So here’s the situation: Im graduating from college in May and moving to Charleston where I got a job. I recently got my first boat and I plan on doing A LOT of fishing when I move back home this summer. However, my boat has absolutely nothing on it; its just a hull and a motor! Naturally there are a hundred things I want to do my boat that I dont have the money for. So I’ve made a list of things I want to get for it once I start making some money and I could use some help prioritizing them. Some are more general/safety things and others are specific for fishing and I’m wondering what I could/should put at the top of my list. Here’s what I’ve come up with in no particular order. If there’s anything else you’d suggest for a new boater let me know!
-Shallow water Anchor Pin
-Bilge Pump (can I get by for now just unplugging the hull after each use or is that stupid?)
-SeaTow or BoatUS Membership
-Running lights (obviously I wont be boating at night until I get these working!)
-Trolling Motor
-Depth Finder
-Marine Radio
-VHF Radio
By the way, boat is a 17ft Cobia CC with 75hp yamaha
IMO, I would suggest puting all of the saftey related items at the top of the list and then worry about the anchor pin, trolling motor, etc…VHF not too critical if you are just staying inshore.
A bildge pump and running lights will not cost you much if you do the work yourself. Even if you don’t plan on going out at night, you never know when you will get held up with boat issues or any other reason late in the afternoon and find yourself having to ride in the dark.
I think a tow membership is about $150? Since you are new boater, I would also suggest a boater’s saftey course.
Shallow water anchor pin can be a copper clad or galvanized grounding rod (cut to approx. 7-8’) from Lowes for around $14 if my memory serves me correctly. With a little shackle thingy to tie your rope to being a few dollars more. I am on my 6th year with mine and it is cheap.
Safety equipment is #1 imo. Bilge pumps are relatively cheap also, make to put a float switch on it you it will drain automatically. Running lights/trailer lights are important and about 30$ for a kit for either.
If you are new boater here you for sure want a depthfinder! You never know when it will go from 10’-2’. You can get a cheap one (good for inshore) at West marine 89$. Once you get all that worry about luxury stuff I.e. rodholders trolling motor anchor pin(which can made DIY easily and cheaply) radio ext. Also for the summer I would for sure look into some shade like a T-top or bimini
don’t forget about the trailer if applicable, make sure it’s in good working order and you’ve got a spare tire! Wish I had spent a little $ getting my trailer in better condition up front, would have saved a lot of headache later.
also, if you haven’t already make sure you at least have the minimum USCG required safety gear.
as far as electronics go, some sort of sonar is definitely nice to have, even if all it does is tell you how deep it can keep you out of trouble! Don’t prioritize it over any safety stuff, but buy the best one you can afford, you’ll be glad you did. If you’re staying inshore, I wouldn’t worry about charting functions unless you can get it in your budget without giving up too much sonar function (esp screen size) - you can get various types of paper (preferably waterproof) charts that will give you a good enough idea of where you are and where you’re going if you have some basic map skills.
you’ll probably want an anchor for deeper water too.
but… even if all you’ve got is a boat and motor and time to go fishing, you’re doing alright!
Life Jackets(required)
Fire Extinguisher(required)
Flare Gun(required)
Floating VHF/Marine/DSC radio with GPS 6watt
Power Squadron’s Boating Safety Course
Get a bottom machine with a good transducer, if you plan on deep holeing or fishing over greenies.
Position your float switch for your bilge so its not below the pump or it will stick on without pumping water. Float switches are only necessary when you leave your boat in the water, otherwise it’s very simple to hit the switch on and off yourself.
Thanks everyone! I’ve already got life jackets, anchor, and spare tire for my trailer. I guess I’ll go ahead and get the flare and fire extinguisher so I’m legal on the water, then I’ll go for a homemade anchor pin. I spooked so many reds this December by throwing my clunky anchor that a more stealthy alternative is near the top of my list! Then I’ll look into running lights, bilge pump, depth finder, and so on as the budget permits…
A lot of good answers. If you have all the safety stuff and are trying to pick between other options it will depend on what type of fishing you will be doing. I fish mostly inshore and shallow so for me, I would pick the trolling motor over the depth finder. I’m hardly ever out of cell phone range so I could do without the radio to start with. If you plan on poling, you can pick up a TFO pole for under $300 or to start with get a piece of bamboo or dowel.
I’ve got an old Eagle fish finder, around a 2006 model. Its not great but caught me a lot of fish on my first boat. I jacked up the power cord taking it out and it would need replacing, but if you want it, you can have it. The biggest thing that it didn’t do that I wish it did was show the underwater topography. I ran aground plenty of times. You may be able to put a card in it and get the topo, not sure.
With a troling motor you will need a battery or 2 and a charger. Boating aint cheep anymore, And the more junk you put in a boat the more HP you will need! Keep it simple and have fun!!! Thank the LORD you live on the coast!
