15 of The Best Boat Songs

If you spend a lot of time on your boat, then you already know that one of the best ways to set the right tone for is to have the right music playing.  It doesn’t matter if your sound source is a ten thousand dollar stereo or a boom box, the right music when on the water can make a huge difference.  Here is what I consider to be some of the best songs to have in your play list when you are on the water. 

The Dock of The Bay by Otis Redding – This is an oldie but a goodie and even though it is before my time, I can still appreciate the relaxing mellow tones and the mental picture it paints every time I listen to it.  Makes me feel like I’m on the water no matter where I really am.

Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi – Okay, I admit that this is not the typical boating song but I’m a big fan of Deadliest Catch and this was the theme song for years.  Now, I can’t hear it without thinking about boats, the sea and crab fishing.  It just is what it is. 

Southern Cross by Crosby Stills and Nash – If you are missing your woman (or your man), get on a boat.  It makes things better.  I have loved this one for years, even before I knew what it was about.

In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins – Remember Miami Vice?  Yeah, it was a show about Crockett and Tubbs taking down the bad guys but I watched it because of the boats, beaches and bikinis.  Recently, I was on a friend’s boat and we were cruising across the lake at night and we had this song blasting on the stereo.  It was a beautiful night out with lightning in the distance.  It was a perfect moment.  At that point, this Phil Collins tune was solidified in my head as a great boat song.

Three Little Birds by Bob Marley – Did you really think there could be a list like this without a Bob Marley song?  The words of this reggae tune says all we want to hear when trying to relax.  Don’t worry, bout a thing.  Every little thing is gonna be alright. 

Sailing by Christopher Cross – The name says it all.  This is the song that I played on the stereo when I took my first boat out for its maiden cruise.  It will always be a special one.

Buy Me a Boat by Chris Janson – Money can’t buy happiness but it can buy me a boat.  Do we really need anything else??

Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett – This one is just like the Bob Marley song. You just can't have a list like this without Jimmy Buffett.  Jimmy Buffett has made a life out of teaching us all how to relax and let go.  An important part of that is beaches, boats and margaritas.

It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett – For this one, we’ll stick with the Jimmy Buffett theme and add a little Alan Jackson.  We all know that when you are on the water, the clock has not bearing and that’s the way we like it. 

Fantastic Voyage by Lakeside – I do charters every now and then and I always dream of performing this for me passengers before we depart . . .  but since I can’t sing or dance, it just remains a dream (LOL). Listen to the words on this one and be a captain in your dreams.

One Love by Bob Marley – To me, this describes the boating community; a big group of wonderful people with one common love.  A good friend of mine who just recently purchased a boat named it after this song.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

In the Summertime by Shaggy – This one is all about summertime fun with a reggae groove.  A great tune for a sun filled day on the water.

Soaking Up The Sun by Sheryl Crow – This song is all about being out in the sun and water.  What better place to listen to it than on your boat. 

Peaceful Easy Feeling by The Eagles – While this song is not specifically about boating or the water, it perfectly describes that way I feel when I am afloat. 

Come Sail Away by Styx – Just what we all want to do.  Set an open course and sail into freedom.

Okay, so I know that most of these picks lean more towards relaxation and hanging on the water with friends but what if your pride and joy is a 47 Fountain or 50 foot MTI.  Here are a few that you might choose to listen to while blasting across the water at triple digit speeds.  Just make sure your sound system is powerful enough to hear over your engines.  Come to think of it, on a boat like that, it probably is.

Highway to Hell by AC/DC – A little high energy sounds to go with all of that horsepower.

Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf – A perfect song for a wild ride on the water.

Back in Black by AC/DC – Bad ass song to go with your bad ass boat!

If you have your own suggestions, please share them below.

Happy Boating

Captain Frank

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