Congratulations—you’ve finally done it! You’ve just purchased your very first boat and cannot wait to hit the water.
With keys in hand, you’re about to take your first steps towards boating fun and create lifelong memories with your family. Before you head out on the water, let’s make sure you’ve got everything you’ll need.
Here are five things every new boater should own before hitting the water
Throwable Flotation Device
A must-have on all boats is a throwable flotation device. A “throwable”, as it’s commonly referred to, is a device that can be thrown into the water in case of an overboard emergency.
It’s not designed to be worn, but to supplement the buoyancy of someone overboard.
Flare Kit
Often a requirement on large bodies of water (large inland lakes, oceans, US Coastal waters, etc.), a flare kit is used to signal nearby boaters or authorities that your boat is in dire need of assistance.
They have an expiry date so make sure that your boat has a function kit before hitting the water
Dock Line
Rope or “dock line” as it’s referred to in the nautical world, is an essential item when it comes to boating.
Dock line has a variety of different uses such as allowing you to tow a fellow boater back to shore, tying up to the cleats of another boat while rafting or, you guessed it—tying up to a dock.
RELATED: We recommend learning some basic knot tying techniques which you can find HERE.
Anchor
Since the beginning of boating, an anchor has always been the best way to keep your boat from drifting in the water.
The model shown above is an 8 pound Danforth style anchor, which is good for most boats in the 20 to 26 ft range. Please note that larger vessels may call for larger anchors.
CGA Life Vest Pack
No matter how good of a swimmer you think you are, life jackets are an essential piece of kit when it comes to boating.
On large bodies of water, they are required by the United States Coast Guard and are an absolute lifesaver in case of an emergency.
We recommend a life vest 4-pack as seen above.
If you’re looking for something a bit more stylish then you can check out CGA or Coast Guard Approved jackets at your nearest Action Water Sports pro shop. They come in a variety of different styles and colors so you look your best out on the water.
Thank you for sharing the water with us!
Please click below to connect with your local Action Water Sports. We’re always happy to help!
