Keep Your Boat Afloat With the Best Boat Buoy
Whether you’re a casual sailor or an avid fisherman, there is one thing you need to make sure you have before you head out onto the water: a boat buoy. A buoy is a floating device that is used to mark a location on the water for boats, yachts, and other watercraft. These simple yet clever items help you navigate through rough currents while protecting you from drifting into unseen dangers or running aground in shallow waters. They come in many different shapes and sizes, but they're all designed to be visible at great distances — some from miles away!
We hate to break it to you but choosing the right boat buoy isn’t as easy as it seems. To help you pick the perfect one for your next adventure on the water, we’ve rated and reviewed some leading boat buoys of 2024. Let’s take a look!
Our Top Picks
Comparing the Best Boat Buoys of 2024
Best Overall
With the X-Haibei Boat Buoy you can enjoy the leisure of boating without the hassle of worrying about the buoyancy of your boat. This boat is made from high-quality polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and features a UV-resistant layer, making it strong enough to stand up to the elements while also being light enough to be easily handled.
Designed with versatility in mind, you can use this boat buoy for just about anything: as a navigation buoy to maneuver through rough currents, as a mooring buoy, or as a water safety buoy to prevent accidental collisions. This buoy comes with specialized inflating needles that make it easy to inflate even if you’re out at sea. Available in a range of colors, including red and orange, this buoy helps make sure you have maximum visibility out on the water. With durable material, attractive colors, and amazing pressure-bearing ability, this boat buoy is the best overall on our list.
Pros
- Won’t fade or degrade over time
- Heavy-duty valve for easy to inflation
- Comes with a free inflating needle
Cons
- Material feels a bit flimsy
Most Durable
The Taylor Made Products Boat Buoy is the perfect companion to your boat. Designed specifically for a 60 to 70-foot-long boat, this boat buoy has an injection molded tensile strength to allow it to withstand even the most intense waves. It features large holes that accommodate different types of shackles, allowing you to easily attach them to your boat and stay afloat.
This boat buoy is constructed from flexible and resilient marine-grade vinyl, which can take on the most turbulent conditions without bursting or tearing apart. Featuring a seamless one-piece construction, you don’t have to fumble around with different parts of this buoy before getting out on the water. For added convenience, this buoy features a tri-valve technology that makes inflation and deflation a breezy experience.
Pros
- Tri-valve for easy inflation
- Large hole for rope integration
- Flexible material offers durability
Cons
- Only available in one color
Leak-Proof Design
The BABZ Boat Buoy comes packed with features that will make your boating experience safer and more enjoyable. This boat buoy is made of super soft PVC and comes with a gel coat that offers unmatched durability and stands up to the choppy waters. Whether you’re using it for docking your raft or tie-up, it will do the job. Unlike traditional boat buoys, this one has a large line hole so you can easily attach it to the rope.
Designed with improved thickness and reinforced anchor points, this boat buoy can hold your boat in place no matter how rough the water gets. In addition to all these amazing features, this boat buoy features a reinforced plug area designed to prevent leaks from occurring during use, which means you don’t have to worry about losing air halfway through your sail.
Pros
- Universal design offers unmatched versatility
- Raised patterns grab rope better
- Leak-proof design resists leakage
Cons
- May require frequent inflation
Best Protection
The Better Boat Boat Buoy offers the best protection and reliability possible so you can focus on boating and enjoying the water. This boat buoy is constructed with marine-grade material and has a premium UV-resistant coating, so it won’t fade or break down when exposed to the sun. The ribbed design improves strength and reduces rolling, which means you don’t have to worry about your boat tipping over.
Unlike other boat buoys, this one offers reliable collision protection that can help you avoid damage to your boat during rough water or high waves. This boat buoy includes an eyelet for easy attachment and comes with an inflation pump and needles, so you can use it right out of the box.
Pros
- Improved design resists rolling
- Comes with a pump for quick inflation
- Available in a set of two
Cons
- Not mildew resistant
Budget-Friendly Pick
Do you want to add a little peace of mind to your boating experience? With the Kufa Sports Boat Buoy, you can focus on your boating without worrying about safety. Made of durable vinyl, this buoy is UV-resistant, so it will last through even the harshest weather conditions. This buoy is perfect for shrimp and prawn traps. You can also use it as an anchorage, mooring buoy for easy navigation around deep water, or as a marking buoy for marking your position on the water.
Featuring a streamlined design, this boat buoy is also easy to inflate — no more pumping for hours on end before getting out on the water! Plus, it comes at an affordable price, making it a great choice for budget-conscious boaters. Weighing less than five pounds, this boat buoy is a must-have for your next sailing trip.
Pros
- Exceptionally thick material resists pinholes
- Yellow color for better visibility
- Lightweight and easy to store
Cons
- Doesn’t come with an inflation pump
Buying Guide: Boat Buoy
A basic boat buoy, which is robust and vividly colored, is usually used to indicate the location of an anchor for tethering. It also serves as a warning buoy for fellow boaters.
