Binoculars
Marine binoculars have been designed to stand up to harsh weather conditions and offer superior optics to deal with super-bright and low-light conditions. Binoculars for marine use are waterproof and immune to fogging. The two numbers to know are power (magnification) which is increased by (expressed in the form of an x) the objective lens size–7×42 or 8×50 are common marine binocular sizes, for instance. Some models come with the ability to rangefinder or compass. Popular brands are Steiner, Swarovski, Zeiss, Bushnell, Nikon, Pentax, West Marine, and many others.
GPS/Fish Finder
Electronics for boating anglers come with GPS and radar/fish-finder technologies to aid anglers in not only navigating but also locating the habitats of fish or seeing screen views of the fishing fish from underwater. A brand new product coming out for 2022 comes from Simrad’s NSX chart-plotter and fish-finder, the most advanced electronic console.
Motion Sickness Products
When you have waves and wind and constant motion aboard boats, it’s almost inevitable that someone who is on the boat will experience motion sickness. Stock wearable wristbands that use a type of acupressure to help quell motion-sickness-induced nausea, or stock vertigo-relief pills or Dramamine.
First Aid Kit
All manner of accidents can happen on a boat–from falling off a slippery deck and opening wounds, to acquiring an eel hook stuck to the skin to slicing your skin on a fishing line or a dock line. Take a kit that includes bandages and dressings such as antibacterial ointments and antiseptic wipes, as well as others, and place it in your boat storage. Make sure you attend to any minor medical concerns on the vessel in order to avoid an emergency shore trip.
Paddle
People-power comes into play as you maneuver into the slip of a dock, and hold the boat steady while looking up to a mooring line — or deal with engine failure. A paddle acts as propulsion insurance. Certain paddles are telescoping, with hook handles so that the paddle is able to double-duty by acting as a boat hook.
Cut Resistant Gloves
Armor for your hands is an excellent idea. Find some gloves that protect your hands for use when you’re handling a knife, fishing hooks, or a steel anchor (which may contain sharp edges).
Boat Grill
How can you beat cooking up your fishing catch or tossing some shrimp on the barbecue as you’re relaxing on your boat? You could consider a grill that sits on a rail or sits on legs on the boat deck. You can use gas or charcoal and you’ll be in good shape.
Telescopic Boat Hook
When you’re in your floating area, it’s not uncommon to reach out and tie something on the water or use a docking ball or mooring rod and utilize it to unwind the fishing line that you’ve gotten caught in. This is the telescoping boathook, an indispensable piece of equipment onboard.
Life Vests
It is the U.S. Coast Guard requires that personal flotation devices are available to all boaters and crew members, including your beloved pups; federal law requires children not older than 13 wear a life jacket when the boat is operating. You should choose cushions or vests designed to be Coast Guard-approved and appropriate for the particular situation. For instance, a Type III inflatable PDF (below right) can be worn comfortably (most self-inflate when submersed or the wearer pulls a cord to inflate) However, they’re not suitable for water-based activities such as waterskiing or wakeboarding.
Water Bailing Containers/Safety Kits
This dual-purpose accessory will provide that you are safe on the water with a self-contained assortment of safety items for boats, like a waterproof flashlight, a marine rope with a buoy, and a safety whistle to signal when you’re in need of help. These are all contained inside a bailing bucket. Just empty the contents, and use the container to bail the water out of your boat.