Every trip by boat or motorboat is not only adrenaline and pleasure, but also a responsibility for safety, comfort and safety of equipment. Polaris boat Bayliner They require the right equipment, from life jackets to advanced navigation systems, but how to avoid drowning in hundreds of market offers and choose from them. useful accessoriesNot useless toys?

In this article, we will discuss 10 categories of accessorieswhich are divided into three groups: mandatory for safety (according to GIMS requirements), recommended for comfort and advanced for tuningYou will find out which brands are trustworthy (see below).Garmin, Lowrance, Attwood), how to avoid typical installation errors and what to look for when buying used equipment, and at the end - a checklist to check the equipment before getting on the water.

1. Mandatory accessories for GIMS: what inspectors check

I agree. Order of the Ministry of Emergency Situations No. 492 of 2021Any small vessel (including PVC boats with a motor of 5 hp) must be equipped with a minimum set of safety equipment, the absence of at least one item from the list is a reason for a fine of up to 2,000 rubles or a ban on sailing.

That's what It must be on board.:

  • 🛟️ Life jackets - one for each passenger (for children - with a marker) CE 100N or ISO 12402-4Popular models: Spinlock Deckvest (for extreme skating) and Seago Compact (budgetary option).
  • 🔦 Signaling means: smoke bomb (Comet 166101), flare-propelled (Pains Wessex MK8) and a signalling mirror (ACR Rescue Flash).
  • 🧯 Fire extinguisher Powder (boat volume from 2 kg to 6 m) or carbon dioxide (boats with closed cabins) Pay attention to the reload period - every time. 5 years!
  • ⚓ Anchor with cable Weight is selected according to the rule "1 kg per 1 m of boat length." DanforthFor boats, Bruce or CQR.
⚠️ Attention: GIMS inspectors often check life-jacket marking If it does not have a GOST or CE mark, it is equivalent to no means of salvation, and homemade anchors made of improvised materials (for example, weights) are also prohibited.

In addition, motor boats require:

  • 🔋 Spare fuel hose length of at least 1 m (to connect to a canister).
  • 🛠️ Remake: spare candles, steering rope, set of keys.
  • 📄 Documentsboat registration certificate, certificate of right of management, insurance (if the engine power > 5 hp).
📊 What accessories do you already have?
Life jackets
Signaling means
Fire extinguisher
Anchor with cable
None of the above.

Modern sonars and GPS-navigators are not a luxury, but a luxury. safety-skatingThey help you avoid the straits, find the fish and bring you home in the fog.

Level. Equipment Price, RUB Example of model
Basic Portable sonar + GPS 15 000–30 000 Deeper PRO+ (Wireless, working with a smartphone)
Medium. Stationary sonar with cartplotter 50 000–120 000 Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 (with SideScan function)
Professional Multi-sensor complex with radar 200 000+ Garmin GPSMAP 8612xsv + radar Fantom 18

For fishermen, the function is critical Side Imaging (side scanning), which shows the bottom relief and fish within a radius of 100 m. Humminbird Helix 7 allows you to see flooded driftwood or flocks of perch at a depth of 60 m. Cartplotter with support for Navionics It shows underwater obstacles and restricted areas.

When choosing a radar, pay attention to:

  • 📡 Detection range - for lakes 2-4 km is enough, for the sea you need 8 + km.
  • 🔄 Type of antennaOpen (cheaper but requires customization) or radio (compact, but more expensive).
  • ⚡ Energy consumption - radar Furuno DRS4W It can eat up to 20 watts, which is critical for low-power boats.
💡

If you are rolling on the river with a strong current, turn on the sounder mode TrackBack It records the route traveled and shows the return path with the demolition.

3. Comfort accessories: from tents to refrigerators

Long hikes or family trips to the water require not only safety, but comfort. 5 accessoriesThe ones that will turn your boat into a houseboat:

1. Tents and bimini-topes

  • ☀️ Bimini-top - folding awning on the arcs (for example, Taylor Made 600 Series) protects against sun and rain, suitable for boats 4-7 m long.
  • 🌧️ Full tent shelter (for example, Westland Boat Covers) for winter storage or overnight stays on the water.

Marine toilets and shower systems

  • 🚽 Portable toilet Thetford Porta Potti (volume 21 liters) - optimal for boats without a stationary cabin.
  • 🚿 Pump shower Whale GP0911 Connected to a canister of fresh water.

Refrigerators and thermal containers

  • ❄️ Electric refrigerator Dometic CFX3 40 (40 l, 12/24 V) - keeps the temperature to -20 ° C.
  • 🧊 Therm bag Igloo Marine Budget alternative (keeps the cold for up to 24 hours).

