Getting your boat ready for the season has never been easier than with OpticsPlanet! We carry a wide variety of boating supplies, marine supplies, and emergency equipment to help you stay safe and have fun while out on the water. Whether you have a pontoon boat, kayak, sailboat, or something else, we have tons of in-stock boat accessories that can fit a wide variety of use cases. Our products include trolling motors, handheld GPS units, emergency inflatable dinghies, boat seats, life jackets, and more. All of these items work together to help you get to your favorite spot out on the water and protect you if an emergency strikes, so make sure you stock up!![]()
A PFD, or personal flotation device, is similar to a life jacket in many ways. In fact, all life jackets are considered PFDs, but not all PFDs are life jackets. Essentially, any device that helps you stay afloat when you’re in the water can qualify as a PFD. Where things get technical is with life jackets. Life jackets are designed to keep the wearer face up in the water when they are floating. On the other hand, a PFD can be any kind of object, like a buoy, that floats in the water and allows you to hold onto it.
There are many items you should have with you while on the boat at all times. For legal purposes, always have your boating license and registration with you in case you are stopped by authorities. Next, you should have PFDs for every single person that is with you, and having a few extra is also recommended. For emergencies, you should have a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit, as well as general-use tools to fix any issues with the outboard motor or other systems. Finally, make sure you have an emergency radio, a GPS device, and a map. This will help you contact emergency services and find your way around. Having a battery charger or adapters to charge your battery are also useful in case it dies while you’re out.
While a trolling motor isn’t required, it is extremely useful to have. These are much smaller than outboard motors, and they allow you to move slowly and steadily through areas where you don’t need much power. For example, if you’re trying to approach a fishing spot on a lake, using the trolling motor creates much less disruption and wake so that you don’t disturb the fish. Alternatively, if you’re in a no-wake zone or near people swimming but need to readjust the vessel, you can use the trolling motor safely.
Here at OpticsPlanet, we strive to have everything you need for all your favorite activities! When you want to restock your boat and prepare for your next season out on the water, check out some of our top brands, including Garmin, Raymarine, and Minn-Kota.