Must Haves for Boaters

[Jillybean]

Hi everyone,

New boat owner here. My husband and I just bought our first boat (Stingray 220dr deck boat) a few weeks ago and we?ve been searching the internet for any helpful info since. We stumbled across this site and have already spent quite a bit of time searching through some of your old threads. Great stuff here...to include the guide for beginners posted by Nos4r2.

Although we bought our boat a few weeks ago, we probably still have another 6-8 weeks before we?ll get it in the water. In the meantime, we have time to think about and purchase all the necessary items we?ll need for the boat, such as a radio, PFDs, first aid kit, etc..

So this brings me to my question, what are your MUST HAVES? What would you not leave the dock without? We?d appreciate all feedback, as this is all new to us.

BTW, we are excited and so happy to be joining the boating world!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

The answer really depends on where, when, and for how long you are hitting the water.

??

For me, the legal basics plus:
rain gear
spare plug
distress flag
anchor and extra rope
navigation lights
If fishing, a mini bolt cutter and bandadges
sunscreen
water


If you are mechanically adept, a small toolbox with tools that fit your type of engine and your skills. For my boat, that would be 4 wrenches, sparkplugs, wire, wire cutters, electrical tape, gloves, spare fuses, Leatherman tool, spare propeller and hardware.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

Welcome to iboats forum

I had similar questions when my boat was new. Here is a thread excerpt of what I posted a few years ago:

September 27th, 2007, 08:47 PM

Re: Things you wish you knew when you started boating

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1. If you're starting off with smaller boat, get one with the highest sides you can (freeboard, distance from the water to the top of the gunnels).

2. Also on smaller boats, whatever the max hp rating is for the boat, get the max. If you buy the boat and the motor comes with it, sell the motor on Craigslist, take the sale money and put it down on a new 4 stroke like a Merc or similar that comes with a 3 year warranty.

3. Always stow away somewhere onboard a 2.5 gal / "filled" plastic gas can. This can get you out of most low fuel situations. That couple of gal's can take you a long way out of trouble. Saves you from a $100 bill to have a service boat come out with gas. If there is even one on the lake you are on. Tough to pull up to a gas dock late in the day after you've made it there on fumes only to find the gas dock CLOSED. $10 gas can is cheap insurance.

4. Buy a spare tire for your trailer (if you trailer), scissors jack and a lug wrench.

5. Keep a spare prop onboard with a cotter pin and a prop wrench to change it out if need be.

6. Buy a handheld GPS and a handheld radio ASAP (even if you buy full size units at some point, these are a cheap way to start and either can be used as backup later on).

7. Buy at least one auto suspender vest ($80 on sale at West Marine) to wear especially for the times you are alone. If you fall overboard, pass out or get hit by another boat . . . the vest will inflate automatically and save your life! Attach the kill switch lanyard to yourself especially when alone.

8. Get insurance on boat, motor and trailer. It's cheap. Had a friend where a branch fell on one pane of his Formula's bow windshield. They wanted """$12,000"" to replace the whole windshield (he has no insurance). Also one can return from a day on the water back to the launch and someone stole your trailer (this is a new fad among the thieves). My insurance on a 14k 2007 setup is about $180 a year.
__________________

Here is the whole thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=222686

I'd just add to the above:
I don't know the equipment you have now but I personally would not "get on" a boat without at least a combo GPS / Depth finder. Maybe yours came with one?
Also use this down time for the two of you to take a local safe boating course.
Lastly, make sure you have insurance on your rig and an umbrella policy incase someone has an accident on your boat and you get sued.

Surf around this site too. There is no better palce to learn about boating and having someone to ask questions of and get answers almost instantly.

Good luck with your new boat.

 

[Jillybean]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

Thanks guys...this is great, exactly the type of info I was hoping for. Keep it coming

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

A boaters safety course before the boat ever gets wet.

 

[Jillybean]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

A boaters safety course before the boat ever gets wet.

Yeah, we're already checking into this. We've taken a few courses throughout the years...something that was required in order to rent boats through the military base that we were previously stationed at but we definitely want to take a refresher course.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

You can take a boating safety course on line. There are a few basic rules everyone should know. And most don't. Where I go and the patrol rangers hide on the weekends so they don't have to deal with the crazies.

Tools are nice even if you aren't mechanical, because you will have them if someone else stops to help. communications either cell phone if it works where you will be or a marine radio if it works and/or is monitored where you will be.

Fenders are nice when you tie up at a dock or to another boat.

Spare belts, fuel filter and maybe points if it's that type of ignition.

