10 Things You Need on a Boat

You look out the window and realize that it is a perfect day for boating. You try to invite your friend, and he agrees to go boating with you for one whole day. You start packing for the boating trip; however, you seem undecided on what to bring.

What are the top 10 things you need on a boat? Well, here’s a quick list that may serve as your guide.

  1. Survival Kit
  2. Hand-held Compass
  3. Headlamp
  4. Extra Rope
  5. Rain Suit
  6. Cell Phone
  7. Food
  8. Sunscreen and Bug Spray
  9. Extra Hat
  10. Ziploc Bags

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10 Things You Need on a Boat

In most jurisdictions, by US law, there are specific items that you are mandated to bring on the boat, such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, and a VHF radio. However, there are items not covered by the law but are nonetheless essential to bring with you.

Let’s take a look at our suggested 10 things you need on a boat. Some of the items here are strictly required by law, while some are not.

1. Survival Kit

Before survival kits were introduced and became available in the market, people had to buy a first aid kit, an army knife, a flashlight, and all other basic tools and supplies separately.

Since it was mandated worldwide, several types of survival kits have started to be offered by various manufacturers to bring convenience to their customers.

Also called an Emergency Kit or a Life Kit, one of the highly recommended survival kits is the Goglobe Boat Safety Kit. This survival kit meets the minimum requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard and is available globally.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

This kit features the following:

a) Ventilated Bag

This bag carries all the basic emergency tools and supplies. It is made of nylon fabric with several compartments. It comes in red color so it can be highly visible in an emergency. It is intentionally designed to float as well.

b) First Aid Kit

This kit includes different types of medicine for allergy, pain, fever, cough, and cold. It includes a small bottle of alcohol, adhesive tape, a small bottle of water to clean wounds, different types of bandages, a small pair of scissors, and a thermometer, among many others.

c) Thermal Blankets

Also known as an emergency blanket, this thermal blanket can retain 90% of body heat. This is particularly important if a person experiences body heat loss due to convection, water evaporation, or thermal radiation.

d) Whistle with Lanyard

This survival whistle comes with a waterproof match holder, signal mirror, and compass, all held together by a lanyard.

e) Flashlight

The flashlight is water-resistant, LED, and shockproof. The batteries are not included, so you have to make sure that your flashlight is equipped with batteries. Also, bring spare batteries with you just in case the ones in use ran out.

f) 12-in-1 Multi-tool

The survival kit also features a multi-tool that comes with a nylon pouch. It is made of premium grade stainless steel and features a bottle opener, knives, screwdrivers, a saw, a wire cutter, and pliers.

g) Strobe Light

This LED strobe light automatically turns on during nighttime and automatically turns off during the daytime. Batteries last for a maximum of 40 nights.

However, batteries don’t come with the light, so you have to make sure that your strobe light is equipped with batteries and that you have spare ones too.

h) Distress Flag

This flag is designed using heavy-duty plastic. It features markings and colors that signify an emergency. Its size and all other features are compliant with the requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard.

i) Rescue Throw Bag

The throw bag and the rope are both conveniently visible in bright yellow color. The rope is 60 feet in length and is stuffed loosely and practically inside the bag for emergency purposes.

It is a fact that survival kits may already be conveniently bought in the market today. However, this does not mean that you have to buy one, especially if the survival bag contents are readily available in your home.

In which case, what you probably need is to buy an empty emergency bag where you can place your first aid kit, multi-tool, whistle, flashlight, and all the other survival kit essentials.

In the event that you don’t have all these items, then you are highly encouraged to purchase the Goglobe Boat Safety Kit.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

2. Hand-held Compass

While your survival kit may already include a compass, it is good to have another one around. However, you have to make sure that your spare compass is just as durable and dependable as the one in your survival kit — if not more durable and dependable.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

The Nautos IRIS 50 Hand Bearing Compass is a reliable device. It is luminescent, has protective housing, and it floats. It is also accurate and water-resistant.

