Boat Storage Holders: Organising Equipment and Making the Most of Onboard Space

Introduction

On a boat, well-organised equipment contributes to comfort, practicality and the smooth running of everyday activities. Storage space is often limited, particularly on cruising yachts, fishing boats and vessels used for extended passages. A boat storage holder provides a designated place for instruments and accessories, makes them easier to find and helps keep work surfaces clear.

The Storage Holders category at Nautic Way Maritime Library includes equipment designed to organise navigation instruments, cockpit accessories and everyday onboard items. The range includes bamboo holders for smartphones, GPS units, VHF radios, binoculars and chart tables, as well as PVC holders for specific instruments. It also includes a PVC case for a lyre-style compass, cockpit and cruising organisers, a lure holder and drink holders.

Choosing the right marine storage holder depends on the item being stored, its intended location, the available dimensions and the conditions in which it will be used. A suitable holder should provide convenient access without obstructing movement, sailing manoeuvres or the helmsman's visibility.

Why Use Storage Holders on a Boat?

Every item on board should be easy to retrieve and straightforward to put away. A smartphone left on a bench, binoculars placed on an unstable surface or a handheld VHF stored in a difficult-to-reach compartment can complicate everyday tasks. Storage holders provide designated locations for frequently used equipment.

In the cockpit, an organiser can help group small accessories and reduce clutter. At the chart table, holders for GPS units, smartphones or binoculars help structure the working area. In living spaces, a drink holder provides a dedicated place for a suitable bottle or cup.

A well-planned onboard storage system offers several benefits:

• keeping instruments and accessories easy to find;

• freeing up work surfaces and passageways;

• reducing the movement of loose objects as the boat moves;

• improving the organisation of navigation and fishing equipment;

• making it easier to put equipment away after a manoeuvre or a day at sea.

A storage holder is not, however, a substitute for a safety device. In rough conditions, equipment must be secured appropriately, particularly when it is heavy, fragile or essential to operating the boat.

Holders for Smartphones, GPS Units and VHF Radios

Electronic equipment plays an important role in recreational boating. A smartphone may be used to check weather information, plan a route or run a navigation application. A GPS provides position information, while a VHF radio enables radio communications within the capabilities of the equipment and its installation.

A smartphone holder should keep the device in a convenient position without preventing access to the controls or connectors that need to be used. Check the phone's dimensions, the shape of the holder and the stability of the installation. A protective case may also increase the overall size of the device.

GPS and mobile-phone holders meet similar needs, but their dimensions and design can differ. It is therefore preferable to choose a holder intended for the equipment in question rather than relying on appearance alone.

A VHF holder must be compatible with the radio model. It should allow the equipment to be removed when necessary without obstructing its operation or access to the controls. For a fixed VHF radio, the appropriate bracket or mounting system must follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. For a handheld VHF, ease of handling and secure storage while moving around the boat are important considerations.

Storing Binoculars and a Hand-Bearing Compass

Marine binoculars are used to observe landmarks, identify coastal features, examine harbour entrances and recognise navigation marks. Keeping them in a designated location makes them easier to retrieve when an observation is required.

A binocular holder must be selected according to the instrument's size. A holder designed for 7 × 50 binoculars, for example, will not necessarily fit every model. Check compatibility and how the binoculars are retained to reduce the risk of them falling when the boat moves.

A hand-bearing compass is used to take bearings on landmarks or visible objects. Its storage location should protect it from knocks while keeping it readily accessible. A holder designed for the Plastimo Iris 50 hand-bearing compass addresses a specific compatibility requirement: the instrument's dimensions and shape must match the holder.

A PVC case for a lyre-style compass provides another storage option. It helps protect the instrument when it is not in use and keeps it with other navigation accessories. When choosing a case, consider the shape of the compass and the space available for storage.

Bamboo Holders for the Chart Table

The chart table is a working area for navigation planning and monitoring. It may accommodate paper nautical charts, plotting instruments, nautical publications and, depending on the installation, electronic devices. Suitable storage helps keep the working surface clear.

The range includes several bamboo holders designed for different purposes: smartphone holders, GPS and mobile-phone holders, GPS and VHF holders, binocular holders, pencil-case holders and a chart-table holder. These products meet different needs and should not be regarded as interchangeable.

A pencil-case holder helps keep pencils and small instruments together when working with paper charts. A chart-table holder contributes to a more organised navigation workspace, while holders designed for electronic devices provide a designated position for specific equipment.

When choosing a holder, consider the available surface, the size of the equipment and the stability of the installation. Bamboo offers a different finish from PVC, but the product should be maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions. The material should not automatically be assumed to be waterproof or suitable for continuous exposure to water.

PVC Holders and Cockpit Accessories

PVC is used for a range of marine holders, including products for drinks, hand-bearing compasses, GPS units, VHF radios and binoculars. The material alone does not determine the holder's purpose or compatibility: its shape, dimensions and mounting system are equally important.

