Your Privacy Choices
Image by freevideophotoagency, Shutterstock
Boats probably aren’t top-of-mind when you hear the phrase, “A little goes a long way.” That’s because you often have to spend a lot to get a lot in the boating industry — this isn’t the place to take shortcuts. Yet there are some budget-friendly boat upgrades that you can pursue to extend your craft’s longevity and make it perform its best on the water.
These suggestions go well beyond the regular annual spring boat prep that you should be doing. Swapping in some after-market parts or replacing an item that is seeing the effects of wear will help to optimize your time on the water and make your season more enjoyable.
We look at these categories for your boat upgrades:
- Steel Propellers
- Battery Monitors
- Plow Anchors
- Dock Lines
- Dry Storage
- Bimini Tops
- Trim Tabs
- Upholstery
- Marine Coolers
- Stereo System
Here are more details on the 10 boat upgrades you can look at that’ll make a big difference without lightening your wallet too much (relatively speaking):
1. Steel Propellers
A steel propeller is going to cost you more than an aluminum one, but it pays off significantly in terms of performance (improved acceleration and handling, for example) and fuel usage. And because of these efficiencies, you’re likely to deal with less strain on your engine.
Ultimately, you’ll save on maintenance and money spent at the pump.
A steel propeller has other advantages as well, including greater durability and resistance to flexing under load. That means less likelihood of becoming bent, chipped, or seeing the effects of corrosion.
Flagship recommendation: Turning Point Express Mach4 Stainless Steel Propeller
Turning Point completely re-designed its stainless propeller production process to help usher in the Turning Point Express Mach4 Stainless Steel, which uses state-of-the-art casting technologies and race-proven finish and tuning practices. The company’s proprietary stainless steel, TP17, has over 20 percent more chromium than the competition for improved finish and corrosion resistance.
2. Battery Monitors
It’s important to know the real-time status of a boat’s battery system, making a battery monitor a sound investment. Battery monitors will display voltage, measure amperage, track the amp-hours used, show the state of charge and monitor the charging and discharging cycles.
All of this is key to preventing unexpected power losses and to extending the life of the battery.
Not to be overlooked is that we are entering the Internet of Things (IoT) era, which means Bluetooth and “smart” functionalities are becoming increasingly important and can help simplify system installation and enhance performance.
Flagship recommendation: Victron Energy Battery Monitor BMV-712 Smart
The BMV-712 Smart model is among the latest from Victron Energy’s ever-popular BMV range of battery monitors. It includes Bluetooth and pairs perfectly with many lithium batteries — think of it as your battery “fuel gauge,” with a time-to-go indicator and much more.
The BMV-712 Smart has the same functionality as the earlier BMV-702, but with the added benefit of integrated Victron Smart technology.
3. Plow Anchors
The right anchor is highly dependent on your boating situation — the kind of water you’re on, the bottom material you’re anchoring into and the weather conditions can all impact your choices. That said, a plow anchor tends to be versatile across mixed bottoms of sand, mud, grass and rock.
A plow-anchor design generally has reliable holding power, though the trade-off is that it might be harder than other styles to stow and usually is heavier than an alternative like a fluke anchor.
The most common reason that someone would replace a boat anchor is because of corrosion or the material becoming bent or deformed. When this happens, it’s no surprise that the holding power becomes compromised and your craft becomes more susceptible to changing environmental conditions.
Flagship recommendation: Lewmar Galvanized Delta Fast-Set Anchor
This non-hinged plow anchor is Lloyd’s Register-certified for high holding power. Its unique shank profile and ballasted tip make the Delta anchor self-launching. It is balanced to fall unaided from bow rollers, so it’s ideal for use with remotely operated windlasses.
The Delta is available in weights from 9 pounds up to 140 pounds and comes with a lifetime warranty against breakage.
4. Dock Lines
Exposure to the elements can degrade the safety of dock lines. Perhaps the ends begin to fray? Maybe the core — where the line gets its strength — becomes exposed? Or else poor storage caused mold to grow? Even harsh UV rays can impact the fibers, making them stiff or brittle.
Those are some sure signs that your dock lines could use a refresh.
Flagship recommendation: New England Ropes Premium Nylon Double Braid Dock Line
The combination of high-grade marine nylon, special torque balanced construction and a unique stabilization process produces a long-wearing, easy to-handle 50-foot line from New England Ropes that resists kinking. This is among the strongest and easiest-to-handle lines you can buy — and it’s one that also stays flexible throughout its service life.
The double-braid lines stretch slightly less but are stronger than 3-strand lines, and this line is professionally spliced with a 12-inch eye on one end. It has a breaking strength of 13,500 pounds and is ideal for boats 37 to 45 feet in length.
5. Dry Storage
A good dry-storage box helps to protect essential gear and valuables from the unavoidable moisture that comes from being around boats. Some boxes are specific to being on your boat — meaning they’re great for stashing your radios or smartphones or preserving documents like boating licenses and maps. Others are made for keeping at the dock, where you may store fishing gear, life vests or skis. Either way, it’s vital to have something that seals well and is big enough to accommodate the gear that you want to keep protected.
Plus, it’ll help you keep things convenient and organized!
Flagship recommendation: West Marine Dock and Patio Box
This 5.5-foot dock box provides a secure and dry place to stow dock lines, fenders, cleaning supplies and just about anything else not necessary while away from the dock. The rotomolded polyethylene construction is UV stable and stands up to constant exposure. A double walled lid offers additional strength and features a molded in hinge with a stainless steel pin. A stainless steel latch allows the box to be secured with a pad lock.
