See the blue beanie? That’s as comfortable as it gets!

See the blue beanie here? (Oops – how’d I manage to get a picture of my boy Max with a gargantuan golden tilefish into the blog? Ah well, you know…) We started carrying a pair on our boat, and these days, everyone fights over who gets to sit in them. Or, for that matter, who gets to sleep in them. On those long open-water runs, these things are so darn comfy that passing out becomes commonplace. True, they are bulky, but when we get where we’re going we just toss them up onto the T-top,and bungee them in place.

Warning: you can’t slap any old beanie onto a boat and expect it to last. Cheap land-based versions will soak up water, mildew, and soon turn into a pile of wet mush. You need to get dedicated marine versions, like those made by E-SeaRider. Of course since they’re marine-grade they cost twice as much, but they’re made with heavy-duty marine vinyl and they’ll last for years. Added bonus: order from E-SeaRider online and you can choose multiple color patterns, that match your boat.

If you’re tired of hearing your passengers complain about the bumpy ride, give a beanie a try. When it comes to boat seating it might seem crazy, but these things are the most comfy form of seating around.