Buy shade first, with a Bimini sized to your boat, then an electric pump if you set up often. After that, add what matches how you use the boat: a rod holder if you fish, a rope ladder if you swim, cup holders because everyone asks, and navigation lights only if you are out before sunrise or after sunset.
A Battle Cat ships ready to paddle: manual pump, two aluminum paddles, bench seating and a repair kit. Everything below is optional. Some of it you will use every single trip, and some of it you only need if you fish, swim or stay out late. Here is how we would spend the money, in order, and who can skip what. New to these boats? Start with our inflatable catamaran buyer’s guide.
The short version
| Accessory | Buy it if | Skip it if | Key detail (from the product page) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bimini | You boat midday in July and August | You only go out at dawn and dusk | Designed for same-size Rover Marine boats; 8, 10 and 12 ft; folds down |
| Cachalot 2 electric pump | You set up often, or set up alone | You leave it inflated at the cottage all week | 20 PSI max, auto-off, deflate function, 0.9 kg |
| RH40 rod holder | You fish, troll or drift | You never fish | 360° rotation, tool-free tension knob, rail or surface mount |
| 3-step rope ladder | You swim off the boat | You never swim off the boat (check the reboarding rule below) | 3 rubber steps, 34 in deployed, 400+ lb capacity |
| Clamp-on cup holders | You like your coffee upright | Never | Tool-free clamp, 360° adjustment, 2-pack |
| LED navigation lights | You are out before sunrise or after sunset | You are only ever out in daylight | 1 red, 1 green, 2 white; CR2032 batteries included |
1. Bimini: shade on demand
If you buy one thing, make it shade. A bare deck on a 30°C August afternoon on Skaha or Kalamalka is hot work, and kids and dogs feel it first. The Rover Marine Bimini is “designed for same-size Rover Marine boats and catamarans,” so you buy the 8, 10 or 12 ft to match your Battle Cat. It folds down when you want an open deck.
Our tip: fold it down when the afternoon wind comes up. A canopy catches a lot of breeze, and on a big lake you will feel it in the steering.
2. Electric pump: because arms get tired
The included manual pump does the job. An electric pump turns setup into a few minutes of standing around. The Cachalot 2 from Outdoor Master lists a maximum pressure of 20 PSI, a 350 L/min first stage and a 70 L/min second stage, auto-off at your target pressure, a deflate function and a weight of 0.9 kg. Its listing says it fits standard paddleboard valves, so call us to confirm it works with your boat’s valves before you order. The page does not state the power source, so ask us how you plan to run it at the launch.
“Super bonne pompe! elle est petite mais puissante.”Product review, Cachalot 2 pump (French: “Great pump! It’s small but powerful.”)
3. RH40 rod holder: hands-free fishing
A rod leaning on a tube is a rod that ends up in the lake, and a hook resting on an inflatable is a bad idea. The Adjustable Fishing Rod Holder, 360° Power Lock RH40 gives you full 360° horizontal rotation, vertical adjustment and a spring-loaded tension knob for tool-free changes. It mounts three ways: a side-adjustable clamp, a bottom plug-in or a four-corner screw mount, and the clamp fits 7/8 in or 1 in OD rails. It takes spinning, casting and spincast handles.
Before you buy, look at where you would mount it on your boat and tell us. We would rather confirm the fit than have you drill something you didn’t need to. More on rigging in our inflatable catamaran fishing guide.
4. Rope ladder: swim, then climb back in
Getting back aboard from deep water is harder than people expect, especially after a long swim. The 3-Step Rope Ladder from Rover Marine has three anti-slip rubber steps 13.2 in wide, measures 34 in long by 16 in wide deployed, and is rated for 400+ lb. It is UV-resistant nylon with stainless steel spring snap hooks that clip to rails, cleats or D-rings, no tools needed.
It also helps with the law. Transport Canada requires a reboarding device on boats where a person would have to climb more than 0.5 m to get back aboard, and its Safe Boating Guide warns never to use the motor or its mounting brackets to climb back in. See our guide to boating laws for inflatable boats.
5. Cup holders: because lakes are thirsty
Small thing, constant use. The 360° Clamp-On Cup Holder 2-pack installs “in seconds, no drilling or tools required,” adjusts a full 360° and is made of UV-resistant marine-grade plastic. The page says it fits most standard boat railings and poles. The pair weighs 230 g.
6. LED navigation lights: only if you need them
Navigation lights are only required if you are out after sunset, before sunrise or in low visibility like fog or smoke (Transport Canada). If you fish at first light, they belong on your list. Our LED Navigation Lights 4-Pack includes 1 red, 1 green and 2 white lights, 8 CR2032 batteries (2 per light), four elastic mounting straps and a small screwdriver. They are rated IPX5, which the page describes as splash-resistant, not submersible. Check the navigation lights section of the Safe Boating Guide to confirm the setup your boat needs.
7. The starter bundle
If you want the ladder, the light kit and the cup holders anyway, the Basic Boating Accessories Bundle puts all three in one order: the 3-Step Rope Ladder, the LED Navigation Lights 4-Pack and the 360° Clamp-On Cup Holders 2-Pack.
For the motor
If you run an ePropulsion or Torqeedo electric, the boating accessories collection also carries spare kill switches, outboard bags, a Spirit 1.0 Plus fast charger and tiller extensions. A spare kill switch in the boat bag is cheap insurance against a forgotten lanyard. Choosing a motor in the first place? See our electric outboard guide.
Not an accessory: safety gear
Lifejackets that fit everyone aboard, a 15 m buoyant heaving line, a whistle, a bailer and a watertight flashlight are not nice-to-haves. They are the legal minimum for a boat this size. Budget for them first; the full list is in our boating laws guide.
Warranty
Coverage varies by product, so check our warranty page for the terms on any accessory before you buy, along with the 60 Day Rider’s Guarantee.
“Great service. Easy delivery. Helpful information”Shauna Gifford, Trustpilot review
Not sure what fits your setup? Call 1-800-399-5260 and tell us your boat size, motor and what you do on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accessory should I buy first for an inflatable catamaran?
Shade first, with a Bimini sized to your boat, then an electric pump if you set up often. Add a rod holder if you fish and a ladder if you swim. Safety gear comes before all of them.
Does the Bimini fit the Battle Cat?
Yes. The Rover Marine Bimini is designed for same-size Rover Marine boats and catamarans and comes in 8, 10 and 12 ft, so order the size that matches your Battle Cat.
Will the RH40 rod holder fit my boat?
It can clamp to 7/8 in or 1 in OD rails, plug into a bottom mount, or screw down to a surface. Tell us where you want to mount it and we will confirm the fit.
Do I need a ladder on an inflatable boat?
Transport Canada requires a reboarding device if a person would have to climb more than 0.5 m to get back aboard. Even when it is not required, a ladder makes swim stops much easier.
Are the LED navigation lights waterproof?
The product page lists them as IPX5, splash-resistant but not submersible. Each light runs on two CR2032 batteries, which are included.
What is in the Basic Boating Accessories Bundle?
The 3-Step Rope Ladder, the LED Navigation Lights 4-Pack and the 360 degree Clamp-On Cup Holders 2-Pack.
Do accessories have a warranty?
Coverage varies by product. Check our warranty page for the terms on the accessory you are buying.
Related Canadian Board Co. guides and gear
Kit out your Battle Cat
Bimini, pump, rod holder, ladder, cup holders and lights in one place.
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