A PLACE IN THE SUN

Quick-when you think of boating safety, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Odds are it's a flare gun or a fire extinguisher or a life jacket or even a VHF radio. Sun protection is probably not at the top of the list, but it should be. We usually think of boating safety in terms of immediate danger-waves, storms, man overboard. But in the long term, those bluebird days can hurt you if you're not careful. The American Academy of Dermatology states that 1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and approximately 9,500 people in America get diagnosed every day. The good thing is it's easy to protect yourself, and most of us do it already as part of our boating routine. If you don't, you should. Here are seven products to help protect yourself from the sun's rays.
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COLUMBIA TERMINAL TACKLE PANTS
Who thinks of pants when they think of sun protection? I do, especially if they're lightweight and breathable like Columbia's Terminal Tackle pants. Because they're part of Columbia's PFG line designed for fishing, the pants have Omni-Shade, which gives them a UPF 50 rating. As an added bonus, they have Columbia's OmniShield protection, which helps repel biting insects. Made mostly of polyester, they dry quickly, clean easily, and stand up to rugged use. They come in four different colors and have six pockets, including a zipper pocket great for stowing your cellphone or car keys so they don't fall overboard. Columbia's entire PFG lineup offers great sun protection in everything from shirts and hats to hoodies, but I chose the pants because I wear them on the water. $60; columbia.com
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SAWYER STAY-PUT SPF 30
Sunscreen is probably the most important tool in sun protection and should be used to protect all exposed skin areas. The one issue people have with sunscreen, especially those who go in and out of the water or engage in activities where they might perspire, is forgetting to reapply.
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First developed for US troops serving during Desert Storm, Sawyer Stay-Put SPF 30 was engineered to solve that problem because it absorbs deeper into the skin and lasts longer than most other sunscreens on the market. Sawyer calls it the Breathable Matrix Formula, and it allows your body to sweat without washing away the sun-blocking properties. $13.99 for an 8-ounce bottle; sawyer.com
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ORVIS SUNGLOVES
If there's one place people forget to cover with sunscreen, it's the back of their hands. Yet your hands are probably the most likely to be exposed to the sun for long periods while out on the water. Gloves such as Orvis' Sungloves can solve this problem by protecting the backs of your hands while keeping fingers free to work the electronics, tie knots and steer the boat. Made for fly-fishing, the Sungloves also work for general boaters wanting more sun protection for their hands. Made of Spandex and synthetic leather, the lightweight gray gloves can get fully wet and still dry quickly while you wear them. The UPF 50 gloves come in four sizes. $29.95; orvis.com
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SIMMS CUTBANK SUN HAT
While the traditional baseball hat is still the go-to option for men and women alike, a wide-brimmed sun hat offers more protection from the elements while still being breathable. The Simms Cutbank sun hat is a straw beach hat that works well on a boat too. Made of 100 percent palm leaf, the straw construction makes it cool and breathable. It has an elastic sweatband and a Stampede strap to hold it in place. Plus, it's collapsible so it can smush down for travel and pop back into shape. The wide brim protects your face, neck and shoulders. It's like walking around with your own personal shade tree. It's even machine-washable should it get dirty. $59.95; simmsfishing.com
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BUFF COOLNET UV NECKWEAR
The original face protector has become so ubiquitous that people refer to any brand as a Buff the way everyone calls tissues Kleenex. The CoolNet UV Neckwear comes in several styles and has UPF 50 protection. Each one is multipurpose and can cover your neck or entire face. The fabric is breathable so ...