Setting sail in your boat is an exciting experience. You are getting away from your daily routine and having a great time in the company of the sea. To ensure that your time out on the water is an enjoyable one, you need certain boat accessories. First and foremost, you should not set out without these life-saving essentials:First Aid Kit: Most people carry essential medicines and other fist aid requisites in a box and stash it away in a drawer. Supposing your watercraft is not a fancy sloop and does not have storage space at all. You cannot possibly put a first aid box on the floor of your boat it will just slide all over the place. It is a better idea to purchase the waterproof first aid kit that is now available at major stores. Its unique feature is that it has a Velcro backing which enables you to mount it anywhere.
The bag itself is usually made of nylon and can be zipped shut. The contents not only include bandages, gauze and other essentials, but also a pair of latex gloves and some useful instructions on first aid. Price: less than $20.Life Rings: A family member in your boat could lean over precariously and topple over straight into the water. Strong currents can quickly suck even a good swimmer under. For such scary moments, you need a couple of life rings. You should get really good quality ones, that will not succumb to mildew and are weather-resistant. Price: above $45 for a 19"diameter ring.
Rescue Can: This floating device is similar to a life ring, but has the additional advantage of having grips on the sides. If you and your co-passengers are unfortunately faced with a leak that threatens to sink the boat, the importance of this handy accessory comes to the fore.
The lightweight float will bob on the water, as everyone grips the handles on it till a Good Samaritan comes to your rescue. The float generally comes in bright colors, enabling it to be seen easily by other boats or even from the air by rescue helicopters. Its price of about $100 is definitely worth the lives saved. Life Jackets: As the name implies, this jacket is no ordinary apparel, but one that saves a life. Don it at all times when out on the waters. You should especially ensure that kids on board are wearing them. Even the calmest waters can turn turbulent in less than a second, so life jackets are absolute necessities. There are different types, made from nylon, or neoprene, or a combination of both. More than style and color, what is important is that it should fit snugly and comfortably. So select ones of the correct lengths. Check that the straps dont easily snap open. If you do not get a proper fit, get a customized one to suit you / your kid or other family member. Never mind if you have to pay a few extra dollars. Safety is of prime importance here.
Starting price for a childs life jacket is about $20, while for adults it could be around $35. In the likelihood that you also take your dog along, get one for your four-legged friend, too.
Essential AccessoriesAnchor: If you decide go fishing in the middle of a lake, you need to drop anchor. Buy one that is specially coated to prevent formation of rust. An eight pound basic mushroom-shaped anchor comes for up to $20. Since it is not very heavy and is easy to pull, it is much favored by those who have a lightweight boat. You can get a more sophisticated one that is known as a digger anchor. When you are faced with rough weather, and you wish to have your boat securely entrenched, this type of anchor comes in great use. It literally digs right through muddy water and will not drag. It is available in different weights for different sized boats. You can even get anchors specifically for trips to salt water areas. Price: $100 to $116.Paddles: Lets suppose the engine of your watercraft unexpectedly dies out. There is not another sailing vessel in sight to come to your rescue, and the shore is a great distance away. At such times, you will definitely need a paddle. The old-fashioned wooden paddles are now pass. You can get a sturdy aluminum handled paddle with a good grip for about $20.
Boat Mirror: You are cruising on the calm waters of a beautiful lake, when, suddenly, out of nowhere, a watercraft comes rocketing at you from behind. The maniacal person driving it laughs as you veer away just in the nick of time, avoiding a serious accident. It is just for such rash drivers that you need to install a mirror on the boats windshield frame. It will give you a very clear view of anyone approaching from behind.
Price: about $25. MiscellaneousYou obviously wont be standing up all the time! Get comfortable boat seats for the cockpit and for passengers. These seats have foamed cushioning and are designed to provide good support at all times. Make sure they adhere to safety standards.
Prices: from $160 to over $400.For a daylong cruise with the family that involves water skiing and a picnic on the beach, youll need wet suits and dry suits.
Prices: $80 to over $350.Enjoy a meal on board with a nifty grill. Get one that is portable and easy to use and clean. Prices start at around $145.Land Ahoy! There are plenty of accessories that you will need once you touch shore. We have already mentioned one: anchors. Important partners of an anchor are the anchor lines. You need a firm line that can pay out easily. If you dont want your boat to literally kiss the shore, you can buy an anchor line that stretches to over thirty feet. The price is less than $30. To get off the boat without having to jump ashore, install a folding ladder that fits securely to the transom. Two-step aluminum one comes for about $70, while a pontoon ladder could cost over $100. The more sophisticated hydraulic powered ones cost over $300.When you dock your boat, you should secure it with a mooring whip.
You can buy a strong double braided nylon pair of whips with steel mounts. Prices start at about $170 and could go over $400, depending on the size of your boat. Of course, you need to ensure that the mooring area is calm enough for tying up the boat. Also handy are snaps and hooks made from stainless steel or nickel-plated steel ($2 to $9 for one). Maintenance AccessoriesThere are dozens of sprays and cleaning solutions for maintaining the various parts of your boat and gear. Instead of buying numerous bottles of stuff and having them clutter up precious space on your boat, ask the storekeeper for what is known as a prep kit. You can get separate kits for different seasons. It generally includes the basic essentials: lube, grease, corrosion spray, etc. Price range: less than $30 up to $40, depending on whether you are buying for the fall, spring, or winter season. Its time to drop anchor, as there is lack of space to mention lots more boat accessories: boat lights, buoys, fenders, skeg guards, boat covers, and boat ramps, bilge pumps, etc. Just keep in mind that many of these accessories must comply with the American Boat Yacht Council (ABYC) Safety Standards. Also, prices mentioned in this article are not actual costs but approximate rates, and do not include shipping charges. Do check the warranty on all items and double-check all safety aspects.
