Owning a boat is like owning a car…that floats on water. Sure, this may be something that most people can relate to, seeing as the prices of most boats double those of a typical car, but for those who have the means and the will to sail the high and low seas, well, why not indulge? As with any mode of transport, boats have their own pieces of extra equipment such as navigation, depth finding and anchor systems to name a few, but all these things serve a practical transportation purpose.
Sometimes you just want to pimp up your boat with items that (though not necessary) can be practical in a sense they give you features that were previously unavailable or were not in mind when the boatyard built your tiny cruiser. Such items we’ll refer to as marine accessories. Ranging from boat speakers to marine turbines, we’ll examine them and explore their functionality, so that you know what you need to purchase in the local Australian ship shops.
Marine Stereo and Speakers
Know how a car usually has a stereo? Well, the same technology exists for boats as well. For anyone who’s ever driven anywhere, you know what it’s like to be on a trip with no music playing. It’s positively boring. Hence, car stereos save you from the boring sounds of the car engine and your own thoughts for miles on end.
Marine stereo speakers are such items when it comes to navel vehicles. Functioning in the same way, the marine speaker system allows you to play groovy tunes while you’re out on the deck, sunbathing or fishing mid-journey. Made with the environmental factors in mind, marine speakers in Australia are made from a polypropylene cone, fully waterproof, UV, and salt/fog resistant protection which enables reliable performance throughout your journey. They are usually placed in a stainless steel frame that gives the speakers an extra layer of security and durability.
Just as with their car counterparts, in order for the speakers to work, they need a power source and sound source. With passive speakers, both sources are one in the same, and in that case, that’s the stereo system itself. Though not much different from the car one, it’s usually placed at the helm, with wires connecting to the speakers that are placed in appropriate locations around the deck. This way, anything you play will be heard precisely, cleanly and with no unforeseen short circuits in mind.
The prices of these systems are not that much more expensive when compared their land counterparts that match in quality. Seeing as marine speakers in Australia are a hot item, they are worth the price. I mean, if you’ve spent over tens of thousands of dollars on the boat itself, what’s another thousand bucks to the price for excellent sound in the middle of the ocean.
Solar Panel
The basic rule of thumb is if you want something that runs on electricity, you need to power it somehow. Boats, like cars, have their own batteries that can power simple systems and recharges over its trip, but the more accessories you are willing to add to your ship, the more power you’ll need to carry with you. Deep cell batteries are one way of doing this, and the other is solar panels.
Just like with land solar panel systems, marine solar panels can be small and compact with micro-inverters attached to them, making the perfect for an additional power source. Not only do you have the option to charge your boat battery or power some cool tech on the deck, but when combined with a deep cycle battery, they give you a long-lasting power source that will suit all your needs.
To keep the battery from overcharging stick, 2 to 5 watts solar panels are recommended. This way, you can attach them to permanently charge your boat battery. This is no replacement for a real battery charger, but it will keep the battery from dying out over time.
Marine Turbine
Some people prefer solar, others prefer wind power. Sometimes both options in combination are best. With solar and wind power working side by side, you will be able to charge your boat battery much more efficiently and provide stronger power for all your other electrical needs. Installing a marine turbine is not that difficult. It may look a bit clunky, but having something that harnesses the power of the winds while sailing or sitting still at the dock really does provide an extra boost of electric energy for your needs.
Grill
With a strong marine power system in play, you can now focus on some silly gadgets that can run off of it. One such item is an electric grill.
Unlike propane or charcoal grills that can literally set your vessel on fire, electric grills are much safer and much more eco friendly, especially when powered by renewable energy. Simply place the grill on the deck, connect it into the power line of the ship and put on some freshly caught fish on the hot plate for a tasty seafaring dinner. After you’re done, just rinse it off in the water and let it dry out for tomorrows “cibo di mare”
Cooler
Considering the fact that most people travel by boat during the warmer periods of the year, avoiding food spoiling on your ship is a real issue. You may not want to fish every day if you caught extra food on the first try and want to store it or maybe, you just want something that will keep your beers cold. The answer, a portable small fridge.
Non-electric coolers are also a great option, but they can only keep the temperature low for so long. Electric coolers thou, constantly cool the food to the needed temperature, allowing you to store food for longer and keep many drinks colder for longer.
The lists for interesting boat accessories are virtually endless, so if you decide to explore even more, you might find some item that you didn’t know you were looking for.