This box can be mounted by drilling through the bottom and fastening it to the dock. The hardware is stainless steel, and the box stands 26 inches tall.
6. Bimini Tops
Long days on the water will ultimately require extra protection for you and your passengers from the sun, rain and wind. These collapsable canopies are important to keeping the elements at bay, while also providing a level of temperature regulation that can help keep you alert and enjoying your time on the water.
Bimini tops are made of weather-resistant fabrics (in a wide variety of colors to match your boat) and are collapsable when not needed.
When selecting a Bimini top, be sure to consider the frame (usually 4-, 6- or 8-foot lengths, and anywhere from 36 to 54 inches in height), as well as the preferred fabric (like a polyester or performance material) and zippered storage boot.
Flagship recommendation: Taylor Made Ultima Fabric Complete Bimini Kit
Taylor Made’s Ultima fabric is treated for color fastness, UV stability and longevity, while the frames are available in bright-dip anodized aluminum or stainless steel. Stainless steel frames come with stainless steel fittings, while bright-dip anodized aluminum frames come with marine grade nylon hardware.
There are seven different colors available for this Bimini, and the kit includes a frame, hardware and matching storage boot.
7. Trim Tabs
Trim tabs — the adjustable plates mounted on the transom that help optimize the boat’s performance by adjusting the angle of the hull in the water — will improve your vessel in a couple of ways. They can allow you to reach plane faster by reducing drag, and they’ll be effective in keeping the boat level even when you don’t have an evenly balanced load.
All in all, this means better fuel efficiency and optimized engine performance — not to mention the ability to smooth out rough rides by compensating for increases in wave activity or wind speed.
Flagship recommendation: Bennett Marine Self-Leveling Trim Tab System
These self-leveling tabs simplify trim tab operation and installation by using a spring loaded actuator. This design eliminates the hydraulic lines and wiring required of more complex systems and utilize pre-set spring-loaded actuators respond to boat speed and water pressure to eliminate porpoising.
Each unit includes two 10-by-10-inch 14-gauge 304 stainless steel trim tab assemblies with Bennett’s exclusive interlocking hinge, fully automatic actuators, and a complete set of stainless-steel mounting hardware.
8. Upholstery
No one would blame you if you wanted to get rid of some of the worn vinyl seating on your boat — or if you simply wanted something more comfortable. UV rays aren’t the kindest to a boat’s upholstery, and to see some cracks and brittleness emerge after a few years is common.
Couple that with the potential for mildew growth and a general loss of shape (especially near the seams), and you’d be doing yourself a favor to replace what you have on board.
Flagship recommendation: Springfield Skipper Folding Seat
Since the skipper’s chair is the most-used seat on the boat, it’s probably feeling the effects of time more than anywhere else. Springfield’s injection-molded extra-wide skipper seat are built with with interlocking hinge for greater structural support.
It’s made with premium upholstery intended for all-day comfort, and its fabric is weather resistant, mildew resistant, and has a layer of protection against UV damage.
9. Marine Coolers
A long day on the water means that you might be digging into some meals or need to sip on something refreshing, so having a cooler — scratch that, having a good cooler — is imperative. For anyone who has spent time outdoors, there’s a noticeable difference between an effective cooler that can keep ice in cubes for long hours and one that allows them to melt at a moment’s notice.
Hydration is not a game you want to lose at.
And while people may first think of drinks when they hear the word “cooler,” it also could be important to have an effective cooler on board in case there are medications that need to be stored at specific temperatures and still kept at arm’s reach.
Flagship recommendation: RTIC 52 Quart Ultra-Light Hard Cooler
This is an absolute classic, both in terms of design and functionality. This premium cooler from RTIC is made with a unique ultra-light design making it 30 percent lighter than rotomolded coolers of similar capacities. It also has up to 3 inches of closed cell foam insulation and freezer-style gasket to lock in the cold for up to a whopping seven days!
It also has marine-grade rope handles with durable hand grips for easy carrying and lifting, while its molded tie-down slots can be used to attach the cooler to a boat, dock or trailer.
10. Stereo System
Even if your boat feels dated, your sound system doesn’t have to. Upgrading a stereo system can make boating more fun for both you and your passengers. Today’s marine stereo systems offer better sound quality and greater durability than even those from just a couple of years ago. The speed at which these improvements are happening is staggering!
A great stereo system should have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing it to connect easily to a smartphone or tablet — though if you still use USB or auxiliary imports (including for device charging), be sure to make sure that feature is available on anything you buy.
It’s also cool to have a marine stereo system that has multi-zone control and equalizer settings, allowing everyone to enjoy the music at whatever level and settings are ideal for them.
Flagship recommendation: DS18 MRX1 and NXL-6SL/WH Stereo Package
Featuring DS18’s popular marine unit the MRX1 and two of the NXL-6SL speakers, this is the perfect match up and can be installed with ease. The MRX1 marine head unit is compact, powerful, beautiful, and will stand up to the rigorous punishment. Its powerful receiver has Bluetooth, RCA outputs including subwoofer and USB capabilities that remain waterproof.
The system’s sound-setting options allow precise control the bass, treble, balance, fade, EQ and loudness. The MRX1 has three outputs — front, rear and sub — to accommodate fully applied systems easily. Plus its IP65 waterproof rating will help you stay confident while using the head unit in harsh and wet terrain without failure.
This article was funded by and published on behalf of West Marine.
Ryan Tipps is Managing Editor for ActionHub. He lives near a resort lake along the Blue Ridge Mountains, is an avid hiker, backpacker and trail runner and has been a part of the wilderness search and rescue community since 2005.