10 Must-Have On Board Products

With prime summer boating on the horizon, now is the time to shop for those key additions that will make your time on the water more enjoyable. I’ve found success with the following products and would recommend you add them–or at the very least, something similar–to your boat this summer

A blue and black boat fender hanging from a pontoon boat's side rail by a white rope to protect the hull while docking.

1. Danik Fender Hanger

Instead of breaking into a sweat the next time you need to tie a knot, consider one of Danik Hook’s many products. With its products, your rope slides freely through when the Danik Hook lever is pushed down, but is held firmly in place when released.

The Fender Hanger ($29.95), which is specifically designed for square pontoon rails, is much easier than tying knots to adjust the height of your boat fender. We picked up a pair to make docking easier, since dock heights vary by location. Instead of having to untie and tie the fender line each time, a simple push of a button and a tug on the rope and you’re in business. (www.danikhook.com)

A black bungee dock line attached between a boat cleat and a dock cleat to provide shock absorption.

2. Boat Lines & Dock Ties

After a good fender holder, the next step is to secure some dock lines. With 9-inch loops on each end, Bungee Dock Lines make attaching your pontoon simple and quick. Their built-in stretch absorbs wave motion, reducing stress on your boat and dock. Available in seven colors and two lengths (30 and 36 inches), Bungee Dock Lines ($39.95/set) provide flexibility not found in traditional ropes.

Made to last (and made in the USA), the flexible docking line features a 3/8-inch heavy-duty inner bungee cord with double-stitched loop ends and 1-inch marine-grade tubular nylon webbing. The UV protective cover keeps the dock tie shielded from sun damage.(www.boatlinesanddockties.com)

A metal Anchor HD anchor resting on a boat deck with a coiled black bungee anchor line.

3. Cat River Anchor

Depending on where you boat, there are a variety of anchors to choose from. For our needs, the 20-pound Anchor HD from Cat River Anchors is our go-to. It is specifically designed for boats 18 feet or longer. Cat River Anchors uses a patented release system to ensure you don’t lose your anchor and based on how well it holds, this is extremely important.

The original model has four sharp, adjustable flukes that can be customized to varying angles, but go with the HD model ($167.99) because the sturdy flukes are welded at an optimal angle, and again, you won’t believe how well it holds.

These USA-made anchors were designed specifically for use on the river, but after using ours all summer, I can confirm they will work equally well on the lake. (www.catriveranchors.com)

A blue Seamax Marine electric air pump for inflatables, shown with various nozzle attachments and power cables.

4. Seamax Air Pump

What’s the quickest way to disappoint a boatload of children? Try using a “vintage” air pump held together with electric tape to inflate your water toys. The Seamax Marine SUP16DB Electric Air Pump ($179) quickly inflates water toys and can be powered by its built-in 6AH lithium battery or through a standard external 12-volt charger socket found on most boats. If your boat doesn’t have a 12-volt outlet, clips are included to connect directly to your boat’s battery, ensuring reliable inflation wherever you go.

The double-stage 16 psi portable pump is designed to quickly reach and automatically stop at the pre-set air pressure you select. During inflation, the LCD screen displays the inflatable product’s real-time air pressure. The deflation port helps quickly deflate the air chamber for easy folding and compact storage. (www.seamaxmarine.com)

A black and orange Worx Nitro cordless wet/dry vacuum cleaner sitting on the grey textured floor of a boat.

5. WORX Wet/Dry Vacuum

A portable, cordless vacuum is a must-have for your boat. My preferred model, the WORX Nitro 20V 2.1 Gal. Wet/Dry Vacuum ($229.99), quickly cleans up water, sand, and debris after a day on the water, without taking up much space on board. Despite its compact size, it offers strong suction and handles both wet and dry messes just like a full-size shop vac.

