When it comes to boating, there’s no shortage of gear and gadgets you can load onto your vessel. Some are absolutely essential, while others are, well… a bit more on the gimmicky side. But let’s be honest; sometimes those fun, quirky items are what take a good day on the water and turn it into an enjoyable one. Whether it’s for entertainment, convenience, or just a good laugh for shites and giggles, here are some gimmicky items that could add a little extra of your own flair and personality to your aluminium boat:

Floating Drink Holders

Why hold onto your drink when it can float right next to you? Floating drink holders come in all shapes and sizes; from the traditional round ones to various random sizes that could form into flamingos, doughnuts, unicorns, you name it. They’re perfect for lazy days when you’re anchored up and just want to lounge in the water with a cold one close at hand. Are they necessary? Not really. Are they awesome? Absolutely.

Inflatable Slides

If you really want to bring the fun factor, an inflatable slide that attaches to the side of your boat is about as over-the-top as it gets. They’re big, they’re a bit ridiculous, but kids at heart absolutely love them. It's not the most practical piece of gear, but when you’re stuck under the blistering heat on a hot day, inflatable slides become the star of the show.

Marine Disco Lights

Why wait until you’re back on land to start the party? Install a set of waterproof, colour-changing LED lights inside your boat or under the waterline, and you’ve got your own floating disco. Some even sync with your music! It’s a totally unnecessary but wildly fun way to light up an evening cruise or a night swim.

Novelty Boat Horns

Sure, you can stick with the classic “honk-honk” sound, but why not jazz things up? Novelty boat horns that play your favourite tunes, or the Jaws theme music or a foghorn that sounds like a ship from a pirate movie are hilarious and a total hit when you pull into a marina. While this does not replace the universal honk sound (and you need to use them for navigation), you can sound these funny boat horns once you’ve docked safely or you're underway on the water.  Just be prepared for a few eye-rolls, tittering, or surprised stares from your fellow boaters.

Solar-Powered Gadgets

Solar-powered fans, lights, and even phone chargers are popping up everywhere, and while some are genuinely useful, others lean more into the gimmick category. Take a solar-powered waving cat ornament, for example, completely useless for boating but undeniably charming sitting on your dashboard, waving away.

Custom Flags and Banners

From funny slogans to pirate skulls, custom flags and banners let you show off your style or your sense of humour. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to add a bit of flair to your boat and maybe get a few laughs or approving claps or amused stares from passing boaters.

Floating Bluetooth Speakers

Technically a practical item, but some designs are so out there that they seem so ludicrous. For example, there are floating speakers in the market that are shaped like giant floating speakers that look like beach balls or sea creatures. Still, blasting your favourite tunes while swimming around your boat never really gets old.

At the end of the day, gimmicky boat items are all about fun. They might not help you fish better or navigate smoother, but they’ll make your time on the water more memorable, and that’s what boating is all about. You can buy these items in your local boat shops.