Boat essentials

[wannacatchem]

Ok…I’m either an idiot, or not very smart. I have spent the last couple hours trying to search for one or all of several posts about essential and/or nice to have things for you boat. I am most of you guys new nightmare, a new, inexperienced boat owner. The boat I bought comes with a lot of things, anchor system, safety package (life vests, etc.), but I am very interested in seeing your opinions on what are essential/nice things to have. I will store this thread when it is done so I don’t have to ask again. So…..whattya say????

If ya’ll don’t want to post feel free to e-mail me or pm……or point me to keywords to search the archives

Thanks all

[garyk]

Congrats on the spankin new Alumaweld! That'll be the shiniest thing out there at #77 - at least for a while.

Last year there were some good 'what-do-I-need-for-my-boat?' threads.

I thought that a good one had been started by TheRogue, but couldn't find it.

Here is one I could find:

http://www.ifish.net/cgi-local/ultim...;f=35;t=011458

[WaterDog]

I must spend too much time on here for sure. A quick search found these topics for starter's.

NEW BOAT SET UP #1

NEW BOAT SET UP #2

These were just froma few months ago. Good luck!

:smile:

edit: the first link is the one Gary is talking about by TheRogue.

[ 01-05-2004, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: WaterDog ]

[3527766]

I think you're asking for helpful tips to make your boat better/easier etc. and not just standard gear. Here are a few things that I've found over the years for my driftboat and sled.

1. Tail Lights always go out. Buy the $12.99 cheap "Channel Cats" from GI JOES etc. so you only have to replace the bulb, not the whole enclosed unit like in the "Westbar" lights on all Rogue trailers. Trust me on this one as I've spent countless hours and $$ trying to make the expensive ones work and it's just not worth it. Carry extra bulbs in the boat and truck.

2. Seat Boxes make noise. Get some RV weather stripping material from anywhere and put under the lid. Seems simple, but you'll be surprised how much you'll appreciate it.

3. Carry and extra anchor for the wind and in case you lose the first one. Nothing worse than being on the river without an anchor and wanting to fish. Don't bother with a front anchor cleat as you can just as easily tie off to the gunnel.

4. Oar Rights are the only way to go. The rubber stoppers are cheap, but if you have Cataract Oars (or any other light paddles that float) the oars will float up out of the water and turn over making your boat swing on anchor. They have rubber Oar Rights that are about $14 a set and well worth it.

5. Tie your life jackets up underneath the bow of your boat out of the way so they don't get wet and it saves your seat boxes for personal bags etc. I believe Mustang auto inflatables are the only way to go, but you need to carry the others also in case you don't want to wear the Mustangs all the time. They are pfd type v valid only if worn

6. Leader rollers and tool savers from www.motionmarine.com are very cool. Kind of expensive, but keeps everything nice and tidy.

7. Fish box. Seems like a no brainer, but I've seen plenty of people with fish all over the bottom of the boat. They make a mess and potentially dangerous with the slime. If I had a chance to do mine over, I'd do it is plastic/fiberglass. The aluminum one is heavy and if you drop it (you will) you can bend the edges and it won't slide very smooth in the guides.

8. 6' Beckman net. Longer handles are essential especially if you have newbies in the boat.

9. Bungie rod holder across the back of the db. Took me too long to figure this one out, but the rubber tarp straps are better because they are kind of sticky and the rods don't bounce around as much.

10. Rope in case you get stuck.

11. Extra long handled pliers by Anglers Choice are great for deep hooked Chinook.

12. Anchor pulley...not essential, but very nice to have in the db

13. Mr. Heater Cooker/Heaters are awesome (2 total). You can buy a canister refill adaptor from Cabelas and avoid bringing along a big tank. If you have one on top of the tank (trust me here) you will never feel it's warmth. The guys up front will turn it on and never let it leave the bow.

14. TIP O DAY....tell your fishing buddies to travel light. Not everyone needs to bring 5 rods and all the tackle they own. Just the guide get to since he's has to row everyone :grin:

15. RV leveler for the front seats. It's a simple level that keeps people focused on the boat balance especially when pulling plugs. Cheap and very helpful.

16. Bearing Buddies are nice

17. Spare tire. I did'nt have one until I blew a tire and spent 7 hours trying to get home. Now I have one for the sled and the db.

