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Chris Riley

Lifestyle Editor Expertise: Boating | Water Sports | Outdoor Lifestyle Highlights: Experience: Chris Riley is a Lifestyle Editor and founder of Boatsafe.com, specializing in boating, outdoor sports, and hobbies. Chris heads up a team of industry research experts, curating a comprehensive platform and industry anchor. Boatsafe.com caters to professionals and passion hobbyists alike. Chris’ experience on the water spans his life and career, with sailing, fishing, surfing, and diving as his prime passions. He’s combined digital-research with his sailing and water-sports expertise, to curate the best in gear, boats, gadgets, and nautical knowhow for his international readership. Based in Rogers, Arkansas, Chris lives in the Ozarks and is surrounded by the Buffalo and Mulberry River, not far from Beaver Lake. When he’s not putting outdoor enthusiasts at the helm of their passions, you can find him on, under, or alongside the water. Education: Chris’ entrepreneur-ship sailed at age 12. Since then, he’s captained innovative projects, navigating his prime passions: sailing, water sports, and outdoor living. He received a first-hand education in boating and water sports, sailing to over 50 islands and travelling to 70 countries. He has his Advanced Open Water PADI Certification.

Articles by Chris Riley

Best Ice Fishing Lines

Best Ice Fishing Line of 2024: Review and Buying Guide

Ice fishing habitats present more adverse conditions such as extremely cold water; therefore, you require specialized lines. There is a wide range of specialized monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided lines for ice fishing on the market. Each presents its pros and cons that you should consider when deciding which one to buy. Below is a review…

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Fish With Teeth That Will Surprise You

Catching a fish is a wonderful feat that many of us tend to be proud of. Most often, we are familiar with the fish we catch, and we know how to handle and manage them well. But what if you come face-to-face with a fish you are not very familiar with? Some anglers may not…

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Apple Brand Garde Rain & Stain Water Repellent

12 Best Waterproofing Sprays for All of Your Outdoor Gear

The sale of camping equipment and outdoor gear has been steadily rising in the United States for years now. Manufacturers are consistently working to bring outdoor enthusiasts a wide variety of products designed to enhance our camping, hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor experiences. Whether this means an expertly designed backpack that can hold all…

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Best Saltwater Spinning Reels

Best Saltwater Spinning Reels of 2024

Saltwater habitats are a harsh fishing environment. The saltwater easily corrodes spinning reel materials that are not corrosion-resistant or waterproofed. Generally, saltwater territories are deep, and saltwater fish species are typically bigger than freshwater fish. As a result, every spinning reel you come across is not suitable for saltwater fishing; you require a strong, corrosion-resistant…

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Best Outboard Motors

Best Outboard Motors in 2024

It’s no secret that outboard motors are evolving at the pace of the Nile crocodile, not only dating back to the early Pleistocene but also minimal updates for the 2019 model year. However, lately, there’s been immense action from nearly all major manufacturers, ranging from Suzuki, Mercury, and Evinrude, to Yamaha. With a multitude of…

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Best Oil to Fry Fish

Best Oil to Fry Fish: How to Choose

If you don’t use the right type of oil to fry your fish, the fish can turn greasy or leathery, which is the last thing you want to have happened. So, what’s the best oil to fry fish? Keep reading to learn about all the things you need to know when frying fish, all the…

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5 Best Sun Hats for Men in 2024

Spending time outdoors is important, but it exposes you to dangerous rays from the sun that can cause cancer, damage the skin, or lead to premature aging. Statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation indicates that no fewer than two people die of skin cancer in the United States per hour. Thankfully, wearing a hat is…

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Wagan Tech 6244 Thermoelectric Cooler

Best Thermoelectric Coolers for 2024 Reviewed

A thermoelectric cooler is an iceless cooler suitable for bringing along in your RV or car to keep your food and beverages cool. They are a great go-between option for mini-fridges and ice coolers. Their top advantages include low noise, compactness, lightweight, and portability. On the downside, they rely on ambient conditions to regulate the…

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Jazzmm AM FM Portable Radio Battery Operated

Best Portable AM FM Radios of 2024

When boredom strikes, it’s always a pleasure to listen to good music and the news. Music calms the soul and can excite a party, while we need our daily news dose to stay connected. Since we’re already in a new era of technology, many of us turn our phones into convenient radios. The issue with…

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Dugong vs Manatee

Dugong vs Manatee – What’s the Difference?

In 1493, the explorer, Christopher Columbus, wrote in his journal that he has quite clearly seen three “mermaids” rise out of the sea. His issue was that these mermaids weren’t quite as beautiful as folklore seemed to portray them. According to his account, the mermaids he saw had some “masculine traits on their faces.” Turns…

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Best Gravity Water Filters of 2024 Reviewed

A gravity water filter is an amazing piece of technological ingenuity. It allows you to filter contaminated or polluted water using gravity. It doesn’t need electricity or plumbing to run. Simply pour in your unpurified water in the top chamber of the unit, and it transforms it into clean, filtered water by the time it…

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Canoe vs Kayak: What’s the Difference?

