Boating Necessities / Must Haves?

[tcbass]

Just ordered my first new boat and first boat in awhile. Seeing what I should buy for it. 

 

 

So far I've got, fire extinguisher, telescoping oar, life jackets, throw cushion, MY Wedge, Steering Stops, spare prop, prop wrench, prop stop, tow rope, dock ropes, hull fenders.

 

 

 

What else do I need?

 

 

 

I didn't put anything like spark plugs because this being a 2024 Suzuki 250 with a warranty I won't be doing anything to with the motor. 

[MN Fisher]

Good you got the extinguisher, oar, and spare PFDs - other things that I consider necessary (and I'm sure @A-Jay will back me up on this)

Sound device like a whistle or air-horn, med-kit, communications device

[slowworm]

First aid kit.  Mine includes tourniquets and trauma bandages.  Because propellers and people don't mix without major trauma being involved.

 

Spare kill switch lanyard.  Spare drain plug.  Noco (or similar) battery for jumping the engine if the battery goes flat.

 

 

[Tackleholic]

1 hour ago, tcbass said:

Just ordered my first new boat and first boat in awhile. Seeing what I should buy for it. 

 

 

So far I've got, fire extinguisher, telescoping oar, life jackets, throw cushion, MY Wedge, Steering Stops, spare prop, prop wrench, prop stop, tow rope, dock ropes, hull fenders.

 

 

 

What else do I need?

 

 

 

I didn't put anything like spark plugs because this being a 2024 Suzuki 250 with a warranty I won't be doing anything to with the motor. 

Flood light.

[gimruis]

One item you may or may not need is a separate lug nut wrench for the trailer tires. When I bought my boat I didn’t realize this until a tire started losing air while the boat/trailer was in my garage a couple years later. My lug nut wrench for my truck tires did not fit the lug nuts on the trailer tires. I bought a 4 way tire iron that I keep in my truck now.

 

Luckily this problem didn’t reveal itself along the shoulder of a highway.

[A-Jay]

@tcbass

Here's some different types of 'needs

YMMV

 

Develop a 'pre-underway' check list that has items

you want to make sure you take with you on every trip.

Mine has things like food, drinks, wallet, cellphone, and situational awareness.

And use it every trip. 

 

Develop a hard copy "Float Plan"

Needs to include a complete description of you, who you're with, your tow vehicle, boat & trailer including registration number. Needs to note where you are going, when you will be returning and what ramp you plan on using. If it's a larger body of water, which area's you'll be using most.   Should also include the contact info & numbers of who you want whichever responsible adult you leave this with, to call in the event you don't return on time. (USCG, Police, Fire Rescue etc)

AND IF YOU CHANGE PLANS - let the person know right away. 

And use it every trip.

 

Develop and stick to a routine when:

Hooking and unhooking your rig to your tow vehicle. 

So it the same way EVEREY TIME.

 

Also when launching & recovering your rig on & off the trailer, do it the same way every time .

AND NEVER GET IN A HURRY - If other ramp users are impatient, tell them they should have left earlier.  And unless you actually know a person, accepting help from someone, isn't always helpful.

Regardless of their good intentions.  I just say, 'Thanks, but I'm good'. 

 

As for helpful I items. 

Spare trailer tire. 

I carry a battery booster for my truck and or cranking battery

A couple of tire pressure gages for truck & trailer tire PSI.

A Quality Portable air compressor that runs off the truck juice.

A Trailer tire jack.

Extra trailer tire lug nuts.

Also make sure you have the correct socket size for your trailer tire lugs nuts.

Sometimes they are some funky sizes.

A 'breaker bar'  - big help on stubborn deals. 

Finally when towing my rig on a long haul at highway speed, at any stop where it's safe, (at the lake or at home even) I make sure my trailer wheel bearing are only warm but even better, cool to the touch. If they are smoking hot, like too hot to touch, something's a miss.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[Catt]

[WRB]

Tackle management system like Easy View  or T&H Tackle Titan.

