Summer Boating Essentials: Gear You'll Want When You Step Aboard

I’ve been busy testing a few products and I’ve found four that are great summer essentials for boaters. From blankets to wearables to bandages for you medical kit, here are some must-haves that also make perfect gifts.

Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket

Above: A Rumpl Solid Original 1-Person Puffy Blanket, Deepwater. Photo by Rumpl.

Blankets on boats can be necessary evils. It’s great to have something to toss over you in the cockpit but the chances of it getting wet, smelly or blown off the deck are pretty high. Enter the Rumpl puffy blanket, an amazingly lightweight and supremely stowable blanket that not only travels well, it gives the earth a leg up since it’s made of recycled plastic water bottles. The number of bottles used differs with the size of the blanket – 16 for the junior size, 60 for the 1-person size, and 100 for the 2-person size. Something that actually works and is made from post-consumer recycled materials? Sign me up.

The Rumpl blanket is stain, water and rip resistant with a 90/10 DWR coating that’s also machine washable. You can hang the blanket to dry or tumble it dry. The hollow fiber synthetic insulation packs down well so the single person blanket (52”x75”) packs down (7”x16”) and weighs just two pounds. It has corner loops so you can attached it something aboard or stake it into the ground, and a clip that lets you make the blanket into a cape for handsfree use when you’re up and moving around.

The Rumpl blanket comes with its own water-resistant stuff sack which is great because there was no way I would have been able to fold it as neatly as when it came. I just grabbed a corner and stuffed it until it all fit back in. Mine is a beautiful turquoise color with orange accents but there are many colors and you can even opt for designs featuring national parks like Zion and Yellowstone.

The Rumpl comes in three sizes, with the single-person size retailing for $99.

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Helly Hansen Crew Vest 2.0

Above: Helly Hansen Crew Vest 2.0. Photo by Helly Hansen.

I’m happy to say I’m the proud owner of Helly Hansen’s stylish Crew Sailing Vest 2.0. Full disclosure – I own quite a bit of Helly Hansen’s technical gear and I’m a fan. This new hip-length vest can be worn on its own as an outer layer when it’s a bit breezy on deck, or as a mid-layer under a jacket. The HELLY TECH Protection technology keeps the vest windproof, waterproof and breathable, and it’s lined with mesh for extra ventilation. The collar and pockets are lined in brushed fleece polyester for extra comfort and the two-layer construction includes fully sealed seams and a Durable Water Repellency (DWR) treatment.

The care instructions say “tumble dry to reactivate water repellent treatment” and I’m not sure what that means but I’ll find out soon since the vest is white and I’m not tidy. Two other colors include navy blue and black. These embroider-friendly vests are often used by companies at boat shows so if you show up in one, you may be mistaken for staff, which isn’t all bad.

The Crew Vest 2.0 is available in men’s and women’s sizing, XS to 4XL. Price - $135.

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DrySee Adhesive Bandages

Above: DrySee Bandages. Photo by DrySee.

I’ve been testing out DrySee bandages which are like large but seriously waterproof Band-Aids. I actually had reason to try one out, unfortunately that particular wound was larger than the pad, so I tested a smaller area. When applied properly, these bandages work on acute wounds, cuts, abrasions, partial-thickness burns, IV-sites, incisions and all kinds of ulcers. You can wear these bandages in the shower or on a boat if you get hurt as a protective dressing to hold you over until professional medical attention is available.

The key is to use them correctly so you’ll need to clean the area, let any fluids like blood or puss dry, open the package and remove (but don’t touch) the sterile dressing, and peel off the paper liner. If possible, you may need to clip or shave hair to create a tight seal. Place the bandage over the wound and press gently around the edges to adhere to the skin. Once the dressing is in place, remove the paper frame from around the pad and massage down to remove wrinkles that would allow water ingress.

If there is liquid intrusion, the DrySee turns blue as a visual indicator that it has been compromised or saturated. The bandages can be worn up to four days which will hopefully be long enough to get back to land and deal with the injury.

DrySee comes in three sizes, 2x2, 4x4 and 5x10 inches. Prices start at $19.95.

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Sitka Radiant Hoodie

Above: A Sitka Radiant Hoodie. Photo by Sitka.

Anglers who fish all day need sun protection but full coverage clothing can be hot, heavy and too form-fitting to be breathable. If this is your experience, check out the Sitka Radiant Hoodie (or “hoody” as they spell it) made of a lightweight knit jersey fabric that’s 67% polyester and 33% TENCEL eco-friendly fibers. This lightweight hoodie offers UPF 20 sun protection and has odor control technology so fish guts or sweat be damned, you’ll smell sweet.

You don’t have to fish to enjoy this hoodie that will dry quickly even if it rains or you take a wave over the bow. Watersports fanatics and sailors will all benefit from this hoodie that’s a lot easier and less messy to put than sunscreen. The hoodie has thumbholes so you can pull the sleeves down to protect your hands and a three-panel hood that’s big enough to fit over a ball cap. Even your teenager will love it.

Sitka’s Radiant Hoodie is available in sizes Small to 2XL and in four colors. Priced around - $79.00.

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Written by: Zuzana Prochazka

Zuzana Prochazka is a writer and photographer who freelances for a dozen boating magazines and websites. A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana has cruised, chartered and skippered flotillas in many parts of the world and serves as a presenter on charter destinations and topics. She is the Chair of the New Product Awards committee, judging innovative boats and gear at NMMA and NMEA shows, and currently serves as immediate past president of Boating Writers International. She contributes to Boats.com and YachtWorld.com, and also blogs regularly on her boat review site, TalkoftheDock.com.