There are hundreds of marine accessories available in the market that are necessary to keep on board. Some of them are just an add-up to your sailboat’s design or some extra features but others are must-haves and provide you with safety and comfort. Remember that over time, you can gather many accessories in your sailboat without even noticing! Sailboats are comprised of different parts so you might find yourself buying or even finding some of these parts before realizing that you actually needed them. Let’s now see the detailed list with some useful “must-haves” accessories to equip your sailboat with!

Household Accessories

• Refrigerator: A refrigerator is not always a must-have item when you’re not constantly cruising and you stay on the anchor to a marina for a long time. But, if you’re living on your sailboat or traveling overseas then a refrigerator is a must! Food is important when traveling at sea and most products, as well as cooked meals, need a refrigerator to be well-preserved. A freezer might also be a practical item if you’re planning on cruising the seas for a long time period.
• Cooker: As a matter of fact, cooking at sea involves some risk. That’s why a cooker might be a worthy investment for you in order to better handle liquids or hot metal utensils and in general processing or cooking food. If you decide to buy a cooker then remember to prefer a well-constructed cooker, that will serve you for years.

Safety Accessories

• Boarding Ladder: The ladder is a handy accessory suitable for swimmers but also for anyone that wants to easily and safely get aboard your sailboat. The ladder’s material is stainless steel and locks to the transom or hooks over the toe-rail. Also, if you’re traveling with your dog companion then a ladder will help him come aboard safely.
• A set of Storm Sails and a Sails Repair Kit: A storm trysail and a storm jib are practical if you’re an overseas sailor. They’re important because in case that an emergency weather situation occurs, these sails will keep you safe. A Sails repair Kit is considered a must-have on most sailboats so don’t forget to buy a fully-equipped one before setting off.
• First Aid Kit: Always make sure to have a first aid kit as well as a waterproof grab bag. These two will contain all medical and safety equipment that you’ll need in case of an emergency.  The kit should contain common drugs, bandages, antiseptics, and sterile tools, among others.
• Patching Materials: These materials can help you prevent water from flowing into the deck and are more than useful for any emergency repairs. The most essential materials are epoxy putty marine and pieces of waterproof plywood.

Safety Equipment

• EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon): An EPIRB is a radio that connects to a global satellite network. You can use it in case of an emergency in order to alert Search and Rescue agencies. It is by far one of the most important safety items to keep onboard. When buying it consider looking for an upgraded model that comes with a built-in GPS.
• Radar Reflector: This item alerts other vessels about your sailboat’s course. The performance of these radar reflectors varies so consider using Echomax and Trilens reflectors. In general, most boats use a 24-mile scale on their S-band radar but unfortunately, these radars only notice small crafts within a range of six-mile or less.
• SOLAS Grade Signals: These flares and signals are important in case you want to call for help. You need to have handheld red flares, two orange smoke canisters, and rocket parachute flares. Generally, SOLAS flares are the best solution if you want to send out signals. Thus, you must use them only if you’re in a real emergency situation.
• Portable Fire Extinguisher: Fire extinguishers are also a must-have safety item in your sailboat. Make sure to place them in an easy-access location and put labels with instructions on them in order to operate them safely.
• Life Raft: It’s always better to predict the worst-case scenarios. Generally, a life raft is much easier to launch than a lifeboat. Moreover, the life raft’s design has an auto-inflatable system, so there’s no need to launch it manually. Also, it’s advisable that you choose a life raft that is equipped with a hydrostatic release.

>>Also Read: Must-Have Sailing Equipment

Electronic Accessories

• VHF Marine Radio: This communication device allows you to communicate for up to 60 miles. Moreover, the antennas offer the option of remote stations thus allowing you to have full-power radio. This radio is accessible from the helm and the main radio remains at the navigation station.
• Depth Sounder and Knot Log: The knot log helps you measure distance and speed which is a vital element for navigation. Depth sounder measures the depth and like this, it helps you avoid grounding and ensures safe navigation.
• Compass and an Extra Antenna: Both items are particularly important to have while sailing on long passages.
• Solar Panel for Back-Up Power: A solar panel can be the best piece of emergency equipment you can buy in case your batteries die. Generally speaking, the sailboat uses more battery than a car because it has more devices and systems running. If you decide to buy a solar panel make sure to make a good purchase, don’t buy one that overcharges your sailboat’s battery.

Personal Accessories

• Sanitation System: Marine holding tanks as well as other portable toilet systems are more useful than permanent and manually pump sea toilets. They’re quite easy to install, have a removable tank, and are far more “green” than permanent toilet systems.
• Inflatable Life Jackets and Tethers: This is personal equipment that ensures safety and is a definite must-have item on board. These life jackets along with safety harnesses form the top-one piece of gear. Make sure that the tethers do not have hooks on them and have a snap shackle at the chest. Sailing requires full weather gear, so it’s of great importance to have all necessary equipment on board.
• Gloves, Shoes, Hats: Line-handling gloves are designed to protect your hands from wear and tear. The gloves you’re going to choose to have to be waterproof, flexible, and made out of synthetic material. Shoes are also important because they provide safe grips while on the deck. Last but not least, consider buying a floppy canvas hat that ensures face protection from the sun.
• Dock Lines and Fenders: Dock lines are essential when it comes to fixing your boat to the dock. You will certainly need dock lines on the sailboat if you’re tying up on an unknown dock. Fenders can also be particularly useful when tied off to large walls or obstacles. It is advisable to be equipped with at least two for the front and the back of the mooring site.

Cruising Sailboat Equipment Essentials – Conclusion

Traveling overseas with your sailboat is a great adventure and a lifetime’s experience! But always remember that preparation is the key for this type of voyage and that there are essential gears to keep on board. Accessories such as life jackets, first-aid kits, and safety equipment are a must-have in any sailboat, but there are other must-have items that you should consider buying before setting off. The most important ones are a refrigerator, a compass, a VHF Radio, patching materials, a sails repair kit, and others. As listed above, this equipment is a must-have while you’re cruising.

However, this is not an all-encompassing list but a general list. Accessories and equipment are based on your needs, your course, and your sailboat. A good way to understand the needs of your sailboat and its maintenance is to check its manual. The manuals normally contain a list of the basic tools and additional equipment needed if a problem arises. If you’re well-prepared you can assure that you’ll safely enjoy your sea voyage and deal with any possible difficulties.