Magnetic solutions for your boat and a relaxing time at sea

Just like in camping, magnets are indispensable accessories for boating and deserve a place in every boat's equipment. Magnetic boat accessories keep many loose items securely in place so they don’t go flying when the waves get rough. There is also magnetic tableware that stays firmly in place, even on a boat at full speed. In this guide to boating, we share clever DIY ideas for using magnets on your boat and present magnetic products from our assortment which, as boat accessories, make life easier on board your yacht, motorboat or sailboat.

Magnetic tableware: No more sliding plates and glasses

Used in combination with the metal-nano-gel-mat, magnetic tableware from the silwy brand keeps your dishes from sliding around or clattering while enjoying lunch on your boat underway. The magnetic tableware from silwy has been specially designed for use on the go, be it boating or camping. Plates, bowls, cups and glasses from silwy feature a super magnet built into the base, allowing them to adhere to ferromagnetic surfaces.

silwy metal-nano-gel-mats for a secure hold

The magnet in the base holds the tableware firmly in place on the self-adhering silwy metal-nano-gel-mat or on the metal-nano-gel placemat. Thanks to the gel layer on the back, the mat can be positioned freely on smooth surfaces aboard your boat, whether below deck or on deck while enjoying a romantic sunset.

Keeping stemware stable

If you already have regular stemmed glasses on board, you can magnetise them with the magnetic sheaths from silwy. These glass holders are available as a set of six in different colours. They prevent the glasses from tipping over and make it easy for you and your guests to keep track of whose glass is whose. With these covers, the glasses adhere to ferromagnetic surfaces.

If your boat has limited steel or metal surface area available, self-adhering surfaces for magnets offer an alternative. You can find more information on this in the next section. Thanks to the integrated magnets, silwy magnetic tableware can be stored in a space-saving way. For example, the magnetic glasses can be hung upside down in a cupboard to make the most of the available space. With its elegant design, the magnetic tableware also makes a high-quality gift for boat owners.

All products by silwy

How can magnets be used on boats that lack metal surfaces?

Nowadays, modern sailing boats, motorboats and yachts are increasingly made of fibreglass or aluminium. As a result, there aren’t always metal surfaces available to which magnets can adhere. Adhesive metal strips, screw-on metal strips, and self-adhering surfaces for magnets provide a practical solution by serving as holding surfaces.

Metal strips for adhesive or screw mounting

The metal strips in our assortment can be either screwed or glued in place on your boat. They are available in a variety of colours and designs; simply choose a metal strip that best matches your boat's interior in colour and style. They are ideal for hanging photos, posters, maps or nautical charts. If you prefer something a bit more unusual, adhesive dots and adhesive strips by Trendform look decorative even without any attached photos.

Self-adhering surfaces for magnets

Self-adhering surfaces for magnets are ideal boat accessories. They feature a gel backing, which allows them to be positioned where needed and also makes them reusable. In our supermagnete assortment, you can find metal-nano-gel-pads from silwy in various designs.

All surfaces for magnets

How can I attach items temporarily without drilling?

Magnets can be used to attach more than just pictures and maps to walls. They are also ideal for other practical everyday magnetic solutions on board. Here are a few application ideas:

For instance, sew our sew-in magnets into or onto your seat cushions. If the seating back panel is made of ferrous, ferromagnetic metal, the cushions will adhere to it. If the surface is made of wood or plastic, simply attach a suitable counterpart magnet or a small metal plate to serve as a contact surface for the magnets. This solution prevents the seat cushions from sliding off, yet allows you to remove them easily whenever needed.
Curtains and shower curtains can also be secured with magnets. For shower curtains, the customer application Attaching and adding weight to a shower curtain will show you how to proceed.
Rubberised magnet systems with screw sockets allow you to screw in various accessories, such as hooks, handles or eyelets. Use them, for example, as a temporary clothesline, as hooks for wet clothes, or for attaching shade sails.
If you have metal surfaces in your storage space or cleaning cupboard, you can use magnets to hang tools, keeping them always within easy reach. Find out how this works with a torch as an example in the customer application below. But you can also fit spanners, work lamps or clipboards with magnets and store them ready for use.
Use metal-nano-gel-pads and hook magnets to create temporary hooks for kitchen towels, bath towels or lightweight clothing.

Magnetic solutions and ideas for your boat trip

Curtains and sun protection for yacht windows

Our super magnets are ideal for attaching curtains to the windows of your yacht. Due to the angle of the outer wall, the curtains hang straight down and don’t block all light. Using the magnets, you can attach the bottom edge of the curtain to the wall whenever needed.

Additionally, you can use rubber-coated magnets to attach UV-protective covers to the inside and outside of the yacht windows, preventing the boat's interior from getting too hot. You can find more information on both implementations in the magnet application Curtains for yachts & sun protection.

Magnetic torch

Torches are essential boat equipment, as they are indispensable at sea at night. However, in rough seas, they can become a hazard as they may roll away or be thrown about. To ensure your torch is always within easy reach, the magnet application Torch with magnet shows you how to attach a magnet to the device in just a few simple steps. This allows the torch to stick to metal surfaces.

Attaching boat lights with magnets

If you want to make your boat more visible in poor weather conditions without permanently mounting the lights, you can use magnets to temporarily position the boat lights where you want them. Our magnet application Boat light demonstrates how to attach the lights to the ferromagnetic surfaces on your boat.

Threading aid for sewing sails

When repairing sails or sewing other items, thread ends can be concealed within the hem. To avoid struggling when pulling the thread through, you can guide the sewing needle with a magnet. Find out how in the magnet project Clever needle threading.

All magnet applications for boats

An often overlooked problem on boats: rust on magnets

When magnets are used on boats, they are exposed to harsh outdoor conditions such as salty air, spray and humidity. This can lead to corrosion, causing the magnets to rust. Rust on magnets significantly reduces their adhesive force. We therefore recommend using coated magnets, treating magnets with anti-corrosion paint or clear lacquer, or even protecting them from the elements using waterproof packaging.

For more detailed information on this topic, please visit our FAQ page Can I also use magnets outdoors?

How should I store magnets when not in use?

Boating accessories such as neodymium magnets, pot magnets and magnet system components can quickly rust when used outdoors. We therefore recommend wiping magnets dry after use and then storing them in a safe, dry place. We offer a range of storage cases and boxes for this purpose. Our camping boxes 'Basic' and 'Premium' are also suitable for use on board a boat or as gifts for boat owners. The magnets they contain are ideal for temporary mounting solutions.