4 Best Boat Accessories for Summer Fun
Shopping for boat accessories means warmer weather is just around the corner. To help you maximize your enjoyment out on the water, here’s a guide to four must-have accessories for your boat this season.
1. Boat Bumpers
Nothing takes the shine off your day quicker than a scrape or gouge along the bow of your boat as you come into the dock to tie up for the evening. A good set of boat bumpers — also called fenders — is crucial to protecting the investment you’ve made in your vessel. This is one of the few boat accessories that can actually add years of life to your pride and joy.
2. Cooler
You probably already have a cooler on your boat, but how long has it been pulling duty for you and your friends and family? Newer coolers are not only better at keeping food and beverages cold, but they’re also lighter and, in some cases, feature integrated speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to float even when full. It’s well worth investigating your cooler options at the start of the season.
3. Life Jackets
Even more important than a fresh cooler are new life jackets. These boating accessories should be inspected each year to make sure that straps aren’t frayed, buckles aren’t broken and that the materials wrapped around the buoyant inner package of these life-saving devices is strong with no visible tearing. If you suspect a life jacket might no longer be reliable in an accident, it’s always best to replace it with a new one.
4. Lighting
LED lighting has come a long way in a short time, and that means it’s now possible to illuminate almost every square inch of the inside and outside of your boat. LEDs offer low power consumption for excellent battery life, and they can often be purchased in strips that can be affixed to out-of-the-way nooks and crannies in your boat with remarkable ease. If it’s been a while since you bought lights for your boat, consider picking up some LEDs.
As boating season picks up speed, make sure you’re cruising in style and comfort.
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Photo courtesy of Morguefile.
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Benjamin Hunting View All
Having been bitten by the car bug at a young age, I spent my formative years surrounded by Studebakers at car shows across Quebec and the northeastern United States. Over ten years of racing, restoring, and obsessing over automobiles lead me to balance science writing and automotive journalism full time. I currently contribute as an editor to several online and print automotive publications, and I also write and consult for the pharmaceutical and medical device industry.