Trying to manage all of that gear for a day out on the boat can get a bit overwhelming. Luckily there are some great boat bags out there to make life a bit easier for Moms and families. When you are in charge of snacks, the clothes, sunscreen and so much more it’s important to have a boat bag that you can trust.

We put together our top seven best boat bags for moms and families. If you are taking your children on the boat this weekend, you will want one of these bags to help you through the mess. We tried to pick options for all budgets and family sizes as well.

Best Overall: QOGIR Neoprene Multipurpose Beach Bag Tote

We all know there is going to be quite a bit of gear. By the time you find room for snacks, towels, goggles and the novel you are in the middle of reading (one can dream right?) the bag is going to fill up very fast. That is why we love the size of this particular model.

The bag measures 14″x 12.5″x 10″ and there are two internal pockets. Although we love the gray color pictured there are lots of other colors to choose from if you would like. You don’t have to save this bag just for your trips out on the boat. It works great for the beach, a road trip or even a visit to the zoo.

Another great feature is that this is a machine washable bag, if you have spent much time on the boat with your family you know the boat bag is going to need a good wash from time to time.

  • Quick to dry
  • Long lasting zipper and materials
  • Shoulder pad
  • Plenty of room
  • Available in lots of colors

Best Premium: Yeti Camino Carryall

It may come as no surprise that the Yeti is the top premium boat bag for moms and families. This is certainly a quality product that is easy to clean and long lasting. Of course the problem you will run into is the pricing.

Another issue we have with the Yeti is that it is not huge. If you have a larger family this bag may not carry all of the gear that you need to head out on the boat. With those downsides mentioned, everything else about this boat bag is top of the line.

The Yeti is waterproof and the button is so sturdy that your bag won’t tip each time you set it down. Having dealt with some spills over the course of our boating career, this is a really nice feature.

The size of this bag is about 10 inches by 15 inches by 18 inches. When it has nothing in it the weight is about three pounds. Although we know this is a bag you will have forever you have to make sure it is worth the money for the use your family will get out of it.

  • Available in several colors
  • Premium materials
  • Narrow in size
  • Sturdy bottom holds bag in place when not carrying
  • Waterproof material won’t get ruined if it gets wet
  • Premium pricing

Best Budget: Large Canvas Striped Beach Bag

If you are looking for a great value on a boat bag for a family, this large canvas striped bag is a perfect choice. Of course this bag works for the beach or the pool but as you know the boat has many of the same needs as the beach and the pool.

This is a large bag measuring 24 x 14 x 7. There are also 11″ long cotton handles that make it easy to carry in your hand or over your shoulder. The inside of the bag has a waterproof lining which is very important when looking for a quality option that will hold up over time.

Inside the bag you will find two zippered pockets where you can store your phone or your keys. Another nice feature is that the bag zips completely closed. Although it won’t stand on it’s own at least your spray sunscreen won’t be rolling down the dock!

  • Plenty of room
  • Nautical striped pattern
  • Very affordable
  • Waterproof lining
  • Pockets for storage

Best Floating: IDRY Bag Waterproof Floating Backpack

There are certain things that just can’t end up on the bottom of the lake or ocean. If you are worried about losing something off the side of the boat the IDry Bag is a great option to have. Although this may not be the place to store all of your gear for your trip, it has plenty of room for the essentials.

This bag is made of 500D Vinyl Coated Woven Polyester. It has watertight seams that will keep everything inside dry. This bag is very durable and it is easy to carry with the backpack straps. If you have young children that still need to be carried a backpack storage solution for the boat is a great idea.

We are impressed with this bags ability to stay dry for the price that it is offered. If you have looked at some of the options for floating and waterproof boat bags you will see that they get pretty expensive. If you want to give one a try this a perfect option for a family.

  • Will float
  • Waterproof
  • Easy to carry backpack style
  • Affordable for the features it offers
  • Available in several colors
  • Helps to stay organized

Best Waterproof: Duffel Dry Bags

If you have not though about using a duffel type bag as a boat bag for a family, you should really consider it. This particular model is made from 100% nylon oxford and it has a water resistant PVC backing. If you want to make sure you separate wet from dry, this is a perfect option to consider.

Inside the bag there are compartemtns with padding that you can separate clean and dirty boat gear. If you want to keep things like goggles or sunscreen in the outside pockets for easy accesss you can do so. One of the best things about this model is that you can switch it from a backpack strap to a shoulder bag. If you need a bag for travelling or heading out on the boat this is a really great choice.

  • Heavy material
  • Water-resistant
  • Can be worn several ways
  • Easy access pockets on the front
  • Separate clean and dirty gear

Best For Large Family: Scout Original Deano Tote

The Scout Bag is one of our favorite boat bags from a style standpoint. The way the bag is designed also makes it feel really roomy. This is an open top design which is why we love it for the larger family. WIth all the hands that will be reaching in and out of this bag, the zipper would just get in the way.

The outside of the Scout Bag is made with a water resistant material that helps the inside stay dry. It is not completely waterproof but it certainly will dry fast and hold up well over time. The Scout is easy to clean and holds up well even after being washed.

Another great feature of this boat bag is the fact that it will stand on it’s own. Of course if you try and keep something awkward or heavy it may tip but it has enough structure to stand up by itself. The only real problem you are going to have with this boat bag is choosing which adorable pattern works best for your family.

  • Easy to carry
  • Available in many patterns
  • Water resistant exterior
  • Large opening on the top
  • Key ring for easy key access

Boat Bag Buyers Guide

Now that you have an idea of the best boat bags on the market for moms and families its time to choose which one works for you. There are a few things that you should consider when making this decision.

  • Size: Do you need something that holds goggles and a sandwich or do you need towels, sunscreen, the toaster oven, the teddy bear, you get the point!
  • Waterproof: The outside of a good boat bag is always made with some variation of waterproof material. If you think there is a chance your entire bag could end up in the water than go with the floatable bags.
  • Features/Organization: Most boat bags end up kind of a wreck. If you are serious about your organization look for something that is easy to clean.
  • Colors: We always liked to pick a nautical design/pattern for our boat bag but for the floating/waterproof models you may want an option that stands out and is easy to see.
  • Cost: Holding on to a boat bag for many years is probably going to be rare. If you are enjoying the time on the boat and using the bag it will wear down over time. Choose something that has good quality knowing that you still may need to replace it in a few years.

Conclusion

We hope that our boat bag buyers guide helped to narrow down some of the many choices you have. We are going to work on doing more reviews of boat gear for moms and families. After all keeping kids entertained, safe, clean and happy on a boat can be quite the task. Making your that you have a boat bag that can be filled with everything your family needs could make or break the day!