Did you know that 100 million Americans go boating every year? Whether you rent, borrow, or buy a boat, nothing beats being out on the open water alone, with family, or with loved ones.
But if you own a boat and want to do some easy DIY upgrades, what are your options? The good news is that there are various things you can do to make your boat more enjoyable. And you can make some meaningful changes without spending an arm and a leg.
Are you ready to explore some of these options? Continue reading to learn about five easy ways to upgrade your boat so that you can enjoy your time out on the water even more.
1. Seat
If you have a used boat, there’s a chance the seats could use some work. Whether there are cracks, rips, tears, discoloration, or normal wear and tear, your seats may detract from the aesthetic appeal and comfort of your vessel. Using a seat cover is a band-aid solution. It might hide any unsightly issues. But it won’t fix them.
A better option is to upgrade your boat seat. You can remove the old one and install a new one. You can get pontoon boat seats, bass boat seats, boat bucket seats, back-to-back seats, and more. A new seat will give your used boat a new lease on life — and boost the comfort. If you’re going to spend hours at a time riding your boat, you might as well be comfortable.
2. Smartphone Cradle
Do you take your smartphone everywhere? It makes sense to keep your phone with you. An easy DIY upgrade for your boat is to install a smartphone cradle. Perhaps you don’t want to keep the phone in your pocket, or maybe you don’t want it rolling around in a storage compartment. It might be a good idea to install a smartphone cradle by the helm.
Don’t want to drill holes? You can use a smartphone cradle with an adhesive backing. All you’ll need to do is find a convenient place to stick it. If you have more advanced DIY skills, you can get a smartphone cradle that doubles as a charging station for your device. It’ll require a basic understanding of your boat’s electrical system so you can run a power wire.
3. Cupholders
If you go boating with family and friends, chances are there aren’t nearly enough cupholders. But you can do something about that. Buy some cupholders with peel-and-stick backings or suction-cup backings. It’ll be easy to install them wherever they make sense in your boat. When you have enough cupholders, there won’t be a mad dash for passengers to try to secure one for themselves. There’ll be enough cupholders to accommodate everybody’s drinks.
4. Rear-View Mirror
Another upgrade option is a rear-view mirror. If your boat doesn’t have one, get one. Installing them is a piece of cake. You can usually attach them to the windshield frame using hand-screw clamps. Easy-peasy.
5. Fishing Rod Holders
Do you like going on fishing trips? Does your boat have enough fishing rod holders for everyone? If not, you can do something about it. Aftermarket fishing rod holders are available, and they’re easy to install. Go for the clamp-on variety that can be attached to the rail.
If you own a boat and are looking for ways to improve its functionality and aesthetic appeal, these five recommendations are a great place to start. The best thing is they are relatively easy, so they should make for good DIY projects.
Give one or more of them a try before boating season starts so that you’re ready to go when it’s time to explore the rivers and lakes near you.
