How to Choose the Best Boat Accessories?
If you have a limited budget, then you might have to stock your boat in stages. You will have to make choices regarding the accessories you buy first.
Safety First
As you look for boat accessories, consider the safety necessities first. For example, states have marine safety requirements regarding the minimum number of floatation devices. You can buy seat cushions or life jackets. If children are on your boat, you will need life jackets in their sizes, as well as in adult sizes.
There are other necessities boaters should have on board. People can get hurt while on the water, so a first aid kit is a must-have. Boaters also should have a safety kit with flares, duct tape, zip ties, and other useful items.
A fire extinguisher is another wise choice to have in your boat. The best boat part accessories prepare you for the unexpected, like oars, goggles, and a VHF radio with weather channels.
Convenience Accessories
After you’ve loaded your boat with safety accessories, you should work on the convenience items. These are the boat accessories that turn stressful situations into easy ones. Small solar chargers can keep boat batteries from dying. Some people also invest in jump packs for the times when batteries unexpectedly drain.
If you expect to dock your boat somewhere, you will want items like fenders, lines, and an anchor. Fenders protect your boat from banging into the dock while the other items keep your boat from floating away.
Having a marine GPS device is also useful, especially if you are boating on large bodies of water that extend beyond the reach of your smartphone. A solar charger for your phone and GPS device is also useful, as GPS devices are no good if they won’t turn on. You can store these items in dry bags or boxes, as every boat needs to have at least one dry storage spot.
Communication Tools
When you are on a boat, you need to be able to communicate with the people on other boats around you. Communication tools designed explicitly for boats will fulfill safety needs. For example, having an air horn and SOS flags will let other boaters know if you need assistance.
The communication tools you need should reflect the type of boating you do. If you are on inland lakes where the shores are always in view, you won’t need the same type of gear that a boater who embarks in the ocean or out into the Great Lakes. Your communication tools should function even when wet.
Fun Stuff
Boating should be fun, which is why there are so many amazing accessories that bring joy. If you love to eat and drink on your boat, then you need a boat cooler and boat grill. If you prefer to use your boat for physical activities, then you might want an inflatable tube or a boat slide.
While many boats come with radios, you can always upgrade your sound system for added fun. If you love to fish, then you have plenty of accessories that make fishing a breeze.
Know the Installation Requirements
If you must install an accessory on your boat, check that it either fits your boat’s year, make, and model. Otherwise, it should have a universal installation choice. If those options aren’t clearly labeled, then you should not buy it. Some accessories, like GPS devices or boat grills, do not need to be installed, so you can buy what you like.