People have been using canoes for thousands of years. While we can’t say for sure how many thousands of years, archeologists have recently discovered the remains of a dugout canoe dating back 8,000 years, so it goes to reason that canoes have been around for much longer than that period. On the other hand, Kayaks…

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5 Best Water Socks

Rating The 5 Best Water Socks of 2024

Whether you engage in aquatic activities for recreation, fishing, hobbies, or sports, safety and comfort should always be on top of your priority list. Reliable gear and equipment are some of the things you should look into when you plan your upcoming water activities. With that being said, having the right footwear is just as…

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Person Holding Fishing Reel

How to Put Fishing Line on a Reel: A Step-by-Step Guide

It’s no secret that a spinning reel is one of the most versatile fishing tools that exist and is considerably easier to use than the baitcasting counterparts. With spinning equipment, introducing line twists as you spool up a reel is a walk in the park. Whether you need to restring your fishing reel or your…

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Best Ice Fishing Rods

10 Best Ice Fishing Rods of 2024: Review and Buying Guide

An ice fishing rod is essential equipment to have for fishing during extremely cold weather. They are about 18-42-inch long jigging rods that produce light to medium action. Although the fundamental structure is the same, there is a wide range of modern ice fishing rods on the market. The variety can make narrowing down to…

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NAUI vs PADI

NAUI vs PADI: What You Need to Know About SCUBA Certification

Scuba diving is one of the most exhilarating hobbies for ocean lovers. Imagine coming face to face with all that the world’s largest water bodies have to offer as opposed to just watching them on NatGeo?! That’s exactly what you get when you go SCUBA diving, a peek into a world not our own but…

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Turtle Town

Best Snorkeling in Maui: Can’t Miss Snorkeling Spots

You’ve never known snorkeling until you’ve been to Maui. From the world-famous lava rock at the northern end of Kaanapali Beach to Molokini’s little islet, there are no words to describe how breathtaking these snorkeling sites are. Being able to experience these beautiful, crystal-clear, blue waters is reason enough to hop on the next flight…

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10 Best Drop Shot Baits: Pro Anglers Guide

Contrary to what you might believe, there’s a technique for fishing. You can’t just go out to the water, cast your fishing line, and expect to reel in some big catches. There’s a method to the madness, more so when it comes to bass fishing. If you’re looking to catch smallmouth or largemouth bass, one…

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The Best Survival Kit

9 Best Survival Kits of 2024

Most people don’t plan on being caught in survival situations. Unfortunately, it’s not up to us to decide if, where, and when emergencies happen. Because of this, it’s always best to be ready for such an emergency. You can prepare yourself mentally, but there are also physical steps that you can take to prepare for…

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How to Use a Snorkel

How to Snorkel Like a Pro: A Beginners Guide

Snorkeling is an activity many dream of doing but don’t feel as if it is fully worth the time and effort. For a multitude of travelers, it’s presented as more of an adventurous activity that anyone can partake in. However, there’s so much more to this outdoor activity. What you may not realize is that…

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Different Types of Bass Fish

The Different Types of Bass: A Comprehensive Guide

The mention of bass fish is enough to excite any competitive angler as it is the most sought after trophy in their circles. It is important to distinguish one from the other because this information helps you plan how to snare them while keeping within restrictions. Certain species are protected for a reason or another,…

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Crankbaits

Jerkbait vs Crankbait: Detailed Comparison

Gone are the days when people used to collect worms to use as bait when fishing. Fishing equipment and accessories have evolved over the years to become easily accessible and highly effective. When it comes to baits and lures, jerkbait and crankbait are the most common. Although they have some similarities, they have several differences…

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Ranking The Best Outdoor Thermometers of 2024

In an age where handheld devices seem to be the answer to our every need, you may think of an outdoor thermometer as a bit of an ancient relic. However, today’s outdoor thermometers are not only modern in their technology, but they are still the preferred option for accuracy. Ask any “weather nerd,” and they…

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Best Handheld Ham Radio

Reviewing The Best Handheld Ham Radios of 2024

Ham radios, also called amateur radios, are devices that use radio frequencies as a way to communicate and connect with people. They use voice, data, image, and text communications through RF spectrum frequencies. Owning a handheld ham radio might sound far-fetched, especially in this digital age. Many people don’t believe that ham radios are used…

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The Best Bass Reel

Ranking The Best Bass Reels of 2024

Fishing for bass is common among anglers, but you need a solid tool to succeed at the sport, whether you are an expert or beginner angler. As you may already know, using the wrong reel type for bass fishing can significantly reduce your fishing ability and may even end up discouraging you from fishing. This…

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Jet Ski vs WaveRunner vs Sea-Doo

Jet Ski vs WaveRunner vs Sea-Doo: Which is Best?

Did you know that those highly agile watercraft that look like sleek motorcycles aren’t actually called “Jet Skis”? Almost everyone refers to all of them as different types of Jet Skis, but the fact is that “Jet Ski” is actually just one brand of what is collectively called “Personal Water Crafts” or PWC. Granted, we…

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Ranking The Best Fly Reels of 2024

Fly fishing requires skill, patience, and also a little bit of luck. The skill piece of this does not just start when you are on the water. An angler’s “skill set” also involves knowing the right equipment for their needs because not all rods and reels are alike. Getting the equipment and gear right can…

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Aluminum Boat

Aluminum vs Fiberglass Boat: Which Should You Buy?

In almost every boating sector, there are heated arguments as to what is better than what. For example, people who prefer deep sea fishing will almost always argue that fishing is better than lake or river fishing. People who use boats seldom understand people who go fishing in a kayak or a canoe. But perhaps…

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Best Spincast Reels of 2024 Reviewed

A great angling experience involves several factors like getting equipped with your fishing gear. One such fishing gear is a spincast reel. These reels work best for entry-level fishing because of many reasons. Let’s dig a bit deeper into the world of spincast reels and learn why they are such a popular option among beginners….

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RTIC vs YETI Coolers Comparison

RTIC vs YETI: Battle Of The Coolers

Outdoor activities during the weekend are fun. Whether it’s a camping trip, tailgating, a day at the beach, or just fishing, prior preparations are necessary. If it’s hot and sunny, you’ll need to carry a cooler to keep your drinks cool. You wouldn’t want a warm drink in the scorching sun during summer, would you?…

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