As a responsible boater, it's important to ensure that your vessel meets the US Coast Guard (USCG) equipment requirements for recreational vessels. That said, here are 12 suggestions for a diverse mix of products that can in one way or another make your boat safer, add to its appeal, or in other ways improve your boating experience.
Suggestion #1: Create a sub-aquatic light show with colored underwater lights
Adding a set of colored underwater boat lights is a great way to add ambience and brighten your nights on the water. Along with adding nighttime ambience, underwater lights can also aid in visibility while at the dock, underway or while anchored—and they can be very helpful when fishing at night, since they attract plankton which in turn attract bait fish that you can use to catch the big fish you are really after. Bring the fish to you and make your night fishing adventures more successful! Popular brands of underwater lights found at West Marine include Lumishore, Lumitec Lighting, Marine Sport Lightingand, Seavolt and (of course!) West Marine.
Suggestion #2: Enjoy a floating feast with a marine grill
There is nothing quite like dropping anchor in a serene cove and firing up the grill to conclude the day with a fine meal. Mounted on the stern rail or the gunwale of your boat, a marine grill can be ready at a moment’s notice. Grills feature corrosion-resistant, double wall stainless steel construction that protects against grease leaks and that keeps the outside cooler to the touch. Choose from a selection of rectangular and round grills in a variety of capacities that include convenient options like instant-on piezo ignition, warmer racks and hinged, stay-put lids. Versatility is enhanced by mounting options include rail mounts, gunwale mounts and fishing rod holder mounts. Ready to get your grill on? Your hungry crew will be clamoring for more!
Suggestion #3: Beat the heat with water cannons and games
When the summer heat arrives, boaters multiply their on-the-water fun with water toys and games. West Marine carries all the necessities, like water guns, sand castle kits, water balloons and water balloon launchers. Just looking to relax while catching some rays? Check out our water mats and our selection of waterproof sunscreen. And for the latest in fashionable beach apparel and accessories, browse our Swim Shop for bathing suits, sunglasses, beach hats and everything else you’ll need.
Suggestion #4: Keep the conversation honest with a Digital Fish Scale
We thought twice about suggesting this, mainly because knowing what that minnow you caught really weighed might take the fun out of bragging about how big it was. But for anglers who are interested, we offer Rapala’s super-accurate, Sportsman's Fish Scale with 50 pound capacity. This pocket-sized scale, which features a digital display, can weigh your catch in pounds or kilograms. The water resistant design operates on a 9V battery and has a 500 hour battery life. We guarantee it will keep your stories honest to within one ounce.
Suggestion #5: Help released fish to survive with the SeaQualizer Pressure- Activated Descending Tool
If you enjoy bottom fishing, we suggest you consider the SeaQualizer's Pressure Activated Descending Tool. Offered as an alternative to the invasive practice of venting, this pressure activated recompression tool enables release of out-of-season or undersized fish at depth. It is recommended when fishing at depth that any fish returned should be released at between 1/3 to 1/2 the depth at which they were caught. Once you choose your release depth, attach the SeaQualizer to your fish’s bottom lip and slowly send the fish back down. Once the SeaQualizer reaches the chosen depth, the jaws pop open allowing the fish to return itself to the bottom.
Suggestion #6: Equip your boat with a medical kit
A well-stocked first aid kit can help to reduce the impact of the unexpected. A $20 or $30 marine first aid kit normally includes motion sickness (aka sea sickness) tablets and treatments for minor injuries such as bee stings, minor cuts, jelly fish stings, headaches and other minor maladies. Of course, if you want your kit to include medical supplies for treating trauma, large cuts, sprains, dislocations and eye injuries, you will have to spend substantially more. All but the simplest of medical kits should include a manual or guide that instructs your crew on how to use the medical products supplied.
Suggestion #7: Gain peace of mind with a crew overboard alarm
Losing a crewmember overboard is every boater’s worst nightmare. That’s why West Marine offers crew overboard alarms by 1st Mate, Fell Marine and ACR Electronics. These crew overboard detection systems consist of a base unit and a fob worn by individual crew members. Each fob is electronically “tethered” to the base unit. If a crew member falls overboard, the system sounds an alarm. In addition to sounding an alarm, systems by 1st Mate and Fell Marine will also stop the boat’s engine. ACR Electronics’ MOB (man overboard) alarm system is designed to connect to a smart phone and offers the option of purchasing a base station for added redundancy. They also offer a choice of base stations, one with engine stopping ability and one without.
