I just got a call from my cousin and he told me he was gonna give me one of the boats in my uncles backyard. Believe he said it was an aluminum 10 ft Jon Boat. Along with it he says he'll throw in some oars,an electric motor,a gas motor,and anything else he thinks I might need to get me started. Can anyone give me a rundown/checklist of things I will need to get ready to get on the water. I have never owned a boat before and have rarely ever been on the water in one. I used to float tube but its getting very tiring when the wind blows you from one end of the lake to the other.

Some things I know ill probably need:

A PFD

A MARINE BATTERY

A BATTERY CHARGER

SOME SORT  OF BILGE PUMP

FIRST AID KIT

ANCHOR

The thought of my cousin offering me a baot just hits the spot,I was at the lake yesterday and the day before and walking around the lake to that "hole" has just gotten to be such a chore. And then by the time I got there it started raining and I had to pack it in and head home. Thanks for the replies

Throwable PFD (cushion type)

I agree with Burley.  Please have a cushion.  One for each person in the boat.

Check with your local Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for the needed items you should have on the boat.  They should have a check list and you can go from there.

Be sure to register the boat with your DMV, too.

You will find out what you need as time marches on.  Things like tools, cell phone, lock and chain, etc.  

Have fun; but please check the weather reports as your boat may not be able to withstand strong weather (wind and waves).

Throwable PFD (cushion type)

And be sure it has a coast gaurd label on it, they are required by law in all (I think) states.

I wouldn't worry about a bilge unless you have a sub floor in the boat (or it just leaks a lot) then it will be required, as will a fire extinguisher... which may be required in your state anyway if you have a gas tank.

One other thing... in Taxas, if you were born after a certain date (I believe 1974) you have to take a boater's safety course offered by the coast gaurd to legally operate a boat on public water.  Check your state's DNR for a list of requirements for you and the boat.... all that info will be online.

Fishing Poles!!!!

Seriously, sounds like you have a great list to start with.  Remember safety first, so have all that in order before you hit the water.

Thats awesome you got a craft.  This will take your angling to a new level.  Have fun.

Oh....how about a depth finder?  Maybe one of those that just clips to the boat.  A transducer and screen all-in-one unit.  I'd be lost without electronics.

Go get 'em!

Throwable PFD (cushion type)

And be sure it has a coast gaurd label on it, they are required by law in all (I think) states.

I wouldn't worry about a bilge unless you have a sub floor in the boat (or it just leaks a lot) then it will be required, as will a fire extinguisher... which may be required in your state anyway if you have a gas tank.

One other thing... in Taxas, if you were born after a certain date (I believe 1974) you have to take a boater's safety course offered by the coast gaurd to legally operate a boat on public water.  Check your state's DNR for a list of requirements for you and the boat.... all that info will be online.

I think only states who's boating regs mirror the USCG's boating regs require a throwable PFD.  VA only recently (last 3 or 4 years) did that.  I know quite a few people who got a ticket for not having one in their boat.

In VA you are required to have a Type I, II, III, V for each person, as well as one throwable floation device.

Here is a link to Arizona's boating regs.  Be sure to read them and know them.

http://www.gf.state.az.us/outdoor_recreation/boating_rules.shtml

According to the info there, if a boat is less than 16' in AZ, you are not required to have a throwable PFD.  Even so, it is a good idea to have one.