The best waterproof tablet case for a boat is expensive insurance–especially if you use your tablet for navigation or trip planning. But even if you just use it for playing music or reading do you really want to risk ruining it?
Podcast Summary
In recent years, tablets have become common on cruising boats. We found ours useful for navigation, trip planning, reading, and more. But your tablet is worthless if you can’t keep it dry and working in a wet cockpit.
Even our own Boat Galley cruising guides come in PDF versions you can access easily from your tablet. They’re handy for a quick lookup of a bridge opening or finding a place to take the dog off when you stop for the evening.
Important Features
So what are the minimal features a tablet case needs to be worth bringing onboard?
- tech must be fully usable while contained in the case
- case must keep the tablet from overheating
- you must be able to charge the tablet in the case.
- case must be completely watertight in both wind and waves
The one I think is the best option has two other features that I’m very thankful for:
- floats if dropped (no matter how much you stuff inside)
- easy to carry and hold onto
How I Use It
So that is this amazing boat tablet case? It’s the ugo wear waterproof tablet case. I used their phone case for years. And I’ve been just as happy with the tablet case since I’ve had one.
My iPad functions in every way right in the case. It pairs easily to Bluetooth so I can use WiFi and earbuds. I add an external battery pack to the case and plug it in.
Best of all, it never overheats. That is not true for other cases I’ve tried over the years.
The ugo case has both a shoulder strap an a smaller hand strap. I used the hand strap frquently for keeping it close at hand underway.
Extra pockets have room for money, credit cards, and small extras. With a little regular maintneance of the zipper, it seals up easily. And provides inexpensive insurance for expensive tech.
Prefer to read more (with photos)? Check out ugo Waterproof Tablet Case.
Links:
The Boat Galley Quick Reference Guides
The Boat Galley Quick Reference Guides (Amazon)
ugo wear Waterproof Tablet Case (Amazon)
Gear Aid Zipper Cleaner & Lube (Amazon)
Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present.
Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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