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Chris Riley

Lifestyle Editor Expertise: Boating | Water Sports | Outdoor Lifestyle Highlights:
  • Lifestyle Editor and Content Curator
  • Specialist in Boating and Outdoor Hobby Industry
  • Advanced Open Water PADI Certification
  • Entrepreneur
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 Water Shoes

Best Water Shoes for Men in 2023

You love being outdoors, and water territories are not an exception for you. You enjoy walking on the beach, kayaking, swimming, paddling, surfing, rafting, or any other fun water activity. It is important to be outfitted appropriately for these activities. Therefore, water shoes are a must-have. They offer foot protection, comfort, thermal insulation, and proper…

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Best Water Shoes for Women of 2023

The summer season may be officially over in other parts of the globe, but that should not stop you from experiencing the warm waters of beaches and lakes. Traveling to tropical countries that boast beautiful beaches and bodies of water all-year-round is an option that not many will pass. But before you pack your luggage…

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Pflueger President Spinning Reel Review

A spinning reel is a must-have for all anglers, regardless of their experience levels. It is the first thing that pops to mind whenever you think of fishing as it has helped many to learn the basics of fishing. It is very critical to angling since it is the gadget that enables you to pull…

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The Humminbird Helix 7

Humminbird Helix 7 Review

Among the first things you will learn as a fisherman is that you need a lot of stealth to have the edge over the fish. Ideally, you should spot them before they even realize you are in the neighborhood. This requires planning as the water is their territory, and they have a huge advantage over…

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Best Thermos

Reviewing the Best Thermos of 2023

When you hear the word “Thermos,” the brand Thermos may come to mind. However, if you skip the technicalities, people often use the word thermos to refer to a vacuum flask intended to keep beverages at the desired temperature for long periods. Many turn to this wonderful bottle when they want to enjoy a drink…

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Garmin Livescope Review

Garmin Livescope Review

When it comes to GPS and fishing technology, very few companies can compare to Garmin International. Not only do they offer excellent fish finding gear and have done so for decades now, but they also give you tech that is easy and fun to use. One of the most outstanding pieces of fishing equipment in…

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Abu Garcia Black Max

Abu Garcia Black Max Review

A fishing reel is one of the most important components of the fishing rod. It is the connection that brings the catch from the water to the boat or the shore. Since its invention by the Chinese years ago, it has been adopted worldwide to the extent that the modern fisherman is paralyzed without it….

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Flounder vs Halibut

Flounder vs Halibut – All You Need to Know

Avid anglers almost always have an internal competition going among the different “catch of the day” categories. This competition always goes something like this: which is better, red snapper or white snapper? How about largemouth bass vs smallmouth bass? You get the gist; the comparison is between the different types of fish that compare closely…

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Thermocline - Everything You Need to Know

Thermocline – Everything You Need to Know

If you hang around diver or angler forums long enough, you will come across some terminologies that will require explaining. Terminologies like “thermocline.” If you have ever wondered what the big deal is with thermoclines, how it affects fishing or diving, and what you can do about it, then wonder no more. In this handy…

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How to Fish - A Beginners Checklist

How to Fish – A Beginners Guide

Have you ever wondered what the fuss is all about? Why billions of people across the globe go fishing every now and again? After all, they could just walk into the nearest fish market and buy some of the best and freshest fillets around? Why, then, would someone take the time to learn how to…

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Humminbird Helix 5

Humminbird Helix 5 Review

The Humminbird Helix 5 series has several fish finders that have been upgraded over the years. The number 5 is an indicator of the size of the screens at 5 inches. All of them have Dual Beam PLUS Sonar, SwitchFire Sonar, and a limited 1-year warranty from Humminbird. The most advanced of them all is…

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Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder Review

If you are new to fish angling, you might be wondering why people are spending so much money buying different kinds of fishing equipment and gizmos instead of just putting up a sign that says “Gone Fishing” and getting on with it. The reason behind this is simple: these gizmos make fishing that much more…

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PENN Slammer 3

PENN Slammer III Spinning Reel Review

The PENN Slammer III is a spinning fishing reel suitable for heavy-duty fishing both at the shore or from a boat.  It was first released to the market in 2016 and has since gone through several upgrades to make it even more efficient. In 2016, the PENN Slammer 3 won the iCast Awards for best…

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Best First Aid Kits of 2023

Wherever you are and whatever you might be doing, accidents can happen anytime. Being prepared when issues arise is the best way to deal with it. So,  getting the best first aid kit that you can turn to when something inevitable occurs can help save lives and prevent further injuries. The American Red Cross offers…

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Best Snorkels of 2023 – Review and Buying Guide