GPS is nice but if it is not a huge lake to get lost in not totally necessary other then to pinpoint where you are if you need help and can communicate. If you can get a map of the waterway or a topo of the area you will be on that is good to.

A case of water and just stow it on the boat in case.

Red flag (ski flag) to flag someone down if you have trouble. Tow rope (can use a heavy ski rope) in case you need to be towed. It's kinder to have a tow rope if you need to be towed.

Welcome to the fun world of boating! Just remember we are here at iboats to help you enjoy your experience, so don't hesitate to ask. The only stupid question is the one you wish you had asked when it's too late.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO HAVE AT ALL TIMES:

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Common sense!

 

[642mx]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

Put a 12V blender on your list.

 

[Jillybean]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

Put a 12V blender on your list.

lol, love it.

Funny thing is, we've rented boats and we've enjoyed being guests on our friends boats and never had a care or concern in the world. Now we're boat owners, and I'm flooded with all these thoughts about doing it right and responsibly

Can't wait to get this in the water to enjoy it!

BTW, good recommendations cr2k.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

"Can't wait to get this in the water to enjoy it!" It may be a while for those of use up in the north here, so do your boaters course and add a cheap flare gun to your list if it hasn't been mentioned before.

My list

More lifevests than I could have passengers, ship to shore radio that is tested every time before we go out, extra prop and wrench to change, flare gun, spare light bulbs, spare fuses, "shore lunch kit" , rain gear, convertible top, GPS, and fishing gear, anchor and first aid kit.

 

[wvstriper]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

Just curious, where will you be boating? As for must haves, towing insurance!

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

I like roscoe's list- he included water. Maybe that sounds strange but I haven't had giardia yet and don't want it!

I carry safety items, warmth items, a little food, and essential repair items. I even bought a $19.99 Skil 12V cordless drill at Home Depot and a small kit of basic bits and drivers, along with some basic fastners and a two-part marine epoxy kit.

I also have a few silver mylar "space blankets," some cheap rain ponchos, and other 'overnight' survival gear. Most often I am fishing someplace where I could walk to safety after drifting or paddling ashore, but there are a few places where I would want warmth and food in the case of a breakdown.

Maps (basic paper) or a real good knowledge of the water you will be on is important, and a boat-mounted damped compass are important too.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

Lotsa good suggestions above, I will try not to be redundant.

My additional "must haves":

telescopic boat hook
Chapman's Seamanship and Small Boat Handling
up to date charts
stern anchor (can be really small) for use on crowded sandbars. My favorite is a 4.4 lb claw with 4 feet of 3/16" chain in the rode.
tackle box with a homemade first aid kit. Forget the store bought kits, make one yourself with the stuff you really need like: Solarcaine, tweezers, xacto, alcohol, vinegar (to prevent swimmers ear), ibuprofen, aspirin, tylenol, etc. Bandages are a given.

 

[seaboo]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

A flashlight, chemical light sticks (at least 1 red, 1 green, and 1 (or 2) white...(These can be taped in the appropiate places and work as running lights), spare keys for the truck in the boat -- and spare keys for the boat in the truck (that way you can not forget your boat keys and if you loose your keyring you can still get home). Something that can sufice as a tow rope and also jumper cables (or better a boost box).

 

[pduquette]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

Some type of floater for your keys ( test it too ) and zipper bags to keep stuff dry . Oh Doggie life vests !! peter

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

spare keys for the truck in the boat -- and spare keys for the boat in the truck

Now that's some good advice right there

I would add(if not mentioned already)...a fire starting kit. Maybe just some matches in a waterproof container.

Or you could get the military-type striking device(I bought one on ebay) that allows you to start a fire if needed even in wet conditions. Pretty neat tools.

Easier than rubbing two sticks together. Of course if you are gonna be on a popular lake with lots of folks around, not required, but good for remote areas in case you need to camp for a night or two.

Welcome to iboats, great site for this kind of info. Have fun this summer

 

[samagy16]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

A membership to TowBoat US or something like it. $150 a year with trailer assist included, the cheapest peace of mind you will find.

IMO everything else comes after that.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

only item i'll add to everyone's great lists is a bailing bucket/pee bucket...
hopefully never to be used as a bailing bucket (required item in my state). but it's other use can be most relieving to have on board..

 

[Jillybean]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

Thanks for all the responses!! We've compiled quite a list from all of your ideas.

 

[DonHof]

Re: Must Haves for Boaters

LIFE VEST one for everyone in the boat and one throw able!
Fire extinguisher!
Paddle
you need these before anything else.