18. Rod Mounts for the SUV. www.rodmounts.com so you don't have to break down your rods and risk breakage. I've spent more money repairing rods than the cost of a rod rack so it's like insurance. Cabelas makes a cheaper version.

19. Spares of everything you can think of

20. Hand held knife sharpener. Cheap and very very very nice. Can't emphasize a sharp cutting instrument enough. Broke my own rule the other day and forgot it and hacked up a fillet. BTW...Buck makes an awesome fillet knife (wife got me own for my birthday). I have 6 Kershaw / Gerber fillet knives and not one will hold an edge.

21. Boat hook for grabbing crab pots.

22. Thirstymate hand held bilge pump for the db when it's raining cats and dogs. This is one item I caught a bunch of grief over because it's fairly easy to bail with the P*** bucket. But I rank it in the top 5 convenience items I have in the db. Now my buddies float over and borrow it (at river prices for sure).

I can go on and on, but I'm out of time. If you have any questions, send me a pm. I think the true value of Ifish is fisherman helping other fisherman. I've had alot of help with my boats from friends and guides and I'm happy to help pass along the info.

[Silver Hilton]

Pee bucket. Fish whacker. Cutting board. Place to store a knife and scissors.

[FishFreak]

Wanna.....
Congrats on the new boat. I got mine several months ago and have been outfitting with everything from first aid kits to GPS etc... I was very dissapointed in the boat show as far as accessories. I hope your right that the sportsman show will be better.
One thing I do know is that you can look forward to spending LOTS more dough in the upcoming months.... my wife likes it because everytime I get a new toy for my boat she heads back to the jewlery store.... she just keeps telling me " you get whatever you want honey"..... enjoy

[blacktail519]

Hey there Wannacatchem and garyk. I see you are from the same area i am. Lets get together and do some fishin. Are yall fishin the sturg challenge? I will be fishin with a couple other ifishers out our way, would definately like to meet you guys? See ya on the water HUH? I have a white 20' allumaweld intruder with dark grey top with ifish decals on the side. Tight lines! Oh yeah, one good essential for the boat is a Mr. Heater :smile: Take care, Todd

[Water Ready]

Hey Wanna-
Im a new guy on ifish getting started, that has lots of love and time into boats. I boat, I raft, love water, challenge whitewater, enjoy flatwater, and love to fish! :tongue: Can also show you your boat and around it. Trade ya for a fishn' trip! E-mail me. Later I know some great fishn' on the coast and North Santiam also( at times)!!!!!!!!!!!

[Water Ready]

Hey Wanna,
I am a new guy to ifish but have been around boats for a while.
I boat, love water, challenge whitewater, enjoy flatwater, and really like fishing. :smile:
Would like to show you around your new boat if possible. Would trade time for a fishn' trip if sounds good. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] Grew up on the coast and know most of those rivers and the North Santiam.
E-mail Me if any interest.......waterrdy@wvi.com
Later

[Waterfish]

A lot of great suggestions on this thread! Besides some of the items already mentioned, several things I've added to my boat really come to mind. The first are Nauticus automatic trim tabs. I realize many boats don't need trim tabs, but a cuddy cabin boat like mine sure did. The Nauticus trim tabs only cost $200.00, and unlike hydralic tabs, (Nauticus trim tabs work with gas actuated struts), they constantly self adjust at any speed by the water pressure working against the trim tabs. My top speed went from 19 mph without trim tabs to 32 mph with trim tabs, and fuel economy greatly improved.

The second item I added that is a great improvement was a Big Water Marine anchor roller. Anchoring is way easier now.

The third item is a Mr. Heater Buddy catalytic heater. I have this connected to a five gallon propane tank with a 5 foot hose. These hoses that connect a heater to a propane tank can be dangerous if you're not carefull: Twice (with two different hoses) a hose got bumped up against the front of the heater. Luckily, both times I smelled burning rubber, and moved the hose away from the heating element (this was with my non-catalytic Mr. Heater). Both times, the rubber hose was almost burned clear through. I hate to think what would have happened if the hose would have melted all the way through and the propane ignited against the hearter element... I solved this problem with the third hose I bought, by sliding "fire sleeve" over the hose. You can buy "fire sleeve" at Oil Filter Service company in Portland. It is a fire resistant hose that comes in different diameters. The Mr. Heater Buddy does not put out as much heat as a non-catalytic Mr. Heater, but I can use it when my side curtains and back wall are on, and in an enclosed space it keeps the boat nice and warm. I still use a non-catalytic Mr. Heater when the back wall is open.

