What to bring with me?
 

Hey guys,
I'm fairly new to boating and wanted to get some input or a good list on what to load my boat with for safety gear and what to bring so I don't get stranded. I have a 79 formula 233 with twin 350's and will be taking it about 80 miles max through in-shore bays and straights. Any links to useful info would also be appreciated.

Start with USCG required equipment,

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/reqequip.htm

A few items I keep on board in addition are:

-First Aid Kit
-Water
-Tool Kit
-Few Qts of Oil / Drive lube
-Spare Belts (I keep a set of season old belts in my tool kit)
-Water Pump Impeller (again, I keep last years)
-Cap and Rotor (Ditto)
-Spare Prop and hub
-Hand Held VHF / GPS in my emergency kit
-Paper Charts (depending on where you are going)
-Spare fenders for when people want to tie up with $.99 walmart specials
-Plenty of dockline
-Anchor - When we boat at out home lake, it is very shallow so I keep a smaller anchor with a short line on it just to make life easier when we toss it at the sandbar.

I'm sure there is more... Sounds liek a ton of crap but almost all of it fits under the cabin step, and I keep a "go bag" with the first aid, VHF, etc in it in case of an emergency.

A lot will depend on the environment in which you boat. We are planning a trip in a few weeks accross the Gulf of Mexico to Key West, so we are a bit over prepared for a typical day on the lake, but it's easier to have it all and not need it than to not have it.

Hope this helps!

RT, that's a pretty comprehensive list!


I agree with "Bumpers" or fenders as well, and go up once size. Even people with bigger boats than yours pull out Wallmart crap! I have one set meant for my size boat (32'), and one set meant for one step up (36-42) for the guy that comes along bigger than mine. It's so rare that people have the right gear that I'm actually shocked every time someone pulls up with proper fenders to tie up with me.

The USCG site talks of a whistle, but air horns are sooooo much more fun, and a great way to wake up hungover, lightweights in the AM on over-nights.

Artie, any luck with the leak ?


Jim

Sea Tow or Boat US

U have to have an anchor, flares, horn, a throw, fire extinguisher, and life jacket for everybody thats the law. Turbo has quite a list probably more than I would go.
Beyong USCG regs above You need the following

-2 Dock lines
-Small tool kit with basic tools
-jumper cables
-first aid kit
-Ship to shore radio if your going way out or dont have cell service
- 2 or three fenders

Heres the three rules to boating for your guest and crew

1 always bring more beverage then you can drink.......theres no carry out in the middle of the pond.

2 pack something warm to wear.....the weather always changes and there is NO going in early.

3 bring cash.........because I don't take American Express.


:lolhit:

I attach a whistle to each life jacket. I carry an air horn too because my boat does not have a built in horn.

A few other things....an oar, boat pole/hook, rags.

I usually carry a jump pack along, on long trips or overnighters! I installed a third battery, also.
The tip about the whistles on each jacket is a very good idea! I did that a few years ago.

You know, I never actually thought about all the stuff I have on there. Like I said, it all fits under the step, so it's out-of-sight out-of-mind. Funny how when people break on the water they call me before they even call the parts store :rolleyes:

RT, great list. Ive got all the items the you said. I get the same response from people on what i carry on my boat. They are shocked. Ive actually considered throwing a starter and fuel pump as a spare also. Might be a little to far, but ive been out there when one of those two went out.

Good list, in addition to those items listed above I would also suggest a couple of other things.