Lighting

  • 💡 LED spotlights Lumitec Caprera - brightness of 3000 lumens, consumption of 20 watts.
  • 🌌 Underwater lighting OceanLED X-Series It creates the effect of a “light boat” (popular for evening walks).

Furniture and fasteners

  • 🪑 Folding chairs Wise 8WF - with adjustable backrest and cup holders.
  • 🔗 Fixtures for tackles Scotty 241 Universal holders for rods, flagpoles or self-phones.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the refrigerator, check it. net-power. For example, Dometic CFX3 40 It consumes up to 60 Wh -- if you have a 70 Ah battery, it's going to last 10 hours at most, without recharging. Solution: install a second battery or solar panel.
How to choose the size of the awning?

The size of the awning should cover the dimensions of the boat at least 20 cm from each edge. For open boats with a length of 4 m, a bimini-top 1.5 × 1.5 m is suitable, for boats 6-7 m - 2 × 2 m. Sunbrella) lasts longer than vinyl and does not burn out.

4. Tuning and improvement of driving performance

If you are not satisfied with the speed, handling or appearance of the boat, tuning-in accessories And the key is not to overdo it, because some modifications can help. worsen security Or cause problems with GIMS.

Improved speed and handling:

  • ⚡ Hydrofoil (trim plate) It reduces the nose different and increases the speed by 5 to 10 percent. Stingray Hydrofoil (for motors up to 150 hp) and SE Sport 300 (for PVC boats)
  • 🌀 Roller screw with modified pitch - for example, Solas Amita 3 motor-driven Yamaha or MercuryA properly selected propeller can save up to 15% of fuel.
  • 🛑 Hydrobrasis Attwood Hydro-Turf Reduces the braking distance by 30% by increasing the resistance of water.

External tuning:

  • 🎨 Wine graphics Carbon, wood or camouflage stickers (brand) OracalThe cost of a complete pasting of the boat is 5 m - from 30 000 RUB.
  • 🔥 Enclosure illumination - RGB tapes Lumishore EOS with a remote control (can be synchronized with music).
  • 🛡️ Protective coatings - for example, Ceramic Pro Marine to protect the helcoat from UV rays and salt.

Sound systems:

  • 🔊 Marine columns Fusion MS-RA70 - waterproofness IP67200 watts.
  • 🎵 subwoofer Kicker KM600.4 - for basses (requires a separate amplifier).
  • 📻 Radio station Standard Horizon GX1850G - with GPS and function DSC (digital call for assistance).

1. Check engine compatibility (maximum power and weight of the boat)

2. make sure that the mount does not block access to the propeller shaft

3. Mark the installation site (optimally - 5-10 cm below the anti-cavitation plate)

4. Use stainless bolts and sealant 3M 5200>

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Fishing accessories: from rod holders to live fish cages

Boat Fishing requires special equipment that is different from the shore tackle. 7must-have accessories for a successful catch:

1. Bandholders

  • 🎣 Rotating Scotty 1106 They allow you to change the angle of inclination quickly.
  • 🔄 Multiposition Railblaza StarPort They are mounted on rails and are adjustable in height.

2 Livefish cages

  • 🐟 Floating yard Frabill 8331 (volume 50 l) - with an aerator and protection from predators.
  • 🧊 Thermoplant Engel Live Bait Cooler - maintains the water temperature of +10 ° C.

3. Electronics for fishing

  • 📡 fish-finder Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 - shows fish in a radius of 60 m.
  • 🎯 Underwater camera AquVu Micro 5.0 - broadcasts the image on a smartphone.

Other equipment

  • ⚓ Cat anchor Danforth M-1 - quickly clings to the bottom and does not damage the tackle.
  • 🧲 Magnetic taper Bubba Blade - for catching big fish.
  • 🔦 Lantern-trapped Green Blaster It attracts plankton and predatory fish.
💡

For fishing on the current use anchor with "paws" (for example, DanforthIt's better than mushroom water, and a 1.5 to 2 kg anchor is good for standing water.

6. Safety accessories: first aid kits, fire systems and trackers

In addition to the mandatory means of salvation (see section 1), there are supplementary equipmentOne that can save lives in an emergency:

First aid kits and first aid equipment

  • 🩹 Sea first aid kit Adventure Medical Marine 200 - includes tourniquets, antiseptics and remedies for seasickness.
  • 💊 Motion sickness kit: scopolamine pill Drama..

Fire safety systems

  • 🔥 Automatic fire extinguishing system Fireboy-Xintex - operates at a temperature of +79 ° C.
  • 🚨 Gas leak sensor MTI Industries 30-442-P - Mandatory for boats with gas stoves.

