Gears and Gadgets

Top 10 Must-Have Boat Gadgets in 2022

By Rahul Shukla

Posted on July 19, 2022

When the sun comes out, and the earth gets hot, you want to be on your way to the lake or sea shore. It’s time to try out your new boat or enjoy the thrill and pleasure your old boat is known to bring. However, before you set ashore, there are gadgets you must have. Some gadgets may be mandatory in some jurisdictions; others are necessary for your safety and smooth sailing.

You can buy many accessories for your boat; however, not all boat gadgets are created equal. The kind of gadget you’ll need depends on how long you’ll be on the water and the level of experience you hope to achieve. If you hope to catch a lot of fish, you’ll need a powerful GPS fish tracker. If you want to enjoy a good time away from the noise and chaos on land, you’ll need a waterproof speaker (Bluetooth) to keep you entertained and engaged.

Cool Must-have Boating Gadgets in 2022

Garmin Striker 4WL Transducer GPS

No one wants to move aimlessly. You want to know where you are and where you are at all times. There are no clear marked courses or roads on water surfaces for captains to follow. When you sail further from the shoreline, you can easily get lost amidst the waves. A good GPS gadget will help you track your location and where you are going. Most GPS systems come preloaded with maps; the best ones also allow users to upload their maps. The Garmin Striker GPS navigation is a marine time activity buddy.

Important features and Specifications of Garmin Striker 4WL Transducer GPS

It is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the sea. It is compact and strong.
It offers impeccable resolutions of 272X480 pixels, with a 4.3-inch screen. You’ll not strain your eyes if you try to read maps in bright daylight.
Garmin Striker GPS navigator and fish finder provide clear, detailed images, allowing you seamless sailing.
It allows you to create and store maps of your favorite spots within an area of 800.000 hectares.
It uses compressed high-intensity radiated pulse (CHIRP) technology

Pros

It is durable and versatile; you can use it for boat rides, road trips, and other adventurous activities.
It also gives you the ability to monitor your speed
It is potable; you can carry it with you anywhere

Cons

Many people find the screen small, which may require you to strain your eyes in some situations.

The Hold Peak 866B digital Anemometer

You must know the wind’s direction and speed while sailing. The digital Anemometer helps you know the wind speed changes the moment it happens. It is the same instrument professionals at the weather station use.

This digital Anemometer can be mounted on the boat, or you may hold it in your hands. It is user-friendly. Place or direct it in a position where it is not obstructed—the cup-like elements spin according to the speed of the wind. The digital counter provides accurate wind speed reading any time of the day. You don’t need prior training to be able to use it accurately.

Important features and Specifications of The Hold Peak 866B digital Anemometer

It is portable and lightweight, you can move with it anywhere
You can use it to record wind speeds from 0.3 to 30m/s. you are also able to get readings in Km/hr, m/s, mph, and other measurements
It has a screw hole that makes it easy for you to attach it anywhere
When the battery is going low, it notifies you promptly
It has an LCD where readings are reflected

Pros

It is affordable compared to similar Anemometer
Beautiful design and LCDs make reading wind speed a breeze

Cons

Some users have discovered that similar devices provide better readings.

EXZEIT waterproof LED boat lights

If you decide to take a long sailing adventure, you’ll need strong lights to guide you if nighttime finds you at sea. It can be difficult to sail a boat in darkness. It would help if you had LCD lights designed for boats, one that can withstand harsh marine conditions.

Important features and Specifications of EXZEIT waterproof LED boat lights

It is made of quality durable material, perfect for harsh weather conditions
6-inch light pods make it perfect for different types of boats
It comes with screws that make it easy for you to install anywhere on the boat
Expert boat lights provide 120 degrees of illumination
The lights are carefully protected with pre-tinned 16 gauge wire, so water cannot enter and damage it

Pros

The aluminum casing makes it durable
It is waterproof; you can use it in rainy situations without worrying
It can be attached to a boat, vehicle, etc.
It provides bright lights, covering a radius of about 120 degrees

Cons

Some users have reported difficulty in installing the screws.

Attwood 1700 Bilge pump

Every boat owner knows that it is almost impossible to keep water out of your boat’s bilge. You may cover it as securely as possible and still, find water in it. It would help if you had an electric bilge pump to remedy such situations. They can automatically turn out, and empty water whenever required.

The Attwood bilge pump will help you get water from under the boat’s bilge and discharge it overboard. Attwood is a leading manufacturer of bilge pumps with an experience of over 100 years.