A drink holder provides a designated place for a suitable container. It should be installed where it will not obstruct crew movement or interfere with boat controls. Check that the container is sufficiently stable for the intended conditions.

Cockpit and cruising organisers meet a broader need: keeping everyday items together close to where they are used. Depending on their design, they can hold small accessories and help prevent them from being scattered across seats or work surfaces. Before installation, check the location, mounting method and compatibility with the intended surface.

The category also includes a lure holder designed to organise fishing tackle. Lures should be stored in a way that limits accidental contact with hooks and makes it easier to select the right item. A suitable holder helps keep tackle organised, but hooks must still be handled carefully.

How to Choose a Boat Storage Holder

Choosing the right product begins with a few straightforward checks. First, identify the item to be stored and determine whether the holder is specifically designed for it. A binocular holder, drink holder and VHF holder serve different purposes, even if their general shapes appear similar.

Before selecting a model, consider the following points:

• Compatibility: the dimensions and shape of the equipment or item being held.

• Location: chart table, cockpit, helm station or living area.

• Mounting: the method specified by the manufacturer and its suitability for the installation surface.

• Stability: how securely the item is retained when the boat moves.

• Environment: exposure to salt spray, moisture, sunlight and temperature changes.

• Accessibility: whether the item can be reached quickly without obstructing controls or movement.

• Maintenance: how easy the holder is to clean and the care required for its material.

It is also important to distinguish storage from operational mounting. Electronic equipment essential to navigation must remain usable and secure in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The holder must not obscure the screen, obstruct connectors or prevent the device from being removed when required.

Examples of Storage Arrangements for Different Boats

On a cruising yacht, the chart table can accommodate a pencil-case holder, a GPS or smartphone holder and a designated place for binoculars. This arrangement separates plotting instruments from electronic devices and frees up part of the working surface.

On a motorboat, a suitable GPS or VHF holder can keep equipment accessible at the helm. The installation must nevertheless preserve visibility, maintain access to controls and allow the equipment to be handled or removed without difficulty.

On a fishing boat, a lure holder and dedicated storage for small accessories help organise tackle during a trip. A drink holder may complement the arrangement, provided that it does not obstruct movement on deck.

In a compact living area, a cockpit or cruising organiser helps group frequently used items. The principle is simple: assign a specific place to each accessory and keep passageways clear.

Maintenance and Good Practice

Storage holders on boats are exposed to conditions that may include moisture, salt spray, sunlight and vibration. Maintenance should follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Where appropriate for the material, regular cleaning with a suitable product and rinsing with fresh water can help remove salt deposits and dirt.

Periodically check the condition of the mounting points, look for cracks or deformation and make sure the equipment is still held securely. A loose or damaged holder may no longer perform its intended function and could allow the stored item to fall.

For holders containing pointed objects, such as fishing lures fitted with hooks, avoid careless handling and choose a storage arrangement that reduces accidental exposure to sharp points. Electronic devices should be protected according to their own water-resistance specifications: placing a device in a holder does not make it waterproof.

Conclusion

Boat storage holders help organise the cockpit, chart table and living spaces. Bamboo holders, PVC models, instrument cases and organisers serve complementary purposes: securing a smartphone or GPS, storing binoculars, keeping a hand-bearing compass protected, organising fishing lures or keeping small accessories within reach.

The most important selection criteria are compatibility, dimensions, location and mounting method. A well-planned storage arrangement makes everyday tasks easier, keeps work surfaces clear and helps ensure that essential equipment can be found quickly when needed.

FAQ — Boat Storage Holders

What is a marine storage holder used for?

It keeps an instrument or accessory in a designated place, makes it easier to find and helps reduce clutter on board.

Which holder should I choose for a boat smartphone or GPS?

Choose a model compatible with the device's dimensions. Check that the installation allows you to read the screen, access the controls and remove the equipment when necessary.

Can the same holder be used for a VHF radio and a GPS unit?

Not always. Compatibility depends on the equipment's shape, dimensions and retention system. A holder designed for the specific device is usually the most appropriate choice.

What is a bamboo chart-table holder used for?

It helps organise the navigation workspace by providing a designated place for a smartphone, GPS unit, binoculars or pencil case, depending on the model.

How should marine binoculars be stored on a boat?

A holder sized for the binoculars provides a dedicated storage location and makes them easier to retrieve. Check that the retention system is suitable for the intended conditions.

Are all PVC storage holders waterproof?

No. The material alone does not guarantee that a holder or the device installed in it is waterproof. Check the product specifications and the manufacturer's instructions.

How can fishing tackle be organised on a boat?

A lure holder helps group fishing accessories and makes individual lures easier to select. Hooks must still be handled and stored carefully.

How should a boat storage holder be maintained?

Follow the manufacturer's instructions, remove salt deposits when appropriate and regularly inspect the holder and its mounting points.