19 Best Boating Bags. Tips How to Use Them.

While living on two sailboats, our family of five carried belongings and groceries in and out of the boat countless times. Per day.

What? Do I need 19?

Nope.

But you need at least 4 different kinds – for day trips, for cold storage, for first-aid supplies and for travel.

I wrote this post to help you pick your favorites and assign them many roles.

For tons more useful boating items, see all of our Boat Gear Posts.

Our Most Favorite Bag Aboard.

Before I go on, here is the one we used all the time. We had 4 aboard.

Affordable, spacious, fully submersible (as in throw-it-in-the-waterfall, before jumping in).

1. Earth Pack Dry Bag

Since a picture is worth a 1000 words, I am going to guess that a video is worth even more, so here you are:

Oh, yes, please, ignore the smart comments from our teens 🙂

We used our dry bags for all kinds of journeys, including:

• Grocery shopping.
• Carry-on luggage when flying.
• Throwing them in waterfalls.
• Accidentally dropping in the water during dinghy transfers.
• Swimming to the beach with my dry towel inside.
• Transporting laundry back and forth.

Ours were all 40L and with backpack straps, because we did lots of looooong hikes ashore. So, I am linking to what we had (the current model).

I took a couple home with me, after we sold out boat. They are perfect for all kinds of fresh-water adventures too.

And for boating gifts.

Best for Every Day.

Think groceries, land hikes, visiting a friend aboard a different boat, or taking a shower at the marina. I don’t think we even left the boat empty-handed.

2. Throw-and-Go Bag.

Helly-Hansen HH Ocean Dry Bag L

Here is a great dry bag, which you can easily forget on the bottom of the wet dinghy, it will keep your clothes dry inside. Just make sure you have enough wraps before you close it.

Since I linked to my favorite above, I am offering a different brand, which many boaters love.

Helly Hansen is a well-known name amongst sailors. So it is a matter of preference, when choosing between good options.

Tip: Get a slightly bigger one, try not to overfill with items, it is good to have some free space and allow enough rolls to close tightly.

More useful everyday boating gear:
My Composting Toilet Aboard – Love-Hate Relationship (Pros and Cons).
My Washing Machine Aboard – Forget Bucket Laundry!
9 Sailing Outfits for any Season and Reason
Comfortable Sailing Shoes for Every Boating Need
27 Perfect Books for Boaters.

3. See-Through Bag

Sea to Summit View Dry Sack, See-Thru Dry Bag

What a great idea!

I did not see these when shopping for our own dry bags, otherwise I would have bought one.

This would be perfect to take to the beach, and not wonder if you have your book, Kindle, or sunscreen.

Tip: I would buy the 20L one, just to have enough air room inside as well.

4. Best for Cold Groceries

YETI Hopper M Series Backpack Soft Sided Cooler

If you want your cold groceries to make it to the boat cold, you kind of need a cooler bag.

As well as a freezer aboard.

It must have the backpack-straps for comfort, because carrying a regular cooler for 2-3 miles, in the heat, is a torture.

We had one cooler bag every time we went on grocery expeditions. We rarely had a car available, especially in smaller island towns. So a trip back from the grocery store meant an hour walk (sometimes longer).

Tip: I cannot promise the ice-cream will make it back fully frozen, but you can certainly try. Or just eat it, come on.

You will enjoy our galley gear posts:
25 Galley Gear Essentials (We Used All the Time).
Affordable Freezer Aboard (Because Ice Cream Matters).
Storing and Organizing Food Aboard – You Can Beat Heat, Moisture and Motion!
Provisioning for Bahamas (With Free Meal Plans – Totally Doable!)
How to make yoghurt, with a story!

5. Backpack for Long Hikes

Grundéns Bootlegger Roll Top Backpack | Waterproof, 30L

If planning to go hiking, or exploring inland, a comfortable backpack will go a long way.

We had a couple of regular, school backpacks aboard. A couple were ruined after a year, or so.

We used our larger dry bags as backpacks, the 40L ones. But if you have the budget for it, buy a backpack, then use it everywhere you travel – lakes, ski slopes, in the rain…

Tip: If you decide to use just a regular dry bag, make sure you get the ones with backpacking straps. They are very versatile.

6. Ideal for the Marina Shower

Hanging, waterproof toiletry bag

A small toiletry bag must keep your shower supplies handy and must hang!

You don’t want to leave the bag on the floor, sink, or toilet tank in a public marina shower.

That’s gross.

Teach the kids to never do that either and hope they listen.

We usually used our own shower and composting toilets, the marina visits were rare.