Weighing in at less than 7 pounds, it’s actually quite impressive how much suction power this portable vacuum has and it also features a high/low power setting. Its stretch hose extends to 6.5 feet and comes with a wide-mouth attachment and crevice tool. The vac also has a HEPA filter that’s rinseable, and the entire unit is covered by the WORX three-year limited warranty. (www.worx.com)

A stainless steel Yeti V Series cooler positioned in the center of a boat's seating area.

6. YETI Cooler

YETI is an extremely popular brand that other cooler companies seem to compare themselves to. So if you’re in the market for a new cooler, you might not want to go with one that claims to be “as good as a YETI” but instead just go with the trusted YETI cooler and its well-respected vacuum-insulated panels.

The wide range of hard and soft coolers YETI offers is truly impressive, but on an impulse buy, I went with the V Series Stainless Steel Cooler ($800). It was more than double the starting price for YETI coolers, but what sold me was the classic, old-school look with futuristic technology. The stainless-steel body is built tough and even the single-center latch is stainless and incredibly durable. When empty, the nearly 24-inch-wide cooler weighs in at 35 pounds and can hold up to 46 cans with ice. (www.yeti.com)

An open red first aid kit lying on a boat seat, fully stocked with bandages, gauze, and medical supplies.

7. MyFAK First Aid Kit

The term “must-have” doesn’t have the same meaning to everyone, especially when it comes to boating. While you could make the case for other products, the MyFAK first aid kid from MyMedic ($169.95) is probably the closest thing to a boating must-have product as you can get.

Having first-aid essentials close by, easily stored in the compartment under your seats, is an important provision on any pontoon or deck boat.

The ultra-compact kit has over 100 expert-selected first-aid and trauma supplies, fits in only 7.5 inches of space, and weighs less than 3 pounds. It has everything you need to treat blisters, sprains and fractures, blocked airways, broken bones and more. (www.mymedic.com)

A complete marine tool kit in a grey plastic case, containing wrenches, sockets, and pliers, spread open on a boat deck.

8. Shipyard Tool Set

Next to having enough life jackets on board, a complete tool set might be the most important item on your boat. The West Marine Shipyard Tool Set ($104.99) nicely stows on your boat yet remains easily accessible when needed in an emergency. With more than 130 carbon steel tools, including a 3/8-inch drive ratchet, wire stripper/crimper, six-inch joint slip pliers, eight-inch adjustable wrench and more, boaters will be more than prepared to take on any task. It comes with both SAE and metric wrenches and sockets, which is ideal for those who may have boats built in the U.S., but engines or aftermarket products that were not. (www.westmarine.com)

A red Mustang Survival Atlas 190 inflatable life jacket resting on a tan boat cushion.

9. Mustang Inflatable Life Jacket

Speaking of life jackets, it’s not only a good idea to have at least one life jacket on board for each passenger on your boat, but it’s also the law! The Atlas 190 DLX Hydrostatic inflatable life jacket ($399) from Mustang Survival is lightweight and ergonomically designed with a contoured shape that sits off your neck, and the adjustable sides ensure a secure and comfortable fit.

For a product that you hope you’ll never have to put to its ultimate purpose, you’ll appreciate all of its features that allow you to comfortably wear the award-winning life jacket all day long. (www.mustangsurvival.com)

A Zeus Air portable jump starter and air compressor by Uncharted Supply Co. connected to a green boat battery.

10. Zeus Air Power Pack

Lastly, don’t get stranded at the sandbar after running your batteries dead from playing your stereo all day. What every boat needs is a portable jump starter from the Zeus family from Uncharted Supply Co.

Zeus Air ($254) can charge phones, tablets, and laptops via USB-C and USB ports, and it also includes a bright LED light for additional visibility in harsh conditions. Oh yeah, it also jumps dead batteries! This lightweight jump starter can also use its 16,000 mAh power to jump-start the battery of a 6.0L diesel engine.

The built-in 130 PSI air compressor can also inflate trailer or tow vehicle tires. The all-in-one design makes it extremely practical and capable of taking on a variety of needs that might come your way. (www.unchartedsupplyco.com)