Number 3 item of top boating accessories is a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers are typically required on all boats with an engine. There are different sizes depending on the type of boat or pwc. Be sure to get the model that fits your requirements. Some boats have fire extinguishing systems in the engine compartment, but your state most likely still requires you to have a separate hand held extinguisher. Here is a Marine Fire Extinguisher from Kiddie.
4. Horn
Number 4 on our list of top boating accessories & safety features to have on your boat is a horn. Some boats come with built-in horns just as your automobile does, but not all. If your boat does not have a horn, you are required to have an air horn. This is a good idea to have even if your boat does already have a horn. Most built-in boat horns are not especially loud, so an air horn does a much better job of getting the attention of other boaters in emergency situations. Here is an air horn from Shoreline that meets USCG specifications. It can be heard up to a mile away.
5. First Aid Kit
It’s always a good idea to carry a first aid kit on the boat with you. There is a good chance you might do some of your boating in a remote area. This will put you far away from medical assistance in case of emergency. Say for example you drop anchor at a sandbar and walk up on the beach. You could step on a sharp rock or shell and cut your foot. Rather than end your day early, if you have a first aid kit on board with your boating accessories, you can patch up a minor cut and continue to enjoy your day. You never know what might happen out on the water, so better be safe than sorry. Here is a great waterproof first aid kit from Coleman.
6. Ropes/Docklines
There are many situations where you will need to use ropes or docklines as boating accessories. Therefore, it’s a good idea to keep several on board. If you are anchored out with other boats, you might want to tie up with them. When you go to a restaurant or gas dock, again, you will want to be able to tie your boat up. In a situation where your boat has mechanical troubles and needs to be towed in, you will need a rope to attach to your tow boat. There are endless situations where ropes will be used out on the water, and they don’t take up much room, so bring plenty. Shoreline Marine offers some great double braided docklines with different size and color options.
7. Anchor with Line/Chain
An anchor is probably not a legal requirement in terms of boating accessories. It is, however, a must have item. The obvious main use is to drop the anchor in a cove or at the beach to secure your boat in place. There are safety reasons as well. If you have mechanical troubles and find yourself on a body of water with a current, this could be a very dangerous situation. The boat could drift into the shoreline, rocks or other hazards. In this case, it might be beneficial to be able to drop an anchor and keep the boat in place until help arrives.
For most boating situations, we prefer the slip-ring style anchor to dig into the bottom for a good hold. Here is an example of a slip-ring anchor from SeaSense that will work on most boats.
8. Paddle
It might not be useful in all boating applications (especially for larger boats), but having a paddle on board can be helpful to maneuver a smaller boat if you are having mechanical troubles. You can also get a paddle that telescopes to cut down on storage space required. Here is an example of a Telescoping Paddle from Attwood.
9. Bumpers
Bumpers are must-have boating accessories for times that you want to tie your boat up. You hang the bumpers off the side of the boat. Then you will want to place them so they will be at the point of contact between the adjacent dock or boat. You will typically want 2-3 per side. Different size boats will require different size bumpers. Obviously the larger the boat, the larger the fender. Most smaller boats from 18-24’ will do fine with the 6.5” bumpers, but bigger is always better. Just keep in mind that the larger bumpers will also take up more storage space in the boat. Best Choice offers a 4-Pack of 8.5″ fenders for a great price!
10. GPS
The final item on our list of key boating accessories is a GPS. As with all electronics, GPS units have come down in price in recent years, and the quality has improved significantly. A GPS unit can be so helpful in so many different situations. They can help you navigate unfamiliar waters. They typically tell you where hazards and channels are along with channel markers. You can set a waypoint and find your way to the closest gas dock or restaurant. You can even leave breadcrumbs to show your path going out and follow them back in. This is especially useful with night boating.
There are quite a few options on the market these days. We really like the Garmin GPS units for the easy to use interface and detail. Check out Garmin’s 78sc Waterproof Handheld GPS Chartplotter.
