New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

[cjkeeme]

Hi All,

I bought a 2001 Bayliner Capri Sport last year. We took it out on the water a couple of times and it was a ton of fun.

I would like to get an early start to make sure everything is ready for Spring and Summer here in AZ and buy anything I may need (upgrades, toys, etc.). Does anyone have any suggestions on things I should consider buying? I think I'm just overly excited and would like to spend some of my disposable cash... :facepalm:

I have already ordered wake tower speakers, an amp, an extra battery, battery switcher and wakeboard.

EDIT: I should also mention who the boat will be used by: Myself (29), my wife (28), my son (2), friends of the same age that have kids age 3 and 9.

Here is a picture:
http://i.imgur.com/Z1zEd.jpg

 

[NYBo]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

Easy there, cowboy! I think you're discovering that having a boat can be like having a mistress, expense-wise.
Don't neglect safety equipment and basic maintenance in favor of "goodies". And don't let the 2 year-old use the boat by himself!:faint2:

Nice looking boat, BTW.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

an extra battery, battery switcher

An ACR will fool-proof charging the second battery.

I'm with NYBo, safety gear and maintenance would be at the top of my list if just getting into boating. Anchor and line, PFD's, first aid kit, etc... What was done to your boat recently for maintenance? I/O's require periodic maintenance or things can get really expensive; bellows, impeller, belts, fluids and filters. A small tool kit wouldn't be a bad idea either (enough for your skill level) screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, tape, electrical connectors, wire, extra fuel filter(s), rags, hand cleaner, multimeter or test light, thread and needle. (I even have a spare set of trailer wheel bearings pre-packed with grease in my tool kit, just in case...)

A set of bimini clips or something of the sort so you can hang a towel off the bimini or tower, to get more shade when anchored or beached.

 

[tazrig]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

Another one for safety first. In addition to everything already mentioned what about a good 2 way marine radio with antenna or at least a hand held, find out what you need to do for maintenance on the engine and drive and stick to it. Have you changed the oil in the engine and drive since last season? Has the water pump impeller been changed and drive pressure tested in the last 2 years? After all of the safety and maintenance... do you have a depth finder?

 

[jestor68]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

A nice 4 blade SS prop and a set of shiny alloy wheels for the trailer should blow a good wad of that cash burning a hole in your pocket.

Or you could put it into the kid's college fund. Forget that......buy something shiny! :laugh:

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

It doesn't look like you are required to complete a Boaters Education course in AZ unless you are under 8 years old.
But it is always a good idea.

The Coast Guard Axillary or the US Power Squadron volunteers will come to your house and inspect your boat for free.
If you Pass you will get an Inspection sticker for the windshield.
It often helps in having the Real Water Police NOT stop you for random inspections unless you are doing something really stupid.
If you do not pass, you just get a Do-Over. No foul! No Penalties! No Fines!

It sound like you are not in the sunny south of AZ because you are waiting for spring to arrive.
If it ever gets anywhere near the freezing point in your neighborhood, I hope the engine was winterized last fall!

The kids and the wife will appreciate a Cockpit style Tube much more than a Deck Style.

HINT:
At the top of this page; Click on "My Profile"
Under "Location"; Enter your City, State.
You will get more specific answers if we know generally where you hang out.

 

[cjkeeme]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

Thanks for all the advice. I should have mentioned the first thing I did was buy Life Jackets, a good tool kit for for the boat and a first aid kit. We are pretty safe out there always keeping a watchful eye on everything going on around us.

I can see the very first thing I should do this season is take the boat to a mechanic and have the oil changed and everything checked. I have the boat stored in Roosevelt, AZ - does anyone know a good mechanic up there?

I think a cockpit style tube might actually get my wife in the water...

 

[buellwinkle]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

Don't let the buzzkills get you down. Toys are where it's at. Get a nice inflatable and tow rope to tow the kids around.

Get a firearm in case things get crazy on the river, a lot of drunks, I prefer an old school Remington 870 12 guage, good tactical weapon, doesn't carry that far so no need to worry about people 100' away.

 

[bako88fan]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

I'm all for making a safety list, a fun list, a maintenance list and then a camping/picnic list. I have large duffle bags I store in the boat and each is labeled. There's also a laminated list in each one so that I know what should be in them. I check them before I go out. The picnic/camping bag acts as my 72 hour bag. In the event we are stranded, the family of 4 has everything we need to survive 3 days.

