The Pontoon Life - Essentials for the Water

Throughout quarantine, the entire year, we procrastinated and procrastinated about buying a boat until we rented one in Tennessee.  After a day on the lake, we were hooked and knew we had to rejoin the boating community - and so we did.  But not for another 8 months!  That's right!  That is how long it took for us to find a pontoon boat in the middle of a pandemic- and when we did, we had to drive 8 hours to a whole other state to get one!  That wasn't all peaches and cream either.  The dealer tried to get away with doing nothing.  Our brand new, 2021 boat didn't look brand new when we got there but that's a whole other story.  (By the time we left there it was looking new though!) Who knew what would be popular during "lock down" - or in our state's case, "fake social distancing."  You got it.  We live in Florida!  I mean, I don't blame people for snagging all the boats.  What else are you going to do when the world is shut down, traveling options are limited and you are, or were - hopefully- being selective about socializing with others!

There are some people who buy a boat, hop on it and don't think about safety, their state's laws, or regulations. While I have relaxed a lot since the children are all older and don't want to boat with us, I was still insisting on gathering the supplies we needed for a day out on the water.  You are a DOT in the middle of the water; 

                                                                                    

Just like that. Doesn't matter if it's a lake, a river or the vast ocean - you are a miniscule thing when you look around.  Even on a lake, it is possible not to see anyone for hours! As a previous boat owner, we knew the items we would need to have - making the boat legal to use - so I got to it!  The items I have shown here are for boats above 16' long.  If you have something smaller, find out what your regulations are.  

With that in mind, I created a list, with some pictures, of items you should have on your boat, along with a list of comforts, for a day on the water.  If your state requires you to take a boating course before heading into the water, you will find all of this info listed throughout the hundreds of pages you have to squint and read through.  : ) Otherwise, here's a cheat sheet for some must haves.  I hope you find them useful.  I can put links down below. No, I do not earn a commission from them... I will just tell you where you can look.  One of the important things to do is a price comparison.  In the boating supply community, there are some sellers that jack up the price of items.  You can find the same items at a fraction of the cost elsewhere - so do your homework!  

In no particular order, here are some essentials for the water:

1. LIFE JACKETS -  We have 2 manual inflatable life jackets that aren't bulky, for hubby and I, but wanted to purchase extras for guests we take onboard... just to store. Bass Pro Shops had them for $39.95 but we got the same ones from Academy Sports for $26.95.  You will need Type II.

2. GARMIN STRIKER 4 - Not that I don't trust my husband but again, you are a DOT in the water.  I wanted to ensure we can get back to wherever we take off from, with the idea of going in to different waters, and know if we are headed towards rocks, shallow water or any other hidden gem in the water.  It has a fish finder as well so that is a bonus for when I attempt to try.  We didn't need anything fancy because we would not be on the ocean and we are familiar with the rivers where we are.  Awesome for the price.

We purchased this at Bass Pro Shops.  It was the same price on Amazon and at Academy Sports.  $119.00 

3. BOAT WASH MATERIALS -  Peace of mind for a clean boat.  Dropping your boat into the lake, or the river, will require care afterwards.  Boater's Pride! Spending 15 minutes washing it after a day on the water can save you a lot more money later.  The salt and/or lake bacteria will build up.  If you leave salt water on, you are sure to get rust very quickly.  Be sure to spray, wash and rinse your trailer as well.  Overtime, it will create holes in your trailer and deteriorate.  Don't use simple Dawn soap on your boat.  If you happen to have biodegradable, well, that's ok.  Remember, what you put on your boat will eventually go back in to the water and there is marine life that we love to watch in those miles of water.  Boat wash soap is delicate and made for aluminum or fiberglass, specifically.  Check out a few.  This was purchased at Bass Pro Shops for $9.99 but later saw it at Academy Sports for $7.99.   Use a soft sponge so you don't scratch your boat.  Great for the truck wash as well!  Stay ready, so you don't have to GET ready.  Be proactive with your boat care then you don't have to be reactive.

4. KEY FLOAT - Not a safety product but for the $2.29 paid at Walmart, this peace of mind was cheap!  I was there, picked up one for the main key and the spare.  A key floating out of your pocket, or dropping out of a bag when you are on the boat is not a fun scavenger hunt.  Save yourself headaches, time and your marriage - buy a floating key chain!

5. HORN - Some boats have them, some don't.  This is a legal requirement.  I could see how this could come in handy because of noise levels.  The boat horn wouldn't be loud enough if attempting to catch attention of another vessel in an emergency.  Get it.  Purchased at Walmart for $5.99.

6. DISTRESS FLAG - The boater's safety course will show you this universal symbol/flag as an option for daylight use.  Sized at 3x3, opened,  you can definitely see how this flag is an attention grabber when used.  You can also use day time flares, which you will see below. Instantly noticeable in daylight hours, it comes with strings to put through grommet holes to hang, if an emergency arises.  Find out your state's laws to see what combination of day time/night time signals you are able/required to have.

                                                

7.  FLARES - There are flares you can purchase with the gun, however, these are handheld flares for daytime, or night time use. Many options are available. Purchased ours from Walmart for $24.95.  Academy Sports had them for a comparable price; $26.99.   Some states require you to have a combination of 3 distress signals. In our state, the 3 combos can be flares and the distress flag shown above.  Do your homework to find out what is required for your state law. 

