What do you regularly store on your boat?

[Wake Havasu]

What do you regularly store on your boat?

I am thinking in terms of tools, parts, emergency gear, first aid, ropes, bumpers etc.

[wrangler]

Wake Havasu... On our deck boat, we typically always kept fenders, vests, docking ropes, cross tie ropes, basic tools and prop wrench/puller... There was always two fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, duct tape, flares and a set of jumper cables. The ropes for tubes, skis and wakeboards were always on board as well. The boards and other toys came and went...

It will be interesting to see how we re-equip the new Tige once we get it...

[johnbandrews]

5 Neoprene Life Vests, 5 Emergency Life Vests, 2 Anchors (1 Box Anchor, 1 Fluke), Spare Wheel and Prop Puller, Tool Chest, Fire Extinguisher, Portable Jump Starter (Rechargeable battery w/cables), Spot Light, Several Wakeboarding ropes and handles, at least 3 wakeboards, 1 surfboard, two inner tubes, 12V air pump, First Aid Kit, 2 bumpers, Docking Lines, Sand Spike, Ski Flag, Horseshoes, badmitton set, 4 folding chairs, canopy.

Not to mention the kitchen sink.

[talltigeguy]

JohnB about convered it all - Here's my list:

Anchor, sand spike, first aid kit, lots of wipe down towels, 6 orange life vests, 10-15 adult and kid neoprene and regular vests, horshoe kit, frisbee, football, full socket set, spare prop and puller, pliers, piece of wood for bracing the prop when I use the prop puller, Ipod, screwdrivers, allen wrench kit, several pairs of sunglasses so badly scratched I'll never wear them, 4 fat sacks, 2 pumps, 2 waterskis, 5 person water weenie, 2 tubes, 2 wakeboards, wakesurf board, kneeboard, wakeboard and ski ropes (a spare one of each), suncreen, vinegar, spotlight, air pumps (both low pressure and high pressure), fire extinguisher, knife, the corian table that I never use, jumper cables.

That sounds like plenty to me.

[TeamAllen]

I'll add a pair of binoculars, spare impeller, serp belt and a hand held GPS.

[Dan]

talltigeguy-- what's the vinegar for?

[johnbandrews]

Originally posted by Dan
talltigeguy-- what's the vinegar for?

Dan,

I'm guessing Talltigeguy uses the vinegar to clean hard water spots off his gelcoat. We've been using a "secret" blend for years that works like a charm:

Get a few heavy duty spray bottles (one for each of the crew) and fill them with 1/2 water, 1/2 vinegar, and a capful or so of liquid turtle wax. Shake well before and during use. Spray on, wipe off at the ramp and your boat will shine like new!

It smells awful, and you have to be careful in the wind not to spray the junk in people's eyes, but it is cheap and very effective, even in 110 degree heat. Try it, you'll like it!

- John

[wrangler]

That's a great idea for the cleaner...I had heard about using a very diluted lime away mixed with water and spray wax... I like the vinegar idea better.... Do you just use white vinegar? I used lime away to clean my stainless prop on the deck boat which worked like a charm...

To add to the list of things I forgot, we always have a hand held gps as noted above and a hand held marine band radio... Ran out of gas one time in Topock Gorge and thanks to the hand held radio, we had vessel assist out within an hour and all was well... Reached the marina up at Topock who land line called the vessel assist folks at Havasu... Got that gas gauge sending unit replaced pronto too!!!

[johnbandrews]

Yes, just white vinegar. The wax helps keep the cleaning solution from stripping the wax off your boat. We give each kid a bottle and a rag, and everyone helps wipe the boat down each time we trailer it. Makes a huge difference! Particularly for you guys that have BRAND NEW boats!!!!!

[wrangler]

Great idea!!! The kids are good about helping...but anything that makes it easier is all good!!! Thanks...wrangler

[Dan]

Thanks. I have heard of that solution from others before. I have yet to try it, but with a new boat coming I will keep a supply on hand. I currently wax the boat 2-3 times in the summer and just use the "Absorber" to wipe down after each use. Been working fine over the years. These are great when on the lake as well, I'll run them over the boat if we are beached for a quick cleanup or for spills.

[talltigeguy]

Yes, Vinegar is for cleaning. They say it strips the wax off, but I've never tried adding wax to it to help with that. Sounds like a great idea.

I assume the turtle wax is the liquid stuff?

[johnbandrews]

Originally posted by talltigeguy
I assume the turtle wax is the liquid stuff?

Yes, use liquid Turtle Wax. (I'm sure any quality liquid wax would work)

[NICKYPOO]

The only thing I didn't see on here that we always carry onboard is a reserve drinking water supply. We always have water in the cooler but, I always carry a spare six pack in the observer storage area.

[johnbandrews]

Good point, Nicky. We were once stranded for hours on the 41 in the middle of nowhere. The entire freeway was shut down, and people were dehydrating. We ended up passing out water and cokes to the cars around us. Anytime you're in that kind of heat it makes sense to have extra H20 on board!