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Boating

CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
edited May 2006 in General Discussion
I'm finally going to get into it. Wife and I are buying a boat tomorrow. The hitch is coming in today, just have to bolt it on. It's a 14' Smokercraft with a 15horse Evinrude, 55lb thrust Minn Kota trolling motor, anchor mates on each end, hummingbird fish finder, new carpet and stereo. Boat and trailer with all accessories for $1750. I know the boat isn't anything to brag about, but we're planning on trading it on a nicer ski-boat in a couple years. The wife hasn't been on a boat for probably 15yrs, since her dad's sailboat, and I'm going to try and ease her back into it. I grew up spending my weekends on the lake in a 21' Sea Ray ski-boat. Some of my fondest childhood/teenage memories are on that boat. I'm hoping that when I have kids I can take them boating like my dad did with my brother and I, some of the best bonding we've had. We have 2 large rivers, the Tippecanoe and Wabash, and 2 lakes (Freeman, Shafer) within 25 minutes. Lots of fishing going on this summer!

Anyway, I just wish this dagum rain would stop. Been raining nonstop for almost 3 days now. Supposed to continue until Tuesday. I guess I'll have to wait until next weekend.
Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
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Comments

  • tacking1tacking1 Member Posts: 3,844
    edited November -1
    have fun and be safe. make sure all your safety gear is aboard.
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  • spryorspryor Member Posts: 9,155
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by tacking1
    have fun and be safe. make sure all your safety gear is aboard.


    Congrats on the boat, they can be a lot of fun..but you already knew that. My wife was the same, just had NO interest in getting in a boat. I talked into going to the river with me once and she loved it. Congrats again.
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  • iwannausernameiwannausername Member Posts: 7,131
    edited November -1
    A boat is a hole in the water you throw money in....

    Enjoy it!
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  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks everyone.

    Quick question......
    I'm trying to put together a list of stuff to pack in a kit for the bag. I have a full basic first aid kit, incuding Sunscreen and stuff for insect bites and stings along with hand cleaner. I have a set of beach towels, and some shop rags I've set aside. I'm trying to remember what tools we had on our boat when I was a kid. Channel-locks, needlenose pliers, regular pliers, screwdrivers, anything else? I have WD 40 and Gibbs oil on my list. What else???? Maybe a 1/4" socket set?
    Thanks
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get a list of required safety equipment from the Coast Guard. Also, if you have one gas tank, I'd carry an extra can.
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • restoreguyrestoreguy Member Posts: 1,563 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Boating will cut into your trigger time...!!!
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  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Add a good flshlight and spare abtteries to your tools- I run on local river, and keep a couple of lightsticks in my "just in cae" kit. Also, last year we had two folks that drowned while fishing at night. Their PFDs (life jackets) were shown in the local news- still in the plastic bags. Be safe out there.
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  • WranglerWrangler Member Posts: 5,788 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by iwannausername
    A boat is a hole in the water you throw money in....

    Enjoy it!


    Ditto! Just make friends with someone who owns a boat, then split the cost of fuel.[:D]
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  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't forget to put in the bilge plug.
    Next year you'll want a 16 footer. It's a common disease known as twofootitous.
    Good luck and be careful!
    The two happiest days of a boat owners life: the day you get your boat and the day you get rid of it!!
    Don't forget the bilge plug!!
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by gearheaddad
    Don't forget to put in the bilge plug.
    Next year you'll want a 16 footer. It's a common disease known as twofootitous.
    Good luck and be careful!
    The two happiest days of a boat owners life: the day you get your boat and the day you get rid of it!!
    Don't forget the bilge plug!!

    Everybody forgets the bilge plug at least once. [:D]
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • ghotie_thumperghotie_thumper Member Posts: 1,561 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've heard the 2 happiest days in a mans life are when he buys his boat and when he sells his boat.