Suggestion #8: Sailors prevent uncontrolled gybes with the Gyb’Easy Boom Brake
Getting wacked on your noggin by a sailboat’s boom during an uncontrolled gybe is an experience you will never forget—assuming you have any memories left after the incident. The Gyb'Easy Boom Brake was developed using technology from Wichard's Simond division, which makes mountaineering and ice climbing equipment. Based on the same principal as the friction brakes that mountaineers use to control their descent during a rappel, this simple device offers an easy way to tame otherwise dangerous gybes. It safely controls the speed of the boom's motion during a gybe, and also locks the boom in one position. The Boom Brake has three settings to adjust the friction on the line that passes through the device. Configurations of one, two, or three wraps are possible to accommodate different degrees of load. Recommended for mainsails up to 500 square feet, it comes with 52' of 3/8" Gyb'Flex line designed to absorb shock loads encountered during a gybe.
Suggestion #9: Reduce your carbon footprint with a Torqeedo electric outboard motor
Ideal for use as propulsion on sailboats up to 1.5 tons, Torqeedo electric outboard motors have been delighting boaters with their outstanding efficiency, useful technology and easy-to-use design for many years. The lightest, quietest outboards in their respective power classes, Torqeedo’s Travel 1103 and 603 motor models come with a high-performance lithium-ion battery plus a built-in onboard computer with GPS, and a display that shows remaining range and charge status—everything you need to know at a glance. Thrust is provided by efficient, durable direct-drive motors. For the Travel 1103, power is supplied by a high-capacity 915 watt-hour battery; and with a total weight of just 38 pounds it is very easy to handle. Racing yachts and other weight-sensitive applications may prefer the Travel 603 which weighs just 34 pounds. Its 500 watt-hour battery even floats!
Suggestion #10: Upgrade your fishing boat with a filleting table from West Marine
If you have been using the top of a cooler or your boat’s gunwale to cut bait or clean fish, consider adding a filleting table or bait cutting station. Apart from freeing up that cooler so your friend can actually sit on it, adding a bait cutting table will help to keep the mess in one place and make for a more efficient use of space. All of the bait cutting tables and fish cutting stations that West Marine offers are made of high-density, UV-resistant, FDA-approved material for use with food and they are extremely durable and easy to clean. Want to mount your table? Bait tables mount to a boat just like marine grills, with a number of mounting styles available, including fishing rod holder mounts, surface mounts and even mounts that fit to the accessory rail of a kayak. Mounts are sold separately. Available brands include Magma and our own proprietary brand Blacktip—available exclusively at West Marine.
Suggestion #11: Get organized with cases, carabineers and caddies from West Marine
The last thing you want to be dealing with is your tackle, wallet, coffee mug, and gear flying around the boat disrupting your ability to focus on the fish waiting to be caught. That’s why West Marine offers a variety of boat boat organizers and storage boxes for protecting your gear and keeping it organized and stowed properly on your boat. For offshore excursions and overnight trips, consider a rugged, waterproof storage box by Yeti that will keep your gear organized and protected against whatever abuse the sea can dish out. Need a small, secure storage option for your wallet and keys? Plano Waterproof Field Storage Boxes will do the trick. With their O-ring seal and snap and lock feature, your valuables will be protected and remain dry throughout your trip. For more options, check out waterproof boxes and caddies from Pelican, Plano, Boat Mates plus our selection of twist ties from Nite Ize that are very handy for securing individual items in place.
Suggestion #12: Invest in a buoyant key chain
Every year thousands of butter fingered boaters suffer the ignominy of dropping their keys in the drink. The cheapest insurance against losing your keys to Davy Jone’s Locker is to keep them on a floating key ring. West Marine offers an outstanding selection of these. Choices include buoyant key rings by Taylor, in the form of miniature renditions of their popular Storm Guard Fenders and their Mini Tuff End Key Float. Other options include West Marine branded vinyl covered key floats and a salty little number by Cal-June, their Life Saver Floating Key Chain. Note: We strongly suggest that purchasers of buoyant key floats determine the maximum number of keys that their key float will float by running a test in their kitchen sink.
