Memorial Day Essentials For Boaters

Nothing officially kicks off the start of the boating season like the Memorial Day weekend, and that’s going to be especially true this year as people finally enjoy an opportunity to get out in the sun after long periods of being confined indoors. But hitching up the boat and ensuring you have a full tank of gas is only the start – to really make the most of your family time you’ll want to ensure you have all the essentials for fun in the sun.

Aqua Lily Pad

Boating is great fun, but sometimes it’s even better to get out of the boat and just lounge around on the water more directly – on an Aqua Lily Pad. Lightweight, durable, easy to store and UV-resistant, the Aqua Lily Pad is a fun, oversized floating pad that’s the ideal place to hang out when you’ve beached the boat on a sandbar and are ready for a swim. Unsinkable, Aqua Lily Pads come in a range of sizes that can support up to an amazing 1,800 pounds in the water! Pricing varies by size, starting at $465 for the original 15-foot model.

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Big Bobber Floating Cooler

No holiday weekend is complete without wetting a line and trying to outwit some fish. This Memorial Day make sure you stay nice and cool while casting with the Big Bobber floating cooler from Bass Pro Shops. The classic red-and-white bobber-inspired cooler holds a dozen cans and plenty of ice, ensuring that a cold one is never far away. Made of high-impact polypropylene with UV stabilizers to prevent sun damage and fading, it even features a built-in handle flips out of the top for easy carrying.

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PFD Storage

The T-Bag from Kwik-Tek is a zippered bag that attaches to the underside of a T-top, Bimini top or radar arch providing a secure and convenient place to stow PFDs so they’re always easily accessible. Built to last with a UV- and water-resistant construction using 600-Denier nylon and a heavy-duty nylon zipper, the T-Bag will accommodate four to six Type II life jackets. It’s also great for stowing rain gear or towels. Sells for about $60.

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Newport Gas Grill

No Memorial Day weekend is right without a cookout, so why not enjoy one on the water? The Newport II gas grill from Magma USA has a 9-inch by 18-inch cooking area that’s big enough to feed a family without getting in the way on the confines of a smaller boat. This full-featured marine stainless steel barbeque is built to last with dependable electronic ignition, a smooth-edge design with no sharp edges, a full length stainless steel grab handle, fully lined interior safety shell and a high-temperature glass viewing window. A variety of mounting options include rail clamps for both round and square rails, locking pedestals, gimble mounts that work with flush rod holders and dedicated deck sockets. Holiday weekends never tasted so good! MSRP is $539.

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NakeFits

If you hate wearing heavy sandals and the weird tan lines that go with any kind of footwear in the sun, then you owe it to yourself to discover NakeFits – new self-adhesive, lightweight sole protectors that conform to the natural shape your feet for unsurpassed comfort, a great non-slip grip and no tan lines whatsoever. Available in pink, blue or black, NakeFits protect against splinters, cuts, slipping, or hot surfaces and stay put for hours to protect your feet from dirty, rough, or slippery surfaces. Certified hypoallergenic, NakeFits can be easily removed without any pinching, peeling, or irritation of the skin. Sold direct from the company’s website, a package of three pairs sells for $19.99. Learn more here.

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Simms Solartech

One of the challenges with Memorial Day weekend is that it’s still only May, so while those sunny afternoons can to be warm, things can still cool off rapidly at night. The Simms Solartech crewneck shirt gives boaters the best of both worlds, staying cool through the day while protecting the wearer from too much sun with a UPF 50 rating, yet providing full coverage for total comfort once the sun gets low on the horizon. Lightweight, fast-drying and fully breathable, it’s one weekend essential that belongs on every boat. Sells for about $60.

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 Slingshot Hover Glide Wake Foil

Wake surfing is hot. But it you really want to turn some heads on Memorial day, try your hand at foiling instead. Foil boards like the Slingshot Hover Glide Wake Foil board-and-mast setup take wake surfing to all-new heights – literally. Don’t have a boat that surfs? No sweat – the Hover Glide Wake Foil will glide along quite happily behind any boat. The foil carries an MSRP of $1,998 and comes ready to fly.

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Nerf Super Soaker Scatterblast

Don’t let its humble appearance fool you, the Nerf Super Soaker Scatterblast is the kind of insane, high-volume water gun that Dirty Harry or Rambo would use. Its powerful pump-fire action and innovative five-nozzle design fire five streams of water at once, drenching your target in a virtual flying tsunami. The blaster refills in seconds and carries up to 22 ounces of water for extended drenching time, while a flip-up sight lets you accurately nail unsuspecting sunbathers from up to 34 feet away. It’s tons of fun for $10 or less.

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Tilley Hat

Baseball hats may shield your eyes but they offer little else in the way or sun protection – something to think about in these days of increased awareness of how damaging those UV rays really are. Tilley’s classic TWS1 Paddler’s hat keeps your melon safe from the sun with UPF 50+ protection, covering the entire face, head, ears and neck with a level of protection that baseball caps can’t match. Ventilations ports allow airflow on even the hottest days, while a chin strap keeps your lid in place even when underway. Even if it does wind up over the side, foam in the top and brim ensure it will float while you circle back to rescue it. Made in Canada and available in six colors, it sells for around $80.

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