8. FIRE EXTINGUISHER - Marine grade.  There is a difference in fire extinguishers! Safety boating course (ABC's of a fire). This is important if you have inboard, outboard motors.  We were given this one by our dealer, when we purchased the boat but you can purchase an identical one for $14.99+.  

                                                

9. OARS/PADDLES - Now, this is not required however, I figured I would grab 2 for our water accessories.  It can't hurt!  They extend out when pulled. While we do have a throwable floatation device, I can see this as being a helpful tool, if necessary.  With water craft season upon us, these were selling out several times I went to our local Walmart.  This was probably the biggest price difference I saw in 3 shops.  Walmart was cheaper to purchase by $6!  Wally World for the win!

10.  ANCHOR BAG - I know, I know.  Why - right?  Well, to be honest, the first time we went out into the boat, it drove me crazy to have the rope and anchor in the corner of the bow area.  I like to step up front by the door for many reasons - not to mention as I need to anchor when hubby is positioning the boat.  Not tripping on all of the excess rope is important!  Not getting tangle and caught up to possibly fall overboard is important!  For this reason, the extra rope stays right inside of this waterproof bag and for the $7.99 that I paid for it, it is well worth it!  Keeps the area neat, helps me not trip and I can easily toss it underneath bow seating when not in use.  I love it!  Trying to toss a huge anchor over the bow with chain and rope is not easy!

11. DANFORTH ANCHOR (FLUKE) -  This one puzzled me with the different types they had in stores.  Almost purchased a mushroom but... I had to read and do research before we purchased the anchor.  Purchase the anchor based upon the size of your boat.  Research told me to purchase an 8lb anchor for our 22' pontoon.  Well, arriving at the store, looking at the 8lb, I thought, what in the world is that going to hold AND fight wind.  No thank you.  We purchased the next size up and I am so happy we did!! We purchased the kit.  If you purchase a kit, check the price to see if purchasing the galvanized chain, ropes, anchor separately is cheaper.  Obviously if you have to replace one thing, purchase it separately but the anchor will be a long term usage thing.  In my opinion, go larger than what your boat says because anchoring in wind and certain sandy bottoms can be a hassle waiting for it to catch on bottom.

12. ANCHORS LINES - If you don't purchase an anchor kit, you will need anchor lines ... OR. .. when you want to change your anchor line because of algae or bacteria build up and not clean it, get yourself anchor lines.  They are available in twisted, or braided rope options, and at varying lengths.  The deeper the water you may be in, the longer the rope you will need.  I purchased this from Walmart for $9.50 but then we decided to get the kit and it came with 100 ft of rope.  It wasn't worth my sanity to return the reel so I am holding on to it for when the rope gets slimy and I don't want to wash it! : )

13. FENDERS - Not a safety product, rather a peace of mind product.  I guarantee you will get your boat bumped up against the dock, no matter how much of a pro you think you are!  You will, at some point, battle wind when attempting to dock.  These fenders will be that bubble between the dock wood and your boat sides, saving it from scratches and dents.  Buy them!  This set was purchased at Bass Pro for $29.95 but it came with dock lines as well.  The dock lines have a loop handle to wrap around the cleat on the dock.  They come in an assortment of colors to match your boat. I reused the bag when I removed the fenders because they stay in the bow storage area near the anchor lines anyway.  

                                                        

14.  TRAILER LOCK - So you have your new boat, got to the dock and are excited to get in the water.  Don't ruin your day to get back and find your trailer has been stolen off of your truck!  It happens.  There are lurkers at the docks.  There are mean people that will take advantage of your forgetfulness.  Get a lock!  Don't put a $10 lock on your $2-3,000 trailer either!  Invest a few extra bucks to secure your investment.  Use it to lock up on your property as well if it isn't stored. Purchase a lock system that has at least a 2 step locking system... minimum. Make the person work to steal your trailer if they want it!  Use chains around the trailer and wheel if you have to as well. Be sure to research where you are docking; read reviews on the Google Maps locations.  Boaters tell other boaters!

15. WATER RESISTANT MARINE EMERGENCY BOX - You are required to carry your boat papers onboard, as if you are driving your car.  Store your registration and other pertinent information in here.  Then add in your flares, whistles, horn, distress flag as well.  It locks.  You can remove it if you would like but I found it easier to put my papers in a Ziplock bag inside of this box so that I only remove the papers.  Everything else can stay in the storage seating.    I found one of these at Academy Sports for $9.99 but Walmart sells them for $10.99, as does some sellers on Amazon.  

What have we learned since venturing out onto the water in the last month of owning our boat?  

• It is easier to store your safety, required items in one area of the boat. 
• Water Resistant bags are definitely needed.  You WILL get water in your boat.  A cute bag will not keep them dry.
• Fish and Wildlife can stop you and request to see your items so make sure your vests fit, that you have the appropriate sizes if you have children onboard, extinguisher is the right grade, flares and everything is up to date, not expired - if you purchased a used boat that came with the items.

Some boaters who have experienced different situations on the water may be able to save you some headaches, or help make your boating day a little more enjoyable where you may not have thought of scenarios, or items.  If you want to see a list of "Good to Haves" check out that post.