Snorkels are no doubt the single most popular piece of scuba diving gear, and it makes sense why. If you intend to go for a shore dive, using a snorkel not only preserves your oxygen tank for your actual dive but it also prevents you from gulping mouthfuls of seawater with each breath once your…

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Best Braided Fishing Line – Top 8 Options for 2023

Want to catch more fish? You’ll need to get your hands on the best braided fishing line the market has to offer. Whoa… Okay, that sounded like a bad 90s commercial. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s true. If you’re a monofilament purist, listen up: You might be missing out on…

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Crestliner PT 20

Best Bass Boats – Top 7 Picks for 2023

People go boating for several reasons. Sometimes you just want to spend some quality time with your family out on the water. In other instances, you may want to entertain some friends and catch a couple of beers while you’re at it. For some, it’s the perfect opportunity to get away from the hustle and…

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Best Monofilament Line

You have probably interacted with a monofilament line at some point in your life consciously or subconsciously. Allow us to start from the beginning to either jog your memory or teach you something new. The goal is to get us all on the same page before we start breaking down this gem. A monofilament line…

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Best Aluminum Fishing Boats – Top 10 Picks for 2023

If you’re in the market for a new fishing boat and aren’t quite sure which one to get, have you considered buying an aluminum vessel? For one thing, they’re cheap; certainly cheaper than getting any of the ones made from fiberglass. They are also quite light – a feature you’ll soon appreciate the moment you…

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Best Sport Fishing Boats – Top 30 Options for 2023

People in the non-fishing world often ask – What exactly makes fishing a sport? It’s a valid question since it’s not exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sports. To clarify, a “sport” is anything that requires some level of physical exertion, skill and can be done competitively. Any activity…

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Best Trawlers for 2023 – Top 5 Options to Consider

If you love the idea of long-range cruising on the open ocean in a seaworthy vessel that offers the creature comforts you need to live in your watercraft for extended periods, a trawler is precisely what you need in your life. It’s the closest thing you can get to a yacht without the hefty price…

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Best Bowriders for 2023 – Top 10 Options

Here’s an interesting statistic for you. Did you know that 95 percent of all Americans live near a navigable water body? And, that 72 percent of boat owners in the country are predominantly from middle-class households with an average annual income of less than $100,000? Makes you think, doesn’t it? What’s your excuse? Why aren’t…

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Best Dual Console Boat – Top 7 Options for 2023

A dual console boat is exactly what it sounds like – a boat with two consoles. They are arguably the most popular vessels on the water today. Before we go any further, it’s important to define what the word “console” means in the boating context. More often than not, when someone mentions a console, you…

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Best Jet Boats – Top 5 Picks for 2023

If you’re relatively new to the boating world, the first question you might ask is – What is a jet boat, and what is it used for? While these kinds of boats are designed to look like actual jets given their streamlined appearance, the reality is that’s not where they get their name from. It…

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Best Walkaround Boats – Top 5 Picks for 2023

Here’s a little ice-breaker you can use at parties: What do you call a cross between a small cuddy boat and a center console? A walkaround boat! Okay, it may not work as well as we thought it would, but hey – It’s a great way to kick off this review. Walkaround boats, or walkaround…

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Best Deck Boats – Top Picks for 2023

If you’re looking for the perfect family boat or a watercraft you can take out on the water and enjoy a fun day out in the sun with friends; a deck boat might be just the thing you need to do it. They look a lot like bowriders except for their characteristic V-hull and the…

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Reviewing the Best Inflatable Hot Tubs of 2023

Everybody deserves a chance to pamper themselves once in a while. If you figure out a way to do it at your home without having to rely on the unpredictable variables of the outside world, it makes it an even sweeter deal. A hot tub is one of the most exciting things to look forward…

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Best Yachts – Top 15 Picks for 2023

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a yacht? Probably those huge luxury cruisers reserved for the high society folks, right? Well, that’s true, but those are a special group of ships referred to as luxury yachts. The questions you need to be asking are – What is a yacht?…

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Best Houseboats – Top 10 Options for Every Budget

Approximately 71 percent of the Earth is covered by water. So, it was only a matter of time before someone came up with the idea of building a houseboat. At this point, you might be wondering what the difference between that and a liveaboard boat is. A liveaboard boat is essentially any kind of watercraft…

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Reviewing the Best Skiffs of 2023

“Skiff” is a broad term used to define small boats that typically have a curved or pointed bow and a flat stern. They can be flat-bottomed and are generally used for traversing extremely shallow waters. Now, if you’ve been following our boating series so far, that definition might sound a bit familiar, and are likely…

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