Tips and tricks for newbie tow boat owner

[Robmc9]

Needle nose pliers, the really long ones. Guaranteed you'll drop a screw or nut and you won't be able to get your hands/fingers far enough to get it (a magnet on a bendy pole is even better but tough to find). Small head light so when your looking for the screw you dropped you can see it (don't use your phone for this because guaranteed you'll drop it and as Murphy's law goes it'll go right beside the screw your trying to get. Swiss Army knife is also a must! A snorkel mask is another good thing to have on a boat as you'll for sure be diving for a ring/sunglasses/etc at some point.

[talltigeguy]

Needle nose pliers, the really long ones. Guaranteed you'll drop a screw or nut and you won't be able to get your hands/fingers far enough to get it (a magnet on a bendy pole is even better but tough to find). Small head light so when your looking for the screw you dropped you can see it (don't use your phone for this because guaranteed you'll drop it and as Murphy's law goes it'll go right beside the screw your trying to get. Swiss Army knife is also a must! A snorkel mask is another good thing to have on a boat as you'll for sure be diving for a ring/sunglasses/etc at some point.

The snorkel mask is also a must for when you wrap the rope around the prop. And a good knife. I have a big diving type knife that I keep in the boat for when the rope gets wound so tight you just have to sacrifice it. It happens to everyone eventually.

[tigemech]

Needle nose pliers, the really long ones. Guaranteed you'll drop a screw or nut and you won't be able to get your hands/fingers far enough to get it (a magnet on a bendy pole is even better but tough to find). Small head light so when your looking for the screw you dropped you can see it (don't use your phone for this because guaranteed you'll drop it and as Murphy's law goes it'll go right beside the screw your trying to get. Swiss Army knife is also a must! A snorkel mask is another good thing to have on a boat as you'll for sure be diving for a ring/sunglasses/etc at some point.

I wouldnt worry about trying to find a magnet, hardware on boats is stainless steel and not magnetic.

[Jetdriver]

Definitely get a decent set of tools. I carry an extra alternator belt, extra water pump impeller and puller and spare prop and puller. Those are all pretty easy to replace yourself and if on a vacation can cut your trip short. I also carry jumper cables, not really for me so much as I’ve got 3 batteries but you never know and a strong nylon tow cable for pulling a stranded boat.

[duderdude1]

As for things to have on board:
First Aid kit (https://www.samsclub.com/sams/first-...rod20200504.ip)
More then enough Life Jackets (Just basic vest to always have enough)
Ball fenders (https://www.exileaudio.com/store/ins...ll-fender.html) (https://www.toysrus.com/product?prod...=bounce%20ball)
Docking Ropes (http://mooringlines.com/mooring-lines/boat-packages/)
Box Anchor (https://www.slideanchor.com/)

Safety and protection is best. Everything is icing on top.

[JTs-rz2]

X2 on the box anchor.

Don't for get your throwable!!! Store the throwable where you always know where it is. And audible and visual safety items.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[TigeFamily]

Check you state boating rules for what you must carry on your boat (Safety wise) since they will ask if you get pulled over for a safety check and tickets suck! Fire extinguisher is a must and in my state, the throwable must be within reach of driver, first aid kit, multi-tool and tool kit like others have suggested....of course life jackets for everyone. Personally if you are new, I recommend a "BOAT HOOK", easy to use to pull boat into dock when backing off trailer, keeping other boats away....helping to catch the dock while you are getting used to how the boat reverses (once you get it, you will be able to manuever better than I/O)...basically come in to dock at slight angle (nose to right like it will hit dock first), pop into reverse and it will pull you into dock evenly. (Hilarious how people without an inboard see me coming in at that angle and their eyes get wide thinking I will ram the nose of boat....then quick reverse and she bumps into dock perfectly even. Occasionally you will see someone scratching their head wondering how it happened, lol).

Buy quality boat FENDERS!! Dock lines and ropes.

x1000 on Small size box anchor (plenty for my 24ft boat). Everything else is crap once you use one, you wont have to reset it.

Great looking boat, congrats!