What do I need for my maiden voyage?

[Twinz]

I bought an 18 foot bow rider a few months ago. Spring is a few months away and I need to start buying stuff for the boat. Could you please add to my list below of things I will need inorder to make my maiden voyage?

I have the boat, on a trailer, towing with the wife's minivan. I know the boat has one anchor with rope/chain. That is about, so I know I need alot more.

1) Life Vests for all passengers + one extra
2) Paddle/Oar/Boat Hook
3) Whistle/Signal Device
4) First Aid Kit
5) Fire Extinguisher
6) Spare prop with wrench and nut kit
7) Depth Gauge (boat dosen't have one)
8) Spare Fuses
9) Fenders
10) Rope
11) Compass


Thanks,

 

[Bondo]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

2) Life Vests for all passengers + one extra
3) Paddle/Oar/Boat Hook
4) Whistle/Signal Device
5) First Aid Kit
6) Fire Extinguisher
7) Spare prop with wrench and nut kit
8) Depth Gauge (boat dosen't have one)
9) Spare Fuses
10) Fenders
11) Rope
12) Compass

Ayuh,.... Numero, ouno, #1, is a Coast Gaurd approved Safe Boating course....

It in itself will answer the rest of your questions....

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

boat and trailer registration

i would change 2 on list to paddle or oar and a boat hook

bucket and and small bucket or plastic glass for bailing if necessary

simple tool kit-screw drivers, pliers, crescent wrench ect.

electrical tape and duck tape

electrical wire

hand held gps if you have one and you camera

 

[QC]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

Looks like you have a good start. Do some searching here as there are lots of lists like this. I have a couple of quickie suggestions to add.

1) Life Vests for all passengers + one extra

Need a throwable type of life preserver too, required.

6) Spare prop with wrench and nut kit

I always recommend adding the thrust washer. If it comes off with the damaged prop (grease will make it stick to the most forward area of the prop) and if it drops in the water, you are screwed . . .

Also, some sort of tool kit for minor quickie repairs. Wire stripper, connectors, loose wire. Screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, vice grips, electrical tape, zip ties, hose clamps etc.

10) Rope

3 - 4 Specific dock lines, 1 bow, 1 stern and 1 spring minimum. And a very long length to use for all kinds of things that will come up. I like 150 ft.

My favorite item on the boat, and I use it a lot, is a sewing kit . . .

 

[pinellas50]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

I always carry an assortment of tools with me just in case. Also some means to contact shore, cell phone or VHF radio, in case you need to call for a tow. 2 ropes for tieing up at the dock. I don't think a depth guage is mandatory to put the boat in the water for the maiden voyage. I would also suggest taking another person, not the wife and kids, that can help listen and look for any problems that might surface.

For my first time out I put in at a local lake that isn't real popular. I didn't want to tie up one of the busy ramps with me fumbling around or having to deal with the boat traffic if there were problems.

 

[Twinz]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

I should have added that both the boat and trailer are already registered and insured.

I have an iPhone, so I have a make shift GPS.

Boating course is a given for me and my wife.

The list is in no particular order just numbered it so I could tell how many items i needed overall.

Keep 'em coming.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

most places we go you need the registration paper with said vehical-boat to be legal

extra drain plug for boat and tool to snug if it screws in. snug not tighten.

spare tire, jack, and wrench for trailer

 

[scutly]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

tow insurance. best $125 i spent. i just got both receipts that towboatUS paid for the 2 tows i had to get last summer :redface: one was $497.14 and the other one was $455.68

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

tow insurance. best $125 i spent. i just got both receipts that towboatUS paid for the 2 tows i had to get last summer. :redface: one was $497.14 and the other one was $455.68

:redface:

 

[jeeperman]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

I bought an 18 foot bow rider a few months ago. Spring is a few months away and I need to start buying stuff for the boat. Could you please add to my list below of things I will need inorder to make my maiden voyage?

I have the boat, on a trailer, towing with the wife's minivan. I know the boat has one anchor with rope/chain. That is about, so I know I need alot more.

1) Life Vests for all passengers + one extra
2) Paddle/Oar/Boat Hook
3) Whistle/Signal Device
4) First Aid Kit
5) Fire Extinguisher
6) Spare prop with wrench and nut kit
7) Depth Gauge (boat dosen't have one)
8) Spare Fuses
9) Fenders
10) Rope
11) Compass


Thanks,

Do you need child size life vest(s) ?? CG might not like it if a non adult is on board without a proper size vest on or available.
I would not carry a spare prop unless I felt that the current prop was not installed correctly.
Visual Distress Signal(s) for 16ft+
Navigation Lights if running at night

 

[jkust]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

wrench for trailer

I second this. I had no idea that trailer lugs are not the same size as truck lugs until I got a flat. Get a T lug wrench if you don't have one. They are cheap at Walmart and they fold up. I would also get a set of long jumper cables if you don't have multiple batteries. Those really long ones are expensive. A Leatherman is also handy and they even have a small LED flash light built in. Lastly take a look and see if your boat/trailer insurance has road side assistance for the trailer and keep a copy of the info in your boat glove box. I discovered mine did the week before I amazingly needed it but unknowingly had it for a year prior. I ended up saving the day on a long trip in the middle of nowhere.

