Help outfit my boat

[pdonohue01]

Hi, I just made my first boat purchase and it is safely tucked away in storage awaiting Spring. It is a 2007 (new) Aqua Patio 22RE3 with an 06 Yamaha F90 4S, on a tandem axle trailer. Now I am trying to get an idea how to properly equip the boat for its first launch. The following is what I think I need but want some ideas on types, whats good, what to stay away from etc.. Also, please feel free to add whatever you think I may be missing. Some of this stuff I know I have to have and some others are on my wish list. The boat will be on a l2 square mile lake (Lake Clarke) along the Susquehanna River.
- Fenders and rope attachements. How many and what kind and size
- anchor (what kind and how much line- lake goes to about 15-30' deep)
- Marine rope (how much?)
- PFDs. (recommended brands)
- push-pull tube or hook rod
- depth finder
- A BBQ Grill
- A 2 person Tube and rope
- Trailer pontoon guides
- signaling device (whistle or horn?)
- Hand-held VHF radio
Thanks for any advice you can provide.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Help outfit my boat

Hi, I just made my first boat purchase and it is safely tucked away in storage awaiting Spring. It is a 2007 (new) Aqua Patio 22RE3 with an 06 Yamaha F90 4S, on a tandem axle trailer. Now I am trying to get an idea how to properly equip the boat for its first launch. The following is what I think I need but want some ideas on types, whats good, what to stay away from etc.. Also, please feel free to add whatever you think I may be missing. Some of this stuff I know I have to have and some others are on my wish list. The boat will be on a l2 square mile lake (Lake Clarke) along the Susquehanna River.
- Fenders and rope attachements. How many and what kind and size
At least two at least 6" diameter.

- anchor (what kind and how much line- lake goes to about 15-30' deep)
The type totally depends on the lake bottom. You'll need about 200' of line to give you the proper scope.

- Marine rope (how much?)
maybe 50' for unusual mooring or for towing or being towed.

- PFDs. (recommended brands)
the cheapest that Wally World has.

- push-pull tube or hook rod
definitely

- depth finder
definitely

- A BBQ Grill
absolutely

- A 2 person Tube and rope
If that is a desired activity

- Trailer pontoon guides
absolutely

- signaling device (whistle or horn?)
both

- Hand-held VHF radio
I recommend a fixed mount and a held held. The fixed mount has more power and thus greater range. The hand held is a great backup.

Other recommendations:

A GPS is nice but not normally necessary.

A good compass is almost a must for night and/or foggy cruising.

A flash light.

A mega-candlepower light if you do night cruising.

If inclosed, then a mirror and/or backup camera.

Spare fuses. light bulbs, and hand tools.

First aid kit.

Paper towels and cleaning supplies for unexpected messes.
Thanks for any advice you can provide.

Good luck and welcome to the pontoon world.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Help outfit my boat

I guess I question the need for a VHF radio on a body of water that will not likely have another VHF to communicate with and where a cell phone will probably reach more help if needed. How about a standard AM/FM radio for some tunes. Depth finders are ok but remember, by the time the depth finder says the water is shallow you are already aground. Depth finders and fish finders read what's "under" the boat, not what's "ahead" of it. A lake map in addition to the depth finder would be of more use. Or, a fish finder that actually shows bottom contour in addition to depth so you can see what the bottom looks like just before you run aground. BBQ qrills on a pontoon is also questionable but whatever lights your fire I guess. Seems a changing room and porta potty would be in order if you don't feel like going over the side and attempting to warm up the lake or if you have kids aboard. How about a fire extinquisher, a dry bag or dry box to keep moisture sensitive things dry? Add an accessory socket if it doesn't already have one. You can then plug in your cell phone charger and spot light. Large bath towels, sunscreen and a first aid kit are also required. The boat should already have a horn as I believe it is required on anything over 16 ft. A wheeled cooler would be nice since you will likely want to take perishables and adult beverages along since you have a BBQ grill. Lugging all that stuff to the boat would be a lot easier. How about jumper cables or a jump start box in the event of a dead battery. Some extra fuses and at least a beginners tool kit (screwdrivers, pliers, a plug wrench, etc).

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help outfit my boat

anchor line i recommend atleast 100'. i use 2 50 ft sections, with shackles on each end. then they are easily joined.
http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Shackles/dm/*******.660140584--**********.527710948--view_id.238328

toons takes a lots of pressure from the wind. you may need more line to stay where you want.


this also allows you to deploy 2 anchors, when rafting up.

 

[pdonohue01]

Re: Help outfit my boat

Thanks for the advice. I am trying to the greatest extent possible "purchase once" instead of buying something only to very quickly realize I should have bought a different model, brand or type.
If anyone has any input on specific brands of some of those things (ie. porta-potty, depth finder, anchor, etc) that they were either very happy with or would stay away from, I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Patrick

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Help outfit my boat

Get the Thetford electric porta-potti and you won't be sorry. They are very dependable.

 

[pdonohue01]

Re: Help outfit my boat

Thanks Lakegeorge - I just checked out the Thetford model (electric) and it looks perfect (5 out of 5 star rating too). I didn't realize that they would operate on small AA batteries like that which will be perfect with the kids not have to pump. Can take it on the camping trips too. Great suggestion.
Patrick

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Help outfit my boat

Not a necessity, but something that's cheap and I found useful are plastic spring clamps. I mainly use them to hold wet towels and clothing to the side or bimini top rails after swimming and they dry real quick blowin' in the wind. Also good for holding a small tarp I use to cover up the console if a storm comes up. They're only about a buck apiece for the larger ones and you can also pick up a bag full at many stores (Walmart, Harbor Freight, Etc.). As a side note, if you do much fishing, some rod holders are nice to have..

 

[pdonohue01]

Re: Help outfit my boat

Thanks rickdb1boat,
Having some of those clamps makes good sense. I love simple tips like that, I will add them to my list. Also, even though my boat is cruising style I know we will be doing a fair amount of fishing off of it. I am thinking of either getting one of those coolers with built in rod holders or making my own holder from PVC pipe and attaching it somewhere.
Patrick.
PS I saw one of those handheld lights on iboats marine store for $3.50!! ?? It was 800K candle power and I think the brand was "sea...something" Anyway, I know you generally get what you pay for but for 3 1/2 dollars, that risk is pretty minimal. Any experience with what kind of hand-held light for night cruising or min candle power?