Being a guy who has had more than his share of issues with his trailer, I would suggest getting a thorough inspection of yours. Make sure that the tires are checked and the brakes, if equipped are serviced. I'd grease the hitch and ball with a good marine grease. Grease the hubs and inspect your wiring for damage.

I also use a good carnauba wax on her. That's a good looking boat you have. The best way to keep her shined up and the gel coat from cracking in your hot sun is a good coat of Treewax. I do mine by hand. A four hour investment every 2 months is worth it for years worth of shine and protection.

I second the idea about a marine radio. Especially if you're on the Colorado above Davis Dam, there are plentyof ddesolate, lonely places where a good radio / antenna setup could help.

Happy boating.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

buy anything that can make the boat easier to load and quicker to clean. nothing worse than the wife saying lets go then you have to think about all the work to load/hitch/launch then after the day is done you are left flushing the motors and cleaning the decks while everyone else is chilling out. once the boat becomes work it tends not to get used as often as when its fun. The best item i have bought is a garden spigot with a roll up hose right next to where i park the boat in the yard.

 

[briangcc]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

Assuming you're up to snuff on the safety gear (everyone mentioned life jackets but how about a fire extinguisher and a couple paddles?) and you want to get to the inflatable toys consider this:

1. How are you going to transport the toys from the dock to open water? Uninflated? Inflated? If the latter, you'll want some rope or straps to keep the inflatable out of your way. Trust me, I've been there. A single person tube takes a lot of floor space if inflated.

2. If not inflated, how are you inflating them? I'd recommend a GOOD quality 12v compressor. Not one of those all in one wonders that doubles as a 110V power source, jump pack, flashlight, etc.

3. Considering you're talking inflatables, look into a good quality tow rope!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

Save your money and don't buy a stainless steel prop until you have hit your prop a few times and learn how not to hit it! Aluminum props are way more forgiving on your sterndrive and cheaper.

I would buy a spare prop though. If you plan on boating at higher elevation lakes, you may want to buy a prop that has a couple less inches of pitch.

 

[eavega]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

I used to live out in Tucson, but never owned a boat out there. If you typically anchor, get yourself a good anchor and chain with enough line. If you typically beach your boat, I cannot recommend a keel guard enough. I spent two years beaching my little 15' tri-hull in the summer, then repairing the keel in the winter. The last year I owned it I put a keel guard on it, and never worried again about running it up on the beach. First thing I put on my new boat was a keel guard.
Definitely get a bimini if you don't have one. You need somewhere to get yourself and especially the little ones out of the sun.
Aside from that, make sure you have correct-sized PFDs for the little ones, with the crotch strap that will hold their face out of the water.
Ditto on the cockpit-type tube. Kid will have a BLAST.

Rgds

 

[tazrig]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

Another thing I forgot to mention earlier... If you're going to do some or all of the maintenance on your boat then a set of service and parts manuals from Mercury are an invaluable tool.

 

[palace]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

Well welcome, AZ Game and fish offers free boating safety class which can get you 10% off your insurance I have an 87 capri and have a last with my kids on Lake Pleasant. Wipe your hull down when you come out is a good thing. Put an a float switch in for your bilge pump is good. Remember to wire up to constant hot. You should check out canyon lake too. We did lake Powell last summer. If you need parts best to get them online. Wally World has quicksilver oils which I believe are mercrusier oils. If you are not doing the work yourself, be prepared. SAMs club and Costco have nice towables. If you need bumps or extra anchor cruise Craigslist. I am up here in Phoenix if you see the Anna Pearl out on the lakes stop and say hi!

Thanks for all the advice. I should have mentioned the first thing I did was buy Life Jackets, a good tool kit for for the boat and a first aid kit. We are pretty safe out there always keeping a watchful eye on everything going on around us.

I can see the very first thing I should do this season is take the boat to a mechanic and have the oil changed and everything checked. I have the boat stored in Roosevelt, AZ - does anyone know a good mechanic up there?

I think a cockpit style tube might actually get my wife in the water...

 

[cjkeeme]

Re: New Boat - Some Advice on Thing to Buy

Just a follow-up. I got my oil changed, gear box oil and impeller changed. Cost me $375 and the mechanic lives 100 yards from where I store my boat. The boat feels so much better now. Best thing, the mechanic said he can do anything I want done.

Next on the list:
Add a second Bimini top
Raise driver seat 7 inches
Waketower speakers
An inflatable tube