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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 Catamarans (Plus Pro Tips and Buying Guide)

Monohulls are good, but they can’t beat the comfort, speed, and performance of multihulls. So, if you are looking to make the switch from a small boat to a catamaran, you’ve come to the right place. Many sailors find the construction and design of these vessels very appealing, and that has led to the building…

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GPS Map Location Pin

A Guide to the Best GPS App Every Boater Should Have

Getting lost during your boating escapades is one of the most gut-wrenching ordeals for any water enthusiast. And, with the absence of a reliable navigation system, this scary thought can quickly become a grim reality. But it’s a double-edged sword because these navigation systems come at a steep price. Fortunately, with the advent of technology…

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Ranking the Best Bay Boats of 2024

Bay boats and flat-bottomed boats all have the same mission – to take you to hard-to-reach fishing areas that have shallow waters. But, unlike flatboats, bays can’t be propelled by oars or poles if you want a super-stealthy approach. Plus, they’re usually much larger and have a deeper V in their hulls, which allows them…

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Top 10 Center Console Boat Buying Guide 2024

When shopping for a shiny new boat, the one thing you’ll have to come to terms with early on in the process is – Compromise. There’s no such thing as perfection when it comes to boats. Luxury boats come at the expense of utility. Utility boats sacrifice comfort and, to a large extent, performance. It’s…

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Best Paddle Boat – 2024 Reviews and Buying Guide

Imagine for a minute that you could have fun with family and friends on the water while getting quality exercise at the same time. That’ll be killing two birds with one stone, right? That’s precisely what you get when you cruise a paddle boat along lakes, ponds, and rivers as you pilot the boat just…

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8 Best Fishing Gloves for Smart Anglers

When was the last time you got a fishing hook caught in your fingers? If you are lucky, the answer would be never. However, if you are like the majority of anglers out there, it will be “just about on every trip.” Buying a pair of the best fishing gloves can help prevent that from…

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Best Flats Boats for 2024 – Top 10 Options for Anglers

Contrary to what you may think, flats boats are not necessarily “flat-bottomed” boats. Their name has nothing to do with the shape of their hull, but more about where they run. Flats boats, which are sometimes called “skiffs,” are designed for fishing in shallow water flats. Their unique setup allows them to cruise through water…

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Best Wakeboard Boat for 2024 – The Ultimate Guide

If you haven’t tried wakeboarding before, let’s just say you’re missing out on a spectacular sport. It’s fun and has a myriad of health and fitness benefits to boot if you make it a regular part of your lifestyle. After all, going to the gym is so mainstream… If you’re on the hunt for the…

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Ranking the Best Fishing Rods of 2024

You may not have given it much thought before now but think about how important the rod is when you cast, hook, and reel a big fish. The rod will have to be flexible, but not so flexible that there is not enough stability to hook a fish, but not so stable that it breaks…

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Best Power Boats of 2024: Review and Buying Guide

For experienced and beginner boaters, nothing is more irresistible than the experience of cruising the open water aboard a powerful watercraft. The cool breeze and splash of water on the face, the foamy waves that trail the boat as it cuts through the water, and the sheer ecstasy that comes from steering a boat are…

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Ranking the Best Fishing Waders of 2024

Don’t underestimate the power of fishing waders. The importance of fishing waders often gets overshadowed by rods, reels, and lures. While these are all important pieces of equipment for fly fishing, they are not the only gear that needs to be scrutinized. Fishing waders are an important piece of equipment. They are the sole reason…

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The Best Crankbait Rod: The Top 5 Choices and In-Depth Buyer’s Guide

Have you ever wanted to open a bottle of wine only to realize that you have no idea where the corkscrew is? There are videos online showing you how to open up that bottle by pushing the cork back into it using the blunt end of a butter knife and such. Yes, it gets the…

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Top 6 Best Night Vision Monocular for Outdoor Enthusiasts

There are night vision goggles, night vision driving glasses, and then there is the night vision monocular. While opinions are divided as to which one is best, the most practical course of action would be to listen to people whose profession calls for the use of all three and find out which they think is…

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The Best Trolling Motor Battery: Our Top Picks and Ultimate Guide

Let’s face it. Nothing ruins a day of exhilarating fishing faster than a dead trolling motor battery. After all, fishing gear revolves around performance. So, gear that doesn’t thrive in its designated role needs replacement. A trolling motor battery is no exception. While finding an excellent product isn’t rocket science, there are a few details…

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The 10 Best Dive Computers Every Underwater Junkie Should Own

Exploring the underwater world is exhilarating, and those who have tried it once typically go back for more. It, therefore, comes as no surprise, then, that scuba dive is soaring in popularity each year. While it’s a thrilling experience, it’s in an unknown area. So, it’s essential to take safety precautions, such as investing in…

