TEXAS BOATING by Lenny Rudow
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Ten Items Every Boat Should Have on Board
WHETHER WE USE our boat for fishing, hunting, or sometimes just enjoying the sights of nature out on the water, one thing is for sure: we carry lots of gear — lots and lots of gear.
Some of it is more important than the other stuff. Sure, we know having the gear necessary for safety and communications, such as life jackets and first aid kits or VHF radios and satellite messengers, is critical.
Yet there’s a long list of stuff that falls into the category of “other” that should also be aboard every boat. Some of the gear that makes the list may surprise you. The next time you shove off the dock, be sure to have these 10 items aboard:
1. A long length of extra rope. With today’s super-strong paracord, you can pack away a coil of 50-plus feet in a sandwich baggie. It can come in handy for all sorts of things: lashing together broken parts and pieces, securing items in rough seas, or even tying off the boat to a tree or dock if need be.
2. Duct tape. No, we don’t recommend making “permanent” repairs with this stuff, but it’s the bomb for making on-the-spot quick fixes and patches that will get you home. From ripped canvas, to broken plastic, to cracked hoses, it’ll do the temporary trick.
3. A bottle of water and a protein bar. If you only bring what you plan to drink and eat that day, a time will probably come when a breakdown or weather leaves you stranded, hungry, and thirsty. Excluding your provisions for the day, you should always have some extra water and food aboard your boat in case of emergency.
4. A multi-tool. It should be a strong one, not one of the cheap and easily broken versions, and this is on top of your emergency tool kit. The idea isn’t to depend on it if you need to make repairs, but rather, to have a backup to the tools you already haul along. Critical components include a knife blade, screwdrivers, and pliers.
5. A flashlight (with fresh batteries). You might not ever plan to be out on the water past dark, but accidents and mechanical breakdowns do happen. If you find yourself under a moonless sky past sunset, you’ll want a light source not only so you can see, but also for signaling others. Stay on top of those batteries, too, because it’s all too easy to pack away the flashlight and forget about it for months on end. As a rule, change the batteries every spring and fall.
6. A towel (packaged and stowed in such a way it stays dry). You’d be amazed at what a lifesaver a simple towel can be. Whether someone falls overboard or takes a face-full of spray on a chilly December morning, having a towel to dry off with can make the difference between continuing on your trip or turning around and going home before someone gets hypothermia.
7. A spare pair of polarized sunglasses. You may carry your sunglasses as close as you carry your wallet, which is a good thing. On a boat they aren’t just for comfort but also serve as bona fide eye protection. On bright days when the sun’s reflecting off the water, photokeratitis is a serious danger. Although you might never leave the dock without your shades, it’s common for a guest to forget them or not realize just how important it is to wear them when on a boat. So, having a spare pair on hand is always a good idea.
8. Suntan lotion. As with the water and food, we’re not talking about the stuff you bring with you every trip. We’re talking about the spare tube you keep tucked away somewhere just in case. Sooner or later, for one reason or another, you’ll need it. When you do, you’ll be very glad you have it aboard to prevent turning into a lobster.
9. Some sort of manual bailing or pumping device. Bilge pumps can fail, and waves can roll over the bow. Whenever you’re on a boat there’s a possibility that water will get in. You should always have something that doesn’t depend on electrical power or complex machinery to get it back out. Be it a bucket, a capped jug with the bottom cut off, or a “Thirsty Mate” style hand-powered piston pump, make sure there’s always something aboard you can use to manually bail water.
10. Toilet paper or some napkins. Because emergencies happen — enough said.
Remember, all this stuff is on top of your standard-issue safety and communications gear. Also, this isn’t necessarily a comprehensive list. If you’re heading out for an extended voyage, an overnight trip, or far out into the ocean you’ll want to plan and pack accordingly. Remember, no matter what sort of boat you have or where you do your boating, all 10 of these items belong aboard each and every time you shove off the dock.
Email Lenny Rudow at ContactUs@fishgame.com