Important features and Specifications of Attwood 1700 Bilge pump

It can pump up to 1700 gallons of water every hour
It is built for heavy-duty operations, which means it is durable and reliable

Pros

It comes with a three-year warranty
You can mount it in several ways

Cons

It requires a float switch to operate automatically
It is less resistant to corrosion

Marine sure call fusion Call signal booster

When you travel far away from big cities, it is common to encounter cellular dead zones. Weak or no signals are irritating and make you feel unsafe, especially when you are alone. You want to be able to reach out to people in cases of emergencies.

Marine sure call booster was specially made to handle cellular signals for sailers and those who spend quality time on the water.

Important features and Specifications of Marine sure call fusion Call signal booster

It comes with two antennas, ensuring quality signals from all directions.
The antennas can easily be installed on different parts of the boat
It is possible to mount the antenna by yourself
It provides about 5 feet of excellent signal coverage
It supports 3G, AGLTE, 5G, and other networks

Pros

It helps to improve both voice text, text, and data
It supports a variety of cellular carriers
The dashboard antenna makes it versatile

Cons

At a price of about $549.99, it is expensive for everyday boat owners.

Sunway Marine solar battery charger

The world is transitioning fast toward sustainable energy sources. It would help if you had a portable power solution to supply energy while on the water adequately. The Sunway marine solar battery ensures your boat is well supplied with the power it requires to run smoothly. Many people hail it as the best boat charging unit on the market.

Important features and Specifications of Sunway Marine solar battery charger

Ability to charge on cloudy days because of the Amorphous silicon panel
It is built with ABS plastic, known for durability
Its design ensures seamless installation on the boat
It is waterproof, making it ideal for harsh marine conditions
The tickle charging mechanism prevents your battery from overcharging
The reverse blocking diode helps you to avoid reverse charging

Pros

It is user-friendly; you don’t have to be a technician to disconnect and connect.
It is compact; you can easily install it on the boat
LED indicator makes it easy for you to monitor charging

Cons

Several users have found suction cups don’t hold.

Pyle PLMRBT 65W Bluetooth marine speaker

Whether you are on the boat alone or accompanied by colleagues, you will need some entertainment. With a good Bluetooth speaker, you can enjoy your favorite playlist with everyone on the boat.

Important features of and Specifications Pyle PLMRBT 65W Bluetooth marine speaker

It is waterproof and can withstand rainy conditions
The speakers are built with ABS plastic, which makes them very durable
It has a frequency range between 85HZ and 20 kHz
Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet, allowing greater flexibility

Pros

You may find the sound level less effective.

Cons

Yeti Roadie 24 cooler

The lake or sea is cool but can get very hot on sunny days. A good cooler ensures that you are well hydrated through the boating trip.

Important features of and Specifications Yeti Roadie 24 cooler

Its design makes it easy to fit in the boat and other vehicles
The base is fitted with rubber which makes it easy for you to place it on a rough surface
No provisions have been made for the drain plug; you only get rid of melted water by tipping it out

Pros

Its strong build makes it durable
Boosts excellent cooling abilities compared to similar coolers

Cons

The latches make lifting the cooler easy; the challenge comes when you try to carry it.

Big buddy propane portable heater

There is no doubt you’ll get cold while on the boat. A good heater is required in any boat. It will also allow you the flexibility of enjoying boating any season of the year. it can be used indoors and outdoors; it is ideal for marine and camping adventures

Important features of and Specifications Big buddy propane portable heater

It has mechanisms to automatically turn off if it falls over, making it safe for unstable conditions like storms and strong waves.
It is portable; you carry it around with minimal difficulty

Pros

It is safe to be used indoors
Its energy-efficient and great for the environment
The safety feature ensures it automatically turns off in case it falls down

Cons

It tends to overheat when operated without a fan.

Onyx Move Vent Dynamic life jacket

Everyone on a boat needs a life jacket. In most jurisdictions, it is mandatory to carry Onyx Move Vent Dynamic life jacket when you are going Boating somewhere.

Important features of and Specifications Onyx Move Vent Dynamic life jacket

It is made from strong nylon fabric.
It has strong reflective material, which is critical in any emergency.
You can adjust the shoulder.

Pros

There is a whistle attached to the jacket in case of an emergency

Cons

It overheats when exposed to the sun

Conclusion

Boating is a fun activity; however, it can be very dangerous and less desirable if you don’t have the necessary gadgets. Accessories like louder speakers, coolers, and cellular signal boosters enhance the experience.