Tuperware type storage container for compound cutter, needle nose and std pliers, knife, scissors, flat & Phillips screw driver, misc tools  and spare sunglasses to keep them handy and dry.

Key floats, spare drain plug, towels and TP.

It takes awhile to gather the odds and ends .

Dry bag for spare warm cloths and rain parka.

Running lights, I kept all the above in the boat all the time.

Enjoy!

Tom

[gimruis]

Haven’t seen anyone mention an anchor yet. I haven’t used mine in at least 5 years but I think it’s a good idea if you break down on the water and have to wait for help.

[T.J.]

Flares

Somewhere I was going required me to carry flares. I have some that stay in my dry box with boat registration, some tools, flash light, and spare drain plug. 

[Bird]

Lots of valuable information covered, good read.

Only thing I could possibly add if I missed it is plenty of water and snacks.

 

Education is something of importance, being well rehearsed with your equipment.

I failed miserably after purchasing a new boat " embarrassing " .

Spent 3 days on a top ranked bass fishery running 2 graphs daily.

Charged the batteries nightly but didn't realize I only had a 2 bank charger only charging a 2 battery 24 volt system.

 

4 miles from the ramp the motor wouldn't turn over and luckily had a rope to pull start.

So yes, know your equipment.

[Susky River Rat]

All great info. Anchor  was mentioned I have one and never use it. Still doesn’t mean I will take it out. Jump pack was another great one.  TP is invaluable when needed. First a kit

 

learning your equipment and taking your time at the ramp were two biggies that were mentioned. Rushing always leads to mistakes. Mistakes always take more time than slowing down. You will develop a feel for your boat. It takes time on it. Everyone boat will be different. Every time you launch you will launch in different conditions. 
 

Be confident not cocky. If the conditions scare you load it back up. Nothing is more important than going home safely. This is many times where the wind picks up and I can’t “read” the water anymore. I will trailer it instead of force myself to fish in conditions I know could end very badly. 

[MN Fisher]

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

Haven’t seen anyone mention an anchor yet. I haven’t used mine in at least 5 years but I think it’s a good idea if you break down on the water and have to wait for help.

I've used my anchor twice - both times to 'park' while I had lunch.

[tcbass]

7 hours ago, A-Jay said:

@tcbass

Here's some different types of 'needs

YMMV

 

Develop a 'pre-underway' check list that has items

you want to make sure you take with you on every trip.

Mine has things like food, drinks, wallet, cellphone, and situational awareness.

And use it every trip. 

 

Develop a hard copy "Float Plan"

Needs to include a complete description of you, who you're with, your tow vehicle, boat & trailer including registration number. Needs to note where you are going, when you will be returning and what ramp you plan on using. If it's a larger body of water, which area's you'll be using most.   Should also include the contact info & numbers of who you want whichever responsible adult you leave this with, to call in the event you don't return on time. (USCG, Police, Fire Rescue etc)

AND IF YOU CHANGE PLANS - let the person know right away. 

And use it every trip.

 

Develop and stick to a routine when:

Hooking and unhooking your rig to your tow vehicle. 

So it the same way EVEREY TIME.

 

Also when launching & recovering your rig on & off the trailer, do it the same way every time .

AND NEVER GET IN A HURRY - If other ramp users are impatient, tell them they should have left earlier.  And unless you actually know a person, accepting help from someone, isn't always helpful.

Regardless of their good intentions.  I just say, 'Thanks, but I'm good'. 

 

As for helpful I items. 

Spare trailer tire. 

I carry a battery booster for my truck and or cranking battery

A couple of tire pressure gages for truck & trailer tire PSI.

A Quality Portable air compressor that runs off the truck juice.

A Trailer tire jack.

Extra trailer tire lug nuts.

Also make sure you have the correct socket size for your trailer tire lugs nuts.

Sometimes they are some funky sizes.

