Basic Equipment List, New Boat Owners'

ThorSen

ThorSen

Active Member
Aug 17, 2017
219
Western North Carolina
Boat Info
2018 SPX 190 OUTBOARD 150
Engines
150 4-stroke Mercury outboard
'Lo, all (hope everyone had --or are having-- an awesome Labor Day)!

Does anyone have any suggestions for equipment that do not already appear on basic lists such as this one, by the SBC?by http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/assets/docs/boatersequipmentchecklist-pb-26ft-8b.pdf

I did a couplel searches prior to initiating this thread (combined words like "equipment," "list," "new owner," etc.) as I am sure my question has been asked and answered but alas, I did not find what I was looking for (I did; however; find some pretty amazing discussions and neat DYI ideas!)

Anyhoo, even though we won't take delivery of our boat for at least several more months, it occurred to us a lot of places are having end-of-season sales and perhaps we should start gathering the various pieces of equipment every sport boat owner needs. (Since we're on the water and have our own dock with lift (and next week, electric!), we will only be enjoying our SPX-190 outboard during the day (no overnighter's or trailering, to speak of)

So, please chime in: What neat, unique or specialized equipment items have any of you found good to have aboard a small sport (day) boat, that doesn't necessarily appear on any "official" lists but, which you have found helpful to have aboard? I'll start with what we do have:

Personal Flotation Devices (plus spares to stow on-board) CHECK!

PS - Thanks in advance!
 
With the exception of the standard USCG items there wasn't really anything else needed on my 180 besides some sun screen and a corkscrew.
 
A cordless vac.
A 12v air pump if you have kids or plan on using inflatables.
A small invertor for small AC electronics you might want or need.
A decent cooler with some tie-downs.
Good can cozies.
Oil transfer pump.
The absorbent thingamabobbers you put in the bilge.
Ram-mount for your phone/iPad assuming you'll have a Bluetooth enabled stereo.

Hmm...what else...

Ohh - a properly sized flag pole and a properly sized American flag!!!
 
Basic tools to get you home in the event of a problem. Should include a serrated knife to cut line from a fouled prop, a couple of screwdrivers, hammer, pliers, combination wrenches, LED flashlight and a 12 volt test light.
Space may be tight, but you should be able to squeeze the basics in to a small plastic tool box or container and get it in a dry place.
 
Binoculars. Small bucket. First aid kit. Fly swatter. Paddle/boat hook.
 
Holy cow y'all; I am really (truly) glad I queried now ... I mean, I can think of several of our regular guests who will really appreciate the corkscrew but, as soon as I saw 12v vac I pictured my beloved grandchildren stuffing snack crackers in their mounds, and at least 1/3 each cracker winding up on the deck ;-) and JVM, I GUARANTEE I would've never thought of the serrated knife to cut a fouled prop ... same goes for binocs -- they come in VERY handy on our little lake.

Thank You, All!
 
Jumper cables, tow rope. If not for you, then to help others.
 
You're going to need a bigger boat to store all these items :)
 
Most important of all (if it hasn't been mentioned before) is a towing membership with either Seatow or Boat US. Check with boaters in your area to see which has a bigger presence and quicker response time. Both are excellent services.
 
Headlamps instead of or in addition to flashlight--so much easier to have both hands free whether cranking a wrench or loading/unloading. Make sure your flashlight has a tether of some sort, too--we carry pocket-sized LEDs flashlights that have wrist straps, so there's less risk of them going into the drink or under anything in the bilge!
 
A dockbox for that dock to hold all the cleaners, waxes, rags, fluids, and other muck you will want next to the boat. Throw a funnel in there too.
Acrylic wine glasses with with wine glass holders that fit into the cup holders are a favorite on my boat.
Magma grill once you've grown tired of Publix sandwiches.
A small first aid kit. An epipen is also permanently on board.
And of course all the noodles and other floaty things you can stuff into the remaining space.

Have we spent enough of your money yet?
 
Hah. This thread is a trip. I can firmly recall my first boat - a mid 80's Four Winn's Liberator 211. I had exactly none of this gear (other than the cooler) and had the time of my life every weekend on that boat.

Well...I did have rope. And I did get towed a couple times by nice strangers. So I had that going for me. ha.

If you're boating inland lakes I suspect all you really need are the USCG essentials. And a cell phone or VHF. Just go out and have fun! Save your money for gas...and beer.
 
Yah, I see your point; and fun is our goal but ...

Being so close to the mountains, we've found the amount of fun we have doing stuff, at least outdoors, is often in direct correlation with how prepared we were. Couple the facts I was a Boy Scout ("Be Prepared," and all that) AND I was raised by a Navy pilot and, well, I just can't help myself, ha-ha! :)

Based on some of these responses, I am going really dress up the interior of our dock closet; install some shelves and organizers, etc.

I really appreciate the reminder about the headlamps, those things are great and since I already have em hanging in various places throughout the castle, I'm definitely dedicating a set to the boat!

And, the tow rope. Sigh, as relatively tiny as our lake is, my neighbor has already had to tow two other sailors back to the public ramp (one a family pushing their boats "maximum persons" capacity who were adrift on a heat index searing afternoon, with no cover, no water, not enough PFD's AND an infant (as in 1-month old) on-board. My 11-yoa grandson was with my neighbor on that tow and he still expresses dismay over the potential for that infant's plight, had they been out there much longer ... ;)

Boater420, tdgard, here's wishing you both (and everyone in or near Irma's path) the best fortunes, possible!
 
In addition to these suggestions, I would suggest remote battery jumper terminals, like these:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g1430/overview/

I put them next to my battery switch. It allows me to connect any 12v accessory with a battery clip without digging into my engine compartment to get to my batteries. This would include a 12v vacuum, high speed inflators, and jumpers. As an aside, I gave up on a 12v vacuum long ago, and use a small hand broom and dustpan when out. Back at the dock in my box I keep a 120v small shop vac. Better suction and can suck up water. Even if you go the 12v route, I would get the 120v as well.

Bryan
 
"...remote-battery jumper terminals,..."

Okay, now that is just plain a cool idea (and one I'd have never thought of on my own*)!

Re: boat vacs; the electrician returns today to finish juicing up our floating dock (yay!) and we opted for two double 110 outlets (with room on the panel for more) so, with 2 of the 4 outlets dedicated toward the HydroHoist and a battery tender, 2 outlets remain avail and so that tiniest shop vac is now on the list for the dock closet (which, it occurs to me, I am going to have to beef up the lock on)!

*Gosh, this thread has already surpassed my hopes and expectations, thank ye, all!
 
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