Tip: If there is absolutely no other place to hang it, hang it on the shower curtain rod.

Reliable for water sports

When you decide to explore the mangrove forest, you need a reliable place to store your items – phone, sunscreen, band-aids, prescription glasses…

7. Kayaking and Paddleboarding

This is another great brand of reliable dry bags.

Sea to Summit Dry Bag

I love that it is simple and does not have many hanging straps and hoops to get caught into things.

You can certainly use your regular dry bag for any kayaking, or paddleboarding trip. Just make sure it is waterproof.

I would not get anything smaller than 15L.

Tip: If you decide to use a regular dry bag, just pick one without straps (so not a backpacking kind). It has fewer straps and strings to get in the way.

First-Aid Kit Dry Bag

Small and waterproof. That’s all. The brand does not matter much. Ours came as a gift, together with the inflatable dinghy we purchased.

I designated it first-aid kit duty, before the kids had a chance to fill it with Legos and boating gadgets.

8. Small and Waterproof Dry Bag

Here is a link to a small dry bag, which you can easily throw into a larger dry bag and take along with you.

A 1.5-2L bag should be enough for some medications, band-aids and ointments.

Tip: Throw in a couple of silica bags, especially in the Ziplock’s with the pills.

A Must-Have Ditch Dag

You should have a bag designated to ditch-bag duty. Ideally, load with as many safety items as you can, so you only need to grab a couple more things, if needed.

Check out our collections of essential boat gear:
What is a PFD? Easy Guide and Common Questions.
12 Safety Gear Essentials for the High Seas.
10 Most Reliable Sailing Life Jackets (Adults and Kids)
First Aid Kit Aboard – Supplies and Organization
13 Gadgets for Boaters
27 Important Tools for Boaters

Please, don’t allow the kids to rummage the ditch bag for a pair of scissors and band-aids.

9. The Pro Version

ACR RapidDitch Bag

If researching and shopping for all those boating things is becoming a chore, here is a dry bag, which has been designed as a dry ditch bag.

Buy it, fill it, place it in a spot easy to see, and set sail.

Move on to more fun things.

Tip: Check the ditch bag before longer passages, to make sure you have everything. Make a list and put it inside, so you don’t have to look for it.

10. A Less Expensive Option, Still Great

Helly-Hansen Ocean Dry Bag XL

Any dry bag can be a ditch bag. It must be large enough, easy to grab and completely waterproof.

If you do not want a designated ditch bag, keep all ditch bag supplies in a box, or a large Ziplock bag (I have only seen them at Walmart and online). Then fill your favorite dry bag before a passage.

I would not buy a ditch bag smaller than 45-50L.

This HH Ocean dry bag XL is 43L (per the official HH website). You will want to leave some room and air trapped, so it will float, if needed.

Tip: If on a tighter budget, you can use the ditch bag for other daily activities. Just make sure it is in good shape, no rips and tears.

Best for school supplies

We used one of the larger dry bags. The only problem with these is that they rarely fit binders. They are not wide enough.

But you can certainly make it work.

11. Big Enough for Books and Binders.

If you take lots of trips ashore, to local libraries, marinas, or parks, carrying the books in a backpack is a lot more comfortable.

We did have four regular backpacks aboard, and two were completely destroyed a year into boating life. Then we started using the dry bag backpacks for the school supplies.

This backpack can be used for grocery runs, hikes, and as a carry-on when you fly. It has 30L capacity, so you can fit quite a bit.

Tip: If you want to have your regular backpack aboard, put it in a large trash bag, during the dinghy rides.

Perfect for luggage

We ruined a couple of my favorite regular travel bags aboard. The humid environment made them all moldy and broke the zippers.

And I always kept them in a box, away from any moisture, in a locker, because they took up too much space inside.

12. Great Duffle for Travels

Gill 60L Voyager Duffle Bag

These are quite expensive. But they are also very sturdy and will not be ruined aboard.

If you plan to take trips away from the boat, you might want to consider looking for a marine grade piece of luggage.

Again, we were a bit too cheap (mostly I), and ended up ruining two good bags aboard, then purchased three cheap ones while in the Dominican Republic.

All ripped during the flight and we ended up emergency shrink wrapping at the airport.

So, think about the bags you bring aboard. Seriously, a cheap, large pillowcase would have worked better than the bags we purchased at the local store.

Note: If you consider all costs associated with the above scenarios, I probably ended up paying a lot more, and ended up with tons of cling wrap in the end.

13. For Even Bigger Travel Needs.

YETI Panga Waterproof Bag

If you want an even larger and waterproof bag, here is one by Yeti.