3. Trackers and communications

  • 📍 SOS-buoy ACR ResQLink 400 Sends coordinates to rescuers via satellite GPS/GLONASS.
  • 📞 DSC radio Icom IC-M423G It allows you to send a distress signal with a single button.
  • 🔋 Powerbank with solar panel Goal Zero Yeti 200X Charges the radio and navigator in offline mode.
⚠️ Attention: If you are going to sea or on a large lake (for example, Baikal), You should definitely bring an Epirrb with you. According to the MOE, 70 percent of those rescued in open water were found using these devices. ACR GlobalFix V4 It costs about 50,000., but it is an investment in your life.

7. Accessories for winter storage and transportation

Properly preserving a boat for the winter and properly transporting it extends its lifespan by 30 to 50 percent. 6 accessoriesTo help avoid corrosion, cracks and other problems:

1. Covers and shelters

  • ⛱️ Winter case Westland Boat Covers - with ventilation valves to prevent condensation.
  • 🏠 Frame pavilion ShelterLogic 10×20 - protects against snow and hail.

Conservation facilities

  • 🧴 Anti-corrosion spray CRC Marine Grease - for processing the motor and metal parts.
  • 🛢️ Fuel stabilizer Star Tron Enzyme - prevents the formation of deposits in the tank.

Transportation equipment

  • 🚗 Boat trailer Karavan Boatmate - bearinged 5200 lbs and a winch.
  • 🔗 Slings and anchorages Ancra Tie-Downs - with a workload of 500 kg.
  • 🔴 Light signals Optronics LED - for the trailer (mandatory by traffic rules).

Before winter storage:

  1. Dump water from all systems (including motor liquid cooling).
  2. Handle rubber parts (such as PVC boat seals) silicone.
  3. Set the boat on stand (not on the keel!) to avoid deformation of the body.
How to properly drain water from the motor?

1. Start the engine at idle speeds for 5 minutes (to warm up the oil).

2 Unscrew the drain plugs on the cylinder block and water pump.

3. Blow the system with a compressor (pressure not more than 2 bar).

4. Pour in the antifreeze. Sierra Marine (c) cooling system (if provided by the manufacturer).

8 Budget life hacks: cheap accessories that work

Not all useful accessories are expensive. 5 budgetary decisions (up to 3,000 RUB) which will save you money and nerves:

1. Homemade rod holders

  • 🎣 Use it. PVC pipes (50 mm diameter) and clamps for attachment to the side. Cost - 500.

2. Cheap lighting.

  • 💡 LED tape SMD 5050 (12 V, 5 m) - 800 ). Glue on silicone sealantNot Scotch!

3. An alternative to the expensive anchor

  • ⚓ Anchor Danforth substitute welding electrode 3-5 kg, welded ear, working on a sluggish bottom.

4. Budget sounder

  • 📱 Annex FishDeeper + wireless sensor Deeper START (5,000.) Accuracy up to 40 m.

5. Protection of the motor against corrosion

  • 🛡️ After each trip, spray the engine. WD-40 Specialist Marine (400 ). per cylinder).
💡

Don't use car boat covers - they don't let air through, which leads to mold.Oxylpro) and secure it with slings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about boat accessories

🔹 Do I need to register a radio with GIMS?

Yeah, if the radio works in sea-range (156–162 MHz) Registration requires:

  • Passport;
  • boat's ticket;
  • Check for the radio.

The cost of registration is 1,600 RUB (2026), and the fine for an unregistered radio is up to 5,000 RUB.

🔹 What battery should I choose for a boat?

The best option is gel-based (for example, Delta GX 12-60They:

  • Not afraid of vibrations.
  • Work at inclinations up to 45 °;
  • They have low self-discharge (up to 3% per month).

For the engine with a capacity of 50-100 hp, there is enough battery for 70-100 Ah.

🔹 Can I use a fire extinguisher on a boat?

No! Car fire extinguishers (Vehicle extinguishers)OP-2) are not certified for marine use.

  • Not resistant to corrosion;
  • They can lose pressure when temperatures drop;
  • Not meeting the requirements River Register.

Use only fire extinguishers with marker MOU (sea, powder).

🔹 How to protect electronics from moisture?

Three ways:

  1. Put all the instruments in sealed-box (for example, Attwood 8805LP).
  2. Use it. silicone cases for remotes and smartphones.
  3. Put it on the contacts. dielectric (CRC 2-26).

Don’t use plastic bags – they create a greenhouse effect.

🔹 What accessories are prohibited by GIMS?

List of prohibited items (fine up to 10 000 RUB):

  • Homemade life jackets;
  • Pyrotechnics without certificate (art.china);
  • Motors with excess of the permitted power (for example, 15 hp instead of the allowed 10 hp);
  • Radars without a license (if the frequency is higher than 9 GHz).