The last two items are a dash-mounted VHF radio, and a Garmin Map 76-S GPS. I wouldn't want to go out without any of these additions.

[Flatfish]

It kinda depends on how and where you like to fish.

Must have stuff in a driftboat for spring steelies looks different than a Columbia springer trip.

Sorry to be so bland. But I can't really give advice until I know how and where.

Some folks want every James Bond gadget known to man. Some like it minimal.

I don't bring too much stuff ascessory wise. But I do have at least 2 aisles worth of tackle out of FMS every trip. So whatever makes you feel good.

The one thing I have seen is there is a lot of stuff out there, Some of it is very useful to you. Some of it will be expensive paperweights. Learn what the world has to offer you, and then decide what you actually gotta have.

At the very minimum, get a dog. :smile:

Mark and the dog.

[ 01-05-2004, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: Flatfish ]

[FEAR NO FISH!]

Buy you and yours a mustang survival suit. I like the worksuit that is black up to the chest and orange the rest of the way. Flotation and anti hypothermia. Keeps you toasty and safe. They are spendy but how much are your lives worth?

[ 01-18-2004, 11:44 PM: Message edited by: ****** ]

[Thumper]

Listen to Fear No Fish. Good advice. We use Mustang suits regularly. Warm, water repellant, and superb flotation.

[DownTime]

You will want some fenders to protect that shiny new boat

JB :smile:

[Pickles]

I just set up my new boat last year. One thing you want to make sure and do is to either get a Big water anchor system, or a Motion Marine Anchor Nest. Believe me, I sure wish I hadn't waited so long. have them put it on before you take delivery of the boat. It will really help save your paint, and keep that aluminum looking pretty. Also, if you have the extra cash have a tr-1 autopilot put on your loan, it's well worth it. I sure wish I had done it.

[wannacatchem]

Thanks everybody for the advice. I'm kind of a minimalist, but safety and comfort are important, especially if I want my citified wife to go frequently. (she talked me into buying the boat [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] ) Will take all suggestions in hand to several stores :smile:

ps....it wasn't that hard to talk me into it

[ 01-06-2004, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: wannacatchem ]

[greenbuttskunk]

take it from a guy who's owned a boat for many years. Most impotantly you need these things.
Patience, and a deep pocket. :grin:
GBS

[chummer]

This may not be an essential, but in my boat it has has proved quite valuable. I'm very surprised that the fishing equipment stores have not picked up on it. It is called a panic release, a small device sold in equestrian stores. I bought mine at coastal ranch and home, it came with a 3' rope and a clip at the opposite end for $10. Andy & Bax sells just the release for $3. It is used to release your boat from anchor without having to go to the bow to release the boat (Ideal in salmon hog lines where a quick release is essential or when fishing by yourself) Use this device in conjunction with some tuna cord tied to the spring loaded sleeve on the release and snaked to the back of the boat. A quick jerk on the cord and your slipping back out of everyone's way playing your fish. No stumbling to the bow to release.

[theles]

Chummer,

That sounds like what I have been looking for; can you show a picture of the setup.

This is a good thread...my 2 cents:

-a roll of small garbage bags for clean up
-ziplocs for playing cards, registration, lighter, etc.
-zip ties
-oar and boat hook
-plenty of rope
-mesh bag for rope

[wannacatchem]

Ya know...I was thinking of this before I bought the boat.....can you give more details on this, like where is Coastal ranch and home? This sounds like just the ticket. I was trying to figure out how I was going to mount a jumar clamp (rock climbing thingy) on the boat, or at the vry least mount a serrated knife near the anchor line and instruct everybody how, where and when to use it. Can you post a picture of it?

Anybody have a CD, TV, etc in the boat?

[Pickles]

minimalist huh, well if you skimp on the anchor roller/nest, you will definetly regret it. Especially if you have someone else pull up your anchor. I have several ouches on the front of my boat, before I purchased my Motion marine anchor nest.