One of the most fun things about buying a new boat is personalizing it and making it your own. From the “must have” items like safety equipment, to the “nice to have” items to fit your style of fishing, there are many ways to equip a boat.
We spent some time chatting with Anglers All Boathouse manager, Johnnie Trujillo, and he offered some great recommendations in each category. Johnnie also noted that many of these suggestions will apply to any type of boat – from a float tube, to a multi-person watercraft.
MUST HAVE ITEMS
The first thing that Johnnie mentioned is the importance of having the proper (and often required safety equipment for your boat.
“It is essential to have your boat river ready before you begin any trip,” Johnnie began. “Staying safe on the water is important and don’t take that lightly.”
He said that some of the essentials include a rescue throw bag and PFD or life jacket.
“Make sure you have at least one PFD for each seat in the boat,” he explained. “You might invite a friend or two and need one for them. When purchasing extra life jackets, get a mid-size one that can fit a range of people.”
Next up, make sure you have a spare oar on bigger boats like full sized framed rafts and drift boats. According to Johnnie, that’s an essential item that a lot of people don’t think about. Some rivers even require you to have one on the boat. On your float tubes whether it is a model with oars or not, kick fins would be a must-have item.
“Having a spare oar is huge because if you have five miles left to paddle and you lose one or break one, it’s important to have a spare. It can mean the difference between getting off the water safely and on time, or rolling in way past dark.”Then, don’t go anywhere without a patch kit. All boats come with a small patch kit. But that kit is only good for minor repairs. You should really have something that can cover a wider range of repairs.
“Remember that the more remote you are, the more you’ll want to carry with you,” Johnnie added. “If you’re floating a popular stretch of river, there might be plenty of boats who can help you out. But on some waters, you might be entirely on your own. If you need help or have questions about repair kits, just stop by or call us at the shop.”
Another must have item on your boat is a safety whistle. If anyone on your boat takes a swim, a whistle is the universal signal that a person is in the water. Any other boats who know river etiquette will look for someone swimming if you blow the whistle. That’s something every boat needs to have.
Then finally, Johnnie recommends always carrying a rescue knife. Having a knife is essential in case anything gets hung up in an anchor rope or a piece of webbing, and you need to cut it loose. This is especially important when a person is involved.
If you have any questions about these “must have” items to get your boat ready for the water, stop by the Anglers All Boathouse. Or give us a call at 303-794-1104.
NICE TO HAVE ITEMS
Next up are the “nice to have” items on your boat. These aren’t as critical as the safety and repair items mentioned above. But they can surely add to your experience on the water.
“The first thing on my nice to have list would be an anchor,” Johnnie said. “It’s not essential but it really is a great item to have.”
Johnnie says that a bowline is another great piece of equipment to have on board. While you could use your throw bag to tie off your boat, having a dedicated bowline is ideal. Plus, you could then use your throw bag to tie off the stern if needed.
The next items on our list would be a dry box and a cooler. Then you may also want to add fly rod holders. And Johnnie recommends an assortment of straps for securing items to the boat. If you plan to do any longer floats or camping especially, straps can really be useful.
“Next, I’d recommend some drop bags for organization,” Johnnie told us. “These mesh bags keep gear like extra life jackets tucked away and organized, rather than having things laying out on the floor of the boat.
And finally, you might want speakers to play some tunes on the river. That can be a nice thing to have on a float trip. Just remember to use those speakers wisely – don’t go blasting music in the wrong situation or when it would be considered bad etiquette.
CLEANING AND REPAIR
Lastly, you’ll want to add some items to your kit that will allow you to clean your raft and keep it running smoothly for a long time.
“I recommend 303, which is a UV protectant that comes in a spray bottle,” Johnnie said. “Just spray it on and wipe it down with a rag. This should be done about once or twice a year, and it keeps your boat from degrading from UV exposure. Even if you store your boat in a garage, your boat still takes a lot of UV abuse on the water, so don’t neglect it.”
Johnnie recommends washing down the boat after each use with mild soapy water, as leftover dirt and sand can be corrosive. Then a couple times a year apply that 303 UV protectant.
“In addition to the repair kit you keep with you on the water, eventually you’ll want to build up a larger assortment of repair supplies at home,” Johnnie told us. “This might include tools and spare parts, like extra valves.”
And finally, he says that a small bucket or even a squirt gun is nice to keep the boat cool. When that rubber gets hot in the sun, splash it down. Johnnie says you can also use it to spray mud or sand off the boat before you take it out and put it back on the trailer. That way, it doesn’t dry on the boat and will be easier to clean up later.
Contact Us With Questions
Have questions or need help finding the right equipment to get your boat ready for the water? Please come see us at the Anglers All Boathouse in Littleton. Or give us a call at 303-794-1104 and we’ll help answer any questions.