Take a Coast Guard Auxillary Safe Boating Course with your Wife or Crew Mate.
Teach your Crew Mate/Wife how to drive and operate the Boat and read the gauges and understand them.
Teach them to back up the Trailer if applicable.
Definitely charts if applicable to your area.
Cell Phone and Charger
AA AAA Batteries
Flashlight(s)
Duck Tape
Spare Hose Clamps
Spark Plug Wrench in the Tool Kit
Zip Ties - varied lengths and gauges
Kill Switch Tether
Pad or Paper and Pen/Pencil
Extra Sunglasses/Goggles for Guests
Micro Fiber Cloths for cleaning your Glasses only!
Seperate Detail Kit & Cloths for Hull exterior/Interior
303 Vinyl Protector with dedicated Micro Fiber
WD 40
2 Anchors if you have room, much safer in long term raft ups or overnites.
A Throwable Cushion/Preserver
Plenty of Double Braided Lines at least 2 as long or longer than your boat, I keep plenty (over 4 for my 28) and several 20' and 25' for Spring Lines and Raft Ups.
Dont whimp out on the lines or Fenders, size them correctly...going small is going to add chips to your gel or someone elses.
Spring Loaded Plunger / Grabber - available in Auto Parts Stores for retrieving the dropped screw or whatever in the inaccessible areas of the Bilge or where ever? They store coiled up in the tool box.
Soft Boat Cooler - won't bounce around and damage boat, and tends to stay planted in rougher conditions...ask me how I know this? :drink:

As you know or will learn there is no substitute for "Seat Time" so when you are out, and think of something or see something write it down. To be honest...getting outfitted is really a process and its not cheap..but if you start out with the essentials the rest will be easy to determine.
Also alot of the items you may just want to have in the Tow Vehicle and not carry on the boat...again thats something only you can determine.

I also highly recommend a Towing Service for wherever you boat or will boat.

As every one knows, there are really only 2 kinds of Boaters, those that have been towed in and those that will be towed in.

:sport009: Some of us have more experience in that area than others...but thats another matter all together.

Good Luck, Be Safe and Enjoy Your Boat.

Danny :ernaehrung004:

Wow thanks for all the great suggestions guys. Its a huge help! Now I just have to wait for the sun to makes its way up to Washington.

I boat at night a lot on the Ohio River. I carry spare bulbs for the nav lights.

2 broads( in case one passes out)

2 cases of Bud light( Cans, no bottles allowed, they break)

Bag of Doritos(Lunch and dinner)

Boom box( A back up when you kill the boat battery)

Oh, and a multi purpose 5 gallon bucket:
For the broads to throw up in at night and
For the broads to pee in at the 5AM hour

You may think this is quite an extensive list, but it is ALL needed as a new boater! :lolhit:

My last post was a joke BTW !!! :lolhit:

thatsonly if you own studio 54:eek:

Hahaha, right!:drink:

:evilb:And a disco ball!:evilb:

Scratch my previous list, I'm gonna go with this one. Does sound about like the required equipment on my first boat, except I did have to make room for a can of ether to get the old 65HP started!

Saw this and thought of a couple more to add to stowage list that i don't see here.

Trash bags.... priceless when you need one
Koozies
Apirin.. if not in first aid kit
sunscreen

Tell someone close where ur going & when ur comin back! Stay in touch w/someone on land! :drink:
SPF #30---
Xtra sunglasses---
Duct tape---
Watertight container 4 phone if you hav to swim with it!:eek:

I also carry a 3 million candle power spot light and extra plug and a few of the drain plugs for the exhaust w/orings ..

KNOWLEDGE!

Take a boating course, and, if possible check into "basic marine maintainance" courses offered through some Gov't agencies and/or colleges.

Face it, having all the spare parts in the world and a roller cabinet full of Snap On tools does you NO good whatsoever if you have no idea whats wrong, how to fix it, or how to diagnose whats wrong.

A float plan is a also a great idea, most smart phones have a free app. that allows you to file a plan and Email it to whoever you want, it includes your boat Reg numbers, name, etc, so, if [God Forbid] something happens and you need assistance, all your pertinent info will be available.

Its also a good idea to have "someone" on the boat with a good knowledge of how to operate the boat, and most importantly the radio, again, you can take a "VHF course" from several places. If "you" are injured or get sick, fall overboard, pass out, etc. Its a good idea to have someone who knows "what to do" [other than get hysterical and start screaming and crying, lol]

Just my 2 cents!
Michael

it is essential that you teach your wife or s/o basic operations of the boat, and basic navigation, and basic vhf function. If god forbid something happened to you she could safely get you back to port.