3. Headlamp

A headlamp is another practical item to bring and pretty much more useful than any ordinary flashlight. The third but not least item on our list of 10 Things You Need on a Boat is a bright headlamp.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

One of the highest-rated headlamps available is the Totobay LED Headlamp 5000 Lumens. This waterproof product comes with a USB cable, a car charger, and a wall charger. The lights are very bright and dependable. It is very convenient to use during nighttime or in dark areas.

4. Extra Rope

You’ll never know when you will need an extra rope on the boat. More often than not, you will always find yourself looking for some extra rope while boating.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

Keep a spare rope in case your boat or another boat needs to be towed. It can also be used for an extra dock line or as a throw line. The Shoreline Marine Double Braided Nylon Dock Line is one of the top-rated premium braided nylon ropes with many different uses.

5. Rain Suit

Even on a sunny day, it is possible to experience some rain. That’s why it is best to always bring rain gear with you.

Your rain gear should not only be able to prevent you from getting wet, but it should also be able to effectively keep you warm and protect you from the cold weather.

Gill is a well-known manufacturer of durable rain gear ideal for boating. The Gill OS3 Offshore/Coastal Sailing Jacket features an inner collar, a chin guard, and face protection.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

It also comes with a hood, handwarmer pockets, and security pockets. It is best paired with the Gill OS3 Offshore/Coastal Sailing Trousers designed to be worn for all seasons and weather conditions.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

6. Cell Phone

This should be obvious for many, but always bring your cell phone with you every time you go boating. In some cases, boaters don’t want to be disturbed; that’s why they sometimes prefer not to bring their phones with them. But, let’s admit it, it is undeniably practical to bring your phone with you for emergency purposes.

If you don’t want anyone calling or sending you messages, you can probably turn it off or put it on airplane mode. Besides, you have to be reachable if any of your friends or family members need to contact you due to an emergency.

7. Food

Nobody ever wants to be stranded while boating. Still, if in case an unavoidable or unfortunate situation happens, you will surely be thankful for bringing more than enough food with you. Our 7th item on the list of 10 Things You Need on a Boat is food.

Bring some simple food that can be quickly prepared and/or food that doesn’t need to be cooked. Among these are:

  • Sliced/peeled fruits (but since you have a multi-tool on the boat, you can bring them unsliced and unpeeled if desired)
  • Sliced vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers
  • Crackers
  • Spreads
  • Bread
  • Granola bars
  • Pizza
  • Burgers
  • Cereals
  • Cookies
  • Milk
  • Drinking water

8. Sunscreen and Bug Spray

The Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen SPF 30 and the Bug Soother Spray are ideal products for all boaters.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

They are both convenient and conveniently kept in a Ziploc bag or inside your waterproof pocket.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

9. Extra Hat

If you are a new boater, you might have the impression that bringing an extra hat is not that essential. But for regular boaters, bringing a spare one is not an uncommon practice at all.

When boating, you don’t get to find shady spots all the time. That’s why it is best to bring a hat with you every time you head out to sea or the lake. Moreover, you’ll never know when you will lose your hat – long-time boaters know that it happens all the time. That’s why bringing a spare hat is definitely a must.

One of the most recommended hats is the Home Prefer Men’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Cap.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

10. Ziploc Bags

Bring several Ziploc bags every time you go boating. It is better if you have them in different sizes.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

We all know how reliable Ziploc bags are as waterproof storage, and you’ll never know when you’ll be needing some. They’re great for food, fishing bait, tools, and much more.

Conclusion – 10 Things for Your Boat

So, what are the 10 things you need on a boat? To sum it up, here’s the list once again:

  1. Survival Kit
  2. Hand-held Compass
  3. Headlamp
  4. Extra Rope
  5. Rain Suit
  6. Cell Phone
  7. Food
  8. Sunscreen and Bug Spray
  9. Extra Hat
  10. Ziploc Bags

There are many other essential items that you may bring on the boat, most especially if you plan to go fishing. So, feel free to add more items to the above-mentioned list.

Happy boating!

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