By Tackle Warehouse | Updated September 2023
Being prepared is arguably one of the most important aspects of boating. Whether you are new to boating or have a lifetime of experience, carrying the right equipment on board is key to ensuring a successful day on the water, especially when things don’t go as expected. Tackle Warehouse has compiled the following list of boating equipment that has helped get us out of jams time and time again and will hopefully keep you safer while boating.
Please note that while some of this equipment overlaps with Coast Guard requirements, it is not the entirety of mandatory safety equipment. Each vessel is required by the Coast Guard to carry certain safety equipment based on the vessel’s propulsion, capacity, and a number of other factors. Please do your research before going on the water and make sure your vessel and your equipment are in compliance with all regulations.
Two very important tools that should never leave your boat are a prop wrench and a prop stop. A prop wrench provides the leverage you need to remove a prop nut, while the prop stop prevents the propeller from rotating while you’re loosening the prop nut. In the event you unexpectedly hit something hard enough to damage your propeller, having the correct prop wrench and a prop stopper could be the difference between getting back to the boat ramp or spending a cold night on the water. Removing the prop is a common task that every boater should be prepared for and should also be a part of your regular preventative maintenance schedule, as debris and fishing line often get wrapped around the prop shaft and can cause serious damage.
Just like your truck has a spare tire for replacing a flat when you’re on the road, every boat should be equipped with spare propellers for the outboard and trolling motor in the event they get damaged while you’re on the water. You’ll also want to keep spare parts on hand like extra prop nuts, washers, and cotter pins in case you damage them while fishing or misplace them while making repairs. If you are looking for a better way to store your spare trolling motor prop, check out the MDX Boat Products Prop Docks to save space and provide an efficient storage solution that attaches to the inside of any compartment.
Before you hit the lake, it’s a great idea to practice swapping your props on dry land to familiarize yourself with the process, make sure everything fits, and ensure you have everything needed to get the job done. If you often fish waters choked with heavy vegetation, consider picking up a weedless trolling motor prop so you have the option to swap it out when maneuvering through thick cover. Some anglers also switch to aftermarket prop nuts that reduce noise and require no tools to install so they can swap propellers out at a moment’s notice.
A dead battery can quickly ruin your fishing day if you don’t have jumper cables or the added convenience of a battery-powered jump starter. The NOCO Boost Ultra Safe Lithium Jump Starter is a compact and portable lithium-powered jump starter that provides peace of mind by eliminating the fear of being stuck with a dead battery on the water. Perfect for casual boaters and tournament anglers alike, you’ll never have to worry about getting your boat started or returning in time for the weigh-in. The NOCO Boost Ultra Safe Lithium Jump Starter also doubles as a portable power source for recharging USB devices, smartphones, and tablets or powering 12-volt devices like a tire inflator or power inverter.
Without a secure place to store spare marine parts and tools, they inevitably get scattered throughout the compartments in your boat and become difficult to locate when you need them most. To save time on the water and prevent a potential headache, store all of your tools and hardware in a dry marine storage box or bag in one convenient location, so you always have quick and easy access. Other items that we like to keep in our dry marine storage boxes include duct tape, super glue, Allen wrenches, sockets, spare outboard oil, first-aid kit, and a basic set of tools.
Whether or not you like wearing a life jacket on the water, all boaters are required to have at least one wearable life vest for each passenger, and most states require children under the age of 13 to wear one while onboard. Fortunately wearing a life jacket is no longer a cumbersome task on the water, as modern inflatable PFDs combine safety with low-profile designs that allow you to move freely on the water without impeding your range of motion. Simply put, life jackets save lives and are required by law to be aboard every vessel, so it’s important to have one anytime your outboard motor is in gear.
Carrying the proper tools, hardware, and replacement parts on your boat not only helps you get out of a tough situation but also boosts your confidence when you are traveling to fish or approaching an unfamiliar body of water. As a reminder, this list should only serve as a starting point and is simply a reflection of some of our favorite boating accessories that have saved a fishing day from ending early when we found ourselves in a tight spot on the water. Boating laws and requirements vary from state to state, so if you are unsure about what safety equipment you need in order to remain compliant, be sure to reach out to your local Department of Fish and Game or Coast Guard.
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