The bag itself is usually made of nylon and can be zipped shut. The contents not only include bandages, gauze and other essentials, but also a pair of latex gloves and some useful instructions on first aid. Price: less than $20.Life Rings: A family member in your boat could lean over precariously and topple over straight into the water. Strong currents can quickly suck even a good swimmer under. For such scary moments, you need a couple of life rings. You should get really good quality ones, that will not succumb to mildew and are weather-resistant. Price: above $45 for a 19"diameter ring.
Rescue Can: This floating device is similar to a life ring, but has the additional advantage of having grips on the sides. If you and your co-passengers are unfortunately faced with a leak that threatens to sink the boat, the importance of this handy accessory comes to the fore.
The lightweight float will bob on the water, as everyone grips the handles on it till a Good Samaritan comes to your rescue. The float generally comes in bright colors, enabling it to be seen easily by other boats or even from the air by rescue helicopters. Its price of about $100 is definitely worth the lives saved. Life Jackets: As the name implies, this jacket is no ordinary apparel, but one that saves a life. Don it at all times when out on the waters. You should especially ensure that kids on board are wearing them. Even the calmest waters can turn turbulent in less than a second, so life jackets are absolute necessities. There are different types, made from nylon, or neoprene, or a combination of both. More than style and color, what is important is that it should fit snugly and comfortably. So select ones of the correct lengths. Check that the straps dont easily snap open. If you do not get a proper fit, get a customized one to suit you / your kid or other family member. Never mind if you have to pay a few extra dollars. Safety is of prime importance here.
Starting price for a childs life jacket is about $20, while for adults it could be around $35. In the likelihood that you also take your dog along, get one for your four-legged friend, too.
Essential AccessoriesAnchor: If you decide go fishing in the middle of a lake, you need to drop anchor. Buy one that is specially coated to prevent formation of rust. An eight pound basic mushroom-shaped anchor comes for up to $20. Since it is not very heavy and is easy to pull, it is much favored by those who have a lightweight boat. You can get a more sophisticated one that is known as a digger anchor. When you are faced with rough weather, and you wish to have your boat securely entrenched, this type of anchor comes in great use. It literally digs right through muddy water and will not drag. It is available in different weights for different sized boats. You can even get anchors specifically for trips to salt water areas. Price: $100 to $116.Paddles: Lets suppose the engine of your watercraft unexpectedly dies out. There is not another sailing vessel in sight to come to your rescue, and the shore is a great distance away. At such times, you will definitely need a paddle. The old-fashioned wooden paddles are now pass. You can get a sturdy aluminum handled paddle with a good grip for about $20.
Boat Mirror: You are cruising on the calm waters of a beautiful lake, when, suddenly, out of nowhere, a watercraft comes rocketing at you from behind. The maniacal person driving it laughs as you veer away just in the nick of time, avoiding a serious accident. It is just for such rash drivers that you need to install a mirror on the boats windshield frame. It will give you a very clear view of anyone approaching from behind.
Price: about $25. MiscellaneousYou obviously wont be standing up all the time! Get comfortable boat seats for the cockpit and for passengers. These seats have foamed cushioning and are designed to provide good support at all times. Make sure they adhere to safety standards.
Prices: from $160 to over $400.For a daylong cruise with the family that involves water skiing and a picnic on the beach, youll need wet suits and dry suits.
Prices: $80 to over $350.Enjoy a meal on board with a nifty grill. Get one that is portable and easy to use and clean. Prices start at around $145.Land Ahoy! There are plenty of accessories that you will need once you touch shore. We have already mentioned one: anchors. Important partners of an anchor are the anchor lines. You need a firm line that can pay out easily. If you dont want your boat to literally kiss the shore, you can buy an anchor line that stretches to over thirty feet. The price is less than $30. To get off the boat without having to jump ashore, install a folding ladder that fits securely to the transom. Two-step aluminum one comes for about $70, while a pontoon ladder could cost over $100. The more sophisticated hydraulic powered ones cost over $300.When you dock your boat, you should secure it with a mooring whip.
You can buy a strong double braided nylon pair of whips with steel mounts. Prices start at about $170 and could go over $400, depending on the size of your boat. Of course, you need to ensure that the mooring area is calm enough for tying up the boat. Also handy are snaps and hooks made from stainless steel or nickel-plated steel ($2 to $9 for one). Maintenance AccessoriesThere are dozens of sprays and cleaning solutions for maintaining the various parts of your boat and gear. Instead of buying numerous bottles of stuff and having them clutter up precious space on your boat, ask the storekeeper for what is known as a prep kit. You can get separate kits for different seasons. It generally includes the basic essentials: lube, grease, corrosion spray, etc. Price range: less than $30 up to $40, depending on whether you are buying for the fall, spring, or winter season. Its time to drop anchor, as there is lack of space to mention lots more boat accessories: boat lights, buoys, fenders, skeg guards, boat covers, and boat ramps, bilge pumps, etc. Just keep in mind that many of these accessories must comply with the American Boat Yacht Council (ABYC) Safety Standards. Also, prices mentioned in this article are not actual costs but approximate rates, and do not include shipping charges. Do check the warranty on all items and double-check all safety aspects.
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