It’s that time of the year again when families, fishermen, and sailors can get out on the water and enjoy their boats. Whether you live on the ocean, one of the Great Lakes, or a small inland lake, there is something special about spending the day out on a boat.
Regardless of the size and style of your boat, you should always have all of the required emergency gear stowed on board. Emergency beacons, flashlights, first aid kits, and lifejackets are essential equipment, but what about the other gear and gadgets that will help make your days on the boat more comfortable and enjoyable?
You can find dozens of toys and water sports equipment for activities like hitting the board with an Aerial Wakeboarding tower, but plenty of non-activity gadgets for your boat are worth the investment. Let’s take a closer look at some of the coolest boating gadgets to try this summer.
Handheld Wind Speed Meter
Every boater, from the novice to the professional, recognizes that knowing how to interpret weather conditions is crucial to sailing safety. Conditions on the water can change quickly, and it is helpful to have the right tools on board to help you navigate safely.
Ideally, the slower the winds, the more smoothly you will find your sailing experience. To help you judge the safety of the conditions at any moment, you should have a handheld wind speed meter on board. This sophisticated device can give you accurate wind readings in just a few seconds and can help you to make crucial decisions about your route and prime conditions.
Dog Boat Ladder
If you want to include your family dog for your day on the water, you should make sure that you have all the supplies that will keep them safe and comfortable. Your pup should be wearing a properly sized doggy life jacket during their time on board.
If your dog likes to get out for a swim, it can be difficult for them to climb back on board without the right offside equipment. Outfit your craft with a dog boat ladder to help your best friend gain access easily to your boat. This will help prevent your dog from tiring out or you from injuring yourself trying to lift your dog over the side of the boat.
Waterproof Dry Box
Water is one thing you can’t avoid when you spend the day out on your boat. Your craft is bound to get a bit wet, so you must designate a safe and dry space for your important items that need to stay out of the way of splashing water. If you enjoy boating on the ocean, your craft will be at the mercy of the salty air and potential rust. While your boat itself is protected from such corrosion, your tools and gadgets may not be. To keep your tools and electronics safe, you should invest in a dry box that will prevent your essential items from getting damaged by the ocean air.
Regardless of where you end up boating, there is always the potential to get wet. To keep personal items and paperwork like maps and money dry, you should invest in a dry bag. Smaller items like phones, wallets, and jewelry can be easily placed in a dry bag and stored safely on board.
Charging Power Bar
If you are spending the day on the boat, you will need to have a way to charge your phone, tablet, or digital camera. You don’t want to have the perfect opportunity to snap some great shots only to discover that your camera or phone is about ready to die. Every boat should be equipped with a charging power bar. You can take a precharged unit or choose a solar model that can soak up the rays while you are out on the water.
Multi-Tool
There are endless uses for a good quality multi-tool on your boat. You can’t go wrong with a multi-tool from tightening motor screws to opening a bottle of Chardonnay. These unique gadgets are small enough to keep in your dry pack or even a pocket to be ready when you need them. A good multi-tool will have at least two screwdriver heads, pliers, a small knife, scissors, a file, a firestarter, and a saw. These tools may be small, but when needed, they will take care of any size of the job while you are out on the boat.
Wireless Waterproof Speakers
If you want to really get the most out of your time on the water with your family and friends, you should be able to take your favorite playlist with you. Investing in a set of wireless waterproof speakers lets you crank up the tunes without having to worry about water damage. Connect any of your devices to your waterproof speakers and get down with all of the classic hits.
Anti-Seasickness Bracelet
If the waves are rolling, motion sickness doesn’t take much to take someone on your boat out. While it’s not unusual to be taken over by nausea while on the water, it can be disappointing for the person that is suffering and the rest of the party. To ensure that everyone in your group enjoys their time on the boat, keep a few anti-seasickness bracelets onboard for your guests. These unique bracelets use acupressure to reduce the feelings of dizziness and nausea and can be worn by both adults and children.
Boat Grill
Why settle for cold sandwiches and potato chips for your meals while on the boat? You could set up an easy to use boat grill and enjoy freshly caught fish, steaks, or any other barbeque classics right on board. Boat grills can be mounted on the side rails of your boat to avoid taking up room on deck. Most boat grills use a small propane tank that will provide enough flame to heat your grill to perfection.
If you are itching to get out on the water with your friends and family on your boat, ensure that you are properly stocked with all the required safety equipment. To add convenience and comfort to your boating day, try investing in some of these unique gadgets that are perfect for your day on the boat.