    That said, I've got two, neither are for sale yet of course one's a drift boat thats low maintenance.
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  • RoadkillRoadkill Member Posts: 509 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Cubslovers...........if you are indeed in the Chicago area, come up to Waukegan and I'll give you a ride on the Crownline 250CR. And since you like guns, we can shoot some skeet off of it![:D]
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  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    That would be freakin sweet! I live in Lafayette, IN however.

    Thanks for the offer!
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
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  • pickenuppickenup Member Posts: 22,844 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cubslovers
    Thanks everyone.

    Quick question......
    I'm trying to put together a list of stuff to pack in a kit for the bag. I have a full basic first aid kit, incuding Sunscreen and stuff for insect bites and stings along with hand cleaner. I have a set of beach towels, and some shop rags I've set aside. I'm trying to remember what tools we had on our boat when I was a kid. Channel-locks, needlenose pliers, regular pliers, screwdrivers, anything else? I have WD 40 and Gibbs oil on my list. What else???? Maybe a 1/4" socket set?
    Thanks

    DUCK tape. Quack. [:D]

    Enjoy it......like I needed to say that. [:)]
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  • will270winwill270win Member Posts: 4,845
    edited November -1
    Getting the Carolina Skiff 17 DLX with a 75 Yamaha tomorrow. This is my upgrade from a 16 foot bass boat. Enjoy your first boat, you will want a bigger one, it happens to everyone. The coast guard will require you to have stuff like life jackets for everyone on board, a float cushion (aka throw cushion), in some instances a fire extiguisher, a whistle or air horn for day use. You'll need red/green and all-around white for night operation and at a minimum, a flashlight for signaling in an emergency. Glow sticks in different colors is a good idea.

    Enjoy the boat, they are lots of fun.
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  • snarlgardsnarlgard Member Posts: 1,310 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    good luck
    I just got home from the boat shop with mine
    had to put a new power pack on it.[B)]
    $289.49 installed[xx(]
    going fishing tomorrow[:D]
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  • 00scoots00scoots Member Posts: 410 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I learned the following the hard way: [B)]

    Break
    Out
    Another
    Thousand
    Sweetheart
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  • 41 nut41 nut Member Posts: 3,016
    edited November -1
    There isn't a darn thing wrong with a 14' boat and a 15 HP Evenrude motor. We used the same setup from 1998 until last year when I swapped the 15 in on a new 4stroke Honda 20 outboard. We'll go to the lake about 3 or 4 evenings a week fishing and crusing weather permitting. Loved the 15 Evenrude, but really like the electric start on the new motor.
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  • dclocodcloco Member Posts: 2,967
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cubslovers
    Thanks everyone.

    Quick question......
    I'm trying to put together a list of stuff to pack in a kit for the bag. I have a full basic first aid kit, incuding Sunscreen and stuff for insect bites and stings along with hand cleaner. I have a set of beach towels, and some shop rags I've set aside. I'm trying to remember what tools we had on our boat when I was a kid. Channel-locks, needlenose pliers, regular pliers, screwdrivers, anything else? I have WD 40 and Gibbs oil on my list. What else???? Maybe a 1/4" socket set?
    Thanks


    Vice grips...and that brand, don't buy the cheap ones.

    Glue, need some sort of thick glue.

    Where are the life jackets? Please wear them bro!
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  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yeah, life jackets are required, 1 per person. It already has a fire extinguisher.

    The Evinrude is an electric start.

    I didn't think about the lightsticks, good idea. I'm also thinking about the canned fuel for food. In case we need to keep warm.
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
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  • bigt7mmbigt7mm Member Posts: 4,719 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Congrats and welcome to the wonderful world of boating. I have more fun and adventure in my boat than most have in a lifetime.

