If you own an older Stacer Sea Runner or Wildrider boat and you don’t want to invest lots of time and money into installing new gear on board and connecting it to wires, batteries, and electric components, you can always get new boat gadgets. They are economical and convenient to upgrade your technology on board. A lot of boat gadgets are portable and small so you don’t need to install them in your boat and you can bring them anywhere. Here are some examples of the gadgets you can get for your boat:

Digital Handheld Anemometer

Knowing the wind speed in real-time is very important because it allows you to monitor the weather conditions and maneuver better at a marina. Yet, only boats of a certain size come with a mounted anemometer. If you don’t have one installed on your boat, you can get a digital handheld anemometer available in your local marine shops.

Portable Fish Finder

All serious anglers need a fish finder. With portable and more affordable models out on the market, it’s easy to get one that is within your budget range. There are various kinds of portable fish finders; some are handheld, some are mountable, and others are castable.

Handheld ones typically require you to install a transducer on the transom of the boat while mountable fish finders need some part of it immersed in the water and clamp into the side of the boat. Castable ones sink into the water and you can control it with an app on your smartphone.

 Whatever type it is, make sure to check how the fish finder works before you buy it.

Bluetooth Speakers

Technically, they aren’t specifically designed for boating, but they are handy on boat trips to fill those lull moments with some lively music. You don’t even have to worry if they get wet since most of them are waterproof. Charge them first before you take them with you when you go boating, so you can connect them to your smartphone and listen to some tunes while having lunch or sunbathing. Remember to keep the volume down, as noise travels through the water and disturbs other boaters.

Portable Depth Sounder

You should definitely have this next item. A handheld portable depth sounder is important to know the depth of the water especially when you’re nearing shallow waters or your mooring. Whether you’re cruising the water on a cartopper boat or a runabout, a depth sounder can save you from sticky situations. A portable depth sounder saves you the trouble of wiring it in.

Boat Barbecue Grill

A nice meal in a picturesque anchorage or near a cove is one of the best pleasures of boat life. There’s nothing quite like it. And what’s great is that even if you’re not on land, you can still eat some savoury barbies under the sun. You can definitely buy a barbecue grill specifically made for boats. These are typically mounted on a rail at the transom. You can either get a charcoal or a gas one, depending on how you want to cook your meals. A  marine grill is safe enough to use in boats, so there’s no excuse to eat fresh and warm food.

Portable Solar Panel Power System Installation

Another way to get around a complex power system installation is by carrying portable solar panels. They are made up of several panels, which connect to a power bank. The panels charge the battery when the sun hits them. You can use this to give you power inside the boat just in case you lose all of your power. Just expose the panels under the sun so they can save energy from the sun’s heat.

Whatever gear you’re thinking of buying, make sure to check verified reviews before choosing a specific product. After all, not every gadget and equipment is made with high-quality products or accurately presented as they are advertised. Ask around the marina or marine boat shops near you to see if anyone bought something similar and if it works well.