But how do you know which boat buoy is ideal for your boat? We’ve put together this detailed buying guide with all the essential information to help you pick the perfect boat buoy for your needs.
What Are the Sizes of Boat Buoys?
Different sizes of boat buoys are available and the bigger the boat, the bigger the buoy should be. Here are some general specifications for boat buoys to help you choose the right size:
- Boat buoys with a diameter of up to 8 inches are ideal to support boats up to 20 feet long.
- If your boat is between 20 and 35 feet long, you should look for boat buoys with a diameter of 8 to 11 inches.
- Boat buoys with a diameter of 12 to 18 inches work well for boats between 35 and 50 feet long.
- Boat buoys with a diameter of 19 and 25 inches can easily support boats between 50 and 60 feet long.
- Boats between 60 and 70 feet long need boat buoys with a diameter between 26 and 32 inches.
These are broad estimations that we developed using a range of presently available boat buoys. Carefully check the listing or get in touch with the supplier to see what boat size is advised for a certain boat buoy. Keep in mind that many manufacturers provide different boat buoy sizes which might confuse you.
Factors To Consider When Buying a Boat Buoy
Shape
Although there are many different designs for boat buoys, a circular tear-drop shape is by far the most common. If you’ve decided on the shape already, you can find the buoy in that shape that matches your needs.
Inflation and deflation
There are several inflation techniques and the majority include a valve to accommodate both an air compressor nozzle and a hand pump with a basic pin inflator. While hand pumps work well with smaller buoys, an electric pump or compressor is preferable for a boat buoy with a wider diameter. You should also choose a boat buoy that’s easy to deflate and store so you can transform it into a compact unit and store it in its flat form, saving you storage space.
Material
Usually, marine-grade vinyl or another form of durable plastic is used to make boat buoys. Boat buoys endure a great deal of pressure from boats as well as the water and other environmental factors. A thicker boat buoy, made ideally from a single piece of material, will be able to withstand stress, resist dents and distortion, and be unaffected by punctures and air leaks.
Look for a flexible material that resists leaks and punctures so that the water doesn’t get into it or affect your sailing performance if hit by a sharp object or another boat.
What To Look For in a Boat Buoy
Eyelet
The eyelet, or the place where a rope or cable connects to the boat buoy, is the one place where resilience is essential. The eyelet must be wide enough to accept different rope widths. The material used to make the eyelet needs to be strengthened and preferably pressure-treated. It just takes one faulty eyelet for you to lose both the boat buoy and your anchor.
Valve
The valve should provide a few alternative ways to inflate the boat buoy. These are typically administered using an air compressor nozzle and a needle inflator. You will have more possibilities for inflation if you use something like a tri-valve. Some boat buoys have removable valves that make deflation quick and simple for convenient storage when not in use.
Shackles and rope
Some boat buoys have a shackle and anchor ring to run between the boat buoy and the anchor. Be mindful that any rope, shackle, or line used in the boat buoy should be sturdy and resistant to tearing and breaking.
Color
A boat buoy’s color makes it stand out on the water so that you can notice it and other vessels can notice it, too. Though orange and red are the common color options, there is no universal shade that works well for everyone. The fundamental objective is to choose a distinctive color that’s visible from a distance. Plus, to prevent them from deteriorating in the sun, boat buoys that have been UV-stabilized are becoming popular because they last longer.
Tips for Buying and Using a Boat Buoy
It’s easy to lose sight of your boat buoy or notice someone else using it in a busy anchoring situation. Try identifying or labeling your boat buoy with your name or the name of your boat to avoid this. Here are some tips to get the best use of your boat buoy:
- When inflating a boat buoy, there’s usually no precise air pressure you should aim for. You should fill the buoy to the point where it’s firm yet still flexible.
- Try purchasing an electric pump if you regularly use a hand pump to inflate or deflate boat buoys. By doing so, you can speed up the inflation process and avoid having to do it by hand.
- You’ll want a nautical chart or a depth finder to calculate the length of the anchor line when preparing it with a boat buoy. To adjust for wave swells, add an additional three feet to the depth measured at the greatest tide.
People Also Asked
How do I inflate a boat buoy?
Inflation is one of the most challenging parts of installing a boat buoy. Try applying some oil or another lubricant on the tip if you’re using a manual pump and are having trouble getting it through the valve. You might be better off spending money on an electric pump if you have trouble fully pumping up a buoy, especially if it’s commercial-grade.
How should I connect the buoy to the anchor?
To do this, there are several sorts of lines or wires that you can use. A cable made of polypropylene is your best option. Ensure that you pick a vivid color so you can see it in the water even from a distance.
Should I get red and green buoys? What do they depict?
Yes, you should definitely get buoys of different colors because they have different meanings. They represent speed limits, no-go zones, and hazard zones. Learn about these buoys and color codes to be on the safe side when sailing.