5 Boat Accessories To Help Keep You Safe On The Water

Not carrying basic boat accessories on your craft is an easily avoidable mistake. As boaters, we’re naturally intrigued by the latest electronic gizmos. We love the idea of touch-screen displays that let us control the boat with smartphone-like taps, swipes and pinches. We take great delight in the idea of autopilots that do the steering for us. And automatic docking systems? They won’t get here soon enough.

Yet while it’s fine to embrace modern technology – especially if you’re a new boater – it’s also important to always have a back-up plan. Because while high-tech is wonderful, it isn’t bulletproof. The most sophisticated onboard computer systems and high resolution touch screens won’t do you any good at all if you lose power.

Before heading out, make sure you have the basic boat accessories onboard. Back-up safety equipment isn’t expensive, and it can keep you out of real trouble should things go awry while you’re far offshore. You never know.

Compass

Amazing to think this multi-million dollar yacht doesn’t have a basic compass. What if you lose power?

It sounds incredible and amazing, but the fact is there are boats made today which lack this most basic navigational tool, relying 100% on the onboard GPS. Lose power, lose the display screen or lose the antenna connection and you’re in real trouble.

Every boat on the water should have a good quality marine compass mounted on the dash. If there’s one area where you should splurge, this is it. A cheap compass might seem appealing when you’re standing in the store, but when your life depends on it, a proper, high quality marine compass is worth its weight in gold. It’s one of the most important boat accessories you can have. For best results, you’ll also need …

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Paper Charts

The Navy and the Coast Guard carry paper charts just in case, and so should you.

A compass is half of your manual navigation answer when an emergency strikes. You’ll also want to have a paper navigation chart so you can steer around reefs, shoals and other potential hazards.

Paper charts don’t cost very much and take up very little storage space in a boat, so there’s no excuse to not have them on board. Consider that even the Navy packs paper charts – even with all of their high-tech gear – and that says enough about their value when the unexpected happens.

Handheld VHF

Lose power? Not a problem when you still have a hand-held radio to call for help.

If you really have a problem and lose engine power, you’re going to need to call for help – something that won’t be possible if you also lose power to the dash, and are far enough offshore you’re out of cell tower range. That’s when you’ll be glad to have a small, hand-held VHF radio onboard.

An inexpensive, compact VHF radio can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a life-threatening situation should you lose power at sea. Since it’s an emergency device, choose a model with an emphasis on range and signal strength over convenience features. Just make sure you keep an extra couple packs of batteries on board so these essential boat accessories are are ready to work when you need them most.

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Portable Air Horn

They’re great for celebrating at the big game, but portable air horns can be life-savers on the water.

Every boat needs a signalling device of some sort, but rather than opting for a cheap whistle, spend a few dollars more and get a proper portable horn powered by compressed air. When rescue comes, you want to ensure you can be found. Some types produce a sound of over 100 db, ensuring they will be heard at a considerable range. It sure beats yelling.

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Portable LED Flashlight

Help your rescuers find you in the dark with a portable flashlight.

A flashlight might not be top of mind when it comes to boat safety, but rescuers trying to find you in the dark will have an easier time if you can signal your position with a flashlight. One of the most simple and affordable boat accessories is a portable LED flashlight, which can emit a tremendous amount of light while consuming very little battery power, which is obviously of critical importance in an emergency. No one wants to run out of juice just as help arrives.

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