Every pastime or hobby can be made that bit more enjoyable by taking advantage of the cutting-edge gadgets and accessories out there—
and boating is no different.
In fact, there are so many boat gadgets and accessories on the market that it can be tricky to decide which ones to use. That’s why we’ve created a list of 10 must-have boat gadgets and accessories.
Which of these will you be taking onboard with you?
1. Waterproof notepad
If you like to keep manual ship or maintenance logs, having an onboard notepad comes in very handy. However, finding a dry piece of paper mid-voyage can prove difficult.
That’s why a waterproof is ideal for several scenarios, from making pilotage notes to playing hangman to pass the time!
The StormPad by Limitless Equipment is a great product available on Amazon for £7.99. It’s 100% waterproof and weatherproof, can be used with most pens, and has 90 pages.
2. The Garmin VIRB 360
Boating and photography have long gone hand-in-hand, and Garmin takes this relationship to another level. Their VIRB 360 can capture a complete sphere of high resolution (4K) video and audio, as well as photographs.
This new technology is waterproof for up to 10 metres, giving you the perfect opportunity to record your aquatic adventures. Plus, if you’re taking it onboard a sailing boat, it can be activated with voice control so your hands can stay firmly on the ropes.
This boat gadget will set you back £599.99, which is a bargain considering its software capacity and the price of your average DSLR.
Related: The complete yacht maintenance checklist
3. A solar-powered waterproof speaker
Most of us go boating to escape the pressures of life on land and enjoy the freedom it brings, and a bit of background music aids that feeling of relaxation. However, electronics don’t usually mix very well with the sea. Plus, what if the battery dies while you’re on the water?
That’s where the Altec Lansing LifeJacket 3 Bluetooth Speaker comes in. As well as being waterproof, the LifeJacket 3 is shockproof and dirtproof.
Moreover, with 30-hour battery life, you won’t have to worry about it dying mid-playlist. It also floats, meaning if things get bumpy and it takes a trip overboard, it’ll stay on the water’s surface until you can retrieve it.
It’s currently available on Amazon for £121.55. So, if you want to bring your love of music to the water, this is bound to be one of your favourite sailing gadgets.
4. An amphibious drone
Even though there are a lot of waterproof drones on the market now, the Splash 3 by Swellpro was the first fully amphibious quadcopter to hit the shelves.
Like the Altec Lansing LifeJacket 3, it also floats, so you don’t have to worry about losing it to the unforgiving mistress of the sea if you misjudge your landing!
You can purchase it in the UK for £1,849. It is one of the more expensive gadgets for boat owners, but it’s a favourite amongst die-hard tech fans.
5. Polarized sailing sunglasses
If you take your boat out on the rare occasion we’re blessed with some sun, you’ll want to make sure your eyes are adequately protected.
Unfortunately, your average pair of sunglasses won’t cut it while you’re onboard. Glare from the water, harsh winds and lack of shade are bases your eye protection will need to cover.
This makes a quality pair of sunglasses one of the best boat accessories to invest in. Luckily, plenty of sunglasses have been designed with boaters in mind—make sure you go for a pair with polarised lenses.
We recommend the Costa Polarized Pescador sunglasses range, which offers seven lens colours ranging from low-light to extremely bright light options. They’re also made from recycled fishing nets, meaning you can feel like you’re doing your bit for Planet Earth.
6. An underwater scooter
An underwater scooter is the perfect boat accessory for you if you’re a keen swimmer, snorkeller or diver.
The Sublue WhiteShark Mix is a great example. It’s equipped with double propellers, which will pull you effortlessly through the water and confidently explore the sea.
It also comes with a GoPro mount, perfect for capturing everything from your family holiday videos to your underwater sealife adventures.
This product is available on Amazon for £649, but there are some slightly cheaper options, though not quite as compact.
Related: 5 eco-friendly boat cleaning products you need to buy
7. An inflatable stand-up paddleboard
The appeal of paddleboarding is easy to see. It’s accessible to everyone, reduces stress, and helps you take your ocean adventures to the next level. That makes it one of the best boat accessories to have on board.
You can put your anchor down in a tranquil cove you’ve found and take to the water on your SUP to explore further. Plus, it’s a great workout!
For boaters, we recommend an inflatable paddleboard. Not only are they more portable and easier to store, but they’re also cheaper than their fibreglass counterparts!
8. Garmin Quatix 5
Garmin makes a second appearance on our list as not many companies do boat gadgets better than Garmin—especially hi-tech watches.
The beauty of the Quatix 5 (RRP £499) is that, unlike many other digital marine watches, it wouldn’t look out of place back on land at your favourite restaurant. In regular mode, it looks like any other analogue watch face.
First impressions can be deceiving, though. In addition to its high sensitivity GPS tracking and navigation capabilities, the Quatix 5 is waterproof up to 100 metres and features a compass, altimeter, barometer, thermometer and more.
Plus, if you’re into watersports, such as paddle boarding or canoeing, the Quatix 5 will track your stroke and distance per stroke plus your total distance.
9. A thermal mug
You’d struggle to find a hobby that requires a good quality thermal mug more than boating.
If you’re cruising in the cold and wet, you’ll want a nice hot drink to warm you up. An ice-cold drink will go down a treat if it’s a hot summer’s day. That’s where the Yeti Rambler Mug becomes one of your most treasured boat accessories.
It keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot, right until the last sip. It’s puncture and rust resistant and has an extra-large handle, which is perfect if you’ve got large hands or you’re wearing gloves onboard.
Related: The 10 best paddle board accessories
10. Full-face snorkel mask
This is one of the best boat accessories if you take your boat out to sea because of your love for diving.
A full-face snorkel mask provides a 180-degrees viewing area, meaning you can see more sea creatures. You can also breathe comfortably through your mouth without worrying about holding onto your snorkel!
Most full-face snorkel masks also come with a GoPro mask, so you can watch back your underwater experience in case there was any sea life you missed.
A great example is the DasMeer mask for £28.99 on Amazon, which has an action camera slot and great reviews on the platform.
Specialist boat insurance through Insure4Boats
If you’re hitting the water with any of these boat gadgets or accessories, you may want to protect your boat through specialist boat insurance.
With Insure4Boats, you can build your own policy, so you won’t pay for cover you don’t need. You’ll also receive £3m Third Party Liability cover as standard, no matter what category your boat falls under.
Click here to learn more, or get an instant online quote today.
Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.