    Here's some pics:

    An 8" Cooper River Blue Crab:
    100_0750.jpg

    A 32" Wando River Spot-tail(Channel)Bass-aka Red Drum
    100_0652.jpg

    Secret Camping Spot-aka "Serenity"
    0920352-R1-010-3A.jpg
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  • fugawefugawe Member Posts: 1,540 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    An extra set of plugs and a plug wrench. Spare starter rope. Side cutters to remove fishing or anchor line from prop. Spare tether(kill switch) clip. BTDT on all of these.
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  • shellitoutshellitout Member Posts: 345 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I can't tell you how many times I've been out in the middle of the freakin lake and something happens, engine doesn't turn over, dead battery etc.... DON'T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR CELL PHONE!! Always ask someone what the lake patrols phone number is or call the areas nearest town for that info. Always better to be ready for anything when you get out in the middle. It's a dreadful day paddling back to shore.[:D]
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  • dogmandogman Member Posts: 177 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    After nearly ten years driving little white boats out to rescue unprepared boaters, I discovered that for each boater, there is one thing that is vitally important to have with you... and you won't.
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  • bama55bama55 Member Posts: 6,389 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Others have covered good ideas for the kit. I had a small tool box in my boat. Most of the items have been covered, except for one,
    shear pins!
    I know you don't plan on breaking one, but it happens. We broke two one night jug fishing.
    I miss my boat![:(]
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  • scottm21166scottm21166 Member Posts: 20,723
    edited November -1
    6589304-R1-044-20A.jpg

    careful
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cubslovers
    Thanks everyone.

    Quick question......
    I'm trying to put together a list of stuff to pack in a kit for the bag. I have a full basic first aid kit, incuding Sunscreen and stuff for insect bites and stings along with hand cleaner. I have a set of beach towels, and some shop rags I've set aside. I'm trying to remember what tools we had on our boat when I was a kid. Channel-locks, needlenose pliers, regular pliers, screwdrivers, anything else? I have WD 40 and Gibbs oil on my list. What else???? Maybe a 1/4" socket set?
    Thanks


    Vise-grips: I had an altenator mount break on me one time. this also turned my water pump. I used a pair of vise-grips to hold that mount together to get me back to the boat launch. That was about 20 miles. Found out then you can do alot with vise-grips!
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  • wundudneewundudnee Member Posts: 6,108 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    An extra set of wheel bearings for the trailer and a "good" spare tire. A scissor jack, because your car jack's not going to work on your trailer.
    standard.jpg
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  • GUNFUNCOGUNFUNCO Member Posts: 2,919 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Most motors don't use shear pins any more-that's why you should carry a spare prop. The props have a rubber insert that can wear out and let the center spin freely.


    Registration and numbers properly displayed.

    As others have said-One wearable (Tyoe I, II, or III) lifejacket for each person on board of a size that fits the people on board, ready at hand and not stored in plastic.

    1 throwable for the boat. (Type IV, ring bouy or seat cushion)

    For Michigan-also goes for most states. Boats less than 16 ft can use Type IV instead of wearable, but not the safest way to go-especially in cold weather.

    1 horn or whistle capable of being heard at 1/2 mile.

    1 type B-1 fire extinguisher.

    1 current dated flare kit if on the great lakes or international waters-great idea anyway.

    1 2-color bow light 1 360-degree rear light-high enough to be seen over the operator.

    Flame arrestor on carb (if it has a carb)

    Ventilator (on boats with enclosed engine)

    Kids 6 and under need to be wearing a Type I or II life jacket that properly fits them when on deck or not in sleeping areas.

    Also nice to have-(read-should have)

    Anchor with 3 times as much line as the deepest water you will encounter. About 3 foot of chain between anchor and line. This weighs the line down and makes the anchor "dig" in a current.

    Throw rope and/or tow line.

    oar and boat hook

    First aid kit

    Cell phone

    Engine cut-off with lanyard-worn while boat is being powered. Saginaw Bay just gave up 3 bodies from boaters that fell off 2 weeks ago.

    Lightsticks in pocket of lifejackets.

    MRE's and bottle of water stuck in with a small tool kit. A couple of 50 cal ammo cans works well.
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