A 'breaker bar'  - big help on stubborn deals. 

Finally when towing my rig on a long haul at highway speed, at any stop where it's safe, (at the lake or at home even) I make sure my trailer wheel bearing are only warm but even better, cool to the touch. If they are smoking hot, like too hot to touch, something's a miss.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

 

Are trailer tire lug nuts the same as truck tire lug nuts?

[Susky River Rat]

@tcbass some are and some aren’t 

[A-Jay]

5 hours ago, tcbass said:

 

 

Are trailer tire lug nuts the same as truck tire lug nuts?

Size them up in your driveway and see.

If they are not, that's the place to find out.

Mine are not.

 The GMC Truck is  3/4" and the trailer's 13/16th's" thin deep socket.

Odd size on the trailer wheel is perhaps a theft deterrent. 

Especially for the spare tire.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[jbmaine]

One thing we find invaluable is a boarding ladder, connected to the stern. Have used it many times to get back in the boat. 

[A-Jay]

55 minutes ago, jbmaine said:

One thing we find invaluable is a boarding ladder, connected to the stern. Have used it many times to get back in the boat. 

This is a file photo,

but the Pro-V bass has a boarding ladder built in.

Slides in & out of the hull.

A-Jay

[Functional]

On the boat:

-First aid kit w/ tourniquet and super glue added.

-PFDs for my max occupancy +1

-Spare kill switch lanyard

-2 spare boat plugs (3rd spare in the truck)

-Jumper pack

-Spark plugs, filter jumper, tools to change (warranty wont help you stranded in the water)

-Towel

-Poncho (not really for rain, in case I'm stranded and end up spending any time somewhere).

-Magnesium Fire Starter w/ petroleum jell cotton balls

-Water bottles + long lasting snacks

-Paracord

-Anchor

*knife of some kind if you dont carry one on you

*need to add spare props for both electric and gas motor

 

Truck

-Spare trailer tire

-Spare trailer bulbs

-Spare boat plug

-Tools to change a tire

-Spare clothes 

[Jig Man]

Maybe I missed it.  What kind and size of boat?

[gimruis]

2 hours ago, Functional said:

need to add spare props for both electric and gas motor

 

I don't quite understand the concept of keeping this actually in the boat.  I mean if you're out on the lake and you bust a prop, you aren't changing it on the water.  You still have to go back in to physically change out the prop.

[Deephaven]

4 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

I don't quite understand the concept of keeping this actually in the boat.  I mean if you're out on the lake and you bust a prop, you aren't changing it on the water.  You still have to go back in to physically change out the prop.

I have before.  Wasn't my boat, but a buddies.  Up north, long ways from the launch but a short jaunt with the trolling motor to shore.  Raised up the engine, back up to someone's beach and swapped it right there.

On little water it is in the truck on big water I carry one with.

[Functional]

6 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

I don't quite understand the concept of keeping this actually in the boat.  I mean if you're out on the lake and you bust a prop, you aren't changing it on the water.  You still have to go back in to physically change out the prop.

 

As above, trolling motor over to the shore or a dock, small piece of 2x4 and you can get the prop off fairly easily. Some of the lakes I fish its a good 30-45 minute run at WOT for me on days I feel adventurous. Some lakes I am confident I can TM my way back the ramp but not on all lakes.

[gimruis]

8 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

Raised up the engine, back up to someone's beach and swapped it right there.

 

Guess I never really considered the thought of going to shore.  Everything here is private property and I am not about to trespass.

 

My previous post I should have been more specific.  I could probably change out my trolling motor prop on the spot while out on the lake.  Even that would be tricky with front of the bow mount sitting at the very front V of the boat though.  The outboard prop, no chance.  I'd end up in the drink.  I know you're a tall guy @Deephaven but you aint that tall.

[Choporoz]

Or do it while in the drink.  I watched a couple guys testing props in their boat last fall while I fished.  They did four or five changes in the middle of the lake...