Good luck and welcome.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

Most important is that before you leave the yard, ensure everything on the boat is in woirking order including the bilge pump. Tires at specified pressure, bearings packed, lights working. Lastly, the suggestion that you take a boating safety course is good advice. Understanding your power plant, its proper operation, warning horn and instruments is essential for safe boating.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

First, congrats on the boat and for seeking advise. Everyone pretty much covered the items required by the CG and the items suggested for unexpected problems. Not sure I saw it mentioned above (my comprehension is getting bad!) but an "air horn". Also, I carry some extra fluids...for the boat....oil / gear lube, etc. And always keep some bottled water aboard as well. I also carry some standard cleaning supplies and towels and a couple of bungee cords. Make sure that the throwable is kept out in an open, obvious, readily available place (not stowed). In addition to what I carry on the boat, I also keep a "boat box" in the tow vehicle that contains a set of muffs, a hose, spray nozzle and wrench for the plug. I put the transom straps in there after launch. You mentioned the I-Phone. There is a decent app that you can download for about 4.00 (Motion X - I think) that is ok for tracks, waypoints and speed. I would also suggest that you brush up on ramp ettiquette. But most of all, bring your desire to have loads of fun and to be safe at all times! Good luck. Enjoy!

 

[Willyclay]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

Before the first outing, go to your intended launch ramp on a day conducive for boating and observe what others are doing. Pictures might help recall things later. I agree with Pinellas50 that taking someone with you on the first outing other than the wife and kids is a good idea. I further recommend that other person be an experienced trailer boater, if at all possible. Good luck and be safe!

 

[slasmith1]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

The two most important items are patience and your sense of humor.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

Marine band radio isn't required by any means but good to have for emergencies in case cell phone towers aren't nearby.

Also bringing salty snacks in case folks get motion sickness/seasickness they help. I'd recommend having two anchors on board in case anyone has issues tying knots and you lose one(it happens )

I'd bring some fishing gear in case you have engine trouble casting a few lines helps kill the time or get some fish to eat.

Congrats on the new rig and good luck to ya

 

[tkrfxr]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

Bondo's right, a boating course will fill in all the rest...

Also, stay tuned to these forums, and for more stuff, join Boat US...

http://www.boatus.com/

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

someone said not to bring a spare prop... I disagree.... I have seen more than one day on the water saved by having a prop to change too when the one on the boat gets damaged.....

Also now this is paramount..... On your first trip accept that something may not be right and you may have to come back without boating...... Don't take a full boat of unexperienced people. You and a buddy or if she's easy going you and your wife.... leave the kiddos with the sitter. Try to go on an off day so the ramp isn't busy. Back in and leave it on the trailer for a few minutes.... Look for water comming in.... If you have water comming in find and fix it before you even consider launching... next start the engine in the water and cycle fwd neu rvs several times at idle... I've towed several people back to dock who were amazed that their engine ran just fine on land but not in the water.... back pressure from the water changes things.... next launch the boat and idle too the dock and tie up.... run it there a while and make sure it isn't overheating. A bad impeller at the dock is annoying but seeing your temp bury out in the middle of the lake or worse yet in rough water can be much more serious.... Just because it runs cool on the hose doesn't mean the impeller is good...... Once all is well with the engine and the boat hull is staying dry then It's finally time to launch.... I bet ur hungry by now.... hope you packed a lunch..... now it's time to find a perfect place for lunch

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

do not rely on a cell phone for emergency communications. Consider it non-functional in case of emergency, and figure out what you are going to do instead. This guy didn't:

December 16, 2009
The Coast Guard rescued a 30-year-old Virginia Beach man who was adrift this morning on the Chesapeake Bay in a disabled boat.

When Gary Anderson didn?t report for work last night, a friend contacted the Coast Guard, according to a news release from the agency. Anderson told the friend earlier in the day that he was going fishing.

The Coast Guard contacted Anderson?s cell phone company and learned he had been about five miles from Thomas Point Shoal Light when he made a phone call Tuesday morning, the release says.

The Coast Guard sent a helicopter and a rescue boat and the Maryland Natural Resources Police launched a boat to search for Anderson, the release says.

About 4 a.m. today, one of the rescue boat crews located Anderson about five miles south of the Bay Bridge in Maryland.

Anderson told the crew that the 21-foot boat had been disabled Tuesday and had been adrift for nearly 20 hours, the release says.

Anderson was taken to the Coast Guard?s station in Annapolis where he was met by his wife, the release says. He declined medical treatment.

 

[Stachi]

Re: What do I need for my maiden voyage?

don't forget the maiden !....lol