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11 Best Pontoon Boats for 2024

While pontoons may not give you the adrenaline-pumping action of center console boats, they are one of the most versatile water vessels you’ll ever come across. Since they aren’t exclusively built for fishing or water sports, they offer a great compromise for people who like a bit of both. Did we mention how comfortable they…

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How to Use a Snorkel Mask

There are two types of snorkel masks: a classic snorkel and mask combination that is two individual pieces of equipment and a full face snorkel mask. You will need to understand how both of these snorkel masks work to know how to use a snorkel mask. When it comes to the snorkel and mask combination,…

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8 Best Daysailers Under 21 Feet – Buying Guide

It’s a sunny day, and you want to take a spin around the harbor. What better way to do that than launching a daysailer? These sailboats are traditionally smaller than a cruise ship or yacht, but considerably bigger than kayaks, catamarans, inflatable dinghies, and other smaller boats. Owning an open sailboat shouldn’t cost you an…

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5 Best LiveAboard Sailboats – Plus 8 Important Buying Considerations

Taking the plunge to live on a sailboat is usually a huge decision, especially as living aboard a boat is an exciting lifestyle choice. However, there are lots of things to consider before buying a boat that will suit your needs and also be nearly as comfortable as a traditional home on land. Whether this…

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Best Jon Boats 2024 – Our Top 10 Picks

If you’ve been to the Everglades, the Ozarks, or around the bayou, you’re probably already familiar with Jon boats. They’re no doubt the most popular watercraft you’ll see in the South, and with good reason. Not all waterways are suited to fancy, luxury, high-tech crafts. Some places call for light vessels that can comfortably skim…

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Best Inflatable Dinghies of 2024 Reviewed

A traditional boat is priceless to anglers and boaters, but it comes with the problem of finding suitable storage and trailer. This translates to increased costs that might not be too appealing for some intending boaters. Thankfully, an inflatable dinghy offers all the functions of a traditional boat plus convenience, high performance, ease of use,…

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10 Best Fish Fillet Knives of 2024 – Review and Buying Guide

Cleaning and filleting a fish is not the same as chopping through hard bones and meat. It requires a special fillet knife. Of course, you know this already, and that’s why you’re here in search of the best fish fillet knife that can give you the results you want. Although there are tons of fillet…

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Choosing the Optimal Kayak Length – Height Chart Included

Does size matter? The age-old question indeed. Kayaking is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding hobbies you can take up. It is borderline addictive, whether you want to do it for leisure, fishing, or touring, relaxing weekends with family and friends spent out on the lake, or to get your adrenaline pumping when battling…

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8 Best Motorized Kayaks for 2024 – Buying Guide and Reviews

Picture this: You want to take your kayak out to a nice, scenic, secluded place up your local river. You’ve been there once before, and the experience was nothing short of magical. The weekend is now fast approaching. But, the thought of paddling all the way there, and then back again, isn’t appealing. There’s only…

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How to Choose a Kayak – Buying Guide

Kayaking is a great sport. It is a low impact activity with a wide range of benefits for your cardiovascular health, fitness level, muscle strength – particularly in the arms, chest, shoulders, and back – and your overall flexibility. It is not only great for your physical health; it works wonders for your mental and…

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The 10 Best Kayaks of 2024 – Your Complete Guide

Before you go off and buy the next kayak you come across, the two questions you first need to ask are: What do I envision myself doing in the kayak? And how much am I willing to spend on it? Here’s why. If you’re looking for something to use a couple of times during the…

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How to Choose a Kayak Paddle – Pro Tips

To get the most out of your kayaking experience, ensure that you have the right paddle for the job. It doesn’t matter how great of a kayak you have. If you’re using the wrong paddle with it, then performance will be affected either way. If it’s too short, your hands will keep hitting the sides…

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10 Best Kayak Roof Racks for Travel

If you own a kayak – the non-inflatable variety – then you need a way to get it from your home to the water and back. Now, unless you have a kayak trailer to tow your boat, the next best option is to get a roof rack for your vehicle. It’s the only logical alternative…

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Types of Kayaks – Recommendations and Buying Guide

There’s no better feeling in the world than spending a fun day kayaking with family and friends. But, if you’re reading this, you probably don’t need convincing. So, let’s cut to the chase and talk about why you’re here. You’ve decided to join the elite community of kayak owners, but aren’t quite sure which one…

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Kuuma 58173 Stow N Go 316

Best Boat Grill Of 2024 (Review And Buying Guide)

We modern humans have found tons of ways to incorporate food into our social lives. We grill for guests on the backyard deck, drop serious money on outdoor kitchens and lately we’ve taken to adding grills to our boats. And why not? What better way to enhance a leisurely boating experience than firing up the…

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