I love that you can wear it as a backpack. Those single straps on the traditional dry bags are not comfortable at all.

Also, these zippers will not rust.

Tip: If you decide to grab a standard duffle bag, look for one with plastic zippers.

Excellent as a gift

I think we had a total of 6 dry bags aboard. Of various sizes.

Some were promotional gifts when buying other boat gear, others I bought myself. We also love giving boat bags as presents, because they are useful, inexpensive and no sizing is required.

Here is a link to a post for even more amazing boating gift ideas:

51 Gifts for Boaters. Ultimate Guide (Cruisers Approved)

14. Great Set of Various Sizes

Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag 3-Piece Set, 3L, 5L, and 8L

If buying dry bags as a gift, you cannot go wrong with buying a set of different sizes.

The boaters will quickly put them to good use. From storing clothes, to organizing lines, bags are always useful aboard.

Boating Bags for Other Needs.

Bags are really useful aboard, because everything must be secured and well-organized. And because it would drive me crazy otherwise.

Here are some other bag ideas. You can order the ones I have listed, or figure out something with what you already have around.

15. Canvas Bag for Lines

Organizing lines was a favorite occupation to take the kids off of electronic devices.

I had two similar canvas bags, which I kept in the cockpit.

Tip: Lines are a huge tripping hazard aboard. Regardless of how you choose to store them, always keep lines well coiled and organized.

Speaking of tripping, check out my post on the right boating shoes:

Comfortable Sailing Shoes for Every Boating

16. Phone Dry Bag

Another excellent gift for any boater, especially teens.

We did not allow personal phones aboard, but the kids had the designated “kids phone”, and it did end up overboard.

With a teen right after it – never seen anyone dive in so quickly. It survived, in case you were wondering.

I am linking to floating ones, because a cell phone sinks quickly.

Tip: Make it a rule, when walking down the docks, no staring at the phone.

17. Under-the-Bimini Storage Bag

These are the so called T-bags.

They mount up, on the metal support structure, right under the bimini cover (for soft bimini).

Most often used to store life jackets, they can be used for other light items as well. Here is a very useful post about life jackets:

10 Most Reliable Sailing Life Jackets (Adults and Kids)

Such a bag frees up space aboard and takes advantage of the rarely used space above.

We had our clothes lines in a complicated web under the bimini as well. This prevented sun damage and lost garments, blown in the breeze.

18. Cockpit Bag

These smaller bags are great to keep the line ends away and the cup-holders on the side add a bonus storage space.

We did not have space for a cockpit table on our first boat, so we had to improvise as far as cupholders and I used our canvas bags for storing lines, or line ends, depending on the need.

They stand upright, and are great for keeping items such as sunglasses, VHF and gloves well organized.

You can even use it as a small tool bag. Here is a post all about boating tools:

27 Important Tools for Boaters

Check them out. I would not mind getting one as a gift, hint, hint.

Tip: Similar small bags are great for storing art supplies, pencils and brushes, when doing an art project, while keeping the paper/canvas in the bag.

19. Anchor Caddy Rope Bag

These are great for keeping the anchor rope neatly stored.

I think the biggest benefit is that you can quickly throw the bag overboard, if you need to free yourself from anchor.

How the heck do these work?

I had the same question. Instead of me offering complicated explanations, watch these two videos, they are all you need:

(1) Rope Bag for Boat Anchor System, How to Setup and Use – YouTube

How To Get Off Anchor Quickly (youtube.com)

I was only able to find this caddy at West Marine.

What bags are not suitable for boating?

You do not need 19 different boating bags.

But, here are bags you should not bring aboard. I hate to say it, but being cheap can cost you in this case.

These should stay on land:

• Hard suitcases
• Bags with metal zippers
• Anything made of leather
• Anything that should not get moldy
• Anything that cannot be washed

Frequently Asked Questions

More useful boating gear

12 Safety Gear Essentials for the High Seas.

10 Most Reliable Sailing Life Jackets (Adults and Kids, 2023)

First Aid Kit Aboard – Supplies and Organization

25 Galley Gear Essentials (We Used All the Time).

My Washing Machine Aboard – Forget Bucket Laundry!

Affordable Freezer Aboard (Because Ice Cream Matters).

9 Sailing Outfits for any Season and Reason

Comfortable Sailing Shoes for Every Boating Need

27 Important Tools for Boaters (Great for Gifts 2023)

13 Gadgets for Boaters (2023)

51 Gifts for Boaters. Ultimate Guide (Cruisers Approved)